Nico Luminous has created a voice all his own in the west coast Bass music scene, and beyond as a ground breaking music producer, DJ and vocalist. His intelligently sampled melodies and thumpy bass lines capture dance floors in a sensual pulse that is simultaneously high energy and laid back. ‘Glitch-a-Delic Soul Whomp’ is his signature flavor and it’s drenched in the sounds of the Carribean, R&B, and HipHop. ‘Music is My Spaceship’ dropped on San Francisco’s premier underground music label, ‘Muti Music’. The 7-track Ep is a timeless piece of dance music, journeying through the world of swampy psychedelic trap, galactified 8 bit funk, and sexy downtempo. The album displays sophisticated sound design and enticing subtle audio delicacies.
Darryl Swann is a GRAMMY® Award-winning producer. His first major label release with Motown group was ‘Pretty in Pink’, just before his own group ‘Cultural Revolution’ got signed with Sony with the release ‘Nite & Day’, which was on the soundtrack to the John Singleton-directed film ‘Poetic Justice’. In 1997, Darryl began writing and producing with Macy Gray, resulting in the multi-platinum album ‘On How Life Is’ as well as producing her follow-up album, ‘The Id’, working along side Rick Rubin. Darryl has also worked with the Black-Eyed-Peas, Erykah Badu, composed the score for the feature film ‘From The Rough’, and was brought on board with Lionsgate Entertainment to score film and TV projects, and recently signed a world-wide book publishing deal with Hal Leonard Publishing International for the ‘Essential Guide to Songwriting, Producing, and Recording’ to be released in 2016.
Josh Garcia aka Modus has built a steady reputation for being one of the most prominent up-and-coming musical tastemakers, selectors, and producers on the underground music circuit. As a trained drummer and guitarist during his early years, Modus has since perfected his craft on the decks as well as in the studio. Modus won the Insomniac Discovery Project in 2013 and has since been a regular DJ at Insomniac events (Electronic Daisy Carnival/Beyond Wonderland), and at Los Angeles’ top clubs (Sound Nightclub, Exchange LA, Avalon). Modus’ productions garnered traction through his signature style of remixing popular hip hop and indie songs. In addition, Modus’ latest single, ‘Volume On’, broke the Beatport top 40 in February 2015. Hear and see more on his Soundcloud and website.
Warren Russell-Smith is a GRAMMY® Award-winning engineer who has worked on many iconic artists with credits that include The Rolling Stones, Woody Guthrie, Fugazi, Rockstar Games, Minor Threat, Richie Havens, Tim Buckley, The Mamas & The Papas, Tom Morello, Lou Reed, Jackson Browne, HBO, Dischord Records, Rounder Records and many more. Warren has gathered a wide range of knowledge and experience from across the audio industry specializing in mastering. Originally from the UK, Warren comes fresh off of the New York City circuit, where has spent the last seven years working out of the legendary ‘Magic Shop Recording Studios‘, where as chief engineer has mastered, mixed and restored audio for numerous important performances while churning out indie masters for the Brooklyn masses.
Dan Goodman is a DJ, music producer, and dance music enthusiast hailing from Los Angeles. He has been a professional touring DJ since 2010, and is proud to say he’s made every mistake in the book. From DJing college parties and Bat Mitzvahs to taking the stage multiple years in a row at festivals like Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas and Ultra Music Festival in Miami under the Gladiator alias. Dan is one half of the DJ/Production duo Gladiator, a group that formed in 2009 and has produced tracks played by Diplo, Skrillex, Flosstradamus, Knife Party, and many others. With his expertise in both DJing and Production, Dan aims to bring his wide breath of experience into the classroom.
Loren Moore is a music producer, multi-instrumentalist and mixing engineer based in Los Angeles. Native to England, he moved to America performing in bands and writing solo aliases including his own band touring across the US with Mayday Parade, There For Tomorrow and more. Later he started his current alias, IDestiny, gaining millions of plays across major blog sites and achieving releases on Warner Bros and EDM Network while producing and mixing for bands and artists as his career developed. He currently works with producers such as Richard Vission for song placements with major artists like Pitbull, Austin Mahone and Selena Gomez. He has also mixed for clientele such as Goldhouse, Metro Station, Savi and many more.
Appu Krishnan known professionally as “The Professor”. While working with Sony/RCA label as a producer and songwriter, Appu worked alongside Tracklacers and songwriters Jamie Hartman and Phil Bentley on the Christina Aguilera‘s Album “Lotus”. He was in charge of writing and arranging strings and piano for the single “Army of Me”. He co-wrote and co-produced Jordin Sparks‘ single “Christmas Time To Me” which became the opening title for the Universal Pictures movie The Best Man Holiday. Appu co-wrote and co-produced Greek artist Eleni Foureira‘s single “Party Sleep Repeat” along with Vassy, Phil Bentley and Blackjack music. Grammy-nominated artist Lisa Harriton, Joshua Bartholomew and “The Professor”, joined forces to create Elle Rae’s “Lovestruck”. Appu has engineered for The Jacksons and is currently developing artists alongside Grammy-winning Roc Nation producer Shea Taylor. He frequently collaborates with producer Brandon Friesen on various projects including Billy Ray Cyrus, Laura Bell Bundy and Friesen’s Arbor TV artists. As an educator, Appu gives lectures at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, and was ‘in the lair‘ with legendary mixer Dave Pensado on his “Pendaso’s Place” channel.
