Mofo Events: World Tour

Dear Friends,
I haven't written an update in a while but I have to share some new music with you. Most would have expected my last update to be some outrageous, insane story from Burning Man 2003. It was outrageous. It was insane. It was beautiful. Black Rock City is always one of the most incredible places on earth.

New Music - Outer Space Vol 3

However, as many know, I'm back in LA and I have been extremely busy setting up my interactive agency Symbio: http://www.symbioagency.com/
Doing this has left me with too little time to document and write about my Burning Man this year. Also, another thing happened. My experience was simply "eclipsed" by a deeper, more spiritual journey. Knowing my love of burning man, this is saying a lot. This journey is a trip about Music, Art, Technology, Friendship and Love. This is a multimedia experience I'd like to share. Music. Stories and Pictures. Mostly, I am extremely excited to share some new music!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woah. Wait till you hear this. The music is the important part….. But I don't think I can share it without explaining some of the surrounding story for those who are interested.

The New Music

So click on this link and listen. Then read on: Outer Space Vol 3

NYC photo gallery
It was to all begin with a special night @ Candelas in San Diego. I headed down to SD on a Saturday afternoon in the typical LA traffic. Tonight Casey Goto and Hugh were spinning @ Candelas.. This combo always proves to be awesome and this night was no different. The many times I've spent time with Casey And Hugh have ended up being deep and meaningful musical excursions. Sometimes with many others, sometimes just the three of us playing records all day at someone's house…... Perhaps it was the imminent NYC trip which was generating so much electricity. When I say Imminent, I mean it. Two hours after Candelas closes we were leaving San Diego @ 4am bound for Long Beach Airport. So the excitement was building. Candelas went off and Casey and Hugh had their hands in the air more than once in the evening. Great night!!

We headed back to Terry's for the after party. More music in the T Dome of Techno. more fun. Finally we leap into a car and we're off.

We rendezvous at Long Beach Airport. This trip was arranged by Hugo in celebration of his birthday. Which, coincidentally, is Sara Storrie's b day as well.

The people at the airport this morning:

Hugh

Wai 2 Cool
Sara

Casey Goto

Jasoon

Chris Renzulli

Me.

It was sure to be a fantastic time. These are some of my closest friends and some of the most independently, drama free "fun-atics" I know. Oh boy. Why NYC? Well, one reason: it's one of the biggest homes of electronic music, house and disco. Because it's one of the most high energy environments on the planet. Because we all love it. Because it's NYC.

It was surreal standing at the airport at 6am with these people. We all made it. Some coming from LA, SD. But it wasn't to be missed. I say cheerio to everyone as my row is called and expect to see everyone on the other side. In NY. After some much needed sleep.

We boarded the plane and I find my seat: 14A.

Next thing, Sara sits down in 14C and I'm shocked. We booked out tickets completely separately....What are the odds. Plus, no one is sitting between us. Party ensues. The flight attendants took one look at us and made our cocktails doubles…… and it was a FUN flight! The seats were not in the locked and upright position and our tray tables were not stowed! Best ever.

With a quick touchdown we see a sign: "Loft Party". Limo!

Limo Party ensues…….we pop out of the Lincoln tunnel and we are here. In the city. It's a beautiful day and we are all amp'd. A quick stop at our hotel. We are staying at the at an ol' skool hotel right on central park. super great rates and park views. 2 suites. Jason catches up with us. NYC means so much to me and over the years I've been on countless trips. I had no idea how special this trip would be.

We get to the hotel and quickly shower, change and head off the Loft. It takes a train or two to get our bearings…...... as 7 of us run up the stairs from the subway to the street Chris screams: Warriors, come out and plaaaayeeee!! it was soo funny and still puts a smile on my face! Finally we get downtown. A quick Huddle. hug and it's on.

David Mancuso's Loft:

From the outside. A large, nondescript door.... With 3 lonely balloons taped up. Inside. A staircase, the little rascals…... Then, the huge, warm dance party. Hundreds of balloons. Hundreds of people. Dancing. Children. Food, Drinks and Smiles. Hanging high above the dance floor is the biggest disco ball I've ever seen!! Mancuso behind turntables set up at eye level sitting on 50+ cinder blocks. His unruly hair in silhouette. Only a small flashlight bouncing around looking for the next record.

