Jeremy Frazier for Soundfuse Online. The NY Hustler Ensemble feat Brendan Bayliss. Summer Camp 2012. Big love and thanks to Ian Goldberg for being one of the first promoters to give me sets at a large festival.

Hello kids.

I write to you from a desk in an undisclosed location in the French Alps feeling healthy and blessed. The last time I saw you guys was at The Fillmore in San Francisco for The Cosmic Love ball and the debut/last show ever of The Immeasurable Distance at The Boom Boom Room, both of which were indescribable moments of joy for me. San Francisco has always been very kind to me as an artist and I always felt very inspired there. To be able to leave it all on stage in one of the most amazing cities in the country before taking an extended break made the moment feel right. In Northern California there is no finality, just a series of interlocking forevers interrupted by circumstance.

So there I was faced by the circumstance of the moment 3 years in the making: I had exhausted the enetrprise of playing other people's music. I had begun DJing at the age of 15 thanks to my dear friend Alan Veniscovsky giving me a set of belt drive decks that
were in his garage. Music had moved me from a very early age and this was my way of connecting to and communicating with it. Over the years of crate digging and playing gigs, the art form evolved into a language I could fluidly speak to convey beautiful ideas and complex, dark emotions, sometimes in the same musical breath. At the time, it seemed the language knew no limits and could be pushed as far as I needed and as deep as I wanted it to go. To some degree this will always hold true for DJing, as new music is always being released, shedding new light on directions you can take or unearthing a completely new way to communicate an idea that had been burning inside you for a while. Really, any art form can be pushed into the realm of magic if you are willing to take it there. For me, the magic of speaking through other people's music began to fade and I was just going through the motions: Pack the crate,
take the flight, play the show. This was one of the main reasons I started The New York Hustler Ensemble.

The Hustlers started as a way to take DJing to a new level for the crowd and the musicians on stage, as well as to teach me how to communicate my ideas to musicians on a musical level, furthering my quest for knowledge of the art form I loved so much. I would construct sets in the lab leaving sections open for improvisation and my band leader, the incomparable Jennifer Hartswick without whom none of this would have been possible, studied the set, mapped out the keys, and arranged horn lines around the music to play with Natalie Cressman combining to become "The Disco Angels", the heart and soul of the band, and truly, the heart and soul of my musical journey. Since I had been on the road for many years at this point, the network of musicians I could call up to play with the band was astounding which lead to many incredible moments both spiritually and musically and I can't thank all the NY Hustler Ensemble Alumni enough. This experiment went on for close to three years with each "Hustle" getting better than the next though trial and error by fire in front of sold out club and festival crowds. Though the experiment taught me so much about playing on stage with musicians, communicating with the band and the crowd, and really about music as a whole, at the end of the day we were just re-working other people's music. So we got together on Jam Cruise 11 with the greatest band we had assembled yet to play our last show for a long time. I could have never imagined so many gifted and incredible musicians gathered around me when I first started out on this journey, and though I will go on later here to thank everyone, I must give it up for The New York Hustler Ensemble Zebra Lounge Crew: Nikki Glaspie, Jennifer Hartswick, Natalie Cressman, Jeff Coffin, DJ Williams, Adam Schmeeans Smirnoff, Ian Neville, Joel Cummins and Jesus Coombs and of course the amazing fans and crew who make Jam Cruise a truly unforgettable experience year after year. That was a set I will never forget. Now it was time to step away from everything and focus on the next logical step of the process, writing original music.

So here I sit happy, healthy, and rested after a tour spanning from December to February in many great cities with some of my best friends sitting in along the way to help say goodbye to a truly remarkable part of my life. The turntables have been packed
into their cases for another day and I am well underway with what will eventually become the debut album for The New York Hustler Ensemble. I am in no hurry at all because the process is completely overshadowing the product as it should. The music
is being written for the sake of the music with no end game in sight for it's eventual release into the world. My biggest fear in taking a break would be to lose the momentum that I had gained over the years, but that's all bullshit. The scene, the gigs, the
money...that will always be there waiting. If the message is going to be true, the message needs time to breathe and grow and has nothing to do with anything going on "out there" at all. Music, especially EDM, is getting ruined by a bunch of lemmings trying to keep up with The Joneses and I found myself caught up in all that hype. Sitting back, breathing , and focusing on the strength of the songs has been beyond therapeutic for me and I really couldn't be happier.
I miss traveling for sure, but like I said, the world will always be there waiting.

