Archive for April, 2010

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Movement 2010 Update – Villalobos and 31 Others Added to Lineup

News and Events | From the mind of | 04/27/2010

Movement 2010

The Movement 2010 Electronic Music Festival in Detroit just got better! Yesterday, Paxahau announced that Ricardo Villalobos will be performing at the event, along with 31 other newly added acts like Booka Shade, Derrick May, Marco Carola, and Ghostland Observatory. Paxahau also announced the addition of a fifth stage, sponsored by Movement Torino.

Renowned minimal techno DJ/producer, Villalobos last performed in Detroit in 2002 when he played at the Paxahau Electronic Music Festival (PEMF), a four-day party that was held at the now closed Panacea Nighclub.

“Ricardo is looking forward to coming back to Detroit again after all these years,” said his agent Goetz Guse of Cocoon Agency out of Frankfurt, Germany. “His return to the United States and Detroit for the Movement Electronic Music Festival is exclusive to Paxahau. He isn’t booked to perform at any other venue in the States, and we don’t anticipate he will be this year.”

In addition to Villalobos, the contemporary dance music duo Booka Shade from Berlin has been scheduled for a live performance, along with electro, rock, and funk duo Ghostland Observatory who will also perform live.

“We are feeling very good about how this year’s Movement lineup has come together,” said Jason Huvaere, Executive Director of Movement Electronic Music Festival. “With today’s announcement of Ricardo and the other 31 artists, the response we are getting is extremely positive.”

To see the full, talent-studded lineup for the Movement 2010 Electronic Music Festival, go to www.movement.us. You’ll find 97 acts, including the likes of Richie Hawtin (Plastikman), Agoria, Cassy, Chris Liebing, Claude VonStroke, Derrick Carter, Jamie Jones, Josh Wink, Magda, Michael Mayer, Paco Osuna, and Radio Slave.

For tickets to this epic shindig, visit www.movement.us.

Eddie B


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Monochronic – A Solid DJ in the RV Network

Recommendations and Reviews | From the mind of | 04/22/2010

Monochronic

The RV Network has given me endless enjoyment since we launched it last year. One of my favorite job perks is randomly discovering good music on our site from DJs who are flying under the industry’s radar.

Back in March, a new mix in the RV Network caught my attention. It was uploaded by a DJ named Monochronic. The mix is titled, “Wide-eyed 001,” and I’ve really been enjoying it! As of now, it’s been downloaded 161 times and streamed 43 times, which means most folks haven’t even checked it out yet…just a nice little progressive gem resting in the RV Network treasure trove. I wanted to write this quick blog post to give Monochronic some props and to thank him for his contributions to our community.

I did a little research on Monochronic. His real name is Stoyan Dafov, and he was born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. He started listening to electronic music during the 90s, and his influences were artists like Jay Dee, Faithless, Funky Green Dogs and Sven Vath. In the early part of this decade, Monochronic developed a strong interest in tribal and tech house, especially in the artists Dimas, Simon & Shaker, Eddie Richards, and Mastiksoul. Since 2005, his primary genres of interest have been deep and progressive house music.

While I just discovered Monochronic in the RV Network, he’s actually gotten some visibility on dance music radio stations like friskyradio.com, PureFM, Tribal Mixes Radio, and Eilo.org. Monochronic is playing gigs in various clubs in his hometown, and he’s holding a residency on PureFM with his own radio show, “Stereotype.”

Monochronic’s profile page in the RV Network is loaded with good music, and I’d suggest checking out some of his mixes. If you want to hear the “Wide-eyed 001” mix that caught my attention, just go here. For those interested, I’ve provided the tracklist for the mix below.

01 Antix – Manta
02 Lank – Twinge (Quivver Remix)
03 Shabu Vibes – Obscene Calls (Dyno Remix)
04 Shiloh – Landmine Hopscotch (Cid Inc Remix)
05 16 Bit Lolitas – Personal Space
06 Greed feat. Lesley – Gentle Rain (Soliquid Remix)
07 Jay Lumen – Surface Reborn feat Panoptic (Ormatie Remix)
08 Inkfish – Traser (Strings of 95 Mix)
09 Quivver – Sludge (Final Mix)
10 Innate – Parabolic Curve (Beat Factory Remix)
11 Eelke Kleijn – The Way That You Are (Davi Remix)

Eddie B


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Hybrid – Exclusive RV Interview

