Mixmag set up a google hangout with Alesso & Otto Knows from Refune Records to chat about various things going on in the DJ's lives and careers. In the hang out you can hear an exclusive listen of Alesso's forthcoming single 'Clash'
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Ultra Music Festival 2012
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Friday, November 30, 2012
Marcus Schossow Christmas Song
This afternoon Marcus Schossow got everyone in the electronic community into the holiday season. He posted a rough cut song he said he had no intention of turning into a christmas song. Take a listen and read his facebook post below
"erhmm yeah, so i was sitting in the studio playing around with my moog voyager and it turns out to become a christmas song by itself.... im not sure if its the glühwein i just had but hmmmm, u know, i guess it happened for a reason."
"erhmm yeah, so i was sitting in the studio playing around with my moog voyager and it turns out to become a christmas song by itself.... im not sure if its the glühwein i just had but hmmmm, u know, i guess it happened for a reason."
Was Cash Berlin A PR Stunt? Hammerica thinks so!
Post from Hammerica
Twitter & the Trancefamily were on fire this week after Dash Berlin tweeted:
Just heard that I will not be playig at #ASOT600 
Armin seemed surprised and publicly said he would check out what was going on. Then Armin stated:
I just spoke to my agent and we’ve NEVER offered any other DJ more money than this time. Why @Dashberlin ? And why do you play it like this?
Twitter hell broke loose and a gazillion of both cheesy and clever Cash Berlin memes flooded the internet.
Thruth be told: THIS IS A BRILLIANT PR STUNT
No of course there is no beef between Armin and Dash. Agreements have long been signed. Money has been transferred – But to cause an extra steer and get the news trending, TEAM ARMADA did something that was previously only known to rappers: Create a fake beef that will ultimately make it to the mainstream media.
The beef was reported in one of Holland’s biggest papers, Sp!ts:
Instead of paying hard cash for advertising campaigns online, ARMADA, Dash and Armin just got themselves a new stream of FREE publicity.
Still the memes and Youtube vids were pretty funny!
So thanks Armada, Dash and Armin for the laughs!
Top 10 Songs of 2012 - YOUR VOTE
One month left! With the year closing down, we at EDM Boston.com want to know what you thought were some of the catchiest, most fun, most influential electronic songs of the year that you want remembered. Write your top 5 songs into the survey below, and after a few weeks of voting, we will have up the results in a compilation picked by our readers.
Fill out the survey here and let us know!
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Swedish House Mafia - ONE LAST TOUR - Evolving Book
Swedish House Mafia is running a campaign for everyone to send in their photos from the One Last Tour stops they attend. They are taking the photos and composing a book, which you can see below in its unfinished state.
Camp Bisco Goers Sues Festival After having Bad Reaction to Drugs Taken at Festival
For all the uninformed parents out there that think festivals are responsible for your angel, you send off to festivals, lets get one thing straight. NO ONE is responsible for your delinquent children except you. If they do drugs, its at their own risk, plain and simple. If they have a bad reaction its not on the medical staff or the festival's responsibility. They provide medical tents to try and help people and provide as much help as they can, not to guarantee a revival from shooting an amalgamation of drugs that would make even charlie sheen blush and say "I wouldn't even touch that".
(TimesUnion) The mother of a comatose Schenectady woman has filed a notice of claim on her daughter's behalf against organizers of the hugely popular Camp Bisco summer music festival and the town of Duanesburg, where it was held.
Heather Bynum was with friends at the festival at Indian Lookout Country Club shortly before 5 p.m. July 12 when she suffered a "bad reaction to a bad drug," according to attorney Paul Wein of the Guilderland law firm representing Bynum in the claim.
Filed in state Supreme Court in Schenectady County, the claim for personal injuries and pain and suffering contends "medical (staff) was slow to respond and failed to provide appropriate and/or timely care" and that Bynum's injuries were caused by the "negligence, recklessness" and "carelessness" because of the lack of care she received.
Wein was unsure how much time elapsed between Bynum's adverse reaction to the drug and when she received medical attention, but he said her condition had worsened by the time she was transported in a golf cart to a waiting ambulance.
"This was foreseeable and they took no steps to prepare for it and head it off at the pass," said Wein.
He and his law partner, Cynthia LaFave, said organizers should have been prepared for medical emergencies because of the history of drug use among Camp Bisco revelers.
Chad Shearer, who handles public relations for Camp Bisco, said Tuesday he would contact the promoter, who Shearer later said did not immediately call him back.
LaFave said Bynum, who is a patient at Ellis Hospital, is a quadriplegic, has minimal consciousness, can't speak and only recently starting breathing on her own.
"Her care for the rest of her life will be astronomical," said LaFave. "If they are going to have these big functions with all these people, they are responsible for providing medical assistance to people there."