So I thank everyone out there who has helped assist in making this crazy dream come true from a deep and meaningful place. They say it takes a village, but it seemed to take a country. From the people who took me in or just came out of their bedroom in the
morning to find me on their couch to the promoters, drivers, runners, street teamers, wellwishers, hospo girls,
truck stop sages... I can't say enough.

And to the fans who helped a kid realize his greatest dream, there are no words. When I step out on that stage I am truly free and that is because of you. There are big things to come, my friends. That is a promise.

Liner Notes to a Lifetime

Thank You...

Teamwork makes the dream work, and there is a massive crew of musicians, dreamers, techs, promoters, managers, talent buyers, blogs and family that I must take the time to thank here in this letter because without them there would have been no way to get to the level I did. If I forgot to mention you it is because this network is just that huge and not because you mean any less to me than anyone here. If you feel you needed to be mentioned, I apologize. Still recovering from the last tour if you can possibly imagine that. I have left commas at the end of each section to add folks.

To the people listed here, know you live the blessed life. You have been driven by something bigger than yourself and carry a light that others look for their whole lives. Shed that light every day so that people may see themselves illuminated by it and strive to shed that light in their own lives. We carry the torch of enlightenment forward.

First and Foremost: To Jason Bau, whose insight and friendship in those first three years was crucial to my career and sanity. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. We'll always have Amsterdam.

To Robbie Williams: No one was more influencial in my 20's. Thanks for all the guidance and love. "It happens all the time".

To Jennifer Hartswick: You are my greatest teacher and you always will be.

To the healers: Rebecca Stefanelli, Stephanie Bonardi, John Huckabuck, Donny Rose, and Jane Nygren

The Immediate Family: Natalie Cressman, Michael Harrison Berg, Walker Berry, Kevin Sampl, Adam King, Brendan and Linds Twitchell, Alan and Heather Venitosh, Tyler and Megs Hurlburt, Jan and Lew, Momo and Stinky, The Hartswick Family, Rob Corr, David Onigman, Scotty B, Rob and Regan Marscher and The Angels, Adam Kaufman, Adam Rowe, Jess and Jesse Hurlburt, Niles Plante, Ben Fournier, Mike Pepe, Steve Vogt, Rich Bishop, Nate and Gina, Nick Cassarino, Matt Boutross, Brock William Butler, Alicia Hayman, Marc Brownstein, Johnny and Rebecca Goode, Kevin and Kara Cassels, Jeff Austin, David and Julianne Griffin, Kurt Rinaldi, Dan Prindle, Travis Lamothe, Brian Kelley, Ryan Bowman, Alexander Raubicheck, Chris Friday, Chris Stoddard, Umphrey's McGee Inc past and present: Brendan Bayliss, Jake Cinninger, Andy Farag, Kris Myers, Joel Cummins, Ryan Stasik, Vince Iwinski, Jefferson Waful, Don Richards, Adam Budney, Chris Mitchell, Kevin Browning, Bob Ston, Andrew Queen, Manny Sanchez, Rachele Lowen, Jim Leep, Scarlett Current, Chad Smith, Syd Schwartz, Britches and Louie, and all the girlfriends and wives and parents who made me smile often. Jennifer Moers, Cassandra Warren, Craig Gruen, Ralph Gillis, Leon Sonkin, John Pilvenis, Trevor Walsh, John Blute, Jen Cardoni, Derek Fiore, Nathan and Natalie Hartswick, Kellie Fleury, Ashley Griffin, Michael Kommessar, Jeremy Fraiser, Franklin Franklin, Andrew Blackstein, Ian Goldberg, Andrew Lawton, David Precheur, Jeff King, Pete Costello, Ryan and Kass Welisek, Liggy, Jarrett Heartstone, Leif and Bubs, Femo 80/20, Thibaut Bowman, Kevin Statesir et all at Higher Ground Presents, Sarah Ibarguen, Joby Pritzker, Brian Holroyd, Mitch Ridnour, Chris Cartelli, Trey Hebron, Ethan and Kelli Schwartz, Annabel Lukins, Leif Christiansen, Joe Collins, Jess Coughlin, Elise McRoberts, Chris and Jill Rogers, The Fuckshaws, Ryan Shapiro, Dan and Super Dee Berkowitz,
Dave Calarco, Kevin Shapiro, Fletcher Kelly, Eli and Sarah,

