avand

I've never had more fun creating or performing a set. At the end of 2024, I met a new friend and mentor, Gili, down in Costa Rica. Gili connected me with a community in Denver, which ultimately spurred me to move here. We've since spent time together in both places, sharing many sexy, joyous, laughter-field moments together. Last year, his partner, Stara, created an amazingly special birthday book for Gili with text and photo submissions from dozens of his friends and family. It serves as a momentary catalogue of the love that exists for this community-focused, kind, generous human. This year, I tapped into the same community asking for voice memos from whomever wanted to share. They ranged from songs, to poems, to zingy one-liners. They're funny, sweet, cute, adoring, and authentic. It was such a beautiful experience for me to be the point person receiving all these messages, processing them in Logic Pro, and exporting them ultimately to be at the ready for my DJ set for his birthday. Gili asked me to play us to sunrise but had no idea what I had in store for him. As I played, whenever it felt right, I mixed in a voice sample. In some cases, I let the vocal stand completely on its own, for example, when Gili's 5yo son enumerates all the things he loves about his dad. For others, I would revel in the magic of the harmony and sweetness, for example, when a song Kathleen H. had created and sang for Gili just mixed seamlessly over More Love. For 3.5 hours I played and Gili received surprise after surprise from his friends & family all over the world. Ali K. - 0:39:39, 3:20:08 Allen B. - 1:21:42, 2:47:34, 2:48:26 Alma O. - 1:21:06, 3:35:03 Aviv I. - 1:00:23, 1:01:50, 1:02:48 Bud T. - 0:18:52, 0:21:02, 0:23:16 Chava L. - 1:14:40 David W. - 2:10:11 Douglas W. - 0:40:29, 0:40:57 Gilly S. - 1:39:14, 1:39:49 Jana W. - 2:12:57 Jediah O. - 0:29:09, 2:46:52, 2:48:18, 2:49:12, 3:06:14, 3:38:17 Jonny J. - 2:20:03, 2:21:06 Kailey M. - 1:41:32 Kathleen H. - 2:36:42 Kathleen M. - 2:25:52 Kelly L. - 1:06:19 Liron - 1:52:16 Luna - 0:51:47, 0:53:00 Maria D. - 0:00:36 Michelle S. - 1:40:46 Na'ama M. - 1:08:40 Noam O. - 3:28:18 Oren S. - 2:19:14 Rachel L. - 0:05:30 Stara I. - 0:49:49, 2:22:47 Terra M. - 2:21:54 I've never done anything like this before and I'm so happy with the way it turned out. I love the music in this set list but I also loved pushing my creative limits. Happy birthday, Gili! Thank you for inspiring me to the best I can be! Thank you also to all the artists who created this music. All the music played here was purchased via BeatPort, Bandcamp, or Amazon Music. Your creativity is so deeply appreciated by me and my listeners.

