ULTRAMAROON | FEBRUARY 2025.
* * *
On Sunday, February 9, I had the immense honor of opening for The Shapeshifters at Musica NYC for UltraMaroon. When I received the message from Someone From Berlin inviting me to spin, I knew it would be something special and that I must turn it respectfully, opening for such a legend. It also meant a great deal that SFB would trust me to do so properly for what I believe is the biggest name in the game to come through UltraMaroon. What I did not know at that time was that not only would our home venue at Blue Midtown have a sudden closure prior to the event, thus moving us to one of the last clubs in Manhattan, Musica NYC, but also this would be determined to be the final monthly Sunday of UltraMaroon.
At the end of 2018, I received an initial message from SFB detailing a new party venture in Meatpacking District launching officially in Jan 2019. He knew I had some opinions when it came to parties and offered me the opportunity to come manage the floor while he and his co-founder, Scott Martin, focused on the music. At that time, I had left my corporate-ish gay gig on Fifth Avenue to rekindle my creative spark before I lost it in the comfort of a career. I was a bit lost, but determined as hell. That’s the same time I started this site, originally dubbed DaisyDoesIt. The truth is I have always had to fake it until I made it, and then probably keep faking it some more. I learn by doing. And working those Sundays at UltraMaroon gave me Hope that I would find my light and help others to do the same. Later that year, I would take my leave from NYC to harness my true purpose and begin doing the hard work to elevate what I bring to the party, but UltraMaroon remained the one constant in my life. I was back and forth monthly from the South to NYC to ensure I could stay connected with what they create. I hosted in Times Square, worked the door in LES, was the boat wench that one time in the Pines, and turned lqqks everywhere. When I believe in something, I give it my all the best I can. Six seasons later, I had the opportunity to make my DJ debut for UltraMaroon at the end of an era, not only for the party, but also for myself.
Around me I see loose ends tying themselves into neat circles, and it tells me the next big chapter is looming. With that in mind, I wanted to deliver a set that honors the story of UltraMaroon through the lens of my personal spectacles. I’m a writer at heart, and approach my role as selector as a writer and storyteller. I had three main points to make throughout the 2.5 hours I would hold the decks:
Staying Alive
Making It Happen
Letting Go
The first three tracks of this mix define those points, and were added as a foreword to the set I played. From there, I pulled a crate that would spotlight the fxmme artists that have come through UltraMaroon’s doors through the years. Every selection had intention and I am so proud of it as my ode to a party that will forever remain close to my heart. Fear not, UltraMaroon is not going anywhere, but merely evolving. They have Ceremony back at Red Eye in March as well as their collaboration with Free Radical Design Group, Body Shop, in April. The summer programming will remain iconic, and I suspect UltraMaroon Sundays may turn a look again when we least expect it.
Thank you to all my friends that make me possible – those that were at the door at 5pm on the dot and all that were cheering me on from afar. I want to make you all proud for all that you do for me to live as a Dreamer X Creator. I sometimes feel like I can’t do enough to reciprocate it, but I hope there are moments of pure joy that make it all worth it.
And here’s to The Shapeshifters on delivering a Sunday to remember in NYC! To finish the work and be treated to that surrounded by all of our people was remarkable. I will always remember that night. Thank you Someone From Berlin for what you continue to create for us all to gather and be weird, silly queerdos.
As you enjoy this mix, feel free to let folks in your city know you want Daisy to come play for you. Like it, comment, engage, and don’t leave me hangin’, gurl. No one does what I do, and I will continue to do so fiercely. Xx.
Set List:
Alive - David Morales, Antoinette Dunleavy
Make It Happen (Extended Mix) - Hatiras
Let It Go feat. Marc E. Bassy (Vintage Culture Extended Remix) - Louie Vega, The Martinez Brothers
Connected - Juliet Mendoza
Rock the Boat (Sainte Francis Remix) - Alliyah
Last Minute Dreamer (Extended Mix) - Monki
Trouble (Extended Mix) - Jazzy, Jess Bays
Needed Me (Jess Bays Edit) - Rihanna
Can You Feel My Wish - Block & Crown
Big Fun (Full Intention Remix) - Inner City, Kevin Saunderson
Soul Emotion - Fabio Pierucci
You Got The Love feat. Jaren - Antoine Clamaran, The Cube Guys
Naxos (Extended Mix) - PAGANO
Been Right Here (Extended Mix) - Lea Lea, Carly Wilford, BIIANCO
Down The Road (Extended Mix) - Earth n Days
Hella Mary (Extended Mix) - CASSIMM
Tu Lo Mueve (Extended Mix) - Allan Nunez, Rasta Ferrer
Spark It Up feat. Miss Patty (Extended Mix) - Saison
Epic (Peter Napoli Remix) - Ultra Nate
Double Pleasure (Extended Mix) - Corrado Alunni, Discoplex
METALLURGENCY (Tedd Patterson Remix) - Rimarkable
Let It Go (Mark Knight Extended Edit) - C.O.T.
Million Dollar Bill (Extended Mix) - Doche
Baddest Behavior - Byron the Aquarius, Brandon Markell Holmes
Outta My Head - Maxinne
FEVER - Lupe Fuentes
Let The Groove - Earth n Days
Fresh (Frank Caro, Alemany Remix) - Crazibiza
Remember Me feat. Jemeni G (Yuksek Extended Remix) - Risk Assessment, Jemeni G
All For You (Extended) - Jaded, Dombresky
Dreamland (Dirty Supercar Remix) - Plump DJs
100% Pure Love (Extended Mix) - Matonii
Lose Control (Extended Mix) - Earth n Days
Kiss From A Rose feat. Walter Phillips (Extended Mix) - Green Velvet, Marco Lys, Walter Phillips
You Can Do It Baby - Mark Knight, Danny Howard
Self Religion (Believe In Me) feat. Fierce Ruling Diva (CASSIMM Extended Remix) - Hardsoul
The Diary Of A Studio 54 DJ (Club Mix) - Mark Knight, Discoworker, Robbie Leslie
Unify (Extended Mix) - Andre Espeut, Alaia & Gallo
Rhythm (Of The Night) (Extended Mix) - Yotto, Something Good
Teach Me (MK Remix) - Bakermat*
*Dedicated to Vicki Powell. The former Atlanta institution known as Sunday Service led by Vicki and Deep South started me down my path to the Gospel of House. “Teach Me,” is the track she would play that gave me strength to initially move to NYC back in 2016.
I wonder where it will lead me next?
You can listen to my Opening Set for UltraMaroon here.
Xx,
