So please tell me how you pronounce your name!

Your’is Vorn.

How long have you been a DJ?

I have been a DJ for about fourteen years now.

When did you decide that you wanted to pursue a career in music?

In 2003 I had a chance to survive making and playing music instead of working at my day job as an architectural designer. From there it was over. I was meant to be a DJ.

Where do you get inspiration for a new track?

Form anything; could be a sample, could be a synth sound, my mood, a movie clip…

Where are you originally from?

I am from Moergestel, which is a small village in the Dutch coutryside.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go?

I like Amsterdam; where I’m now, but I’d love to try out New York, Tokyo or Hong Kong for a while.

What is the biggest crowd you have ever performed for?

That must have been Sensation. It was held in Amsterdam in a football arena for 40,000 people or so.

The smallest?

I’ve done some home parties for a few people when I just started playing, which was just as much fun as playing for thousands of people now.

Are you excited about Electric Zoo coming up this September?

Of course, I heard many good things about it, and as I said, “I LOVE NEW YORK!”

Do you play a lot of festivals like that?

Very many, especially during summer, countless actually.

I really like your MySpace design. Who did that?

Thanks! My brother Christoph designed it, with a little bit of my help. It brought him a career as MySpace designer. (Laughs)

What are your thoughts on MySpace?

It’s over its peak. Facebook is much nicer and more personal.

Are you on Twitter?

My Facebook page is linked to Twitter; that’s all.

If you could be any cartoon character which one would you be and why?

Dexter (not the killer but the scientist).

Has your music really been featured in all of those films listed on your website?

I wish. Where does it say my music is listed in those films?

What is the best concert you have ever been to?

I have to dig deeeep into my memory for that, but to keep it simple I saw Prince in France and that was deffinately something very special.

Tell me a little bit about Balance.

My second mix DJ mix CD, a cross boundary a musical adventure that represents everything I love about music.

So you are a producer as well. Do you like production more than performing?

I love both, but making music is where my heart lies most. Very amazing is to play my own productions for the first time and see how the crowd reacts. I couldnt be a DJ without playing my own tracks also.

How many stamps do you currently have on your passport?

I have a business passport with double amount of pages from December 2006 and it’s almost full!

What is your favorite city to visit?

Tokyo or Hong Kong.

Describe your genre in one word.

Crossgenreelectronicmusic.

What does a typical Friday night look like for you?

Normally flying to my destination, having dinner if there’s time and then sweating the night away in a dark club behind the mixer.

You seem like a pretty stylish guy. Where do you buy most of your clothes?

Same three cities; New York, Tokyo and Hong Kong. Although Paris is good for shopping too, and Amsterdam’s not bad either.

Tell me about working with Ultimate DJ Gear.

My Ultimate DJ Gear is Traktor DJ software from Native Instruments.

So if someone has never seen you perform before, what can he or she expect from a live show?

A great amount of groovy high quality dance music that doesn’t stick to one sound.

What was the last movie you saw?

L’été Meurtrier, a freaky French thriller from 1983.

Did you like it?

I loved it!

What are you drinking up there on stage?

Champagne is my drink of coice. Not too much beer, as the bathroom is usually too far away to take a break in the middle of a set.

Does it ever get lonely on stage?

I like having people around on stage making a party. Sometimes you can be very lonely playing on a huge stage for a huge crowd that’s too far away.

What would you be doing if you were not performing?

Answering interview questions like this!

What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you on stage?

I’ve had many sound issues with my laptop last year, hard to describe the feeling when the music stops and everyone is looking at you and you don’t know what went wrong.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Hopefully still coming to New York once in a while, maybe even for Electric Zoo!

What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?

By someone who made one or two unforgettable pieces of music, that would be nice.

I always let the artist get the last word. Go.

It’s hot here in my studio, and I think I need to take a break… See you at the Zoo!

What is it like being considered one of the biggest and best DJs on the planet?

(Laughs) What is it like? Pretty normal actually. I think the best part about it is that you are famous for only five minutes. Then you go home and everything is normal. It’s just a dose of fame when you first walk into the club or festival. You are quickly brought back down when you get back home and step off the plane.

Do you like living in London?

I really like it here. The weather is nice today. We don’t get too many decent summers and this summer has been really great. It makes a mass of difference when the weather is nice. London is such a cultural hub.

The name Above & Beyond came from a poster you had hanging on the wall if I am not mistaken. Do you still have that poster?

That’s right. I don’t. I don’t know what happened to it. It’s a part of history now I guess. It’s probably sitting in some closet somewhere or something. I don’t know; wish I still had it.

What is the largest crowd you have ever played for?

In 2007 on New Year’s Eve we played to a million in Brazil. I think that is the biggest gig we have done. You don’t really realize how many people you are paying to. It was a big crowd going down the beach. It didn’t feel that much bigger than any other gig really. We just did EDC in LA. I don’t know the numbers but I think the event had over 100,000 estimated to appear and in the main stadium (where we played) I think there were 50-60 thousand.

You guys looking forward to Electric Zoo this September?

Definitely. To be honest, all the gigs we do in North America are always fantastic. Things like satellite radio help our scene. Dance stations are always being played and people are really starting to get educated about this stuff. The scene is bigger in other places like London and Amsterdam, but America has a great scene thanks to the satellite radio. The radio has actually gone less dance over here than anything. It is good for the scene here, as it has made it more underground.

At the same tine, the gigs where we play to 100 people on a Monday are really important to us. If you can do that it is important to make use of those nights. I would much rather be doing a gig than sitting in a hotel room. Those gigs don’t make us a lot of money, but they are a great way to spread the Above and Beyond name. We are just playing to more people that way. We are giving people a chance who wouldn’t normally get to see it on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday night. We save the weekends for bigger cities. Like I said, we would much rather be working.

Tell me a little bit about your new disc.

I think it’s more progressive than some of the other ones. It’s reflective of some more of the music we are getting into at the moment. Perhaps a little bit more groove laden and with a little more classic trance. We have some mixes on the disc that are more techno and funk. It covers the middle of that range I guess. I hope it’s a journey for some people.

You guys are also known as Rollerball and Tongue of God. Any reason behind those other names?

You are digging deep there. Years ago producers would work under different names so they could put our more material. The scene has changed and now it makes DJs put everything out under one name. These different names would produce slightly different sounds. Above and Beyond was for the lyrical stuff. The Ocean Lab stuff was specific to tracks and what not. Some of them were for even instrumental tracks.

What advice do you give someone thinking about a career as a DJ?

I think to learn off other people and copy other sounds. Learn the craft of producing. Listen and learn and then copy it. The most important thing is to always make sure there is an original edge to a track. We get sent stuff that sounds like Deadmous5, even though its good, it’s still a direct copy of that sound. Try to be original. You don’t have to be 100% original, use idea from other tracks, but if you copy a complete track and do everything the same, it will sound just like everything else. Take a bit of the Deadmous5 sound, then a bit of trace, then some house, then you have something original. There isn’t anything truly original, and it is all relative to something. This year we have had a guy called Archie, from Russia; he has done just that. He has taken some classic trance and has mixed it and it s a new sound that hasn’t been heard before.

You are good friends with Armin van Buuren. What’s he like?

(Laughs) We have known each other for ten years. We had dinner with him a few times but have never worked together. He is really professional at what he does. He knows exactly what he wants. He knows how to bring the scene together and sort of bridges all the genres of trace together. He is a very good leader.

Where are you originally from?

I am from the southwest of England. But I now live in London.

How do you usually prepare for a show?

It used to be a case of vodka and tonic. These days I hardly drink at gigs. I do sometimes, but in terms of the music we do a lot of preparation. We want to have an idea of which tracks we are playing. We know which of the big tracks we want to use. We leave some room to play what we want, but we try to prepare this stuff in the studio before hand. Some of the tracks might go on too long or we have even added drums to track when it didn’t sound right in the club. We add some more percussion to beef it up, we can do bootlegs, and we just make it fit the club and make those adjustments. We have even done stuff by remote desktop. Say we are in New York, get to the hotel, and go, “Oh god, the bass isn’t right.” The changes are something small, a little tweak here or there, and we will remote home, login and rebounce it.

Tell me why there are three of you.

It was just something we decided on; we just ended up working together. With any kind of band, unless you are missing a member of the band, you need a drummer in a there. What happened was I was working at university on my degree, and that is how we all met. Meanwhile Tony’s brother got in with him and introduced us. I used to work for Yamaha, and I made a sample CD that wasn’t too readily available. His brother bought the CD and we got talking and he gave it to Tony who was working at a record label at the time. He was at Warner Music. We ended up going out to listen to the music all together and they asked us to do a remix. We did a remix and Tony got offered a remix from Warner and that was the first we did together. That is how we started. It wasn’t a coincidence; it was just made sense. It makes us a bit different as opposed to what you are used to. Normally it’s always ones or two DJs. That gives us an edge in the studio as well.

Do you have a favorite club you like to perform in more than another?

