Where Are You Now?

It's been 15 months since I last posted. Been a while.

A thought for today with spring in full swing and summer just around the corner:

Today's world is filled with stimulation. Smartphones, TV, movies, music, advertisements, work, school, entertainment, social media, drama; the options are endless. Every aspect of our lives is carried forward with the expectation that some new event will distract us from who we are; distract us from the thoughts in our head and inevitably the "regular" lives we all should be living. Now, when I say regular I don't mean average or not extraordinary, that part is completely up to you.

I'm talking about consistency and regularity. Setting yourself on a path, making a plan that ignores distractions and sticking to it; having a daily, weekly, or monthly routine that you commit to in order to have a strong foundation to build upon. The type that will actually move your life forward and take you to the next step. Success isn't built on some weak event that launches you to the top randomly. When it does happen it is hollow and surrounded by negativity (E.g. Justin Bieber).

Why do you think you feel stuck?

The problem I see is everyone being so uncomfortable with the thought of an even slightly regular schedule. I don't blame anyone for it; like I said, our lives are filled with distractions. We were born on the cusp of the technological age and at this point I'm pretty sure no one really knows how to deal with it. We've all just grown in to it and thus accepted that this is the way it is. Inadvertently feeling that we need the newest piece of technology to get us through the day, feeling that we need the biggest DJs to come to town to feel like it's even worth going out, or even feeling that we need a new person in our lives to replace one that has left us. We feel like our lives our falling apart if nothing "exciting" happens soon enough, to the point where we will sit on social media and scroll the endless trail of posts until we find something that even slightly peaks our least important interests. Creating things in our head when there's nothing to create it for us is a skill we've all subconsciously become very good at.

If you decided to go out for dinner 3 Fridays in a row, could you even go to the same restaurant every time?

We try things once or twice and they start to get old. The excitement of "new" is lost and it becomes familiar and eventually boring. The sad thing is, a constant flow of new things saturates whatever market it may be and inherently destroys. We live with the idea that there will always be something new to catch our attention but what if all of a sudden the flow just stopped? How many people would be just completely lost?

There are a lot of roles that I play. I am son, brother, friend, boyfriend, uncle, student, cellphone salesman, DJ, promoter. 4 years ago I set myself on a path and it has led me to where I am now; a year left in a business degree, 2 weekly residencies, and a record deal with a company in LA. This path has never been anything concrete, it was a small and shady gravel inlet covered in rocky ideas leading in to a dark forest. I have lost too much to even be accounted for in the process, feeling like branches reaching out to cut me down. So many days where the light at the end was so dim that it seemed like I had turned the wrong way. But my aim is only to move forward; through all the distractions, through the people that will think whatever they want to about me, resisting the bad habits that I developed earlier that I was lucky enough to break free from. My loved ones give me strength and I try as hard as possible to return the favour when it's needed.

So, my advice is this: If you find something good, and I mean truly GOOD, for you as person and for your life as a whole. Support it and nurture it. Give it time to grow and develop. If you like it at the beginning and it begins to feel old practice giving things time. Sometimes it may not work out but even in the end, the process will always make you better.

If you feel like you're exempt from this, chances are that you aren't. Take a look at yourself and ask yourself what you're building towards.

Things always improve if you've set yourself on the right path. I'm pretty sure the end never really comes, we just keep walking through this abyss we call life.

Control me.

I never understood the concept of keeping a journal throughout my life never mind one that is public, but it has been a fantastic outlet in times of need, and I'm glad people can relate to it in one way or another.

There was some point in time where I decided I was going to push myself to become exactly what I wanted to be, and it was way before I even understood what DJing was; but I got lost somewhere on that road. I can't say I was ever a bad person. I was never a liar or a cheater, never a person that you couldn't trust in a time of need, and my number 1 rule is to never disrespect someone. I stand by those rules about myself today as I have always tried to. Of course there are times where I have slipped up but keeping these values about myself true have gotten me to where I am in an industry filled with liars and the like (shoutout to everyone who isn't, you know who you are).

My form of wandering came in the shape of a demon that looked like substances. Abuse of substances. Ways to ignore all my responsibilities and have fun at the same time? Fuck that sounds awesome. I was out of control (OC) and didn't even realize it; but that's exactly how it works doesn't it. We go through our lives finding things that temporarily make us feel better, things that let us ignore what the real problems are, things that either give us a pain to mask the real pain; pleasure to overcome it; or something nice and shiny to distract us. But how real is what you're holding on to?

