Planet Angel - Live an Ordinary Life in an Extraordinary Way

Planet Angel is the one event where moments are turned into memories. Where ordinary lives are touched in extraordinary ways. It is the meeting place for like-minded people and creative individuals. Every month the guestbook is filled with entries – all singing praise to nights that are dedicated to the people, the music and experience.

We have decided to highlight one testimonial per month and glimpse into the life of someone who has been touched by Planet Angel.

Ian Salter’s positive presence has been a part of Planet Angel since the London Bridge days. He is a familiar face on the dance floor and a man of many talents. Without holding back, he let me into his world and revealed the many dimensions of his interesting life. Not only is he a dedicated father, but he also spends three days a week at one of London’s top investment banks. His weekends are varied and an exciting mixture of time with those closest to him, time behind the decks and time rigging or setting up lights for various events.

Planet Angel is now an integral part of Ian’s life. His involvement over the years has strengthened and built many work and personal relationships. Sit back and relax. It’s time for Ian’s story.

Give us a glimpse into your normal day-to-day life.

My life is really split into three parts. Monday to Wednesday I work for a major US Investment Bank in the City of London developing IT Strategy. Thursday and Friday and alternate weekends I am a stay-at-home-dad for my four kids although the eldest are not around so much anymore. On other weekends I am usually out and about dancing, rigging, occasionally DJing or at an after party somewhere. My 87- year-old dad has just come to live with me.

How would you describe life before your first Planet Angel experience?

I was in a failing relationship. I had a good job, but very little confidence in my ability to do it. I didn’t really have a great relationship with my kids. I did used to go out drinking with mates for a break, but I had knocked this on the head because I couldn’t deal with the hangovers and the complaints of my partner. My circle of friends was getting smaller and smaller.

Who introduced you to your first-ever Planet Angel?

My mates Robbie (Robert Jacobs) and Ersin (Ramiz)

Describe your first time at Planet Angel.

I had been to Planet Angel once or twice before I separated from my kids’ mum, but only for an hour or so after the pub. I thought if I get into this it really would be the end of our relationship.

The first Planet Angel I remember was about a week after we actually did separate. It was under the arches near London Bridge. I was feeling quite nervous. I remember coming through the door quite early and walking through to the Chill Bar with a mate. Then an absolutely stunning Brazilian woman shouted my name and came over to give me a big hug. It was a friend’s brother’s ex-wife. She had been to Planet Angel before and was infected with the spirit of the place. I danced my socks off all night with different groups of people and I have never looked back since.

What is your personal view of the entire Planet Angel experience?

These day people are often so driven by life goals that they forget to party. Planet Angel is an excellent night to catch up with friends, dance, meet new people and do all the other things that makes a great party.

On the work side of things -  I love the “Not-for-Profit” ethos. I get a real feel of working together as a group that aims to put on something special every time we organise a party.

What would you say distinguishes Planet Angel from other club nights?

The friendliness of the place is the big difference. I think the word-of-mouth approach has made a huge difference. Although having lots of activities (like Lego etc.) which encourages people to talk naturally.

It’s not that long since I started coming, but it almost seems as if a new generation has started coming recently. What is great about this, is that the friendly attitude seems to have been passed on from one generation to the next.

How did you get involved in the Planet Angel events and what do you do?

I noticed a poster in the toilets asking for volunteers. I spoke to JFS on the door - he took my details and Pete rang me. They needed décor riggers and this is how I started. I have learnt a wide range of things now. I rig décor or lighting for Planet Angel, but sometimes do audio stuff for other venues as well.

How does Planet Angel contribute to other areas of your life?

Getting involved as crew for Planet Angel led me on to volunteer for other events like Whirly, Loop and the 491 gallery. Working with lots of different people, both at Planet Angel and elsewhere, gave me renewed confidence in my abilities and myself. This fed back into my work and my relationships with people, especially my relationships with my kids.

At the Planet Angel *Chilled* events we used to have a couple of years ago, my kids saw a different side to their dad. Since then the youngest three have all rigged with me at some event or another. Sam, my 12 year old, was even official crew (with a badge and everything) at the last *Chilled* where he set up and hosted the game cube. Unfortunately he was stripped of his crew badge for chucking water bombs – but that is 12-year-old boys for you!

Most bizarrely, especially at my age, is that I have recently starting DJing. This was something I had never even thought of before I came to Planet Angel.

What is your most memorable Planet Angel moment?

There have been a lot… The one described above comes pretty high. There’s also another one I remember in particular that captures the spirit of Planet Angel for me.

I was sitting at the back of the funky lounge arch when Rogue Element’s - Breathe came on. I love this tune so I headed straight for the dance floor. I had been really going for it for a while when I noticed a woman also dancing hard next to me. We carried on dancing madly till the end of the tune. At that point we shook hands and walked off in different directions. We didn’t need to say anything!

Tell us about one particularly interesting person you’ve met and connected with at Planet Angel.

It’s really hard to just pick one person. Most people I’ve met have been interesting in one way or another. I suppose one of the people I have connected with the most is Andi Hall. Lots of times we’ve ended up doing the blue run* together, popping into Sainsbury’s on the way back to stock up on beer or tobacco before heading off home or to an after party - depending on what we could talk each other into.

What do you see happening on the future dance floors of Planet Angel?

My kids and their mates - Maxime is 18 next February and Tegan is 18 in November 2010!

* The blue run is one of the last jobs at the end of a party and involves getting all of the kit back to the storage depot and packed away.