In order to go somewhere new, you have to leave somewhere—and sometimes someone—behind. Even in our language, “going” could describe an arrival or departure. I've been reflecting on this irony. To "go" implies a "goodbye.” Heck, there's even a "go" in "goodbye!" I recently moved to Denver. There was a palpable social connection here I couldn't deny—a feeling like this is where I'm supposed to be. What surprised me in the move wasn’t that I made new friends, but that I've lost some too. I also didn’t expect how much I’d miss my sweet, small community in Mariposa, CA. Before leaving, it was all excitement. I underestimated the loss and the grief. "It's better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all." I want to continue my journey of self-expression. I want to become the best version of myself that I can in this lifetime. That means going somewhere, which in turn means leaving somewhere too. This mix began as a DJ class assignment (PhDJ). I recorded it once on my CDJs, did a second take that was worse, and then—motivated to learn production—rebuilt the mix in Logic Pro. The result is extremely smooth. I also love that I can revisit and refine it without replaying the entire set. The mix lives in a single emotional family: anger, tension, darkness, frustration, sadness, grief. There’s nothing warm or fuzzy here. You have to feel it to heal it. It also includes voice samples I edited in Logic. One is Melania Trump at a rally—so obviously lying it makes me sick. 🤢 There’s also a voice memo about manifestation from someone with whom I’ve shared a loving, growth-oriented relationship that has since collapsed. The message is beautiful but hearing it makes my heart crumple. 💔 I sample the opening of Malo Okoma: “the moment we become self-centered, we have everything to lose.” That line hits hard. I was recently on the receiving end of abuse from a self-centered individual. It hurts—but probably not as much as it probably hurts for them. 🖕 The set opens and closes with the sound of crickets from my property in California. Eerie, familiar—a dark hello and goodbye. 0:00:00 - Crickets of Mariposa 0:00:35 - Cienaga - @tnovoamusic 0:03:54 - Superstition (@lukasendhardt Remix) - Kyrill & Redford 0:07:55 - Wait for You (feat. Tricky) - @mayajanecoles 0:10:54 - Am I Even Human? - @eliandfur 0:14:31 - Let Me Come To Life (Sasson Remix) - @klangkarussell 0:14:09 - Bongoloco - @djbrunofurlang 0:18:15 - Follow Me (@jeromeismaae Remix) - @jam-spoon 0:19:59 - Melania Trump 0:21:52 - If You Know - @noah-demauro 0:24:08 - Belong to Me - @kamino, @anabelenglund 0:27:27 - Girls (Walker & Royce Edit) - @walker-and-royce 0:32:18 - Ducks In The Kiddie Pool - @clickclick 0:36:13 - Jack Off - @unus-emre 0:39:50 - Japan Tu Teman - @its_omri_dot 0:45:09 - Trampoline (@jauzofficial Remix) - @shaedband 0:47:52 - The Key to Manifesting 0:44:35 - Dustpig - @fabrication_billy 0:48:47 - My Time - Sorley 0:50:28 - Don't Forget My Love (@johnsummit Remix) - @diplo, Miguel 0:55:19 - Chasing Infinity - @fabrication_billy 0:55:51 - Malo Okoma Sample - @djpoolboi, Theresa Ng'ambi 0:57:07 - Pfefferbad (Remastered) - @boris-brejcha

Booking inquiries 👉 https://instagram.com/avand.fm Burning Man has been one of the most transformational experiences I’ve had. I’ve been 6 times now and, while I don’t get every year, it will always have a special place in my heart. There’s no place for art to flourish like the empty expanse of the Black Rock Desert, which annually is built up and torn down with a devotion and sacrifice that is required of all great art. "There's no art without discipline, and there's no discipline without sacrifice" Hilaire Belloc Arriving in Denver, I was invited and welcomed into a community whose warmth and loyalty reaches far beyond the playa. I had an opportunity to contribute to this "Doctors Without Boundaries" party. It was as much an honor to help set up as it was to play music and cleanup too. I’m grateful to have been included by my new Denver friends and look forward to future contributions to their vibrant and creative community. This set opened the night, and took many detours from what I had initially planned to match the energy as the party evolved. I could have played for hours more but I handed the baton off as the energy was climbing. This is a great set to kick off any party, as people mix and mingle, and the dance floor warms up. But have another set at the ready because you’ll definitely be left wanting more. Enjoy. Photo credit: https://instagram.com/wey_gold Track list: Them, Their - Jan Jelinek They, Them - Jan Jelinek Noodle Soup - Four80east Line Up (Original Mix) - Joss Moog, Around7, 4th Sign Tadow (Original Mix) - Masego, FKJ Mood For The Fam (Original Mix) - Luca Musto Whatever Lola Wants (Gotan Project Remix) - Sarah Vaughan & Gotan Project Finger Trips - Re:um Nem Vem Que Nao Tem - Wilson Simonal 2023: A Space Odyssey (Original Mix) - Jason Leech, Future Joy, Sean Dandurand Kerosene - Biig Piig Jazzifil Me (Original Mix) - Jo Paciello, Soul Train Magic Circus (Original Mix) - Adam Ten Bus Stop (Original Mix) - Boonie, Harry Nathan Gotta Believe (Extended Mix) - Simon Kidzoo Music Makes Me Happy - OKA Dance In My Pants (Original Mix) - Nu, Christopher Schwarzwalder Ride On (Original Mix) - GOLAN Night Jazz (Original Mix) - Tryangle Man Moody Blues (Original Mix) - Saison Moon Resort (Original Mix) - Atmos Groove Together (Original Mix) - Hollaphonic Hit Me (Original Mix) - Lika Morgan, Britney Spears Just Another Piano Solo feat. Hidde Mudde (Original Mix) - Hidde Mudde, L’Atelier Baddy On The Floor (Original Mix) - Honey Dijon, Jamie xx Chicago 72 - Bijou Williams Motown Drums Feat. Rion S (Noski & Delafino Extended Remix) - Cashmere, Rion S What Is Real - Rodriguez Jr., Liset Alea Motor (Original Mix) - Marc DePulse Just A Memory (Mild Minds Remix) - ODESZA Decomposing - Andrea Oliva XXX (Original Mix) - Astrid, Kill Frenzy Feel (Original Mix) - Sebastien Leger Gather (Original Mix) - Durante, Amtrac Whale Song (Extended Mix) - PROFF Bakerman (Soul Clap Remix) - Laid Back Nelly Furtado - Say It Right (Mass Digital Remix) - Mass Digital Temptation (Original Mix) - Piem, Mizbee Begriff Shuffle - Magua Two Left Feet (Dario D’Attis Extended Remix) - Rasmus Faber, Frida Öhrn, Dario D’Attis Gypsy (Original Mix) - The Organism Can’t Pin Me Down - House Of Say Hiccup (feat. Sisterwife) (Extended Version) - JX RIDERS, Sisterwife Funky Soul (Original Mix) - Nicky Genesis The Story Continues (Extended Mix) - Marco Lys Mary Poppers (Original Mix) - N2N Mothership (Extended Mix) - Rob Marion NEW DANCE (Original Mix) - AYYBO PICK UP THE PHONE (feat. Nate Dogg) (Extended Mix) - PAWSA Sexy Back - EdiP Girls (Walker & Royce edit) - Walker & Royce

