<![CDATA[DJ IZY

<![CDATA[DJ IZY - news]]>Sun, 03 Sep 2023 18:00:18 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[GREEN TECH AWARDS x BERLIN]]>Sat, 25 May 2019 07:00:00 GMThttp://dj-izy.com/news/green-tech-awards-x-berlin

Yesterday I went to the Green Awards hosted by the Green Tech Festival in Berlin, which celebrates the world's most innovative green projects and minds. In it's 12th year already, in attendance were Nico and Vivian Rosenberg, Prince Charles and a host of people across all industries who are pioneering ways to fight climate change.

Thanks to my Eco Queens FELDER + FELDER, I wore a totally sustainable dress made from the bark of Mutuba Fig Trees, from organic farmers in Uganda. To compliment the outfit, I added a preserved mushroom, moss & crystal heapiece that was also made by FELDER + FELDER in collaboration with Plant The Future.

]]><![CDATA[CANNES FILM FESTIVAL]]>Thu, 23 May 2019 07:00:00 GMThttp://dj-izy.com/news/cannes-film-festival

AND WE GO GREEN, the documentary made by Fisher Stevens and Malcolm Venville, produced by Leonardo DiCaprio was accepted into the Cannes Film Festival of 2019. The film took a different approach to its subject matter of climate change, by focusing on Formula E and the impact it is having not only on the racing and sport world but how it is a direct response to climate issues as experienced by humans.

So of course a little celebration is in order in the way of a pre-premiere film party. On Wednesday 22nd of May, the waterside Villa Cigaronne in Antibes hosted the And We Go Green premiere party. A sit down dinner followed by a party soon was the talk on everyone's lips in Cannes as people scrambled for a spot on the exclusive guestlist.

I played along with the special guest Black Coffee. It was an 8pm start...and 6am finish.

The cocktail reception was hosted at the entrance of the villa. The gloriously lighted trees & foilage of the garden made the prefect backdrop for a summer champagne party. Pity it was freezing. But that didn't stop people rolling up. Some even pretending to rock up with guests already at the gate to sneak in entry....

I played downtempo beats - or what I like to call shamanic house, with Arabian and Indian tones to heighten the glamour.

Sadly I couldn't find a sustainable designer to dress me, but sustainable also means vintage and borrowed! Mine was the latter, a beautifully designed dress by my friend Nina Deckers founder of the luxurious label LAZUL. It worked perfectly for the event, just the right cut and colours to take me from evening to night, extremely comfortable to DJ in & handle any technical issues on the night. You know there's always one!

The dinner was a sit down affair with a live band that got the peeps signing classic cheesy tunes. The dance kickoff was at midnight where I warmed up and closed for Black Coffee. I'll be uploading my set soon, a fun SOF mix of classic house, current house hits and some top 40 remixes. You know, tunes people can dance to.
And finally ...Roll call !
Dua Lipa, Orlando Bloom, Leonardo DiCaprio, Adriana Lima, Brooklyn Beckham, Oliver Cheshire, Pixie Lott, Ibiza Queen Cathy Guetta and the usual suspects...you guys know who you are.

Here are a few tracks I played that night to get you in the groove before the upcoming mix:

This is America (Todd Terry & Louie Vega & Kenny Dope remix) - Childish Gambino

Can't Help The Way That I Feel (David Penn Remix) - Sneaky Sound System

You Are The One - Ferreck Dawn

Life in Purple - Kaz James

]]><![CDATA[LOOM LOOP x LACMA]]>Thu, 11 Apr 2019 07:07:09 GMThttp://dj-izy.com/news/loom-loop-x-lacma

***
The party of the Hong Kong social calendar is upon us...and I don't have anything to wear. That's the situation I found myself in 24 hours before the LACMA Art Basel Hong Kong 2019 party. Usually I don't stress upon such things but I was playing the after party so it was important to be on theme. The theme being Traditional Dress or Adventurer.

Luckily my friend Claudia Carpentier who was being dressed by a local brand organised for me to also be dressed by them. And wouldn't luck have it, the brand was part of the eco fashion movement! Score!

Loom Loop, made in Hong Kong and driven to preserve the 300 year old Canton silk tradition is the brainchild of Polly Ho and Andy Wong. Using left over fabrics and the Canton silk technique, they merge the contemporary with traditional cuts and craftsmanship that produce stunning, unique pieces.

***

To dye the silk it uses a plant based dye, river mud and solar power. It is eco-friendly, though the process painstaking it transforms the delicate and fragile silk into something with more substance that can withstand the test of time.

