Taking the Driver's Seat
Madness in Motion: How I Build My Story Through Sound
Welcome to my new series, Madness in Motion; A sneak peek into how I curate my sets, one song, transition, and intention at a time.
This series is about more than just music; it’s a deep dive into the creative process, where every track is chosen with intention, and every mix is a reflection of life’s nuances, emotions, and lessons.
Goals for this Series:
Strengthen Intuitive Mixing: My aim is to connect more deeply with the music, allowing my body to guide me to each song, its transitions, and the lyrics that resonate with the moment. Mixing intuitively, for me, is about letting go and being in the flow.
Cultivate Meaning and Intentionality: I want to show the importance of bringing purpose to the music I share. Each track is chosen not just because it sounds good, but because it has something to say—about life, love, or the journey within. Through this series, I hope to encourage others to add intention to everything they do.
Listen, Feel, Curate: I listen to songs daily that hit me on a personal level. Some of them stay with me, evolving over time, until I feel the urge to mix and let it all out. I create playlists of these tracks, holding onto them until the right moment, when I’m ready to build a set and channel the energy.
This set is about reclaiming the driver’s seat—steering life in the direction I want, with confidence, clarity, and a soundtrack that speaks to my journey. Recording each mix in one sitting, I jot down the tracklist and later reflect on the story it tells. From start to finish, I see the progression, capturing my experiences—the highs, the lows, the “oh no” moments, and the growth that comes from it all.
For this particular set, the title “It’s On Me” emerged. As I looked through the tracklist, the theme of reclaiming the driver’s seat took center stage. Imagine yourself in control, fully present, steering the course of your life with clarity and intention, the music backing you up like your personal anthem.
The Journey of this Mix
Starting with a jolt to the “Elbows,” the set moves from the initial stages of awareness (the first few tracks bring a focus to external triggers) into the realm of creative problem-solving and eventually into a space where we can let our desires dance their way to us.
This mix is about moving from seeking to receiving.
It’s a shift from tension to flow, from reacting to choosing, into a mindset where we can curate the life we want, the people we want around us, and the energy we invite in.
Track 5 and Beyond: The Real Story Unfolds
By Track 5, we reach the heart of the mix. This block of songs tells the core of the story: how I carry my inner light of love out into the world. It’s about creating a life on my own terms, choosing the experiences, people, and dreams that align with my vision.
So here it is—the narrative of how I navigate life and bring my inner light into the world.
Hope you enjoy :)
#002: It’s On Me
Picture this:
It’s a Friday night, the music’s on, and the weekend feels like an invitation to let go, explore, and get a little silly..maybe even goofy…
You’re out with friends, moving through crowded spaces, each track pulling you deeper into the night’s rhythm.
That’s the vibe I wanted for this mix—a narrative set to beats, carrying you through a journey that’s equal parts self-discovery, release, and celebration.
This tracklist takes you through different moments of awareness, creative problem-solving, and finally, that sweet release where you just sit back and dance.
Think of it like a night out with multiple stages: we start by tuning in, setting the vibe, hitting the heavy stuff, then, by the end, we’re just letting the music take over.
So here we go, song by song, moment by moment.
Awareness: Starting With a Jolt
Elbows (feat. Troze) – Illusionize
Starting with this track feels like that moment when you accidentally bump your elbow. It’s sharp, unexpected—a wake-up call.
This track represents the triggers that jolts us out of autopilot, forcing us to focus. It’s a little uncomfortable, but it’s here to get us tuned in.
Just like when you’re out and someone elbows past you, it’s a bit of a nudge: Pay attention.
It Feels So Good – Matt Sassari, Hugel
Now that we’re tuned in, this track slides in to remind us that life isn’t just sharp edges—it’s about savoring the good stuff, too. It’s that smooth, groovy moment when you start feeling the vibe, maybe doing a little two-step.
Matt Sassari’s beats have that effect: nostalgic and upbeat, they bring you back to the feeling of good times, urging you to lean in and enjoy.
If I Can Hit It – Moreno Pezzolato
A throwback to early 2000s hip-hop vibes, this one’s a bit cheeky, a bit flirty, like when you’re on the dance floor feeling yourself.
It’s confident, bold, and unapologetic—a reminder to let loose and enjoy the energy. It’s a song you’d play when you’re hyping yourself up in the mirror before a night out.
Dubai Shit – Hugel, Maesic
Lyrics: “I don’t know where to go, life around here is so hysterical…”
Enter the moment of consumerism—the track feels like a late-night craving for something sweet that never really hits the spot. Dubai Shit captures the fast-paced, materialistic side of life, where you’re chasing the next thing but not finding satisfaction. It’s the moment in the night when you’re on a high, but something feels off, like you’re looking for fulfillment in all the wrong places. A little shoutout to ATL in here too, because sometimes, even when you’re surrounded by the familiar, the journey feels chaotic.
Creative Problem Solving: A Deep Dive Into Desire
This section of the mix is where the real story begins. I chose each song intentionally, down to the lyrics, titles, and even transitions, to tell a story about carrying a light of love, desire, and dreams. This part of the journey is all about pushing through the challenges, letting go of limitations, and re-energizing with purpose.
