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My friends
This May marks 13 years that I've been associated with this charming little city known as Montreal. Years ago, when my beloved city of New York was losing its creative luster and the euphoria of its dance music scene was diminishing, Montreal dance music culture was flourishing and it was getting ready to explode.
In May of 1996 I was invited to be the guest DJ at Playground. Now, like most New Yorkers who hadn't traveled much or seen much of anything outside our "BIG APPLE", I came up here with few expectations and little excitement because after all, I had partied at The Paradise Garage for almost 3 years and jumped up and down at Junior's original 27th Street Sound Factory and a few other places, so in my arrogant NY mind I was thinking, "what could anybody show me that I haven't seen already." Well let me tell you!
Playground was Montreal's very first after-hour club, in fact after visiting Sound Factory in NY, a few guys I know came back on a mission to build and open Playground. When you create something like that for the first time and you do it right, which Playground did, not much else can happen but MAGIC. It’s that magic that Playground showed me. Although, legendary clubs were gone, Playground re-affirmed to me that nothing could diminish the human spirit from creating something great. That’s what I saw in that room, people rejoicing for the same purpose in complete harmony and that place, the vibe and the people made me feel exactly like I felt the first time I went to The Garage and The Factory. The night was an absolute wonder and I had an amazing time playing for these Montrealers whom I didn't know, but as fate would have it, they would come to embrace me in the very near future. I met a few nice people on that trip, but 6 months later on my second invitation from Playground, was when I would make the friends that I have until this day.
On that second trip, during a lunch with a bunch of these new friends, someone said, "Hey wouldn't it be great if we had a New York style monster club up here." My response to that was, “By the way, I know how to design and build those sound systems." There was a silence and everyone looked at one another … probably thinking of the possibilities or that I was full of shit. As we all inwardly dreamed about creating a club, lunch continued and we drifted into other conversations. A year later Playground sadly closed. Not long after I was surprised to get a call from one of those friends, asking me if I was serious when I said I could build a sound system and if I would be interested in installing it in Montreal. I immediately replied, "Are you kidding? Of course!”
I built the system and on October 3rd 1998 Stereo opened its doors and once again the world got one of those magical rooms that comes along every once in a while and inspires anyone who enters it. My partners and I had so many great moments at Stereo, moments that are indescribable and unforgettable. It was such a thrill for me – designing and constructing a sound system that became world renowned, playing in the room anytime, producing music that I could premiere there and having David Morales and Victor Calderone as resident DJs, and many others I admire play our great room. It was a complete dream. But like all dreams, it came to an end for me on March of 2003, due to creative differences. I still can’t believe it’s been so long.
Over the years I had heard good things about the club and I was always very happy to see that those in charge were keeping her alive but in the Summer of 2008 our beloved sanctuary was victim to a fire and she's been dormant ever since.
Until now that is …
It's so good to know that there are people that believe and with this I am happy to say that a couple of friends of mine (who were there at the beginning) have put their heads together and worked hard to make our baby breathe again.
Yes it is true, Labor-day weekend 2009 STEREO will re-open and I'm glad to say that the owners came to me for support and to supervise the re-birth of the sound system and be a part of the greatness that we created 11 years ago and lived in for 10 years.
Once again the sound system that became famous the world over will shake the walls at 858 St Catherine St. With a combination of a sleek new design and the best of the original concepts, our Mecca promises to be better than ever.
I've been asked to play the music the very first night (THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3rd) for a VIP invite only extravaganza, so obviously I’ve accepted this great honor. The first half of the night I'd like to make it a Stereo anthology and try to play all the musical highlights that we’ve all cherished over the years from those memorable Stereo nights. The second half of the night will bring the new thunder and like always you can count on Stereo and myself as a DJ to bring you the very best of what’s new. There will only be 1000 invites issued for this night so if you know someone associated with Stereo reserve yours pronto. Doors will open at 8pm until 4 or5am. Those with day jobs, take Friday OFF … trust me.
In closing, I'd like to extend my sincere gratitude to Tommy Piscardeli, Mike Rein & Scott Lancaster for making me a part of this historic moment in dance music. I would also like to extend my gratitude to my dear friend Steve "Bear" Sas who was instrumental in my involvement with this project. Not only did these 4 guys graciously approach me to do this, but the way they did so demonstrated a belief in me and my professionalism. More importantly, they believe in our friendship, which is a huge part of the philosophy that Stereo was built on in the first place.
Thank you guys and a special thanks to all of you that make this place the magic that we worked so hard for. See you on the dance floor!!!
Peace, love and always MUSIC
Angel Moraes
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