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.
Best of Instagram is a feature from Dancing Astronaut that showcases our favorite pictures from our favorite DJs on Instagram each week. This week, we feature gems from Chuckie, Afrojack, Benny Benassi, and more.
Last month I told the tale of Carl Cox’s debut performance at Brooklyn’s new acclaimed dance club Output, and it appears the electronic music ambassador has uploaded the first two hours of his set for his recent Global Radio show. In his commentary at the start of the episode he boasts that the club is the best thing to happen to NYC since Twilo — a nightclub that closed in 2001 that used to host the likes of Sasha and Digweed. The mix is from the beginning of his five/six hour set, so offers a glimpose of Carl Cox properly warming up a room.
Carl Cox has always been a long time supporter of Nicole Moudaber. She has often been described as one of his proteges; which makes all the sense as her sound and DJ styling seems to have influences from much of Carl’s works. Ahead of the April 6th release of the Pure Intec Vol. 2 compilation, Nicole offers her remix abilities to Carl Cox’s “Chemistry.” The track is signature Moudaber at her finest; big and bouncy with sexy techno grooves — the defining attributes of her sound. Other artists on the compilation are Guti and Loco Dice. In other words: this is going to be massive.
When news sprung that Nicolas Matar — owner of famed New York nightclub Cielo — was opening a Berghain-style nightclub in the depths of Brooklyn, true dance music faithfuls both clamored with excitement and immediately began to speculate potential bookings. Cielo’s been opened for a decade and Matar has developed some of the best relationships with some of the biggest DJs in the world — hosting deadmau5 (before he was deadmau5), Kaskade when he was still playing deep house, 2005 tag team sets from Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso, Detroit legends Kevin Saunderson and Carl Craig, David Guetta, Marco Carola, Deep Dish, and countless others. The who’s who of DJs have all graced Cielo’s decks, making it one of the most storied nightclubs in American dance music history. With word of Output opening, New York had no choice but to expect something game-changing. (more…)
This year’s lineup for Ultra Music Festival is arguably its most impressive selection in its 15 year history. With genres as diverse as psytrance to hip-hop represented, it is potentially the most eclectic lineup the festival has ever hosted. While mega acts such as Swedish House Mafia, Deadmau5, and Tiësto will be a staple in most people’s weekends, we’d like to take the time to highlight the best acts and stages from prominent genres outside of mainstream EDM. Click past the break to see which dubstep, deep house, downtempo and techno acts you can’t miss at Ultra Weekend 1.
We’re sure you’re all tired of seeing the latest and greatest “Harlem Shake” videos by now, but we couldn’t resist sharing this one. Our friends at Ultra decided to get in on the action with their own version of the viral dance. The video is pretty true to form: 30ish seconds, spastic dance moves, and appearances from people in nonsensical costumes. There are ballerinas, donkeys, clowns, and zombies but unlike the other versions this one has a very special dance music guest, Carl Cox. Press play and watch him wave a towel around in pure bliss.
It has been a decade since Carl Cox brought his Global radio show, where he has became somewhat of a taste-maker to the worlds of acid house and techno, to the masses. His 500th episode landed at this year’s Amsterdam Dance Event and the mini documentary above showcases this momentous occasion. Cox joins big names like Armin van Buuren and Tiesto in using mini documentaries like this to give fans an inside look at what goes on behind the scenes. The almost thirty minute video features cameos from Richie Hawtin and Fatboy Slim and gives a brief history of Carl himself — from the early days to his now continued legacy.
Nicole Moudaber kicks off her 2013 with yet another solid EP, this time as her second release on Carl Cox‘s rebirthed Intec Digital label (formerly Intec Records). In 2012, Moudaber released material on Drumcode, Leena Music, and Kling Klong, so it’s no surprise to see her turn around and offer her techno talents to yet another quality label. Roar EP offers two tracks, “Roar” and “Brooklyn Hangover,” and handily commands both her signature bombastic techno drum line and more delicate top line vocals and shuffling synths. Played out in a big room setting, there is no doubt this EP would shake you to the core. Catch the stream and purchase link below.
2012 has been an exciting year for dance music, the scene has grown beyond any of our comprehensions, supplanting itself in popular culture, fueling the soundtrack of commercials, sitcoms, and even a Disney movie, and shaking the foundation popular culture by establishing a new wave of music consumer. At the forefront of everything have been the artists, the true pioneers of the electronic dance music wave. With a scene as large and expansive as EDM, it was hard to honor only 50 – for every David Guetta or Calvin Harris there are droves of aspiring bedroom producers all doing their fair share of pushing the movement — simply by creating and sharing their art. With the EDM explosion officially in full swing in 2012, we saw countless new artists emerge, seasoned producers experiment with new sounds, and massive collaborations form that made crowning the “best” artist a nearly impossible task.
We have run through the Biggest Tracks of 2012 and now we are ready to unveil our picks for the most influential artists of the year. We’ve already covered 50-41 and 40-31, and today we bring you our picks for 30-21. Hop past the break to see who made the cut.
