Secret Garden Good Vibrations

Good Vibrations at Secret Garden, Koh Phangan

"Secret Garden proudly present Niko Deejay & Mirko Paoloni Asian Tour 2014!

In exclusivity on Koh Phangan, at Secret Garden Party, for one night only!"

Secret Garden Koh Phangan 

Thursday night on Koh Phangan. Subtle lighting and lasers create light and space, black light is hidden within geometric string designs, and delicate frescos line the walls. It's a tropical garden atmosphere at the only 'interior designed' place in Haad Rin… 

It can only be Secret Garden Party! Always a favourite among Koh Phangan locals, we all know this Secret Garden Party is going to be a special night from the start.

SunShay is warming up in style as Pablo & I arrive with our two visiting Italian DJs, Niko & Mirko. After flying in from Shanghai & Hong Kong, they are squeezing in one date on Koh Phangan - between performances at Nikki Beach, Koh Samui & Phuket - all to be broadcast on Radio Party Groove, Italy's first '100% pure house' radio station.

Secret Garden Party Koh Phangan

Mirko takes to the decks after SunShay, and is soon making us smile by playing remixes of Nine Toes… Lizzie Curious? Not this time!  He's playing tunes we recognise from the Koh Phangan party season, and the happy shining energy is making people move on the dance floor - these Italian DJs are our kind of people. Funky, bopping house! 

As Niko takes over from Mirko, he has us all in raptures with his first track: 'Sky looks much taller'… Howling! Not only was it one of our beloved island poet's favourite tracks (RIP Alex), it was also Benoit C's opening track at Sandcastle Club's 'Why Not Wednesday' the night before. Uncanny, or what? These guys fit right in.

The crowd is an eclectic mix of Russians, Frenchies and Europeans, straight and gay: anything goes. But as Koh Phangan Veteran Mario says, here on Koh Phangan we are judged not for our sexuality; we just come together to party, full with acceptance and love for each other as we are. "Like one big family!", says visiting Niko Deejay.

 'Niko Deejay & Mirko Paoloni @ Secret Garden, Koh Phangan 27/03!' 

'For this special party we will also receive the famous Phangan DJ Pablo Escobud and the lovely SunShay from Tel Aviv. It should be a special night enjoying the last beat of Funky House Music. This party will be broadcast on Radio Party Groove. 

Don't miss it!'  - Secret Garden Koh Phangan

'Dance & Free Your Soul! It's the Secret…

Love will be on the dance floor, see you there!'

Last Night A DJ Saved My Life

'Birds flying high, you know how I feel'… We certainly do! The crew from WeLove KohPhangan are in the house, showing great support on the dance floor all night long - good effort! As Niko continues to go funky deep with a hint of Latino, I suddenly remember dancing Salsa with Joe in the early hours at Mer Ka Ba the night before.

It doesn't take long before we are spinning around the Secret Garden dance floor again… 'Like a thief in the night!' All the remixes are coming out tonight! Beautiful percussive grooves, vocal classics, a bit of Brazilian Funk, even. Not many visiting DJs can latch onto the Koh Phangan vibe, but these guys are diving right in, & nailing it on the head.

And then it's time for Pablo. Recognisable smiles on the dance floor show that the crowd is ready to go uptempo with him, as he goes straight into his uplifting funk. 'Take me Higher!' Joe comes up to me a couple of tracks into his set: "He's smashing it!"  

Yep, he likes to do that! 'Cause away goes trouble down the drain!'

Kawee is on the counter by now, conducting us like we are his dancing orchestra, and we are responding to our Lord of the Dance's ecstasy, hands in the air! Niko is as happy with the evening as we are, dancing away as he says: "Thank you for bringing us to this great party with beautiful energy! Good Vibrations!!"

The Last Word

On the dance floor I can smell… Jasmine? Eric leads me around the Secret Garden until we find the petite white, sweet smelling flowers - I wasn't imagining it. Mark is talking dancing etiquette, as we watch the guy twirling around the floor with arms flailing: "Respect the Dance Floor!" 