It feels so fucking good to be welcomed into a new community with open arms. This past weekend that happened for me, not once but twice. Having just moved to Denver, I was connected to a group of wonderfully creative, high-integrity people that have been throwing an annual Halloween party. My biggest fan and best friend, Rob, plugged me into the organizers, who were eager to add me to the DJ group chat. Last week, the other DJs and I kicked it to prep and a more kind group of men I have not met in some time—encouraging, supportive, positive, kind. In parallel, I’ve been participating in the current cohort of PhDJ, @tashablank’s intensive course on all things DJ. At the core of the program is The Score: a method of curating music for a set that takes the dance floor on a journey through the 7 chakras. Without saying too much about the nuts and bolts, which I’m still very much learning, I have been seriously leveling up my skills. It’s really hard to describe but I’m actually developing what feels like an entirely new 6th sense. Like there’s a new timeline I’m tracking. The closest analog I can provide is that of feeling of a draft in room. My sense of phrasing is also being informed by this new sensibility—like I can feel when I’m bringing a track in too early or too late much more naturally. It’s really wild. Having The Score as a map to guide my set is such a relief! So far, as a DJ, I’ve just been following my natural musical instinct believing that that is what I’m uniquely bringing to the table—which is still true. But having The Score as a template to follow gave me something to lean on—like climbing a ladder. I just took it as faith that if I followed the program the results would be great and they were! I kept my eye on my clock (another guide) and then used my musical instincts to pick and choose within each phase of The Score. I’m really grateful to be plugged into a community, where I feel a deep sense of belonging. I’m also incredibly grateful to be learning and guided by PhDJ’s amazing team. There’s a lot more magic to come. Stay tuned. But in the meantime, hit play on this mix, turn your volume up, and dance. 0m - I’m Into This (@michaelgracioppo Remix) - @homework 3m 50s - Badass Samba - @francescoferrarodj, RENDA 5m 50s - Just Another Piano Solo (feat. Hidde Mudde) - @latelier 8m 40s - Bus Stop - Boonie, @harrynathan 10m 15s - Mary Poppers - @n2nmusic 12m 40s - Magic Circus - @adamten 16m 10s - Mothership - @boxofcatsmusic 18m 20s - Hit Me - @likamorgan, @britneyspears 21m 22s - Funky Soul - @nickygenesis 23m 3s - Sexy Back - @edi_p 24m 50s - Together - @hollaphonic 26m - Night Jazz - Tryangle Man 28m 56s - Low Rider (@kyle-watson Remix) - @war-official 31m 44s - PICK UP THE PHONE (feat. @nate-dogg-official) - @pawsa 34m 25s - Girls (@walker-and-royce Edit) - @itsthedare 38m 40s - Weak (@marcolys Remix) - @marcolys, @maverick-sabre, @tombreu, @vintageculturemusic 41m 48s - Makes Me Feel Good - @thesponges 44m 12s - My Bank - @ragieban 45m 50s - Space Funk ’75 - @thesponges 48m 22s - 2 the Beat - @siggyfreud 49m 51s - Mr. Sandman - @oppidanmusic 52m 8s - Hip Trumpets (feat. @kvisionmusic) - @yolandabecool 53m 50s - Toxic (feat. Marco Foster) - @edenprincemusic 55m 50s - Back to Black - @saqibmalik 58m 50s - Au Revoir Paris - @rodriguezjrmusic, Liset Alea 1h - Ducks In The Kiddie Pool - @clickclick 1h 3m - Hello Ms. Johnson - @jackharlow

