NOTHING IS FOREVER EXCEPT CHANGE...AND CHANGE IS EXACTLY WHAT MICHAEL TOAST OFFERS THE NIGHTLIFE WORLD!

It's ONLY fitting that I am able to complete this Part II portion of Michael Toast's Buzz feature ... AT AT AT NIGHT!!! Michael Toast is an artist who has captured our intrigue on many levels and the creature that evolves as the sun sets is the one that we would like to better understand through this final analysis. We first featured Michael on the Buzz last year in our Part I portion, where we identified his unique trademark performance attributes and labeled Toast as a pioneer in the art of DJ Performance Artistry.

Give It Up For Michael Toooooast!

Just to jog memories performance artistry is defined: "In performance art, usually one or more people perform in front of an audience. In contrast to the traditional performing arts, performance art is unconventional. Performance artists often challenge the audience to think in new and unconventional ways about theater and performing, break conventions of traditional performing arts, and break down conventional ideas about "what art is," similar to the postmodern art movement. Thus, even though in most cases the performance is in front of an audience, in some cases, the audience becomes the performers. The performance may be scripted, unscripted, or improvisational. It may incorporate music, dance, song, or complete silence. The audience may buy tickets for the performance, the performance may be free, or the performer may pay the audience to watch the performance," (cited from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Performance_art). "

Michael In His Element!

Since that initial contact with Michael, we have since had the privilege of attending several of his gigs this past year in Sacramento (Tantra) and in San Francisco (Infusion). Through viewing Toast in a variety of different settings, venues and contexts, it has given us a greater depth to our perspective of this innovative force. As noted in our Part I feature about Michael Toast, we focused on what appears to set this individual a part from mainstream DJ's. Vegas Celebrity DJ Michael Toast Leaves Aura Electrofied! PART I " (/imported-data/2008/5/5/vegas-celebrity-dj-michael-toast-leaves-aura-electrofied-par.html

Michael at Aura, Pleasanton in CA - Celebrity Rock Star Gig

We have featured MANY artists now on The Buzz and taking that credibility into account, it is with ease that we flag Michael as an anomaly. There doesn't appear to be a huge faction of artists within the DJ community who involve themselves so completely in the performance that they offer to the club or venue setting. With Michael it's different. He expresses his whole body in response to the music as he interfaces with it, which then results in more performance-based gigs, where Michael is as much a part of the music, as the music is part of Michael. If you've come to hear the music and dance, then you've come to see Michael's soul as it literally pours forth on to the decks and into the crowd. Most DJ's feel the music internally, but again that is where Michael is left of center.

Michael Maintaining His Hungry Edge In Vegas!!

He wears his emotions outwardly and as part of getting the motivation that he needs to continue creating the party vibe, he exudes massive volumes of excitement, engages in air-guitar simulation, lip-syncs to the lyrics of a favorite song, hops up on the DJ booth to give a rock star inspired shout out...or stage dives to conjure RAVE days gone by! Just recently we witnessed all of this behavior from MT at Infusion night club and it is for these performance rituals that he is sought after by club owners and promoters. Michael possesses such a deep passion for his artwork that it spills forth almost every time he interfaces musically with crowds of people.

Jackin' The Crowd In Hollywood With Ease!

We have often heard now of DJ's referring to that magical circle of energy or vibe that is created when the DJ or artist is emanating emotion and then the club-goers reciprocate that energy back...I coin it "the mirror effect". It's a perfect moment when an adrenaline high can be attained just because a flow of energy is moving between two points of origin. Michael's innate DJ Performance Artistry naturally inclines him to achieve these intense performance highs more frequently, as the crowds feed off of the emotion that is exuded by the DJ. It's exciting to watch an artist become animated over his/her work and that is why Michael is so successful. He is also based out of Vegas, which is a city of extremes and suits well with Toast's performance style and personality. Vegas showcases the unique and larger-than-life persona's!