The Musicians: Eric Krasno, Scott Metzger, Eddie Roberts, Jim Wuest, Todd Stoops, Aron Magner, Jon Gutwillig, Alan Aucoin, Zac Lasher, Chris Michetti, Tim Palmeri, Chris DeAngelis, David Livosi, Rob Somerville, Adrian Tramantano, Nikki Glaspie, DJ Williams, Jeff Coffin, Ian Neville James Casey, Ryan Zoidis, Nate Edgar, Peter Apfelbaum, Dave Grippo, Benny Yurco, Alan and Neil Evans, Jesus Coombs, Adam Schmeeans Smirnoff, Adam Deitch, Nate Wilson, Jon Trafton, Jeff Lloyd, Beau Sasser, Tom Arey, Max Delaney, Tony D'Amato, Jamie Newett, Pat May, Seth Yacavone, Tom Crean, Tyondai Braxton, Gerard and Mikey Way, Buckethead, Tom Hamilton, Clay Parnell, Rick Lowenberg, Tom McKee, Chris Coady, Tommy Bradel, Johnny Fissinger, Derek Van Scotten, KJ Sawka, Freekbass, Scott Hannay, Anthony Leo, Terry Scoville, John Scofield, John Medeski, Billy Martin, Chris Wood, Bob Wagner, Ray Paczkowski, Russ Lawton, Jeff Cressman, Tony Markellis, Cyro Baptista, Terrance Houston, Steve Molitz, Eric Gould, Jamie Shields,Darren Shearer, Dan Kurtz, the moe. fam: Al, Vinny, Rob, Jim, and Chuck. Mickey Kellerman, Darren Heitz, Mark Friedman, Brad and Andrew Barr, Zac Deputy, Dom Lalli, Jeremy Salken, Warren Haynes, Jeff Bujak, Garrett Sayers, Dezron Douglas, Trey Anastasio, Jon Fishman, Mike Gordon, Page McConnell, Randy Collins,Jeremy Korpas, Owen Price, Mighty Dave Pellicaro, Alex Toth, Bela Fleck, Victor Wooten, Marc Broussard, Derek Vincent Smith, Derek Berry, Lorin, Rick Carrico, Karl Englemann, Chris Gelbuda, David Murphy, Hunter Brown,
Jeremy Lerner, David Phipps, Zach Velmer, Marcus Rezak

The Bands: Phish, Trey Anastasio Band, Rane, Addison Groove Project, Umphrey's McGee, The Disco Biscuits, Sound Tribe Sector 9, Kung Fu, Brothers Past, Percy Hill, RAQ, Conspirator, Damn Right, Van Ghost, Big Gigantic, Future Rock, Auto Body, Work Drugs, U Melt, LIOS, Indobox, Dopapod, Gruvis Malt, Apocalypse House Band, Grow, Raisinhead, The Duo, Uncle Sammy, Strangefolk, Prison Shank, Omega Moos, My Chemical Romance, Buckethead, Beck, The Last Goodnight, Renata, Capital Zen,
The New Deal, Taking Back Sunday, Iration, Rebelution, Zox, The Receiving End of Sirens, Number One Fan, Slow Runner, The Format, Particle, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Album Leaf, Lance Herbstrong, Steez, Brothers Rage, Zmick, Digeometric, Dr Fameus,
Moneen, Who's The Fat Guy?, Red 40 Lake, Evil Beatles, Mile Marker Zero, Lake Trout, Mother Vinegar, Ali Baba's Tahini, Pnuma Trio, The Heavy Pets, Motet, Miracle Orchestra, Cosmic Dust Bunnies, Viral Sound, Jurassic 5, Chali 2na, Club D'Elf, Soulive, Lettuce,
Dr Klaw, Earphunk, Deep Soda, Touchpants, Invisible Jet, Ani Difranco, Big Light, The Slip, Nathan Moore, Telepath, Lotus, Newton Crosby, The Werks, Rubblebucket, Materialized, NVO, Blaq A$$tronaut,

The DJ's: Rob Soup, Orchard Lounge, Business Casual Disco, Speakerbot, Fleetwood Smack, ConnetiCON, Greg D, Mr Bonkerz, Coexist, Shade, Vlad the Inhaler, Dub Theorist, Matt Vernon, Crouse, Gigamesh, Evan Klempt, Craig Heneveld, Bryan Cosgrove, Mike Fisher, Richie Cuts, Mike Terra, Justin Thomas (RIP), Sparatik, Big Pen15, Redshift, Tom B Ill, Knowledge, James Fusion, Venom, Osheen, Rob Gee, H Foundation, Hatian, Justin REM, A Dog, Fatty B, ZJ, Chris Pattison, Sonkin, Reid Speed, Hush and Bons, Mike Swells, Sir Charles, Fort Knox Five, The Fuzz, Kid Color, Chris Vrakas, PHNM, Team Bayside High, Why B, My Boy Elroy, Pretty Lights, Bassnectar, Mighty Thor, Weekend Natives, Smash and Grab,

