Inlighten - Progressive talk

Lance - DJ Inlighten started Djing/producing 6 years ago in South Florida and landed his first residency at Soba Lounge spinning deep and progressive house.

From that point forward Lance was gaining recognition in the local scene and landed more gigs and residencies one of the most notable of which would be Miami’s notorius after hours club Mekka and was invited to a series of the Spirit of Sound Music Festivals in Miami as well as 1UP music festival in Lauderdale Beach.

By this point Lance had been emmersing himself heavily into the remix scene releasing several independent tracks as well as an album he called Mourning of Night which was basically a compilation of productions of varying types of electronic music.

In March of 2012 Lance left the States to travel Asia and try and immerse himself in the scene here. He’s been to Philippines, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand of course, where he’s settled in to an extent.

Played on Koh Phangan at Eden Garden in Haad Yuan, Loi Lay in Baan Tai pier and Hansa Beach in Haad Rin at the famous Full Moon party on August 2012 .

Hi Lance, thank you for making this interview.
What is your Koh Phangan story? 

Well, I began my tour of Asia back in March and came to Koh Phangan within my first week.
I was fortunate to get to stay on the Haad Yuan side of the island and spin at a place named Eden Garden. Fell in love with the island from that moment and knew I’d be coming back as soon as possible.

Which projects have you been involved with before coming here?
Before coming to Asia I did a lot of behind the scene music projects helping to put together club events and the like . I had my own company, Enlightened Productions, where my team and I tried to brigde the gap between social/music event and giving back to the local community.

Our greatest accomplishment was doing some independent contract work for the infamous Ultra Music Festival in Miami during the Winter Music Conference.

How is the vibe on Koh Phangan different than in Florida?
My initial feelings is that here in Thailand, more specifically Koh Phangan, there’s an energy of “leave your ego at the door and just dance.” Where I’m from the club scene is very much about who you know, what you’re wearing and how much you’re spending. 

Here I think people are trying to get away from the commercialized hassle of most western night life scenes… People don’t want to be bothered with those things they just want to hear some good music, get a lil intoxified perhaps, and dance their worries up to the music God’s.

How the Florida Scene is?
I’d say the scene back home is divided pretty much, atleast on a mainstream level not so much the underground, into two catagories.

We’ve got a thriving tech house / tribal house scene that’s beginning to be infiltrated by the Deep house influence that seemed quiet for a few years, and on the other hand we’ve got a huge, what I would call, “pop house” scene which is the typical mainstream house you find across most major cities who can even be bothered to have house music on their menu.

I don’t mean for “pop house” to be interpreted as a derogatory only because it provides more music that is recognized by the population at large. Everyone can find a groove in some Sweedih House Mafia just like anyone can find some groove in Michael Jackson, both of whom are pop stars.

How would you classify your Music?
I would say my music is a hybrid between Tribal and Progressive house.  Im a sucker from drums so most of the tracks I produce or spin have an element of organic drums in them.

Why did you choose Inlighten as a DJ name?
Ha, a question I get quite often. Well the story goes : I’ve always been drawn to eastern philosophy , most specifcally the idea on Enlightenment ; but, ive always had the feeling that Enlightenment wasn’t some sort of END you know, more so an experience which you can be IN the myst of after choosing to live your life in a more concious fashion.

Like any cycle there will be high points where your life is being lived in a more Enlightened way and of coarse low points where you seem to stray from the Insights you’ve aquired.

So , when I was getting around to choosing a name I felt like I wanted my music to be an extension of my philosophy , I wanted to help Enlighten those who I had the pleasure of playing for . I naturally dropped the EN and added and IN to better reflect that philosophy and that goal.

Do you find Koh Phangan to be the right place for you? Favourite beach?
Yeah I really dig it here. I love the aura of freedom here; freedom of expression, freedom of idealolgy. I love the landscape and the abundance of mountains and animals.
Could definitely see myself spending an extended period of time here.

As far as beaches, really been diggin the Haad Yuan beach the most I must say. The views on the beach are astounding.

Where do you think The Phangan Scene is headed?
Simply put: More Music, more Parties and more Love.

Plans for the near future?
Well, I know my passion for working behind the scenes of parties and events will force me to soon be getting myself involved locally with organizing events and/or possibly starting up my own festival.

I plan on continuing doing my music production aswell; I actually just finished a new remix yesterday, it’s up on my soundcloud now. 

I’ve also noticed that there is no central radio station here in Phangan so ive been in the talks with some locals about maybe starting one up given the abundance of musician , djs and music lovers that frequent the island.