The claim, which was filed both in state Supreme Court and the Court of Claims, also names the Duanesburg Planning Board, Duanesburg Town Board, Schenectady County Public Health and Schenectady County as defendants. A notice of claim is a precursor to a lawsuit.
"She ended up not being taken care of in a timely manner," said LaFave
Schenectady County Attorney Chris Gardner declined comment, saying the county had not yet been served with the claim. Duanesburg Supervisor Rene Merrihew did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
The incident occurred a day after a 29-year-old New Jersey man was found dead in his tent after an apparent drug overdose at the Camp Bisco festival from July 12 to 14. State troopers have said they found Xanax and hydrocodone inside his tent, along with some marijuana.
Bynum's mother, Deborah Bynum, also names the state in a notice of intention to file a claim in state Court of Claims.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Fedde Le Grand’s ‘Raw’ Video Preview
Fedde le Grand ‘RAW’ – released on Spinnin Records December 24th 2012 only on beatport.com.
Spanish Promoter Bans Computer Synch Program Traktor From Events
DJ Techtools) WIP, a Barcelona-based agency and label that throws parties, books events and manages artists, has issued a strong statement on Facebook that they’re no longer going to allow Native Instruments’ Traktor DJ software to be used at events that they throw in the future.
In their statement (Editor’s Update 4:40Pm PST: looks like their Facebook note was taken down or deleted!) the group bemoans not the technology itself, but the type of DJs and performers use the software as some type of a crutch:
“The real issue is with “artists” who swear they can play any format be it CD, vinyl, usb and or Traktor but whose Traktor sets are nothing but stale, bland and outright insulting to a paying crowd and promoter.We’ve also grown tired of the endless issues with missing cables, problems with timecode (learn how to use your gear before you play out), taking up the previous Dj’s time to set up your gear (cause you didn’t want to come to the club early and set up your Traktor), how is it you play 5 times a week and still don’t know how to set it up right?And, more importantly we’re fed up with the general laziness shown by 99% of “artists” that we’ve seen and heard playing Traktor.”
EDMBoston Take: By and large we have to applaude WIP's, the Spanish Promoter, actions here. The problem is that most dj's utilizing traktor lack superior quality DJ skills to entertain a crowd. They auto synch up tracks and are the epitimy of flanger knob turners. It's akeen to watching a pop star lip synch his/her performance. We know the nay sayers are going to say what about DJ Shiftee, Craze, and Loco Dice that utilize traktor in the creative way that it's suppose to be used. That is the unfortunate downside. However, how many performers can you say are operating traktor in that manner? We've seen very few, especially on the local level.
We think what this promoter should have done is stopped booking progressive/electro house artists that synching tracks on traktor.
We think what this promoter should have done is stopped booking progressive/electro house artists that synching tracks on traktor.
Nevertheless, I'm sure this Barcelona agency won't have any problems bending it's rules when it comes to an artist like loco dice.
Read the article below for more details on the story:
Read the article below for more details on the story:
(DJ Techtools) WIP, a Barcelona-based agency and label that throws parties, books events and manages artists, has issued a strong statement on Facebook that they’re no longer going to allow Native Instruments’ Traktor DJ software to be used at events that they throw in the future.
In their statement (Editor’s Update 4:40Pm PST: looks like their Facebook note was taken down or deleted!) the group bemoans not the technology itself, but the type of DJs and performers use the software as some type of a crutch:
“The real issue is with “artists” who swear they can play any format be it CD, vinyl, usb and or Traktor but whose Traktor sets are nothing but stale, bland and outright insulting to a paying crowd and promoter.We’ve also grown tired of the endless issues with missing cables, problems with timecode (learn how to use your gear before you play out), taking up the previous Dj’s time to set up your gear (cause you didn’t want to come to the club early and set up your Traktor), how is it you play 5 times a week and still don’t know how to set it up right?And, more importantly we’re fed up with the general laziness shown by 99% of “artists” that we’ve seen and heard playing Traktor.”
While we’re absolutely not going to pretend like we haven’t seen performers with a lazy style in the club, it’s odd to see this agency point the finger at Traktor. What about performers who cycle through the same CDs every single gig, whose set lists look identical every night? You don’t need to use Traktor to be a bad DJ – Ableton, Scratch Live, ITCH, CD, and even vinyl DJs all are capable of sitting back and not putting on incredible sets if they’re not into it.
Banning Traktor seems a bit excessive – why not instead make sure that the artist puts on great shows? A little bit of research can go a long way, and that’s something that a connected agency and clever event promoter should have a responsibility to do.