It was a rude awakening that brought me out of that slump and it took me a while to climb out of it and get on back on my feet. I went from one end of the spectrum to the other and lived life on both sides. After all this time of ups and downs, tears of joy and happiness, rising to the top of a shady industry while keeping true to my honesty, I can say one thing stands ridiculously apparent to me now; life is about balance. 

Enjoy your times being bad and have fun with them. Don't let them get out of control and run your life. Work hard and be responsible so that you have times where you can fun, but don't forget that it's okay to get ridiculous sometimes. I've been working hard and will continue to work hard, but I know that when I'm ready I'll be able to step back and have a good time, without losing control.

Stay tuned for Summer Lovin' coming in the next few months.

-Remain Still

For Now or Forever. A mix and a few thoughts.

It's been a while since my last post.

My life has been busy with music and school and work. For a time, my thoughts had personal outlets and my life questions had disappeared.

But once again, life has provided to be untrustworthy and unpredictable. Like most people I am lucky enough to have a comfortable place to call home. A roof over my head, money for food, and people around me that would support me, whatever my current crazy idea would be. Having a physical/emotional/mental place that we can take ourselves for as long as we need to reset and get back on our feet is the greatest gift anyone can give.

But no matter how much we are supported and loved, there are times that we can't help but feel alone. The heart and mind that reside within our bodies are unique, in every sense of the word, and we must live with the conflict that arises between them. Our minds search for the challenge of uncertainty while our hearts provide their greatest warmth during times of comfort and pleasure. We attach ourselves to the things that make us happy; never fully considering whether they will be there forever or not. Put simply, people get angry when things don't go the way they want or expect -- it happens to all of us. Some can control this feeling more than others but in the end we all feel it in one way or another.

Your only responsibility in life is to keep your mind excited and your heart happy in any way, shape, or form. Do yourself a favour and cherish the moments that you have a smile on your face and the pressures of life disappear. If only for a moment, close your eyes, forget about the world, and let your soul remain still. If you can do this it doesn't matter who is watching, what your plans are for the weekend, or what you need to make for supper tonight. Learn to do this all the time and you will forever be happy.

My music provides me with this very release. A time where I can disappear in to myself and let all my emotions run free. My body and soul sit completely still. My heart is open and I no longer think, only feel.

This mix is painful to me. I shed a few tears while making it and it makes me want to hold my heart when I listen to it. It represents a person that gave me more than I ever expected but that life has required me to let go of. This mix plays and I picture a friendly stranger walking down a long road, alone.

I hope the best for you all on your unique and painful journeys.

Listen.

Download.

Remain Still.

Mix 28: Y Our Hearts Break

Wow. Almost 2 months since I've posted anything.

I have a blog post coming I think. But here is the CD mix. As soon as I made it I knew it would be perfect to play live at the Y. I still can't get over how crazy that place was on Friday. In my short Y career of dancing and now playing I've never seen it that packed in the main room. I know I got lucky with my night being right after Blackout but there is something to be said about having an over-capacity club and keeping a room that packed. Keep it humble and keep working hard.

Listen to it!

Download it!

Remain Still

So Wake Me Up When it's All Over

I feel like growing up in today's world is the craziest thing. No other generation has experienced what we are experiencing. There are zero guidelines, zero rules, and unlimited possibilities. You can be anything you want to be. You could stop everything you are doing today, leave your friends, move to a different city, start completely fresh as a brand new person, and no one would say a thing. People will let you do whatever you want. Dress a certain way, do your hair a certain way, live exactly how you want to live. They may talk behind your back or start rumors, but they won't tell you what's wrong with you, the people close to you will even support you in being the craziest person possible if that's who you want to be.

I'm currently in the weirdest most uncomfortable position of my life. I've spent my whole life wondering if I'm different, normal, special, crazy, whatever. One of my worst qualities is my constant over-thinking. It drives me crazy sometimes and I know when it is happening but I can't stop it. It's just who I am and what I do. It's because of this over thinking that I've needed constant change and excitement to distract me from life, I need something to always look forward to. I've lived my life changing my goals and moving from lifestyle to lifestyle doing whatever I want, whenever I want. I didn't realize what I was doing until I met someone that gave me rules to live by. She showed me from an outside perspective the life that I was living and what it was doing to me. I was broken inside and either no one could see through the mask that I was wearing, or they knew I wouldn't listen if they told me. She has set me on a completely different path, one that I feel like I am wearing a blindfold on. Not only with how I live my life, but with the person I am on the inside. Healthier, stronger, more confident, smarter. I feel better about everything. But as good as it feels, it is completely unknown to me. I don't say uncomfortable in a bad way either. The easiest way to explain it would be comparing it to physiotherapy or working out. You have a goal in mind, but you must work through some uncomfortable pain or positions to get to your end result. You may wake up and dread having to do whatever it is you have to do, but you know what you want and no matter how long it takes you will get there.

