BaLi Makes 'BeLievers'

7/11/04

By Sean Fitzgerald

BaLi's rise on the DJ scene has been nothing short of spectacular.  Just three years into his DJ career, BaLi has already headlined at both of San Francisco's premire dance clubs, Ruby Skye and 1015, more than a dozen times.  He has established residencies with Martel & Nabiel's Square Party at Ruby Skye as well as their Release Party at 1015.  He also has a residency with Mixed Elements, gigging regularly for them at other trendy San Francisco clubs and lounges.

Impressively, at the age of 27, BaLi has played with some of the world's most renowned DJ's, including, Tiesto, Paul Oakenfold, Seb Fontaine, BT, Pete Tong, Behrouz, Mark Farina and many more.  Whether headlining or playing with a heavy hitter, BaLi consistently draws a large, energetic crowd.  

BaLi is without question one of the hardest working individuals in San Francisco's bustling music industry.  He works tirelessly but is hardly satisfied with just DJing.  He appears to be on the verge of blowing up outside of San Francisco not only as a DJ (having already played in major cities throughout the US and in Ibiza, Spain), but also as a rising recording artist and producer.  In the past year, BaLi released his solo project entitled, "BeLieve," and Ruby Skye's, "To The Floor," with fellow DJ, Michael Anthony.  Both releases had strong sales and gained him more respect among his fellow peers while broadening his fan base.

We have also seen the emergence of BaLi as a talented producer. As much as he loves the decks, he states, "Producing music is the ultimate goal of my music career."  BaLi co-produced, "rIse," with members of the Red Eye Foundation, Kepi and Kat.  More recently BaLi produced, "You Gotta," which will be coming out on System Recordings.  This is a major coup for the aspiring producer, as System Recordings had the #1 dance CD compilation last year.  BaLi is shopping the track around to DJ's such as D:Fuse, Danny Teneglia and Behourz for remixing.

How can BaLi's meteoric rise on the dance music scene be explained?  Simply put: passion!  "I've been passionate about music my entire life," he says.  "I've played the saxophone for more than a decade, so picking up the turntables seemed fluid.  I couldn't think of a better medium to creatively express my love of music.  What is better than throwing down some phat vinyl and watching the crowd go crazy?  To me there is no better high."

When playing out, BaLi spins many genres of beats, but his main love is progressive house music.  BaLi's sets are driven, pulsating, and steady.  His live sets keep you in constant motion, often building the music to a dramatic crescendo that at times whips his audience into a climatic frenzy.  He thrives on the relationship he establishes with his audience and always looks forward to his live sets, "I feed off of their energy," he explains.  "I have had great fan support over the years, especially here in San Francisco.  They make all the hard work and travel worth it!"

BaLi's ambitions of producing hot tracks while playing live gigs around the world have already begun to come to fruition.  Early in his remarkable career, he has had great success as both a DJ and a producer.  It is abundantly clear to those who know the man and his work that the drive, the passion, and the music all lie deep within him and will take him to wherever he wants to go.