Meanwhile, the Robert de Niro lookalike, Mirko, is talking Italian, referencing Pablo's set: "Bravissimo!" Hallelujah, and Amen to that. That'll do for me! See what Kawee had to say about each of the Secret Garden DJs in his photo album of the evening below:

'Waouuh! Secret Garden is still in a "magic land" or magic mind… You were super and magnific … Keep the world in dance > Thank You so much wonderful DJs, you take us right in the mood and it was SOOOooooooooooo GooD!!!…' 

Robert de Niro lookalike Mirko with Pablo

Secret Garden Mar 27 Photo Album via Kawee here

'Merci SunShay for your long and great warm up - grazie Niko Deejay & Mirko Paoloni, you were right in the secret vibe ;-) - Thanks a lot Pablo Escobud for your amazing talent, it was so good to listen to you in the top of your mastery! ;-)' 

Wow! Nice comments!! Is it a wonder why we love Secret Garden so much? Next Thursday 3rd April is Secret Garden's Anniversary Party… see you there!

NB: Secret Garden Party held their last party on August 28th 2014. 

Photo & artwork courtesy of Mirko Paoloni, Radio Party Groove & Secret Garden.

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Balance Yourself with Thailand Experiences July 5-19

Thailand Experiences are offering a 14 day retreat to Koh Phangan 5th-19th July 2014!  

There is a reason all us long-termers keep coming back to Koh Phangan: there is a wellspring of restorative energy on this magical island, a vortex of enlightenment that allows us all be our core selves here... 

The natural beauty of the island is too breathtaking to be mistaken. However long we have been coming for, we are still all affected by it, and for the better. We are open, free, loving and aware beings, when we are on Koh Phangan.

Knowing this, Thailand Experiences are offering a Balance Yourself Experience to Koh Phangan in July. With a daily program of yoga, meditation and detox, this is sure to be an enlightening retreat, on one of the island's most pristine and most private bays. 

With only 10 spaces available, you can expect an intimate group of ongoing soul connections and experiences. The great things about retreats, as well as the benefits and tools we learn to practice in every day life, are always the connections!

Known only in mass consciousness for its Full Moon Parties, there is so much more to Koh Phangan, so much that is often secretively hidden from the outside world. 

Thailand Experiences are offering a portal into this world through their 'Balance Yourself Experience'. The tour begins and ends in Bangkok, with visits to both ancient temples and waterfalls, to complete your Thailand Experiences journey.

'Balance Yourself' aims to bring you back into alignment with your inner being. It's also a great chance for two or more friends to share a retreat experience together!

Thailand Experiences are currently offering 10% off with this Promo Code: 

EARLY-BIRD.

More info on Thailand Experiences' Balance Yourself Retreat here!

Isn't it about time that our beautiful island was appreciated for the spiritual sustenance it brings us, too?… Good work, Thailand Experiences!

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Sensational Super Flu Full Moon

Sensational Super Flu at Hansa Beach Full Moon Party, Koh Phangan

Right before our eyes, the Full Moon Party is undergoing a Sea Change...

Super Flu Full Moon

Suddenly, in the last few months, the Hansa Beach main stage is beginning to blaze an underground trail in Haad Rin, by bringing quality music to the Full Moon Party. 

A brave and daring attempt to turn the crowd away from the electro, florescent commercialism since the Millennium?

Do these lights and lasers hail a coming of a time, where the No 1 Party Festival is due to be taken seriously for its music, too? 

As Thai Party for Me had said, it was impossible not to notice the big Hansa Beach party. The strobes and lasers shone out into the sky and sea, and could be seen the whole way along the beach. Hansa Beach's new stage set up was announcing itself - We are the Full Moon Party! - and heralding its arrival on the Full Moon Party stage.

