The Grammy trip started way too early in Stockholm en route to Paris at 5 in the morning, but with a thing like this to look forward to, it wasn't that bad. Met Ben King, my agent, in Paris and boarded the LA flight that thanks to the time difference actually arrives after lunch. As we landed we thought we were in Seattle as it was totally overcast and raining cats and dogs - IN LA!!! Anyway, the motto for the trip was roll up your sleeves and get on with it so we braved out to do some Grammy outfit shopping in Hollywood. LA is big. Very big and for a jet lagged european it sounds like a plan to just grab a cab and go. We learnt that you need to plan everything in LA with a map so you cut unnecessary 45 minute rides all over the place. After spending a minor fortune in the H Men shop on Sunset, we had some sushi next door where the lovely country singer Jeanne Jolly served us in style. We asked her where you can go after dinner in LA and Sky Bar was her best bet. It was a very pretentious place and as we couldn't further anyones career, we were left in the corner and decided to go back and catch up on sleep instead. Next day was sunny so we spent most of it in Santa Monica and Venice Beach - a walk on the beach road that connects there is definitely recommended. After seeing the freak show on Venice we went to Hermosa Beach where we hooked up with some friends and had some hurricanes in a local cajun place. Fantastic day! Now then, Sunday was finally here and we had a long day on front of us. I was getting really nervous as the suspense is killing and you really want to know and move on asap. The pre-telecast, where they hand out the less interesting awards started at 1 PM and the remix was the 9th Grammy. The whole thing was over in like 1 minute and they moved on to best recording for children or something. Justice didn't even bother to show up! Talk about anti climax. The next show, the televised one was absolutely amazing and kicked off with U2 and then a whole row of legends mixed with new artists. Quite early we realised that there has been a shift in music this year as more rock and indie artist won that other years. We were seated in the nominee area so pretty much the entire cream of the recording industry passed us as the show progressed. After a quick look at the Grammy reception we went to Elevate for the gig and it was busy up there on the 23rd floor. Morgan Page was playing a solid set and Deadmau5 was hanging around in the booth area. He was really nice actually and we chatted about music and where it's going. I decided to start with the nomination tune and then moved on to dirtier territories and the crowd loved it. It felt like they were starved on proper house. Fantastic show and my first in LA since '98, which has been a mystery, but then came Beth, the promoter of the night and after the gig she and Ben had already hooked up another LA show on May 16 at Vanguard so we decided to go over there and check it. Mark Farina was playing and he totally blew me and Ben away. This man played proper house - not too deep, not too electronic - just solid and bumping. I will have to bring this man to Stockholm soon. What can I say - Even though I didn't win the Grammy, I won an amazing experience and finally got LA onboard, gotta love it!

Elevate Lounge, Los Angeles February 8, 2009

Ne Yo - Closer (SB Dub)
Treaure Fingers - Cross The Dancefloor (Laidback Luke)
Richard Grey - Life Goes On
Roger Sanchez - Bang That Box (Laidback Luke)
Armand Van Helden - You Don't Know Me (Pash & Norm)
Vandalism - Hablando
No Halo - Put Your Hands On (Alex Gaudino Dub)
Adele - Hometown Glory (Axwell)
Bart B More - Finally
Nadastrom - Pussy Soul (SB Re-Edit)
Kim Jofferey - Take Me Higher (Chris Kaeser)
Jason Rooney - Shake Your Body (Nari & Milani)
Flash Republic - Twister (SB)
DJ Joe K - Born Slippy
Kanye West - Love Lockdown (Yanik Coen)
David Guetta - Love Is Gone (Funky Junction)
Gaz James - City of God
Mylo - Drop The Pressure (Laidback Luke)
Robin S - Show Me Love (SB)

Hey Stonebridge, I was there last night at Elevate, and let me tell you, you had a great set. I loved how fan friendly you were and you didn't mind us choosing some songs **bang that box** hehe. Thanks for the great night SB. Hope to see you soon.

Also wanted to ask, what happened to the recorded set? I believe the set was being recorded.

Hi Jon, thanks for a great time!

There was a guy in the club that recorded it and took the player just before the last song. I think that he might contact me later, I think he said he would.

Stone

Nice! Thanks for posting the tracklist. I remember watching you write down all the tracks.

I think I might know who recorded the set, I will ask him and let you know

If you need some tips for when to drive and when not to drive in LA let me know! I've been living here so long I can tell you the best way and time to get from point A to point B!

Cheers!
- Jon

Oops, forgot to point out that I meant for when you return in May.

As a matter of fact you will be playing 1 day after I graduate university. What a good way to celebrate :D

Sounds awesome stone!

Sorry for spamming this thread haha, but I forgot to mention that we are indeed starved for good house music. I usually only listen to your mixes and my own. I can only think of Steve Angello as a recent DJ who had played here.

LA's house scene is not as good as the Trance scene (which is booming, while it's dieing in most parts of the world)

It's very interesting to hear about the scene and the trance thing. I know the house side of things have been very difficult the last 4-5 years as I've tried to organize a StoneBridge & Friends party in LA with 3 different people and I'm always told you gotta find a place with good parking or it will be empty etc. Different challenges in different parts of the world I suppose. I'm happy now that I will work with Giant (as Steve Angello is) and the LA jinx is over

Stone

When you do come back to L.A. and you do a show for "Giant", just don't go too commercial as Steve Angello did when he was just here this past week. I heard the same songs over and over again but I don't blame him because it was his first time with Giant and he wants to play the popular tracks. But me, as someone who knows SHM music and numerous other tracks, would like to hear the unreleased stuff .

Sounds like someone had a good time out there!!

Whats with giving all the electronic dance stuff to Daft Punk? Hmm where have the judges been for the past two years.

Commiseration's Stone you deserved it as much as the next guy!

KK/ : )

P.S Mark Farina, he's always rocked i every time hes been in Leeds, if you can check out his mushroom jazz sets.

Stone, good to know your making new fans

Jon welcome to the crew. Look after Stone when he goes back in May.

Still think you should have one it amigo

Ronster