Loco Dice Interview | How I Play
This is what djing is all about. Having complete control over the music being pumped out on the speakers and vibe building and decending in the room. Not spitting out two tracks you beat match together.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Steve Aoki & Michael Phelps Go White Raver-Rafting
(Craveonline) Dim Mak Mondays at Club XS on Las Vegas’ strip have become a notorious spot to see Aoki’s antics at their craziest. Known for throwing cake and spraying champagne, the DJ is also noted for his on-stage celebrity guests. The most recent guest was Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps. Steve Aoki sets the scene.
“He’s the man. It was actually the first time I’d ever met him face to face. We have a few mutual friends, like poker friends, and Soul Republic. We’re connected through them. He came out and was like “I love No Beef. I used to play it before races.” He came out with me on stage, we ‘white-raver rafted’ over the crowd. I was a bit worried. I was like “all right Michael, you go and do it on your own.” And he was like “No man! We do this together!” There were a lot of girls right there and they were in heels. But I jumped in first; he was at the tail end. Then 10 seconds later I look back and he’s already out. I think he capsized.”
If you can’t imagine it, here’s a picture of the ‘whiteraver rafting’ from Aoki’s instagram. Rafting over a sea of fans isn’t the only thing that Aoki and Phelps share. Aoki elaborates, “Right after my set, we played [poker] from like 4 in the morning ’til 10am straight. He’s still probably at the table.” No stranger to placing a bet or two, Stryker asked who Aoki would rather sit at a poker table with; Phil “the Unabomber” Laak or Antonio “The Magician” Esfandiari.
Aoki laughed, replying, “Both those guys are good friends. Antonio actually taught me. I would have to say Antonio because I know him better but at the same time I don’t. We have prop bets going on throughout the whole year. We made one that actually changed my lifestyle. It’s 12 workouts every month and every time you miss it, you play $100. It’s a gentleman’s bet. It’s just your word and you stick to it.”
Aoki describes his...
Deadmau5 on Highest-Paid DJs List, Mouse Head's Branding Power ~Billboard
(Billboard.biz) Deadmau5 sat down for a keynote Q&A at Billboard's FutureSound Conference an discussed the health of the EDM genre, the changes he's seen in dance music appreciationn, and the big business behind the craze.
Talking about the health and vitality of the genre, Deadmau5 -- the alias of Joel Zimmerman -- twisted the acronym EDM to "event-driven marketing," and compared the craze to the disco of the 1970s. "[Disco] had some hangtime -- 10, 15, 17 years tops," he told Billboard Editorial Director Bill Werde. "Not too many people are forward-thinking about electronic music."
He also brought up and slammed a Forbes report from August on " The World's Highest-Paid DJs" in which he was listed at No. 6 with a reported $11.5 million in annual earnings, a figure that he argued was inaccurate.
"After I saw the article, I called my manager and said, 'Yo, what the f---? I'm $9 million short, dude. We gotta talk,'" Zimmerman joked. "Nobody is making that kind of money."
When it came to his own brand -- Zimmerman will always be associated with his famous oversized mouse head -- he said he had noticed a trend toward branding gimmicks in recent years. "I'm not gonna condemn them for doing that, because "oh, I was the first guy to put something on my head,'" he said. "I can't have any hatred for anyone doing that, but I can understand how hard it must be to have a unifying brand identity with your art."
WATCH THE FIRST PART OF DEADMAU5'S FUTURESOUND Q&A BELOW:
Eric Prydz at Roseland Ballroom 11-24-12
Pryda is a f*ckin boss. He shredded Roseland pre-thanksgiving to give everyone an evening to give thanks to, which went to a ho hum 4:30am, when staff had to yank him off stage. #whatthissceneissupposetobelike
Monday, November 26, 2012
MDK - Katana (Original Mix)
MDK aka Morgan David King is an electronic producer from Vancouver, Canada. We choose his newest song “Katana” because of its unique approach to dubstep, that takes us away to japan with its influenced wobbles and orchestral work. Not sure how the piece would work at a party but its a fun listen to break up from the mundane
Protocol Radio Podcast 016 - Nicky Romero
Nicky Romero has released episode 16 of his quickly growing Protocol Radio podcast for us to enjoy. If you enjoyed his set sunday night this will follow closely in its footsteps.
BILL BREWSTER: "EDM TAKES ITS CUE FROM STADIUM ROCK"
(MixMag) DJing expert and documenter Bill Brewster thinks "EDM has effectively bypassed the club culture on which house and techno were founded".
Following Calvin Harris' outburst at the BBC on Twitter earlier on this week, the state of electronic dance music and the notion of prerecorded DJ sets has once again come into question.
In a column written for the Guardian, Brewster has stated: "Prerecording sets is a curious phenomenon, because it's the live interaction between DJ and dancefloor where the real fun occurs. Without the ability to change the mood, change the tempo, change the style, you're nothing more than a jukebox that needs a toilet break every so often."
