Jessie Saunders

DJ AMARA (Los Angeles, CA)

Genre: Soulful Vocal House, Jazzy Funky Deep Electronica

Affiliation: White Label Group, Steady, Fierce Records

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Appropriately described as “sexy, sultry, and soulful” DJ AMARA brings to the tables an unmatched style, mixing various genres and giving listeners a unique flavor of hybrid beats and rhythms. Starting off with her signature fusion of downtempo, sexy, jazzy, house, AMARA creates an easy lounging mood to intro listeners. Grab a cocktail and get ready- From there comes the subtle twist – an effortless transition to some of the hottest and rarest multi-genre hits from soul/funk, top 40 hip hop/r&b to thumping house. Her distinct sound emanates a vibe that leaves no dance floor empty.

AMARA’s strategy for success is simple. She feels the pulse of the crowd and connects their emotions to tracks that elevate those feelings. Combine flawless mixing with a powerful party presence and it is no wonder why promoters keep calling, crowds keep listening and she keeps on spinning.

HiSTORY of the DJ

With humble roots dating back to high school, DJ’ing came as a result of choreographing for her co-founded dance crew, Strictly United. A natural on the decks, she debuted her mixing skills early... from talent shows, openings for up-and-coming hip hop groups, performances at The Greek Theatre to local bars/clubs in the Los Angeles area. Her love for music and entrepreneurial spirit extended further into the party world as she launched her skills into throwing parties, which quickly gained widespread popularity. From designing her own flyers, hiring friends as bouncers and recruiting then “unknowns” such as DJ Icey Ice (Power 106, Stacks, Legend Entertainment) AMARA became a resourceful and independent force.

Taking a TURN...

Having put her musical interests on the back burner, she focused time on pursuing her education. Graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology, AMARA became a Systems Engineer, anticipating paychecks to fund new vinyl, dead needles and burnt mixers. As a matter of fact, her first paycheck was spent on her first set of Technics 1200s! Vowing to return to her musical roots and pursue her passion to a higher level, every free moment since then has been spent behind the decks.

Jumping back into the game with a vengeance, AMARA re-introduced a style of electronic dance and house music to popular clubs, such as Muse and Domenico’s, where primarily only Top 40 hits were in rotation. Her infectious style, energy and charisma made it easy to ally with club owners and promoters who were eager and ready to support new music and fresh vibes within their doors.

Wrecking the DECKS

Her musical methodology quickly attracted the attentions of renowned DJ, producer, and record label manager, Matt Mau and Eric Lee (White Label Group, Journees). The duo saw a great star in the making and soon had her doing weekly shows at The Standard, a swank lounge in Los Angeles, working the decks alongside prominent house DJs, David Alvarado and KCRW’s own Raul Campos. A collaboration soon followed and AMARA became an Associate Producer for the long awaited deep house CD, Lifted (Live in Buenos Aires).

AMARA’s diverse taste and feel for music has landed her a gig touring cross country with Dew Action Sports Tour, rockin’ the crowd with AMARA-style grooves that lured crowds bigger than the main event itself! She drew so much attention that local papers were writing about her as much as the X-games style competition that was taking place! To showcase how diverse her musical talent really is, she came back from her U.S tour and headed straight to a new house venue in Los Angeles,  to play the record release party for Sandy Rivera’s single “Trouble”. There she rocked the decks while house vocalists, Nina Lares and Leedia (Miguel Migs’ vocalist), featured their hits, “6PM” and “Mi Destino”.

AMARA has proven she has the skills, innovation and perseverance to impact the industry. Her talents have been heard and observed at many noteworthy clubs and events across the globe such as The Viper Room, The Factory, Ultra Suede, DJ AM’s Club LAX, the famous White Party in Palm Springs and her most recent international foray into Vancouver, BC and the Philippines, where she played main stage at the most popular club in Manila, Embassy Nightclub.  If she is not giggin’ at clubs, AMARA can be found playing exclusive events such as the Ed Hardy Fashion Show, Oscar after parties, movie premier galas and opening for artists such as Katie Perry, Pat Benatar, Crystal Waters, Lisa Lisa, India Arie, and Colbie Caillat.  AMARA's most recent project is a monthly event called STEADY where she infects house heads with her signature style.  This distinct sound flawlessly unites all sub genres of house into a magnetic, hypnotizing, and grooving sound which has a track record of transforming dance floors into a frenzy!  She is accompanied by a wickedly talented drummer, Josh Kane, who provides a backdrop of percussions that elevates this act to a whole new level!