"Fake it till you make it"

I've heard this saying a lot. I like the meaning behind it but I don't like the way it is worded. Life isn't about faking anything. Maybe it is easier in some people's minds to do something if they believe they are faking it but all you have to do is do it. You take something unknown to you, and live it till it becomes who you actually are. Live it till you don't have to think twice about what you are doing or why you are doing it. And it is scary as fuck. Sometimes I stop and think about everything that I have planned for the week and all I want to do is cancel everything and crawl in to a black hole of video games, distractions, and old habits. That is why it's uncomfortable for me. But it gets easier every day. Everyone has their own form of distractions and way of shutting out the world, what is yours? And is it healthy?

I'm in one of those plateau's in life but I know it isn't a bad thing. I'm working so hard. Not sometimes, but every single day. Struggling every day to be someone that I have no idea how to be. Scared that I am doing things wrong and unsure if I'm going to reach my goals. I failed to reach a couple goals this summer but it isn't a big deal because I'm still working towards them. For one reason or another things didn't turn out the way I wanted so changes had to be made to my plan. But that's okay. Not reaching a certain goal isn't failure, giving up is failure. So until I decide to crawl back in to the whole that I was digging for myself until last year, I haven't given up, and haven't failed.

I didn't know I was lost

Mix 27: Y We Can't Remain Still

Howdy.

So this mix was originally supposed to be for a Y Afterhours CD release party but it got pushed back a couple months. I decided to put it up anyways because by that time I'll want newer music on the mix.

SO here you go. For my fans at the Y, the ones that come to other shows to see me, the ones that make me kandi bracelets with "Remain Still" on them, the ones that wear the shirts I've given them, and especially the ones that stay by my side and keep hoping for more.

Thanks <3

Listen to it!

Download it!

Track list coming soon!

Mix 26: This is What It Feels Like

Wow 5 months since I've made a mix. Tons of new music that I've been listening to. Here is the latest. Some powerful lyrics at the beginning and in the middle and awesome beats near the end. I've been told by people they really get something out of the songs I choose. That's amazing to hear, hope it means something to you.


Enjoy.




Download it!

Track List:
If I lose Myself (Alesso vs. OneRepublic Extended Remix) - Alesso, OneRepublic
This is What It Feels Like feat. Trevor Guthrie (W&W Remix) 0 Armin van Buuren, Trevor Guthrie
Walking On Air (Extended Mix) - Dino, Daddy's Groove
Leprechauns & Unichorns (Original Mix) - Dyro
Let Me Love You (Original Mix) - Deorro, Adrian Delgado
Alive (Hardwell Remix) - Krewella
Summertime Sadness (Cedric Gervais Remix) - Lana Del Rey
Symphonica (Cash Cash Remix) - Nicky Romero
Melbourne Bounce feat. Big Nab (Original) - Orkestrated, Big Nab, Fries & Shine
Upgrade (Original Mix) - Case & Point
Bad Guy (Original Mix) - Gregon Klosman, Tony Romera
Never Say Goodbye feat. Bright Lights (Original Mix) - Hardwell, Dyro, Bright Lights

-Remain Still

Here to Stay

A question I've asked myself a few times lately: "What is DJing?"

A lot of people don't understand what is involved and I've had to explain it to them. A lot of people think you just go up and press play a bunch of times, that the music does the job itself. This is slightly true, in that I press play about 100 times per hour and the songs are really good. But there is so much more to it than that. Technical skills like the blending of songs, knowing the songs well enough so things like lyrics or certain parts of the songs don't cross over in the wrong place and sound bad, and of course just beat-matching (which is the heart of the ability to be a DJ)... So once you have thousands of songs to choose from (my USB has over 1000 songs that I consider playing every night, and is constantly growing in number), know them all well enough to mix them together in a decent fashion, AND have the basic ability to actually beat-match, you can start learning the hard part. This is the part that I feel is what DJing really is, the conceptual part...

Have you ever walked in to a club or show at like 930 with the place pretty much empty, and the music just sounds noisy? Its awkward, to say the least. If you're at a club, chances are the DJ knows it is just going to get busy so it doesn't matter what he plays early. He can play any song he wants and it'll slowly get busier and people will hear their current favorite song and be drunk enough to hit up the dance floor. It's different at a show. There are rules. As an opener, you aren't the reason people are there. You are there to get people ready for the headliner.

Never outplay the headliner.