It’s about the crowd. That said it is more than the club. Overall it’s about the crowd. One really club is Government in Toronto. The crowd is what makes it incredible. I like Decision in Chicago. Most of the gigs we do in the states are fantastic these days. Going back to the point about satellite radio, they hear it, know the songs, and are hyped up when they come. You don’t get that too much where they don’t have radio. In Poland and Russia you get that. They have a lot of radio support as well. With the Internet and radio, you will have a good night.

You have remixed tracks for Madonna, Britney Spears, Dido, and more. Do you get to meet these artists when working on their music?

Generally no, we don’t get to meet the artists. You get sent a link online, all the vocals are there, and then you put the remix together. They say yes or no, change this, and so forth. Can you just change this, or change that, and it is a very interesting musical cycle. Then finally its finished. They do make some really good changes to some things. The artist maybe you pump into them at an industry party. But not usually. It depends on the artist, really. If a small artist the chances are better.

Where do you see yourselves in five years?

In five years (laughs). Funny, I will probably be doing fewer gigs and do less work in the studio but to be honest I will be doing just that in five years. I want to take more time with the music and develop the stuff more. You find that you are very tired when you return from a tour. It takes sometime to get back into it.

What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?

I am not sure if there is one thing. I will be happy being remembered for the fact that some people used our tracks at weddings. A few people have gotten married to Skies Fall Down. That I find touching. It doesn’t seem like the obvious choice for a wedding. It is nice to get into that area for people’s lives. Fans that send us letters are also really sweet. There was one guy who I met in Australia and he was having some medical treatments. He said that our music helped him recover from cancer. What can you say to something like that? You can just stay humble music helped him stay positive in more than one-way. You are not thinking about these when you are making these tracks. To have these tracks have that effect is kind of freaky, amazing, and all sorts of emotions are spent.

I always let the artist get the last word. Go.

Thank you for supporting our music. We try to think about the fans in the things that we do, as a company as Anjunabeats and as a band and I hope you continue to enjoy what we are doing and if not, I hope that you enjoy what we are doing!

Birdy’s is actually known for playing host to a ton of great local and Midwest bands. But there have been a fair share of regional and national acts as well. On this very stage I have seen the likes of Daughtry, The Fray, Mat Kearney, the Detroit Cobras, and many more. But on Saturday, July 24^th, 2010, there were four bands taking the stage. For one low price—only $8—you could get your face melted by Kramus, Alter Ego, Glass Halo, and Fred Shafer. The bill promised to rock the house. When we got there, maybe fifteen minutes after the doors had opened, there were already about fifteen or twenty people sitting around just chatting. We grabbed a table and got ready to have a great night of music.

Kramus Kicks Things Off

It was just after 9:00 when Kramus took the stage. These guys have been playing the Indianapolis scene for quite some time and have made some major changes over the last few years. Sadly, their former lead singer passed away early in 2008, but they have managed to come back from that and in all honesty, are better than ever. Their old sound was too close to Breaking Benjamin to impress. But now, they are on a whole new level. These guys play with heart, emotion, and are a true rock band. They played first, which surprised me, as they had double booked the night. I disagree with bands playing more than one or two shows a month in Indianapolis (or the surrounding area), let alone on the same night. But they were there. They rocked the stage and managed to get me to hum along for a few minutes.

Fred Shafer Brings the Noise

Fred Shafer, who I felt should have been the headliner for the evening, actually took the stage second. Fred, a guy that travels all over the world playing his songs for anyone ready to listen, has so much heart and passion in his voice and his stage presence. His disc, Resistor, is nothing like what you see on stage. And there is a reason for that. You will like the disc, that’s not the issue. He wants you to like, even love, the album, and then see him perform those tunes live. He wants to take you to the next level. And I have seen him play for ten people before, and it’s the same show as when he plays for 10,000.

Fred is actually a good buddy of mine, and I have been following his work for quite some time. It is neat following his tour schedule and seeing all the places that he plays. It makes shows like this, in smaller and more intimate venues, that much better. You can feel the music here, and he will shake every hand in the venue if he has to. Fred is just a nice guy.

He kicked things off and before the first song is over, he is dripping in sweat. But you see past that almost immediately. Driving all the way from Nashville, Tennessee, he played to a room with about fifty to sixty people in it. But that didn’t stop him from playing like it was the last show he would ever play. His songs are rock, that’s for sure. But he adds, in some of the tunes, an almost country feel. He is wearing flannel (I am not sure I have ever seen him in anything else) and he wears cowboy boots well, but he still throws the hard rock front at you. Regardless, listening to tunes from his album, new songs he has never played before, and some older tunes that you can find floating around the Internet, we got a huge taste of who Fred Shafer really is. He is coming back to Birdy’s Bar & Grill in October, so if you have not seen him, or even if you have, come see him perform this fall.

Alter Ego Rocks the House

I was first introduced to the band Alter Ego by one of their band members. Myles Berry, on bass, asked me to take a listen to his new band. They have been tearing up Facebook and Twitter and are on their way to something big. They all still hold day jobs, but they are playing all over the Midwest and getting their names in front of people. Here in town you can catch a show every few weeks, and getting the chance to share the stage with Fred Shafer is an honor. Myles and Fred have been friends for a long time, and this was a neat show to see live.

I had not seen Alter Ego play live before. But as soon as they started singing, the dance floor filled up. Girls (some intoxicated, of course) began dancing and singing along to the lyrics. It was tough keeping up, though. I was not sure if they did that many originals. They did a handful of covers, some from Godsmack and other popular rock bands, offering a mixture for the fans. It was nice hearing some tunes that I was used to, especially since I had not seen these guys before. And I have to admit, they did pretty good covering Godsmack.

The guys in Alter Ego fit the rock band persona perfectly. They were all wearing black shirts, tight jeans, and boots. They had tattoos and wrist bands and were just playing good old fashioned rock music. I loved watching Myles play. He has so much energy and his facial expressions crack me up. He is not only having fun up there, he knows deep inside that is where he is supposed to be. The lead singer didn’t play an instrument, which I enjoy seeing. There are too many bands out there that focus too much on the instruments rather than the vocals. Alter Ego, however, put a ton of emphasis into their vocals. Their lyrics are just as good, and they match the vocals well. Regardless, I am glad I got to see them perform and they are a true Indianapolis rock band.

Glass Halo Sends Us Home

I have not seen these guys either, and came to this show excited to watch them play. These guys, fresh off of a Battle of Birdy’s win last year, they are $10,000 richer and ready to make something of themselves. They are a complete package too. They have merchandise, professional photography complements of Melissa Brewer Photography, and even a laptop allowing fans to sign up for their mailing list. But when you see their equipment, the way the guys all have that rock band (almost an adult alternative rock band) look about them, you start to see why they are so good.

They play a ton around the city, but they are also playing a lot around the Midwest. As a matter of fact, they recently just played a show with Fred Shafer at the Elbow Room up in Chicago. After winning the Battle of Birdy’s they have an excuse to get out and play more shows.

From the first song I was in love. The vocals are polished, and remind me of a harder Killers matched with a dash of Wilco. Their drummer, who is fairly new to the band, doesn’t get too into the songs, but doesn’t need to. His style, his ability to be heard yet not over the top, is just what this bands needs. No offense to the drummer, but the three guys up front are what we came to see. The lead guitar player was a blast to watch, too. He was dancing around, shaking his shaggy hair, and just having a blast on stage. And the bass player, sporting a similar and familiar faux hawk, was throwing vocals into the mic and just making himself welcome on stage. They were all comfortable up there, and it just makes sense they perform together.

Going on this late it is hard to keep a crowd in the room, but they did a good job of entertaining the crowd they had. I had no expectations coming into this, so I was curious to see what they could pull off. I was impressed, and had the chance to actually meet some of the guys throughout the night. The lead singer graduated from Rose Hulman. The guitar player I was talking about earlier has a degree in public relations. But yet they know how to make good rock music. (They gave me a copy of their latest disc, and I am excited to listen to that to say the least.) I can’t wait to know all the words to their songs.

This is just another night of great music in the books here at Birdy’s. This show was well put together, thanks to the likes of Myles Berry, and kept me entertained from the moment I walked in. if you have not seen these bands perform, at least do yourself a favor and listen to them on MySpace or on their official websites. Regardless, you will be treated with some original, raw, and healthy rock music. Throw those devil horns up and start rocking already!

Where did this all start? Not the wine or social media stuff, I mean you. Where did the personality of Gary Vaynerchuk come from?

I would say if you look way back, I am no different now than I was when I was at baseball card shows at fourteen years old. I have always had confidence and some brashness. I always felt I was capable. There was no shot I wouldn’t do it. No shot I couldn’t do it. It was what I did well. I very much feel like all that is going on now is a replication of my DNA. This is what I am good at. This is what I do. It has been a journey of my DNA. Any new genre, the Internet, ecommerce, wine library; it has always been the same game.

