Silent Disco Party Caps off Nestle Water Conference at the Hotel Del Coronado

Nestle Water recently held a conference at the Hotel Del Coronado. On the closing night, July 26, 2017, the company organized a party on venue’s Windsor Lawn. The night started out with house beats from DJ David Cutler and the final two hours I joined him along with DJ Sweeshe for a silent disco.

With three DJs, the guests had three different genres of music to choose from. David continued with house music, Sweeshe played current R&B and Hip-Hop and I spun all 90s

Take a look at my setlist, which included a host of singalongs -- something that always sounds interesting when everyone is wearing headphones.

• Simple Minds - Don't You Forget About Me
• Fine Young Cannibals - She Drives Me Crazy (Select Mix Remix)
• Tears For Fears - Everybody Wants To Rule The World (Edge Remix)
• Bell Biv Devoe - Poison
• Mariah Carey - Emotions (Select Mix Remix)
• Emotions - Best Of My Love
• Paula Abdul - Forever Your Girl
• Paula Abdul - Opposites Attract
• Whitney Houston - How Will I Know (Select Mix Remix)
• New Order - Bizarre Love Triangle
• Madonna - Holiday
• Prince - Raspberry Beret
• Hall & Oates - Private Eyes (Select Mix Remix)
• New Kids On The Block - The Right Stuff
• C&C Music Factory - Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (Select Mix Remix)
• Boyz II Men - Motownphilly
• Katy Perry - Firework
• Ray Charles - America the Beautiful
• Marky Mark - Good Vibrations
• Deee-Lite - Groove Is In The Heart (Select Mix Remix)
• Chaka Khan - I Feel For You (Hot Classics Remix
• Michael Jackson - P.Y.T (remix)
• Earth, Wind & Fire - Sing A Song (Hot Classics Remix
• Phil Collins - Sussudio (Select Mix Remix)
• Scandal - The Warrior (Select Mix Remix)
• Journey - Don't Stop Believin
• Bon Jovi - Livin On A Prayer
• The Clash - Train In Vain (Edge Remix)
• Neil Diamond - Sweet Caroline
• Garth Brooks - Friends in Low Places
• Tupac - California Love

Clarisse Celebrates With a Hawaiian Style 50th Birthday

House parties are always made better with a live DJ. For Clarisse’s 50th bash, friends and family gathered at her home to celebrate on June 23, 2017. With a Hawaiian themed party, I started with a little reggae, but eventually moved into plenty of old school and 80s classics to celebrate.

Here’s a look at the setlist.

• UB40 - I Got You Babe
• Ellie Goulding - Burn (Loud City Reggae Remix)
• Daya - Sit Still Look Pretty (R!OT Remix)  
• A Tribe Called Quest - Bonita Applebum
• Rick James - Mary Jane (19Sixty Quick Hitter)
• Stevie Wonder - Knocks Me off My Feet (DJ Joey C Edit)
• Naughty By Nature - Jamboree
• Ray J - Sexy Can I
• J Boog - Let's Do It Again  
• Toploader - Dancing In The Moonlight
• Mariah Carey - Emotions
• Drake - Passionfruit (BPM Supreme Remix)  
• David Bowie - Let's Dance
• Kool & The Gang - Get Down On It (DJDX Extra Beat Edit)
• The Spinners - I'll Be Around (70s Classics)  
• Tears For Fears - Everybody Wants To Rule The World (Edge Remix)
• Fine Young Cannibals - She Drives Me Crazy (Select Mix Remix)
• Patrice Rushen - Forget Me Nots
• Brick - Dazz (Hot Classics Remix)
• Luther Vandross - Never Too Much
• Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours
• Montell Jordan - This Is How We Do It
• Jagged Edge - Where The Party At
• Lauryn Hill - Doo Wop (That Thing)
• Chainsmokers, Ashanti - Only U vs Roses (J. Espinosa Jumpoff Edit)
• Lady GaGa - Alejandro
• Destiny's Child - Jumpin' Jumpin' (Jean Tonique Remix)
• Sia ft Kendrick Lamar - The Greatest (Cosmic Dawn Remix)  
• Sia ft Sean Paul - Cheap Thrills (Mr. Collipark Remix)  
• Major Lazer ft Justin Bieber & MO - Cold Water (J Rythm BPM Supreme Remix)
• Levert - Casanova
• Sean Kingston f./Elan From The D.E.Y. And Juelz Santana - There's Nothin
• DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince - Summertime
• Earth, Wind & Fire - September
• Chaka Khan - I Feel For You (Hot Classics Remix)
• Michael Jackson - P.Y.T
• Brenda K. Starr - What You See Is What You Get (Freestyle Classics)
• Sa-Fire - Let Me Be The One (Select Mix Remix)
• Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Fore - Planet Rock (Vanilla Ace Remix)  
• Technotronic - Pump Up The Jam
• Christopher Cross - Ride Like The Wind (Joey Negro Disco Mix)  
• Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake - Love Never Felt So Good
• Kungs & Cookin' On 3 Burners - This Girl
• Andy Grammer - Honey, I'm Good (Select Mix Remix)
• Bruno Mars - That's What I Like
• KYLE f./Lil Yachty - iSpy
• Emotions - Best Of My Love
• Coolio - 1-2-3-4 (Sumpin' New)
• Griffith, Marcia - Electric Boogie
• Beatles - Birthday
• Commodores - Brickhouse
• Robbie Nevil - C'est La Vie (Select Mix Remix)
• Keith Sweat - I Want Her
• Bruno Mars - 24K Magic
• Nu Shooz - I Can't Wait
• Janet Jackson - Love Will Never Do
• Ja Rule - Livin' It Up
• Nelly - Hot In Herre
• Big Pun - Still Not a Player (feat. Joe)
• Van McCoy - The Hustle
• The Jacksons - Blame It On the Boogie
• Cheryl Lynn - Got To Be Real
• The Whispers - Rock Steady
• Vanity 6 - Nasty Girl
• Paula Abdul - Forever Your Girl
• Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam - Lost In Emotion (Freestyle Classics)
• Whitney Houston - How Will I Know
• Debbie Deb - Lookout Weekend
• Freestyle - Don't Stop the Rock Pt. 2 (Select Mix Remix)
• Jocelyn Enriquez - Do You Miss Me (Freestyle Classics)
• Afrika Bambaata & The Soulsonic Force - Planet Rock (Select Mix Remix)
• Run D.M.C. vs The Scene Kings vs Aylen - It's Tricky Wild Style (LOCZI Show Edit)
• Salt N Pepa - Push It (Mayeda Remix)
• Flo Rida - I Cry
• Walk The Moon - Shut Up And Dance (Select Mix Remix)