David has been throwing parties since the 70's. What impresses me about David is his dedication to NEW music. And classics. To sound and technology. To fun and love.

For more on Mancuso you can read this interview at Discomusic.com Or check out the bio by Steven Harvey

Looking at the giant disco ball we ponder: Wow. What would happen if the disco ball fell?? I figure, Hey, what a great way to go. Killed by a giant disco ball @ a dance party. There are worse things in the world.

At one point I'm in the middle of the dance floor with hugh. He turns to me and says: this is "YOUR SONG". - Mancuso is playing "Star Child". By Level 42. This is a track from 1981. Early electronic music!

There's cowbell. Triangle. It's techie. "Underwater organ or space keyboard". And a beautiful message. I love it.

http://www.theloftnyc.com/

It was an amazing night! I head back to the hotel exhausted…plus I have to work Monday.

Monday I was working most of the day. But Monday Night, was DeepSpace!!!!

I was already very familiar with François K thanks to Casey and Hugo exposing him to me. . But I was incredibly excited to experience him live. Deep Space is held at Cielo. A small, intimate and spacey club in the meat packing district. Lots of warm orange glow powered by deep, spacey dub!

Deep Space NYC

FK is one of the most competent, technically proficient, and experimental DJ's I've heard. He goes anywhere. Everywhere. But always deep, and clean and interesting. He puts everything he has into his art. And you can feel it.

A little more on FK: http://www.jahsonic.com/FrancoisKevorkian.html

As many know….I love all that is Spacey and Techy so I was in "heaven"!!! ;-)

At any moment I could look around the dance floor. My 6 friends on the dancefloor, also in heaven.

The dance floor goes off and the people here on a Monday night know why they came and don't' stop for a minute. My friend Sam joined us as he's now working in NYC now. (We worked together @ Shift in New Zealand)

Jimi Hendrix.

When I was 12 years old I collected about 10 Hendrix records. (The first vinyl I ever purchased!) I didn't know why. I was 12. I didn't' really even have a place to play them. Sure we had a record player…..but I was more into Pac Man at the time……. I never really did play them. I was collecting them. Over the years I listened to tons of Jimi. Just not these records. I was simply drawn to this artist. To the music. To the art. Just remember searching for them in Wellington. I found more @ Virgin Records in Sydney. And bought em. The reality was, I'd prefer to have a record than tape, because it was the same music, but more artwork. Most importantly…..A bigger picture of jimi. These records were carried with me from NZ to Atlanta, to Athens, to San Diego and .....I finally put a needle on the records in my apt in Los Angeles in 2003.

A quote from Jimi on his own views on life, death and eternity -

"both worlds, the present material world which we are all now in, and the eternal spiritual world, which is the only world where eternal life and total happiness are possible do exist."
"The one, was as real as the other, and as long as you do not live according to the ways of the god-like planet of supreme wisdom, you will suffer death and life in that order, and be reincarnated until you live in such a way to be accepted as spirits of eternity.

There is in our material world a planet of superior material wisdom that possesses all knowledge possible in this material world as you know it. It is possible for science to advance to such a stage that it possesses part of the material knowledge of this supreme planet of material wisdom.

But since, by predestination, the material worlds are destroyed periodically, it is doubtful that even with sciences rapid advances in technology that they can obtain enough knowledge to reach or even communication with, this planet of supreme material wisdom before man's greed and his other inadequacies cause him to destroy himself, thereby necessitating the material world to begin again as it has done so many times in the past.

The materialistic planet of supreme wisdom is staffed by people not unlike people of your world but possessing all knowledge possible in the material world. Messengers from the spiritual world are sent periodically to the material world to guide them in their wisdom."