Michael's "INSANE DJ ARTIST" Performance at Aura, Pleasanton, CA 2008

Not every DJ could get away with making a grandiose entry into a gig wearing a straight jacket, simulating insanity and being accompanied by two super hawt naughty nurses as Michael did last year at Aura, CA. Although the patrons were somewhat stunned by Toast and perhaps the stunt was a bit extreme for the Bay Area, Michael's drive to be original in his artwork and perception has been genuinely life long.With a 70's inspired punk Mohawk hairstyle and charcoal eyeliner etched onto his current skin, the DJ known as MT comes out to play hardcore at night adorned with his performance alter ego.

Michael's Trademark Mohawk at One of His Residences...Infusion, SF

This ritualistic behavior may have even be instilled within Michael when he was a child, because he notes: "When I was 11 in NYC, I would run away from home to dance in front of the ROXY in Manhattan. That's where I earned my name "toast" from the Rastafarian's who sold weed out front because when you dance, DJ , or MC your TOASTING the music!! It's a celebration bitches!!..."( MT's Buzz Exclusive DJ Survey 09') It appears that Michael truly experienced some sort of unspoken "right of passage" into the music culture through these influential moments and the subsequent drive to be one with music and to channel it's force is now instinctual with Michael. This heritage makes it clear as to why performance-based DJ artistry is so natural for this individual.

One of Michael's Most AMAZING MUSICAL INFLUENCES...HIS MOM...CIRCA 1968 Greenwich Village, NYC

As a child Toast was weaned on music by his parents from a very young age and was raised to appreciate all genres of music: "MOM taught me about the importance of words and song structure through the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Santana, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, Al Green ,50's and 60's Bubble Gum Rock and Doo Wop... DAD taught me about the Blues and Soul, thru Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Ten Years After, Curtis Mayfield, The Doors, Led Zep, Johnny Cash, Marshall Tucker, Grand Funk Railroad, AC/DC and Black "mother fucking" Sabbath. " (MT's Buzz Exclusive DJ Survey 09')

Michael In A Private Studio Moment With His Music

Even now Toast refers to music in this way: "Music is my wife first and foremost and I'm so in love with her. "(MT's Buzz Exclusive DJ Survey 09'). With such a profound and lengthy connection with music, it's almost reminiscent of the Roman Legend of the two human infants Romulus and Remus, who were suckled by a she-wolf...In this case, Michael has suckled from the She-Wolf that is music and he is now her "prophet". Michael's influences are endless as he notes in his survey and his reach is extensive on a world wide level. He is clearly fluent in "music speak" and he devoutly practices and lives the mantra, "Givelove", used by a clothing line he endorses. The action of giving love emulates the circle of energy or the vibe that Michael aims to achieve through dropping his sets every night he takes to the decks. This mentality was noted in Toast's response to the question what is his favorite gig: "The one I'm gonna spin tomorrow..lol..EVERYTIME I touch the decks and connect with an audience, it touches me greatly..I can't pin one event down... " (MT's Buzz Exclusive DJ Survey 09')

Michael At Infusion, San Francisco

You can't "pin down" Michael Toast either. He is always evolving, and redefining himself, just as the art of music is perpetually transforming itself. They are one and the same. Michael refuses to be pigeon-holed and states, "I don't like being lumped into one style....If I was playing a guitar, I could play anything I wanted to without people passing judgment on the genre of music that I was playing..I would just be judged on my style as a guitar player. I wish nightlife had the same view. However, either way you slice it, Djing at night will always trump a day job!! I'm so blessed to make a living this way." (MT's Buzz Exclusive DJ Survey 09') With a drive fueled by an endless passion for his art form, MT has set the record straight for us in our Buzz quest to define the role of a DJ in the night club world. His unorthodox views, as you will read below, are unprecedented and rich with insight from a whole life lived via the medium of music. His history is a stratum of pure immersion in the music culture from infancy.

