lifeislikeabucket: Kiwi Boys Done Good

Last week I had the opportunity to hang out with Kiwi DJ's the Stafford Brothers in Los Angeles. They were scheduled to play at Hollywood nightspot 'Lure' and invited Toby Burrows and I up for a couple of drinks at their house in Laurel Canyon before hand. The DJ's had played at BW Campgrounds a few years back and Toby had kept in touch with them, often hanging out when in LA.

The brothers Matt and Chris Stafford had grown up in Wellington, New Zealand and moved to Australia when they were teenagers. Originally talented rugby players, the boys love of music and good times got them involved in the burgenoing club scene on the Gold Coast. After dominating the local nightclubs, the boys won a trip to Ibiza for up and coming DJ's with Channel V. It opened their eyes to a whole new world and they returned to turned to their focus to producing the big room tunes they are known for today. Their hard work paid off and they were awarded #1 DJ's in Australia by IntheMix in 2010 and 2011. Having cracked it at home, the boys jumped at the chance to get US representation and further their career in the burgeoning US EDM market.

With the brothers firmly entrenched in the LA scene now for 18 months they have been keeping good company. They have a new single out with Lil Wayne and Christina Milan called ‘Hello’ which has already gone platinum in Australia and about to drop in USA just in time for the Memorial Day pool parties. They have time for club remixes as well – they latest one is called ‘Hands Up’ and features Lil Jon on the record. It was made with festivals in mind so has a big room vibe track!

Stafford Brothers feat. Christina Milan and Lil Wayne

So anyway we were invited up at their mansion a few pre drinks. Now for a passionate musician like me who was raised on the sweet sounds of Californian rock acts like the Eagles and Neil Young – Laurel Canyon is a mythical oasis of music and creativity. The very name drips with all the trappings of fame and excess, as numerous deals were done poolside with moguls like David Geffen. Legendary songwriters like Jackson Brown and James Taylor would host soirees attended by the stars of the time. I was excited to be able to experience some of the magic of this famous community nestled in the hills above Hollywood.

We pulled up outside the boys pad, which is apparently just down the street from where George Clooney has a home. One thing that struck me is that the homes in the Hills are quite unassuming from street view. Many properties were developed back in the 60's I guess so the facades can appear quite dated and understated in terms of modern villas. Remember Brenda and Brandon’s house on 90210? Although in a famous area code, the outside facing wouldn’t have been out of place in Takapuna.

However walking in felt like I was in an episode of MTV Cribs. A lavish lobby sprawled out into a huge lounge with comfy couches and big screen TV's. A circular bar area was the focal point for the entertainment as it serviced guests both indoors and outside. The pool area was magnificent, laden with palms and with a big deck looking out on to Studio City below. A skate ramp sat adjacent to the pool. More big screen TV’s loomed over us outside, while a waterfall fountain trickled into a dark blue blue water. Sweet - you could watch the AB's while doing bombs off the rock facade. Chur bro!

Matt bounded over with a big grin and gave us a warm welcome, highlighting how excited he was to have us along for the night. After meeting a few industry types and hangers-on, our ride was waiting to escourt us - the 'inner entourage' - to the club. Uber is the hot new craze in LA where you can book private cars on your phone with your own personalized driver. So a black Escslade had arrived to escourt us down the hill. Harry the personable and professional driver opened the door and squeezed Toby and I in with a couple of other friends visiting from down under.

We arrived at 'Lure' to a huge line outside but were ushered in the VIP entrance and into the green room. It was great to meet a number of their friends from Australia who were living in LA. Even the boys parents were there - having relocated to LA for the summer to join the festivities. Otherwise there were other DJ's and promoters, schmoozing and boozing. The thing with LA is everyone is hustling and networking. I walked out with about 5 business cards from up and coming dance producers, managers and promoters - as they did with mine.

I went out into the club as the boys began and the place was heaving. Cashed up banker-types buying tables for girls in skimpy dresses. Ravers moshing up the front to the sounds of the heavy hitting electro mash ups. The VIP booth was full of interesting people, producers for pop artists like Justin Beiber, artist managers, promoters and hostesses. Popular Canadian dubstep producer Datsik was there and jumped up to perform a couple of tracks. Cannons littered the crowd with confetti, as a girl in a bikini floated out over the dancefloor amongst jets of CO2 pumping dry ice on every drop. Welcome to LA club life.

Post show we trudged back to the house expecting for a few warm downs. We greeted by dozens of guests outside the mansion. Its seems Matt had invited the half club back to his house! An example of their warm hospitality - they are loving sharing their lifestyle and success with as many people as possible. But it appeared slightly out of hand as the motley crowd loitered in one of LA's more premium neighbourhoods. I was almost expecting for Clooney to meander out in his dressing gown and set the hounds onto us all. It wouldn't be long until the cops showed up surely!

Some big security guard that looked like Drake stood up (maybe it was?) and said in his best Samuel Jackson voice 'Yo! Everybody! You better move the fck out of this house NOW! If you don’t move your mutha fckn a$$ out of this mutha fckn party, I know some bad ass mutha fckers that will move it for you'!'

That was enough to get people moving and soon the crowd soon dispersed. The party thinned to left a few key friends to fight over the remaining drops of vodka before we all called it a night. Well some of us anyway.

Just another day at the office for the boys who have a busy scheduled ahead. They are residents at the new 'Light' club in Las Vegas which opened over Memorial weekend, and are playing both club shows and pool parties.

Also with the LA connection they will continue to play Lure in Hollywood and also XIV – two of the hottest clubs in town.‘XIV is insane because it starts at 5pm on a Sunday and finishes at 10pm and in those 5 hours there is more madness than anywhere' Matt told me. 'You will never see more champagne being sprayed anywhere else'. I'll be sure to keep the next few Sunday's free....

‘The thing for us is we are traveling all over America and getting to see a lot of these places for the first time, so its a great experience everywhere we are going.’ By the look of some of the Snapchats I am receiving from the guys they know how to have a good time. And good on them! It was inspiring to see the kiwis guys making a name for themselves in the competitive market that is the USA.

Hopefully we get to host them back here sooner rather than later!