MATTER Orange County Podcast

Menno De Jong makes his much anticipated Orange County and Yost Theater debut tonight along with Kristina Sky and Andr3x! Visit Giantclub.com for details.

Menno de Jong is primarily known as a DJ with an international following, though he is also an accomplished producer and the founder of Intuition Recordings. Based in Haarlem, The Netherlands, de Jong was born on March 17, 1984, in Den Helder and was interested in music — classical as well as modern — at a young age.

While he took up DJing as a teenager, he first established himself as a producer with the release of "Guanxi" on the British label Anjunabeats in 2004. Later that year, he released a few additional productions: "Second Thoughts" as Sayla on Dedicated Holland, "Watermark" as Halcyon on Captured Music, and "Millionfold" as Myth on Remark Records. The success of these initial productions inspired de Jong to found his own label, Intuition Recordings.

Intuition made its debut in 2005, and the second release on the label was de Jong's own "Tundra." Like "Guanxi" and "Second Thoughts" before it, "Tundra" proved popular within the trance community and was championed by many of the style's leading DJs, including Tiesto and Armin van Buuren. Successive releases such as "Spirit", "Last Light Tonight" and "Better World" followed, as did numerous remixes, yet in accordance with his rising profile, de Jong began to busy himself primarily as a DJ. He went on to perform at superclubs all over the world as well as at dance music festivals such as Nature One, Global Gathering and Creamfields.

In 2007 he released his first official mix CD, Intuition Sessions: South Africa, which showcased his label. In 2010 the second volume themed Rio de Janeiro was released, showcasing the broad style of trance & progressive heard in his DJ sets.

2011 sees Menno de Jong moving back to songwriting and studio work, returning to the production front with high energy tracks such as "Turtle Paradise", "Place In The Sun" featuring the vocals of Ellie Lawson and the more laid back "Stardust".

Russia's finest, Alexey Romeo, joins us at The Yost Theater this Thursday along with Marek Markovic, DJ Marteen and DJ Maya! Visit Giantclub.com to get on our limited FREE before 10:30pm RSVP list.

Alexey Romeo – one of the most popular and fashionable Russian DJs, famous producer and the owner of one of the best bars in St. Petersburg – NEBAR. His name is well known not only in Russia, but also in Europe, USA, Turkey, Egypt and many other countries… He has been performing in Ibiza, Amsterdam, New-York, Miami, Las Vegas, Hannover, Berlin, Istanbul etc. Romeo was nominated by FC Awards (supported by Fashion TV) as «The most Stylish Dj».
In 2010 Romeo has blew up all Russian music charts with his new track Rusi Hindi Bhai Bhai. This track has became the hit of every dancefloor in Russia.

Many years ago Romeo was influenced by MC Hummer, Depeche Mode and others internationally acclaimed artists, who appeared after legendary Acid-summer of 1987 in Ibiza. That time Alexey has been studied at the privileged school with profound study of Hindi and English, he was practicing in vocal and was keen on ballroom dancing, exotic and Indian dancing. But DJing was his main passion. The brand «Romeo» was born at the opening of «Greshniki club» in St. Petersburg on the 25th of January 1997. There was his first performance. At the same time Romeo became the resident of «Radio Record» - Number 1 Dance radio-station in Russia. That time he was the youngest DJ on the radio.

At the beginning of 2000 Romeo was named the most stylish DJs, popularizing intellectual dance music. He became the resident and the promoter of the first vip-club of St. Petersburg called «Absinth» - the closed place for vip and celebrities only. That is why Romeo became the most glamorous and expensive DJs in Russia. In 2003 Alexey Romeo established his own record label «Natural Selection».

Join us this Friday at our new weekly event "Revolv" as Perfecto signed artist and worldwide star, Zen Freeman, makes his GIANT debut at The Yost Theater in the art district of Downtown Santa Ana.

Zen Freeman is a British Producer, Remixer & Performance DJ based in Los Angeles well known for playing high profile events around the world.

Zen moved to Los Angeles in 2001 where he continues to reside while working as a music supervisor for corporations like Prada, Soho House, Schrager Hotels and Weinstein Company. Frequently touring clubs and events by night and working in the studio producing, scoring and sourcing music by day, Zen's recent remixing & production collaborations include work with Paul Oakenfold, Joyriders, Randy Jackson, Brunette, Jump Jump Dance Dance, Remy Le Duc & EC Twins.