I am going through the HubSpot Inbound Marketing University. You are one of the instructors in this webinar series. Do you suggest it and have you been certified yourself?

I do suggest, of course. But no, I have not been certified with HubSpot. It is great though. I love it any time I get the chance to educate. For someone who was such a terrible student it is amazing how much I enjoy teaching. That has been a lot of fun. Getting asked to be a part of the Inbound Marketing University was a great experience.

Tell me about your obsession with the New York Jets.

It’s one of the first things I remember about America. It holds a deeper meaning because of that. It means more to me than you could ever know. I have watched every game since. It’s pretty intense. I am a BIG fan. (Laughs) It’s what I want to accomplish professionally. I want to own them. It’s something I think about and I absolutely focus on.

Have you seen the trailer for The Social Network?

Yes, I have seen them all. I don’t go to a lot of movies, but I will go see that. It’s our world.

If someone were only going to use one tool, only one social network, which one would you recommend?

I would say Facebook. A Facebook fan page (business page) is the most important place to be.

If you could only drink one wine for the rest of your life, which one would you choose?

Probably Salon Champagne. It is great stuff.

It has been said that you are notorious for returning every email you get. Is that true?

Yes I do. Although I am very behind on them right now, but I try to return them all. I am flying to Utah soon and I am excited to answer a couple hundred emails.

Do you fly first class when you fly or are you okay sitting in coach?

When I fly,  I do both. I end up traveling a lot of times with business so much is taken care of with the people I am doing the business with. It is funny; I almost never wanted to sit first class. I didn’t want to seem like a sell out. Just take care of yourself when you travel. I don’t think one way or the other is good or bad.

When should we expect the new book?

The next book is coming out in February. It is called The Thank You Economy. It talks about the return on investment (ROI) of social media and manners in marketing.

Please tell me you are carrying an iPhone 4.

No, not yet. It was crazy busy when it came out, and with the antenna thing happened I wanted to wait to see how it flushes out. I hate AT&T already with the number of issues they have. I didn’t need another one!

How cool is it being a New York Times best selling author with your first book?

Pretty intense. It is so humbling and awesome. I was a terrible English student and I could just laugh at thinking what my teachers think about it now!

You have been on a ton of television shows. Does any one appearance mean more than another?

I would say the first Conan appearance. It was my coming out party.

Is there such a thing as a social media expert?

I think it’s abused and that’s terrible. Every subject matter has people that are more knowledge about it than others. I do think superlatives are being thrown around too much. Things like expert, life changer, stuff like that. The truth is undefeated. I think anyone who is getting paid that doesn’t deserve to get paid will ultimately not get paid. The ones that suck and are cheesy will chance the next trend, and I think the people who have chops will work around the new marketplace.

What do I have to do to get a guest spot on Wine Library TV? If not a guest spot, at least a follow Friday on Twitter or something!

I stopped doing guests. I am going back to basics. I want it to just be the bottles, the camera and me. You have to patient first and foremost. Secondly, I think you are in the running. I appreciate your patience for this interview. You have been beyond gracious, that alone give you a shot!

Do you play golf?

Never. I want to. It’s so funny you brought that up. I better start learning now. Most people learned much younger, so if I don’t start soon I won’t be very good. I might never do it if I don’t start soon.

Explain a typical Friday night for you.

Spending time with Lizzie. You will find us doing things like seeing a movie or having dinner, that kind if stuff. It’s all about family time now. It has been that way for the last eighteen months. Prior to that it was heavy email work.

Not all press that you receive is positive. How do you handle the folks that have negative things to say about you and what you are trying to do?

I think by ratio it has been more positive than negative. That is good! But I would say I respect it and that I listen to it. Then I try to figure out why people feel that way. I understand I am over the top, high energy, and I respect their opinions. More than anything else actually. I try to wrap my head around why people feel that way. I hope I get the chance to meet them again and make them realize who I really am. I hope that if I get my head down and work I will win. Anyone that thinks I don’t have depth will be wrong, and if I don’t, then I won’t win. It’s not too difficult . You are good, or you are bad. You win or lose. I don’t spend my time trying to convince people I am winning player, I go out and let the chips fall.

What was it like being on College Humor with Jake and Amir.

I love those guys. They are crazy talented. I am a big fan of their work

Why do you always say, “sniffy sniff” when you smell a glass of wine?

Not really even sure. You know what, I have no idea how it started. I just started saying it one day. I think that is why it works. It came from a natural place. It wasn’t researched or anything, I just did it.

Do you ever go back to your hometown and visit?

No, because it is really a mess of a place. It still has a dictator. It doesn’t allow me to go back and experience it. I was three when I came to the USA and I have not been back since.

What is the Vook platform all about?

Vook is awesome. It is like having a Kindle or an iPad, but with videos thrown in through out. It is really cool. I am a big fan of it.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I don’t. I don’t think about it that way. I am not very focused on that short term. I think about being happy along the way and I think about buying the New York Jets, and that is kind of where that ends.

What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?

That nobody wanted to work harder and to do better and to care more than I did. I want to be known for all of my crazy DNA. That I was a good guy. I always say that there are two ways to be the biggest building. One is to tear down the other buildings. Or two, just build the biggest building. I just want to build the biggest building. I want every other building to be big, just slightly smaller than mine.

I always let the artist get the last word. Go.

Love your family because no matter what you accomplish financially, nothing tastes better than having love from your family. When you are 90 years old that is the thing you will wish you did more of.

When Lady Gaga headed out on the road this tour, she grabbed some fairly unknown names to go with her. I’m not sure whom she should take really; her sound is just so unique. But after taking just one listen to Semi Precious Weapons, you’ll understand why she picked them. If I was the one choosing whom she toured with, I would pick Adam Lambert, but that’s just me. I would love to see the two of them on the same bill. And speaking of Adam Lambert, he is actually coming to town soon. He will be in Indianapolis on Tuesday, August 31st. He will be performing at Clowes Memorial Hall on the Butler University campus. This tour is said to be his most intimate and will include a lot of new material as well as some of his hits from his first studio album, For Your Entertainment. But if you don’t already have your ticket, that’s too bad. The show is sold out.

Let’s get back to Lady Gaga for a second. She has been making waves lately, having become the most watched artist on YouTube. Not long ago she hit a billion views on the popular video sharing site. She also has been collecting followers on Twitter and has appeared on nearly every talk show you can think of. She has turned her music into a brand that is selling out arenas all across the country. It seems like every song she releases is a hit.

When she got into town on Thursday morning, Dave Smiley from WZPL grabbed her for an interview. She was not in the studio; she had just landed from another show, but took a few minutes with Dave and company on the phone. He asked her about traveling, performing for thousands of screaming fans every night, and her plans for an after party after the show.

That is where I stated to get excited. You see Lady Gaga was given a budget for each show. That budget has to cover the travel, food, and accommodations for everyone on the tour. However, she likes to spend money. She has consistently been spending more than she was given on nearly every show. When asked about it, she said that all she was doing was guaranteeing her fans have a great night, and an unforgettable experience. But that money she is spending, well, they have to make up for it somewhere. So to combat that, every city she plays in she does an after party. They charge $10-$15 to get in, a few acts spin records all night, and she comes out and does an entire set for these small crowds.

One of the bars having an after party was The Pub. Granted, it’s the closest bar to Conseco Fieldhouse, where the concert took place, but is not very big and just doesn’t seem like a place she would hang out. Of course, this particular after party was titled Show Me Your Teeth, which I am sure packed a few crazies in. Another downtown bar, Blu, was having an after party as well. Blu is a somewhat fitting scene for her to appear, but it’s almost too obvious. It’s nice, but when a bar charges $6 for a PBR, they can lose business fast. At least my business.

There was an after party going on at Metro Nightclub, a gay bar located downtown. There was one going on at Ten Bar, another downtown gay bar. Metro Nightclub is more known for appealing to men while Ten Bar is more known for appealing to women.  But with all the rumors floating around, Sheryl and I decided to go to the only official after party, being held at Talbott Street. Talbott is actually known as one of the best clubs in Indianapolis (my favorite dance club for sure) and has the capacity to hold an after party like this.

Tickets to this event were $15, the highest of any after party being advertised. Plus, all of the acts opening for Lady Gaga were appearing for a DJ set. And after a little digging on Google and Twitter, it made sense that she would be there. As a matter of fact, one of the opening acts, Lady Starlight, tweeted the night before, from Cleveland, about them being together at the after party. So we figured, if nothing else, we’d get to see a handful of solid entertainment.

On the morning of the show, and after Dave Smiley made mention to Talbott Street more than once during their interview, Facebook and Twitter began to light up with questions about the after party. However, tickets had to be purchased through the Talbott Street box office, and doors didn’t open until 8:00 PM that night. So in an effort to miss the crowd, we got to Talbott around 8:15. We missed the crowd, that’s for sure. When we walked in, there were only a handful of people sitting down. There were more bartenders than there were people! Through the night the crowd picked up, but I am not sure it was ever sold out. The one good thing about getting somewhere like this early is you get prime seating!

