Ok this isn’t a collaboration that you wouldn’t think of initially. The Cataracs take their sound and sampled an older Kaskade record for the hook and added Waka Flocka. You be the judge to see if this works or not but I caution you, that it is very catchy.
Cedric Gervais “Molly”
Ok a lot was talked about this track in Miami during the Winter Music Conference, especially with Madonna asking the Ultra Fest crowd if they have seen “Molly”. Check out the “Official Music Video” from Spinnin Records
Example “Changed The Way You Kissed Me” The Freshmakerz Remix
I was initially turned onto this by DJ Enrie at Beezo.net (Check out his review HERE) These producers from the Philippines created a Big Room Mix for this International Club record. Check it out and download for free on their soundcloud page
Pioneer recently announced the addition to it’s Hardware Effects line – The Remix Station RMX-1000. I had the pleasure of testing it out at the Pioneer Suite in Miami During the Winter Music Conference. Here are my thoughts on the RMX-1000.
At First glance you can see 4 main sections of controls.
Scene FX: This is to the very right of the console that controls buildup and breakdown effects. Build-Up effects include: Band Pass Filter Echo, Echo, Noise, Spiral Up, and Reverb Up. Breakdown effects include: High Pass Filter Echo, Low Pass Filter Echo, Crush Echo, Spiral Down and Reverb Down. It has a nice size knob in the middle to control how you want the effects to work.
Isolate FX: To the left of the Scene FX are your standard Bass, Mid, High Isolator knobs
X-Pad FX: Below the Isolator knobs is a section where you can load up your own samples (via SD card on the side) to play over your mix which you can then trigger and loop. It also comes with simple Kick/Snare/Clap/Highhat standard in the unit.
Release FX: Allows you to either Echo, Vinyl Break, or Backspin the music or in reverse elminating the effects.
One of the cool features of the RMX-1000 is it comes with Software (Remixbox Software) that allows you to program your effects. Pioneer has also developed a VST that they promise will allow users to emulate the effects of the RMX-1000 that will be included, and the unit can also be used as a USB controller for that same VST.
Retail price is going to be about $800
The effects sound great. Also, the knobs and buttons are nice Size to really work and have fun with. It’s definitely something that I plan on using in my future sets.
Check out my video of my playing with the RMX-1000
Also check out the “Official” Video from Pioneer
Special thanks to DJ Lars and the Pioneer crew for letting me check it out at the Shelbourne Hotel in Miami!
Winter Music Conference comes to an end and I have to say, that it was definitely one of the better years for Music, Parties, and Events. Here are some of the tracks that I heard quite often at the different events.
Nari & Milani “Atom”
This track was played by Tiesto, Thomas Gold, & More. If you are an 80s fan, you will recognize the Nitzer Ebb Sample from “Let Your Body Learn”. This one will be coming out on Size Records soon!
Fun ft. Janelle Monae – We Are Young (Alvin Risk Remix)
Steve Aoki not only dropped this at 5am in Miami but introduced Alvin Risk on stage and gave him his props on this remix. Great energy and makes you feel good at the same time.
Avicii & Nicky Romero “Nicktim”
Another record that was played by Laidback Luke, Tiesto, Avicii, and others. This could be levels part 2 if they add some kind of vocal to it.
It’s time for another Music Mix Monday of the latest tracks/remixes that I’ve been feeling.
Kaskade feat. Skylar Grey “Room For Happiness” (Gregori Klosman Remix)
This is a nice Big room dancefloor mover!
Chris Lake “Build Up” (Tommy Trash Edit)
Great energy and I’ve been playing this one lately out a lot. Check it out!
Nero “Must Be The Felling” (Funkagenda Remix)
Great vocal with a killer remix from Funkagenda. Featured this one on my Revolution show last week.
Bad Boy Bill Mashup – Whitney Houston vs DEVolution Alesso
Yes everyone is doing some kind of Whitney Houston tribute. Well this is actually a mashup of one of her big hits “I wanna dance with somebody” over an Alesso track. Same key and it works well. Check it out before the Soundcloud police takes it down.