He is well known in the celebrity circuit and has become a DJ of choice among the rich and famous with an A-list clientele including Elton John’s Oscar party, the Monaco Grand Prix after party and Microsoft founder Paul Allen’s ultra exclusive Cannes Film Festival and St Barts New Years parties, to name a few.

Zen is a well established club and event DJ. His nearly telepathic ability to read a crowd has lead him to open shows for international performers such as Paul Oakenfold, Black Eyed Peas, LMFAO, Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake, Leona Lewis, Pete Tong, Felix Da Housecat, Moguai, Diplo, Vampire Weekend, The Black Key's, Jane's Addiction and Foo Fighters. Playing worldwide to audiences reaching several thousands, like his weekly residency for Perfecto at the 25,000 sq ft Rain Nightclub at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. He DJ’s at many of Hollywood’s hottest clubs and is a favorite among corporate clients for high-profile events like the Victoria’s Secret “What is Sexy?” party and Entertainment Tonight's EMMY after party. Zen's visionary ability to discover new music, along with his live mixing and production skill has kept him well ahead of the curve and made him the go to guy for fashion clients such as Vogue, Vanity Fair, Prada, Burberry, Chanel, Hugo Boss and GAP. Other brands include Mercedes Benz, Jaguar and Grey Goose, media clients Extra!, VH1 and MTV, Myspace, ESPN and electronics giants Apple, Sony and LG. He is popular on the Film Festival circuit and plays every year at Sundance, Toronto and Cannes.

Multi-talented, multi-tasking, focused and ambitious, Glenn Morrison is the archetype of the modern DJ/producer star. The 25-year-old Toronto native is as happy rocking an underground house party as he is performing at an exclusive oceanic rooftop venue; as adept at composing an international club anthem like ‘Contact’ as he is at concocting a creepy ambient soundtrack for a Nintendo game.

His name alone gets 850,000 social networking and Internet hits a month. His productions have featured on 700 compilations in the last three years. He has enjoyed the support of DJs as varied as Armin Van Buuren and Richie Hawtin, David Guetta and Luciano. For three years he was resident at the world's best club, Ibiza’s Amnesia Club. His label Morrison Recordings has put out 95 releases, his podcast series gets 12,000 downloads a month, and he’s remixed Queen, the Pet Shop Boys and the B52s. And he is perfecting a sinuous, hooky sound that combines the eerie beauty of pure techno with light rains of melody and flashes of emotion.

In short, Glenn Morrison is one of the most dynamic and accomplished talents in electronic music today. Period.

But whether it’s producing music or playing it, versatility and passion are at the heart of what Glenn Morrison does. Above all it’s about connecting with the audience. “I love being able to elicit emotion in people,” he says.

Morrison is a difficult DJ to pigeonhole and that’s what makes him such a fascinating talent. One minute his sound is ruthlessly minimal and funky; the next it’s washed in color and vocals and emotion.

“I want to able to straddle the line between doing underground parties and underground records, and a more commercial sound,” he explains. “ I don’t ever want to be stuck in one sound.”

His has been an unusual career path. He started off as a classical pianist, a preteen prodigy, performing – and winning – competitions. Then came a life-changing encounter with electronic music.

“When I was 14, I was at a high school house party, and there was somebody in the basement with two turntables and a mixer playing techno,” says Glenn. “It was new, it was fresh, it was underground. It was something I had never heard before. And I embraced it in all of its forms.”

He discovered classic mixes by DJs like Sasha and John Digweed on the Global Underground series, got lost in Adam Beyer’s techno excursions, tripped out to Paul Oakenfold’s Goa mixes – and started buying records.

“I started DJing during the vinyl period. I was buying a lot of records. It took me a couple of months, practising in my parents’ house and it consumed my life,” he says. Soon Morrison and his friends were staging their own house parties – DJs in the basement, girls around the pool. By the time he was 17, he had talked himself into a job at Toronto’s Release Records – both a store and an underground label. And that was it. “I knew what I wanted to do.”

When DJing offers started to come in, Glenn Morrison took them. He would play anywhere, sleeping on promoters’ floors in smaller cities in Brazil and China and Eastern Europe, soaking up the vibe. “It was a great learning experience to play in the club; no one can teach you. And I wanted to completely saturate myself.”

