I’ve been working through the piles of music I’ve been
hoarding over this past December and even as January continues to roll on -
with or without us - I keep finding more treasure, waiting for an attentive
ear. MY attentive ear.
December was, as per usual, all about the end-of-the-year,
greatest-of episodes. They were all over After Hours FM, DI Radio, they were in
podcasts, they were broadcast live from New Year’s venues (Armin’s set is
something else, FYI) – it’s safe to say that every DJ and their dog has their
own podcast or radio show these days. So, as somewhat of an obligation to their audience of listeners, an
end-of-the-year mix was at some point done by all.
It’s the best time of year! Tracks you can’t remember from
January are suddenly reborn! Tunes you had on repeat in February that had since
been forgotten are stirring up familiar emotions as if they’d never left your
ears. I remember listening to Mat Zo’s ‘Ring on it’ in such an obsessively
repetitive fashion that my phone would automatically start it when my music
launched. Now there’s a phone that knows you. ‘In and Out Phase’? That song
would make me physically clutch my heart on Saturday nights/early Sunday
mornings, while I drove home from work.
And slowly these songs were replaced with new favorites –
Armin’s ‘I’ll Listen’ took over control of my iPod for what I’m sure were
months. I discovered a love for Markus Schulz I never knew I had within me.
Global DJ Broadcast became a weekly favorite in September, where in the beginning
of 2012 I knew of no such thing.
The summer saw my lady Meg’s and I chart across Europe in
search of music and adventure. Hardwell took us on an epic musical journey at
the Amsterdam Arena for Sensation White. Dark, dirty, and smoky Berlin brought
true progressive house to our eagerly awaiting ears. Ibiza introduced me to tech
house – as well as reintroducing me to Group Therapy through the beautiful
melodies of Above & Beyond.
I had the pleasure of experiencing Group Therapy three times
in 2012, each time better than the last. I think a pivotal moment in each of
those shows is when they played Andrew Bayer's 'From the Earth'. Edmonton, Calgary, Ibiza - each time I heard its familiar beginning ring out, my heart took a moment.
There was Mat Zo and Porter Robinson - that night was less about the music and me, and more about the music and US. Being able to stand beside your best friends hand-in-hand, in a room full of thousands of other people who are also hand-in-hand with their best friends...another moment I am so thankful 2012 blessed me with.
There were nights (like Frequency) where I was reminded that its about the music and the emotion that's intertwined - nothing else. Sometimes we allow other things, other motives and other people to get in the way of why we all listen in the first place. I don't care what you listen to or who you are, you listen because music makes you feel something. When we lose sight of what brings us back to the artists, songs and sounds we love, we lose sight of the big picture.
My understanding and appreciation of trance definitely developed in 2012. I took what was always a passion and fanned the flames - I learned, I researched and I took the music into my own hands. That's a powerful thing actually - I always use to rely on others for new music, for new ideas, for new influence. In 2012 I hunted and gathered and developed my own tastes. I developed a deeper love for Andrew Bayer, Maor Levi, Norin & Rad - the whole Anjuna family. I began to appreciate the reasons for why it is that I've seen Armin 8 times and why I've been buying his State of Trance CD's since 2009.
Songs like 'Epic', 'Bloom', 'Truffle Pig', 'Rebound', 'Without Me' - banger after banger Trance ANTHEM after anthem, too many songs to name or even try and remember. But then that's the great thing - you don't have to remember every magical moment experienced during everything magical song - the DJ'S and producers do it for you. That's what these year end mixes are all about.
Leon Bolier's EOYC set drained me on both an emotional level as well as a physical one. It was however, draining in the best way. Hearing songs and feeling the matched intensity of those emotions, all the way from the beginning of the year to how I felt just a few weeks ago in a few short hours - the journey left me exhausted.
You're never going to be able to capture every moment you had with every song or every musical discovery you made over the course of a year. Consider it a journey - treasure was found and given - I discovered a love for progressive dubstep with the help of Seven Lions, I made Cycles Radio a regular listen in my weekly peruses and I saw DirtyLoud again, who made me swagger on the ground like a crazy bass junky (that's right, I said it).
But I've finally listened, reflected, felt and remembered my musical 2012 in all its greatness. I have only bigger and better dreams for 2013 and I hope my appreciation for all kinds of music, sub genres and artists continues to grow. Below I've linked Leon Boliers EOYC set on AH.FM, because for me, from beginning to end it bangs without pause. I've also linked the second last episode of my favorite podcast to date Trance Around the World - its a 2 hour recap of a 9 year show, including tracks like 'Faxing Berlin', 'Breaking Ties', and my forever favorite 'To the Six'. And lastly, I've linked Armins NYE set which as I mentioned above, captures our year of trance pretty spot on.
Happy New Year everyone, whats you're first show going to be? I've signed up for a little Group Therapy ;)
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