The writer went on about DJ superstars such as Tiësto: "Two seasons ago, I spent a night checking out all the big clubs in Ibiza and was struck by how surprisingly dull a lot of it is these days. Tiësto's performance at Privilege looked like 10,000 people waiting for the world's largest bus to arrive."
It's quite a scathing report, but there is undoubtedly some truth in what Bill Brewster, who wrote the book 'Last Night A DJ Saved My Life' with Frank Broughton, is saying.
Dash Berlin Top 20 – December 2012
Dash Berlin has released his final top 20 tracks for the year of 2012. It was a busy year for the artist, which concluded in rising to the number 7 seat on the DJ Mag Top 100 list in addition to the release of his #musiclife album and United Destination 2012 compilation. Check out Dash Berlin top 20 essentials to finish out 2012.
Tracks:
- Dash Berlin feat. Kate Walsh - When You Were Around (Ferry Corsten Fix) (06:38)
- Andrew Rayel feat. Jano - How Do I Know (Club Mix) (06:32)
- Delerium feat. Sarah McLachlan - Silence (W&W vs Jonas Stenberg Remix) (05:28)
- Paul Rigel - Fruition (Original Mix) (07:47)
- Maywave - Harmony (Original Mix) (07:00)
- Miikka Pelkonen - Rose (Original Mix) (07:37)
- Exostate - Easily I Fell (Ferry Tayle 'The Wizard' Remix) (08:21)
- DelAir - Sense Of Spring (Denis Sender Remix) (06:25)
- Photographer - Airport (Radio Edit) (04:42)
- Andy Moor & Daniel Paul Davis - Ordinary People (Extended Mix) (06:56)
- Susana & Shogun - Only You (Dub Mix) (08:010)
- Dart Rayne - Anachen (Original Mix) (07:28)
- Paul Webster - Nailed (Jamie Walker Remix) (07:25)
- Carol Lee - Edge Of A Broken Heart (Mario Ayuda & Chris Callado Radio Edit) (04:40)
- Cosmic Gate & Cary Brothers - Wake Your Mind (DBN Remix) (06:37)
- John B & Kirsty Hawkshaw - Connected (Craig Connelly Remix Edit) (04:42)
- Max Braiman & Farid - Jumeirah (Original Mix) (07:43)
- Cold Blue - Atlantis (Radio Edit) (03:20)
- Karanda feat. Laura Shea - Agony (Original Mix) (06:49)
- SHato & Paul Rockseek - Found You (Maarten de Jong Remix) (07:28)
- Shane - Too Late To Turn (Armin van Buuren Remix - Classic Bonus Track) (08:05)
Tiësto & U2 - Pride (In the Name Of Love)
Does this track, Pride(In the Name of Love) work as a standalone single? Not really. Does this remix work nicely in a complete tiesto set? The unequivocal answer is yes, we can see this anthem rock remix fitting very nicely at a festival midset.
Arty Mix Featured on Group Therapy Radio Episode 003
Above & Beyond bring a little something different in their third episode of group therapy: an Arty Mix featured at the end of the show. Check it out below:
Tracklist after the jump:
We're Back!
With that being said we are back in the saddle and looking forward to bringing you the best in Electronic Dance Music News, Photography, and apparel!
Friday, November 23, 2012
Knife Party Releases Exclusive Mixmag Mix
Knife Party, the British/Australian electro-dub duo have released a 33 minute mix entitled 'Clever Title Like Deadmau5 Would Use' Mix, exclusive to Mixmag featuring some of their classic songs along with new remixes and a hint of what they might be producing in the future. Definitely turn the volume up to 11 on this one.
tracklist after the jump
Check it out below with a full tracklisting from their soundcloud.
tracklist after the jump
The Warehouse Project- Documentary on Diplo, Skream, and more
Here's an interesting, short documentary about a few DJs like Diplo, Bauuer, Skream, and more artists who are on the forefront of new and emerging music. If you're a fan, check out The Warehouse Project! It gives a great insight into the minds of some of our favorite artists.
Deadmau5 - "Arcadia"
Over the past year, Deadmau5 has been in a transition period of trying to find new sounds that pair with his classics, while still staying true to what he enjoys. Most recently, that has been by taking a more trance vibe. In "Arcadia", the overall sound definitely has huge Deadmau5 elements, while still trying out some new sounds. With an Armin Van Buuren collaboration on the way, trance may be boiling up and out of the underground in the near future.
Want to hear what 3lau has to say on trance? Find out what he said about it in our interview here.
Want to hear what 3lau has to say on trance? Find out what he said about it in our interview here.
Will We Ever Run Out Of New Music?
With thousands of new songs across all genres being produced every day, one must think where originality will end. This video aims to see how much original music can really be made. While music tastes can be vastly different years from now, with the current technology and basic music theory, the answer will definitely surprise you.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving to all of our followers! We will be taking the day to relax and enjoy some quality time with friends and family. Hope you all do too!