Erik and Melanie’s Dance Party - Luce Loft Wedding

Erik and Melanie enter their wedding at Luce Loft in downtown San Diego.

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Erik and Melanie have their first dance as husband wife at their Luce Loft wedding. 

Erik and Melanie are a couple I met through the my workout group November Project. We’ve spent many early mornings running hills and executing not so perfect burpees. We’ve raced alongside each other and event traveled to Salt Lake City to run the trails of the North Face Endurace Challenge.

So things were a bit changed up on their wedding day, October 8, 2016. It’s always fun celebrating with friends and friends of friends. This party took place at Luce Loft in downtown San Diego, a great venue for anyone looking to put on an event with an urban flavor.

In addition to DJ and MC service, I provided uplighting and pin spotting (highlighting the cake and a custom piece of artwork).

Erik and Melanie partied at Luce Loft in downtown San Diego on their wedding day.

Here’s a look at the setlist:

Cocktail Hour and Dinner

• Mariah Carey - Honey
• Fifth Harmony - Write On Me
• Fat Joe ft Remy Ma & French Montana - All The Way Up (Mr. Collipark Remix)  
• Toto - Hold The Line (Love Isn't Always On Time)  
• Lionel Ritchie - Easy
• Camron - Hey Ma
• Jason Mraz - Older Lover Undercover
• The Beatangers - Do The Funk
• Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud (G Duppy Reggae Remix)
• Magic! - No Way No
• The Illest - Truth Search
• Jason Mraz - Not So Usual
• Maxi Priest - Crazy Love
• Eric Hutchinson - All Over Now
• The Illest - Empress
• ZHU - Generationwhy (Original Mix)
• Allen Stone - Bed I Made
• Andy Grammer - Fine By Me
• Jack Johnson - Situations
• Donavon Frankenreiter - Free
• The Illest - Guitar Love
• Echosmith - Bright
• Pentatonix - Can't Sleep Love
• Ingrid Michaelson - Afterlife
• Anuhea - Higher Than The Clouds
• Zendaya - Replay (DJ Mike D Remix)
• A Tribe Called Quest - Electric Relaxation
• Emeli Sande - Next To Me
• Ja Rule - Always On Time
• Ellie Goulding - Burn
• Major Lazer f./Ellie Goulding & Tarrus Riley - Powerful
• Michael Jackson - Rock with You
• Kanye West - Good Life
• Jack Johnson - I Got You
• The Illest - Truth Search
• Jason Mraz - Make It Mine
• Timeflies f./Natalie La Rose - Worse Things Than Love
• Zendaya f./Chris Brown - Something New
• TLC - Creep (Select Mix Remix)
• The Notorious B.I.G. vs Suzanne Vega - Juicy Diner (Dr Fresch Nu Disco Mash Up)  
• Corona ft AObeats - Rhythm Of the Night (Hotel Garuda Remix)  
• R. City f. Adam Levine - Locked Away
• Justin Timberlake ft Jay-Z vs Biggie & Next - Suit & Tie (Too Juicy Blend)
• Stevie Wonder - Superstition (Simone Nu Disco Remix)
• Earth Wind & Fire - Shining Star (Hot Classics Remix)
• Brick - Dazz (Hot Classics Remix)
• Mariah Carey - Emotions (Select Mix Remix)
• Discotron - Disco Ballin'  
• Duke Dumont - Ocean Drive
• Mike Perry f./Shy Martin - The Ocean
• Fabolous - Into You
• SWV - Human Nature
• Stevie Wonder - Isn't She Lovely
• Timeflies - Once In A While (Promo Only Intro Edit)