Cosmic Quest is a Los Angeles-based producer whose music has been described as ethereal, cosmic, infinite, and blissful. After being featured on the likes of Majestic Casual, TheSoundYouNeed, and the EDM network – he made a name for himself in the chill-wave electronic scene. Shortly after being signed to Re:evolution booking in 2015, Cosmic Quest went on The North Horizons Tour across the east coast. Most recently performing at Lightning in a Bottle, as well as headlining at the Church of Funk in Denver Colorado. In addition to being classically trained in piano, Brett’s productions evoke an electronic yet natural fusion of emotion and feeling, leaving the listener in a perpetual state of connectedness.
Christian Gibson is a musician, producer and educator based out of Los Angeles. He had already been in love with making music by the time he moved from Southern California to Portugal as a sophomore in high school, but it was there that he began to truly expand his tastes and broaden his musical palette. After graduating from high school near Lisbon, Christian embarked on a four-year journey to England where he studied Sound Technology earning a BA Honors at Paul McCartney’s former alma mater, now LIPA. Besides tutoring hundreds of students from touring professionals to complete novices, Christian taught as an instructor and mentor at Icon Collective for a number of years. He has released records on various labels both as a solo artist and as a producer for a wide range of recording artists in genres ranging from traditional folk music to hard-hitting gangster rap. His newest solo record Cloud Forms, an ambient instrumental record, will be released in the Summer.
Josh Brooks (PZB) has performed at some of LA’s premier clubs such as Exchange LA, Avalon, Dim Mak Studios supporting acts such as Captial Cities, Cassian, Justin Jay, Mystery Skulls and more. CBS’s listed him as one of LA’s Best DJs in 2012. In 2014 PZB took his talents to Croatia and had the opportunity to open for Matador at the Kanegra Beach Festival. In 2015 he performed at Lightning in a Bottle and became a resident for HushConcerts in Southern California playing regular dates on the Santa Monica Pier. 2016 has seen him play alongside Sacha Robotti, Manik, Guy J, Kraak & Smaak, Daedelus, Birdee, Miami Horror, Etnik, Nukid and most recently at Genius Loci Festival in Baja with Poolside, Gigamesh and the Desert Hearts Family. PZP co-runs Los Angeles Music Project (LAMP) which is an independent record label and music blog that is dedicated to finding new and unsigned artists to help give them a platform for releasing their work.
Matthew Engst is a Pop and Hip-Hop producer, songwriter and synth enthusiast from Vancouver, Canada and now resides in Los Angeles. In 2004, he was signed to Warner Chappell Sweden with his electro pop duo, Killabite. Their first single entitled, ‘Follow Me Home,’ was co-written by Swedish producers, Axwell (Swedish House Mafia) and Alexander Kronlund (co-wrote Britney Spears hit singles, ‘Lucky’ and ‘Til The World Ends.’). The song had success in Europe with radio play and tours throughout Scandinavia. While working in Sweden, Matthew had the opportunity to work with legendary producers, Max Martin and Shellback and still works closely with them to this day. Most recently with the release of MXM’s (Max Martin’s Publishing company) new hip-hop artist, Daye Jack.
Ellis ‘DJ Dynamix’ Tenza is a 3-time Red Bull Thre3style Champion, a finalist on VH1’s Master of the Mix, and a brand ambassador for the World Famous Beat Junkies. He has been featured on Sean Comb’s network RevoltTV, Power 106’s Jump Off Mix, and was hand picked by Samantha Ronson to DJ Nicole Richie & Joel Madden’s wedding, as well as Cover Girl’s 50th Anniversary and Roc Nation’s Grammy Brunch. His skill set and knack for rocking dance floors has got him rotating residencies at top nightclubs in the US, Montreal, and Singapore. Over the last 10 years, he has taught both aspiring and established DJs how to perfect their craft.
Casey K is a singer, songwriter, producer, and multi instrumentalist. She first started in the music industry as a session singer and from there grew to open her own publishing company, Headcase Entertainment. Her music has been charting internationally and placed on ESPN, MTV, VH1, and A&E to name a few. As an artist, Casey has played in the UK, Europe, North America and played live on air BBC1 London with Robert Elms. Some of Casey’s past/current clients and collaborators include Far East Movement, Parra for Cuva, Mandy Grace Capristo, Rickey Minor, Lanita Smith, Csaba Petocz, as well as companies like Jingle Punks, Indigi Music, and Hunnypot. Casey also teaches voice and songwriting privately in Los Angeles and is a huge ableton enthusiast. Using it as a songwriting, production, and live performance platform.