Last week I had come back from my trip to Australia and I tried several different places. However, this one was the most memorable to me. Toku Restaurant and Lounge is one of Sydney’s finest Japanese establishment. It features sleek modern design and Australia’s world renowned Fresh produce.
In particular their Spicy Edamame was probably one of the best Edamame dishes I’ve had. Fried soy beans with a special chili sauce that wasn’t too hot but enough to give it that flare. Also, their pirikara butabara (BBQ Pork Spare ribs) in a spicy miso was so good, our table ordered 2 more. The meat just falls off the bone and is a great dish overall.
Their sushi and sashimi dishes have great presentation and is all fresh. No immitation crab meat will be found here. The dining experience is great but the party doesn’t stop there. The lounge continues long after they stop serving with some great beats, Toku has a nice young trendy crowd to mix and mingle with. So if you are ever in Sydney be sure to stop by Toku! For more information go to www.toku.com.au
Electronic Dance Music has long enjoyed mainstream acceptance over in Europe since the late 80s. However, the tides have turned where EDM in America has turned into a billion dollar industry according to Joel Zimmerman, head of the Electronic Music division at the William Morris Endeavor agency.
Just this past Sunday with over 47 million people watching America’s largest event – The Superbowl also witnessed one of EDM’s rising stars Producer/DJ Avicii featured in a Superbowl commercial. At $3mil per Superbowl spot on the network, that is huge money for an advertiser to spend and they chose to spend it on the movement.
Need more examples of the EDM revolution?
NightCulture Inc. makes beautiful music history by becoming the first ever Electronic Dance Music (EDM) oriented company to trade on the public markets. Their ticker symbol NGHT can be viewed and traded on the OTC BB.
“This is an exciting time for our company. We live, eat, and breathe Electronic Dance Music. What started as a one-city concert promoter has turned into a multi-city promotional and marketing engine that touches people’s lives through music and arts,” stated Michael Long, CEO of NightCulture Inc.
How’s this for more proof that the EDM Revolution in 2012 is here?
For the first time, the Grammy show will put the spotlight on the genre with a segment featuring Grammy nominees Deadmau5, the Foo Fighters, Chris Brown, David Guetta and Lil Wayne, all performing in a tent space amid 1,000 fans.
“We decided to go all out this year,” Ehrlich said of the performance taking place outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles, where Sunday’s ceremony will be held. “All we’re going to try and do next week is to try and put the home audience in the middle of it. … It is more than just sitting there and watching it.” For more info go to Grammy.com
From the cover of Billboard Magazine, The Superbowl, The Stock Market, to the Grammy’s, Electronic Dance Music has placed itself deeply in America and it’s only February. The Revolution may have started long ago in America, but 2012 is going to be the year EDM kicks down all the doors while everyone will be rushing in to be a part of it.
Ian Carey & Rosette feat. Timbaland & Brasco – Amnesia
This is a song I’ve been playing with on my Revolution show that just sounds good on the radio. Hopefully, this gets a nice push in America. There’s also a nice Cazette remix for the clubs.
Benny Benassi vs Marshall Jefferson – Move Your Body 2012
Benassi is back to take a classic House song and rework it to make it current. While many “House Purists” are going to bitch and moan about remixing Marshall Jefferson’s House anthem, I think he did a good job of keeping the original feeling and introducing it to a new generation of House Music fans.
Wolfgang Gartner – There and Back
He’s back with another Electro/Progressive House track. Interesting to see some of his hardcore fans not digging his new sound. Personally, I’m a fan of the new direction he’s taking his music. This is going to be a very good year for Wolfgang Gartner.
New England is home to many things including this year’s Super bowl bound and AFC Champions NE Patriots. However, it is also the birthplace of the American Pizza. The very first Pizza was created in a little place in New Haven, CT called Frank Pepe’s Pizzeria or simply called Pepe’s.