Michael Baring His SOUL At Tantra Gig in Sacramento During Labor Day Wknd 08'

Yet Michael's life experience has taught him that, "nothing is forever except change" AND in order to remain on the edge of fresh, keeping musically "hungry" inspires creativity. These perceptions tie to Michael's consistent ability to reinforce the fact that with him you can always expect the unexpected. It's exemplified in his recent Infusion 2.0 set recording where he juxtaposes Roger Sanchez's, "Again" House trax right before cutting over to a jacked version of The Beatles, "All The Lonely People". It works because it truly reflects Michael's persona. It's an effective working controversy and a testimony to Toast's idealism that change is a source of energy which is as powerful and as binding as that which is shared between artist and audience...As witnessed himself, Michael states that it's an "...energy that has started stalled cars...I've seen it!" (MT's Buzz Exclusive DJ Survey)

Michael Conjuring The Beast At Infusion! Photograph by Kevin Sam

Michael Toast is an anomaly...he is beyond unique. IF you are privileged to catch his dynamic presence live, than be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to see this musical maverick. You will find Michael at the trendiest industry events, so be sure to check out his calendar to keep on top of his fast moving schedule!! ( http://www.myspace.com/djmichaeltoast) For surely it is a magic carpet ride that will rival any offered by a theme park and will ultimately leave you breathless with wonder as you ask yourself, "What just happened here?"The answer is simple....MICHAEL TOAST HAPPENED.

DJ MICHAEL TOAST LIVE @ LAMBORGHINI DAL TORO, LAS VEGAS

MICHAEL TOAST'S OFFICIAL BIO

DJ MICHAEL TOAST "LAS VEGAS' FAVORITE BAD BOY DJ" WHO'S THE DJ: Originally from New York City, Michael Toast is one of the best DJ's in Las Vegas for the past 11 years. His energy is unmatched. He is the rocked-out DJ with his distinctive Mohawk hair-style who has help defined the sound that is now popular in Vegas today. He is constantly in-demand to play at celebrity events all over the world including in Vegas for the Maloofs at the Palms and every weekend at the Planet Hollywood pool. He has entertained and/or performed with such celebrities like Madonna, Tommy Lee, Jay-Z, Christina Aguiliera, Dave Navarro, Gene Simmons, Nickelback, Alice in Chains, Goo-Goo Dolls, Run DMC, Russell Simmons, LL Cool J, Ice-T, Lenny Kravitz, Lil Jon, 50 Cent, 3 Six Mafia, NSYNC/Justin Timberlake, Outkast, Lil Kim, Busta Rhymes, DMX, Enrique Igelsis, Fall-Out Boy, The Killers, & Tiesto. A-List celebrities such as Jack Nicholson, Paris Hilton, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Dennis Hopper, Val Kilmer, Dan Akyroid, Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, Nick Cannon, & Pamela Anderson who calls him her "favorite DJ".

Pamela Anderson and Her Fav DJ Michael Toast

Also sports stars Juliius "Dr. J" Erving, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Jason Giambi, Duane "The Rock" Johnson, & Anna Kornikova. Toast was the DJ for Playboy Comedy featuring comedians Katt Williams, Tommy Davidson, Jeff Ross, Godfrey, & Joel McHale as well as Interscope Records' Anger Management Tour. He was the resident DJ at Rum Jungle back when it one the hottest club in Las Vegas. DJs he has shared the stage with include Robbie Rivera, Roger Sanchez, Ferry Corsten, Bad Boy Bill, Fedde Le Grande, Sander Kleindenberg, Felix Da HouseCat, Donald Glaude, Starkillers & Austin Leeds. He brings to the turntables his knowledge, energy, fury, and bounds of creativity using his records as tools, weaving the elements and cool of Rock, Hip Hop and Electro House. He was involved with Hip Hop and Rock since the early 80's and helped pioneer the electronic dance music scene in 1991. Always ahead of his time with audio, he is now also helping pioneer the video DJ movement. An award winning House, Hip Hop, Drum and Bass, Mash-up, Mix Tape, Rock and even Punk producing machine (28 Liber8 records releases!), or a live, constantly flawless, international touring maniac, DJ Michael Toast has always been about his love of music. "I'm bringing underground culture to the masses, making it digestible, while still holding a razor to your throat..... Dirty, Aggressive and Sexy is my Sound."

