Overview

I thought DJ Highlife was a brilliant name when I chose it in 2002; I could appeal to the opulent, to stoners, to drinkers of the beer itself. It was legitimate for me, as I did drink the beer and could happily find Highlife shirts and glasses in stores. And I had Steve Winwood’s 1987 song ‘Back In The Highlife‘ to use for self-identification. I still think it’s a great name—and perfect for me—but my reasons have changed.  It’s not about status, or psychotropics, or a cold brew. It’s about elevation. Music retains the power to elevate us, to pick us up from a low position, straighten us out and lift us up.When I mix songs I attempt to create a context in which every piece exalts and elevates the others around it. All the music and its juxtaposition combines to stretch our ears and to touch our soul through our immersion. We also have the power to do this for each other as people. Wherever you are, whoever you find yourself next to, you can add flavor to that person’s life, or day, or moment, that will elevate that person with hope/smiles/good feelings. The power is within us all the time. You never know when you’ll hear a song that will break you out of lowercase-f funk and lift you up to Funk. You never know when you can find the opportunity to do that for your neighbor. We can be a piece that exalts and elevates the others around us. We can combine to stretch our hearts, to touch our own souls through our immersion. Get immersed.