In our first installment of Before the Beats we showed off shots from artists including Brodinski, Dillon Francis, and Sebastian Ingrosso. For the second edition, we’ve collected even more photos which run the gamut from cute and cuddly to funny and predictive of their musical futures. New additions to the baby photo retrospective include Ferry Corsten, Hardwell, Laidback Luke, and Sander van Doorn, but we also have new pictures from artists previously featured in our first installment; repeat offenders include Steve Angello, Chuckie, and A-Trak. Click below the break to find out what your favorite artists looked like before they were big stars.
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In light of reaching 100k Twitter followers, progressive house technician Funkagenda has given away his original track “Paragon” for free. In typical Funkagenda fashion, the production patiently builds the energy while stringing its listener along with light melodies and well-crafted percussion. Halfway through, the track merges into a sumptuous breakdown/build up before revamping the energy with a clean and well-primed drop. Download it for free from SoundCloud, and, as a bonus, check out Funkagenda’s Ultra set after the break.
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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 Junior Sanchez, Seth Troxler, A-Trak and more.
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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’ve got gems from Steve Angello, Dirty South, Boys Noize, and more.
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We were admittedly a bit surprised last week when Zedd’s Clarity EP was released featuring only a select few of the anticipated remixes. Thankfully, as we later learned, the renditions by Tiësto, Brillz, and Style of Eye constituted only the iTunes segment of the official remixes. Today, Zedd and Interscope Records have released the official Beatport edition of the Clarity EP, boasting 10 productions from talented producers such as Funkagenda, Headhunterz, Felix Cartel, Torro Torro, Swanky Tunes and more. While Brillz’s take stole the spotlight on part one, click past the break to find out which remixes excelled above the rest in this colossal remix package.
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After a wildly successful remix contest and remix EP for Zedd’s ”Spectrum,” it seemed only natural that Clarity‘s eponymous single should receive the same treatment. While the remixes started back in November with Aylen’s lovestep rework, it was only last week that Zedd unveiled the sumptuous roster of producers for the official “Clarity” remix package.
With renditions from Tiësto, Style of Eye, Brillz, and an orchestral edit from Zedd himself, the “Clarity” remix package is just as daunting as its counterpart’s previous package. Curious to see whose stole the spotlight? Click past the break to read our review.
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The train of official “Clarity” remixes began two days ago with the unveiling of Tiësto’s “Clarity” remix to a lukewarm response. It continued yesterday with a trap remix from Brillz, a menacing house spin from Torro Torro, and a progressive/electro house remix from Felix Cartal. And now, it’s reached its potentially most awesome point yet: a heavy progressive house rendition from the masterful hands of Funkagenda.
The first minute consists of a budding, anxious energy, but when that dark, pulsating beat drops, you’ll understand why Funkagenda is one of the most well-respected house producers in the industry. The preview ends all too quickly with a grandiose halftime section, which presumably (and hopefully) leads to another sinister, thumping drop. In regards to the track, Funkagenda writes: “Probably one of the best remixes I have ever done.” Funkagenda’s remix will be released on February 12th as part of the official “Clarity” remix package.
Now that you’ve heard the entirety of the official remixes, which one is your favorite?
Today’s Good Morning Mix requires your full and undivided attention. Trance pioneer Markus Schulz has graciously uploaded an outrageous two-hour segment of his twelve-hour marathon set from New Year’s Eve at Avalon in Los Angeles. He dubs this section the “rabbit hole” — and as you make it through the tracklist, you’ll see why.
Be prepared to hear everything from dark, minimal techno from Dubfire to tasteful progressive house from Thomas Gold to a classic house anthem from Mark Knight & Funkagenda. More bewildering tracks include a legendary Deadmau5 original, a thumping Sander van Doorn remix, and plenty of Markus Schulz big-room reconstructions. No matter your taste, there’s a track in this mix for you. Brace yourselves for the rabbit hole. (more…)
Growing up with a musically inclined Puerto Rican father meant I was surrounded by Latin beats since a young age. These sounds played an integral part in shaping my sonic preferences and when I saw Funkagenda had taken on Buena Vista Social Club’s “Candela,” I was intrigued to see what he would do with it. Buena Vista’s original “Candela” lyrics express careful sexual innuendo and Funkagenda keeps that Latin flavor alive while integrating a catchy four-on-the-floor rhythm.
He’s giving the track away for free but under the condition that you “promise to check out these fantastic Cuban musicians.” He further explains, “this is real heart and soul music.” We suggest checking out “Chan Chan” and “Hasta Siempre Commandante.” Head to his SoundCloud and redeem your copy — but not before checking out BVSC.
Free Download
For years we’ve come to associate Funkagenda with superior production talent. He has been behind classic collaborations with Mark Knight on tracks like “Man With The Red Face” and “Antitode,” and has outed a slew of unforgettable original productions such as “Splinter” and “Budgie.” Since it’s the Holiday season and everyone is in the giving spirit, Funkagenda plunges into his bag of custom edits and picks out Indie band The XX’s “Fiction” to give away as a free download. The track is staple progressive house rework featuring emotive melodic play, full of galvanizing properties. Enjoy the stream below and head to his Soundcloud page for the free download.