Michael And His Lovely Army of Agents!

PARTIAL CREDITS: Planet Hollywood, Palms, Rum Jungle, 4949, UNLV - Las Vegas, Nevada The Highlands - Hollywood, California Infusion Lounge, Ruby Skye - San Francisco, California. Ontourage - Chicago, Illinois Scratch DJ Academy, Caffeine, Exit, Limelight, CBGB - NY Red Room - Vancouver B.C Longhorn, Buffalo Bills - Whistler B.C The Jungle - Negril, Jamaica and over 100+ clubs worldwide.

WEBSITES: http://www.michaeltoast.com/ http://www.myspace.com/djmichaeltoast

For west coast bookings call Jenny Perez @ D2V 415-992-2081 jennylperez@gmail.com
For east coast bookings call Cortney Callanan @ C.E.G Talent 732-803-7330 cortney@cegtalent.com http://www.cegtalent.com/.

DJ MICHAEL TOAST'S EXCLUSIVE BUZZ DJ SURVEY

1. What inspired you to pick your DJ your name?

When I was 11 in NYC, I would run away from home to dance in front of the ROXY in Manhattan. That's where I earned my name "toast" from the rastafarians who sold weed out front because when you dance, dj , or MC your TOASTING the music!! It's a celebration bitches!! The name stuck.

ALL MUSIC is Sacred To Michael!

2. What kind of music do you like to spin?

Music is my wife first and foremost and I'm so in love with her. I play the right music for the right time, but I've been pushing my Electro House and Bmore Mash-ups these days. People should expect the unexpected without being disappointed. My style is not jukebox. It's more block party. I try not to play too fast and jerk off on my crowd. Who wants to hear a guitarist solo all night? Not me. Play the tune already!

Michael With The Infamous And Influential CB Shaw

3. What and who are some of your major influences (artists, djs, etc.)?

Music is a reflection of life in general, but mostly the music from my parents influenced me the most. MOM taught me about the importance of words and song structure through the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Santana, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, Al Green ,50's and 60's Bubble Gum Rock and Doo Wop... DAD taught me about the Blues and Soul, thru Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, ten years after, Curtis Mayfield, The Doors, Led Zep, Johnny Cash, Marshall Tucker, Grand Funk Railroad, AC/DC and Black "mother fucking" Sabbath.

Michael's Influences Come From Everywhere....Hilly Kristal cbgb Owner R.I.P.

Also my neigborhood influenced me, the radio, MTV, DJ Frankie Bones, DJ Grandmaster Flash, Tony Tone of the Cold Crush Brothers, DJ Kid Capri, DJ Disco D, DJ Brucie B, DJ Qbert, DJ Afrika Bambatta, DJ Mixmaster Mike, DJ Screw, DJ Rory Mac, DJ Lobsterdust, GHP, DJ E-flex (always makes me strive higher), DJ CB Shaw, DJ Beej, DJ Spinbad, DJ Swamp, Drummer KC, Rob Zombie, Jarboe of the Swans, The Bad Brains, Slayer, Hardcore Punk, DJ Jam Master Jay, my friends, stand up comedy, DAFT PUNK and the news! I love LMFAO, Hardnox, HyperCrush, Fa- COCK- ta, Dj Laz, Kid Cudi, Deadmau5, Steve Angello, Cedric Gravais, The Starkillers, Pimp Rockers, Cobra Krames, Tittsworth, Kanye, Meave de Trias, Dirty South, Robbie Rivera, Deep Dish, Yos, the Killers, Mickey Slim, John legend, Funkagenda, Laidback Luke Calvin Harris, Estelle, Lilly Allen, Bart B. More, D.O.N.S, Danny Tenaglia LA Riots, SmashBox, Shiny Toy Guns, Adele, M.I.A, PartyBen, Old Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Ting Tings and Earworm. I even appreciate Country, Surf and Rock-A-Billy.