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Possible Daft Punk Leak: "Emphazed"
With Daft Punk's brand new album "No End" coming out in March, if there was any time for leaks to be made, it would be soon. Over the past few hours, a new track called Emphazed has been making it's rounds through the internet. Could it be genuine? The consensus is: maybe. While it isn't as flashy as it could be, it does have some elements that do sound like it could be their new style mixed with the old from a decade ago. Give it a listen and tell us what you think.
For more leaks we've covered, check out our previous article on Daft Punk album and tour info here.
Tiesto, Bono, Calvin Harris, Diplo fight AIDS with (RED)
From RollingStone.com:
"Superstar DJ Tiesto has teamed up with the anti-AIDS charity (RED) for a compilation album that includes some of EDM's biggest names, including Calvin Harris, Avicii and Diplo. Out November 27th, Dance (RED), Save Lives will also feature Tiesto's recent collaboration with Bono on a remake of U2's "Pride."
Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/tiesto-recruits-bono-calvin-harris-diplo-for-aids-charity-compilation-20121120#ixzz2CrzA2rZU
"Superstar DJ Tiesto has teamed up with the anti-AIDS charity (RED) for a compilation album that includes some of EDM's biggest names, including Calvin Harris, Avicii and Diplo. Out November 27th, Dance (RED), Save Lives will also feature Tiesto's recent collaboration with Bono on a remake of U2's "Pride."
"When I went to Africa in 2006, I was struck by the devastating effect of AIDS," said Tiesto in a statement. "Now the world has an incredible chance to make sure that babies are born HIV-free by 2015, and the dance community is going to make a lot of noise to help make this happen."
The album will be accompanied by a YouTube livestream of sets from Tiesto and other Dance (Red) artists during Melbourne's Stereosonic Festival, which will be staged during World AIDS Day weekend on December 1st and 2nd.
"What Tiesto and his friends in the dance music community are bringing to this fight is invaluable," said (RED) CEO Deborah Dugan. "They bring the kind of heat that is so desperately needed to keep this issue at the top of the agenda.""
Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/tiesto-recruits-bono-calvin-harris-diplo-for-aids-charity-compilation-20121120#ixzz2CrzA2rZU
Protocol Flight #01 with Nicky Romero
After having one of the most successful 2012s, Nicky Romero has now introduced his own "behind-the-scenes" glimpse of what really happens in his life. Between touring and producing hit after hit like Metropolis with David Guetta, fans can see what the artist is really like and step in their shoes.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Deadmau5 and Kat Von D are back together
Well, the gossip mill is at it again. In the news of EDM related gossip, deadmau5 and Kat Von D seem to back back together. Thank you Twitter for keeping us up to date with the lives of our favorite djs!
(Toronto Sun)
Deadmau5 proved he is back together with his girlfriend Kat Von D by sharing pictures of the couple's "date night" on Monday.
The celebrity tattoo artist appeared to have dumped her partner earlier this month after posting a series of scathing messages on Twitter.com, ending her rant with "Clarification: Deadmau5 and I are no longer together." However, the stars appear to be giving their romance another try.
Deadmau5 took to Twitter.com on Monday to share a picture of the couple's night out, posting an image of a car dashboard with the caption, "Random spontaneous adventure date night with Kat Von D". He went on to praise his girlfriend's artistic talents by sharing an image of a drawing she had inked on a tablecloth, adding, "Man, my talented a** girlfriend is f**kin talented."
(Toronto Sun)
Deadmau5 proved he is back together with his girlfriend Kat Von D by sharing pictures of the couple's "date night" on Monday.
The celebrity tattoo artist appeared to have dumped her partner earlier this month after posting a series of scathing messages on Twitter.com, ending her rant with "Clarification: Deadmau5 and I are no longer together." However, the stars appear to be giving their romance another try.
Deadmau5 took to Twitter.com on Monday to share a picture of the couple's night out, posting an image of a car dashboard with the caption, "Random spontaneous adventure date night with Kat Von D". He went on to praise his girlfriend's artistic talents by sharing an image of a drawing she had inked on a tablecloth, adding, "Man, my talented a** girlfriend is f**kin talented."
Afrojack - "Annie's Theme" Official Video
Update: For being too crude and gathering too many complaints, Afrojack has decided to pull his official video from Youtube.
Just a few hours ago, "Annie's Theme", one of Afrojack's glitchiest tracks yet, finally got an official music video. The video is scattered and all over the place with a variety of colors and scenes from the Jacked tour in the US, that definitely fits the feel that the tour and track have. Check it and comment!
Just a few hours ago, "Annie's Theme", one of Afrojack's glitchiest tracks yet, finally got an official music video. The video is scattered and all over the place with a variety of colors and scenes from the Jacked tour in the US, that definitely fits the feel that the tour and track have. Check it and comment!