When you think 'Asian textile industry' the first thoughts are large industrial warehouses churning out, cheap'n'fast fashion. Sustainability is last on that word list, so it's so wonderful to see that Hong Kong has a movement that is bringing about change. The surrounding streets are still filled with the literal hole in the wall clothes shops, where old Chinese ladies sit among piles of discarded clothing, deceivingly labelled as 'samples' and selling for less than HK$50. But as the eco-movement grows and people are educated on the exact procedure of their garments, hopefully these spaces will be a thing of the past.

I had a hard time choosing an outift. They were all so pretty and photogenic. But the 'traditional' aspect of the theme steered me towards the cheongsam/qipao with clashing green print. It was figure hugging, comfortable and matched my boots perfectly.

I really fell in love with this brand, not just it's story but the uniqueness of the patterns. Their shop is located in the prestigious PMQ building in Central, Hong Kong. Be sure to check them out and support local brands! Especially ones who are committed to sustainable practices AND preserving ancient techniques that very soon will be lost...

LOOM LOOP // Studio S205, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong
@loomloopfashion

]]><![CDATA[RETURN TO PARADISE]]>Wed, 03 Jan 2018 08:00:00 GMThttp://dj-izy.com/news/return-to-paradise

***
Lucky me I got to ring in the new year at one of my favourite places on earth : Amanpuri. If you've never been here, or to any AMAN resort - who's name literally translates to 'peace' - it oozes chic, luxe tranquility.

This is the second time I'm returning to play for Amanpuri for their notorious NYE party. The star-studded event is held just off the private Surin beach where a dance floor is constructed especially for the party, over the pool. This year was especially grand as Amanpuri celebrated 30 years, with guests dancing till the early morning.

The full moon made the night extra special and I had my own set of African-inspired dancers to compliment the tribal carnival theme.
***

***
Some new (and old) tracks I got to bust out:
Love Stream - Mat.Joe
Khaya - Jonathan Kaspar
Avalon - &ME
Place - Adam Port & Stereo MC's
***

]]><![CDATA[NEW GUEST RESIDENCY IN ASIA]]>Tue, 10 Oct 2017 07:00:00 GMThttp://dj-izy.com/news/new-guest-residency-in-asia

Starting mid September I'll be the new guest resident of Cassio - the new kid on the Hong Kong block, for three months. That's goodbye winter in Europe and hello mild, fall in Asia!

I've already been here a week and the humidity levels are uncomfortably high. But I've been told by mid-October it should drop and I won't be sweating buckets despite having walked five steps. The crowd at Cassio is wonderfully open. The music policy varies - weekdays it's back to the roots with disco, funk and groove. Weekends are more relaxed and in tune with the deep house trends of today. '

Cassio attracts a more sophisticated crowd than it's sister club Dragon-i. I've noticed that there is a trend in Europe for more intimate spaces and attention to detail pertaining to decor. This seems to have crossed the ocean and Cassio embodies that same vision.

If you find yourself in Hong Kong come by for a dance. Or a dine - the first half of the evening is home to the impeccable Lords of food of Barrafina. And if you don't know who they are...well best get yourself down.

CASSIO // 33 Wyndham St, Central HONG KONG

]]><![CDATA[SHOP.DRINK.PLAY NYC]]>Wed, 05 Jul 2017 14:53:33 GMThttp://dj-izy.com/news/shopdrinkplay-nyc

The wait is over! Shop.Drink.Play is back, and this time in boundary-pushing-fashion NYC!
Save the date, August 2nd is the BIG DAY. Breathtaking views of Manhattan from the Penthouse of Hotel on Rivington is the backdrop. Gem&Bolt Mezcal is the thirst quencher. Deep, disco tunes is the vibe.

If you didn't already know, Shop.Drink. Play is a curated shopping event hosted by former models Izabella and Sarah who were keen to create a fun event focused on providing emerging designers with a platform to showcase their talents and sell directly to customers. Utilising their large databases, they tirelessly promote ensuring brands are exposed to a wide and varied audience.

Designers interested in participating must be unique, original and have a passion for fashion. Email to either izy@dj-izy.com or hello@shopdrinkplay.co.uk for your designer information pack!

]]><![CDATA[CHESS CLUB LONDON]]>Thu, 29 Jun 2017 07:00:00 GMThttp://dj-izy.com/news/chess-club-london

There's a new bar in town. And it's cool cat clientele include the likes of Kate Moss and Jade Jagger. Chess Club London is the new members club for the young interested in art and fashion, but not the stuffy, restricting dress codes. Newly opened on Chesterfield Street, wedged in a quiet corner of Mayfair forget having to remember your blazer or dress shoes. CC's relaxed nature and atmosphere is the welcoming all young folk want these days.