Holding an unassuming and optimistic outlook on life, she is motivated to take on the challenges in the music industry with her patented smile and unquestioned skill. Eclectic and energetic, AMARA emanates a contagious and truly positive spirit which brings music lovers of all genres together. Captivating crowds, leaving them to want more, AMARA is on the hunt and will not cease to disappoint.

Get ready for the next movement in music. DJ AMARA.

http://www.facebook.com/djamara

http://www.myspace.com/djamara

Les Diamond

Home: Los Angeles, CA

Current: Santiago, Chile

www.myspace.com/deafmosaic

http://www.discogs.com/artist/Gunjack

Teknostep

TEKNOSTEP is the alias of prolific session player, producer, DJ & remixer STÉPHANE VERA. A versatile musician, he is a former Royal Conservatory of Music teacher, and plays keyboard, drums, percussion, bass and alto saxophone. Born in Geneva, Stéphane has lived in New York, Montreal and Ottawa, and is currently based in Toronto, with passports from both France and Canada.
After many months of production, his debut full-length CD , 'MUSIC FOR SHORT ATTENTION SPANS' is about to hit stores in May, 2002. After recording and appearing on nearly forty singles and compilations, including releases on seminal U.S. house labels UNDAGROUND THERAPY, JOURNEES & DUST TRAXX, it seemed appropriate that Stéphane would collect some of his best works for this debut.

"Music For Short Attention Spans" is an extremely diverse album, loaded with solid beats, sweet melodies, and jazzy hooks. Stéphane takes a swing at many styles, from the 4-on-the-floor Chicago groove of "Feeling", to the deep Naked-esque "NextUne" featuring vocals from local singer SKYLA J, to the classic electro sounds of "Solid St8 (Electrohohm)". A vinyl e.p. featuring these 3 tracks is being released simultaneously with the CD, to be distributed internationally through STICKMAN RECORDS, bringing his music to dancefloors around the world.

As a remixer, Stéphane shifts the energy of the original compositions to the dancefloor, as demonstrated on reworked tracks for D'ANGELO, JORDAN FIELDS, ROY DAVIS JR. MIGUEL GRAÇA and others. On "Music For Short Attention Spans", two of his remixes of other artists are featured, including nice+smooth recording artist DJ SHINE's track "Stressed Out", as well as Chair recording artist DANIEL LUI's track "Big Smoke Nights II".

Stéphane is perhaps best-known in the music scene as the keyboardist for Chicago House music legend ROY DAVIS JR., having appeared on his records since 1996. As a session musician, Stéphane has collaborated in the studio with a huge list of artists, including Abacus (Guidance), Algorithm (Revolver), Brian Harden (Peacefrog), Capital Sound (Numuzik), DJ Shine (nice + smooth), Hollis P. Munroe (Ovum), Ivana Santilli (EMI), Luc Raymond (Tag), Mark Luvdup (Euphoric), Martin Villeneuve (Yoshitoshi), Max Graham (Hope), Miguel Graça (Strictly Rhythm), Prototype 909 (Caipirinha), Dj Liquid (Journees), Prozzak (Sony), Rumble (Island), Sheldon Thompson (Revolver), Sunkissed (Nordic Trax), TGM/The Green Man (Basswerk/Combination), Trevor Walker (Bombay), and many others.

As far as musical influences, Stéphane credits the following in the liner notes to his CD; "Andreas Vollenweider, Aphex Twin, Art of Noise, Boards of Canada, Brian Transeau, Cari Lekebusch, Chick Corea Elektric Band, Ian O'Brien, Inner City, Jamiroquai, Jazzanova, Jean-Michel Jarre, Jesper Dahlbak, Kraftwerk, Level 42, Luke Vibert, Paul Hardcastle, Spacetime Continuum, Stevie Wonder." Now that's an open mind.

