How was 2019 for you?
Detroit’s Filthiest: It was a helluva year for me. Ten releases: five vinyl-only releases and five digital.
Highlights?
Going back to school after 15 years to finish my bachelor’s degree, and getting offers to DJ overseas.
Lowlights?
Taking 15 years to decide to go back to finish school! And turning down DJ gigs to focus on school.
Song of the year?
Hans Gruber’s “Shoot the Glass.” Dark electro from the unknown.
What’s your New Year’s resolution?
Try to quit smoking. A resolution I have failed 25 times.
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How was 2019 for you?
From a creative and business perspective, we had a great year.
Keeping it real, though….from the personal perspective, we’ve had our struggles.
Highlights?
-Our first releases all going top ten in various charts
-Having our track “Way Back” named a number one pick in Melodic House & Techno for April on Beatport
-Some great gigs, including Renaissance in Hungary (for John) and Members Only in NYC.
-Getting support for our tracks from legends like Kenny “Dope” Gonzalez, Hec Romero, Mr. C, Dave Seaman, John Digweed, and so many more.
-Landing an amazing management team: Bill Coleman and Angelo “Pepe” Skordos of Peace Bisquit.
Lowlights?
John had a car accident this summer, which laid him out for a few months. He survived, of course, but had a shit time recovering.
Song of the year?
Pablo Fierro & Hyenah – “Panoramica” (Hyenah’s Raw Beat Edit). We love Pablo Fierro. He is at the top of his game. One of our faves!
What’s your New Year’s resolution?
Be nicer. Make more tunes. Do less drugs. Get more sleep. Go the gym more often.
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How was 2019 for you?
Rocky Valente: It has been the most amazing creative year in my life where I truly understood that we can create our own reality. It was also the most too, with my first release under the name Rocky Valente, my Rebirth EP (Elevate) which was in the top 3 techno releases on Beatport within five days. It was a proper pinch me moment! I played in amazing locations with amazing people for amazing crowds. I learned a lot about myself and my dreams, and more about how I want to prepare my kids for the world. I laughed a lot and cried a bit. It was a very, very special year.
Highlights?
My Rebirth EP. Seeing the work not just of the last months but to be honest the work of my last ten years inspiring people to listen, play and dance. Also not just the big festivals in front of thousands, but the special intimate parties, too. I did with Be-at.Tv in a kitchen in Lisbon that went viral which was amazing, and a live stream I did on a boat in Amsterdam. This year, I wanted to put my soul into everything I was doing, With these streams, people who can’t always go out can still watch a DJ playing in another part of the world and imagine they are there. I believe that the concept of DJing will change; virtual reality will be there soon and I want to be part of it!
Lowlights?
My grandfather passed away a few months ago. He was an amazing person and very important to me. I love him, and I always will. I hope he is proud of me like he always was.
Song of the year?
I’m going to choose something not out of the techno box. I will say Madonna’s “Looking For Mercy.” I grew up listening to Madonna, and this year I’ve been lucky enough to work with one of her guitarists, Portuguese musician Gaspar Varela. I love the lyrics. We are all looking for mercy and Love. Madonna has achieved so much as an artist. I respect her and admire her for how crazy she was, and how she did fight against so much both as an artist and a woman.
What’s your New Year’s resolution?
Learn even more about music, about people, and about how to connect better with my fans. Free my creative soul even more, and be happy with the simple things in life. Oh, and go back to riding horses.
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How was 2019 for you?
Jody Barr: It was filled with both sheer joy and heartache. I did some collaborative projects which will see light in 2020, released with Last Night On Earth, played a life affirming gig and built up some prosperous relationships. One of my aims was getting out to meet and work with other creatives. Stuck in a windowless box room doing music can often end up a hermit occupation.
Highlights?
Playing with Sasha and the Last Night On Earth family in London. It was a heart-warming yet life-affirming gig and solidified that hunger feeling of why I’m still chasing my childhood dream. It was a dream come true.
Lowlights?
I’m never normally a believer in lowlights as my life’s dreadful moments are always changing points but this year was an exception. Undoubtedly, in personal terms there were some very traumatic times with an unexpected family bereavement, shortly followed by the loss of a close childhood friend. It sure was a mentally testing year and one that felt like I was trying to pull myself out of a swamp by my own hair.
Song of the year?
There’s been some amazing music released this year, but I’m going to roll with one that instantly struck my emotive strings: Kollektiv Turmstrasse’s “Ribbon Reef.” The string melody is beautiful. I heard the record a few years back and it’s stuck with me ever since. Thankfully, it’s finally been released.
What’s your New Year’s resolution?
Stress less and share things that make the world a better place to be in.
No paywalls, free to all. Help us remain 100% independent and unbiased. Please give to Big Shot by making a secure one-time donation to help us continue covering DJ culture and electronic music like we’ve done since 2003.