Michael's Gorgeous Muse....His Mistress of Music.....

4. Biggest reward about being a DJ?

The connection shared between artist and audience....The energy has started stalled cars..I've seen it.

This is HOW Michael Does EVERYTHING!!

5. Biggest pet peeve about being a DJ?

I don't like being lumped into one style....If I was playing a guitar, I could play anything I wanted to without people passing judgment on the genre of music that I was playing..I would just be judged on my style as a guitar player. I wish nightlife had the same view. However, either way you slice it, Djing at night will always trump a day job!! I'm so blessed to make a living this way.

Michael At Celebrity Rockstar Gig at Aura with Daisy and Megan

6. What is the best party you have ever spun at?

The one I'm gonna spin tommorrow..lol..EVERYTIME I touch the decks and connect with an audience, it touches me greatly..I can't pin one event down...but I remember, the North America 2x4 tour with CB Shaw, WMC 08 with Starkillers and Austin Leeds, Rockstar@Aura, PH Pool LV, Suite Parties for Pamela Anderson, Dirty Vegas 1+3, Wild on Cabana 06, Cini-Vegas for Jack Nicholson and Dennis Hopper, Casino @ Hotel Ibiza SF in 2001, Rumjungle 1999-2006, Caffeine NYC, Limelight NYC, my backyard with DJ Frankie Bones playing hard German Techno while my grandmother danced from her wheel chair. LO

Pam Anderson Showin' Michael Love!

7. If you could mix at a club or party anywhere, where would it be and with whom?

Heaven when I die, with Jam Master Jay, Scott la Rock, Frank Grosso, Larry Levan, Ron Hardy...but now I'd settle on the Michael Toast Hot 100. 100 cities in 100 dates. (WITH FETTY BE DANCIN' TO YOUR HAWT SETS TOO??? LOL)

Michael Feelin' It And Givin' Up Love At Aura

8. In what cities have you spun? Are you a resident DJ at any clubs right now?

NYC, SJ, Bay Area, Seattle, Miami, Philadelphia, Chicago, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Whistler, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Scottsdale, Maryland, Portland Maine, Portland Oregon, Hackensack, New Haven, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia and Harrisburg PA, Washington DC, Negril Jamaica, working on Albuquerque ;] I'm at Infusion Lounge in SF every Wednesday, Planet Hollywood LV pool, Palms LV celebrity events. I try not to lock myself in anywhere too long, considering I was at Rumjungle for 6 yrs. You can be crushed under that amount of security. You're as only as good as your last show. Always stay hungry! LOL

A Hot Venue To Michael Is Defined By It's Music...NOT By It's Interior....cbgbs Stage!

9. What is the hottest club you have ever been to, either as a DJ or a patron?

The Limelight NYC in the 90's..It was at a church. and cbgbs. It was a shitty dive bar with the best bands in the land..Tao in Vegas, Utopia Lv in the 90's, and a ton of Raves and Warehouse events back in the day...

Releasin' The Beast In Vegas

10. Do you plan out your sets or do you play to the crowd's reactions?

A little from Column A and a little from Column B!!

Michael Will Reach The Highest Point of A Club Space EVERY Time!!

11. If you could design a club, name three important aspects of it's layout.

DJ Booth having a connection while still being raised above the crowd..u always gotta be able to stage dive, the bar with beautiful servers, and the location of the club.

GO-GO GIRLS WITH TOAST IN VEGAS

12. Techno/Trance or Mash-up/Hip Hop?

Both

13. East Coast or West Coast?

Both ( Worldwide, baby!)

14. MAC or PC?

My Macbook Pro is my baby!!

Austin Leeds, Nick Terranova and Michael "Givin Love" at Juicy Beach, WMC 08'

15. Top favorite 3 tracks of all time?

The Stooges- Funhouse,

Nick Terranova - Come Alive (Austin Leeds RMX),

and any mash up by my boy DJ Lobsterdust.

Keepin' the beat animalistic, left of center and hungry with Michael Toast!!