BiO

Amsterdam

At the beginning of 1992, I came to Amsterdam, for the first time. I walked out of Centraal Station and my first thoughts were: I'm home...

15 years on I'm still here in this beautiful city which never ceases to amaze me or lose its edge.

I currently work as a freelance (copy)writer/editor/designer for various publications and projects (C.V. here)

All too often Amsterdam is portrayed through tacky images on mass-produced souvenir postcards and somewhere along the way picked up a bad reputation. But it is so much more and this website – Shark – is all about finding those places which make Amsterdam the unique, historical, and architecturally stunning city it is – and sharing them with others.

My Brain

I have a 2.1 BA (Hons) Graphic Design (specialising in Animation) and additionally took a course in Empirical and Theoretical Parapsychology affiliated to the University of Amsterdam.

My DJing

As well as writing, I also DJ. At clubs, special events, for my friend's parties... or in the comfort of my own bedroom. Details of past DJ gigs here

I play a variety of sets:

Lounge, easy tune, film soundtracks
Ella-esque Sinatra set
Alternative indie
Current eclectic dance music
Triphop-chillout
Progressive funk
70s, 80s... and even classical.

I often co-DJ with my best friend George (aka DJ G Bean). Email DJ Duck for rates and more information. For more information on us both (and a cool, downloadable Bedroom Lounge mix) see here

My Music

In some vague past life I wrote songs: www.myspace.com/peripheralpip

Other Projects

I always have something to juggle to stop boredom setting in. Along with others I organise talks with (mostly) British writers and speakers in Amsterdam which led to me organising ALF (Amsterdam Literary Festival) which takes place this year from 15-20 May 2007. Additionally, I set up a website about Amsterdam DJs with useful links to clubs, parties and record stores. And recently, I set up another website LoveAmsterdam where you can buy pretty cool Amsterdam memorabilia online – and help me earn money while I sleep (!).

Finally...

I hope you enjoy the site and it is helpful to you wherever you are in this world.

Do leave a message in the Forum if you have any questions about Amsterdam. I will try and get round to answering as many as I can: the only things I don't know so much about are hotels (well, I never use them) and accommodation (it's a painful place in terms of finding a room here).

Thanks for reading,

PiP