One of the reasons why Sheryl and I like going to places like Talbott Street is because they always have drink specials. Sure, the club is not located in the heart of the city, within walking distance of Conseco, but that makes it even better. Places off the beaten path, places with a solid reputation for great dance music, they just make more sense. Where else can you get a $5 Ketel One or a $3.50 domestic beer on a Thursday night?

As the dance floor was starting to get full, the DJ started spinning a ton of Lady Gaga songs and that got me thinking. The fact there were tons of staff walking around, and a few cops parked outside made it even more clear to me Gaga might be coming. By the time it got to be around 11:00 more folks started pouring in. Of course, SPW did not even start until 12:30 or so. But again, this is the official after party. Why wouldn’t she come to the official after party? If she wasn’t coming here, she wasn’t going anywhere.

Around 11:00, Lady Starlight took the stage. At first, I was excited to see her perform. But one 80′s song turned to another and they never stopped. After a handful of tracks I felt I was at the Vogue Theater on a Wednesday night for Retro Rewind. It was maybe the worst set I have ever seen. It almost felt like they were filling space and killing time. If this is the set she played opening for Gaga, I hope she was booed off the stage.

By the time Semi Precious Weapons came on, I was almost ready to go. I was so bored with Lady Starlight I could cry. And Isha Drake, a friend of ours who joined us later in the evening, thought she might! But I was ready for SPW.

I have been a fan of theirs for a long time. They are what I like to call, “over the top”. They are loud, extremely flamboyant, and just a hoot to watch perform. They truly are a great fit for Gaga. But as bad as Lady Starlight was (note that I have never seen her work) there was no way it could be any worse. And while they weren’t worse, they started off with rap. Their first track was a hit from Jay Z. It just didn’t make sense. I get it they are a rock band, but their original music is so much better than covers. They did end up playing a couple of their original tracks, but it was mainly cover songs. They were more popular tracks than what Lady Starlight played, but still. I wanted to hear their original music.

After hearing them spin for an hour or so, we were ready to go. I headed to the bar to close my tab. And when I closed my tab I was happy to see that all the drinks I ordered were on special. I had ordered a couple bottles of Blue Moon and a few Coors Light and the tab was under $20. As a matter of fact, it was $20 after tip. That would be only a couple of drinks at any of the other spots that had a Gaga after party.

I guess my biggest issue with the event is it was not what I had expected. It is not what Sheryl expected either. I don’t blame Talbott Street; I just wish I had known it was just going to be treated like any other night. I figured an “official” after party would be a little more organized. Also, there is no moving air in this place. It gets very hot in there. It’s a good thing the people-watching was enough to keep us entertained. Half shirts and feathered vests, that’s all I’ll say.

It was around 2:30 when we took off. I had already closed my tab, and we were sweating our butts off. That, and there was no sign of Lady Gaga anywhere. She claims that every city she visits has one. And she even claims to perform at one in nearly every city she visits. And sure, we were at an after party. The official after party at that. Yet we saw no Gaga. All night, we checked Twitter to see where she was, and nothing. Of course, we have to remember that this is Indiana. We are not New York or LA. Lady Gaga has played three times here in the last year, but still. As good as Sheryl and I are about always finding random celebrities, even when we plan it, still nothing.

But again, this has nothing to do with Talbott Street what so ever. I love the club, I go there two or three times a month, and have always been impressed with their service and their sound system. I will go back, no question there. I will just treat this as a lesson not to plan meeting celebrities. If you have not seen a show here, I suggest coming in sometime soon. If not for the live music, you can catch the drag show with the Ladies of Legends. They are a real treat and with names like Rubi Santana and Asia La Bouche you know you are in for a treat. As they say, Talbott Street is where culture and diversity meet.

That addiction has carried over into an absolute love for the game and a passion for playing as many courses as I can. Similar to how I dislike drinking the same bottle of wine twice, I hate playing the same golf course twice. I want to get out there, experience as much as I can, and play as many tracks as possible. Not to mention the places I get to see and the cities I get to visit along the way. The travel portion of a golf trip is just about as exciting as playing.

This summer I decided to take a trip north. We went way north, all the way to Roscommon, Michigan. From Indianapolis it was about a seven hour drive. And trust me, it was a boring seven hours. Through Indiana you get pretty much cornfields and gas stations. When you hit Michigan, the terrain gets a little nicer, but rather than cornfields you get forests and lakes. Still a pretty boring drive. And we made most of ours at night, so it didn’t really matter much anyway.

When we got to Roscommon, and lost cell phone service for the next four days, I knew we were in the middle of nowhere. Upon our extremely late arrival, I was forced to pick up a late check-in package at the clubhouse. Sheryl Hugill and I were at Forest Dunes Golf Club. Here we would spend the next four days relaxing, playing golf, drinking various microbrews in the clubhouse bar, and chatting with two people who would soon become good friends of ours. Welcome to Forest Dunes.

Where is Forest Dunes?

Forest Dunes Golf Club is located in northern Michigan in the small town of Roscommon. Here in Roscommon there is not much to do. Well, besides golf. But in Roscommon you are reminded of the great American Midwest town. There are a handful of stores, most of them locally owned, a few gas stations, and a bunch of hole-in-the-wall bars and restaurants.

One day, looking for a place to grab some lunch, we did manage to make it into town to experience one of these holes in the wall. We ended up at Fred’s of Roscommon. This place was neat, actually, as it was a restaurant, bar, and bowling alley all wrapped into one. After ordering a couple lunch specials, we took some time to pet the huge buffalo head hanging on the wall and grab a view of the parade going on outside. It was the 4^th of July weekend after all.

If you are coming from the south, prepare for a long and boring ride. You can take interstate 69 all the way up until you reach 127, which will take you pretty much into Roscommon. It’s not that the city is hard to find necessarily, it’s just literally in the middle of nowhere. When we left 3G cell phone service, I got scared. But when we lost cell phone service all together I was even more frightened. We ended up going three days straight with no cell phone service. The only thing that kept us sane was the Wi-Fi offered in the clubhouse.

What is Forest Dunes?

A great experience, that is what Forest Dunes is. Imagine looking from an aerial view of the Huron National Forest. Look down, and all you see is trees, trees, and more trees. Now imagine that a golf course was just picked out of the middle of the forest. There you have Forest Dunes.

The highlight of Forest Dunes is the golf course. The course was designed by Tom Weiskopf. Tom used to play on the PGA Tour, but has made quite a name for himself designing golf courses. Forest Dunes is said to be one of his best designs yet.

Accommodations

If you are planning on staying at Forest Dunes, prepare to be impressed. There is not a hotel there. There is actually not a hotel anywhere near Forest Dunes. But that’s okay. You can just stay in one of the many homes located on the property. While there we stayed at the Buck, one of the homes sitting right on the water. No, not the ocean, but a manmade lake. There are actually a few manmade lakes at Forest Dunes, some just for looks, some meant for fishing (ice fishing in the winter) and others meant for boating and swimming. We didn’t get in the water while we were, but we sat out on the beach and read a few nights.

The house we were in had two double beds in one bedroom, a two-car garage, a king size bed in the master suite, a full kitchen, a view of the water, and much more. It literally was a house. I told Sheryl when we got there, “Pretty nice hotel room, don’t you think?”

One thing about Forest Dunes, besides its utter beauty and location, is how safe it is. I was a little worried when we got there, as the doors were all open and the lights were all on. But after asking Jennifer Middleton—the membership director at Forest Dunes—about the safety, she assured me we would be fun. She said that she hasn’t even locked her doors in six years! Refreshing as how I lock my doors when I run to get something from my car!

Amenities

Do you like the outdoors? I hope, because that is where you will spend most of your time here. If you like to fish, grab your pole and head over to Lake AuSable. They keep this lake stocked full of fish for that reason and you can fish all year round. Donny Fisher—the head pro at Forest Dunes—said that every winter you can find just as many people ice fishing as you can during the summer when the weather is nice!

If fishing is not your thing, then jump in one of the many random canoes just lying on the beach. They are sort of a first-come, first-serve kind of a thing, but that doesn’t stop people from taking a spin around the lake. Be careful though, the lake gets quite deep, and from the beach it tends to slope off quite quickly as well.

Don’t like splashing in the water? Then why don’t we go for a bike ride? There are trails everywhere at Forest Dunes. There are also volleyball courts, horseshoes, and more. There is always something going on, even when there is nothing going on.

Need to relax? Well, let’s just head over to the spa shall we? The spa has only been around for a little over a year, but you can get the true VIP treatment here. From a simple massage to hand and foot therapy, the Forest Dunes spa is ready for you to spend a relaxing day letting go. The spa is only open for reservations, so make sure you make an appointment soon.