Light of Love (Cutmore Remix) – Duke (8:18)
Lyrics: “So I’ll find love in my heart, don’t know where it’s been… times are falling apart, I’m praying to heaven above…”
Imagine the night quieting down for a moment. The lights dim, and you’re left with just the music and your thoughts. This song sends out a little prayer, a whisper to the universe. It’s the start of something sacred—grounding yourself in love and purpose. The transition here is like releasing a small beacon, a gentle pulse that says, “I’m here, I’m ready to receive.” It’s that vulnerable moment in the night when you pause, check in with yourself, and remember what you’re really out here for.
Whisper (with James Yuill) – Dennis Ferrer (9:49)
Lyrics: “Lightning strikes me… from fear in my tears… kindness, forgiveness… whisper in my ear… if you want it.”This track is a quiet moment, a whisper of hope after the prayer. The lyrics bring out a soft vulnerability, inviting kindness and forgiveness. Think of this as the part of the night where you’re reflecting, catching your breath. The melody is gentle yet powerful, moving you through a space of introspection—a reminder that real strength often begins in quiet moments.
Supersonic – Crusy, Alex Now (11:40)
Lyrics: “Supersonic, goes right through my body…”
Now we dance. After grounding yourself, it’s time to integrate that energy fully. The beat here feels unstoppable, like a burst of energy lighting up the dance floor. Supersonic is about feeling every note in your body, a song that forces you to surrender to the beat. It’s a song that says: Let go. Feel everything.
Famousa – Unknown Artist (13:10)
This track takes you deeper, almost like entering a hidden cave. It’s a descent into introspection, facing the shadows and figuring out what’s holding you back. The beat feels like an adventure, a mix of suspense and curiosity—like you’re a tomb raider uncovering hidden truths. It’s that moment when the night becomes less about what’s happening around you and more about what’s happening within.
Feel the Passion – D.O.D, Charlotte Haining (14:45)
Lyrics: “I can feel the pressure running over me, running through my head down to my feet… I can feel the tension, I need a release, dance with me.”This is the song that tells you exactly what to do when you feel stuck. It’s like your friend pulling you back onto the dance floor, saying, “Just dance it out.” The lyrics are a release—a reminder that sometimes, the only way to move forward is to let go of everything weighing you down. D.O.D brings the energy to shake off the pressure and just feel.
Fast Lane (feat. Dave Giles II) – Sam Divine (17:07)
Lyrics: “Can’t take it slow, fast lane, pedal to the floor…”After all that release, we’re back in the fast lane. The beat here is a total vibe, an anthem for when you’re ready to move forward with purpose. This song feels like hitting the gas after a long pause, like you’re racing toward something exciting. You’re on the move, full speed ahead, with no holding back.
Hello – Echoes, Sam Supplier, After Eden (18:45)
Lyrics: “I’ll meet you where the skies are blue, in the promised land, I wait for you… take a walk down the winding road, and wave the dark hello.”This song captures the feeling of stepping into the unknown but knowing you’re not alone. It’s an invitation to embrace the journey ahead, waving goodbye to doubts and shadows. Imagine walking down a winding road with a friend by your side, ready to face whatever’s next. The beat here is light yet powerful, like a sunrise breaking over the horizon.
Sweet Escape (Radio Mix) – Lahox, Chris Valencia (21:36)
Lyrics: “You’re my sweet escape, all my feelings fade away, not holding onto yesterday…”Now we settle into a groove. This song is that sweet sigh of relief, a reminder to let go of the past and embrace the present. It’s the kind of song that makes you close your eyes and just sway, letting everything else fall away. The lyrics feel like a mantra: we’re here, we’re free, and nothing else matters.
Lalalala – twinOD (23:05)
This song is pure joy. It’s the moment when you’re just vibing, no cares, no worries. The melody is playful and light, a little celebration of everything you’ve let go of and everything you’ve embraced. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best moments are the simplest ones. Just let the beat carry you.
Sit Back and Dance: Embracing the Journey 🎶
With “Lalalala” as our joyful release, we step into the Space of Receiving.
This is where the shift happens—the hard work, self-reflection, and creative problem-solving have paved the way for this space.
From here on, we let go of expectations, judgments, and all that weight we once carried. We’ve laid the groundwork, cleared out the noise, and now it’s time to just be.
The tracks that follow are for those moments when you’re fully immersed, letting the music carry you without needing to overthink. Each beat invites you to sit back and embrace the present.
You’re no longer seeking; you’re here, open to receiving, letting life’s rhythm flow through you naturally.
Wrapping it Up and What’s Next in the Series
This is only the beginning of our journey together. This series isn’t just about mixing music—it’s about intentionality, expression, and finding ways to curate the soundtrack of our lives.
It’s an invitation to connect with your own creative flow, to understand the stories within, and to see how each song, each transition, carries a purpose.
Through each tracklist, I’ll continue to share how music becomes a vehicle for personal growth, creativity, and living with purpose.
So stay tuned as we dive deeper into the layers of each mix, uncovering what it means to move from seeking to receiving, from doubting to trusting, and from intention to embodiment. ✨
So….sit back, let your desires dance their way to you, and enjoy the journey.
‘til next time,
Manny with the Moves
This truly adds a whole new dimension of depth to each set. It's now a multimedia experience. Such a an interesting read (and listen) knowing there's an intention behind it all.