And as a classical pianist, the move into production came naturally. He worked with fellow Canadian producer Deadmau5, then struck out alone. Everything changed in 2007 with the release of his hit ‘Contact’, an emotional, yet minimal trance record with shivers of delicious melody and a crisp, funky beat that left no dance-floor unturned. Tiësto put it on a compilation and it shot to the top of the World Dance Charts.

‘No Sudden Moves’ followed: a driving, progressive house number with compulsively funky beats galvanized by shards of metallic melody. It too topped the World Dance Charts. Glenn Morrison had arrived. He studied law at the University of Toronto and had a place to study an MBA at Harvard. But post graduate education was going to have to wait.

As a DJ, Glenn Morrison is now a major draw on the world circuit. He has played over 300 events worldwide in the last three years and has developed into a consummate DJ performer. “I love being able to play with people’s feelings, to build the night,” he says. “For me it’s about creating an experience. Starting at ten o’clock and then building the intensity.”

This Thursday the legendary Sasha makes his Orange County debut at Sutra alongside Boris M.D. courtesy of GIANT! Visit Giantclub.com for presales.

DJ/producer/remixer SASHA is recognized as one of the worlds’ most innovative icons of the electronic genre. He propels listeners into the future of electronic music by constructing innovative and forward-thinking concept albums (Airdrawndagger, Involver) and live events (Delta Heavy, Fundacion) that blur the boundaries between artist and DJ.

Refusing to limit himself to DJ work, Sasha has continually explored his various interests as an adept remixer, songwriter, and producer. He established himself as a formidable, in-demand remixer by reconstructing tracks from an incredible array of artists such as Depeche Mode, Madonna, Seal, UNKLE, The Chemical Brothers, BT, Thom Yorke, and Orbital.

Along with a never ending tour schedule, 2008 finds Sasha once again busy in the studio releasing four original singles on his brand new label, ‘emFire’, scoring the soundtrack for the surf film “New Emissions of Light And Sound” that went on to win the Best Soundtrack Award at 2008’s X-Dance awards, and completing Invol2ver, the follow up to his Grammy nominated album Involver. Invol2ver’s worldwide release on 8 September will once again see exclusive Sasha remixes of such renowned artists like Thom Yorke of Radiohead, Ladytron, Apparat and M83 along with new original Sasha tracks featuring Ray LaMontagne and Adam Parker.

DJ Dan Biography

To say he is an American institution wouldn’t be far from the truth when it comes to DJ Dan who has been synonymous with good old American home-grown talent for over two decades now; a record collector, house innovator and true legend of the scene.

Born and raised on the West coast, Dan was entrenched in music from an early age, 1989 to be exact, a time when the rave scene was enduring its birth. It’s a sweeping understatement to say Dan has been at the forefront of dance music culture since the late 1980’s, especially when you consider how he’s shaped trends and sounds in his homeland all his musical life, taking the baton from house luminaries such as DJ Pierre, Frankie Knuckles and Ron Hardy. Drawing influence from a wealth of musical genres, Dan charts disco, jazz and funk as precursors to his interest in more industrial forms of music including freestyle and some forms of rock.

Sharpening his skills with wax at small clubs in Seattle, Dan’s experience in the late 80’s behind the decks converted into a profound knowledge of what people want on the dance floor, a trait still ingrained in him today.

The early 90’s saw Dan move to Los Angeles, feeding the roots of the emerging underground scene in the US, Dan’s after-hours shindig ‘No-Doz’ rounded off debauched weekends for the fledgling DJ, holding down multiple dance floors each Saturday. As the scene exploded Dan was at the centre of a musical revolution; underground promoters snapped up his ability to blend breaks, disco and all things funky that inadvertently placed him as the leading figure on the rave scene.

In 2010 it seems never more appropriate for Dan to have released his first ever artist album. Released in September, ‘Future Retro’ is a retro-cum-futro-spective celebration of the industry that has engulfed Dan for the last twenty years. Exploring the tracks that influenced his own rise to the top, he offers his own fresh versions of classic anthems in a present day context. From Chicago to Detroit to San Francisco, the album’s adventure via the past will take you back to the future on an astronomic journey with the one and only… DJ Dan.

Tonight two of the most sought after producers in the electronic music scene, Sultan & Ned Shepard, land at Sutra courtesy of GIANT!