All my opening spots have been quite the eye-opening experience. 9-10 doesn't really matter. You can play what you want. Chances are people aren't going to be there till 1015 anyways so play some new music, practice some things on the big sound system, or I like to play some really chill music for the staff to hang out and so people walk in to a vibe that isn't intimidating. There is no awkwardness to the dance floor being empty because it's early, and the music is almost just background music instead of noise and pressure for a crowd. 

The 10-11 set is a bit different. Sometimes it gets busier earlier, sometimes later. I had a pre-defined set once, and honestly it will be the last time. I find it impossible, and just not smart in general, to assume that you'll know what someone is going to do. I've found the most success in reading what is happening and reacting based on that. Starting at 10 and keeping that chill background vibe, then slowly picking up. As more people come in the dance floor tension starts to build. People line up around the dance floor waiting for a song they want to dance to. It creates a vibe of anticipation to dance instead of having all the good songs play, but not being able to dance because you are scared to be the one to take the first step on to the dance floor. It lets people sit and drink and hang out. Bob their heads and wait for a beat that makes them want to move more. When that happens it doesn't matter who is on the dance floor and who is watching because it is solely about the feel of the music. That tension can never be predicted in my opinion. It just kind of happens at some point, and that's when you pick it up for the person following you.

Sunday was my first 11-12 set. I knew it was going to be busy by the end of it, but I was surprised how busy it was at the beginning. This was a tough set to play for the first time. Keep people dancing, play good music, but don't put out more energy than the guy after you has to. In reality that's all there is to it. Start out with some good music and pick it up a bit near the end so people are even more pumped for the next guy. It's basically just a constant energy incline that you should know how to make plateau at certain points.

As easy as it all sounds there are so many things to think about at once. Multi-tasking the feel of the whole room while skillfully blending from one track to the next. Making sure to switch the style of the mixes so it isn't simple and boring. And of course making sure to have the newest and best tracks to play (Not mandatory though. Stuff people haven't heard is always good but old shit is good for a reason. Nothing wrong with that). Finally, the last aspect of DJing and what I have found to be the most important in my journey: the ability to be vulnerable.

People have told me I only DJ because I want to be up on stage and the center of attention but its kind of funny because it is the last thing on my mind. I don't get up there to have you judge me and tell me what I'm doing is good or not. Ya I want you to have a good time, but I do it because I love the music and I want to be the one controlling that room. I've been in the crowd and know how it feels to ride on music. I felt that I could be the one that provides the ride instead, and do it well. The vulnerability I've learned in the past year has been incredible and I've found that vulnerability doesn't mean weakness, if anything it means strength. The people I see that can't be vulnerable in the DJ booth are the ones that are being left behind, stuck in their ways and unable to open up to new music or new styles. I've let myself expand in to generes and play them for crowds. Generes that I started listening to only hours before playing my set. That vulnerability, the ability to open myself to something unknown and not be scared about fucking it up is what is driving my climb through the DJ ranks in Edmonton.

I've made many mistakes, some big and noticeable, and others very small that only I notice. But these are things that have made me stronger. And every time I am in a spot that I feel myself having to be vulnerable, it becomes easier because I trust myself to get through it and trust anyone that is involved to support me in the best way they can.

-Remain Still

This is Just the Beginning.

Holllllla. This is a long one... hope you have some time.

I've had a busy few months, no time for mixes, no time for blogs. But classes are done and exams start next week for me. So I finally have some time to sit down and write out these ideas that have been flowing through my head and make a mix for your listening pleasure. Oh and study of course.

So first things first. Y AFTERHOURS FINALIST WOOOOOOOOO!!!! Hahaha fuck yeah. Quarterfinals were some fun half hour sets in the basement. 3 weeks later, semi-finals against DJ Goober in the main room. I went with an emotional start and it was amazing. The vibe in that room was something I've never felt before. I was in a little zone in the booth about 3 songs in and realized what was going on. I looked up and saw almost everyone with a hand on their heart with their eyes closed. A mixture of pain and energy and just raw emotional power that you could tell everyone was feeling. Simply amazing. I won't talk much more about it because it's gone and done and you should have been there if you wanted to know.

Next week, Friday the 19th, are the finals. I'm not going to talk about my opponent or my strategy, only what this all means to me. It hit me right after I played in the semi-finals what this spot actually means to me specifically. I felt like I rocked that room with my ideas, and music that I think is good. I talked before about going into a zone and translating instincts to actions. Crowd reaction is important, but I can trust that my skills and ideas will do the job without searching for approval. When I started this journey I looked for that approval, I sent a mix to Nestor Delano and asked him what he thought of it. One night we were hanging out and he asked me why I wanted to know and I didn't have an answer. Because his approval makes it good?

