As I write this on a cloudy, but beautiful, day outside at the back patio of Linnaea’s Cafe on a Monday afternoon, listening to one of my go-to current affairs broadcast, Deadline: White House, it pains me when I am listening to what’s been happening over the two months since Prisdent Trump has returned to the White House, and the actions affecting ordinary people here in the U.S. and around the world.
I am one who believes that each of us has within us the ability to meet the moment in our own way. As a creative, I know that I’ll contribute, as I’m sure other fellow creatives plan to do the same, to show that the world, or at least people in the world, can rise up and be their best selves. I believe we should strive to hold our heads, and humanity, up high, in letting what we create, as well as the mere act of creating, becomes the way to continue the act of free expression.
This is a continuation of my last post. In that post, I mentioned a little about what I’ve been up to, which I’ll expand on now.
DJ LIFE
I have slowed down in recent years on the DJ side, but I’m not out. Going forward, I’m more selective on the events I participate in, as well as the music I wish to play and share.
There’s a magical space that has rekindled my interest in DJing: a terrific new vinyl wine bar here in San Luis Obispo called Jan’s Place (now rweaked as “Jan’s Vinyl Bar,” with Jan pronounced as “YAHN”). It’s a vinyl record bar owned and operated by Jeff Root, flanked by his partner-in-crime, Lisa. It’s both a delight and a much-needed infusion Io my spiritual nature.
I am now a resident DJ there, spinning twice monthly. I’m happy to pull out those records that have otherwise became dormatn and collecting dust on my record shelves, many having not been played since the days of my Urban Landscapes radio show (1998-2010-ish).
Jumping to 2025 thus far, back in late January I’ve done a Soul Dust house music event that I’ve long wanted to do, and we’ll do it again, hoping to make it a regular event.
Earlier in the month, my core crew of DJs, Jason Perez and Navig8, and I did a silent disco DJ set in one of the barrel rooms at SLO Brew Rock for its big New Year’s Eve Party. We were on our own decks, in three separate areas of that barrel rooms, with dancers wearing headphones that would light up the color of each DJ they’d be listening to. It was wild, and it was a hit. People are still talking about it, months later….even my dentist, once she sound out that I was one o the DJs during my dental apppontment, was gushing. One for the Soul Dust books, indeed.
Upcoming, in addition to my Jan’s gigs, I’ll be doing a silent disco set once again, this time returning to the SHABANG music festival here in SLO this year, my first set since 2022. I’ll be performing on Saturday, May 3rd, so really looking forward to that one.
MUSIC PRODUCTION
Making, sharing, and releasing music…this is my major goal for the year.
I’ve wanted to put out my own music for a long time. In some respects I have been doing so, but mainly on the down low. I have yet to widely share them because I know in my heart that most of what I’ve done, to me, isn’t quite ready for prime-time, as I continue developing my skill sets. Gradually, I’m coming to a realization that It’s notabout perfection, yet ensuring a sense of authenticity, like it’s me and how it represents a piece of who I am.
I believe that it’s nearing the time to share the goods. I’m continuing to create, curate and cultivate. Who are youI’ve been working, and continuing to work with, a great music mentor who has been guiding me for about two years. But the time is coming, folks; I will start sharing, in a variety of ways, in due course…stay tuned.
CONTENT
In service of both my DJing and music production endeavors, as well as my personal journey, I will be returning to making.video content on my YouTube channel.
On my Instagram account, I’ll have new vinyl record reviews, adding to what I’ve started last year, as well as upcoming events, and teases.
On YouTube, which I have not posted in about two years, I plan to have new videos intersecting the worl wowds of music production, DJing, along with a more personal outlet to share life things of interests.
What gets posted on my Instagram and YouTube accounts will repost on my blog. Additionally, the blog posts will be shared to several social media sites. I’m still working things out, so stay tuned.
Though I use social media mainly for sharing events and works these days, I now have a Bluesky account, so feel free to follow me @velanche.com.
UNTIL NEXT TIME…
I’m grateful to be back into the virtual social fold, and I look forward to sharing more and not being too quiet in this year 2025. I appreciate you for reading if you have gotten this far. More soon, people.
Peace.