This year has been huge for Sultan. He has been tagged by Beatport as the man to beat in 2010 with countless top productions and remixes including Crimson Sun featuring Grammy Award winning Dirty Vegas, Deeper Underground and G-Stringz. His recently released remix of the anthem Fire In Your New Shoes by Kaskade has already reached #11 on Beatport's top 100 most downloaded tracks. And to top it all off, Sultan was handpicked by Tiesto to remix Century Ft Calvin Harris for his remixed album Kaleidoscope.

Upcoming releases this Fall include Call My Name Feat Nadia Ali, a fresh collaboration with Funkagenda & Ned Shepard (Preview Here!) and several remixes for artists on Interscope Records including Richard Vission & Static Revenger , Paradiso Girls & Starshell.

In addition to the studio, Sultan has had a killer touring schedule in 2010. Highlights include a 7 city tour of India (following his acclaimed set at Sunburn Festival), Dance Valley - Amsterdam, Global Gathering Kiev + St Petersburg, Electrocity Festival - Poland and gigs at top venues such as Ministry of Sound - UK, Green Valley-Brazil, Pacha Sharm-Egypt, Privilege Ibiza and a residency at the legendary Club Stereo - Montreal with his own Harem Nights..

Join us for a very special Wednesday event with the 12th ranked artist in the world, Sander Van Doorn, along with Ryan Sage and Daniel Minaya at Sutra in Orange County courtesy of GIANT!

Some people call Sander a technical & musical genius. And who can deny it? He has cranked out more dance floor destroyers, sold-out gigs, number one records, and awards than most artists do in a lifetime.

With the help of classics like Grasshopper, Punk’d and Riff, recent hits like Love is Darkness and ofcourse massive collabs and remixes of The Killers (Spaceman), Sia (The Girl You Lost To Cocaine), Robbie Williams (Close My Eyes) and Depeche Mode (Peace) Sander shrugged off the confines of genre typecasting long ago and created something he preferres to call 'SvD-style'.

Besides his busy production schedule, Sander has worked tirelessly to bring his radioshow 'Identity' and his clubbing concept, Dusk till Doorn to fruition. And if this mountain of accomplishments were not enough, he somehow makes time to produce his quarterly ‘how-to’ show called ‘Studio Sessions’ on his YouTube channel (SanderVanDoornTV).

With a tour diary that sees the superstar play to more than a million fans each year, there’s no doubt that Sander van Doorn is one of dance music’s favorite sons. Within just a few years, Sander has blasted his way to the top. And this is only the beginning.

Tonight big room house superstar, Starkillers, takes over Sutra courtesy of GIANT! Visit Giantclub.com for info.

Starkillers is best known for his signature blend of sexy vocals, booming bass lines and genre defying range. This Las Vegas native has constantly been a musical influence within every genre of electronica throughout the world. Along with his impressive musical accomplishments as Starkillers also produces under his own name Nick Terranova.

We’re only half way through 2011 and “Pressure” with Nadia Ali, and “Bottle Pop” are just two of the massive charted singles Starkillers has flooded into nightclubs and radio stations across the globe. Also, capping out the end of 2009 and moving into 2010, Starkillers put up two of the top 25 best-selling tracks on Beatport for 2009, “The Funk Phenomenon” vs. Armin Van Helden at #1 and “Bitch Ass Trick” hit #3. Then, charting in 2010, “Big Disco” and “Odessa”. You can check out his latest hits and up and coming tour dates on www.starkillersmusic.com.

Nick’s ambitions don’t stop with music; he also manages the record label Terratraxx which he started in 2002. Along with a ton of original tacks, has put out an impressive number of high profile remixes including those of Armand Van Heldon, iiO, The D.O.N.S, Robby Rivera, Paul Oakenfold, DJ Dan, Paul Van Dyke, Jerome Isma Ae, Daniel portman, Momento, Ida Corr, Nadia Ali and many more.
On top of Nick’s dynamic talent, he shows off professional diversity through creating sound tracks for add campaigns for companies like Chevy, Chrysler, Google, Mattel, Batman and TV with “Deal of No Deal and “Extreme Home Makeover” and the lists go on.

Starkillers’ first track “Discoteka” lived at the top of the Billboard Dance and Beatport sales charts; it was named an “Essential Selection” on Pete Tong’s BBC1 radio show and was also nominated for best underground track at the IDMA’s.
Listen for the Starkillers unique sound and brand, sure to be in your city soon.