Monday, November 19, 2012
EDM Event for Sandy Relief in NYC TONIGHT!
Tonight in New York City at the Gramercy Theatre there will be a benefit Hurricane Sandy relief concert with a bunch of our favorite EDM artists.This is being put on by Tommy Sunshine's record label Brooklyn Fire, in association with the Red Cross and SOL Republic. 100% of the proceeds from the $20 tickets will be going towards relief efforts for the victims of Sandy.
DJs include The Crystal Method (dj set), Tommie Sunshine, Drop The Lime, Run DMT, The Disco Fries, Dances With White Girls, Alexander Technique, Gosteffects, FIGO (dj set), Blaqwell, Prince Terrance, Carl Louis & Martin Danielle, Alex English & Star Eyes, Metaphysical & Aramix Vega, Valentine, Soundkeepers, Monikkr, DJ Dali, and Lee Kalt.
$20, tonight at 7PM at the Gramercy Theatre in New York!
David Guetta Wins American Music Award in EDM Category
David Guetta, the French-export electro pop DJ, continues down his path of overtaking the mainstream American EDM scene by winning Favorite Electronic Artist at the American Music Awards last night.
The AMAs only introduced a category for Electronic Dance Music this year, and Guetta was the first artist to sweep one up.
While these awards mean little to nothing more than what tween girls are ripping from YouTube, it is still significant that Electronic has for the first time now gotten its own category in these awards.
Above and Beyond Group Therapy Radio 002
Last week, trance masters Above and Beyond ended their legendary Trance Around the World podcast and replaced it with Group Therapy Radio. It was a huge success as it aired live from their show in India.
This week, A&B bring us their second podcast from ABGT 002. It features Armin Van Buuren as a special guest with his own mini mix to finish off the week's podcast.
Check it out below with a full tracklist after the jump.
This week, A&B bring us their second podcast from ABGT 002. It features Armin Van Buuren as a special guest with his own mini mix to finish off the week's podcast.
Check it out below with a full tracklist after the jump.
Tracklisting after the jump:
Afrojack covers "Gangnam Style"
For all who saw our Mic'd Up live stream with Quintino, you would know that he loves to make fun of Gangnam Style and it trying to be played in a club. However, his good buddy Afrojack has now made it possible. With this preview from Chicago, those catchy "I-have-no-idea-what-this-means" lyrics are dubbed over what sounds like a mostly-finished beat in that hard Dutch house style. With work on everyone mainstream from Pitbull to Paris Hilton, if anyone was going to do this and do it right, it's Afrojack.
Thoughts? Give us a comment and let us know how you feel!
Thoughts? Give us a comment and let us know how you feel!
Friday, November 16, 2012
Dance Music's Creative Crisis: It's Not Just Streaming ~Spin
(Spin) Damon Krukowski's sobering analysis of how little recording artists make from streaming their music under current royalty rates — to wit, he says that his former band, Galaxie 500, would need to rack up 13 million streams to make the same profit they did selling just 1,000 7-inches, back in 1988 — has generated plenty of reactions, both positive and negative. Among the critical responses is the hoary argument that musicians need to suck it up and adapt with the times — specifically, by taking their show on the road. If the only money left on the table is to go to touring acts, then musicians just need to get off the couch and go play some shows, right?
Former Village Voice music editor Maura Johnston has written a cogent takedown of this attitude, but one point in particular sticks out: "Playing live only really 'works' as a revenue model (let alone a constant one) for certain types of acts."
I'm so glad she brought that point up, because it crystallizes a lot of what's wrong with electronic dance music in 2012.
Setting aside the audience, there are two fundamental roles in dance music: The producer and the performer (whether DJ, live act, or some hybrid of the two). Many electronic-music artists, certainly most working ones, occupy both roles. There are notable exceptions — particularly DJs like Ben UFO and Jackmaster, who have made a point of focusing their efforts solely on DJing — but DJs who don't also produce original music are few and far between. (On the local level, of course, it's possible to find many talented DJs who don't put out records, but they rarely become known outside of their city or region, and they rarely end up making a career of it.) There must also be some electronic-music producers who never play in public, whether as DJs or live performers, but I'm having trouble coming up with any current names. As a rule, artists who want to have careers in electronic music have to do double duty as producers and performers. But that's a recent development, and it has had deleterious effects on electronic dance music as a whole.
Many recording artists simply aren't born performers, and vice versa. Some producers would be content to stay in their studios making music — whether that's for listeners to buy, or other DJs to play out. (Electronic dance music's economics are complicated by the fact that much of its output isn't really meant to be purchased by home listeners; its main market is DJs.) They may not have the skills or interest to be DJs themselves, or to develop a dynamic, compelling live set. Production and performance entail totally different skill sets, and it sucks that a producer who is fantastically talented at one thing — turning out amazing productions — has to stretch her/himself thin by also taking up DJing or live performance.