Stéphane currently mixes his time between teaching music, composing for film+tv, and performing live around the world.

artist title label location format details year

¥ Sub-Zero (feat. Teknostep) Death By M.S.G. O.U.T.E. Ottawa, Canada CD album 1995
¥ Red Light (Miguel Graça & Robert Ouimet) Love Alive (Teknostep & Luc Raymond remixes) Hi-Bias Toronto, Canada vinyl single 1996
¥ Capital Sound …And The Party Goes On Numuzik / PolyTel Montréal, Canada CD album 1996
¥ Teknostep Grace Mah Sweden CD single 1997
¥ Galactica Blast Live @ We'ave, 1997 Theralite Croatia CD single 1997
¥ Peep Show (Martin Villeneuve & Teknostep) Push TO Underground / Hi-Bias Toronto, Canada vinyl single 1997
¥ Tenspeed Greatest Thing (on the "Tenspeed" album) Zaphod Beeblebrox Ottawa, Canada CD single 1997
¥ DJ Liquid The Blue Spotted Frog (Teknostep remix) Journees / Fierce San Mateo, U.S.A. vinyl single 1998
¥ Teknostep Chill Mode (on Brian Harden's "Inner Instincts" album) Nite Life Collective / Dust Traxx Chicago, U.S.A. vinyl single 1998
¥ Teknostep XM Sol Monotone France CD single 1998
¥ Teknostep Moumounette Theralite Croatia CD single 1998
¥ Teknostep 416 Shuffletraxx Volume 1 Bangin' Traxx / Undaground Therapy Chicago, U.S.A. vinyl single 1999
¥ Teknostep Complexion (on the "Ghetto House" compilation) Electronic Revival Association Toronto, Canada CD single 1999
¥ Teknostep Supernails (on "The Remix Projekt" compilation) Journees / Fierce San Mateo, U.S.A. CD single 1999
¥ Mik Dogs In My House (Teknostep remix) One Touch Germany CD single 1999
¥ Teknostep Drumkomputer One Touch Germany CD single 1999
¥ Soldiers of Universal Love (Roy Davis Jr.) Got 2 Get 2 Heaven (Teknostep remix) Undaground Therapy Chicago, U.S.A. vinyl single 1999
¥ Daniel Lui Big Smoke Nights Volume 2 Chair Toronto, Canada vinyl single 2000
¥ German Dope Connection Attract (Teknostep & Sheldon Thompson remix) Great Lakes Toronto, Canada vinyl single 2000
¥ Teknostep Oreo 88 Maz Sound Germany CD single 2000
¥ Jordan Fields Le Thème De Garage (Teknostep remix) Risqué De Funk Électrique Chicago, U.S.A. vinyl single 2000
¥ Teknostep Bébé Phoques (on Spot Records Sampler) Spot Toronto, Canada CD single 2000
¥ D'Angelo Spanish Joint (Roy Davis Jr. & Teknostep remix) Virgin Los Angeles, U.S.A. vinyl single 2000
¥ The Green Man/S.Vera Spadina Basswerk / Combination Germany vinyl single 2001
¥ Stéphane Vera Sit Back (on the "This Is House Music!" compilation) Headphoniq Chicago, U.S.A. vinyl single 2001
¥ Pink Funk (Teknostep remix) Journees / Fierce San Mateo, USA. CD single 2001
¥ Teknostep Rockit Journees / Fierce San Mateo, USA. CD single 2001
¥ Teknostep Yours Journees / Fierce San Mateo, U.S.A. CD single 2001
¥ Stéphane Vera Smarten Up Steven LeFreQ Chicago, U.S.A. vinyl single 2001
¥ Stéphane Vera Tricks Of The Trade LeFreQ Chicago, U.S.A. vinyl single 2001
¥ DJ Shine VS Teknostep Volume 1 (First Snow / Hope) Nice & Smooth Toronto, Canada vinyl single 2001
¥ Teknostep The Philadelphia Loop Project Volume 1 Tuningspork Philadelphia, U.S.A. vinyl single 2001
¥ Teknostep Alpha Amiga Headphoniq Chicago, U.S.A. vinyl album 2002
¥ DJ Shine VS Teknostep Volume 2 (Flip Flops / Stressed Out) Nice & Smooth Toronto, Canada vinyl single 2002
¥ Teknostep Music For Short Attention Spans Nice & Smooth Toronto, Canada CD album 2002
¥ Teknostep 416 Shuffletraxx Volume 2 Nite Life Collective / Dust Traxx Chicago, U.S.A. vinyl single 2002
¥ Teknostep The Great Sequencer In The Sky Recycled Soul Ottawa, Canada vinyl single 2002
¥ Pan/tone Quién Es Su Papa, Mama Fina? (mastering by Teknostep) Revolver Montréal, Canada vinyl single 2002