They were the first to use the thin crust brick oven style pizza technique in America established back in 1925. However, what became their signature trademark is their special White Pizza with Littleneck clams pizza. You absolutely have to try this for nostalgia and interesting take on the Napoletana style pizza.
Today, they have several franchises throughout the New England area but share the same recipe and style generations have grown to love. For more information go to their website at http://www.pepespizzeria.com/
I had the pleasure of opening up for Avicii in Houston during his House For Hunger tour. Along with DJ Surain (77002/Nightculture) we did a Tag Team/Back to Back DJ Set from 9pm til Avicii went on around 12:15. Over 3500 people came to this amazing event. I’m glad to be part of an event with a good cause raising awareness and money to feed the Hungry.
Gotye ft. Kimbra “Somebody That I Used To Know” (StanV Touch Remix)
Time for another Music Mix Monday. This Australian singer/songwriter has been getting a lot of buzz. However, the remixes have been coming out all over the internet. The StanV Touch Remix is getting support from the likes of Tiesto and is already on regular rotation on SiriusXM BPM. Big Synths, Cool Vocals, and a lot of Energy! Check it out the OFFICIAL Video on Youtube HERE
Example “Changed The Way You Kiss Me”
This one came out last year but is just now getting a real U.S. Domestic push. Lot’s of great remixes but I actually like the original one. Click here for the official video
Jes “It’s Too Late”
Ever since she came onto the scene with Motorcycle “As The Rush Comes” Jes has become a fixture of the Electronic Dance Music World. Her latest release has been getting a lot of support. There are some killer mixes of this song. I had a chance to interview her. Check it out below
Q&A w/ Jes
Riddler: You write great songs and melodies. What inspires you?
Jes: Thank you so much, it’s an amazing challenge to get your thoughts and feelings converted into music and melody. I have always been overwhelmed by the power music and how it influences my moods and emotions. Life is full of inspiration at every moment, I try to capture that anyway I can and I’m always searching for new ideas. Most of my songs stem from my own experiences. I guess like most artists my work is semi autobiographical. A break up or a chance encounter will always create song ideas and I find it’s often the best way to work through my feelings.
One of the most inspirational things for me is watching other artists. Just listening to music or scrolling the dial on the radio is enough to make me want to get back in the studio and write. So much of our lives are shared experiences so tapping into those feelings is a great way to connect with listeners and fans. It’s funny but when I’m really focused on writing and recording I even dream about the songs and a lot of my dreams turn into songs. I keep a small recorder near my bed so I can capture my ideas as soon as I wake up.
Riddler: What can we expect from JES in 2012?
Jes: JES is always a girl on the move . I have been very busy with a new batch of collaborations coming out early in the New Year including tracks with Ferry Corsten, Robbie Rivera and Andy Duguid. I had so many requests to DJ this year that I put some time into organizing and will be incorporating it into some of my shows in the early part of 2012. There will be two single releases from my 2011 mix album “Unleash The Beat.” The first single will be “Can’t Stop” with Ronski Speed which features a really fun video that I can’t wait for everyone to see.
There will be an “Unleash The Beat” Vol. 2 midway through the year and I’m starting to put together another artist album for release before the end of the year. My tour schedule is already starting to fill up and I hope to be able to bring my new “Rocktronica” band on the road following the success of this years shows.
Riddler: It’s been a great year for EDM. Where do you see it going in 2012?
Jes: It seems like EDM is finally finding it’s time with the mainstream culture embracing the beats of the more underground genres. I think now that people are exposed to the genre on a daily basis, they are accepting that the EDM culture is a driving force in modern music.
So many DJs have managed to make a legitimate crossover and collaborating more with top 40 artists. One of the huge differences I have noticed is that EDM has become a multi-generational genre. I have teenagers and their parents coming to my shows, sharing festival stories and suggesting to me their favorite underground remixers and DJs. 2012 will be a stellar year for EDM, bringing more diverse and amazing music to the scene that all music fans will open their hearts to.
