Rave to the Grave

In part two of our interview with legendary house music producer Junior Sanchez, we talk about the late 1990s until the present day: forming the Wu-Tang of house with artists like Daft Punk and Basement Jaxx, Miami WMC and Ibiza hijinks, the “Planet Rock” tape, the electrohouse era, Junior's remix outlook, working with Madonna and the evolution of club culture over the last two decades, plus what keeps Junior inspired and connected to the underground more than three decades on. Hosted by Vivian Host (aka DJ Star Eyes). For more info and extras, visit Ravetothegrave.org or Instagram @ravetothe.grave.

East Coast house legend Junior Sanchez started mixing records at 11, by age 15 he was playing in the Shampoo Room at Limelight and starting to make his first productions with help from the fly titties guy. You might know Junior from his releases on Strictly Rhythm, Defected and Relief, his trio S-Men with Roger and DJ Sneak, the remixes he's produced for Madonna, The Faint and Fcukers or as the stunning blonde in Daft Punk's "Burnin'" video. Hear his stories about NYC/NY in the late '80s and early '90s, raving at NASA and Sound Factory Bar, getting up with Constipated Monkeys, having bff adventures with Armand Van Helden and dancing on The Grind, plus tales of all the amazing records that have influenced him along the way. Hosted by Vivian Host (aka DJ Star Eyes). For more info and extras, visit Ravetothegrave.org or Instagram @ravetothe.grave.

Stacey Forrester, head of harm reduction at British Columbia's Bass Coast Festival and founder of Good Night Out Vancouver, joins us for a frank and fun chat about something we don't talk about enough in the rave scene: drugs and drug safety. We learn about harm reduction and community, how they use diamonds for drug testing, the best way to talk someone down, what chemicals to look out for, how Western Canada became the forefront of North American drug policy and how a nurse-ballerina turned into your favorite rave fairy godmother, among other things. Taped live at Bass Coast Festival in Merritt BC! Hosted by Vivian Host (aka DJ Star Eyes). For more info and extras, visit Ravetothegrave.org or Instagram @ravetothe.grave.

The literal translation of his Arabic name, Handsome Tiger is the moniker of Vancouver-based producer and DJ Hussein Elnamer. Hussein got his start in metal bands, found dubstep and is currently fusing the genres big low-end and 140 tempos with global club and bass rhythms in an effort to “decolozine the dancfloor.” Hussein talks about growing up mixed-race in Canada – his father is from Libya and his mother is Anishinaabe Métis – and how he’s fusing indigenous sounds of pow-wow drums, chants and more into underground bass. We also talk about his artist journey, the Canadian festival circuit, the importance of dance and ritual rhythms and how connecting with his ethnic background has shaped his sound. Taped live at Bass Coast Festival in Merritt BC! Hosted by Vivian Host (aka DJ Star Eyes). For more info and extras, visit Ravetothegrave.org or Instagram @ravetothe.grave.

We're headed to Perth, Western Australia to catch up with Paul Harding aka El Hornet, one-third of drum 'n' bass group Pendulum, who have reached huge heights with their hard-driving neurofunk bangers that lay bare the group's background in heavy metal and hard rock. Paul is a hilarious storyteller and we talk about CB radio, surfing with sharks, trading beer for mixtapes, losing a dead person at a Pendulum show, being broke in DJ Fresh's London flat making Pendulum's first album and keeping drum 'n' bass punk af. Hosted by Vivian Host (aka DJ Star Eyes). For more info and extras, visit Ravetothegrave.org or follow us on Instagram @ravetothe.grave.

We're headed to the woods of Western Canada to talk to Andrea Graham, a bass music DJ/producer known as The Librarian and the co-founder of British Columbia's music and arts festival Bass Coast, which she established with her friend Liz Thomson in the small coastal town of Squamish in 2009. Ahead of Bass Coast's 16th year this July, we talk running a festival, harm reduction, bass music, environmental awareness, vibe setting, charcuterie plates, what goes on party-wise on the West Coast of Canada and how she had the courage and drive to make an independent festival happen. Hosted by Vivian Host (aka DJ Star Eyes). For more info and extras, visit Ravetothegrave.org or Instagram @ravetothe.grave.

In the last 44 years, Moshe Kasher has been a flyering bear, a sober ecstasy dealer, a sign language interpreter, and a gate monitor at Burning Man. He is now a stand-up comedian living in Los Angeles, and he has a new book out called Subculture Vulture, about the six subcultures that have defined his life. Moshe joins on Rave to the Grave for a funny conversation about Bay Area raves of the '90s, Bonny Doon, PLUR, pacifiers, the Thunderdome, what Katamari Damacy has in common with trauma, and finding himself through raves and comedy. He is currently on a book tour around the United States, followed by some comedy dates. Find out more at MosheKasher.com. Hosted by Vivian Host (aka DJ Star Eyes). For more info and extras, visit Ravetothegrave.org or Instagram @ravetothe.grave.

Justin Carter and Eamon Harkin, founders of Mister Saturday Night and Nowadays nightclub, discuss NYC underground scene, soundsystems, nightclub design, and cultural shifts impacting the underground. They also talk about their journey of opening and managing Nowadays, creating a welcoming atmosphere, diversity in the DJ booth, and advocacy for New York City's nightlife.

Justin Carter and Eamon Harkin, NYC nightlife shapers and owners of Nowadays, discuss the 15-year anniversary of Mister Saturday Night, fog dos and don'ts, wild times at Motherfucker, DIY spaces, and the music that shaped their endeavors.

Renowned electronic music journalist Shawn Reynaldo discusses how DJ culture has changed, his views on music writing, the current club scene in Barcelona, and the time he saw Claire Danes at Berghain. Explores topics such as living in a small coastal town, the evolution of electronic music culture and the industry, and finding a new home in Barcelona.