And what a stage of underground talent! Star DJ Super Flu would be taking us 'Deeper into the Night', supported by some of the island's best underground house DJs: Benoit C, Pablo Escobud, Darragh Casey & Cortex. This was one event not to be missed, with an amazing set up 'to blow all other parties away on the beach', in dancer AJ's words.

The Night Begins at Hansa Beach.

"Good on Hansa Beach, Benoit, Darragh & co, for getting proper music to the Full Moon Party!

It was about time for this change"

Notker

"Nice work Kenny Hansa & Benoit for bringing in some fresh sounds 
for us dancers…

We appreciate it, I bet this is only 
the beginning"

Heather

The Night Begins…
On podium, a fire artist with dragon tattoo on his chest is lashing his fire whips, as lasers criss cross the sky above him. The Full Moon is shining down like the precious jewel in Mission Impossible, surrounded by a lattice of lasers. The fire spinners are lighting up the Full Moon Party disco inferno - burn, baby, burn! This is how the night at Hansa Beach begins...

Could this be Ibiza or Koh Phangan?

Super Flu @ Hansa Beach 
Full Moon Party

'It's happening tonight! 
Super Flu is playing at the Full Moon Party! Brilliant line-up overall! We are stoked and cant wait anymore!'

Waves are crashing in the distance… As tonight Hansa brings the deep and funky underground to the Full Moon Party. Girls in fleuro tutus are shaking their thing, but the gathering crowd is starting to seem like it wouldn't look amiss in Ibiza! As four of the five Hansa DJs arrive on stage, Thai Party for Me turn up just at the right time… 

Hansa Talent: DJs Darragh Casey, Benoit C, Super Flu & Pablo Escobud

Fireworks launch out of front stage - Benoit had said Kenny had a few tricks up his sleeve! - and there is energetic movement on the Hansa dance floor to Pablo's groovy tunes. We are going bouncy, crowd pleasing, tech house underground, as circus sister Ana grabs me up on stage like an acrobat. This is fun, isn't it? It's Showtime! 

DJ Pablo Escobud

Pablo is jumping up and down on stage, and as Darragh takes over Marco Loco & Danny Nation, the Ibiza contingent, are in the house! Kate's in the crowd with Super Flu's blonde Mathius and his happy German energy, while Notker from Thailand Experiences is dancing to Darragh Casey, ecstatic: "Breathing life in to the Full Moon, Yay!" 

Strobes, black light, laser shows, Germanic Underground Grooves: It's time for Super Flu! Happy tribal drums, soulful vocals, deep house, tribal beats... and we are back to that beautiful house music! Put Your Hands Together, Deeper Into The Night, and as we get into the magical time of 3am, Super Flu is bringing out his productions…. 

Recognisable Super Flu beats: How Do We Get So High? Dawn breaks, the first rosy hues of colour are streaks in the sky… and this is the fun bit! 

Hansa Resident Benoit C

Taking over from Super Flu, Benoit is in his element. He's going deep and banging, with low vibrating funkin' basslines. Benoit plays Imprint of Pleasure: it's dawn music, it has the desired effect on the dancing crowd, and he's mixing them up this morning! We are hands in the air, dancing in the Haad Rin sands, the Hula Hoop circle leading our way with their grace and beauty of movement... 

… In tune with their own expressive spirit and the happy dancing crowd, and the spirit of this Hansa Full Moon Party! 

It will be interesting to see what Hansa Beach brings out of the bag next Full Moon.

Speaking for myself, this Koh Phangan party girl can't wait!




© Mia Escobud 2014
Photos courtesy of Thai Party for Me & Mia Escobud

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Super Flu @ Hansa Beach Full Moon Party

Zany, bizarre, mad as hatters, Super Flu are coming to Hansa Beach's Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan - and are sure to fit right in. The crazy German duo have an obvious love of the weird and wacky, and are impossible to pin down in style or genre. 

Describing their music in nonsensical terms, "Speech bubbles wave engaging basses to you!", it is suffice to say Super Flu rank in some of our underground Koh Phangan DJs' Top 5 producers. 

