Luciano’s Vagabundos parties at Pacha Ibiza have already become the stuff of legend, but he’s also been making waves down the road at Ushuaia. His Thursday poolside residency was a smash hit last year, and if this video is any indication, he’s taken outdoor clubbing to delightful new heights in year two. With guest appearances by Laurent Garnier, Chicago house legend Derrick Carter, DJ Sneak, and deep house’s golden child Maya Jane Coles, Luciano certainly knows how to curate a good time. If you needed another reason why you should be saving every penny until you can afford the trip to Ibiza, this is it.
Richie Hawtin is one of underground dance music’s most seminal figures; a third-culture kid who would go on to change the face of clubbing forever. Born in Britain, raised in Canada and then reincarnated in Detroit, the enigmatic Hawtin’s influence on the minimal scene has been considerable. He’s a techno god. Consistently committed to reinvention, Richie first made a name for himself by cultivating the Plastikman legend in Detroit, then became a star all over again as Richie Hawtin in Berlin, conquering techno’s twin capitals in the process. In Loco Dice’s words: he’s a techno “messiah.”
In this fascinating one-hour profile, Radio 1‘s Heidi tells us the Plastikman story from the very beginning, tracing Richie’s career from dirty warehouses to international quasi-stardom. We get a few crazy stories, too, including a couple of politically incorrect adventures from the early days of acid house and the Detroit underground rave scene. If you’re a techno lover, you need to hear this piece, and it’s only available for another three days.
In “Stranger,” the lead single from his forthcoming sophomore album Multiverse, Australian trance veteran Jaytech isn’t looking to do anything particularly groundbreaking. The vocals, from Dirty Vegas’ Steve Smith, are mature and restrained — an appropriate accompaniment to this elegant melodic trance/dreamy progressive effort. Soothing and unhurried, “Stranger” flows serenely through its seven-odd minutes. It won’t jump out at first listen but will probably linger in your subconscious until you find yourself singing “In love with a stranger” to yourself in an elevator somewhere with no idea how those words arrived in your brain.
“Stranger,” out now on Anjunabeats, has already received from Armin and Above & Beyond. Multiverse hits stores on August 13th.
One of dance music’s most iconic names is 50 years young today. In celebration of Mr. Carl Cox’s birthday, here are 50 reasons we love him. Please add your own reasons in the comments. Happy Carl Cox day, everyone!
1. Children have Santa Claus. Buddhists have Buddha. Ravers have Carl Cox.
2. His signature line — the greatest in all of dance music: “oh-yes-oh-yes-oh-yes!”
3. His infectious gap-toothed smile.
4. His stage presence. Every great DJ has a unique aura. Armin bursts with unbridled euphoria. Dubfire exudes understated elegance. Carl Cox? He’s like a bull in a china shop crossed with a kid unwrapping presents on Christmas morning. Not exactly graceful, but full of power and joy.
5. The beads of sweat that invariably go flying into the faces of the people in the front row.
6. His driving, relentless sets. There’s hardly ever a moment to relax and catch your breath. Why would there be? You’re here to dance, remember?
7. His commitment to keeping the spirit of acid techno alive, decades after it first hit the UK.
8. His fitting nickname: “the three-deck wizard.” The man has incredible timing. His use of syncopated rhythms to mix tracks together is impossible to resist.
Nothing brings people together like dance music. If was fitting, therefore, that Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle chose legendary British electronic duo Underworld to score the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games. Underworld isn’t the first dance act to perform at the Olympics — that honor belongs to Tiesto — but Karl Hyde and Rick Smith certainly know how create a delicious vibe.
The ceremony told the story of the United Kingdom’s economic and cultural development, and it was was heartening to see dance music feature so prominently in the soundtrack. Watching athletes parade around the track to 90s-era rave classics like ”Born Slippy,” “Dark & Long” and “Always Loved A Film” was a slightly surreal but thoroughly enjoyable experience — if there weren’t already enough reasons to be jealous of Olympic athletes, we now know that they get free Underworld concerts as well. Some people have all the fun. (more…)
While we couldn’t make it to this year’s edition of the mythical Exit festival, we’re getting over our disappointment the only way we know possible — by listening to the live sets. If you’re like us and your idea of a good time is raving to Luciano’s tech house beats in an 18th century fortress, than Exit is the place for you. (For a first-hand perspective on what it’s really like, check out our review from last year).
This two-hour mix find Mr. Vagabundos in an eclectic mood. We get his typical Latin effusiveness melded with some deep house rumblers, a few beautifully atmospheric chord progressions, and tech house edits of radio hits past and present. There’s even a delightfully bizarre remix of Radiohead’s “Creep,” which Thom Yorke hasn’t played in years but Luciano still clearly enjoys. (more…)
Tech house legend, Toolroom boss, and all-around superstar Mark Knight teams up with Skunk Anansie frontwoman Skin to give us the brooding, booming “Nothing Matters.” The original mix, which is slated to hit iTunes on August 5th, leans more dark techno than rhythmic house, but we’ll also be getting remixes from versatile German house meister Tensnake, Swedish progressive DJ/producer CaPA, and rising drum ‘n’ bass stars Noisia. We first heard “Nothing Matters” in episode one of Toolroom TV, which featured footage of Skin performing the track live with MK at the Toolroom fifth anniversary party.
The video suggests a Orwellian future in the United Kingdom, but this is fascism unlike we’ve ever seen it before. We won’t spoil the surprise, but let us know what you think, both about the track and the video, with your comments.
Experiencing a Richie Hawtin live set is a rite of passage for minimal fans. Hawtin is one of techno’s most influential figures — a visionary artist who is perpetually experimenting with technology and sound to create immersive musical experiences. Built on the core principle of “less is more,” Hawtin’s style is heavily influenced by the culture of techno’s twin capitals — Detroit and Berlin. Once you’ve experienced a Richie Hawtin live set, you can speak with genuine authority about the subject of dance music. (more…)
It’s no secret that we’re huge fans of everything Toolroom here at DA. If you share our obsession with tech house, then Toolroom TV should be required viewing. If don’t share our obsession with tech house, here’s your chance to turn your life around.
The half-hour web series is a fascinating look behind the scenes at the label, featuring club footage, artist interviews, and tons of excellent tracks. Episode 1 celebrated Toolroom’s fifth anniversary at the Brixton Academy, and Episode 2 expands the narrative, taking us to Miami Music week. At the DJ Mag pool party, we catch up with the lovely Cassy and SHM-killer DJ Sneak. Russian DJ/producer Nina Kraviz talks about her love for men in that slightly unsettling but nonetheless attractive manner that many Eastern European women have. We also hear from Alex Kenji, Sander van Doorn, Mark Knight (swoon), and our favorite bespectacled Brit, Funkagenda. Bonus appearances from Sasha and James Zabiela. (more…)
Even though the DJ Mag Top 100 is essentially a popularity contest, we think everyone who loves dance music should vote. It’s a great way to support your favorite DJs and engage in some spirited debate with fellow dance fans. As an extension of our Where My Head’s At series, our editors will share their five favorite CDJ technicians, and tell you what makes them so great.
