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Has it been two months since my last post? Poor on my part, so here we go...

The past couple of months were a bit all over the place to say the least with a vacation that included a last minute gig in Mexico and a huge show here in Calgary during Stampede mixed in with the first steps of a software transition and the production of a couple of new tracks.

Starting with the gigs, I managed to score a last minute booking at O Ultralounge in Cancun, Mexico while vacationing with Sarah and friends in Playa del Carmen. Now as with pretty much anything in Mexico, there are always some surprises and this was no exception. From the person I was to meet initially not even showing up to an early after-hours time slot in a pretty empty room to the place shutting down for elections early at 4am, this gig had everything. However, although somewhat disappointing, I still had the enjoyment of playing on a roof top under the Mexican moon with my wife and two good friends there, as well as a few others (including one guy that was loving every moment of it).

It's too bad things didn't work out as planned, however what the hell, it's Mexico! Next time however I will be pressing for a daytime booking at the Me in Cancun; they've really done things properly there in terms of poolside music and atmosphere.

Shortly after arriving back in Calgary was another big show during Stampede with none other than Markus Schulz and this time thrown into the mix, Sander van Doorn. Having been the sixth show in the past couple of years I've done, this one was pretty much par for the course - started off loud and simply got properly out of hand by the time it was done. Can't wait for the next one (details coming in the fall).

Upcoming, the gig schedule is pretty steady with an afternoon appearance for a chill session at Hotel Arts coming up this Sunday, August 8th, another Aura night that promises to be a big one hitting Habitat on August 12th, then a daytime slot at the Bow River Flow Street Festival on August 22nd. The fall has some interesting possibilities, but I always like to keep those under wraps until they're actually in place.

On the technology front, I've started the transition from using Serato over to Traktor. After a few years of happily dj'ing with Serato I've concluded that I've hit the limit of what can be done with the software. Traktor, in combination with a good MIDI controller, opens up a lot more creative possibilities such as using 4 decks along with a myriad of great effects and tricks. With a brand new NI controller on the horizon the timing for slowly switching over is perfect - considering I have to re-tag about 5,000 tracks from scratch in the process (I recently discovered that the NI library converter doesn't work on WAV files. Boo.). But, on the positive side, least I now have plenty of time to really narrow down my music to only the good stuff.

On the production front, two brand new tracks on the big progressive tip, are in the final stages of completion with one of them already getting a re-rub from 709's Ben Rama, whose production work I've always enjoyed, and the other, if I can bribe, coerce and convince him to do so, will hopefully be remixed by none other than Federico Epis. Both tracks will be released once again on the rapidly growing Jetlag Digital label as one big E.P. As a preview to the official release, you'll hear these tracks in my upcoming radio shows and as a part of my live sets over the next few months.

Thanks again for all of your support and kind words as always. For those of you in Calgary on August 12th, definitely come down and check out our Aura night at Habitat. It's shaping up to be a packed house with lots of invites going out and some great energy building around it. If things work out as we hope, the night will soon be permanently stamped into the monthly Thursday rotation (we already have another booked for September 9th if you can't make this one).

 

NOW AVAILABLE AT BEATPORT.COM! CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

My Growler EP, signed to Jetlag Digital, now available for purchase at Beatport.com features two of my strongest production efforts to date, with the driving progressive work of 'Growler' and the deeper, more introspective 'Drifting Inside'. Both these tracks have already garnered decent attention, with both having entered the top 50 on the Release Promo hype chart. Some feedback below:

"I love these tracks, especially Drifting Inside:) Dark euphoric prog at its finest!"
Suzy Solar

"Drifting inside is epic!!! SUPPORT!!!"
D-Phrag (Friskyradio.com)

"Very eerie! nice!"
Jerome Robins (Bedrock, Perfecto, Sterio)

"Another great one from Jetlag, never lets me down. Will be played! Thanks!"
Pure People Progressive Blog (http://pure-people.blogspot.com)

"Big tune again, massive break and a good drive, love it."
Placid (Giant & Dwarf, World of Sound)

"I like it, great tracks."
Fernando Ferreyra (Frisky Radio, Jetlag, Outside the Box)