If you are in need of some exercise, then head over to the fitness center. Located on the second floor of the clubhouse, you will find a huge workout facility offering yoga classes, fitness equipment, treadmills, and more. Of course, while we were there we decided against working out. There were just too many other things to do! This is a great benefit to the members though, and one that is used by a lot of folks.

If you are like me, and just have to have the Internet at your fingertips, then take advantage of their full service business center. The clubhouse also has free Wi-Fi for members and guests and allows you to stay in touch with folks back home or to check your email while on the road. Note that the homes do not have Wi-Fi, or cell phone service for that matter, so make sure to take advantage of the Wi-Fi offered here. I spoke with Donny about that actually, and he said they are in the process of getting Wi-Fi to the homes. (They do have satellite television in the homes though!)

If none of that suits your fancy, and you are still looking for something to do, you can jump in the car and find a wide range of other activities nearby.  Like to gamble? Then head to a casino. You can also go horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and more. Again, there is always something to do here at Forest Dunes, no matter how secluded it might be.

Golf Course

Oh boy, here we go. This is the main reason why I came to Forest Dunes. The golf course at Forest Dunes is the main reason most people come here. Well, that and the view.

When we first arrived to Forest Dunes, it was after midnight and all I could see were the lights around the clubhouse. I stopped in, grabbed our late check-in package, and headed to the house. We did see a deer when we were pulling out of the parking lot. But needless to say, we didn’t get a good view of the golf course. I wouldn’t get the chance to see the golf course until Saturday morning. Donny and I had an early tee time.

When the sun came up the next day, I awoke excited to get on the golf course. Being a Troon course, I knew it would be in great shape, but I was not ready for what was in store for me. When I first pulled up, there were only a few cars in the parking lot. I would later learn that is pretty typical as the course only gets around 10,000 a year.

I had not met Donny until that morning, but had seen pictures of him on Facebook. So, after saying hello to the greeters, I headed into the clubhouse to just kill some time. I was about a half an hour early, so I figured why not. As soon as I walked into the clubhouse, Donny walked out of his office to introduce himself. From there, it was off to the practice facility.

Most Troon courses I have played, if not all Troon courses I have played, have immaculate practice facilities. From the multiple targets on the driving range to the undulating practice greens, these facilities are usually taken care of just like the golf course itself. Forest Dunes was no different. When we got to the range, sitting to the left hand side of the massive clubhouse, I was in awe of the view from here as well. Behind you was the golf course, in front of you the practice range. This range is neat because you can hit balls from either side.

Donny said that both sides of this driving range offer unique shots to work on. From where we were hitting, there were about five pins in reach. I hit my usual wedges to start, then a few seven irons, a handful of three iron shots, and back to the wedges. One of the greens that was out in the distance was guarded by a bunker and an overhanging tree. Donny explained to me that hitting shots that you might actually see on the course makes all the difference.

We didn’t get a chance to putt before our round; it was off to the first tee. I had not hit a driver on the range either so I was a little nervous I might yank it into the high grass. But I didn’t. I placed the ball right down the middle. I caught it a little thin, but the ball ran for quite a while on the hard, yet smooth fairways. It left me with a seven iron onto the green. I yanked it, again blaming it on the tense muscles, into a greenside bunker. From there I would hit out to about ten foot, two putts, and happily walk to the net hole with a bogey.

I actually didn’t mind starting off with a bogey. I was just happy to be there, playing golf, and being able to take in all the sights and sounds of Forest Dunes. From there, I would bogey the next, then the next, and then hit a streak of pars.

On hole two, before I get too far into the round, we saw some wild turkeys just off the side of the fairway. I had seen a turkey before, sure, but not on the golf course. Never mind the deer that would later run right beside the fairway on hole sixteen. Donny said the later in the season it gets, the more wildlife you see. They even have guys hunting out here in the fall and winter.

The front nine was fun. Hole eight had to have been my favorite on the front side. It had a great view for your second shot. It went downhill, toward a lake, and had the clubhouse in the background on the left with trees and forest on the right. From there, hole nine would have you hitting over that same lake to a small green to finish with a par three. Donny said no matter what the distance says, hit a club, if not two clubs extra. There was wind over that lake that you just didn’t feel from the tee box. (Playing with someone that had the local knowledge like Donny did made my day even that more enjoyable. Better yet, I was playing with a guy who had local knowledge and was a professional. It couldn’t get any better.)

By the time we hit the back nine, I was ready to make some birdies. That sadly never happened, but I did start hitting some better shots on the back. The back actually starts off with a short, almost reachable par four. However, there is trouble right, trouble left, and with a split fairway you almost want to hit an iron off the tee. Of course, I took out a driver and ripped it into the junk on the right. I did manage to get out and up and down for a par.

The back nine is nothing like the front. On the front side trees and tight fairways surround you. And while there are a couple of tight fairways on the back side, it is a lot more wide open. The backside, just as pretty as the front, proved to be the easier of the two sides for me. Maybe I was starting to putt well, I don’t know. But by the time we got to hole sixteen, I was just so overcome by the golf course all I wanted to do was camp out on one of the tee boxes.

We got to the last hole, I ripped a driver left, and ended up finishing with a bogey six. But not really. Here at Forest Dunes, you have one more hole to play after you finish your eighteen. Most golf courses consider the bar inside the clubhouse to be the nineteenth hole. But not here. Here you play one more. The hole, titled the Bye Hole, is setup to settle bets. So if you are done and tied, well, no more.

This hole is pretty cool. Water comes into play, as does a bunker. But this bunker is not your typical bunker. This bunker is in the center of the green! You might have seen this a few times on the PGA Tour as they have some holes with a bunker in the middle of the green. But it is a sight to see from the tee box.

When the round was over, we all shook hands (Donny’s apprentice joined us on the back side) and headed into the bar for a bite to eat and an ice-cold microbrew. I ordered a wedge salad, a club sandwich, and a blackberry stout to drink. It was the perfect end to a perfect round of golf. I ended up shooting 82 that day, and while I would have liked to be lower (excluding that nine I had on the front side), I will take it. And apparently I beat Donny. But I think he let me win.

Restaurant

As if the golf course was not enough. They had to go and throw a restaurant into the mix. And you all know how much I like to eat. So after our round, I had my first chance to see the restaurant and to take a gander at the menu. When I sat down, I was handed an over sized menu on card stock. I was a little surprised the menu was not a tad bit nicer than this. Especially considering where we were. But I quickly saw past that and started reading the menu. I was immediately turned to the wedge salad.

I ordered that, and while Donny decided what he wanted for lunch, I also snagged a club sandwich. Based on Donny’s recommendation, I thought I would give it a shot. Oh yeah, and the blackberry stout. Imagine taking Guinness and mixing in a handful of blackberries just to give it that added kick of flavor. Yeah, they have that…on tap. I also had another beer that I had never heard of, but nothing could top the blackberry beer.

When the salad arrived I was ready to dig in. I poured my bleu cheese dressing all over it and went to town. And it was delicious. If you have never had a wedge salad, I must suggest you drop what you are doing and go get one. Right now! They are that good. And by the time the club sandwich came, I was ready for another beer. And I finished the club, don’t you worry. It was equally delicious. I would later learn that they had a new food and beverage director and he is bringing in a lot of ideas for the menu. I must say, if this is what is to expect from the new menu, appearing in early August, then you are in for a treat.

By the time we got to dinner a few hours and a nap later, I was hungry again! I was looking over the entrees and had no idea what to order. They had some interesting menu items on their dinner menu, including roasted duck in a chocolate chili glaze. That is what I ended up getting, and it was the tenderest duck I have ever eaten. It was just enough to satisfy. I had another one of those beers, and sat back after dinner satisfied. Of course, Sheryl ordered dessert.

She ordered a slice of cheesecake, one of her favorites. Donny and Jennifer also ordered dessert. I had another beer. I am telling you, this blackberry stout is really that good! By the time we were done eating, I think everyone was ready to just enjoy a nice Saturday night in. Sheryl and I headed back to the house to read on the beach by the water. It was a great way to end a perfect day of golf, food, and friends.

Surrounding Area

I wish I could tell you there is a lot of stuff to do around Roscommon, but I can’t. That’s because there isn’t. But for someone like me, who just wants a place to relax, lie on the beach, and get in a few rounds of golf, it is a perfect destination. Sure, there are a few shops here and there in downtown Roscommon, but nothing worth getting excited about. We did walk through one of the local grocery stores, and had lunch in one of the local hangout spots, but again, it is a small town, with nice people all around, and not much to do besides relax.

There are some bigger cities nearby. When I say nearby, remember we are about five miles from cell phone service here. A good hour, hour and a half drive will have you in a number of casinos. You can even head over to Traverse City, about an hour and a half from Roscommon, to visit the cherry capital of the world. While we were in town they were having the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City. Sheryl tried to go on Saturday, while I was playing golf, and ended up coming back because traffic was so bad. But according to Donny, Traverse City is a great town. He compared it to Scottsdale, Arizona, only in Michigan.

