How was 2019 for you?
Josh Garrett: 2019 was good. It was a bit of a year of recalibration and renewal for me. Between 2015 and 2018 I was pretty nose to the grindstone across a number of projects and activities. In 2019, I took some time to take a look at all of that and refocused my energy a bit. I released EPs this year with Dirty Minds and SubSensory, both of which got really solid support, but mostly 2019 was about remixes.
After my appearance on Perc Trax last year on the digital edition of Forever 1 and Dax J playing my track “Malediction” a bunch this year, I’ve been getting a consistent stream of remix requests. I’ve had the opportunity to work on some really cool tracks and reach some new audiences through that. In between that, I’ve put together several more releases that will be seeing light next year on Gobsmacked, Mindburn, and Omen… and I’ve got a bunch of other requests for release from other labels that I’m working on. Feels like I’m getting a solid foundation together for where I’m heading next.
Highlights?
January was pretty great between Dax J playing my track Malediction in a high profile set at the Monnom Black NYE event and then I opened for I Hate Models in LA a few days later. That was a great night and the crowd in LA was fantastic. Movement in Detroit was pretty special this year. I played the Perc Trax showcase party put on by Omen, SubDivision, and Aerotek. It was great to catch up with folks there and get to meet a number of people in person for the first time.
I also played Detroit Promo TV’s The Bassment backyard BBQ broadcast again this year, which was a lot of fun. I did a little versus session with DJ Disc at the end of my set, which was one of the highlights of the weekend for me. Suburban Knight closed out that night … and Phil Hartnoll of Orbital dropped by with an entourage. Butcher and Body Mechanic are family, so it’s always good to drop in on those guys. I was back in Michigan for some family stuff in the summer, and I met up with some friends while I was there and took Claude Young up to check out The Bassment. That was a killer afternoon.
Lowlights?
The venue situation in Vancouver keeps getting tighter and while there are some alternatives starting to pop up in response, I think most of the promoters that work outside of club spaces are feeling the pinch.
Song of the year?
Uun – Between the Lines
What’s your New Year’s resolution?
Keep things fun and keep everything in perspective.