The Promoters: Mark Brown and the magic team at Cloud 9. The Silver Wrapper/React Team: Leif Moravy, Michael Harrison Berg, Lucas and Adam King, and Ed Walsh. JoMo and Bowery Presents. Ian Goldberg, Mike Armentrout and all at Jay Goldberg Presents.
The Fordins, Scott Sharpiro, Brett Keber, and the entire MCP squad. I remember when you guys first took over Camp, now look at ya! Nicky Congas Jackson at The Tonic Room. Madison House Presents, Chris Ashcroft at GEG. Howie Schnee at CEG. Pete Shapiro and
the Brooklyn Bowl team. Alex Budney, Aaron Busick and all at Nectar's. Jarrett Heartstone at Heartstone Productions. Mike Swells and all at Rise. Jake Boynton and all at Wobblesauce. Euphonic Conceptions. Nick Catanella at Paesano Productions. Justin
Berger and Deathwaltz. DOUGIE! at JDP. Chip and the Awesometown crew. Ashley Capps and AC Entertainment. Charles Atall and C3. Jay Rogovin at MBP. Paul Levine, Daryl Wolff,

The Agents and Managers: Brad Sands, Lee Anderson, Ben Baruch, Jon Topper, Stef Scamardo, Alex Crothers, Wes Samuel, Alicia Karlin, Phil Egenthal, Chad Cohen, Jon Phillips, Chad Denney and the Nibleslick crew, Rick Booth and all at Intrepid, Pinkus, Eric Mayers, Eric Pirritt, Jonathan Levine et all at Paradigm, Josh Kroop. Patrick Jordan, Jason Colton and Redlight.

The Techs: Tides Records Touring Alumni: Brendan Twitchell and David Griffin: no one had a greater adventure than us. Bryan Akers, Chip Smith, Kenny Creswell and all at Avatar Events Group. You guys are the fucking greatest. The touring cast of space's greatest musical "Sound Tribe Sector 9": Saxton Waller, Ryan Knutson and Joshua Parish. The Bisco Road Dog Society: Cass, Tucch, Pat, Cameron, Ben, Polans...in the trenches for life. To both STS9 and Bisco crews, it was an absolute pleasure to be in the trenches with you both and I cherish those tours as some of the greatest times of my life. Eternal love and respect. Ethan Webber, Jake Raggio, Socks, Super Dave, Schumi, Worm, and the rest of the touring cast of My Chemical Romance's first/last arena tour/shitshow "The Black Parade". Rhane Rhoads, Andy Cimmerman and my support system at Upstaging. I have your back for life, Rhane. To all the graduates of my Higher Ground Road Academy, you have made this fat old roadie very proud and continue to do so: Danny Bennett, Sarah Wessel, Ryan Burhans, Will Popp, and Auggie. Dear Auggie, go on tour you fat bastard. Twiggy and Music Matters. George Jr and Creative Stage Lighting. Matt Hubbell and the Performance Lighting team. Murga: Captain of the Perc Platoon. Jeff Franklin and Ben Wu (RIP) from Webster Theater. Chris McGregor for all the inspiration, time, and respect. Chris McCleary, Michael Austin Smalley aka Squintz,
the moe. touring company: Frank, Cass, Huffer, and Jim.

The Blogs: First and foremost: To Scott Bernstein, Scotty Bizzle, the heart and soul of so many things that have happened in my life, for being a constant inspiration through your tenacity and unmatched work ethic in not only bringing Hidden Track to the masses but constantly improving it and never resting for a second. To anyone still wondering how you to live your dreams,look no further than Scotty B. The struggle isn't pretty, but if you watch the progress there is a
textbook diagram of someonetaking their passion and swinging for the fences.

Hidden Track, Jambase, Jambands.com, Soundfuse, The Untz, Melodysiac (What up Trace?), Yemblog, Coventry Music, Oh Kee Blog, Dog Gone Blog, Mr Miner's Phish Thoughts.

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