He told me if I think it is good that is all that matters... Then he told me he wanted me to join Connected. 

If you think it is good and are really passionate about it, people will see your passion and believe in you because that's what people do. People want something to believe in. People are followers and the leaders are the ones that stand out. Leaders are the ones that set trends and break rules. Why be normal? Why be someone that blends in to the crowd and doesn't do exactly what they want, when they want. There is nothing wrong with not being a leader, it doesn't necessarily mean you are a follower, but the lesson lies in being true to yourself in every moment. Not punishing yourself or others for anything that has happened in the past, not worrying about anything in the future, just doing and being your best at every single moment. This is a lesson that I have understood my whole life but never truly been able to live. This competition has taught me so much not only about Djing and playing a crowd, but about myself and who I want to be.

I honestly think Nestor never listened to that first mix, or has ever even heard me play.

8 months ago I was dancing at the Y and was watching Seelo and Nestor play in the main room, I told myself I wanted to play up there one day. I didn't put a time limit on it, just set a goal and went after it. I needed 2 things, specific skills and a status. Nestor gave me the opportunity for a status and recognition on the scene and learning the skills was up to me. Every show I go to, every time I play, I learn. Learning new tricks as well as becoming more confident in my instincts. Taking things from every DJ I've heard and putting my own twist on it. Making it my own so that I can put my name on it and not just be a copy cat.

I'm an intelectual person. I observe, analyze, and react accordingly, thinking too much and over-analyzing is something I know I do and hate that I do it. But it is what it is and I'm fixing it the only way I know how. For whatever reason my brain is able to override my feelings and instincts. I think that is why DJing is so important to me. It is literally the first thing in my life that I have been able to fall in love with, with no outside influence. No one suggested it to me, no one forced me to do it when I was young. It doesn't matter to me what people think of it, if no one wanted to hear me I would still sit in my basement and play to myself. People are giving me recognition and I'm accepting it, but that isn't why I'm doing what I'm doing.

I'm honoured to be playing in the finals in the competition, win or lose it doesn't matter I'm happy to be there. In my opinion the Y has the best DJ's in the city. And if they don't currently, then there is no doubt that at some point in time, all of the best in the city have played there. Clubs open and close but the Y has been around for 10 years. Go there on a weekend after the clubs close down and you're sure to see at least one of the most influential people in the city. It is the only Afterhours club in the capital city of EDMonton. People have said to me that "oh it's the only one it's not a big deal". But that is exactly why it's a big deal.

I'm not saying I'm going to win. But right now I'm trusting my instincts and skills like I never have before and I believe I'm going to give people a name to remember. I'm not learning anything new in the next week. My opponent, DJ Eff, has been around for 10 years against my 2 1/2 years of experience. I'm going to go in as Tyrone Powell and truly come out as Jermaine Still; the emotional, cocky, silly, sarcastic, arrogant, strong, caring man that I've created and want to be for the rest of my life. Learning to trust myself through DJing is something I need to apply to my whole life. Entering a zone in the booth and never doubting myself again. In reality, this is all just the beginning. 

Best of luck to you DJ Eff.

-Remain Still.

A Change in Perspective

Sup. Music please.

2 years, 6 months, 1 week, and 3 days of DJing. I've gone from purchasing my first equipment on a whim (Thanks Jase), to opening up for world known DJ's. I literally had no plans to come this far with this and I think thats exactly why I have. Every time I get to plug my headphones in and take an audience on a musical journey with me it feels like a complete privilege and it causes me to try my hardest during each and every performance. One week ago marked the 1 year anniversary of me playing at Towers Pub at MacEwan. I remember going up to the manager and telling him he had an open spot on his 'live DJ' day and saying I could DJ. Nervous as fuck, I told him I could play and that I would come in just for the fun of it, no payment needed. I played for 2 and a half months till the end of the semester and picked up my spot again 6 months ago in September. According to the manager, this is the best year they have ever had at the bar and he holds me directly accountable for the success of Friday afternoons being completely full every week, and the atmosphere from Fridays spreading throughout the rest of the week.

Holding my own weekly spot has taught me so much. Originally I would play the same style every time, but I've learnt to read a crowd and play the music that makes them move. Once the music captures the attention, energy and sound can be shifted to the style that I love to play. Sometimes the hard electro beats or emotional progressive sounds can be too much for a crowd and it has to be brought back to a style that is more fitting for the mood. Sometimes the energy can't even be brought up that high. But I feel a good DJ has to adapt to that.

