As some of you know, I've been contemplating moving out of Seattle since I've returned from my West Cost Adventure. I thought the path was leading me to Las Vegas, because I had a place to live and some good DJ contacts down there, but I've found that the job market is leading me instead to San Francisco. Many people, including myself, were confused about Vegas, since it doesn't seem to fit my personality. I think Vegas was still a path to my goals as a musician, but a more isolating one. I was attracted to the isolation, bc I've been very frustrated lately with the difficulties within our vibrant community of taking time for creating my own music. But I realize now that Vegas would have been too isolating. For the first time in my life, I realized more than one path to reach my goals. The one I'm taking instead is lined with love, art, community and friends who are welcoming me with open arms.
I've been down in the Bay area all week. After three rigorous days of job interviews with big names like SnapFish and VMWare, I decided an Operations Engineer position with a small startup most suits my style. Located in Berkeley, this 13 (now 14!) person company is far enough away from the city that I can spend the time in the studio that I want (and have a place for Willow to romp outside) and close enough that I can hop onto those arteries that will rush me right to the center of the electronic pulse of San Francisco. And lets me honest -- the bay area IS a lesbian mecca!
My start date is Monday July 28th. Which means I will be down in SF for many of the gigs I have scheduled in August and September. I will be back for Dollhouse in August and Festival Of the Babes over labor day weekend. I should also be able to come back for Audel's graduation party in late September.
I've already spoken with Adlib and Messiah about ending my residency at Qool Seattle. While down here, I will be talking with Jondie and Spesh about playing Qool SF again. I will also be maintaining my Seattle residency at Noc Noc with Amanita and Osiris since it is only every few months, and I will be coming back often to play other venues as well. I know that my returns to play Seattle will pack the dance floor with all my lovely friends! Probably even more so than when I was spreading myself so thin.
I'm not going to Burning Man this year. Its the first time since I started 5 years ago that I will not be attending. Its a huge emotional step! But I can feel the playa here in the Bay already.
However, I will be playing in Reno the weekend that everyone is there gathering supplies. So if you can make it to Reno by Saturday (instead of Sunday), Robb Green and I are playing a Pre-Playa Music Festival, on August 22, 2008. The event will be held at Nikki Beach (an outdoor venue) and Pearl Ultra Lounge in the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, NV. There is a special $50 room rate for DJ's friends and all burners. I also have 10 guest spots (for party entrance), so I'll leave those as first come first serve.
So that's the news, my friends. I know I've sent you endless texts, mailing list posts, put your pictures online without you knowing, created your caricatures in my blog for the sake of my own promotion, and I thank you. I thank you for every time you stepped on the dance floor and nodded when my mix was bomb or (bombing!), barricaded the drunk people away from smashing into the decks, scrubbed puke from the Leschi Lounge carpet after an all-night party, took the neighbor's evil stares as they chewed you out for loud people waking their kids up at 5am, carrying my heavy records to gigs or new homes, moved my turntables out of the way so you could climb to your instruments, or stuck around as the light peaked over the horizon.
Mind you, all those things are still going to happen. Just from a bit farther away.
I love you all and I'll be seeing you soon.