This Thursday we proudly present Kristina Sky at Sutra alongside Darin Epsilon and Andr3x.

With records out on Armin Van Buuren’s Armada, Paul Van Dyk’s Vandit and U.S. mega-label Ultra, while holding a coveted residency with West Coast power-house promoter Giant, it’s easy to see why Kristina Sky is one of America’s brightest rising stars. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she’s been DJing to thousands of crazy clubbers since 2002, coast-to-coast in the U.S. and around the world—from China to Ecuador, the Philippines to Guatemala and Canada to Costa Rica—along with being handpicked to play Coachella, North America’s biggest music festival, sharing the stage with legendary acts like Madonna, Daft Punk and Gabriel & Dresden. Her guest mixes and popular radio show “Trancelate” are heard by the masses—broadcasting via satellite, FM and the internet.

It’s really no wonder that Kristina has gained enough fan support to vote her five consecutive years into the highly regarded Tranceaddict Top 250 DJ Poll (#103 in 2010) and keep her in the top ranks for trance and progressive on The DJ List seven years running! Her DJ sets are memorable and energetic journeys through the best of dance music and her productions are known to be gritty, melodic and banging. Playing alongside many of the world’s top trance and progressive DJs (far too many to list), while also gaining their support on her productions, it’s only natural that she has made quite a name for herself in the global dance scene. -- If you haven’t had a chance to experience one of Kristina’s live sets yet, anyone who has will tell you that you’re missing out. Her passion and love for the music is undeniable and her ultimate goal is clear—to rock you out on that dancefloor, leave you with a memorable soundtrack of the night and keep you coming back for more!

Some of the artists KSky has shared the stage with: Madonna, Ferry Corsten, Armin van Buuren, Markus Schulz, Paul Oakenfold, Sander van Doorn, ATB, Above & Beyond, Gabriel & Dresden, Marcus Schossow, Gareth Emery, Andy Moor, Blank & Jones, Menno de Jong, Solarstone, Max Graham, Dash Berlin, Cosmic Gate, Johan Gielen, Richard Durand, Kyau & Albert, 4Strings, Ronski Speed, Mark Norman, Motorcycle, Rank-1, Morgan Page, Dave Dresden, Filo & Peri, Bobina, Judge Jules, Glenn Morrison, Darude, Christopher Lawrence, John 00′ Fleming, Stoneface & Terminal, Aly & Fila, Infected Mushroom, Talla 2XLC, The Thrillseekers, Soha, Bissen, UMEK, 7Skies, JES, Jan Johnston, Betsie Larkin, Nu-Nrg, Second Sun, Ian Van Dahl, Kenneth Thomas, Blake Jarrell, Daniel Wanrooy, Lasgo, DJ Sammy, Shawn Mitiska, Matt Cerf, Jaren, Doc Martin, DJ Irene, D:fuse, Micro, Caffeine, Donald Glaude, Taylor, Peter Hook (New Order).

Be sure to catch Chris Garcia live this Thursday September 15th at Sutra courtesy of GIANT!

After 10 years of playing for the people at some of Europe's finest clubs, DJ Chris Garcia now brings his unique style and sound to the United States.

Living in Las Vegas and travelling the world, Garcia has spun in France, Germany, Spain and North Africa. His first singles, "Party Started" and "Devil Expression," are dance floor favorites, and Garica’s sound can be heard at Vegas nightclubs such as Risque, House of Blues and of course, the legendary after hours at Drais'.

But Garcia’s career stretches back long before the innovative DJ moved to Vegas, all the way across the Atlantic to France…

Born in Arles, France, Garcia began DJing around 15 years ago, quickly making an impression spinning vocal house and hard electro. In 2000 Garcia founded a group of DJs called S7 Diffusion, which played large student parties, and soon Garcia had been booked as a resident in one of the most famous lounges of Avignon, France called Red Zone. Thanks to his success at Red Zone, Garcia began to play one-off events in clubs from Paris to Barcelona to Djerba, even scoring a residency at Toco Loco, one of the most famous clubs in Béziers, France.

Over the next few years Garcia continued to craft a reputation as a premier European house DJ. He even brought his talents to the classroom, teaching his technique to young people in a national DJ school.