"Strong EP, both tracks are great, but can't wait to drop Growler."
Paul Lynch (PlinkPlinkFizz)

"Lovely energy in Growler! Strong track from Wes!"
NSL (Jetlag Digital / Dance Radio Global)

 

GROWLER ON THE RADIO

Both of these tracks may be heard on my upcoming episode of his 709Sessions radio show (featuring both myself and Area709's Matthew Belleghem) this month at the following times:

FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2010 - 1PM (MST)
ETN.fm (Progressive Channel)
http://www.etn.fm/shows/view/618

TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 2010 - 7AM (MST)
Dance Radio Global (based out of Greece)
http://www.danceradioglobal.com

SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2010 - 4PM (MST)
Tribalmixes.org (based out of London)
http://www.tribalmixes.org

TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2010 - 2PM (MST)
Digitally Imported (Progressive Channel)
http://www.di.fm

 

Thank you for all of your support for this EP and look for more music to be released in the coming months!

 

Yeah, yeah, it's not like me to miss a month of posting, but hey, we're all human! Besides a weekend in Vegas needs at least two weeks to recover from and I'm not quite there yet. Whatever, let's get straight to it.

The month of May is a big one fore me on the production side with the release of my Growler EP featuring 'Growler' and 'Drifting Inside' to the world on May 21st, on Jetlag Digital. This release has been a long time coming and the tracks are some of my best work yet, although I truly believe they're only another stepping stone towards making better music. News on the actual release will be posted soon, and the tracks will also be available for sale through the store on my own site (http://www.wesstraub.com/buy-music/).

Along with that release I've just finished up a remix project for Jetlag, now in the mastering room (hurry up Rob, lol!). This one, titled "Miss That Melody" by DJ Miss Brown & Helmut Kraft is a bit of an old school progressive trance stomper, which surprisingly enough was quite the challenge to create and maintain the energy of the original. After getting much too deep and distant with the first version, (upon the smart advice of Hyline at Jetlag) I ended up stepping back and re-working the entire thing into something much bigger. I'm very happy with it now, although I'm not sure it will fit into some of the gloomy stuff I've been into lately, ha! This one will be out in the coming months as well.

On the gig side, it's been a fairly quiet spring, but not without it's moments. I had the pleasure of playing the closing set at Bloom to a full room at a killer party. No matter how many of these events we do, they always turn out to be top notch in terms of vibe, energy and community - and the motivation to put together a special set never seems to dissipates. This event has really made me look forward to the upcoming Inshala III weekend in June to say the least.

Upcoming in the next few months are a few great bookings. Along with the aformentioned Inshala III, I jump back into Habitat on May 13th for another edition of Aura, Calgary's only local club night dedicated to progressive, intelligent trance. This night has been great every time myself, Chris and Chad (as well as the Lo.Definition guys for one night) have done it; playing the music we love to a usually packed room. In the distance after that is at least one if not more big Stampede shows that I will be a part of as well as a boat party with the rest of the Hubvibes crew, out in Vancouver at the end of July. Details on those coming soon.

On a sadder note, as most of you in Calgary personally know and have been affected by his passing, our dance community lost someone pretty special this spring, Jeff Shewchuk. Both Sarah and I knew Jeff for the past 3 years and had the pleasure of dj'ing along-side him at BLVD, Rhino, Balance and Habitat. He was always super friendly, always giving, loved his music and was simply one of those good guys that did everything in his power to make something or an experience better.

I distinctly remember a night when Jeff came down to the Rhino where I was playing along-side fellow 709'er Matthew Belleghem (now in Australia). Matt, never being one to really compute the dynamics of the CDJ200s, laughingly complained to Jeff, whom he had met for the first time, about his troubles with the players. Immediately after that, Jeff disappeared for about a half an hour, then returned with none other than his own pair of CDJ1000s in tow - and not expecting anything in at all in return for his efforts (of course I had him come down and play a couple of months later). That was simply the type of guy Jeff, and that's just one story from my own experience, let alone the stories of many others who Jeff's kindness has touched.

People like him will always be sorely missed. They can never be replaced or forgotten only remembered. My memories of Jeff are all good ones, so if there's any positive to come out this tragic situation, it's just that. You will be missed, rest in peace.