If you come to Michigan, or to Forest Dunes for that matter, just bring some good books, a board game or two, maybe a DVD, and an open mind. This truly is a place where you can leave your doors unlocked at night.

Press Coverage & Awards

Forest Dunes is not as secluded as you might think. They have been recognized by various magazines and media outlets for the facility, the golf course, and more. Below you will find a list of just a handful of the media coverage Forest Dunes has had recently:

2010

• Golf Week Magazine: Best Residential Courses in (America) – #30 Forest Dunes
• Golf Week Magazine: Best Modern Courses in (America) – #90 Forest Dunes
• Best Courses you can play (Michigan) – #3 Forest Dunes

2009

• Golf World Magazine: Readers’ Choice Awards (America) – #1 Forest Dunes
• Golf Week Magazine: Best Modern Courses in (America) (1960 – Present) – #82 Forest Dunes
• Best Courses you can play (Michigan) – #2 Forest Dunes
• Best Residential Courses (America) – # 24 Forest Dunes
• Golf Digest: 2009/2010 America’s Greatest Public Courses – #18 Forest Dunes
• 2009/2010 America’s Greatest Courses Overall (Michigan) – #6 Forest Dunes
• 2008/2009 Best Places to Play – 4 1/2 Stars

As you can see, some of these publications are serious business. From being featured on the front cover of Great Lakes Midwest Golf Life to having an all out featured article in Golfweek’s Definitive Guide to The Golf Life, this club means business. How cool would it be to work at a place that has been recognized by Golf World Magazine as the #1 Reader’s Choice Award?

Faculty & Staff

Nice would not even begin to describe the people at Forest Dunes. I had first been introduced to Forest Dunes through my work, but had no idea it would turn into friendships and a chance to visit the property. I had been in contact with Jennifer, the membership director, for a few months before I headed north. I had chatted with Donny here and there, and we were Facebook friends, but never had communicated as much as we did during our stay.

When I got out of my car on Saturday, my first chance to meet anyone from the club, I was greeted with a friendly hello and was offered assistance with my golf bag. I felt like royalty or something. It seemed that even the guys handling the carts had a genuine interest in my enjoyment at the club. Not to mention the guys working in the pro shop and the ladies tending the bar – even the servers, for that matter. Everyone was just so darn nice.

Donny and I had the chance to play on Saturday, so we got to know each other quite well during my trip. He and his wife even invited Sheryl and me to watch the fireworks with them on Sunday evening. He said he knew just the spot to take us and would pick us up around 9:00 PM. Long story short, he did know a great place. Good thing he had four wheel drive. We ended up literally on the top of a mountain. Now, granted it was only a few thousand feet high, but we ended up watching fireworks displays from about the best spot possible. We saw roughly six or seven different fireworks displays that night. We could see that far. It was a great way to spend the holiday, that’s for sure.

The moral of the story is, the people at Forest Dunes are not just nice, they are genuine. They care about their job, they care about the people who play the course and that eat at the restaurant, and they truly cherish the relationships they build. I am happy to have met the people that I did and I look forward to growing better friends in the future with all of them.

Do you like to play golf? Maybe you just like good food and enjoy being treated like a king or queen. Or perhaps you just like to relax, read a good book, and go for a quick swim right off your back deck. Whatever the case may be, go to Forest Dunes. This place is hidden, in the middle of nowhere, and lacks the luxuries like cell phone service and Wi-Fi that you get at home. But that is just part of it and even adds to the enjoyment of spending a weekend away. I will be back, rest assured, and I will be taking friends with me when I go. I want as many people to experience Forest Dunes as they can. Thank you to Donny, Jennifer, and the rest of the Forest Dunes staff for providing me with a unique and nearly perfect weekend. Fore!

Where are you originally from?

I am from Eschwege, Germany.

You are currently living in Miami. You like the heat down there?

It’s an amazing city, amazing vibe. I love the ocean and, yes, the warm weather. I’m on the road a lot, so for me to be able to go home to Miami is very welcome.

You have played in countries all over the world. Do you have a favorite city you like to visit?

No favorites, it’s sort of a rule of mine. I’ve found in the past that if you come with anything other than a long-considered answer to ‘favorite’ questions you can fall foul of yourself. You can look back and think, “Now why did I say that then when I’ve been to so many other incredible places?” Was that really fair? The other thing with doing so much in-and-out traveling is that you never really have the time to really get the full, proper measure of at place. Hence if I said that X, Y or Z places was ‘favorite’ just because I went to one amazing after-party, it wouldn’t be balanced or reflected on enough.

What is the biggest crowd you have ever performed in front of?

40,000, I think.

The smallest?

Probably 2. My son and my dog!

When you perform in Las Vegas, do you ever gamble?

I do, but not very often. A roll of the dice here, turn of the card there, if I’m walking past a table. I did have a stake on the Superbowl though. Happy to say that came off!

Tell me a little bit about your new album.

Well it’s called Do You Dream? If your local music store had a section marked ‘not 100% trance’, it would probably slot right in there! There are many tracks on there that I personally find impossible to categorize. To give you an idea of what I’m talking about the first track ‘Alpha State’ is beatless and has some lovely slow arpeggios in it, but it could never be called ‘chillout’ or ‘ambient’ – in terms of the album’s overture its way too intense and scene-setting. Likewise there’s a track called ‘Away’ (which has the fantastic vocals of Sir Adrian on it). It’s got real pace and tempo and drive behind it, but nothing really overt in terms of riffs – just this really amazing rolling bass-line and the vocals that carry it. It’s not tech-trance, it’s not deep trance – I really don’t know how you’d classify it!

The title, I wanted to put in the form of a question: do you dream? I want people to interpret that in their own individual way. As questions go it’s a highly open-ended one!

It’s been long enough since my last album that’s I’ve had time enough to hear many other vocalists singing on other tracks. When you do you either think to yourself, “I like that voice but I’m not sure its right for what I want to do,” or, “heh, that sounds great! I think I’d like to work with that person”. That was very much the case for people like Susana, Jennifer Rene and Ana Criado too. In terms of the vocals, I don’t write them, no. I leave that down to the lyrical professionals! I was very lucky indeed to have many talented ones working on the album. Raz Nitzan and Adrian Brockhuyse are two guys from the Netherlands and they wrote the lyrics for three of the tracks (Away, Surreal & Unsaid). These guys are basically the hit machine when it comes to electronic dance music. If you look them up their list of credits is really extraordinary.

So I hear you first started getting into dance music when you were young. What made you decide to make a career out of it?

There comes a breaking point I think. One day you’re thinking this is great, it would be a dream to do it for a living. And then something snaps and you think, “Heh, what’s stopping me, why the hell not!” And off you go!

How many stamps do you have in your passport?

Unknown! I don’t have it on me I’m afraid (which is unusual!). Let’s just say a lot!

Who do you think would win in a pillow fight between Armin van Buuren and Paul van Dyk?

Man, I’ve seen both those guys swing pillows in the past and let me tell you its fierce! I think that Paul would probably get some really good early shots in, but ultimately Armin would prevail. Now if you’d said snowball fight, probably the reverse would be true.

Do you speak any languages other than German and English?

Fluently, that’s my two. However you can’t travel the world all year round without picking up the odd phrase or two in a different language!

You are currently working with Armada Music. What is like working with a label as a DJ?

Great!

Do you still have a lot of creative freedoms?

Well it’s not quite George Michael at Sony or Prince and Warner. Creative freedom isn’t really a factor. I take my music in, sit down, play it to them and get their feedback. The spread of music on Do You Dream is a case in point to that I think.

I see you are on Twitter. What are your thoughts on these social media outlets available to you today?

I am indeed on Twitter, but then so is my dog! I’m a fan of virtually all social media; they all serve their own individual purposes. I think that maybe I’m just that much more of a fan of Twitter though, specifically because it’s just so neat. You say what’s on your mind and then it’s out there. I sometimes think of it as digital-therapy. You’re feeling something, you’ve experienced something and it allows you to instantly ‘share’. There’s nothing wrong with that; I think it’s great.

Do you have any rituals before you go on stage?

Yep, my pre-set checks…CDs and DVDs packed, headphones working, sound recording equipment ready to roll, drinks close at hand. You get the idea!

What are you drinking on stage?

Vodka and water, though not in equal measures and not necessarily in that order!

You used to have a spot at the Works in Phoenix, Arizona for quite some time. I am actually planning on moving to Scottsdale in the near future. Can we hang out sometime after a show?

The location for The Works is now a parking lot but I’m sure that we can! Have your people call my people!

You worked with Armin on A State of Trace. What is he like in person?

Very, very down to earth. If you see him doing one of his videos, where he’s interviewing people and you think, “That guy looks really on the level”. Well you’re right. That’s just what he’s like.

How cool is it to be considered one of the top 10 DJs in the world according to DJ Magazine?

It is cool, certainly. It is nice that what I do throughout each working year is reflected in someway. But let me put it to you this way, what I get up thinking about every morning isn’t the Top 100, it’s about where I am in the world, which country, city and club I’m rocking next and what I’m going to rock it with!