In 2004 Garcia decided to leave France for Vegas. In his new hometown, Garcia joined 702DJ.com and began to play private parties, where his French house music style was welcomed with eager ears. Over the course of the next two years, Garcia cemented his Vegas reputation, playing residencies at Risque, Drais’, Tryst and Tao and earning invites to the Miami Winter Music Conference. Today, Chris Garcia is a well-respected name in local nightlife, and the 33-year old DJ has played along side some of the most important figures in electronic music – DJ Dan, Judge Jules, Erick Morillo and Bob Sinclair. From 3400 at Jet to Confession at Tabu, Garcia is bringing house music to Vegas crowds, one night at a time.

Today most 12 year-old girls would tell you their favorite band is Hannah Montana, but if you asked Tatiana Fontes at that same age, she would've said Duran Duran. However this is not surprising considering she's been a part of the music scene her entire life.

Born and raised in Florianopolis, Brazil, where her father was a nightclub owner and her brothers were professional DJs, it's no wonder she took up a serious passion for music so early on in life. 'I've been into it as long as I can remember, after school I would be in the DJ booth helping my brothers, learning the ropes.' At the age of five she was taking music and ballet lessons, writing, directing, and starring in her own theater productions for friends and family. She even performed in a popular singing/dancing group called Paquitas de Floripa, which traveled the state performing at local events and venues.

Although Tatiana had an obvious affinity for music early on, her career took a different direction at the age of 15 when she began receiving offers for modeling gigs in her hometown. A year later she was invited to participate in a contest sponsored by Elite Models known as Look of the Year. Even though modeling wasn’t her biggest passion, she liked the opportunities it offered – experiencing life beyond Florianopolis. This contest gave her just that, when it scored her a modeling contract in Japan.

Tatiana went on to be an international model doing major campaigns, commercials, editorials, fashion shows, and billboards in Paris, Milan, Switzerland, Germany, Brazil, and more. In 1999, she was cast as a model in the Oliver Stone film Any Given Sunday. In 2001, acting brought her to the Los Angeles, where she would go on to study the craft with top veterans of the biz. The hard work paid off and Tatiana went on to book dozens of commercials, such as the 2005 Pepsi campaign she did with Eva Longoria. She scored a dramatic role in the Columbia Pictures feature film, Sharkskin 6, and a part in the hit show Las Vegas, among others

With success in her new home of Los Angeles, one would think her life was complete. But Tatiana was itching to fill a major void in her life… and that was music. It was always her true passion and she knew she had to return to it. Fortunately, it didn’t take long for people to take notice of her talent, landing her DJ gigs at the hottest clubs and parties around the world. Her style is a fusion of the 80’s and rock she grew up with, along with the house and electronic music from her days in Europe working as a model.

This Thursday celebrate this years most acclaimed reunion as Gabriel & Dresden make their debut at Sutra for our 5+1 Labor Day weekend event alongside Jamie Schwabl!

For electronic dance music fanatics, the year 2011 marks a new musical promise. After three years of work apart, the critically acclaimed and multiple award winning duo of Josh Gabriel and Dave Dresden are back together with a new energy and spirit.

In 2001, Josh and Dave joined forces under the now legendary Gabriel & Dresden moniker. Within their 6 years of collaboration, Gabriel & Dresden scored 19 number 1 Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play remixes and tracks, made three DJ-mixed compilation albums, an artist album and won seven International Dance Music Awards. Their tracks 'Arcadia', 'Dangerous Power', 'Let Go', 'Tracking Treasure Down' Andain "Beautiful Things" and numerous other masterpieces have turned into some of EDM’s biggest classics. 'As The Rush Comes', by their Motorcycle alias with Jes Brieden, they won the IDMA award for 'Best Progressive Trance Track' as well as peaking at #11 on the official UK top40 charts. The G&D treatment, through remixes and interpretations, was given to tracks by The Killers, Annie Lenox, Sarah McLachlan, Dido, Tiësto, Paul Oakenfold and Way Out West, making their sound cross borders from trance and progressive with pop, indie and soul sensibilities.

In 2008 After 6+ years of hits and and awards, both guys felt it was time for something new and took a break from Gabriel & Dresden to focus on their individual careers. Inspiration came flowing with the new tide. After the split, Josh Gabriel set up his own label, 'Different Pieces' and focused on his Winter Kills and Andain projects. On his album 'Eight', Josh intertwined techno and house into pieces of pure electronic bliss. In the meantime, Dave Dresden took charge of the dancefloor with his Dresden & Johnston project and spawned a US radio hit in the song 'Keep Faith' and "That Day" (with Nadia Ali on lead vocals), as well as remixes for the likes of Owl City, Nadia Ali, BT and The Crystal Method. But you simply can't stop musical synergy.

