How was 2019 for you?
Bill Coleman: It was insightful. I definitely understood the need to set boundaries. Our world continues to get faster and faster – yet the numbers of hours in a day remains the same. In order to remain effective, at peace, flexible, creative and operate on any level of excellence required I [am now] okay with letting go of certain people, things and expectations. The only constant is change. And music. It’s truly been my solace, my voice and my spirit throughout the year.
Highlights?
There’s been quite a few, fortunately!
- I feel honored to be a new member of The Red Hot Organization as A&R/producer. The Red Hot Organization is celebrating their 30th Anniversary. We are still committed to creating global anthems for humanitarian charities. It’s time and effort well spent. Red Hot + Love!
- Had a glitter ball of a time providing and curating music anthem mixtapes for DJ Andy Cohen and Bravo for their very first Pride float over the Summer.
- Got to create a massive R&B/funk DJ party mix with Nona Hendryx for Black Artist Retreat’s Sonic Imagination exhibit and Tribute to Grace Jones at The Armory in NYC
- Dancing for Cyndi Lauper on stage at Barclays Center for World Pride Opening ceremonies was definitely one for the books!
- We co-produced a sold-out event this summer for Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night Swing outdoor series featuring Escort, DJ Mike Q, DJ Lina! And have been asked to return this season.
- A blast DJing and getting the crowd loose for the grand re-opening of Museum of Modern Art (MoMa) this past autumn.
- It was satisfying to be able to feature a genre-fluid selection of guest DJ mixes with the acclaimed The Voice Of Cassandre European radio series. Really great to flex some favorite selects across genres from ’80s new wave retro to reggaeton to Americana in various episodes.
- I’ve had a great time tapping back into my producer/remixer brain again. Its been a minute. So being creative and working on original productions and a few remixes have been a gratifying exercise. My remixes of Lizzo’s “Juice” and Elle Fanning’s Robyn cover “Dancing On My Own” with the whiz kid John “J-C” Carr did the bizness here and abroad with both DJs and radio. We are super excited to have more releases in the works and on deck under the moniker 808 BEACH. Bass. In. Your. face.
- As a proud card-carrying AARP member, I feel fortunate to still be asked to rock a party. I’ve been a student of NYC nightlife for decades and I’m happy to represent. There’s a lot of shoulders I lean on. That’s never lost on me. My monthly DJ residencies throughout the year at The Rosemont in Bushwick, Ritz in Hell’s Kitchen, Lola Star’s Dreamland Roller Disco and GBH Events theme parties keep me in line.
- My birthday present to myself was not watching any cable news for over six months. Totally saved my nervous system.
- Through our management and production company Peace Bisquit with Angelo “Pepe” Skordos. I’m looking forward to our mission of continuing to develop and assist a wide variety of talent. We don’t take it for granted the phone still rings. We’ve been working on a lot of projects. Totally excited to come out of the kitchen in 2020 and serve a bit.
- Learning when to keep my mouth shut was a divine emotion.
Lowlights?
Navigating, navigating and being reminded…
– That everyone is not here forever. You don’t always have tomorrow.
– Folks don’t always choose to do the right thing.
– Bad things sometimes happen to good people.
– Sometimes you have to truly fight for Your value. Your worth. Your recognition. Your respect. It’s not a given. Watch yer backs people!
Song of the year?
YUNA – “Blank Marquee” (ft. G-Eazy)
What’s your New Year’s resolution?
To be more present and enjoy the blessings and good times more!
Love more. Worry less. Be open to change. Revel a bit in that Peace Bisquit is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2020. I left Billboard magazine as singles reviews editor/dance music editor in 1990 to manage Deee-lite and Ultra Naté! We’ve been able to work with and collaborate with so many great artists and projects in varying capacities throughout the years. I want to soak in that a bit while looking toward the future.
Image by Andre Wagner