Earlier this year burn announced its once-in-a-lifetime residency DJ competition. After receiving thousands of submissions for the coveted prize, 18 candidates were flown to Ibiza for a two week long DJ bootcamp where they participated in a masterclass programs led by Avicii, Fatboy Slim, Joe Goddard, Maceo Plex, Steve Lawler and Solomun. From production to live performances, the 18 contestants received a crash course on what it takes to be a world class DJ and producer. 

Last week we introduced you to the first 9 burn contestants. Hop past the break to get to know the second wave of contestants who are competing to call the White Isle home and listen to the mixes that got them there.

David Garset

David Garset, Denmark

Danish born DJ David Garset first started out by running and playing at his own events in Dunkel, one of the most legendary after-hours clubs in Copenhagen. Having already played alongside the likes of Tensnake, 2 Many DJs and John Dahlbeck (to name a few), David’s sets have become renowned for their ability to defy conventional boundaries between genres; encompassing anything from disco and rock/indie to deep house and techno. Having spent the last 2 and a half years hosting a weekly show at Vega ‘Svedhytten’ he has recently embarked on a new venture; the creation of hot new club ‘Harvey’ in Copenhagen’s meatpacking district.

Burn studios residency by David_Garset on Mixcloud

Driule XL

Audrew Kolesnikov, Lithuania

Born into a musical background (his father was one of the first DJs in Lithuania), it’s perhaps no surprise that Audrew Kolesnikov, AKA Driule XL, was destined for a career in dance music. A highly talented deep house DJ and Producer, Driule XL is also well known for his party brand OXY, organizing and promoting parties at the whiskey bar he owns in his hometown. At 30 years old he is perhaps one of the most experienced burn Residency contestants holding a 5 year residency at Klaipėda City as well as playing in clubs across Ibiza, Cannes, Miami and the Baltics and even billing alongside the likes of this year’s burn Residency mentor, Maceo Plex. Listing Maceo as one of the producers he would most like to learn from, the opportunity to have a one on one production session with him was a definite highlight for him at bootcamp.

Burn studios residency by Driule Xl on Mixcloud

Jessie Granqvist

Jessie Granqvist, Sweden

Swedish DJ Jessie Granqvist is fast becoming the name on everyone’s lips in her home country. In her relatively short career she has already been blowing up the dancefloors of Stockholm’s most prestigious clubs, regularly billing for the likes of F12, Marie Laveau and Slakthuset. Describing herself as an underground DJ playing a mix of new and old school techno, her charisma and energy behind the decks earned her a summer residency at Aftermath playing alongside acts such as DJ Madskillz and Jon Dasilva. In 2012 she was awarded the Elly Award for Best New Female DJ, cementing her place in Stockholm’s underground music scene. Going through to represent Sweden at this year’s burn Residency bootcamp, Jessie seized the opportunity to work with the mentors, and indeed other contestants, to learn essential tips and help her to take the first crucial steps as a producer.

Burn studios residency by Jessiegranqvist on Mixcloud

Kika Rodriguez

Kika Rodriguez Barrientos, Spain

Aspiring Spanish DJ Kika Rodriguez first began DJing hip hop beats back in the late 90s before turning his hand to the world of dance music, covering anything from funk, house, tech house and minimal. It was focusing on a deeper tech-house sound that earned him his first residency at La Real from 2001 – 2003. During the period 2001-2004 he also held residencies at Sala Albeniz, Sala Berlin and La Fabrika playing to crowds of up to 2000 people. Although not yet an experienced producer, perhaps one of the most important aspects of the burn Residency program for Kika was the opportunity to learn production tips from the likes of Solomun, Joe Goddard (Hot Chip) as well as the friendship formed with Brazilian contestant Wellyington.

