It’s name alone conjures up a well of memories for those "in the know"…it’s legacy remains in tact close to a decade after its closing. True party people hailing from Boston, Massachusetts know "LIFE" was the quintessential deep house party of the turn of the millennia, a ritual gathering with a unwaveringly devoted following that spanned over 4 years strong. From its humble beginnings in The Alley to its eventual settling at the Lava Bar to its triumphant though melancholic finale, "LIFE" remained one of the strongest parties in the region’s history, and this during a time when house music was being unanimously discredited as past its stay, outdated, superficial and irrelevant. "LIFE" was a kick in the face to all these naysayers, regularly attracting large masses of dutiful and diverse faithfuls while maintaining underground dance music as a force to be reckoned with.

Just as "LIFE" is synonymous with quality dance music, so this institution is inextricably tied to its founders and creative builders, Paul Nickerson and Francis Englehardt. These two life-long friends and music partners originally began their party at a small club in The Alley, eager to create an outlet where they controlled both the physical and aural environment with completely uncompromising principle and vision, convinced that others of like mind would appreciate and support their project. Even in its infancy, "LIFE" was well attended, and within just a few months it had grown to the point where a new, more expansive venue was needed. Linking up with vibe doctor Courtney "Zumbi" Grey, they transplanted to the Lava Bar, where the party would stay until its closure in late 2001.

What "LIFE" had that so many parties past and present lack was careful attention to the setting and maintaining of a very specific atmosphere, monitored with the precision of two individuals completely enraptured in their physical and spiritual environment, determined to do things their way and the highway, appealing to the most discerning and deeply immersed club-goers while actively appealing to those random and curious wanderers who just happened to discover this gem; and once they had reached the moment of discovery, there was no turning back. That was the very simple key to "LIFE"’s success: it refused to kowtow to the lower-tier standards of most house parties, determined to play a wide-ranging repertoire of music, giving equal time to the sounds of classic Rock, Experimental and Techno as much as the standard House and Disco classics. While their musical vision was (and is) uncompromisingly cutting edge, playful and principally experimental, this aesthetic element was tempered by their transparent honesty and commitment to "good music" of whatever variety. Refusing to play solely to the "heads," much of Nickerson and Englehardt’s success stemmed from their determination to break the imprisoning mold previously sculpted for "club DJ’s" and push the format to further boundaries undiscovered by previous house aficionados. In this sense they enhanced the musical knowledge and appreciation of countless individuals of whatever lifestyle or cultural background.

To the chagrin of many, the calling of founders Nickerson and Englehardt’s path eventually led to the closing of "LIFE"’s doors in 2001. In pursuit of new adventures and expanded possibilities, it was an undoubtedly difficult decision, but one made with full awareness of creative lifespan and the need to take on fresh challenges, hoping to make some impact on the highly uncertain state of music culture in these dark times. Relocating to Brooklyn, NY, the two opened "Dope Jams" and founded their own exclusive label, "Slow To Speak," determined to counteract the tide of mediocrity weighing down the state of dance music today and prepared to sacrifice at whatever cost in order to further the betterment of their beloved cultural enterprise. "LIFE" had to come to an end, and only in the death of their legendarily impacting experiment in Boston’s party scene could they reach the full maturation of their passion’s demands. Mourn not, however, as, having crossed paths with the right spirit in the realm betwixt Life’s end and Death’s onset, Nickerson and Englehardt have been beckoned forth once more, resurrected if you will, called forth for the recommencement of their spiritual exercise in programming exactitude. Having discovered the right individual to help rekindle their legendary weekly in beloved promoter, party enthusiast, and overall devout music lover Chris DeOrio, the two decided to give in to the call to commence once more with an evening of quality music and precision atmospherics. With fresh new blood and memories of past jubilance, Nickerson and Englehardt are prepared once more to commence on the path of "LIFE," ready for wherever this journey may take them and giving themselves over to youthfully naïve visions of what once was and, perhaps not so naively, what could be once more.