One night back in Hollywood recently I'm walking with Hugh to see Little Louie Vega at Deep LA. (party by Marques Wyatt). Hugh, knowing my fascination with Jimi, says: "hey, there's jimi's star. It's practically the first star on Hollywood blvd from your house!" I was thinking. What' really amazing. Is that I never knew that, and that Hugh is, coincidentally, the one pointing it out to me. Woah.

A little more on Jimi. At 15, I once was digging through the garage in Atlanta and found an amazing book on Jimi by Curtis Knight written in 1974, published on Fourth Avenue, NYC. I wound up not reading it until much later in life when I was in europe in 2001. Don't know why I put it on a shelf for so long...but I did. I later would take it with my on my world tour to read. I loved it....and I immediatley sent it to Hugh from London. He then gave it to Sara Storrie to read. the book finally wound it's way back to me to pull these quotes for this update.
Where's it going next? back to NYC!! I'm sending it to Matt. Wai, Hugh, Matt and I shared an amazing thanksgiving morning with Jimi Hendrix in central focus and bigger than life. it was out of this world and Jimi provided a helping hand to us all.

Curtis Knight met jimi in New York City and actually gave Jimi an electric guitar because he didn't have one at the time.
Jimi was an electronic music pioneer. Dedicated to creating new sounds. Sounds never heard by humans. Man made, artificial sounds. People said Jimi made "space music". That he was a spirit sent from outer space. I don't know. But he was ahead of his time. Electric Lady was his dream studio which he made a reality. Many claim the title…but for me, jimi is the original godfather of electronic music.
Curtis Knight believed that jimi Hendrix was a messenger from the spiritual world.

From Curtis: "Throughout history, there have been many prophets - saints and other divinely guided men. Who communicated using the ways prescribed by the times. Some were believed in, some killed through mans profound ignorance, and man's fear of the unknown. Jimi Hendrix was loved and respected for his contribution to the world of music. But his real purpose has not been understood.

His message is in the lyrics of his songs and where his music takes you.

I used to think that techie noises were alien. Or from "out of this world". I realize now, they aren't. They are sounds we are making. Man made. That will probably, one day in the distant future, be heard somewhere else. Out of this world. And sound very "Alien".

Back in NYC:

after DeepSpace….. We are all partying back in a Suite at the Hotel. It's around 5am. The sky is becoming light…. I want to get out. I don't know why. I look out the window down at Central Park. The skyline. The buildings becoming dark shadows against a smooth, clear purple sky. I have an intense desire to roam. To go. I rally some recruits:

The people who were down- Sara, Wai and Jason. We find hats, scarves, and head off. In the lobby. We sync up.

We walk through the park. With no particular destination. All wearing funky outfits and hats….we didn't dress up or weird on purpose….. Just regular day wear. Ha ha! A couple of shady characters around….. But sunrise is imminent. The most amazing sunset occurs. The trees incredibly green and lush. It's fantastic. Quiet. But trees alive with birds. An occasional taxi cutting through the park.

Then the strangest thing happens. We stumble upon a huge statue / art installation. It's Alice in Wonderland and crew in the park. Enormous metal statues. . Of course there some mushrooms you could sit under. I have been to central park many times and never even seen this place.

Hmmm…….. Later a friend pointed out the significance to me of the people with me that morning:

Alice - Sara
Cheshire Cat - Jason
The Rabbit - Wai
Mad Hatter - Maitland (No one even voted for this one….everyone assumed?)

After a pit stop under a mushroom and sunrise on the bridge. …….we decide to head to Met. The last few times I have visited NY I have dropped into the Met. Not to look around. But to view one particular painting. I walk past everything, find my painting, admire and leave. I decide we should go check it out. I don't know why. I wasn't sure why I love the painting. I had actually never really thought about it that deeply. It was my pleasure. Not something I typically shared. Not something I needed to analyse. But dragging my friends to the Met, meant I needed to understand. To explain to them. They were curious. What is it? Why do you like it? All good questions that I really hadn't answered because I didn't need to. This painting had been brought to the forefront of my mind because it was only a week or two prior that I was walking through the Getty in LA with Ann W. and saw a portrait of John Talbot in Rome. I was suprised and immediately connected the portrait with my painting in the Met. It was the big thing back in the day to have your painting done in a place like rome. It's an old school "snapshot" and made you look "worldly".

