Mike Watson aka Mike G

I've been playing and writing about ambient and related music since my university days in the late 1980's.

I have produced and hosted a variety of radio shows over the years, most recently The Cosmic Lounge on the Chillout Channel at www.di.fm. Other past radio productions include 5 years with Sydney's longest running ambient music show Ultima Thule on community station 2MBS-FM, and the now-defunct Chillzone which I conceived and produced for two years on Nova 96.9-FM Sydney, the first program of its kind on commercial radio in Australia.

I've DJ'd at parties, festivals and doofs around the country and music writing gigs have included Ambience Magazine, dance/electronica magazine Ministry (Aust.) and Asian anime and culture mag Gaijin.

Heartfelt thanks to the following people:

• Mum & dad, who mightn't understand it all but support me anyway.
  
• Fellow broadcaster and ambient afficianado George Cruickshank, who actually does understand it all.
  
• Bruce Elder at The Sydney Morning Herald for valuable advice and guidance about this guide in the early days and for continuing to fly the ambient flag in the face of the relaxation muzak monsters.
  
• Matt Dower, for excellent adventures in the world of electronic dance music back in the day.
  
• DJ Stuart Ridley aka Emagica, for friendship and adventures in the world of festivals, outdoor parties and the global psy-trance scene.
  
• Jasper Laybutt and all the dedicated people who kept Ambience Magazine afloat for those few wonderful years.
  
• All those who've listened to my radio shows.
  
• All the musicians, DJ's and label managers who've granted me interviews.
  
• Derek, for patience, love and acceptance, not to mention a classical music education.

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