There are few situations I get nervous in and DJing for a crowd I don't understand is definitely one of them. I had played piano in front of hundreds of people, been tested on it, played other instruments, spoke in front of hundreds of people, all sorts of nerve racking situations, but those were all fine because it wasn't my own passion I was showing and something I wanted to really do well in. First little house party I did, first wedding, first time I played at Towers, first staff party, first bar, first time I opened a show; every single one of these spots gave me the same nervous feeling in my gut and in my head that I don't experience often and almost don't even know how to deal with. But every single time now, my small ritual of taking a deep breath and closing my eyes, then plugging my headphones in to the mixer, puts me in to a zone that I'm completely familiar with. I know that while I'm up there playing music I'm in my world and everyone there is just visiting. Of course I take in to account that they have a good time while they are visiting but it's still my world. This is now something that I know well enough that I don't have to think when I do it. Any buttons I push or effects that come out are just a translation of what I want to hear coming in to effect through the equipment as an extension of my body. 

And it is still nowhere near perfect. Hardly even very good I would say. I still have no problem picking out mistakes in everything I do, not even as a perfectionist type thing, just simple mistakes. There are a ton of techniques that I still have to learn and little tricks that will make me far better as a DJ. But I'm not worried because I have time and patience. I'm not trying to be the best right now, I'm just trying to get better. Every time I play is a time when I get to try new things and make less mistakes. That is where my confidence comes from. Maybe it is the way my brain works or just how confidence works in general, but starting from nothing and building my way up is how I am learning to just push the nerves out. Some things it happens quickly with and others slow, but my confidence comes from stability and the ability to fall without worrying I won't be able to pick myself up again.

My passion has had its results, too. 7 months ago I was making a mix for a Boodang mix competition. I was asking some well known DJ's in Edmonton to check out my mixes and tell me what they thought. Asking them for opportunities and getting nothing out of it (Ironic because I'm playing bigger spots than some of them now). The way I have gotten to where I am is by making my own opportunities. I never understood what that advice meant when I heard people say it but now I know. You have to choose what you want, obtain the skills you need, put yourself in the situation to get it, and then make it happen. Nothing will come to you. I now have people asking me to tag on my DJ slots, coming to me for advice, having to turn down gigs because I'm actually busy with other gigs, even asking me the same questions I once asked and I have only just realized the change that has occurred. To me I am still doing the same thing I have since day one. Doing my best and trying to learn at every chance I get. I'm sure there will be times when that confidence falters again and I get nervous at the worst time possible. But no matter how hard I fall, remembering the confidence that has gotten me to the point I am at, having the opportunity to get back up, and having the support from everyone I love, will forever keep me afloat.

Starting from the bottom in this industry is the only way things happen. In some parts of life you start somewhere in the middle with guidance, build your confidence through experiences, and slowly grow from there. But I feel the only way to have the strongest confidence in yourself is to hit or start right from rock bottom so you can see exactly how bad you want something. Then use that drive to reach the goals you've set. My goal is simple; not to be the best, but to constantly get better with no limit as to how far this passion can grow. As opportunities present themselves I jump on them with no regard as to who I might be stepping on to do it. In the end, some of the people around me aren't going to care what happens to me, so I have to do what is best for myself.

My next step is the Quarterfinals for the Y Afterhours Next Generation DJ Competition and they have no idea what I have in store for them.

Remain Still.

-Jermaine

Mix 25: The Lesson

Here we go again!

The Y Afterhours is holding a mix contest for a new Resident DJ. Here's my entry. High energy from top to bottom, a mix of different genres, some different tempos, while still trying to hold my opinion of connecting emotion to energy.

This music has been a lesson to me and has taught me so much. Hope it rocks their socks haha.

Enjoy.




Download it!

-Jermaine

The Journey

When I first started this hobby it was purely for fun and it wasn't even a thought in my mind that it would have come this far. It was something I had a crush on and an interest in for longer than I could remember. I wasn't playing for anyone but myself, I would show a couple friends some fun little things that I did with songs or whatever but the bottom line is that it is something that caught my eye. I remember one time I called Tyler and put him on speakerphone to let him listen to something I had just created.

Some of the tutorials or pro tips or whatever say to record everything you do so you can listen to it and pick out mistakes to improve upon but I wasn't even doing that. Just sitting in the basement every day for a couple hours messing around with beats and acapellas and honestly it all sounded terrible but it was fun and I was learning. I stuck it out because I was in love with what I was doing.

I had, and still have, a constant craving to be playing music.

