Morgan Page is one of my favorite house/trance DJs on the top 100 charts today. His progressive style is captivating and when you listen to his tracks, you can't help but move and humm along with them. He's been nominated for a Grammy Award a couple of times as well as five different International Dance Music Awards including Best American DJ (2012). He's also a real inspiration to me personally because he's the same age (we were born within a few weeks of each other). I was super pumped up when the second phase of artists performing at EFF was announced and I saw that Morgan Page was headlining this amazing event.
So after quickly setting up camp and hastily preparing my camera equipment and supply backpack, I headed into the Forest. I must admit it was difficult to focus on my mission of getting to the Ranch Arena stage with all of the distracting eye candy along the way; but as I said before, Morgan Page's only set wasn't something I was willing to miss. I attempted my best tunnel vision possible and let my ears guide me to the place I needed to be.
His set was nothing short of fantastic. It was everything that's expected of a first-class DJ and more. It started raining about halfway through his performance but that didn't stop people from dancing. In fact, I think it really added another element (besides literally) in that these true die-hard fans weren't going to let anything stand in their way of having a great time and enjoying the music. When lightning suddenly flashed across the sky in the distance and the thunder roared, the crowd immediately answered back by cheering and roaring loudly at this incredible natural display that added to the ambiance of the Electric Forest.
So thanks to Morgan Page for bringing down the house and setting the stage for an epic festival. I made many new friends over the next few days and he was one of the most talked about DJ's at EFF, loved by fans both old and new!
June 27th, 2013 - the moment was finally upon me, the one I'd been waiting for ALL year long. I had arrived at Electric Forest Festival in Rothbury, Michigan. The rush of pure adrenaline came over me like a tidal wave. I literally screamed out a "WOO HOO!" and a "HELL YA!!!" and probably a "F@#K YA!!!" too as I made my way to the entrance of the 'back 40' of the Double JJ Ranch/Resort. It probably seemed funny from an outside perspective as I was driving alone, practically jumping out of my driver's seat. It was way too difficult to contain my excitement. After all, I knew what last year's experience was like and I could only imagine what surprises awaited me in the Forest this time.
After picking up my media passes and getting through security, I set out to find a campsite, the perfect spot I would happily call home for the next four days. Considering I had arrived in the afternoon on the first day, I assumed it wouldn't be very hard; I couldn't have been more wrong. The place was packed!Driving through the sea of colorful people, cars, and tents was super entertaining though, and I finally found my spot at the far end of the campgrounds. It was quite a hike to the main entrance, but at least it was a straight shot from there, and I really liked the names of the cross streets - I was at the corner of Forest Lane & Jam St. The energy all around was amazing as everyone wandered to and from getting set up and preparing for the evening ahead.
Setting up my base camp was quite easy as I've had a lot of experience doing it. I clicked, snapped, tied, and secured everything together as quickly as possible because I was in a hurry to see one of my current favorite DJs perform - Morgan Page. He was only going to play one set at EFF, and I was NOT going to miss it!
For many people (myself included), choosing a career path in life can be a long and difficult process. It has always amazed me how many people know exactly what they want to do from such a young age. Little 'Tommy' knows (practically from birth it seems) that he wants to be a firefighter and that's exactly what he ends up becoming. Little 'Amanda' ends up being a veterinarian like she always wanted. I have always been somewhat envious of this type of person whose plans are all laid out, because for them, the path is clear without a whole lot of guesswork involved. Those kids go to school knowing exactly what classes they need to take to achieve their goal. For the rest of us, education is a discovery process and one of constantly asking ourselves, "What am I going to do with my life?"
As for me, I'm the 'jack-of-all-trades' type. My father raised me in such a way as to learn as much about everything that I could -- from construction skills to entrepreneurship. Following in the footsteps of this driven, do-it-yourselfer wasn't always easy, but has proven invaluable time and time again and I'm proud of the skills I've acquired in my life. That being said, it also has made choosing a career path exceptionally difficult. I truly feel I can do anything I set my mind to, which is why it's been so hard to pin down one thing to pursue as my career.
My journey in the 'work' part of life has been a wild one! I've done construction, washed carts at golf courses, owned a vintage clothing store, was a diesel mechanic, built websites, installed satellite dishes, worked at a winery in production, taught English in Asia, sold high-end IT equipment, been a magazine publisher, and that's not all! Those jobs were everything from a means to get by, to following a passion, to seizing an opportunity I felt I couldn't pass up.
So how do I know for sure that I want to pursue a career in the electronic dance music (EDM) industry??? How does one know when they have found their true calling? I had a very interesting revelation recently. In any of the aforementioned jobs I've had - I wasn't willing to settle for anything less than achieving the highest position or salary possible, yet I wasn't willing to make all of the sacrifices necessary and do whatever it took to continue on in that industry, regardless of the income potential. For example: I'm not a morning person and this has made demonstrating my commitment level to these other jobs that require an early start - a constant challenge. Being a night owl, I just can't get excited and motivated to get up at 5 AM, but find it natural and thrilling to stay up until then. It's during the wee hours of the night that I thrive and my creativity abounds.
The realization struck me like a lightning bolt that I would be willing to do any job in the EDM industry, as long as it meant I could be a part of it. I would happily build and clean a stage, as long as it meant I could be next to it listening to the greatest DJs perform. Of course I would naturally still set out to achieve the highest form of realizing my dream, but all the sacrifices wouldn't feel so much like sacrifices and I would be keen to make them for the chance to simply be a part of something I love so much.
Though the constant soul-searching since high school has been frustrating to say the least, I don't consider any of the time spent doing those other jobs a waste just because they weren't the right career path. I'm truly grateful for the experiences, knowledge, and relationships I've gained along the way. Perhaps most importantly (as it relates to pursuing a career in EDM), is that I've done all of these other jobs whistling while I work. I've spent all this time listening to what I love most. Now I'm ready to say my piece through music. And I will devote myself to this art until I can master it to the greatest extent of my ability.
Inspirational Quotes:
"Only one who devotes himself to a cause with his whole strength and soul can be a true master. For this reason mastery demands all of a person." ~ Albert Einstein
"Once you decide on your occupation... you must immerse yourself in your work. You have to fall in love with your work. Never complain about your job. You must dedicate your life to mastering your skill. That's the secret of success... and is the key to being regarded honorably." ~ Jiro Ono
Welcome to my new blog: EDM Scene - In the Mix With DJ unit-E.
First, please allow me to introduce myself. I am a DJ and my stage name is unit-E (pronounced 'unity') and that's what I'm really all about - bringing people together both on the dance floor and through mutual love of Electronic Dance Music. Though I'm not on the world's radar yet, I certainly aspire to be, and hope you will join me as I pursue this career. EDM, the industry, the fans, and everything related are my real passion.
I have had the pleasure of experiencing many of the world's top DJs playing in the world's most incredible superclubs and outdoor music festivals and throwing down the most epic sets ever. Though it can be difficult to find the words to describe these largely indescribable experiences, that's exactly what my mission is in this blog. I'm not worried about finding too many words though, as my pictures, videos, and music sharing will do most of the talking.
This blog is dedicated to you, the reader, wherever you fall in the spectrum of passion, appreciation, knowledge, or understanding of Electronic Dance Music. It is intended to be a resource as fun, enlightening, spirit-growing, mind-blowing, body-moving and exciting as EDM truly is. I hope you will enjoy reading this blog as much as I will making it.
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