First Dance
I Got You - Jack Johnson

Cavazos Family Dance
The Delfonics - La-La Means I Love You

Mother/Son Dance
Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine

Open Dancing - First Set

• Michael Jackson - Wanna Be Startin' Something (Select Mix Quick Trax)
• Andy Grammer - Honey, I'm Good (Select Mix Remix)
• Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch - Good Vibrations (Select Mix Remix)
• Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby (Select Mix Remix)
• New Kids on the Block - The Right Stuff (remix)
• Bell Biv Devoe - Poison
• Flo Rida, Robin Thicke, Verdine White - I Don't Like It I Love It (Select Mix Remix)
• Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk (Select Mix Remix)
• Justin Timberlake - Can't Stop The Feeling! (Promo Only Intro Edit 1)
• De La Soul - Me Myself & I
• Will Smith - Gettin' Jiggy Wit It
• Silento - Watch Me

Cake Cutting
Marvin Gaye - How Sweet It Is

Open Dancing - Second Set

• PM Dawn - Set Adrift On Memory Bliss
• Avicii f./Zac Brown Band - Broken Arrows
• Zedd & Aloe Blacc - Candyman  
• Darius Rucker - Wagon Wheel
• Joey Arroyo - Rebellion
• The Chainsmokers f./Halsey - Closer (R3hab Remix) (R3hab Remix Instrumental - No Chops)
• Usher - Yeah
• Party Break - Montel Party Break
• The Chainsmokers f./Halsey - Closer (R3hab Remix Radio Edit)
• 69 Boyz - Tootsie Roll
• Sir Mix Alot - Baby Got Back (Funkymix)
• MC Hammer - 2 Legit 2 Quit (Select Mix Remix)
• Salt N Pepa - Push It (Mayeda Remix)
• Run DMC vs Jason Nevins - It's Like That '97 (Select Mix Remix)
• Freak Nasty - Da Dip (Select Mix Remix)
• Destiny's Child - Say My Name (Robin Riccio Remix)  
• Justin Bieber - What Do You Mean (Select Mix Quick Trax)
• Pitbull f./John Ryan - Fireball
• Quad City D.J.'s - C'mon 'N' Ride It
• Panjabi MC - Beware Of The Boys
• Kiiara - Gold (J Farell Remix)  
• Dr. Dre - Next Episode
• Dr. Dre ft Snoop Dogg - Nuthin' But A G Thang
• Iggy Azalea - Fancy (Seize Where The Ladies At Edit)
• Mystikal - Shake Ya Ass (Select Mix Remix)
• R. Kelly - Ignition (Remix)
• Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On
• Lauryn Hill - Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You
• Trick Daddy - Take It To Da House
• DNCE - Cake By The Ocean (Riddler Remix)  
• Calvin Harris f./Rihanna - This Is What You Came For (Promo Only Quick Edit)
• E-40 - Tell Me When To Go
• Too Short - Blow The Whistle
• Eazy-E - We Want Eazy
• Journey - Faithfully

Last Dance
Best Day - Michael Franti

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Uplighting adds a dramatic element at Luce Loft. 

Vendor Team
DJ/Master of Ceremonies: Justin Kanoya, DJ Kanoya Productions
Venue: Luce Loft
Caterer: Wow Wow Waffle

Other weddings hosted by DJ Kanoya Productions

Everybody In The Pool

Selecting the right music pool to keep your music collection fresh

When it comes to downloading music, the options for working DJs are plentiful.

One of the first items “just starting out” DJs need to check off their to do list is finding an reliable and good music source. They can have all the fancy gear, but if they don’t have a current, high quality library of music, those $1000 speakers won’t have much reason to get fired up.

And certainly, just buying a hard drive filled with music isn’t going to work either. Not only is this illegal, but it’s the continuous need to update of a music library that makes a music pool subscription so important.