Interview | From the mind of | 04/12/2010

Hybrid

Back in 2006, I came across a mix Hybrid created for John Digweed’s Kiss 100 radio show. I had never heard of the group before, but their mix changed my relationship with the breaks genre. I went through a bonding experience with the mix (as is my tendency with quality dance music sets). Over the years, I’ve watched Hybrid evolve and flourish – putting out new releases, playing premier gigs, and enjoying their fair share of the industry spotlight. Now, roughly four years after my first exposure to Hybrid, I’ve had the opportunity to interview them and to ask some interesting questions. This interview comes in conjunction with the release of Hybrid’s new album, Disappear Here. Enjoy…

Q: This is a fascinating time for a Hybrid interview. First off, you recently made a big change by adding Charlotte [James] as a member. Can you all talk a bit about how and why this came to be?
A: This was the next step for us to get some really good songwriting talent on our music. We really wanted to show ourselves and the fans how much more we can do with the Hybrid style, and adding Charlotte was the missing link for us. Ever since the days of Wide Angle, we have been looking to get some real songs back into our music. With Charlotte on the new album, we really think we’ve done something that will stand the test of time and be looked at as something much more than dance music…

Q: I trust you’re all excited about the release of your most recent album, Disappear Here. How would you compare and contrast the album with your previous works?
A: This album really pulls together all the great work we have done over the last 15 years. From the film work and the orchestral side, to the crazy twisted sound design and the darker underground club style, this album sums up all of those things in one package. We feel as if we’ve really turned a corner with our production, and the balance of everything we’ve learned shows itself on almost every track here. It almost feels like this should be our last album ever, our finest work, but we also know this is the start of something else…something new and exciting for us…and by the look of it, exciting for everyone else as well. Come on album 5; we can’t wait to get started and see where that takes us!

Disappear Here - Hybrid

Q: What role did each of you play in the development of Disappear Here?
A: [Charlotte] Where a track starts and ends varies from one to the other, but all the tracks use our combined skills to get to the end result. For example, on “Disappear Here,” the track started out because Chris had messed about with some strings and created a gated beautiful set of four chords. I snatched them from the palm of his hand and sped off to my studio to write the rest of the song on piano and guitar and add the lyrics. Mike then took those parts and ran back to his studio adding the drum programming and additional production and then we all stood around Mike’s computer debating on how the arrangement should go and what should be where…. Generally, I do live instruments, songwriting (more…)


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The Beat Cartel Presents: Pnuma Trio & Big Gigantic

Event Production Recommendations and Reviews | From the mind of | 04/11/2010

Beat_Cartel
This post will not just be a review of the stellar show I witnessed this past Tuesday, April 6th at Headliners Music Hall in Louisville, KY but will also serve as a plug for an amazing new company that I consider to be one the best damn things to happen to the Louisville music scene in quite some time! The Beat Cartel is a fresh new promotion company created and managed by Matt Westbrook and Derrik Mulcahy. Their focus is to bring quality electronic music, in all it’s various forms, back to Louisville, KY! They truly are trying to create a party with each event they have booked and trust me they are not messing around. Most companies would take baby steps and build up to bigger events, not these guys. Their first concert brought two of the biggest Livetronica acts together for one glorious night of dance music! They are also not wasting any time to book more fantastic shows. This coming Saturday April 17th, which is Thunder Over Louisville, will have a late night extravaganza of phenomenal DJ’s including the super dirty Eliot Lipp! Louisville you must come out and support The Beat Cartel, don’t procrastinate! These guys are doing something that no one else has the balls or passion to do and without your support the parties they keep bringing to town will stop coming, so get out and boogie your ass down now!
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The performance this past Tuesday in Louisville with The Pnuma Trio and Big Gigantic was nothing short of killer! The Pnuma Trio is a major staple on the jam scene and they create some of the best damn livetronica music around! For only being three guys their sound is massive and their performance is even bigger! I have said it before, Pnuma Trio have one of my favorite light shows for a touring act right now! Simply put for the club sized act they currently are, it is pretty hard to find any artist who can match the level of production these guys are putting on night after night! It is not just a concert but an over all sensory experience! The guys put on a non stop alien dance party for a solid two hours and then partied it up till the wee hours at the official Beat Cartel after party at my favorite Hideaway Saloon! If you still have not checked these guys out, you are really missing out. Also Alex B (Bass player) just released a new DJ album called “Moments” which became available the same day as the Headliners show. Check them and the new album out now!
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Big Gigantic was also phenomenal! This electronic duo was supposed to be the side project for The Motet saxophone player, Dominic Lalli (who is pretty much the golden child to anyone from Colorado), when he formed the group about a year ago. That is not the case anymore. Big Gigantic is not only his main project, with The Motet taking a side bar, but it has become a huge power house dance machine touring act! Together with Jeremy Salken on drums, Dominic is creating some of the dirtiest beats around. Big Gigantic is just so much fun to see live. They bring one of the funkiest party atmospheres when they hit the stage and rip it up like they did here in Louisville. Seriously it is just so refreshing to watch a group that creates such a unique style and plays with as much genuine passion that these guys do. They also are the nicest guys around and truly love/appreciate their fans, so much so I would honestly consider them friends now. I absolutely love these guys and if you have not heard them, it will only be a matter of time before you get your ear drums pounded by their rowdy take on EDM! Check them out now, because they tour all over and it will be one of the best damn nights you could ask for.
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It was a great night and was honestly a super special one for me to have the Colorado crew roll through my new neck of the woods. A real treat to see two of the sickest touring acts around on the same stage for one epic night of music! I truly want to give a big thank you to The Beat Cartel family. Louisville needs you!
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John “The Grizz” Grisanti