John Talbot features in the painting in NYC, But with his 2 friends and his dog.

We arrive at 8am and the museum is not open. We enjoy watching dozens of people arriving at work. Some late. Some on time. But this wait builds the expectations. Finally we talk a long walk to kill some time....and have an incredible time talking to people walking dogs or running etc. it was fascinating. Returning, we head inside…..with hundreds of kids. I disappear. This is not uncommon for me. I have a tendency to go for walks and get lost……and this time my friends are a little worried that I had pulled my old trick. But this time it was to acquire four buttons for entry. We head in. Only, I have no idea where to go. We walk aimlessly. I don't know the exact location. We hunt and hunt. I'm thinking. Man, this is a bad idea. This is rapidly becoming the Un-fun Field Trip! Maybe the pictures been moved. Maybe it's at another museum. I dunno! But I know it's here. I can feel it. And I know that if I walk I'll find it.

Kids on real field trips are checking out the 4 of us with curiosity….

I Find it. I knew I could just walk and I'd get there… It's huge. For 20 minutes the four of us sit on a bench and gaze at this enormous canvas of 3 friends and a dog. It was very intense for me. but great.

With that we headed out and went over to Josh's apt. I have never seen so many records in an apt. Let alone a NY apt.. You fell over records in the hall, bedrooms, kitchen. I think Josh said he had 20,000 records. Casey, josh and hugh had been spinning there all morning.

Jason and I peel out of the apt.....and before long and realize we are the only 2 read headed, fair skinned people in Spanish Harlem! We really seemed to stand out! ;-)

I head back to the hotel and get rest and some work done.

Tuesday night was Cielo. Jason and I are the only two who rally to go see Little Louis Vega. . Meet R.O.B. and Sterling from Burning Man @ the Club. A little problem at the door. It's a private party. We traveled all the way downtown in a cab on a rainy night to find out we can't get in! What!?! It's a private industry party for BPM Magazine. Finally after explaining our situation and the bouncer remembering us from last night they let us in! sweet. And free!!

At the end of the night Jason and I are talking and the whole club has been cleared out by the bouncers……except for us and Little Louie and a couple of friends. The percussionist is still going off and just won't stop. Finally little louie stops fighting it and jumps back on the decks and play a few more tracks! Whoo! It was hot!

Wed night was Casey's Gig. This was a fun night with a mad cap limo ride to the airport!

This trip, I experienced some incredible music with some incredible friends in an incredible city. This story doesn't convey the magic. Maybe the music will? What do you think so far.

Upon my return I had a couple of severely intense moments reflecting on all that had happened. It was great. This trip turning out to be much more intense and meaningful than Burning Man. Was a big surprise to me.

One night back in Los Angeles at Paul T's warehouse party, Hugh gives me a gift. Probably one of the most special gift's I have ever received. A disc. Music.

It's entitled: "Hugoto Mission Control - Maitland, you are clear for take off."

This was a special session mixed and recorded by Casey and Hugh in San Diego a few days earlier. Just for me. Casey and Hugh were sure to include as many weird, spacey, deep tracks they could find. All - "Maitland Classics".

Thank you Hugh and Casey. This gift is what you are listening to right now.

Hugh would give me another amazing gift on my next journey to NYC.

The Second Trip: - the Musical Bookend.

Hugo and I decide to go back to NYC. This time, it wound up being just the two of us. The original seven were invited but for one reason or another people couldn't make it. I couldn't resist and dropped everything. It was close to thanksgiving so things were quiet……

I was dying to go back….. Now that I have had time to digest my experience. My music. My thoughts. I need to go back. I want the musical bookend.

We arrive at separate airports and make our own ways into the city. I share a cab with a guy from Germany and we have a nice ride in. On the radio..a disco classic: Wendy - "for you"

Hugh and I sync up at the Hotel. Hugh is itchin so we split and head straight to the LOFT.

