Last week I got home from my first trip overseas to play a couple of shows in England. I’ll admit I’d never been outside the continent before, so I really didn’t know what to expect from the clubs or crowds. I’d heard some amazing things about London and its dance culture from friends, but I don’t think any amount of hype could’ve really done this city justice. The clubs, the crowds, the resident DJs, the vibe: I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction. I want to give a BIG thank you to the parties and promoters that had me, especially my man Kezokichi for letting me crash a few nights and stay sharp in the studio. Incredible DJ, and one of the nicest people I’ve met. Expect a collaboration track from the two of us soon!

So, the first night I played was “Back to Back” @ Dalston Superstore in London – a super dope monthly in London’s Dalston neighbourhood. Two floors of great resident DJs and one of the friendliest, coolest crowds I’ve played to. It had that reunion kind of vibe where everyone knows each other and are just happy to be together and party. I got to drop a bunch of unreleased tracks, including both originals off my Sala EP coming soon on Plant, and remixes for Milt Mortez and Neoteric +Wax Motif.

Then at the afterparty I get a text from someone saying that Laidback Luke played “Sala” in his Essential Mix for BBC Radio 1 that night (!!!). I geeked out. Celebration mode. Good night.

Fast forward a few days in Paris and Amsterdam. Paris was dope, got my tourist on, went out with some really cool locals and got a serious reality check on my French skills. In Amsterdam I met with my publisher Chrysalis Songs Benelux in-person for the first time and we laid down some strategy for 2011. I did some other stuff in Amsterdam too… but it’s boring…

Now back in London, playing my second night at one of the most swagged out private parties I’ve ever seen – 300 people, open bar, professional dancers. Club design was sick. There was this huge metal structure in the centre of the club (see pic) that had its own room with glass floors and ceilings. Crowd was young, but had good taste. Got a request for “NY is Killing Me” which I was more than happy to play.

Final night out in London before I left I went out for dinner with Kezokichi, Neoteric and new friends Sharkslayer and Tane Lee of Top Billin’. Awesome and very funny dudes. Ended up heading to see Brenmar in Dalston and met up with Sinden at the show. Brenmar killed it and was a really nice change of pace from the electro and techno I’m used to hearing on a night out.

So now here I am, back in the other London (Ontario) finishing up the last month of my undergrad. The cars on the right side of the road, I have a dozen papers to write and remixes to finish, everyone’s asking me if I’m going to the Avicii show and I just want to be back in the UK…