Shane Stiel is a world-renowned and popular DJ, event planner, and founder of All of Us Events. Currently based in New York, he is focused on bringing EDM to the Capital Region, celebrating the rave scene, and promoting local talent.
NYS Music had the unique opportunity of speaking directly with Shane Stiel and learning about his journey DJing and in the rave world that eventually led him to founding All of Us Events, which has had great success.
Before speaking specifically about All of Us Events and the exciting opportunities it offers, Stiel recounted his journey growing up in Colorado and being introduced to the rave scene, which led to him DJing and ultimately to founding this company. He described being always interested in and passionate about music, playing the trumpet, french horn, and piano, and singing in multiple choirs. As a teenage rebellion against the norms of those days that told him to play sports, he joined the rave scene instead.
In 1994, he went to his first rave and described the extraordinary atmosphere it offered. He described the “beautiful world of people that were peaceful and loving, and respectful of each other,” and how he “really truly felt like I found my place.”
After his first rave experience, he was obsessed. Over the next few years, he kept going to raves, and when he turned 18, his mom, who was always extremely supportive of his involvement in and passion for the rave scene, bought him his first set of turntables and a mixer.
Stiel recounted how he got the opportunity to work at a Denver nightclub called Club Pure, immersed himself further in the rave world and learned from other DJs. One of his jobs was to pick up the DJs from the airport. This allowed him to meet DJs such as Bad Boy Bill, Tiësto, and Richard “Humpty” Vission.
Since Stiel was still underage at the time, he was only allowed to hang out behind the DJ booths at the raves. It was here that he watched the DJs, picking up on their skills, and would later go home and practice it on vinyl himself.
When Stiel was 19, he got his first gig and started playing in the Colorado rave scene, joining 10 companies such as Ryan Dykstra Nightlife. However, after becoming too involved in substances for his liking, Stiel joined the Navy to clean himself up and honor his veteran grandfather and uncle.
Eventually, Stiel moved out to San Diego, where he re-immersed himself in the rave scene in a sober way, having a whole new outlook on the experience. He became a resident at Spin Nightclub and Rich’s Nightclub and really started to build his name as a DJ. Stiel played in every major city in US and Canada, as well as in cities around the world including London, Brazil, Puerto Rico, and more.
He later met his partner, moved to New York and was still touring when the pandemic hit, and he lost all his gigs. He recounted that “it was at this moment that I thought to myself, what do I really want to do? Where do I want to go next?”
Stiel began investigating the rave and EDM scene around the capital region and found that there didn’t seem like there was something of real significance. From this, he came up with the idea to found his event production company All of Us.
Stiel described how he wanted to make his events and company “something that people could really feel the energy of, not only the event, but also the company and the brand behind it, something that the community can be proud of.” He wanted to bring talent to the area and to give local talent the opportunity to promote themselves and showcase their talents.
After founding All of US, Stiel hosted his first Masquerave event at the Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs. He commented on the uniqueness of the venue at Universal Preservation Hall, which is an old church that has been revamped to host music events.
After the first Masquerave event, things really took off, making it an annual occurrence. Stiel described the Masqueraves as having really high energy. It is hosted around Halloween, everyone coming in costumes and masks. All of Us Events leave extra masks all around too, in case anyone needs one.
The Fourth Annual Masquerave event will be held on October 24. However, if you can’t wait that long, the Third Annual Bloomin event will be held on March 21 to celebrate the spring equinox. Both events are at the Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs.
Stiel also spoke about how All of Us events strives to keep everyone safe and to accommodate those who choose not to drink. The Masquerave event offers a specialty cocktail as well as a specialty non-alcoholic cocktail.
In addition, All of Us is in partnership with Hardin and Mazzotti to offer free ride shares. Anyone who comes to an event can scan a QR code and get a free ride share up to $250 each ride. Stiel highlighted, “We want to make sure that people party hard, but party safe.”
Looking towards the future, Stiel is excited for what’s to come. His goal is to have a big musical festival in the capital region celebrating EDM and raves.
More information about all of the All of Us events and the upcoming Third Annual Bloomin’ and 4th Annual Masquerave can be found on their website.
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