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Zach Piehl

@exzaachly

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On June 25th, 2019, at exactly 2:34 AM ET, my Mom and I watched my Dad literally turn into a satellite and go into Earth’s orbit before our very own eyes. I am still processing everything - the launch, my Dad’s passing… all of it, but I want to share these incredible videos of the launch and talk about my experience.

My Dad’s ultimate life long dream was to travel to space. I had always planned on taking my Dad to space as soon as the technology became available, with the idea to surprise him with a ticket one day and just blow his mind. Once he passed, I knew how important it was to figure out a way to still get him to space. Somehow, someway I would make his ultimate dream of space travel a reality and when I found @celestismemorialflights, I knew I actually found a way to make this happen. After a successful GoFundMe campaign thanks to all of your generosity, My Dad’s spot aboard the 16th Earth Orbital Heritage Memorial Spaceflight was secured and the mission was a go.

As the June launch date approached, my Mom and I prepared for our trip to Cape Canaveral. Though we “knew” the purpose of our trip and the fact that we were soon about to see my Dad launch into space, we could never grasp how powerful it would really be. The trip was wonderful and needed - Our first vacation in years. My mom got us the perfect little airbnb right next to the beach. After a couple of days getting to know the incredible Celestis team, meeting other families with loved ones onboard, the coolest tour of my life at Kennedy Space Center, and a moving memorial service, it was finally time for the launch.

With a launch window of 11:30 PM – 3:30 AM, we arrived at Jetty Park. We got there around 11 PM. It was dark, hot, humid, and thousands of people were already there, waiting to watch one of the most ambitious and historic rocket launches in history. 1:30 AM approaches and we hear @nasa & @spacex have confirmed a 2:30 AM launch. The excitement was palpable. We are sitting about 15 miles directly in front of launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center (where the Apollo missions launched). 2 AM approaches, 2:15, 2:20, 2:25, 2:29… then 2:30 hits… *swipe above to continue reading* taken in Jetty Park by @exzaachly

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7 years ago

One year ago, my Mom and I celebrated my Dad in the most spectacular way imaginable: By making his lifelong dream of space travel come true when his ashes were launched into space aboard the Celestis, 16th Earth Orbital Heritage Memorial Spaceflight.

Words alone don’t do this justice, so to commemorate the one-year anniversary, I have assembled what I call, the Celestis Memorial Spaceflight “Shine On” Edit. In the above videos you can see what I mean.

In Video 1 you can hear my Mom and I screaming, losing our minds with excitement. Video 2 you can see the preparation of his ashes into his own capsule, engraved with his name and favorite song, “Shine on You Crazy Diamond.” My Dad is considered crew and his mission is one of weight distribution and balance, otherwise the Orbital Test Bed satellite (OTB) wouldn’t be able to perform its precise experiments.

Video 3 & 4 is footage from the launch at NASA Kennedy Space Center, where my Mom and I witnessed what I can only describe as real life magic - the launch of the Space X Falcon Heavy rocket with my Dad aboard, then watching my Dad become a satellite, and finally, watching one of the first successful reusable booster rockets land back on the Apollo launch pad.

Video 5 shows footage in space of the moment my Dad literally became a satellite in Earth’s orbit. Video 6 is the real time tracking of his satellite, where I can watch my Dad orbit the Earth at 17,000 mph for up to the next 25 years! The last image is my Dad’s “First Moon Flights Club” membership card, a Pan Am club In 1969 promising the first commercial space travel. It cannot be overstated, this was my Dad’s ultimate dream. Thanks to the visionaries at Celestis, NASA, and Space X, his dream came true.

It’s hard to believe my Dad has been orbiting the Earth for a year now. The last two Sundays were Father’s Day my Dad’s 80th birthday. It was a week that made me miss my Dad more than ever. All the pain, sadness and anger I try to block out came rushing back as I was once again confronted with the unfair reality that my Dad is not here. I miss my Dad every day, but today I can celebrate, and anytime I need him I just look at the stars and wave. taken in Nasa Kennedy Space Center In Florida by @exzaachly

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6 years ago

Damn what a night... It’s almost impossible to believe this was 1 year ago and our last @understatedla party. I look back at this, as one of the best nights of my life and still in awe we pulled off 3 stages, 18 sets, in a single night, in a single warehouse.

Despite every obstacle and because of all your support, @understatedla and @understatedrec are still here and we are just getting started.

Special shout out to @willstart for capturing this magic, and in the wise words of Jamie xx, [I can’t wait to be back together again], “all under one roof raving” 💙🖤 taken in Ejagz’ Parallel Universe by @exzaachly

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6 years ago

As flyer me said, tomorrow night, Saturday, April 2nd, @reformpresents is happening at the historic @catchonela. This will be an unforgettable night with 5 rooms of blissfully proper techno, house, and experimental music from world renowned artists.

@understatedla has the honor of hosting our very own room and honesty, I’ve never been more proud
of a lineup we have put together.

First, we have Kyle Hall @kmfh313. Kyle Hall is revered as not only one of the best out of Detroit, but one of the best in House music… ever. He is in the elusive masterclass and will go down in history with the greats like Omar-S, Theo Parrish and other Detroit luminaries. To say it’s a privilege to have him playing our room would be a great understatement. This is one of those once in a lifetime experiences you truly don’t want to miss.

Next we have the queen of LA, @heidilawden. Heidi is the representation of all that is important in dance music and is one of the most essential figures of LA and beyond. Heidi is infectious behind the decks, fluidly blending genres and building sets to euphoric heights.

Then we have @juliet__mendoza, who is core to our Understated family. Unmatched talent, energy, authenticity and love pour out of Juliet in everything she does. She is the rarest type of special and I am so happy to have her unparalleled selections grace our stage once again.

