Fedde Le Grand’s ‘Raw’ Video Preview

Fedde le Grand ‘RAW’ – released on Spinnin Records December 24th 2012 only on beatport.com.

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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.

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:

(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.

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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.

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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...

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