About to get back on the plane and go home. Sitting in the Kalamazoo Airport, reflection is a must of course. First off I’m just glad my friends are as down with something and love a culture the way they do. It made the festival easier to enjoy, and a sense of security was prevalent indeed.

I enjoyed the whole trip, and the festival was bangin as they say. We spent most of the weekend at the Underground stage, seemed that was were the best Techno was being played. Especially the minimal stuff coming out of there. I want to write more about it all, and I might later. But I’m pretty tired, I’m sure Detroit is as well.

Highlights from last night were  Monolake, such an inspired artist, literally grinning as he performed. It wasn’t hard to tell he loves what he does. Plus the visual performer was genius, I would have been smiling indeed. After Monolake, we caught the end of Rich, he was playing some amazing house music. From the festival we bounced to the CLR party to see Marcel Dettmann, RadioSlave, Speedy J, and Chris Liebing. Two floors of sound, three floors of fun.

The View From Milner Hotel

Well we’re here, last night we went to the Akufen pre-party at the T.V. lounge, it was pretty cool, nothing stood out as exceptional, well maybe our dancing – lol!!!

Leading up to that we stopped at Cliff Bells for happy hour, five dollar Manhattans will blow the doors off at 4:30. Then we jumped to Cass Cafe, Erin took care of my meal – thanks sister. After the Cass we hit up Bronx Bar and played a ton of music on the juke box, but we left before it played. Some dude was playing Billy Joel. Fun times though, and after the bronx we got dropped off by the hotel. It was amazing, the tigers game just ended and the fire works were bursting bright right over our hotel. I love Detroit, and its much happier then its given credit for. Early in the day Daniel and Erin gave us a tour of their Urban Farm. Daniel’s building a chicken coop, and Erin’s landscape creativity shines right through the overcast. Big ups to them, two of the most inspiring people in my life. On my moral Compass they represent the North. I hope Daniel felt okay going to work at 3am, he’s just a little guy, HAHAHAHA!!!

A gift from the people at Eaters Guild Farm.

Finally made it into Detroit last night around 9pm, what a trip trying to get from Knoxville. I sat through a storm on the tarmac, with the possible threat of a flight cancelation and an overnight in Atlanta. Couple this with a seat in Row 46 which turned out to be the tail of the plane, ANY FURTHER BACK I WOULD HAVE PUT ON A UNIFORM AND SERVED THE PASSENGERS DRINKS.

Blake swooped me up and  off to Erin’s house we went. She had  cold beer and a buffet of amazing food waiting for us- grilled salmon, beet salad, raw tacos, and a variety of homemade sauces, oh don’t forget the freshly made cashew cilantro cheese.

A long night of great conversations, laughs, and Daniel fell asleep in the bathroom on the sink. Now we’re heading out to get breakfast before checking into the hotel. Tonight should be promising with a few spots, ending at one of Detroit’s funk nights.

Lets begin last night… Chilling at the pad waiting for the morning to come, an early flight gets those butterflies going something crazy. Just before bed and after spending a nice evening with my beautiful wife I checked my email, of course I get an URGENT alert telling me my flights canceled , which completely stuck a fork in my plans to see my brother and his groovy family – Let me back up for a quick second – The only reason I’m going to this Festival (its been 7 years) is because my best friend and creator of this site BlakeAndrew is getting hitched, this maybe the one time “the boys” can get together on a big trip before he plunges into the beauty of getting to know his truest friend, the one who will be there when he looks his best and especially his worst.

Don’t think this will look like Hangover 2, well maybe. There’s a cast of characters going that could rival any movie I’ve ever seen. Trust me when I say we’ve done the Hangover thing, we just never stole someone’s tiger. Anyway, so I was able to book a later flight same day. Now I find myself delayed, waiting to see my friend, and go to my sisters place for a delicious home cooked meal. I’m drinking the first beverage that will inevitably be a long line of altering beverages. I’ll keep you posted. The sun is coming out – “Pardon me miss, but could I have another one of those fine drinks you make!

Shit, people are sitting too close while I type this. Some asshole is sitting next to me with his family bitching about his extra large hair gel that was just confiscated. No shit sherlock, you can’t bring giant containers of hair gel on an airplane. The irony is, he admitted after he announced to the rest of us his hair gel was taken, he knew about the 3 oz limit. Homie needs to get his mind straight. I’m wearing headphones right now, these folks think I’m listening to something, but honestly their banter is more entertaining then my itunes folder.

I just came back from the bathroom, and this dude was walking away with my drink, I literally just chased him down in the Knoxville airport Ruby Tuesdays. Everyone was looking at me. Damn it, I miss my wife, she typically handles all the little things, like telling people “he’s not done with that.” Love you Babe!

OUT

The only thing the Movement 2011 schedule or afterparty lineup is missing is a few appearances from the Sandwell District crew. If only this was an event happening in Detroit instead of Berlin I would have my wish (I would actually wish it to be on Sunday the 29th instead of Saturday the 28th as to not disrupt my already secured Saturday Movement afterparty plans.

For this intimate clubnight in Berlin Scorn will play a live set, Function will DJ a solo set and also join Regis for a Sandwell District set. Sandra Electronics will also be making an appearance which may or may not be a solo set from Regis (as it was originally a solo project for he) or he could be paired with a recent Sandra Electronics collaborator, Silent Servent (It Slipped Her Mind’ 10).

Possibly to give you an idea of what you may hear Sandwell District/Downwards have been kind enough to offer a Sandra Electronics, Live in Santa Barbara 2009 free download. A 3:37 sample where the artist(s) for the track are aptly named KARL AND THE CURBCRAWLERS.

“The Nomadic Firs bring psychedelic pop through a bedroom of reflection with their fun colors dipped in a garden of sound.”

~ June Wright with the Indie Lead

Nomadic Firs free internet album on ReverbNation is available for download. Their first full length album will be coming out in the summer. This should hold you over until then. The free download comes with eight tracks that have been recorded over the last three years. The lead single is called Heady May, and it will be on this summers release. The album is  being mastered by the father and son duo at Sonic Bloom recordings out of Michigan.

Craving by Sculptures.

Photography By Holly Boos

Invisible images hide the ridges, a paradise left. Walking through the sand backwards it was the last day, before the first, in two places for different eyes. You can go anywhere and do anything, be anybody. It was easy to pick a kite, because I too have been let go, with only a faint curiosity toward the direction I’d be flying in. We can’t decide for them, or wish them to be something they are not; one track, its only one. The struggles indifference is a mighty burden to wear. I see the faint haze on the faces I barely watch each day. A real altruist doesn’t think about it. Their gold is free from theft, and a thief can only pretend. We all might be hiding.