But an artist who only makes records is increasingly unlikely to be able to make a living at it. Without even wading into the debate over streaming royalties, it is commonly accepted that the bottom has dropped out of the market for dance-music recordings. Labels that used to be able to count on selling 10,000 or more copies of a new single or EP may now sell 1,000 copies; labels that used to sell in the low thousands are now selling in the low hundreds.
There are many reasons that dance-music records sell less now than they used to. Piracy is a big one. Another is the "unbundling" of EP tracks. With digital music, consumers no longer have to fork over $10 for a two-track single; they may buy just one MP3. And while digital music might seem cheaper to distribute than vinyl — after all, there's no physical pressing, no sleeves to print, no postage costs — it's still not free; labels still have to cover graphic design, promotion, mastering of the digital file, and their own overhead. So once the digital retailer has taken its cut (as high as 40%) and the label has recouped its costs, the amount that's left over for the artist is very small indeed, when we're talking about single MP3s priced at $1.99.
So musicians who want to make a living need to tour. But here's where the Catch-22 kicks in.
For producer/DJs to get consistent bookings, they need to keep up a steady flood of new productions in order to keep their name circulating in the public. So they end up releasing tons of mediocre shit, just as talented producers deliver sub-standard DJ sets. And, since they're gigging every weekend and then recovering from jetlag and hangovers from Monday through Wednesday, there's precious little time to actually sit down in the studio and get real work done. Making good music takes time, and time is an increasingly scarce resource for touring DJs and live performers.
Meanwhile, the market clogs up with mediocre, sound-alike productions. If people want to buy them, of course, that's their prerogative. But the marketplace gets cluttered. Listeners burn out. It gets harder and harder to find original, exciting music in the big online retailers. Purchasers' dollars get divided up between an increasingly larger pool of releases, and labels and artists sell even fewer recordings. So Johnston is right: The admonition to "just go out on tour," a red herring for the indie scene, is an even less adequate solution for electronic dance music. The tightening loop between the studio and the stage is a vicious circle, and it's strangling dance music's creative potential.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Calvin Harris Talks Red Carpet
(CBSLocal) Don’t expect to see Calvin Harris walking a red carpet anytime soon. “I hate all that stuff,” he said during an interview with 97.1 AMP Radio/Los Angeles.
Winning awards doesn’t sound like a big deal to Calvin. He’s nominated for an American Music Award along with David Guetta and Skrillex for Favorite Artist – Electronic Dance Music, but had to be reminded of his nomination. “Awards are a very new thing to me. I hate red carpets and I hate people looking at me generally and taking pictures and stuff. I hate all that stuff.”
Calvin has run into some bad red carpet experiences before. At the MTV Video Music Awards a photographer got him confused with a similar looking actor.
“Maybe 80% of the people don’t even know who you are,” he admitted. “They say, ‘What do you do?’ You’re told to stop, and they take pictures of you, but the people taking pictures aren’t even really sure who you are.”
News and music sites used that actor’s photo for Calvin Harris stories from that point on. He joked it would be better to just use a question mark for his face.
Man does this article reek of celebrity desperation. I guess that's what happens when you hang out with Rihanna for a minute. However, "i hate people looking at me generally". Um newflash bro your a festival DJ. Small problem with your line of work choice.
Armin Van Buuren Interview
Armin sits down and chats about A State Of Trance (ASOT), ASOT 600, development in trance, progression in production, and his upcoming tour. Find out why certain cities were choosen for ASOT 600 in this armin van buuren interview and what else the artist has going on in his busy schedule.
Part 2
For More on Armin Van Buuren watch his Documentary 'A year with Armin Van Buuren'
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Quintino live at "JACKED ADE" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Tonight Quintino throws down his infamous electro lazer sound at Splash. From the sounds of the new tracks he played on our live stream last night, we know this is going to be an "epic" set to listen to.
See you tonight!
Deadmau5 Releases 4 Unfinished tracks
If you haven't been monitoring Deadmau5' infamous soundcloud page over the last two days, he has dropped some new goodies on it. Before you get all excited about new "finished" tracks, you won't find any here. However, you will get 4 samples the artist created that assuredy will lead to something with Joel's creative mind.
Clear Channel Bets on Electronic Dance Music, Signing Up Pete Tong
My oh My! How exciting is it that we will be able to hear that much more of Pete Tong? Imagine if this is successful and he moved his essential selection state side? How bout that for something you never saw coming?!?
(New York Times) Clear Channel Communications is turning to the electronic dance music craze to help build its online brand, iHeartRadio, with a new channel featuring Pete Tong, the British D.J. and radio personality who has been one of the genre’s biggest taste makers for two decades.
