DJ Brian Norwood was born during the first seedlings of dance music as we know it today were sprouting. In the 1970s, the Tea Dance at Fire Island's Blue Whale was settling in as ritual and David Mancuso's infamous "The Loft" parties in NYC were just getting started. Being born in the music-rich environment of Nashville would be a harbinger of things to come. And being born in that era would greatly impact his career.In the 90's, Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, would open its arms to Brian. This move to a more urban environment and being within the twinkle of NYC skyscrapers, is an important transition not only in geography, but of musical awakening. After attending a seminal Saint-At-Large Party with all its intendant revelry, he felt an overwhelming drive to cultivate music and learn to mix. Vinyl was still the preferred medium for DJ's, which gives Brian the unique perspective of being among the younger DJ's still spinning today who teethed on vinyl.In the 90s Brian began to play live shows. His ability to feel the energy of a room and to zero in on what crowds want to hear quickly gained him major name recognition that spread from Philadelphia to the entire nation...
https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/johnbriannorwood
episode 37: Epic Maui Journey 8 (The Golden Hour)
Let me tell you an awesome story. I played Epic Maui Journey on the beach every year for 7 years (until 2021 of course) and we were hoping for its return in 2022. Unfortunately because of restrictions on Maui that were lifted too late to give most people time to plan we weren't able to pull together an official party again. But 2020 and 2021 being what they had been (especially to me personally) I decided to go ahead and go to Maui this year -- official party or not. I assumed it would be a very small gathering of maybe 10 of us. It mattered not. I wanted to be on Maui with Billy and the few friends I knew were going. Imagine my surprise when I got there and realized that several dozen of our closest friends had made the journey to experience the magic. We were smart enough to have a large enough of a sound system that we were able to permeate the beach with outstanding sound -- something we knew was a must even if there had been only 5 of us on the beach. Amazingly enough...even though there was no party per se...well, one happened anyway. There must have been between 50-75 of us on the beach that day and the same magic happened as it always does. The music was loud, the love was abundant and the magic was real. One very special thing that got to happen this year was that I was not held captive behind the DJ booth performing live. There was no live set from me; only pre-recorded music that then allowed me to play and frolic with my friends and allowed me to see this party through their eyes and experience it just as they always have. Wow. Let me tell you what a rare and magical experience it is. I always knew it was. But to experience it from "the other side" of the DJ booth was very special for me (and something I'm actually considering for next year). More on that later. Originally Billy and I had decided that this year would not be called EMJ8 because it wasn't *official*. But upon it happening the way it did we have decided that we would in fact called this year #8 and next year #9. But because of the outpouring of love and support from so many people the party really did happen - if only a little different this year. So....prepare for number NINE next year. ;-)Now...about this music: Sunsets are serious business. They are big, powerful and mysterious. Knowing that I decided to pre-record one set for the hour of the day that is most special to me (and surely everyone else there) and call it The Golden Hour. These are the hours where late afternoon is awash in a golden hue that is almost indescribable. So it was important to me to put together a big, powerful and mysterious soundtrack to match the big, powerful and mysterious show that the Sun was giving us. And now that recording is my gift to you. It's important to keep the scenery in mind as you listen to this set. I specifically chose these songs for how they would affect us in that very moment. These are songs that were chosen to pull at our heartstrings as the giant golden globe was casting it's mysterious glow upon us as it slipped below the horizon of the Pacific. And as it slipped below the horizon we all burst into thunderous applause -- and all was right with the world -- if just for that very moment. From my heart -- to your ears. #/Artist/Title/Remix01. Solarstone/Seven Cities/Highlandr Extneded02. Sigma/Hope/KC Lights Extended03. Echoes/Human/John Summit Extended Mix04. Paul Reid/Cafe Del Mar/White Island Re-Work05. York/On The Beach/Kryder & JenJammin Sax Mix06. Robert Miles/Children/Tinlicker Extended Mix07. Thrillseekers/Amber/Hydra's Altered State Mix08. Roy Rosenfeld/The Biggest Heart/Original Mix09. Keymos/Sky Cities/Extended Mix10. Craig Armstrong/Marelle/Paul Oakenfold Remix11.(continued)