This time I was ready. Ready to listen. Ready to feel. Last time was awesome…but I was in a different place. With different people. With different expectations. This time was about focus, listening, understanding and appreciating. I wanted to reflect and sense what's going on. The first time at the Loft I was at a party. This Loft experience was: study hall.

Mancuso proceeds to drop many of my favorites trax. He hooked me somewhere around my 2nd tecate and the third track I heard. It was Eddy Grant - Time Warp.

At one point early in the night Hugh and I glance up at the Giant Disco Ball suspended from the ceiling. We look a little closer. It's not new. It's all beat up. It's got lots of glass mirrors missing. There's a huge crater/dent on the top right. Probably the same disco ball from back in the day?? Cool.

A bit later: I'm standing on one side of the half filled dance floor. Hugh on another side. We are both listening and enjoying the space. Then. The Giant Disco Ball Drops and crashes into the middle of the dance floor!!!!!! I couldn't believe my eyes. WOW! It narrowly missed a guy in " Mid dance move" ! Luckily he was "going low" at the time and it kinda grazed his back.

Thank goodness. Mancuso doesn't even skip a beat. Literally. People run out, check everyone's ok. They roll the giant ball away. Sweep up the glass. And the dance floor resumes!

Next track from Mancuso: Ain't no stoppin' us now!!!! Awesome.

At one point I look at Hugh and say: Not "if" but "when" mancuso plays Moloko Forever More (François K remix) I'm gonna lose it. Later. , of course, I lost it.

This night was INCREDIBLE!!! WOW. I was dancing the entire time. Except for one moment when I went outside to the corner store to replenish beer. I get a phone call: It's hugh's number. But no hugh. Just music. I listen to the track and within a second identify the track: "Star Child!" I bailed on the beer, ran back to the large door, 3 balloons, dash up the stairs past the little rascals…... Still with the phone to my ear. Listening to the music. But it's getting clearer. Deeper. Louder. In Stereo! I'm back!

Star Child is super hot and I thank hugh for the call. Good save!

Later, turned out Annie was in NY from LA visiting her family for the holiday and we met up with her and her friend Jess in the village and we go to a fun club, but I have to work the next day….so keep a lid on it. Hugh went record shopping all day while I stayed in the hotel and worked.

Hugh comes back very late in the day. 7pm or so. Tonight is DeepSpace! Cool!

He had a successful day shopping for records. He presents me with another gift. A single record.

"Star Child". - Level 42.

What a "souvenir".

With great excitement we head out and meet annie at Tortilla Flats for some Margies and bingo. Then it's off to DeepSpace. Wow. It's great to be back!!!!! The bouncers even hook us up with the early prices…..

This night was fantastic. Many amazing tracks that night. My personal highlight was when François dropped….can you believe it?? …>: "Star Child". I lost it again.

A little after party at Jess's apt in the Village. Then I split to the airport at 4am.

If you want to read more on Jimi, check out Curtis Knight - "Starchild".

A recent review of the book:
"He believed in LOFTIER THINGS, had many metaphysical experiences (including out of body trips) and claims an angelic-like UFO being saved his life (UFOs were said to follow him where ever he played). Jimi was a very special being...he even hinted that he had come from another space and time to preach the gospel of love to earth. He did his job and in the blink of an eye he was gone. An unfortunate -- but prophetic -- event ended his life here on terra firma. Find out the inner workings of this miracle musician"

A fantastic journey home getting some sleep. I step off the plane in LA and it's another beautiful, sunny clear day. As I drive home from LAX I should be tired. Drained.

But somehow I'm energized. I'm refreshed. I'm excited, revitalized and never more focused. Once again, music and friends making unlimited and infinite contributions to life and happiness.

"Coincidentally", François K was in los angeles last night playing at the Wax party. It was awesome and the usual suspects were all in attendance. (casey, you were missed!)

I've got a fever. And the only cure is more cowbell.

Love and light.
Maitland

Chris’ t-shirt worn to the Francois K show on 1/17/04. Comment from FK, ‘Nice Shirt’”