Darragh Casey and Benoit C are both big fans, and all of us dancers from the Sandcastle Club have had our 'ambient rave' on to Super Flu, whether we realise it or not (I didn't): Their tracks Fibi Maybe and Reeves have had us all dancing in the early hours of the morning!

Super Flu's one and only date on Koh Phangan is at the infamous Full Moon Party, at one of the most amazing stages on the beach. Hansa Beach is blazing a trail with it's quality line up of Underground DJs for the Full Moon Party, but the keyword is commercial underground, meaning not so underground that no one gets it.

This is a brave attempt by Hansa to educate the masses to good music, and you know what? With 4000-5000 people inside the Hansa Full Moon Party last month, it's not only working - it's taking the Full Moon Party by storm, and breathing fresh life into Haad Rin.

Super Flu are headlining the Hansa Stage at 3am, by which time the Full Moon Party will be in full force. You can expect quality music at Hansa all night long, stages, podiums and a killer sound system. Support from some of my favourite Koh Phangan DJs, Benoit C, Darragh Casey, Pablo Escobud and Cortex from Phangan FM.

Brought to Thailand by the Groove Box team in Phuket, Super Flu are also playing @ Cha Cha Moon Koh Samui, Iguana Phuket, Levels Club Bangkok, and Shanghai and Bali on this Asian Tour. 

But the main event can only be…
FULL MOON PARTY - HANSA BEACH - MAR 15TH
Find me on a podium!

Related articles:

Review: Sensational Super Flu Full Moon

Artwork via @Hansa Beach & Super Flu

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Mario, Koh Phangan Veteran and Disco King

Disco King Mario @ Mer Ka Ba Beach Club

Statesman, Model's Mama, Agent, Model, Drag Queen - Disco King!

Our much loved Koh Phangan character may change his chameleon identity like the wind, but to us he is only one thing:

Mario, A Koh Phangan Veteran…


Mario first arrived to Koh Phangan in 1987. 

There was literally nothing in Haad Rin back then - no electricity, no roads, no restaurants - no Haad Rin Queen, even.  Mario arrived on a fisherman's boat from Koh Samui, and stayed in fishermen's huts on Haad Rin beach for 50 baht for a night. 

'We came for full moon, a short four or five day trip.  We only stayed in Haad Rin, but we knew we'd discovered a really secluded Robinson Crusoe island.'

'Everyone has forgotten now, but Haad Rin means 'beach of the sand flies'.  We were bitten by sandflies all the time we were lounging there.  There was no music - no electricity or generators - so we'd build bonfires, and guitar in hand, sing 'House of the Rising Sun'.  Real late hippy stuff.'

'Haad Rin at that time was famous for the possibility to run about fully naked, no-one had any problem with it - it was really tolerated, even by the Thai people.  Back then, Koh Samui was capitalistic, chic & trendy, whereas Koh Phangan had an alluring hippy appeal.  And the same is still true today.'

Mario came back to Koh Phangan five or six years later, and since '92-93 has been a regular seasonal visitor.  He's been here 18 times in 27 years.  He's travelled through S E Asia, and says of his daily life as model agent, PR director, spokesperson & public figure, that here on Koh Phangan:

'I can just be Mario, the core of my soul'.

'Koh Phangan is the island where I feel most at home, not just the island itself but meeting friends from all corners of the world, from all continents.'

'I've bonded with many and developed prolonged Koh Phangan friendships, that have carried on for decades.'

'I can trust people here - Lynn, Alex, you, Pablo - touch wood, I know you'll be here, and if we meet in Europe it will be always be 'same same'.'

'Bottom line - once you connect on Koh Phangan, you can connect anywhere in the world.'

A true Koh Phangan veteran who arrived on these shores before there even was a Full Moon Party, Mario remembers his first experience in the early '90's - 'OMG!' he says.

He also remembers the golden years of Full Moon Parties in '98' & '99 (as do I), before the FMP turned commercial with the arrival of 50,000 revellers for NYE 2000.