If you could only perform one track for the rest of your career, which one would you choose?

Impossible! It’s that old favorites thing again!

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

Top of the world, looking down (I hope)!

What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?

As a guy who came along, made some music, went out and played that music (along with a lot of other peoples), blew some parties apart, made lots of people happy and did okay out of it.

I always let the artist get the last word. Go.

Lipsmackinthirstquenchinacetastinmotivatingoodbuzzincooltalkinhighwalkin fastlivinevergivincoolfizzin!

Where did you guys get the name?

Digs has been a nickname of mine for awhile, since college. Bridges is my second middle name. I used to be in a band that used both of my middle names and people thought we sounded like a country band. So now, since I’m doing Americana music I found it appropriate.  It has an appeal to it, at least to me. And everyone knows how egotistical I am that I’d have to name my band after myself!

How long have you guys all known each other?

I met Ian (keys) through my friend’s neighbor.  Very strange story actually. Last summer I was hanging out with Scott Krueckenburg. He is from the local band Mardelay.  His neighbor went to a Mardelay show with us one night in Muncie and I was talking to her about how I was putting a band together. The conversation just went on from there.  She mentioned that her boyfriend’s band was breaking up and he was an accomplished piano player.  I thought to myself-through experience-that keyboard players are NORMALLY very tough to work with and often times flaky. Remember I said in my experience.  So eventually he and I met up to jam and we hit it off. He really liked the songs and we work very well together.  The bass player at the time ended up flaking out on us two weeks before our first show.  Ian then introduced the idea of his friend, jazz bass player, Tim Johnson. The only problem was he couldn’t do the first show. So, I called Justin Goldstein, the bass player in my first band, to fill in. Tim came in afterwards and, like Ian, was just as awesome.  We all got along really well and had the same ideas, wants, and goals for playing music.

I have to say how lucky I am to have them because they’re musically brilliant. They’re both students of music to where I am a barefooted, t-shirt wearing, dropout on the school of music’s courtyard yelling at passing cars and throwing rocks at road signs. The core of the band is the three of us. My cousin was our drummer, but he had some other opportunities that he wanted to pursue.  We have a drummer for the summer that I’m very excited about.  She’s a freshmen at Ball State University.  She, Ian, and Tim are a jazz trio, so once again, Ian’s connections have pulled through again! She’s a wonderful drummer and has a great presence.  We’ve only played once together, a show at DePauw University, with no rehearsal, and she was fantastic.

So this new drummer. Tell me more.

We recently parted ways with our original drummer, my cousin, Tyler Chapman.  He had some other opportunities he wanted to pursue and we were laying low-writing, and working on the business end of the music so we didn’t sweat it too much.  Ian and Tim play in a jazz trio at BSU and I asked if Jordan, the drummer for the trio, would be interested in sitting in for a college campus show in April.  She was and did. We didn’t rehearse ONCE! She listened to a handful of songs on the website and iTunes and just showed up.  When she showed up for the show it was the first I’d met her. Needless to say the show went off without a hitch.  I would begin each song by giving her an idea of the feel, the time signature, and just go.  She nailed it.  I mean sickness nailed it.  She’s only twenty years old and a freshman at BSU and is so much fun to play with.  She has great energy and I immediately loved being on stage with her.

Are you nice to her?

(Laughs) Absolutely! In the short time I’ve known her I find it hard to believe that anyone could be mean to her.

When you guys are on the road and you are all trying to decide where to eat, are you going to let her pick?

Her first official show was over last weekend at a private show we had in Michigan.  She wasn’t able to ride with us up there on our tour bus and had to drive separately.  So, that hasn’t been an issue…yet…but you can’t show favoritism in a band, can you?  The four of us get along super and all really enjoy Waffle House, so I’m sure we’ll be alright there!

This is sort of a new venture for you. What are your immediate goals?

I had no intention of going in this direction, musically, but I started writing new songs and they just came out like this. I went to my manager and friend, Eric Howard, and asked, “What the hell is this music? I don’t know what to call it!”. So we looked around and listened to similar music and found out that it is best suited as Americana. I love it. I absolutely love it. I’m not afraid to stand behind the new music that I’m writing, which I haven’t been able to do in other bands. Immediate plans are simple.  We have a single to release and promote.  We want to hit Indiana and certain markets in the midwest really hard.  I have a lot of smart, experienced people behind me so we’re doing things right, smart, and effectively.

I have heard a handful of songs, and I must say Davey, your voice has grown so much in the last few years. Tell me more about that and what you did to get where you are today.

Honestly, I should have had voice lessons. I think it’s because I’ve sang so much and learned as I went. Much like how I learned the instruments I play. I’ve asked a lot of questions to other singers and have had a lot of direction. I try to emulate what I like in other music and try to make my voice unique.  I want people to know my songs from my voice, much like Chris Shaffer, the Crash Test Dummies, or anyone else you know just by hearing the vocals.

Describe your genre in one word.

Strong.

What is the biggest crowd you have played for?

Intimately? 1,000 people. It was to this date one of my favorite gigs I’ve ever had.  My first band opened for the original line up of the Why Store on New Year’s Eve at the Music Mill.  I grew up a huge fan and it was the first time we’d opened for anyone that big. I believe it was their last show that they have ever played together.

The smallest?

(Laughs) A bar staff.

Let’s say you are about to headline a show out at Verizon Wireless Music Center. Who is your opener?

I’d rather be the opener for John Mayer and the Avett Brothers this summer! It’s a goal! But us being the headliner, it would have to be a friend’s band.  Stefan Rockenfeller, Mardelay, Eric James, or Nate Davis. A goal of mine is to tour with a friend’s band.

What are you drinking on stage?

Water. Beer. Vodka. In that order. (Laughs)

So you have a fast car huh?

Metaphorically speaking, yes. Very fast.

Who is Records Record Records, LLC?

It’s a record label I am trying to get off the ground.  We are fully functional minus the money and bands to represent. The goal is to establish ourselves then move forward with other acts.  Again, I’d like to work with friends. I already have my first four or five acts I’d like to sign when we’re at that point.

Isn’t there a band called that?

My most recent former band was called that. I took the name with me when I left. They changed it to something similar upon my exit.

Who are some of your inspirations?

John Lennon. He is my guru. (Laughs) Other than that, there are so many. I really love a lot of different songs and artists. I like to incorporate ideas I get from one genre and implement it into my own. For instance, I wrote a country song from an idea iI got from listening to Moby.

Where are you all originally from?

I am from Columbia City. Ian is from Bloomington, Indiana. And Tim is from Los Angeles, California.

What is the best concert you have ever been to?

Oh my…Phish, the five times I’ve seen them. And I’m going this summer! I really liked a band called 2 Skinnee J’s.  I recently saw a band from New York at the Vollrath called Asa Ransome that was a blast to see.  They are a mix of Modest Mouse, David Burne, and Rusted Root.  I encourage you to check them out. I really enjoy seeing my friends bands. Stephan Rockenfeller, Todd Sarvies, and Nate Davis are all worthy of mention.

You guys are a featured band on rickyleepotts.com presents six bands for six bucks. Are you excited?

You have no idea! I’m very excited to get out and playing with this band. I really think people are going to like it and get what I’m trying to do with this band.  Birdy’s Bar & Grill is always a great place to play and you are always a great person to work with so I’m sure it’ll be a great time!

What are your thoughts on social media and the success rate of a band in today’s market?

Wow. Great question. Let’s see…

I love the ability to market yourself in today’s environment.  It’s tough though because any jerk with recording abilities can cloud the scene. But that’s the beauty of it! Artists have to have a support system to elevate their online presence and it turns creating music and art into a business and somewhat of a competition and that’s a double edged sword when it comes to the bottom line of why artists create. It can compromise the integrity of what being shared on a certain level.  We’re in an environment where talented artists have to compete with wanna-be’s and depending on the ability to pander to certain groups of people to get ahead. I’m undecided on whether or not that’s a good thing, but it is a fact of where we are now so if you have to take what you want and play the game.

I know you are on MySpace. Actually, speaking of MySpace, what are your thoughts of the service?

My-what? (Laughs) MySpace has fallen victim to social evolution. Facebook will too and so will whatever comes to replace it. Referencing my last answer, artists have to make themselves as accessible as possible so it’s necessary.

Are you on Twitter?

No. I have avoided that one because I see it as Facebook without all the extra garbage. Will you teach me? I know you love it.

What should someone expect when coming to see you live?

Well written and performed songs. A lot of heart and energy. I have surrounded myself with exceptional musicians because I am a very average guitar player. We’re not a jam band, but the songs aren’t going to be the same at every show.  Lots of melodies, harmonies, and hooks.  I would come to see Digs Bridges.

Do you guys have a favorite venue?

Several. The Roxy and the Whiskey a Go Go in Hollywood. The Verve in Terre Haute, Indiana is nice. I LOVE the room that the Patio used to be in. I wish someone would do something with that place to bring it back.