PJ Sledge is a producer and DJ from New York, who has risen through the ranks quickly with his clever remixes and energetic DJ sets including a recent appearance at Boiler Room LA 19 under the moniker ‘Colta’ along with an eclectic set at Low End Theory. His music has been played by House giants Ben Mono and Dirty Bird DJs to Bass producers Two Fresh, Flufftronix and Djemba Djemba, receiving support from labels including as Mad Decent, Soulections, Madtech, and Friends of Friends. PJ has also shared the stage with BBC Radio One Essential Mix participant Pearson Sound, Riton, Shigeto of ghostly international, Bok Bok, Questlove plus a slew of other world-class acts. Now PJ is not only creating heavy dance floor originals and remixes on his own as ‘Promnite‘, but also as part of a talented group of producers known as ‘Team Supreme‘ who have taken LA by storm. Somehow PJ still finds time to co-run house label R2M Records.
Lauren ‘KITTENS’ Abedini has gone from DJing in her bedroom, to touring with Kid Cudi, performing with Chief Keef, as well as DJing for Usher in a very short time. Rising through the ranks of an industry dominated by men, she plays to trendy Hollywood crowds and underground music aficionados by balancing classic and current hip hop, trap, house, jersey club, future bass, and dance music of many other styles with some mainstream sounds sprinkled on top. All of these things combined provided her with a well-rounded taste and understanding of good music of many genres. She is currently a member of HW&W Records and ATHLETIXX (a crew consisting of DJ Hoodboi, Falcons, & our very own Colta). While continuing her tour schedule, KITTENS is working on her own production and remixes as well as dropping mixes and guest DJing on Shade45 (SirusXM).
Adam Moseley started his career at Trident Studios in London in 1978 and helped build and lead an incredible team of producer/engineers including Flood, Alan Moulder, Mark ‘Spike’ Stent and Steve Osbourne, has worked with producers including Tom Dowd, Phil Ramone, Mike Stone, Mutt Lange, Rupert Hine, Terry Brown & Steve Lillywhite, & has enjoyed worldwide success with artists including Wolfmother, John Cale, U2, Nikka Costa, Lenny Kravitz, Lucybell, Roxette, Maxi Priest, Richard Marx, Galliano, The Cure, Kiss, Visage, Rush, Wet Wet Wet, Ketama & The Blow Monkeys. Adam is a producer known for his arrangement, instrumentation, and his ability to nurture, direct and achieve exceptional performances from the artists with whom he works, using his vast range of experience. Recent film and TV mixing credits include Spike Jonze, ‘True Blood’, ‘The Americans’ and ‘The Big Wedding’.
Chaz Lewis is a Los Angeles producer who goes by the musical alias of ELOS, has been creating electronic music for over eight years, and has been signed to Alpha Pup Records since 2011. Between releasing an EP and two full-length albums, Lewis has made great waves in the music world with his beats, which range from ambient to experimental to bass-fueled and beyond. A frequent special guest of Los Angeles Times’ #1 rated club Low End Theory (and a performer at the first annual Low End Theory Festival), Lewis has played with a multitude of talented beat-makers and musicians, including Flying Lotus, James Blake, and DJ Shadow. In addition to playing an integral part in the LA beat scene. Along with PJ, Lewis is part of Team Supreme, the collaborative music collective that is steadily gaining worldwide recognition.
Jerry DiPhillippo is a musician, engineer, performer and professional Ableton Certified Trainer currently residing in Los Angeles. Jerry has been playing in bands and making music almost his entire life. He currently releases original electronic music, remixes and performs as “BigJerr”. “BigJerr” is a high energy “Open Format” DJ and an up-and-coming trap/glitch/hype/dub step/Melbourne Bounce Producer/Performer. Having grown up playing instruments Jerry has become particularly interested in “Controllerism/Finger Drumming” with primary focus on “Grid Controllers”. He also custom builds MIDI controllers of his own design.
Mike Parvizi is a music producer and multi-instrumentalist based out of Los Angeles. He is a co-founder of LA collective Team Supreme, and one half of the production duo Penthouse Penthouse, who recently completed a national tour with The Glitch Mob with shows including the Coachella Valley Music Festival. Alongside his own artist projects and jaw-dropping list of VIP private Ableton students, Mike regularly works with artists including rapper Vic Mensa, Flea (of RHCP), Blake Sennett (formerly of Rilo Kiley), & Nick Hexum (of 311) amongst others. He is a professional session musician & writes with artists such as Clams Casino, 12th Planet, Mr. Carmack, Djemba Djemba, Diplo, Alison Wonderland, Busdriver, Nocando, and many more. He co-produced Mad Decent vocalist LIZ Y2K’s 2014 hit ‘Don’t Say’ ft. Tyga, and played guitar on Britney Spears’ recent single ‘Passenge’.