The channel, called Evolution, will start on Monday, joining iHeartRadio’s hundreds of online stations. Its first week will be loosely structured, with Mr. Tong playing music and inviting guests. The full, around-the-clock programming schedule begins Nov. 19, with “All Gone Pete Tong,” a two-hour live show from Mr. Tong each weeknight; shows by star dance D.J.’s like Diplo, Wolfgang Gartner and Fatboy Slim; and a rundown of the Top 100 hits on Beatport, the leading digital retailer for electronic dance music (or E.D.M., the catch-all name that the genre’s leaders have grudgingly begun to accept).
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
DJ Mel on Playing at Obama's Election Party
(Statesman.com) Did you know DJ Mel played Obama’s election party?
Which, election party? In town somewhere?
No, the election party in Chicago, the one we all saw on TV.
Along with the par for the course political wrangling, this side conversation spun through Austin’s social media networks in the immediate aftermath of election night 2012. The jubilant crowd dancing at McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago was breaking it down to the sounds of one of Austin’s top party rockers.
“It was kind of a big deal,” Mel Cavaricci said, describing his surprisingly nonchalant response to landing the gig when we caught up with him Thursday night. Back in town for less than 24 hours, he was finishing up a day in the office at the massive local production house C3 Presents where he works as a talent buyer. In addition to DJ gigs around town including his well-loved Rock the Casbah series and a hip-hop weekly at Nasty’s that’s been running for over 15 years, he helps out with electronic dance music and DJ stages at festivals like Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits. This particular DJ gig dropped in his lap a few days before Election Night. He’d spun at the California Democratic convention a year ago and Democratic National Convention earlier this year. He has a friend who worked for Obama who was pulling for him to play the big event. On the strength of his two prior political performances he was hired.
Though he thought it was ‘pretty awesome,’ he didn’t freak out. It was just another gig. “My buddy called me and was like ‘Are you interested in coming to Chicago?’ And I was just like, ‘Yeah, sure man. No biggie, I’m there.’”
The magnitude of the event didn’t...
Find out what DJ Mel's setlist after the JUMP
EDM Boston reviews the CNTRL Tour with Richie Hawtin at Rise from Halloween
By: Adam
While there were many acts coming through Boston on Halloween this year, one not to be missed was Richie Hawtin and his CNTRL tour gang in toe. Of all the shows available for Bostonites to go to, this was one of the most traditional electronic acts playing other than Danny Tenaglia. Held at the after-hours club Rise, the EDM Boston team had a blast at one of the more unique and refreshing shows we've seen in a long time.
Rise is in
the DJ Mag Top 100 Clubs for a reason. Their lights and sounds are absolutely
incredible. Besides this, Rise is regularly open until the early hours of the
morning (6am to be precise), something no other place in Boston does, allowing party-goers to dance until dawn.
The venue is split into two floors, the lower level is a lounge and the upper houses the most underground dance scene in boston. The upper floor is beyond dimmly lit and can be an intimidating area. Despite this, tucked to the right side of the dj booth is a room lit by tv screens displaying visuals. We found this area to be the best spot in the upstairs as it had less people, freedom to move, and didn't feel creepy.
The venue is split into two floors, the lower level is a lounge and the upper houses the most underground dance scene in boston. The upper floor is beyond dimmly lit and can be an intimidating area. Despite this, tucked to the right side of the dj booth is a room lit by tv screens displaying visuals. We found this area to be the best spot in the upstairs as it had less people, freedom to move, and didn't feel creepy.
The crowd
at this show was slightly different than what we expected from a typical crowd found at Rise. For the most part,
the audience was full of people 21+ (mostly above 25), who were looking for a
night to appreciate the sounds and techniques of these international techno
artists. The College Tour that the CNTRL gang was trying to kick off seemed to be attracting less young people than they thought. However, that didnt stop anyone from having a good time
Ean Golden started the night with a good opener and a minimal
sound, followed by Paco Osuna, who had stronger bass drops to get the crowd
excited. Loco Dice introduced a more acid house sound, which brought up Richie
Hatwin.
Previously known as Plastikman, the minimal house DJ from the early 2000's, Hawtin's sound is probably unlike any track you have heard being produced lately. As
his set progressed, it literally felt like you were floating on waves of music.
It might be simple, but it has generous peaks and troughs. Through the course of no more than a
few minutes, you encounter new instrumentals coming in and out in a melody which was unlike anything I’ve heard before.
The CNTRL
tour coming to town was a treat, and definitely something interesting to break
up the electro-house sound that has been over-saturating Boston. While it may not be
everyone’s ideal choice in music, these sets live were something to be deeply
appreciated for any EDM lover. Be sure to check out all of our photos of the event at our Facebook page, and give us a like when you're there!
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