Dance music all-stars Diplo, A-Trak, and Skrillex are the newest Billboard Magazine cover stars and, as much as the power of print has waned in recent years, it’s gratifying to see three of EDM’s finest getting such major attention from a well-respected mag. The cover story – written by Billboard‘s Kerri Mason – is noteworthy in that it treats the artists and scene with the respect and seriousness they deserve. Rather than focusing on “raves” and drawing tired connections to drug use, the piece captures the personality and unique appeal of each artist, while paying homage to the way they’re changing the game. Mason sums it up best:
[The DJs] also share a philosophy — a self-driven spirit that’s part individualistic artist, part entrepreneur. Their rallying cries are as antithetical to the purist underground that birthed them as they are to the traditional industry: Mainstream acceptance is gratifying, not demeaning. Sales don’t matter; give it away. If it’s dope, put it out. Pop music can be cool. The best marketing is free. And most important: Do it yourself. Every last bit of it.
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For his part, Skrillex’s focus is absolute. “Artists sometimes will change because of the response. I would never do that. But I’m always trying to do things better, make things sound better, and then outdo myself in my own eyes. I want to build upon what I already have and do it naturally, and try not to think about it,” he says. “This music is for everyone. If you don’t like it, then go find something else you like. And if you like it, enjoy it, and just let it do what it does.”
Longtime EDM fans may be averse to the new attention being paid to the genre but, as Skrillex notes, the change isn’t necessarily a bad thing. More fans means more touring and more music – and the artists we love gaining even more influence (Diplo executive-producing Snoop Dogg’s next album – say what?!). The article may have called 2011 the year of the DJ, but we predict that 2012 will, thankfully, bring more of the same.
Click past the break for a video of the Billboard cover shoot with Diplo, A-Trak & Skrillex.
Budding superstar, Pierce Fulton, is now embarking on a career path that is soon to take off in a big way. With an array of releases under his belt (think: “Pardon My French EP,” “What Happens In Vegas” and his latest tune “Who Wants Spaghetti?“) he has set the foundation to become an excellent producer and contributor to the world of house music for decades to come. At the young age of 19 he has many years to not only develop his skills in the studio, but gain the following that he truly deserves.
After 2 years of pumping out quality tunes, Avicii has now surpassed 1 million Facebook fans. In order to celebrate this milestone, Avicii has announced a new “look-a-like” contest, which urges fans (who enter) to put on their best Avicii impersonation. The judges will be Avicii and Ash (manager) and they will be looking for creativity as the main criteria in determining the winner. The grand prize winner will receive a fully paid for trip to go see Avicii perform March 3rd in Stockholm, Sweden. This includes airfare, VIP tickets, and airfare for 2 lucky winners who can each bring a guest.
Here is what Avicii had to say:
Since we’ve reached 1 million fans I figured out we should have a little COMPETITION here!
Avicii LOOK-A-LIKE Contest
Which of you can look the most like me – with your own creative twist? I’m going to give away airline tickets + hotel + VIP tickets (for 2 winners plus guest) to come see me at my next show in my hometown Stockholm, Sweden on March 3, 2012! The jury will be Ash and I and we’re gonna judge on pure creativeness, EVERYONE HAS A CHANCE TO WIN JUST BE CREATIVE – don’t just wear a plaid shirt and call it a day though! Please send your contributions to look-like@avicii.com along with age and full contact details. Deadline is Sunday Feb 19, 2012.
Good luck and THANKS for your million strong support! ♥♥♥
Ian Carey and Rosette team up with Timbaland (you should know who he is) and Brasco to create a hard hitting electro pop tune called “Amnesia.” The drop features a few of the standard bleeps that were part of the quintessential Dutch house track in the early part of 2010. There are a ton of remixes in this package, but a few of the notables are Cazzette, Ziggy Stardust, and Firebeatz renditions. Let’s go through them below, but first listen to the original version.