Two years ago, a chapter closed. I was packing up and moving out of SF, when I paused to look at what was packed and realized, “I have everything I need to throw a renegade party!” This was 1 week before Outside Lands, 2023. So I called up my best bud and festival fam, Rob, and we plotted a spot to party after the festival let out. I didn’t go to the festival but the party was lit! We posted up by the Conservatory of Flowers and I played until the rangers shut it down. Hundreds of people cruised through and enjoyed the jams. When the rangers finally rolled through, the crowd asked for my Venmo and I raised enough to cover the citation. Go SF! We dubbed the party Outside Outside Lands. So, yeah, I guess in a way FISHER opened for me. Well, Outside Outside Lands (OOSL) was back this year. This time, I attended the festival (which was awesome) and extracted myself with the help of some homies to set up in a more discrete location in the park. When I got there, there were a few vagrants, which sketched me out. But once I had a few of my crew, I set up and started playing. My friend took the photo that I used for this set, which I really enjoy because you can clearly see the silhouette of someone in the background. In a world where I am another you and you are another me, it's hard to not see the symbolism. We all have our shadows. While in some ways my set up was an invasion, it was also a communion, a celebration, and an act of love. In the end, I got another citation, while we were packing up. The ranger had me and my remaining friends rock, paper, scissors for who was going to get the citation and I, cosmically, lost 3 rounds in a row to be the lucky winner. Happy to pay it and, to the neighbors, sorry. (Not sorry.)

Last weekend, I traveled out to Scottsdale for a Temple Night hosted by some friends I've met in my travels and personal work. I was invited to help with music throughout the ceremony and DJ after the ceremony portion of the evening closed, which was fun and also a bit distracting because a big part of me also wanted to be connecting and interacting with the lovely people there. In an act of self-care, I put on another mix instead of enduring my own set (search "David Infinite Hearts" by Xuxa Bluet). As I would go on to say later in the evening, "life is not worth tolerating." While David's birthday mix was being very well-received, I shifted my focus and enjoyed the evening, which ultimately culminated in some beautiful smooches over strawberries. And speaking of strawberries... Meanwhile, back in Mariposa, my friend is organizing a full moon party for the Strawberry Moon. I headed over to his spot after a hard day's work, partially feeling tired but also wanting to enjoy the celestial moment. I arrived with my XDJ-RX3, plugged in, and played for about 1.5hr and recorded this set. I think these low-pressure environments are super important to practice playing with my favorite tracks. I played a lot with "push and pull" in this set—accentuating highs and lows more so than usual. And yet, the mix is surprisingly light-handed, creating more space than it takes up. As our Temple facilitator said on Friday, "make what you have to say worth the silence it breaks." Also, side note, I love the XDJ-RX3. With a slim flight case, it's remarkably portable. Being able to record directly to a 2nd USB with a dedicated record button is great. I love the pads at the bottom of the decks and the compact layout in general. It's truly feels like a standalone DDJ-FLX4. People keep asking if they can buy it off me and I can't imagine getting rid of it. Between the FLX4, the RX3, and the Opus Quad, I feel like I have the optimal lineup.

