It’s LoveFest, 2007. At least 40 of us are crowded on a float that consists of a real plane stretching the length of the flat from wing tip to wing tip. Rows of booming speakers line the front under the wings and mattresses lay on top – but is anyone lounging? Hell no. Bodys are bouncing as one on every inch of dancing space while the amazing Jody Wisternoff bobs in the cockpit, piloting sound only as he can. He hands me the microphone and I climb to the top of the plane as “Sultry Blue” begins to play. I look down upon the mass of people, reaching, waving, cheering, laughing, loving, and dancing. At this point, words are useless to describe the bliss we all feel with and for each other. Sounds a bit corny? I can’t help it – it’s just that good.
But how did we all get there? I can’t tell everyone’s incredible journey, but I’d love to share how I came to be on top of a plane surrounded by some of he best people I’ve ever known.
So many of my stories begin with my music partner Rithma – this one’s no different. He’s like a brother to me, so talented you want to slap him – and the reason I have an electronic music career. He introduced me to the Ryralio DJs and we created “Sultry Blue” together. They made the amazing production and melody while Andy Lau, Da Sunlounge, Luna City Express and Kastis Torrau & Simuck did their fantastic remixes. I wrote the lyrics and recorded the vocal. In the summer of ‘06, “Sultry Blue” went to 1 for 8 weeks on the Lithuanian music charts and won the Radiocentras Award for best dance track ‘06. The story of the tour will have to be saved for another blog…
Fast forward to early September ‘07 –
I’m standing in front of a Target when Bennett calls – who’s Bennett? He’s millions of wonderful things, but mostly a dear friend, gifted photographer and an angel. He tells me his friends want to talk to me about a performance at the end of the month. I already had a plane ticket to somewhere else for that weekend, but I could sense something special about this gig. So I call Bennett’s friends to get the details and instantly connect (on many levels) with one John Kobe (DJ/producer/engineer/gentleman). He’s designing a float for the LoveFest parade and wants me to sing “Sultry Blue” with Jody Wisternoff of Way Out West on it. After I pick my jaw up off the ground, he tells me his magical story of how this idea came to be…
Jody had sent John one of his set lists and song 2 was “Sultry Blue”. At the time John was listening, he was writing an e-mail explaining how he’s decided to not go swimming with the dolphins due to bad timing. But as he wrote, he listened to the lyrics in the background, “I saw a dolphin swimming alongside, and we were racing!”
“It’s a sign!” John thought. He needed to go swim with the dolphins and immediately changed his answer. And go he did – having a life changing experience. While on the dolphin boat, he joked with his beautiful significant other, JennStar, about how lovely it would be if Nica Brooke could come and sing at LoveFest. “If only we knew her…”
Not long after that, John and JennStar go to burning man and are hanging out with their friend Bennett – yes, the same dear friend of mine – and in an altered state (as John put it) told Bennett his dolphin story and pipe dream about the “Sultry Blue” performance.
“You mean Nica Brooke?” Bennett asked. “I know her!!”
Six degrees? Hell no! Zero degrees. We are each other – weaving in and out of different energies whether we know it or not. That’s how I felt on top of that plane. One with all, all with one… I know I’m getting corny again, but it’s just that good.
Special LoveFest Thank Yous: Rithma for holding me up when I wilt, Bennett for your magic, Mom for your fierce pride in me (and for letting me borrow your boa), Dad for your warm assurance, John for including me in your dream, JennStar for making it happen, Jody for reminding me about the shark attack (and for including Sultry Blue in your set!), Lucy for being the sweetest thing in the world, Brandee whose smile was the shining crown of the float, TallSasha for presenting exciting new adventures, Matt for pointing out all the naked men, Wen for your gorgeous grace and everyone else. I loved sharing the fun with you!