My uncle asked me to make a warm-up mix for the hockey team he was coaching about 4 months after I had gotten in to it. I downloaded a couple programs, bought some cables, figured it out, and wham bam thank you ma'am my first mix was done. After that it's been 2 years that have flown by with almost a mix a month since then. I've now played weddings, parties, school dances, clubs, even a 12 hour dance marathon in which I refused to let myself repeat a song.

Recently being brought on by Connected Entertainment has been a great experience. Getting to work with experienced DJ's and being a person to know for these events is fun. Meeting some of these world known DJ's and being part of these massive events is amazing. But at the same time it is frustrating. I have developed a need to have my hands on the turntables and play music for people. I love to be playing music for people and see it move from their ears to their muscles as they itch to get up and dance. The frustration comes from the tease of these events. Finding something I love being passionate about but can't show is like being starving with a plate of food in front of you and being told if you touch it that it will disappear.

As a newcomer to Connected and just the industry in general there is so much patience that is demanded. Pretending to be a big shot when no ones knows your name is exactly that, pretending. Working on the events in general doing simple things like facebook promotions or just appearing at all the events whether I have an actual set time or not is fun but taxing. The work is going in and the results aren't happening nearly as fast as I want them to. Playing for a nearly empty room or having a set time that gets screwed up and playing for no one is disappointing and it's so hard to remind myself that it is all part of the process. I know I have the ability to rock a huge crowd and take people on a mini musical journey with me but I have to work for it and I'm so thankful for the potential opportunity to do so. I want it more than anything I've ever wanted. 

I understand now that for this to be as real I want to to be with results I want. It has to be about everything. It has to be about me starting from nothing and building something that will give me the strength and foundation to be as good and as passionate as I need to be so that when it happens it isn't cheap and worthless. I know it will be frustrating, and there will be times that it doesn't go as far as I'm dying for it to go. But in the end the wait and struggle will be worth it and I will own something that I've worked hard for and that will last forever. 

-Jermaine Still

Mix 24: Jump In

A new year and a new name.

Wow it's been a crazy month or so for me. Life is hella busy but everything seems to be going well. For some reason my heart wasn't 100% in to the things I wanted it to be and it took a good friend to repeatedly ask my "why not?" until I was out of shitty excuses to realize that I'm doing things that I love and close to people that I want to be, so why hold back.

Everyone has been asking me why I changed my name so I should clear it up. Being hired by Connected Entertainment was a big deal and already since then I have had the chance to play at soundwave(though there were some issues with the security not letting people in on time), rocking the "upper heaven" at the Y last Friday, and this Saturday will be opening up for Dirty South at the Encore Grand Opening at West Edmonton Mall. Big or small it doesn't matter the venue or whatever I'm just glad some more people are getting to hear me play. If people are hearing me I want to give them a name that isn't hard to pronounce or something that is weird to look at. Fwylo might have had more character than this one but I'm jumping in to something brand new and doing it with a new face on makes it that much easier.

I'm Jermaine Still, and I dare you to Remain Still.




Download it!

-Jermaine

Mix 23: Don't Wait for Me

Well helloooo.

I didn't realize how much time I spend on these things until I counted it up for this one. I spent some random amount time picking songs over the course of a couple weeks, then an hour recording it last week but it was just a test run to see how I felt the songs should fit together. After listening to that a few times (an hour each time), I move songs around and figure out the transition points then record it and listen to it a few times again. So then yesterday, I recorded it 3 separate times, listened to it probably 5, then listened to the almost finished one all day today taking notes on little things to change. Finally I came home tonight and recorded it one more time, then listened one more time. In total thats around 15 hours...

When you're waiting for something you know is important, it doesn't really matter how long it takes.

Enjoy.




Download it!

-fwylo

Roller-coaster Ride

If I ever own an amusement park I'm going to have a ride called Life. It'll go something like this. The attendee takes the next person in line and straps them in where he pleases, you don't get to choose if you want the front or back or middle because fuck that, this is life. Once the ride has some people (sometimes full and sometimes not it's up to the dude working, not you) the ride starts. It'll have spots that are slow and boring to the point where you want to get off and go try a different ride, and spots that flip and turn and are exciting and so awesome that you want to stay on the ride forever. But then it'll slow down again while you wait for the next spurt of excitement. But the next one won't be good excitement, it'll be scary how fast it goes and you'll feel terrible and hate the ride. Sometimes it'll be awesome and you'll love life, others you have to just close your eyes, be strong, and get through it.

Slow times are slow and excitement will come randomly. Don't get bored and sidetracked about the goals you have in mind for the future. It's hard to be confident in the things you are doing when there aren't immediate results but work hard and it will come.

