The Wood Shop

Who they are

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  Manny Ward

  Pennsylvania · 14 bookings since Sep 2023 · Nervous Records rooftop house

  “Manny Ward has always been around music, as most musicians are.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  Manny Ward has always been around music, as most musicians are.  As luck would have it, he grew up with a Mom who’d send him out to buy records for her many house parties because he had a knack in finding great music that was not always charted.  His stepdad produced R&B and Soul for artist like Jocelyn Brown, and Evelyn Champagne’ King. His step dad brought him out to his first club experience at the Funhouse in NYC.  Then there was the fateful meeting with the Godfather of House; Frankie Knuckles in the early 90s who took Manny under his wing and launched his DJ career in NYC. Through these journeys of following music, from DJ-ing when he was in the military at base parties, to playing along side Frankie Knuckles at New York’s famous Roxy, Sound Factory Bar, Tunnel, and regular gigs at Stereo in Montreal, to eventually producing his own remixes and tracks. Some of them now cult classics. This Staten Island boy saw a dream realized.  Then this prolific talent left the industry for a few years only to be returned at the request of his friends/teachers Angel Moraes, Danny Tenaglia, and David Morales. This made him realize this was his calling.  And thank goodness he did return.   This second phase of his career has seen many more milestones as he ramped up his production skills with notable remix opportunities.  He has been able to collaborate with many talented producers and musicians, including Celeda, Lula, and DJ Gomi, with whom he reintroduced legendary Sandy B with new original music written by all three. “Resilience” was the result and has graced many DJ charts and on Hector Romero’s 2019 Weaving Genres compilation. In the Fall of 2017, he was asked by the legendary Nona Hendryx to remix a single off of her new album with Soul Clap.  He enlisted long-time friend, Curtis Atchison (Midnight Society) to help out, with whom he had recently collaborated on a floor banger “Big Mouth” on Twisted Records.    That Fall, Retrotech was born. This partnership has proven fruitful as a DJ duo as well. They were given several remix opportunities in 2018. Black Stereo Faith (Ultra Naté & Quentin Harris), Lenny Kravitz, Nenah Cherry, Stevie Nicks, and Kiwi Dreams and much more to come. Incidentally, Kravitz’ “Low” became his first #1 Dance on Billboard.  Manny has continued doing solo work putting out a single with remixes on DJ Pierre’s Afro Acid Records in 2019, which was getting recognition by DJ’s such as Danny Tenaglia before it even came out! In between, he’s also been busy DJ-ing, criss-crossing the country, and a regular participant at ADE in Amsterdam, and N Y’s legendary party Birdcage.  With everything going on, be sure to keep a watch on Manny’s next move because it will be nothing but delightful and surprising. Contact info: DJMannyward.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manny.ward https://www.facebook.com/MannyWard.dj/ Instagram:@MannyWard Sent from my iPhone RETROTECH: Retrotech is Manny Ward and Curtis Atchison. The name comes from a party the duo created for which they and their guest DJ’s could play music that reflected their love of dance music, old and new. Previous to this collaboration, each had and still maintain an active DJ-ing schedule, as well as an impressive discography as producers. Friends for well over 20 years, they decided to work on a track together back in 2015 entitled “Big Mouth” released on Twisted Records to very good success. After that, they knew their collaborative efforts just meshed well and that the end-product was a sound that was uniquely theirs. Their talent was not lost when remix opportunities included Nona Hendryx, Black Stereo Faith, Lenny Kravitz, Neneh Cherry, Kiwi Dreams, Ultra Nate, Stevie Nicks to name a few were presented to them. In October 2018, Lenny Kravitz hit the top of the Dance charts for the first time with “Low”, for which they contributed a house remix in the release. This past NYC World Pride their remix of the newly visited dance music anthem classic “Free” by Ultra Nate was debuted in NYC to rave reviews.
  Their RA profile lists King Street Sounds, Nervous Records and SoundGroove Records.

  Recently at Randall's Island, Nectar, Good Room · often with Riccardo Tavarez, Eric Umble, borali, none of them here that night

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  Peter Napoli

  New York City · 25 bookings since Sep 2023

  “Brooklyn-based DJ/Producer, Peter Napoli is an unstoppable force who has been igniting dance floors for over a decade.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  Brooklyn-based DJ/Producer, Peter Napoli is an unstoppable force who has been igniting dance floors for over a decade. Known for his legendary parties at Santos Party House and around the U. S., he's been growing an ambitious solo career billed alongside artists such as Roger Sanchez, Victor Calderone, Jamie Jones and Blond:ish Peter's childhood was immersed in rhythm, setting the stage for his eventual success. His father, a renowned drummer, instilled in him from a young age an immense appreciation for all genres of music. This background has fueled Peter's passion for music from an early age leading him to pursue a career in the field. Peter's professional journey began in 2009, when he launched his DJ career in the vibrant and electric atmosphere of Mexico City. Since then, he has risen to prominence in the world of House music, captivating audiences with a unique sound and infectious beats. As his sound evolved, Peter found inspiration from House music legends such as Frankie Knuckles, Octave One, Danny Tenaglia, Victor Calderone and Peter Rauhofer. With each set you'll find a soulful, driving energy bridging the gaps between House, Techno and Latin percussion. He has since developed a style that reflects the vibrant nightclub scene of New York's past while incorporating fresh takes and an array of percussion that always keeps the crowd on their toes. His exceptional skills have taken him all over the world, with performances in South America, Spain, Canada, as well as legendary sets at Burning Man. It's a rare and magical experience to come across a DJ who possesses the innate ability to create an immersive and captivating atmosphere through their music. Peter Napoli is a one-of-a-kind artist who not only understands this skill, but executes it with extraordinary precision, leaving his audience mesmerized and transported to another world.
  SoundCloud ↗
  Their RA profile lists SoundGroove Records.

  Recently at Bossa Nova Civic Club, Red Eye NY, Dead Letter No. 9 · often with BOMBA ZEEN, DROPO, Rush Davis, none of them here that night

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  William Francis

  New York City · 11 bookings since Jan 2024

  “William Francis has been spinning NYC dance floors and beyond for over a decade.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  William Francis has been spinning NYC dance floors and beyond for over a decade. His eclectic range and style began at Susanne Bartsch's iconic Vandam Party, Frankie Sharp's Westgay and Scooter McCreight's wild toronto rager, Trade. Since then, he has played all over the US and Canada and currently has his weekly Residency, Qruisers, Thursdays at The Q and Good Friday at Alan Cumming's Club Cumming. A regular at Atlanta pride and on Fire Island, William brings his flirty beats to gag his family and friends every time.
  SoundCloud ↗

  Recently at Jupiter Disco, H0L0, Bossa Nova Civic Club · often with Kiss Kiss, BEIGE, IN THE LAIR, none of them here that night

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  Andrew Lenox

  New York City · 14 bookings since Apr 2024

  Bandcamp ↗

  Recently at Bossa Nova Civic Club, Jupiter Disco · often with Club Flush, Party Dad, Steph Vaye, none of them here that night

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  lenox

  Hamburg, Germany · 13 bookings since Apr 2024

  SoundCloud ↗

  Recently at Bossa Nova Civic Club, Jupiter Disco · often with Love Games, Finn Jones, Lauren Murada, none of them here that night