'I was here for the Millennium NYE Party.  I was so impressed, everyone I attended with dressed in white so we could see each other.  I developed a 'tic', a habit to dress in white from then on.  I love colour, as you know I'm a very colourful person, but I love to dress in white - so I glow not just from the inner but from the outer as well.'

Mario started his infamous White Parties at Leela Beach in 2004 with Peter G. 'People dressed in white and they loved it!  It was a big thing to me if people came in dress code, it was a huge show of respect to come in dress, even if only white.'

'I organised three White Parties at Leela Beach and the White Boat Party in 2008.  At that time I was staying 3 months, living here on Koh Phangan, having the time of my life.  I was a regular, I was a citizen of this island.'

'In my psy trance times, I used to be the Ban Sabaai After Party Man from start to finish.  The years came and passed, but the Back Yard was always THE party not to be missed - Jan 1st, always so many good times and memories, you have to admit - it's the best party you can possibly attend.'

Smouldering Sex God Mario

What does Mario think of the Koh Phangan party scene nowadays?

'I haven't been here for 2 years and so many things changed.  Lance, who I've known for 15 years, and Sharon (I was the first person she met on Leela Beach) are doing the greatest thing ever! I love Mer Ka Ba, it's really a great venue, I've never seen it before - it has a complete Ibiza style appeal, but it's still so Koh Phangan.'

'First time I went to Eden, OMG!!  I love the music there!  I love Eden, what a venue.  I love Guys Bar, I love Mer Ka Ba, and Ban Sabaai is still great too.  The old lady who runs the restaurant calls me 'Big Mama', I love it.  I'm the director of a model agency called Mother Agency, so everything fits perfectly well calling me Mama!'

'I've developed a 2nd taste away from the Psy Trance and Goa Techno I've always loved, and I really love this electronic Koh Phangan happy sound.  Peter G and Anika count here as my brother and sister, the bond is so tight and still is.  I remember having the best time with Filippo, and I love Boy's music!' 

'Last weekend at Guy's Bar I heard Marcus Meinhardt... My God, what a great party that was!!!'

Another magical Guy's Bar morning

Can you describe your style for us?

'The thing is, of course I don't have the super, gorgeous, tanned body with no fat.  I'm obliged to cover my figure so I need some fluffy stuff around me.  I need to take the focus from body to head, and I have a new turban headband each season.'  

'I love to dress in my white moroccan kaftan, it gives me the appeal of being different - and still mixing in with the crowd.'

'People will remember me because I'm the only one wearing a dress, many people remember me just because of my styling and I like that.'

'In my career world with thousand of models, fashion is part of my daily working living life.  Clothes are an expression of my inner self, and I like to be toned in Hawaiian shirts for example, add a little colour co-ordinated hat and you have the perfect outfit.'

'I love to shop on Koh Phangan, it's cheap, good quality and I still have some shirts 10 years later.  I want to make a real fashion show on the beach, maybe at Mer Ka Ba, and one day I'm going to do it, I'm sure. ' 

'I'm a photographer: I love to shoot people and bring their beauty to the picture.  I'm scouting here looking for new models all the time, I give them my card.'

Always scouting for new talent...

'Actually, I am a film director and I would love to introduce my work to the public, this is my VERY first movie. I filmed and produced it in 1992 - in Ibiza. You see me starring in it as Dame Galaxis.  Please have a look below, and watch it till the end!'

Let Me Be Your Underwear
Feat. smouldering sex goddess Dame Galaxis 

There is enough material to do a 'Mario, Koh Phangan Veteran and Disco King, Part 2' - we haven't even touched on Mario's connection to Lighthouse & to Oi, and Karla & Dam.  But for now here's the eloquent Mario with the last words...

'I am of the crew who love Koh Phangan, who respect nature.'

'I love their attitude, habits, the way they are thinking, the way these people approach me.  I like the way they are Buddhist.  It doesn't matter if you are gay - or whatever label the outside world gives you - you can just be yourself.'

