A-RocK

28th Jun 2012

I’ve Been Slacking So Here Are My Top 16 Picks. Some Old, Some New…

1. Audio Jacker - Pull Ya G-String Down South

2. Daft Punk - Da Funk (Joe Maz Remix)

3. Wattie Green - Keep It On The Low

4. Geisha Twins - Dolla Dolla (Solidisco Remix)

5. Meech - Somethin

6. Danny T feat. Oh Snap! - Delicious (TJR Remix)

7. Gregori Klosman - Minibar

8. Gypsy And The Cat - Jona Vark (Alan Braxe Remix)

9. Kurd Maverick - Hell Yeah

10. Booty Hunt - Mañana

11. Holy Ghost! - Some Children

12. A$AP Rocky ft. Lana Del Ray - Ridin

13. Reset! - Calypsoul

14. Hypster ft. Niqi - Let The Beat Drop

15. Jean Tonique - Falling Star

16. Gigamesh - Your Body

Bonus

Call Me Maybe (A-Rock Bootie) - Carley Rae Jepsen vs. Calvin Harris

Earlier this week, it was announced that Crush, the legendary dance party at Backbooth, was coming to an end. June 11th, Crush and Paul Gellar say goodbye to Orlando. Sure, parties come and go. Everything has a shelf life in terms of parties in the city. But this is something more. This is more than just a party coming to an end. It is, in a sense, the end of an era.

Back in 2008, during one of my weekly residencies, I was introduced to Adam Wright, part owner of Backbooth. We began what is still to this day, a great friendship. A bro-mance if you will. He told me of this so-called Crush and invited me out the following Monday to check it out. He gave me a brief description of the night, but sparred many details leaving me in high anticipation for the night. Little did I know, that upon entering the doors, my musical landscape was about to be completely changed, and I, as a DJ, would change as well.

Walking in, I was taken back. The club was dark minus bar lighting and a few cans and strobes set up above the stage. Cigarette smoke seemed to sit above the crowd and cast a haze through to the entire building. And all of this was driven by the grimy electro bass lines pumping through the speakers and providing the soundtrack for the young kids getting there dance on. Dance floor packed. Stage. Packed. All with people just dancing and enjoying themselves to the likes of Crookers, Justice & MSTRKRFT (I miss them..). My ears were being introduced to sounds I had never been exposed to. To me, at the time, house or electro (#EDM) was Daft Punk, Benassi, Sinclair etc. This was different, and I was finding myself intrigued by these crunching rhythms.

I would attend Crush for the following 2 years religiously. It was my night to learn and study, while still having a good time with friends. I got to know the resident DJ’s at the time in Pauly Crush, Justin Scott, and Anita. Last year I even had the opportunity to play this party as a birthday present from Adam and Paul. It is one of the most monumental, unforgettable, highlights of my short career.

Although as artist, we are constantly growing and evolving, Crush shaped the DJ that I am today. It opened my mind to a world of music that I am now completely entrapped in. With all that being said, I say Thank You to Paul and the people of Crush. Thank you for creating something that resonated the true essence of dance scenes. No fist pumping. No gimmicks. Just gritty, dirty, sweaty electro and a packed dance floor. Paul, I wish you the best of luck as I know nothing but more success awaits you in your next destination and ventures.