I've started the Move Club here every Thursday night starting from 7:30pm till 11:30pm. It's the perfect way to start your night or wind down if you don't particularly want to get out on the town. But then again who knows, after a few casual martinis and that disco groove in you...all that Mayfair has to offer late owls is only a step away.

Chess Club London
1a Chesterfield St, Belgravia, London W1J 5JF, UK

]]><![CDATA[B X R L O N D O N]]>Wed, 15 Mar 2017 15:52:16 GMThttp://dj-izy.com/news/b-x-r-l-o-n-d-o-nIf you haven't already heard, there's a new tough kid on the block. Boasting state of the art equipment, saunas and a database most members clubs would dream of BXR London is a total fitness experience.

Among the dumbbells, cables and pulleys are DJ decks, where guest DJs can come and spin during the evening. I played last week and have to admit had a whole lot of fun doing so. Busting out forgotten tracks from my harder house days, RnB remixes ... if you're looking for a workout mix I happened to record part of the set.

]]><![CDATA[M E M O R Y L A N E]]>Mon, 27 Feb 2017 08:00:00 GMThttp://dj-izy.com/news/m-e-m-o-r-y-l-a-n-eAfter almost seven weeks of non-stop travel beginning with day one of 2017, weekends at home look a little like this: gym, walk, avoid people.
I'm not anti-social at all, I thrive on people being around me. But I also love my days alone, turning off and not having anyone around.

I've taken up a weekly gig at an amazing new gym in London, BXR. Primarily a boxing gym, there are also other facilities such as the usual gym jazz, sauna and "Sweat Rooms" - basically trainer led class rooms with trendy new machines from LA that make you climb walls and all other sorts of stuff. Gym music - it's mostly bad, techno pumping, synth overload nonsense. So I was on the quest for great, groovy tracks that still packed a punch and squat.

This led me to think of two albums in particular that made a large impact in my life. In 2005 and 2006 Ministry of Sound Australia came out with two of the best compilations that I have veer heard in my life. The Annual '05 and '06 mixed by John Course & Mark Dymanix. Track after epic track, my Sunday was soon filled with epic nostalgic songs I thought I'd long forgotten.

From beginning to end this album is just untouchable. Like a good book you can't put down, there is no off button till the last seconds fade out.

Tracks on repeat:
"Put em high" (JJ'S 12" Mix) - Stonebridge
Starsailor - Four To The Floor (Thin White Duke Mix)
Eric Prydz and Steve Angello - Woz Not Woz
Inaya - Day Nasty Girl (Full Vocal Mix)
Freestylers - Push Up

Riding on the success from the previous album, The Annual '06 continues the same groovy sound, strong bass lines but more emotional melodies and catchy rhythms. As suggests the cover, this one shines brighter.
Standout tracks:
Paris Avenue - I Want You (TV Rock Mix)
Supafly vs. Fishbowl - Let's Get Down (Full Intention Club Mix)
Gaelle - Give It Back (Putsch 79 'Lectro Remix)
Aaron Smith - Dancing (JJ Flores & Steve Smooth Remix)
Lil' Love - Little Love (Club Mix)
Stereophonics - Superman (MHC Remix)
Hard-Fi - Hard To Beat (Axwell Remix)
Freeform Five - No More Conversations (Mylo Remix)
Rachael Starr Till There Was You (Pocket & Goodwill Remix)

]]><![CDATA[M U S I C B Y I Z Y for A W 1 7]]>Mon, 20 Feb 2017 00:00:00 GMThttp://dj-izy.com/news/m-u-s-i-c-b-y-i-z-y-for-a-w-1-7The longest and most stressful fifteen minutes in the world have to be in fashion. The chaos that goes on behind a catwalk show for Fashion Week is unavoidable, no matter how organized you may be. Last minute changes, mishaps, late models, faulty lights...are all part of the party.

I got off my thirteen hour flight from Buenos Aires and headed straight to the venue for Huishan Zhang's AW17 catwalk show. Luckily Church House in Westminster was literally down the road from where I live so a quick shower and polish was manageable. I'd been working on the catwalk music for about two weeks. Brainstorming themes and the thoughts behind the inspiration for the collection. Then going off and finding music that transferred these ideas, and was catwalk worthy.

Sound check at 11:30am, run through at 13:00 , show time at 14:00. Well closer to 14:30 as fashion and its people like to be fashionably late. It's wonderful to see your work come together so fluidly especially when most of the prep and final stages have to be imagined in your head.

The below tracks made the final edit for the show:

"Candles" by Frivolous
"Harry Popper" by Marcelo Cura
"Kiara" by Bonobo

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