'You know that British comedy scene, 'The Only Gay in the Village'... of course I'm a very sexual person, but here on Koh Phangan, I feel the love.  They love, kiss and talk to me.  Heterosexual guys hug me but not in a sexual way.' 

'AJ is such a great person, and so gorgeous, but it's nothing to do with sexual context. I feel the love on Koh Phangan for who I am, Mario, not based on my sexuality.'

New friends and disco divas

'Enjoy your holidays in Thailand:  Koh Tao, Koh Phayam, Koh Chang, Koh, Koh, Koh...'

'But I know why I come here: I know exactly what flight, plane, train, ferry to take and I'm here 18 hours later.  Home to Haad Rin, to my best friend Oi at Lighthouse.  You never get lost, it's like coming home… and still every year I discover something new: 
A beach, venue, location and, of course, new people.'

With huge thanks to Mario for 14 years of amazing friendship - we met at a Half Moon Party around 2000.  And for his flamboyance, panache and his huge amount of true Koh Phangan spirit.  Mario, Koh Phangan Veteran and Disco King!

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Thomas Gandey @ The Castle Koh Tao

Cult Status! Thomas Gandey is bringing his iconic deep tech style to the Thai islands. Next gig is @ The Castle Koh Tao on Weds 12th March...

Discovered by Fat Boy Slim at Miami WMC, the two Brighton boys soon struck a musical accord and have since toured the world together, from Vegas to Japan. Supporting Underworld, the Chemical Brothers and Fat Boy Slim himself, Thomas Gandey has been on World Tour with them all. 

Brighton born, but now resident in Berlin, you know if Thomas Gandey is taken seriously by the underground hotbed of Europe, he must be a force to be reckoned with. 

Well loved for his 2012 Ibiza anthem, Horny, a remix of the Mousse T classic with Radio Slave, you'll find Thomas Gandey main stage regularly at all the major festivals, performing live & as a DJ.

His legendary mixes have been featured on Pete Tong's Essential Mix for Radio 1 and DJ Mag, and it's common territory to find Thomas Gandey topping the Beatport charts. All you Castle Koh Tao lovers are in for a treat! 

Listen out for him to drop his new track, That's the Trouble, released under Thomas' alias Cagedbaby on Fat Boy Slim's record label Skint, at The Castle...  

Deep germanic underground grooves, uplifting piano solos, enchanting vocals - deep and meaningful yet uplifting and groovy, that's the trouble with you, soulful yet hard hitting - a bewitching deep house tour de force.

"This is my fourth year in Koh Tao. Once again I've had an amazing time with wonderful friends coming and going. This is my longest trip yet and I've really got to explore the islands. Meeting new people all the time and enjoying the island life."

Thomas recently played the Maya Beach Festival at the Campsite Koh Tao alongside Jonathon Ulysses, Leeroy Thornhill of Prodigy and Phil Hartnoll of Orbital: 

"The Campsite was a great couple of nights, superb location for a party, like an amphitheatre. The sound system was the best I've heard over here, & a brilliant line up. The Escape Yacht VIP party was great fun too, swaying on the dance floor while the boat rocked was super fun, like an informal underground line dance." 

And next he is headlining The Castle Koh Tao on Mar 12th along with Ibiza favourite Marco Loco, voted Ibiza Resident DJ 2013. Keep Calm & Party!

"I have been to the Castle to see my friend Marco Loco play and loved the vibe in the party. Definitely looking forward to putting my spin on the music and giving everyone a great time. See you there!"

Does that mean we on Koh Phangan are missing out? Not a chance! Catch Thomas at Ku Club on Mar 13th and Jungle Experience's Full Moon Warm Up Party Mar 14th.

Thomas Gandey's next gigs on the Thai islands:

The Castle Koh Tao:  Weds 12th March 

Ku Club Koh Phangan:  Thurs 13th March 

Jungle Experience Koh Phangan:  Fri 14th March

Get your groove on!

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