Burn studios residency by Kika Rodriguez Barrientos on Mixcloud

Lea Dobricic

Lea Dobricic, Serbia

Blossoming talent Lea Dobricic first began her career in 2005 whilst studying at the academy of Fine Arts in Florence and ever since has been making a name for herself in some of the hottest clubs across Italy, Switzerland, Croatia and Serbia. In 2006 she was invited to become a resident DJ at Moyo, where she became renowned for her fresh, high energy sets spinning a unique blend of deep house, minimal and techno. Her natural progression into production saw her picked up by a host of labels including Ahmet Sendil’s Bosphorous Underground recordings, Butane, Killing Machine and No-Logic; all clamouring for a piece of the young Serbian’s sound. Leaving no stone unturned in her quest to prove herself in the male dominated dance music industry, Lea even took to studying maths and physics to help her perfect her production skills, her hard work paying off in May 2010 when she won the ‘Stefano Noferini Remix’ Contest. Enrapturing the judges from the very first night of bootcamp with her sensational skills behind the decks, Lea Dobricic breezed through the first mix off challenge to secure her place in the final 6 of the burn Residency program.

Burn studios residency by Lea Dobricic on Mixcloud

Mano Andrei

Mano Andrei, Romania

Budding DJ and Producer Mano Andrei has already carved quite a name for himself in his home country Romania playing at all the hottest clubs and parties around, as well as warming up for the likes of house music elite Mark Knight and Nic Fanciuilli. After performing at what is widely regarded as Romania’s most important house music event in May 2011, he gained a highly sought after summer residency at Kudos Beach Mamaia. At the 2012 Nights.ro Awards Mano was awarded ‘Best Romanian Breakthrough DJ in 2011’ and second place at ‘Best Romanian Resident DJ in 2011’. A DJ of 8 years Mano first turned his hand to production 8 months ago and since then has seen his debut track ‘Cinematic’ released via Mihai Popoviciu’s label Cyclic Records. Winner of the second burn Residency bootcamp challenge, Mano Andrei not only gained a place in the final 6 but was also given the opportunity to perform the sunset slot at the infamous Café Mambo.

Burn studios residency by Mano Andrei on Mixcloud

DJ Kolya

Nikolay Danilin, Russia

Perhaps one of the most Internationally recognized stars of the burn Residency program, Russian DJ and producer Nikolay Danilin, AKA DJ Kolya, has already played alongside the likes of electronic dance superstars John Digweed, Paul Oakenfold and Sasha during his residency at the legendary XIII Moscow. As a XIII resident, DJ Kolya’s rising popularity saw him take control of TV and radio alike becoming a presenter for ‘Tanzpol’ on MTV as well as a DJ on 106.8 FM and host of his own radio show Record Box over the last 9 years. From 2008-2011 DJ Kolya was the musical director of Pacha Moscow during which time he also became the first Russian DJ to play at the world famous Pacha Ibiza.

Burn studios residency by Dj Kolya on Mixcloud

Tommy Kid

Thomas Ferrare, France

Bringing his unique blend of funky DnB and dubstep bass lines to this year’s line up, 28 year-old Parisian Thomas Ferrare, AKA Tommy Kid, first began DJing ten years ago. A resident DJ at the prestigious Social Club in Paris, Tommy also makes up one quarter of the French collective Chateau Le Teuf, with whom he has played several international gigs in both the UK and Ibiza. A master in the studio as well as behind the decks, Tommy is all set to release his second EP on UK label Sounds of Sumo in the next couple of months, as well as launching his own label Re-sources featuring undiscovered French bass music talents. A testament to his production prowess, Tommy Kid was selected by burn residency mentor Maceo Plex as the winner of the third and final challenge; a remix of the deep house legend’s own track, thus securing himself a place in the final 6.

Burn studios residency by Tommy Kid on Mixcloud

Vari Loves

Kristin Ernsten, Norway

Kristin Ernsten, AKA Vari Loves first found her passion for the electronic music scene when she took to the decks at her local youth club aged just 13. Since then she has fully immersed herself in the scene, spending her time getting to know different styles of music and experimenting with different genres all leading to the unique sound she has today. Bringing with her this wealth of knowledge and love for her craft, Vari Loves exudes a laid-back perfectionism behind the decks; her sets are a soulful blend of deep, melodic and harmonic beats that has seen her continuously fill the line ups of all of the hottest clubs in Oslo.

burn studios residency by Vari Loves on Mixcloud

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