From iTunes to Amazon, CDs from Target and other sources, music sources is plentiful. But while buying CDs and downloading individual tracks from iTunes or other online music stores are fine, in the long run it’s going to be a lot of work and likely cost much more than a DJ specific subscription based music service.

While music sources are plentiful, so too are DJ music pools. The purpose of this article is to give insight on the the three that I have been using for many years (two of which I’ve used for more than a decade). With the type of DJing I do -- mobile gigs, mainly weddings, corporate, private parties and fitness events -- these have served me well. And if you do similar events, this mix of record pools will have your hard drives filled with great music and rarely having to answer “sorry, I don’t have that.”

Promo Only POOL
I have been a customer of Promo Only since February 2002, the first month I received my Mainstream Radio CD. PO is an DJ industry standard, serving up current hits for nearly every genre of music playing in clubs and on the radio.

For nearly 10 years, I was well taken care of when it came to most requests (keep in mind I mostly was doing weddings and corporate events). But as my event types began to expand, I wanted to have more music genres in my library. Adding a few additional genres ala carte didn’t seem cost effective, not to mention the fact that ripping CDs each month was just more work than I needed.

Enter in Promo Only POOL (Promo Only Online). It’s the the music assistant I didn’t realize I needed. Not only did I now have monthly deliveries of my Mainstream Radio releases, but was receiving Country, Modern Rock, Urban Radio and more. What was even better, these were all available at the click of my trackpad.

Logging into POOL is like opening an Amazon package everyday, with new music just waiting for me, all at a yearly price where I’m essentially just paying pennies for music that is being had delivered to me.

Price: Pricing starts at $40/month; many options depending on which genres you want;
Pros: Monthly updates for all radio and club hits; daily updates for hot singles; Radio friendly remixes and edits; separate application/player, not a web based interface; full song sound samples
Cons: Selection and quality of remixes is “okay,” not a lot of unique versions, mostly what you are hearing on radio; although not being web based is listed as a “pro” it’s a drawback too as you would need to download the software to access on other computers.
Website: Promo Only POOL

Select Mix
I was initially attracted to Select Mix, an online remix service, to supplement my library with mainstream, DJ friendly music tracks. “DJ friendly” meaning songs that had 16 or 32 beat intros and outros. The variety they provided is great, because they have these song versions for mainstream radio hits as well as club dance tracks.

But then Select Mix started to grow and added releases such as Street Tracks (current hip hop), Old School Essentials (90s Hip Hop), 80s Essentials (80s Pop), Hot Classics (disco) and the list goes on and on.

To me, it’s the best service out there that gives you a good selection of current 16/32 beat intro versions, as well as mixable tracks from the 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s.

Price: Individual releases priced at $10-13 each; contact for monthly/yearly pricing
Pros: Vast catalog of current music as well as popular songs from the past four decades; web based interface so easy to download from any computer.
Cons: Mostly just songs with intro and outro beats tacked onto them, not much creativity; the download function is not the best for workflow, as you have to add releases to a cart, download the cart, then unzip each release; song samples are short clips, not the entire song; unable to scrub/advance through the sound sample.
Website: Select Mix/Hot Tracks

BPM Supreme
BPM Supreme is a service I added a couple of years ago and it filled a void in my music collection … unique remixes. As a fitness DJ, I need a lot of remixes to fill my sets for yoga sessions and cardio workouts. Dropping a house version of a hip song or a downtempo version of a dance track is that kind of stuff that gets people motivated while still keeping things sounding familiar. I also like the variety these track types provide for cocktail and dinner hours and other times when I’m trying to create a certain vibe.

Searching through BPM Supreme is like crate digging at a record store, although you’re searching digitally and able to preview full tracks (without audio watermarks). Every genre is available, including sub genres of dance music like Nu Disco, Deep House and Future Bass.

Many of the tracks will have a radio version, “dirty” version, 16/32 beat intro version, acapella and instrumental.

BPM Supreme also regularly updates their catalog of 80s, 90s and 2000s tracks. While these are not necessarily remixes, they are clean intros and outros that are tacked on to make them mix friendly as well as the radio versions.

Lastly, BPM Supreme does carry current hits and it’s possible to use this a single source for radio tracks, remixes and “older” songs. But you can only download files on an individual basis -- there isn’t a batch release of a particular genre. This makes it a bit tedious when you need to download a large batch of current music.

Price: $19.99/monthly (also includes video content)
Pros: Outstanding collection of current music and video, unique remixes as well as mix friendly versions of nearly EVERY song available; web based so you can log in from anywhere and on any computer to download tracks.
Cons: Users search for single tracks and add them to a cart to batch download, this process can get tedious vs. having an option to download a monthly release with several tracks of a particular genre with one click.
Website: BPM Supreme Pricing

What music pools do you use? Comment below and let me know what you love and/or dislike about the options out there.