I can’t get over how much better your voice has gotten.

Thank you. How about the songs? (Laughs)

Do you guys have jobs outside of music?

I work at Starbucks! I serve coffee.

Are you using a PC or a Mac?

Macbook Pro. The only way to go, in my opinion.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go?

Austin, Texas, Nashville, Tennessee, or New York City. I want to live in all of those places before I settle in anywhere.

Who writes all of your songs?

I do.  As we start writing the next album, I’m sure we’ll all have a hand in it.

Where do you get inspiration for a new song?

Everything. Mostly dreaming. I dream about songs and if I don’t wake up and write it down, I’ll forget it.

Are you guys planning on a full-length disc anytime some?

I want to run with this EP for now.  We have fifteen songs recorded but I don’t see the necessity for a full length right now. Maybe in the fall.

What about a nation wide tour? When are you leaving for that?

Right now our focus is going to be very concise.  Bloomington, Terre Haute, Indianapolis, Muncie, and Fort Wayne, in Indiana. Chicago and Champaign in Illinois. St. Louis, Nashville, Cincinnati, Columbus, with special trips to NYC and LA when needed.  I’ll be performing for Austin City Limits this summer so that will be in the mix, too.

If you could only play one song for the rest of your career, what song would you pick?

No Need to Cry. It’s my favorite song that I have done.

Where do you see yourselves in five years?

I will be thirty-three years old with a ten year old daughter. I like to think I’ll be wiser and healthy and supporting myself, my family, and band by touring and selling songs.

What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?

Being influential.

I always let the bands get the last word. Go.

I really appreciate what you’re doing, Ricky. I appreciate friends and fans who have and are helping me and my goals.  I have to shout out my manager and friend, Eric Howard.  He has been a motivator and has inspired me to refocus my career and life. My parents and siblings who are unfaltering supporters for me. And, my music friends who have done the same for me as I do for them.  Stefan Rockenfeller, check him out.  He is the only musician I am envious of. I just want to share happiness and love and surround myself with people who treat me the way I treat them. That’s been a tough thing to find. I look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead of me with new artists and friends. thank you again Ricky.

When I do sit down to listen to rap, I try to focus on the lyrics more than anything. For instance, Eminem is well known for being the first successful white rapper. He came out about a decade ago, and has been making music ever since. He has worked with some of the biggest names in the game, like Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg and has made albums that irritate, offend, and cause unfiltered laughter. He is a true talent and his new album, Recovery, is one of his best.

Not being in the scene as much as I was in college, I have fallen a bit off the local bandwagon. Every big city has a ton of people trying to make it in the music industry, and a lot of bands will push the limit. Here in Indianapolis, bands like the Virgin Millionaires and The Last Good Year have made a name outside of these Indiana cornfields. But what about rap music? Surely there are some guys in this town that know how to rhyme, right?

Well, there is at least one. He is pretty new to the scene, and I had the chance to sit down with him and interview him for my blog. He is also a featured artist for the upcoming rickyleepotts.com presents six bands for six bucks. His name is Brad Real, and he is everything you’d expect from a guy who is bound for stardom. Speaking of lyrics earlier, Brad understands how to write. But he writes clean. Most rappers, like Eminem, have explicit lyrics logos all over their disc. But Brad’s does not have that.  I have listened to his new disc about six times, and I am pretty sure I have not heard a single profanity.

But what makes Brad so enjoyable is that he is not just about the music, he is about the business behind the music. He understands that his career is just that, a job. He busts his butt in this city getting people to his shows, working with the talents that he knows have potential to push him forward, not drag him back. And that shows in his album.

The album is titled Married to the Game, and features a total of nineteen tracks. But for a rap album, that is nothing unusual. While I think the photography he used could use some work, the quality in the lyrics and the beats make up for it. The disc starts off with Brad telling the listener that, “This is what I was born to do. I feel it inside of me. It tugs at me like something has to be done.” That is a great way to kick off an album filled with professional beats and a handful of guest appearances.

I hate it that the best song on the album is the second track. It’s titled Ain’t Budgin’ and sounds like something you would hear on MTV, not in a nightclub in downtown Indianapolis. But he is just starting, remember, and he has a long way to go before he makes it on stage with the likes of Eminem and Dr. Dre. But the disc never lets up. The very next song, Let Yourself Go, throws some deeper bass and almost techno grooves at the start. Then you are hit with some songs that you can just tell have personal meaning to Brad.

One thing that I hate is when rappers start their songs by shouting their record label or their name over and over. And while that happens a couple of times on this disc, again, the lyrics just take over. All I want is to hear the next song to see what he has wrap around these polished beats. Songs like Lay It Down, featuring A.C.E. O.N.E. and Nowhere featuring Jon Young and Jay Cash just smack you in the face with truth.

You literally forget that this kid is local. But one thing that impresses me more about this kid than anything is that he is so incredibly nice. When I first introduced myself to him to request an interview for my blog, he bent over backwards to make sure I had everything I needed. Then, prior to his new disc’s official release, I had one sitting in my mailbox. He wanted to share his music with me, and also make sure I knew how much he appreciated the interview.

I have since been listening to this album over and over. And while I say he has a long way to go in his career, I don’t think that would upset him. I think he would agree, that he would shake my hand and say thank you for telling him the truth. Why lie to the kid? He is young, he has a lot to learn, and he will find his way in this business no matter what I say. He is driven, he is a great writer, and his personality will take him far whether in music or something else. You need to get this album, whether you like rap or not. Support local music, and before you know it this kid singing at Birdy’s Bar and Grill on a Saturday night will be sitting next to Mariah Carey at the Grammy Awards. This kid is going far. Rather than leave you with my final thoughts, I thought that no one could say it better than Brad himself. “We’re going to make it. Indianapolis has something to say. Thank you.”

Part of the fundraising came with their silent auction that was taking place in the lobby. Everywhere you went, tables were packed with items from local contributors and sponsors. Even some local artists had donated their work for the auction. The silent auction was broken down into twelve different categories:

• Artwork
• Bon Appétit
• Décor
• Entertainment
• Holidays
• Kids World
• Sports
• Travel
• Celebrity
• Pamper Yourself
• Pets
• Party Hearty

I did not bid on anything myself, but almost every item had at least one name on it. This was the first silent auction I had been to like this. I had seen silent auctions before, but nothing of this magnitude. They ended up raising a ton of money, breaking previous records of money raised. A lot of that had to do with the success of the silent auction.

But as with everything else, the silent auction was not just a free for all. There was a list of some pretty specific guidelines. Considering that Spotlight had such a successful year this year, there is no doubt in my mind they will be back for 2011. And based on the success of the silent auction, I imagine they will be repeating that as well. So, to better prepare yourself for next year’s silent auction, I wanted to share with you the list of guidelines from this year’s event.

1. Silent auction opens at 5:30 PM.
2. Every item in the auction has a bid sheet. The sheet states the actual retail value of the item, minimum starting bid, and the minimum increase for raising a bid.
3. The starting bid is approximately one-third of the item’s estimated value.
4. You must increase your bid amount by at least the minimum bid increment level.
5. There is no limit to the number of times you can increase your bid.
6. Recording your name on a bid sheet commits you. If your name is illegible, the event staff reserves the right to accept the next highest bidder as the winner.
7. All sales are final. There will be no refunds, exchanges, or shipping of the merchandise.
8. Gift certificates have no cash value. Cash cannot be returned when the certificates are redeemed unless otherwise specified.
9. All restrictions listed on the gift certificated are final.
10. The Indiana AIDS Fund and The Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis make no guarantees or warranties as to any auction item or service, its retail value, or the deductibility of any portions of a bid under federal or state income tax. The Indiana AIDS Fund and The Health Foundation shall not be accountable for any claims, liabilities, or causes of action arising from transaction between bidder and donor.
11. Payment for auction items can be made using cash, check, Visa or MasterCard.
12. Checks should be made out to the Indiana AIDS Fund.
13. All items must be paid for the evening of the event. Purchasers are responsible for the transportation of their items.
14. Bidding closes promptly at the end of intermission.
15. If your item(s) are too big, we can assist you with the transport to your vehicle. Please pull your vehicle to the front of Clowes Hall.

As you can see, there are a lot of things to pay attention to when bidding at a silent auction. After reviewing this list of guidelines, I can see where this could be taken advantage of, without the use of proper caution. These guidelines are put in place to help protect the bidder, the donor, and most important, the Indiana AIDS Fund and the staff at Clowes Hall.

This list of guidelines was found inside the program, and was also listed in several other places during the night of the event. So the next time you are at a silent auction, make sure you know all of the protocol before placing your first bid. I know I have learned to cover all my bases before bidding next time. Hopefully, next year at Spotlight 2011, you will be better prepared to start bidding to support such a  great cause. Bids are now closed, but keep your eyes peeled for more information on Spotlight 2011.