Posted up at Cesar Chavez Park in Denver with my closest friends and many new friends too. We came in like a Navy Seal Crew: dropped a table, my FLX4, laptop, a couple Soundboks Go's, and a bunch of wine and snacks. Cleaned up just as quick too. Surgical. The weather held. The sun shone through in a few heroic moments but mostly it felt like a San Francisco summer day: overcast and a little gloomy. The music has a similar vibe. It's always fun to cruise through tracks by tempo. For a day-time, casual, low-expectation set like this, I just load up "last 6 months" and sort by BPM, starting slow and slowly building. I don't really get too fussed about key-matching anymore. It's an indulgence to be able to play stuff that doesn't always have a place on a vibing dance floor. I hope this comes across humbly, but is SO satisfying to be able to play so casually. I've been DJing for 10+ years but lately the flow and muscle memory has been leading my experience. I'm able to have conversations and laughs, enjoy the vibe, put up an EZ-UP, or do this-or-that as needed without stressing a ton about the music. It's really gratifying. Enjoy.

When I was a kid, my mom was militant about me practicing piano. Sometimes she would insist I practice up to 4 hours per day. Of course, I was defiant. I put my Calvin & Hobbes comics behind my sheet music one page a time. "it built character," in the words of Calvin's father. And yet, those 10 years of classical piano—even if I did practice, while reading comics simultaneously—made me a better musician. Heck, maybe I'm just extremely gifted and I'm absolutely a better DJ for the exposure. I was invited to be an add-on for a party my friends were throwing for their friends. This old piano had been on their property for months. Try as they did to sell it, a new home could not be found. So now it belongs to all of us. It was quite cathartic to be standing on the keys, stomping up and down, moving some of my stuck resentment. I set up my Opus Quad outside—I love this thing and I have a lot more to say about that—and played on not two but one speaker. As someone who is anal about my gear and a fidelity snob, I was a bit disappointed but we made it work. I find that performing in circumstances that tie a hand behind one's back draws out creativity, focus, and efficiency. Like, playing a stereo signal to a single speaker sounds a lot better than mono so just that little adjustment gave us a bit more of a vibe. I was recently really inspired by Tummetott Mystic Creatures Festival 2024 set. Here, I play some of my most recent finds that I absolutely love. I mix creatively and actively. Back to the Opus Quad: this set would not have been possible without it. Or, to put it another way, if I were to try and perform this on, say, an RX3 or even CDJs, I would have had to prepare and practice a lot more. I may have been able to do it on the FLX4 + laptop but the ergonomics are just so much better on the Quad. The Quad allows me to browse my music by ear, which allows me to navigate my library really efficiently and it puts me in flow. I want to create some YouTube content on Quad and some of the other gear I really enjoy using and why. Let me know in the comments if this kind of thing would be interesting to you and what questions you might have.

My winter travels began in Costa Rica and then took me to Tulum and Medellin. After three months away from home, the desire to be back in my bed and my space with my community is strong. But when a dear friend invites you to his beautiful property/community for his 55th birthday to DJ sunrise, what else can I say but, “hell yes!” So the last leg of my winter trip ends where it began, in Costa Rica. Gili is a man of substance, integrity, humility, humor, and generosity. He’s an incredible host and has this effortless way of connecting and bringing together the best people. People that have big hearts, a joy for life, and know how to have fun. A lot of fun. When Gili told me he wanted me to play sunrise, I was deeply honored. Sunrise is a transition set. Only the most committed survive to see the sky lighten, the birds start to chirp, and for a new day to begin. I started prepping weeks ago and was so prepared that I was able to step up to the decks calm and relaxed, knowing all I had to do was navigate my carefully curated selection of jams. For almost four hours. Maybe I’m making it sound easier than it actually is but I’m grateful for all the experience that has preceded so that it feels a lot more like play than work. This set is a journey through some bouncy, groovy, dance floor favorites. It then progresses deeper into a more sensual and soulful layer before finishing with deep, sexy, moving tracks. This set has some of my favorite music that I’ve collected over the last few years. I’m really proud of it and it was very well enjoyed. Gili, thank you for throwing an epic party, inspiring me to be a better man, and trusting me with the vibes of your very special birthday celebration. Enjoy!

