Daniel Mnookin

Since purchasing his first pair of turntables nearly five years ago, 28 year-old Daniel Mnookin (pronounced "Muh-new-kin") has gone from being just another kid learning to match beats, to one of America's hottest rising DJs.

Daniel's musical experience began well over a decade ago, teaching himself guitar and going on to play in a variety of bands throughout high school and part of college. It wasn't until 1999 that he would develop an appreciation and love for all forms of electronic music.

"While I bought various electronic oriented albums throughout junior high and high school," Daniel notes, "it wasn't until my junior year of college when I studied abroad and then lived in London - that I really began to listen to DJs - to really appreciate what they were doing."

Upon returning back to the states, Daniel immediately began fidgeting with various pieces of electronic equipment ranging from drum machines and sequencers to samplers and synthesizers. He then went on to perform as a live act.

"Playing live was always fun, but I found it hard to get booked in big cities as no one had the room or the willingness to accommodate an up and coming live act," says Daniel, "so I eventually decided it was time to go out and purchase a pair of decks and a mixer."

Since catching the DJ bug, Daniel has gone on to play around Chicago on a regular basis. He has also played outside of his hometown in cities as remote as Columbia, Missouri, to the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles, California - not to mention his international debut in Mexico in the fall of 2003 as well as spinning in Aruba on New Year's Eve 2004. He made his European debut that following spring, with gigs in Frankfurt, Germany and Paris, France. 2005 found Daniel netting nearly 40 non-residency gigs in over 15 different cities. He has played alongside such top notch DJs and Producers as Sasha, Danny Howells, Nick Warren, DJ Garth, Mazi, Jake Fairley, and Green Velvet (just to name a few)...

Daniel is also among an elite group of DJs doing a show for the rapidly growing internet-based Proton Radio (www.protonradio.com). His monthly show, entitled "Tic Tech Toe", runs from 3-5pm CST on the 3rd Wednesday of every month. It features mixes by both Daniel as well as an A-list of guest DJs.
In terms of production, Daniel's first record came out over a year ago and featured a track he did with longtime collaborator Brian Ffar entitled "Plinko". The recording was included on the "Xactofunk E.P." and released by U.K.-based Beat Code Records. Swag Records charted the release at #1. Brian and Daniel have recently finished a remix for the new Resonant Vibes label, and also signed two electro tracks - entitled "Big City Midi" and "Ms. Pante Lahar" -to the Proton Music label.

2006 has already started strong for Daniel, as in January he and Brian released the second installation in the Proton Music compilation series entitled "Bucktown Business." The commercially released mix has received critical praise from the likes of iTunes and URB Magazine, and serves as a launching pad to send Daniel to the next level. Currently in the stages of finalizing tours in Mexico and Russia, as well as a short string of European dates in the fall, Daniel sees no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Outside of DJing, Daniel keeps busy working for UR Chicago Magazine (www.urchicago.com), currently a staff writer for their nightlife section.

For more information, booking, or just to say "Hello", feel free to reach Daniel via e-mail at daniel@danielmnookin.com or by phone at (773) 965-9584.

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