Joins us this Thursday as one of the most energetic house artists of all time, Donald Glaude, returns to Sutra alongside Andy D'Arrigo and Andre Alouette courtesy of GIANT!

Confident. Exuberant. Raw. Innovative. These are just a few of the words industry insiders and fans have used to describe the talent behind one of America’s favorite house DJs, Donald Glaude. Ranked 68 on DJMag.com’s Top 100 DJs List in 2005, Donald skyrocketed to 48 this year and his genius keeps on growing…

Born in Tacoma, Washington, Donald’s love for music began at an early age. Originally a disciplined student of classical music, he was well-versed in the upright bass and violin. Any aspirations Donald had to continue in the classical vein vanished once he heard his first house record. With an ear for blending music already under his belt, and a love for the energy and soul of musical prodigies like George Clinton and Funkadelic, Donald began to amass a collection of house records which he taught himself to mix with a pair of mismatched turntables and a Radio Shack mixer.Before Donald few DJs had attempted to spin house records. Donald’s fine ear helped him give birth to a new style. After mastering his craft, Donald began DJing in various clubs around Tacoma and Seattle. During that time he made several important connections which would launch his music to the forefront of what was quickly becoming one of the largest underground movements since New Wave in the late-70s. Perhaps the greatest connection Donald made was with another aspiring DJ and friend, DJ Dan.

Together Donald & DJ Dan sparked the rave scene in Seattle and developed large followings. Knowing that Donald possessed an energy and ability to work the crowd that was unparalleled to anyone else on the circuit, Dan convinced San Francisco’s legendary Funky Tekno Tribe to bring down his good friend Donald to play at one of their parties. Donald’s talents quickly made him a permanent fixture on F.T.T.’s roster.Some DJs seek commercial acceptance. Donald, on the other hand, has always preferred an emotional connection with his audience. For Donald, house music is not simply a mixed bag of sound, but rather an experience that provokes the soul. Apart from his mastery on the decks, Donald is best known for his dynamic showmanship. He enjoys his music as much as his audience does. Embracing their energy, it is not uncommon to find Donald pumping his hands in the air, jumping up and down and shouting back his love to the crowd. It is this powerful signature style which has led fellow DJ and musical producer, Dave Aude, to call Donald the “James Brown of DJs.” Donald also caused some stir in 2005 and 2006 with his residency at ICE Nightclub in Las Vegas.

Join us this Thursday as the Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano make their Orange County debut at Sutra courtesy of GIANT!

Sunnery James and Ryan Marciano, two notable personalities with a single goal: to entertain as many people as possible with their deep and funky house sound.

From the moment they entered the DJ profession, they agreed to do something serious with their common passion: House Music! Quickly after their first gig together Sunnery and Ryan established themselves as top DJs.

Besides performing all over the globe, they are very busy in their
Amsterdam studio. May 2008 saw the release of debut track ‘Pina’, just 4
weeks later, dance floor cracker ‘Lift U Up’, feat. Melvin Reese & Chappell
saw light. Then things went very fast, their inspirational, upfront release
‘The Desert’, was released via D.O.N.S.’s Kingdom Kome Cuts imprint, Steve Angello scooped up ‘Traffic’ and ‘Snitch’ for release on his Size Records label and they made several remixes for the likes of Sander Kleinenberg (‘This Is Our Night’) and Kaskade (‘Dynasty’).

In February 2010, Sunnery and Ryan launched their ‘Amazone Project’ event in the Heineken Music Hall Amsterdam. 5.500 fans came to join the SJ-RMhype and witnessed an exclusive 5-hour-set. The Amazone Project compilation landed on the #2 spot in the Dutch charts.

The SJ-RM journey continues in 2010, with Sunnery & Ryan debuting at the prestigious Sensation event in the 50.000 cap. Amsterdam Arena on 3rd of July and playing Pacha Ibiza alongside Swedish House Mafia.

Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano – the energetic duo who match soulful vocals with fast pumping House. Their skill lies in the ability to build a track, drop it, pull in the next, sample soul-pleasing vocals, then drop another so smoothly that their whole set feels like a constant upward progression. Another skill is their ability to read the crowd and give them exactly what they want.

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