What is a temple? A place of worship? A place of prayer? A place of pleasure? New to me? Yes! I came down to Costa Rica a couple weeks ago to participate in a personal development retreat with a focus on somatic healing. It's been a deep dive into spiritual and mystical realms, sensuality, attraction, desires, an exploration of masculine and feminine polarities, and the art of holding a container to call in spirit. When I mentioned to the facilitators that I had come prepared to DJ, two opportunities opened. Playing music for a space that’s dedicated to prayer, reverence, and worship is very different than a dance floor or house party. The vibe is darker, more sensual, and sexy. Very sexy. This set is perhaps one of my most attuned and I had a ton of fun playing. If you’re listening to it and grooving along, consider yourself one with us in Costa Rica on the eve of Dec 15, a day with much astrological significance, including a full moon, the light from which produced the shadow of me in the photo.

You can pretend to care. But you can't pretend to be there.

When my buddy said he's converting a pizza restaurant into a night club, my ears perked up. I like both of those things. So, after weeks of install, setup, programming, and testing—truly a labor of love—we broke it in with a party to celebrate January birthdays (including mine!). Thank you Atlas Pizza Parlor, San Bruno! The theme: moments of orange. Orange has become my own personal acce!5 color and it was charming to see our friends roll up in their own interpretations, including an actual orange tied to some twine and worn as a necklace. Brilliant. I put a lot of time and attention into this mix. It was totally predetermined in advance, which, I think makes it tight and intentional. But it also makes stressful because there were some cues and loops that were very important to hit to keep things groovin'. It's more like a performance. My nerves were shot before my set but with each passing minute I got more and more comfortable and relaxed. I'm really happy with the result.

When this card appears in your tarot spread, it's time to celebrate! Three of Cups signifies coming together and coming alive with your community and creative collaborators. This event, hosted at the very special St. Joseph’s Art Society in San Francisco, marked the end of a busy harvest season with friends from Sonoma County to the Bay. This mix was curated with help from Broc Cellars, Martha Stoumen, and Scribe. Due to the cathedral’s natural reverberation, it has more “hard cuts” with less overlap to prevent muddied acoustics. It’s a diverse mix, designed to cater to a wide group of people. And while it lends it self to background listening and people-watching, it thoroughly intends to get you on the dance floor. From genres like jazz to French to Latin, this is a great mix for those dinner-aspiring-to-be-dance parties. I had a blast preparing and presenting this music. I’ve played house parties and pop-up desert raves but never an event like this. It was truly an honor and a natural step up for me in my budding DJ career. The first hour or so is a trip around the world in the 80-100 BPM tempo range. It’s a little funky, a little eclectic—fun and refreshing. After “Universal Love” (1:22:27), one of my absolute personal favorites, the mix takes a deliberate turn for the dance floor and the BPM comes up to about 118 for the rest of the mix. With a little subliminal messaging from tracks like “You Ought to Be Dancin’ - Get Down Edits” (1:35:05) and “Marea (We’ve Lost Dancing)” (1:52:10), one couple at time would take the stage to shake a leg. Pretty soon we had a dance party! Some of my other favorite moments include the chance to play “Angel Wings (Tontario Remix)” (1:56:50), which filled this huge reverberating cathedral so beautifully, and “The Walk” (2:40:12), which felt like it captured the vibe of the event better than anything else I played. Big thanks to Jaylee Adams for presenting me with this opportunity and trusting me to the music. Thank you to Garrett McGrath for his help in setting up and dialing in the sound system. And, of course, to my girlfriend, Danee Chavez, for her continuous stream of musical inspiration and her ongoing support in me doing all the things I love. https://broccellars.com/ https://marthastoumen.com/ https://scribewinery.com/ https://saintjosephsartssociety.com/

As the sun set hazily over the NV mountains, I brought beats to Camp Granada for our daily happy hour. I built up my 2006 Jeep Wrangler into a mobile sound system with two JBL SRX 835P speakers. The system sounded great and it was a treat to play out on the playa. This mix attracted some beautiful people to our camp and we ended up spending all night with new friends.