LOCH LOMOND PARTY

2-hour drive, 2-hour hike, Nature Valley bars, hot toddies, psychedelics, jet stoves, surreal views, friends, strangers, and outdoor advocates all dancing together. What a way to see out the year. ⛰️

 

This gig we were invited to play recently really put things into perspective for me. The DJ/party scene, I'll be honest, can sometimes feel like a pretty toxic environment. Don't get me wrong—I've fully indulged and lost myself in it before, to the point where it became a problem. It's hard not to be exposed to the drinking, the drugs, the afterparties, and the mornings spent chatting absolute shite to strangers in some random flat at 11 a.m., skipping work because you're still too far gone. There's almost a strange romance to it—being drawn to the escapism, avoiding the problems and emotions of everyday life.

But this gig... this was something else. It had a purpose, a mission, and a whole load of planning by the promoters. Everyone knew what they were signing up for: an adventure into the wilderness with heavy gear, sleeping bags, spare tents, booze, speakers, and a DMT vape pen.

 

There we were, surrounded by so many people meeting for the first time, yet all on the same wavelength—dancing, drinking, and, luckily for us, DJing.

I stepped away from my usual funk, jazz, and disco for this one. Instead, I reconnected with the tunes that had once meant the most to me: the weird, the wonky, and the proggy. Think D.Tiff, Roza Terenzi, Maara, Adam Pits, and the like.

 

Body full of substances, joy, Punk IPA, and a whole lot of love—I won’t sugarcoat it, I felt fucking amazing. It wasn’t the kind of high that comes from escaping reality; it was the opposite. I felt connected—to the crowd, the music, and myself. That’s not always easy for me. I’ve often been too anxious or too out of it, trying to self-medicate my way through the anxiety. It can be a bloody whirlwind.

 

I’m going off on a tangent now (typical), but what I took from that adventure is this: music, the outdoors, and human connection are vital for me. They make me feel something I can’t quite name—maybe happiness, fulfillment, contentment, or love.

It’s easy to lose sight of those core things in the chaos of work, status, goals, relationships, and business. But the truth is, they’re at the heart of who we are.

 

So here’s my recommendation: get yourself out on a hill the next chance you have. Hang out with your friends, but hang out with strangers too. Discover new music. Go camping. Pick up a book. Take a step back. Reflect on what makes you happy and adjust your life if you need to—so you can focus on your own joy and on bringing joy to others, whether they’re friends, family, or strangers.

 

I’m probably chatting absolute nonsense, but I needed to get this off my chest. That gig was something else, and I hope you all get to feel something similar.

 

Hope you’ve had a lovely Christmas and have a grand old New Year ahead.