Last but not least, my bff, my ride or die of almost 15 years, my partner in this crazy thing called life, @monsieurfrazier will be kicking off this sonic journey at 6:30pm.

This is a massive night for Understated and I’d like to thank everyone at @6amgroup, @synthetikminds & @dirtyepicla for believing in us and our vision.

This event is about to sell out and I would LOVE to see all of you there, so please get a ticket if you can at the link in my bio and come make some core memories.

P.S. - That filter took me so many tries to get right, so please enjoy one of many outtakes on the last slide lol taken in Catch One by @exzaachly

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5 years ago

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5 years ago

Dropping my first NF....

jk ha, it’s actually a music video/ visualizer I made for our last @understatedrec release, Tell Me by @nickmakestunes.

Nick is one of the most talented, coolest cats I know, and has become an essential part of the @understatedla family.

Tell Me is a magical track and this is meant to enhance that magic, so sit back, get lost, and enjoy the ride 🌀

YouTube link in bio for that full screen HD trip 😵 and thank you for all the support on the record already 💚 by @exzaachly

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6 years ago

Celebrating 4 years of @understatedla this Friday and Saturday with a very special lineup.

Back in 2016, we decided to try to throw a warehouse party. We didn’t have a master plan, we didn’t really know what we were doing (tbh lol), but we were passionate about showcasing our talented friends and throwing the best party possible. To our surprise Understated / 001 was a hit and 4 years later we are still here and our goals remain the same - showcase our insanely talented friends (and other artists we love) and give our guests a night they will never forget.

We will be back, all dancing together again, but for now join u|s this weekend for a virtual celebration 🥂

Swipe to relive some of my rarely captured early Understated memories 🥺 and see you in the twitch chat :acid: ❤️🧡💙💜💚

🌐 twitch.tv/understatedla by @exzaachly

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6 years ago

Join @understatedla x @la_mp this Saturday (4pm - 2am), as we team up again for The Giving Tree - our annual charity event, where we come together for an important cause near and dear to our hearts. This year, as people are truly struggling more than ever, all proceeds will be donated to @feedingamerica - a vital organization that provides meals to families in need.

And yes... it’s actually happening! After years behind the scenes, I’m finally making my DJ debut lol. I know, I can’t believe it either, but I’m really excited to be on my first lineup, with my favorite people, and to play some tracks I love for you all 😅.

I’m on: 6-7pm PT 👀

Tune in on our twitch channel: twitch.tv/understatedla 🌐

BIG LOVE ❤️💚💙🖤💜💛

📸: @quichetina by @exzaachly

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6 years ago

I’d like to share an experience I had this past Saturday. Three years ago, on November 21st, my Dad left this Earth unexpectedly. It’s hard to believe it’s been three years. Three years since we laughed, since we watched Interstellar, since we hit the slopes, since we did all the things we loved doing together.

That day, three years ago, was and always will be the worst day of my life. Though nothing will change that, instead of letting sadness on Saturday envelop me as it usually does, I forced myself to do something. I sat in the room where my Dad’s ashes reside, and wrote, while listening to my Dad’s Pink Floyd records. As I was writing, something magical happened. As the intro of “Shine on You Crazy Diamond” played (the very words engraved on his capsule currently orbiting Earth) a triangle made of light appeared right above the brown container filled with his ashes. Though it was just a reflection from the pool, my Mom and I had never noticed this before. As it shimmered brightly, while one of his favorite songs played, all of a sudden I felt less alone.

I then walked into the kitchen and noticed his red telescope, the one we used for our star gazing and astronomy lessons since I was a kid, pointed directly at his ashes as well. The placement of his ashes and the placement of his telescope were not intentional, and though they had been there for months, Saturday, of all days, was the first time I noticed where the telescope and the triangle of light were pointing.

What it means... I’m not sure, but that moment made me feel like my Dad is still with me, even if it’s in a way I can’t fully grasp yet, and that brings me comfort. Shine on Dad, shine on you crazy diamond. by @exzaachly

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6 years ago

My first @deserthearts festival was back in 2015. It was like nothing I had ever experienced. An alternate reality on the res, where rules don’t exist and the music never stops…ever. I have gone every year since, and every year I have had the best weekend of my life, made lifelong friends that are now family, and had experiences that shape who I am today.

Tomorrow, starting at 12pm PT, Understated has the honor of taking over Desert Hearts TV on Twitch for 24 HOURS! 12 pm Saturday to 12 pm Sunday lol! This is a dream come true and every artist on this lineup is an essential part of where @understatedla & @understatedrec are today. They are some of the most talented people in the world, so I’d recommend fastening your fkn seatbelts cuz this is about to be a wild ride 🏎

25+ artists 24 hours DJs from all over the world

See you at the virtual warehouse 🤘🏼

Tune in: twitch.tv/desertheartsrecords 🌐 #DHtv taken in Desert Hearts by @exzaachly

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6 years ago

I’ve always stayed mostly behind the scenes artistically with @understatedla, so I am beyond proud to share my first music video I created for ‘Rainforest’ off of Garneau’s Ivy EP. Rainforest is my favorite track off one of my favorite EPs we have ever released on @understatedrec. @garneaumusic is a massive talent, making some of the best music I have ever heard, so to be able to take his art and create my own art for his 2nd release with u|s, is truly an honor.

I hope you enjoy getting as lost in watching this as I did making it, and I hope this brings you 5 minutes of escape from this crazy, crazy world.

A special shout out to #Gardeneau for the inspiration and to @hyperspektiv for allowing me to bring this vision to life #hyperspektiv

YouTube vid in bio for that HD full screen goodness 💚 by @exzaachly

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6 years ago