When EDC NY’s lineup was initially released, there was an outcry that the lineup didn’t stack up to its Las Vegas cousin. What it may lack in big names (although there are still quite a few) it more than makes up for by providing an experience that is curated for diversity. Bass music is heavily represented this year with Figure and others finding refuge in the Basspod, a hardstyle closing set by Headhunterz is destined to be one of the most talked about experiences of the festival; second only to Saturday’s grand finale – a Carl Cox and Loco Dice b2b set. For something experimental, Art Department’s Jonny White and Kenny Glasgow will be curating a strangely emotive dance experience before The Bloody Beetroots Live unleash a wall of distortion to close the Circuit Grounds. Steve Angello steps up to the plate with a newfound creative freedom, following the launch of his new label and Essential Mix while Maceo Plex, who emerged out of the shadows as a ghost producer to powerful deep house presence, converts a new army of faithfuls. There is no lack of big room presence either, with Eric Prydz, Afrojack, Nicky Romero, Thomas Gold and more bringing the the mainstage action EDC is known for.
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It’s tough being a Canadian sometimes. While bustling with fresh talent, our producers are frequently mistaken for our neighbours to the south. Of course, we are often too polite to cause a scene but it’s due time that we shine a light on our accomplished artists and let the world know we hamper more musical scope than just the Biebs. Canada has a vast EDM scene comparable, if not better, to metropolitans in the US, and we are mighty proud of it.
As opposed to beach or desert festivals, we have outdoor blizzard raves fit with ice sculptures and snow huts, like Igloofest in Montreal and Brrrrr! Winter Music Festival in Toronto. Frankly, if you’re not putting on neon snowpants and toques to go rave in the snow, you’re doing it wrong. We also enjoy getting lost in dense Canadian forests at Shambhala and celebrating our Nation’s birthday at Escapade. Our clubs like Flames Central in Calgary are named after hockey teams, and we are home to the one and only EDMonton. The Guvernment Toronto is constantly hailed by DJs for having the best crowds, while Celebrities Vancouver is in one of the best cities in the world. We grew up on MuchDance compilation albums and Rick Campanelli interviews. Last but not least, we have developed a fair amount of respected producers, the frontrunners listed below.
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Jonny White’s No. 19 imprint presents a ten-track music sampler just in time for the warming months of spring. The package includes exclusive music from some of the label’s key artists — showcasing works from My Favorite Robot, Cameo Culture, and more. The album starts off with Tone Of Arc’s “Comes Only Once” — an innovative electronic cut that will wet your appetite for more. My Favorite Robot’s “Sounds to Resurrect” gives us a hint of what to expect on their forthcoming No. 19 album debut, and Cameo Culture drop some Balaeric vibes with “Losing Game.” The album in its entirety is well worth a listen and can be streamed in the snippets below.
Purchase: Beatport (more…)
You’ve seen our underground party picks for Miami Music Week, but now Jonny White of Art Department notoriety is giving his out on a silver platter. Whether you’re an underground vet or a new convert like myself, Jonny’s picks should serve as a solid map to navigating the deep and tech house scenes during MMW. Check them out below.
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Highly-regarded Canadian label No. 19 Music is out this week with the third installment of their Social Experiment album series. Following up Soul Clap’s boogie-down selections from February 2011, Art Department dive head first into the terrific world of spacey house and out-there dance floor techno. Members Kenny Glasgow and Jonny White had been doing their thing quite well before merging into Art Department under Crosstown Rebels in 2009. Now, with several years as a duo — performing both live with Jonny’s vocals and in DJ sets — the pair are very much established among the underground’s titanic talent.
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If you are anything like me, you got into dance music because you had an insatiable need to discover and explore. The countless genres, nearly limitless in their number and complexity, drew you in and kept you captivated. Remixes of remixes, rerubs, bootlegs and mash-ups always left you wanting more. But then, as your knowledge developed, so did your tastes, and as the glow of the honeymoon faded so did your interest.
You got bored. It’s fine, it’s totally natural, it happens to the best of us. We already spoke at great length about the “mainstream” and how banal it has become but we never addressed what you can do to satisfy your itch for creativity and originality. Exploring the Underground is our look at whats happening outside of the mainstage. I’m moving out of the big rooms and big clubs, and into the warehouses – where the music is all that matters and the word “predictable” doesn’t apply.
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