Working on Ghost Ship is one of the most concurrently challenging and rewarding jobs I have the privilege to take on every year. The work lasts 9 months from initial planning to final thank you cards. In the midst of the focus put in to being a producer of the event, I have also to be aware of the responsibility of actually playing at this event. With upwards of FIFTY DJ's on the bill, representing the city's finest crews, one certainly wants to give their best effort. The fact that thousands attend an annual event that has no real "headliners" also allows the San Francisco underground to truly shine at Ghost Ship. Thus, all of my friends and colleagues from our local scene plan their sets for months and everyone brings their "A" Game. And to me, the pressure to impress these peers is far more palpable than any audience expectations one could imagine. "How you did" at Ghost Ship carries on in people's minds for a long time around here. This year, we added some additional firepower in the persons of our longtime heroes James Lavelle (Unkle) and Afrika Bambaataa. And since I was scheduled to follow Bambaataa, one might think that the pressure was turned up a notch or two even higher. 

But contrary to that expectation (and my own), I hit the stage feeling nothing but relaxed and positive. I had closed for some stars before, including Metallica, P-Funk, and even Bambaataa on several occasions previously, which helped. But what really helped was the incredible energy in the room from people who were completely blissed-out by the wonder of the event. That I had some part to do with its successful execution filled me with a lot of pride and joy.  All of the worries, private fears, and pressure of the build faded away into a sea of smiles. 

For the set, you may notice that I consciously tried to bridge the gap between Bambaataa's legacy in hip hop and electro, that of the event's heavy breakbeat traditions, and the Halloween spirit. I also worked hard to make sure that UNKLE was represented in the set with their legendary DJ Shadow/Roots Manuva "GDMFSOB". This was also, strangely, the first set I had played in many months that was not a "theme set"… like the "All Radiohead", "All Talking Heads", "All Motown" sets I had found myself doing so often. This creative freedom just meant that I could have as much fun as I wanted to, play what I thought best fit the moment, and watch the room bug out. And bug out it did. Batshit crazy they were. Rarely have I received such positive feedback from a DJ set. Believe me, even after 20 years behind the decks, true gratitude does not go unnoticed or unappreciated. So thank you to the Bay Area community, all the people who worked on Ghost Ship Halloween, and also to my favorite podcast the RIPECAST for recording and putting out these sets. - MoPo

For more information on Motion Potion visit: www.motionpotion.com

Artwork by www.jempanufnik.com