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Steve Porter’s New Talent – Creating Videos

Industry Stuff | From the mind of | 04/09/2010

You probably already know that Steve Porter is a talented dance music DJ and producer. What you may not know is that he also has a knack for creating videos!

I’m writing this post to share two of Steve’s videos with you. The first one is called, “Press Hop,” and it’s a hilarious mashup of well-known sports press conferences. If you’re a sports fan, you’ll love it! The second video I posted is a mashup Steve created for Ultra Music Festival 2010. I found it entertaining as well. Enjoy!





Eddie B


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This Is Evolve (Miami Pool Party) – Photo Gallery

News and Events | From the mind of | 04/08/2010

I’ve already written a post describing my positive experience at “This Is Evolve” – the Miami WMC pool party featuring Victor Calderone and Sander Kleinenberg. The event was so good that I wanted to follow up by publishing a photo gallery…to give you an even better sense of what went down. Enjoy!


All images courtesy of BSKphoto.com © 2010.

Eddie B


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Ultra Music Festival 2010 – Exclusive Photo Gallery

News and Events | From the mind of | 04/06/2010



Ultra Music Festival 2010 was a fantastic event. The anticipation for it was so high that it sold out! These photos were taken on Saturday, March 27. The weather was perfect, and the crowd was a special one. As you look through these photos, you’ll sense the positive energy on peoples’ faces. That’s the beauty of these festivals – getting tens of thousands of people together to share a special sliver of time and space.

The music was great and diverse. I caught noteworthy sets by Sasha and Digweed (always amazing!), Fedde Le Grand, Gareth Emery, and even a performance by hip hop icon Nas!

As usual, the Ultra Music Festival fulfilled its role as the finale of the Miami Winter Music Conference. I’m already looking forward to next year’s event!

Eddie B


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Victor Calderone and Sander Kleinenberg in Miami

News and Events | From the mind of | 04/01/2010

Victor Calderone and Sander Kleinenberg

Last Thursday, Victor Calderone and Sander Kleinenberg headlined a monumental pool party at the Surfcomber Hotel in Miami. No disrespect to the many other great events I attended at this year’s WMC, but this party was simply the best.

Before entering party, I got a backside view of it from the beach. As I walked along the shoreline, I could see all of the parties happening at the Ocean Drive hotels…one party after the next, with house music pumping at every turn – a truly beautiful thing. When I came to the backside view of the Surcomber, however, the scene was different. For starters, there was a large stage for the DJs. Everything about this party seemed bigger – the lights, the crowd, the speakers – you just knew this was a legit event!

After scoping out the scene, I made my way into the party and was immediately further impressed. Sander Kleinenberg was on the decks, playing a phenomenal daytime set. The sound system was perfectly arranged; no matter where you stood, the tunes were crisp and clear.

The crowd was just what you would expect; shirtless guys and hot girls in bikinis. The party environment was brilliantly designed. By day, you had the feeling that you were partying on the beach. One area of the party actually had sand and palm trees, while the pool was at the center of the other area. As day turned to night, you realized the true genius of the setup; the whole space turned into a club. There were lights, and you had the sense that you were getting down at a premier big-city venue, except that you were outside in perfect Miami nighttime weather!

As the evening progressed, Victor Calderone took us to the dark side. The crowd was ready for it, and he delivered – showing everybody the twisted, head-rearranging sort of tunes he’s accustomed to providing for the NYC underground.

This event will be long remembered by all who witnessed it.

Eddie B


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