Matt “DJ SWIFT” Esselin is a DJ/turntablist, music producer and a Radio host. As a DJ, Swift has been a DMC finalist and has shared the stage and/or opened for major artists like Redman, Prodigal Sunn (Wu-tang Clan), Birdy Nam Nam, Korn, Lee Sratch Perry, Limp Bizkit. Swift worked for 5 years as a producer and host on Wu-Tang Radio. Since then, he founded his own radio station called Wild1 Radio and has 36 DJs from all over the world playing music 24/7. He is also hosting 2 shows on the station. THA FORMAT every Tuesday with Rapper Destruct, which is a straight hip-hop show and THE SOCIAL SOUND, every Monday with Venise and Dj Rogue, which is a more Electronic. As a producer, Swift owns a label called WildOne Records. Signed with The Orchard Sony Music, he releases mainly hip-hop oriented music with rappers like Afu-Ra, Shogun Assasson (Killarmy/Wu-Tang Clan), Prodigal Sunn (Wu-Tang Clan), The black Knights, Emigreen, Colette Carr and more.
Pete Griffin is a GRAMMY®-winning LA musician who has toured the world with artists as diverse as Zappa Plays Zappa, Dethklok, and Hanson. Pete realized it’s not enough to just be good at a musical instrument anymore, so became proficient with production and now produces and engineers sessions professionally. Having produced his own albums with fusion band Gryphon Labs and electronic project Captain Apathy, Pete knows what it’s like to wear many hats in the ever-changing modern music industry. Pete has worked with the biggest names in rock, jazz, metal, and pop, including Chick Corea, Steve Vai, Brendon Small, Stanley Clarke, Danny Carey, Edgar Winter, and many, many more. Pete studied jazz and classical while playing rock and blues all over Chicago. After obtaining a B.A. in Music from Northwestern, Pete moved to Los Angeles to become a professional bassist.
Darren Burgos is our Apple Certified Logic Pro X instructor and has been producing and releasing music for over 20 years on various labels around the world including Dragonfly, and Koyote. He started produced Electro, Synth Pop, and Industrial styles in the late ’80s, then moved into Techno in the ’90s and ’00s. In 2000, he started producing and releasing Psychedelic Trance on some of the biggest labels of the time and traveled across the US and Mexico performing at Trance events. Today, now he’s mellowed, he leans towards Electro, House, New Disco, and Indie Pop. He’s one of the world’s most respected Logic experts, and has traveled the world with Apple demoing Logic to musicians, engineers, writers and producers in universities and trade shows. Darren also owns ‘Vectorsound‘, a production, mixing, and mastering service very popular on the global electronic music circuit.
Mark V Sheldon (a.k.a. Havoc Razor) is a BMI/BMG songwriter & award-winning music technology teacher. He has a BA from UCSC and has been “Specializing In Melody” since the age of 5 when he taught himself the harmonica by ear. He learned the accordion at 10, the piano at 12, MIDI & synthesizers at 15, the guitar at 30, and many more completely by ear. Mark is also Pro Tools certified and has been teaching Pro Tools, Reason, MIDI, keyboards, music production, composing, and sound design since 1998. As Havoc Razor, Mark produced six tracks for the legendary hip-hop artist Kool Keith with Tha Undatakerz and won international acclaim with his debut CD “As Above So Below” when his album was nominated for “Best Techno Album of 2004” by the JPF Music Awards. His second song, “Liberté,” from the album won 5th place as “Best Techno Song of 2004”. Songs from the album have also been placed in films.
Founder
Dave Garnish was DJing on Don FM as DJ Flight at age sixteen while studying music at the BRIT School in London with the guitar being his first instrument. In 1995, he set up Blah Parties in a joiner’s factory on Pitfield Street performing as Alf Garnish, spawning what happened after in Shoreditch, London. His engineering career began at Air Lyndhurst Hall, and then the EMI group which then consisted of The Townhouse, Abbey Road, The Manor and Olympic Studios. Artists include Janet Jackson, Madonna, Bjork, All Saints and Massive Attack. Producers ranged from Andrew Lloyd Webber to Nellee Hooper. Until 2001 Dave beta-tested for Emagic Logic Audio before they sold to Apple, in the same year he signed a publishing deal with Universal Music UK.
“Dave Garnish was our in-house producer/writer at Universal for a number of years, and the quality of his work was always outstanding. He’s smart, with an extensive knowledge of different types of music, and I’m sure this will rub off at his music production school” Mike McCormack – MD Universal Music UK