Ian Carey & Rosette ft. Timbaland & Brasco – Amnesia (Club Mix)
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As if Zedd’s electro-house banger, “Slam the Door” – which features a sample from an obscure YouTube video – wasn’t odd enough, the official video turns the creepy up to 11. There is something unsettling about the high contrast salivating that is mesmerizing and nauseating all at the same time – we just can’t look away. Kanye West may have told us to throw our diamonds in the sky, but Zedd wants us to throw up our L’s and drool on ourselves.
David Puentez uses the brilliant vocals of Max C to create his latest single “Things We Do 4 Love.” This is actually his older tune “Melodrama” that was incredibly successful and compared to more than a few Avicii-esque tracks. Miss Nine, Christian Falero, and Adrian Villaverde take their turns remixing an already fabulous tune. Let’s dive into the details below.
David Puentez ft. Max C – Things We Do 4 Love (Original Mix)
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Miss Nine creates a sexy rendition of “Things We Do 4 Love” (or maybe it’s just her?). It is not quite as uplifting as the original mix, but it is what you would envision being played at a club at 4 AM. The synths are much stronger and at approximately at 3:37 the drums start kicking in creating a whole new sensation of euphoria. Don’t sleep on Miss Nine – the hottest new celebrity to join the ranks of EDM.
David Puentez ft. Max C – Things We Do 4 Love (Miss Nine Remix)
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Christian Falero and Adrian Villaverde use elongated pauses during the build up which creates more than a few spine tingling moments. The drop is much more Swanky Tunes-esque and it definitely has more tech oriented moments than the original mix. If you love horns and the traditional steam gun sound you will absolutely love this remix.
David Puentez ft. Max C – Things We Do 4 Love (Christian Falero & Adrian Villaverde Remix)
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Bananas, Champagne, and craziness are all staples of Dada Life’s performances. Add lavishness, intimacy, and Las Vegas into the mix and you get one hell of a night. XS Las Vegas is hosting Dada Life on the 23rd of January and it will be a night you won’t want to miss (purchase tickets here). Dancing Astronaut was there all last weekend and we have to say that the club’s energy is unparalleled not only in Vegas, but anywhere in the world. Be sure to check out our own video interview (“Behind The Booth“) with Dada Life as well!
The M Machine just debuted their video for “Glow,” a hauntingly beautiful track with an equally haunting music video. Reminiscent of the video for Pearl Jam’s “Jeremy ,” “Glow” follows the life of an abused and bullied young girl who looks to a robotic friend for solace. Watch the video to see the ultraviolence unfold – this is what “The Iron Giant” would look like if he murdered a school full of girls.
We were more than just a little upset when Skrillex collaborated with Korn for “Narcissistic Cannibal.” Thankfully, Sonny Moore completely redeemed himself when he teamed up with the Doors for the ground-breaking documentary “RE:GENERATION.”
The remaining Doors members; Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger and Jon Densmore, join the young producer in the studio for this behind the scenes look at their collaboration “Breakn’ a Sweat.” Delicately mixing the old school Doors rock sound and Skrillex’s electronic mayhem, this track represents the first new Doors release in the 21st century. As someone who grew up on classic rock, it is refreshing to see such legendary musicians back in the studio for the first time in over 10 years.
Did anyone else notice the name of the hotel at the beginning of the video? Kyoto.
Steve Aoki and Wynter Gordon create a music video for “Ladi Dadi” where they play characters from the movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Things get intense straight from the beginning when Wynter Gordon seductively crawls across the dining table and proceeds to get physical with Steve Aoki. The entire video is sinister, but has some humor deep within. Turns out – Wynter Gordon ends up being the victor in the battle till death. Looks like even in the dance world, women always win in relationships of love. Unless, of course, you are Steve Aoki — the mastermind of electro house — then you always get the last laugh.
Please send your contributions to look-like@avicii.com along with age and full contact details. Deadline is Sunday Feb 19, 2012.
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