I was really happy with my last mix for multiple reasons. Solid transitions, good song choices, and great energy flow. I've gotten some criticism on it from a couple people who know what they're talking about and am excited to work on that in the next one. I started mentally piecing together a new one and am slowly putting it together. Aiming for higher energy throughout the whole thing while still hitting that emotional energy connection I wanted in the last one.

Here's a few songs that I'll probably be using:

Awesome.

-fwylo

Lets get official.

Alright so progress has inevitably come through with the work I've been putting in. But the work doesn't feel like work because it's fun. Either way... like my fan page on Facebook.

Lets get me out there.

http://www.facebook.com/DjFwylo

Mix 22: Energetic Inspiration

Saaaturday!

So this is the mix I originally recorded on Wednesday, but re-recorded live at Towers on Friday.

There was a lot of inspiration with this one. Most of the songs bring up memories within me that bring up feelings and they all create that same inner passion that takes me from closing my eyes, to singing, to wanting to get up and dance. It wasn't hard to choose the songs for this one, as I go through my daily playlist, when a song sparks the right memories and feelings, I would take note. After that it was just about the structure. The beginning is slow and passionate and as it flow from song to song the energy transfers somehow I don't even know how to fully explain it. By the end of it I hope you'll be fist pumping like I am. It's really interesting to be able to play with the energy like that and if you want to test it out listen to the whole mix and when it is done restart it. It sounds almost slow and boring and you can feel yourself wanting the high energy that is at the end of the mix. The songs are almost the same tempo but the sounds and feel of them create a totally different atmosphere. I'm beginning to learn the true art of DJing which isn't just matching tempo's and choosing songs, but really controlling the energy of the listener.

It's cool to be able to track my progress like this. It will always be reminder of putting the pieces of the puzzle together and being able to look back and smile no matter what happens.

Also, I like the title of this one.




Download it!

-fwylo

Mix energy and structure.

Yes.

If you tuned in to my little live stream on Wednesday night thank you and hope you enjoyed it. You would have gotten a preview of the mix I recorded during it. I'm going to re-do the mix though because I'm not fully happy with it for a couple reasons.

Walking around listening to the music I've been playing all day every day brings my energy up and down and messes with my thoughts and feelings. There are songs that make you want to close your eyes and sing lyrics in the middle of a bus ride until a drop hits. The energy that comes up is one of pure emotional connection and when that beat drops you just want to let it all out and move to the music. I decided to structure a mix based on this type of energy and it is actually really good except for a few technical things which will be fixed when I record it again.

Channeling this energy and making it flow from song to song is what I was concentrating on and you can really feel it. Once the connection is made to the music through the lyrics and soft sounds the energy can be moved to songs that have the same feel but don't have the same emotional connection. The songs all have the same speed but as the feel of them changes the energy goes up with it and all of a sudden you're listening to a song that you have never heard and don't understand why it is still controlling your feelings. Cool stuff. I heard once that sounds are one of the things you can literally feel because the sound waves vibrate the receptors in your ear and are translated to your body via magic. Puts a new perspective on music. 

I'll attempt to record the mix live tomorrow while I'm playing at Towers so hopefully it goes well. Would love for you to stop by again.

-fwylo

Can't Stop Me Now

So I just had a conversation with this guy about why we're in school and what our goals are. I told him I'm taking some law classes in case I want to go the direction of law school and lawyerism. His instant response was, "impossible".  I had no idea what he meant. "Impossible?" I asked. He proceeded to tell me about how many people he knows that have tried and failed in getting in to law school and all I could think was "Who the fuck cares?"

I've never been more determined in my life than right now. Set your goals, and reach them. There is no "trying" to do something. You just do it. 2 years ago I said I was going to try my hand at DJing and it turns out I'm good at it because I have a passion for it. I want to make people dance so I go up and do it. The thought of something being impossible has never even occurred to me. If you want to do something you obtain the knowledge and skills you need and then do it. Be the best at it if you want I don't care. Just don't be afraid of the commitment or work that it takes because when you achieve what you want it is the best thing in the world. And the best part is when you are doing it you become the happiest person in the world.

Had to get that out, even though no one actually reads this.

Feel good.

-fwylo

Old Mixes Suck

Hola! Como estan?! Estoy Bien. Mi biblioteca es muy alto. Tengo quatro libros en mi mochilla! Jajaja.

I burnt a CD a little while back with all of my mixes on it. I honestly can't even listen to them anymore. Definitely a great indication of how much I've progressed as a DJ but sadly I have to take them down because I don't want people to listen to them. I'm leaving up the ones I like.

If there are any you would like I'd be glad to send them to you via email or facebook or even burn a little mix cd for you.

Get at me.

And here's a song for you.