Mainstream media takes yet another stab at trying to understand the electronic world. The New York Times is featuring a new video labeled “The New Pop Stars,” with an enclosed caption that reads “Tiësto and other superstar D.J.’s earn millions of dollars a year for what some critics say is essentially playing prerecorded music live.” The video showcases spastic clips of Tiësto’s recent tour, while divulging into Madison Avenue’s love affair with using DJs as brand ambassadors and if the pay is actual worth the perceived effort.
After declaring Dada Land a soverign nation with international fan-led rallies, Dada Life is offering another remix from The Rules of Dada. Following Dillon Francis and his chart-topping rendition, Tiësto follows with his take of “So Young So High,” taking the track from fun-loving to big room-shaking. Opting for a percussive oomph, Tijs steers away from his recent melodic trend that has been heard on many of his recent remixes.
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“Chasing Summers” has served as one of Tiësto‘s opening tracks since being released on Club Life Vol. 2 last year, now Quintino and R3hab have a similar weapon for their crowds. The spooky build and chord progression from the original gets jacked up, packing an extra punch of electro and a quickened bass line. The in-house, Dutch family remix has been released via Musical Freedom the same day as another Tiësto-Quintino pairing, the Ultra anthem, “United.”
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Tiësto has been busy in the studio these past few months, releasing remixes for both Passion Pit’s “Carried Away” and Zedd’s“Clarity,“ while premiering a remix to Dada Life’s“So Young So High.” On top of his diverse remix duties, Tiësto’s collaboration alongside fellow Dutchmen Quintino and Alvaro, “United,” is out today on Ultra Records. The three-way collaboration is a propelling big room track, wielding an extensive chord-laden build up and a buoyant Dutch house drop.
Tiësto, Quintino, & Alvaro’s work is being released as the first official Ultra Music Festival Anthem in a series of four UMF Anthems, including productions from Benny Benassi, Afrojack, and Avicii. Is it the best work from these three producers? Certainly not. Will it inspire a riotous response in Miami? Most definitely. “United” is worthy of being a UMF Anthem for the sole reason that it is catchy, digestible, and joyfully rowdy.
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Ultra Music Festival is two weeks ahead, but the first of its anthems is only two days ahead. Tiësto has previewed the upcoming collaboration with Quintino and Alvaro, “United,” a thumping dutch production with synths eerily similar to those of Axwell’s “Heart Is King.” “United” will serve as one of Ultra’s anthems in addition to Afrojack’s “Air Guitar” and perhaps others on the way. Due for a March 5th release, it will drop the same day as another Tiësto-Quintino joint, Musical Freedom’s “Chasing Summers” remix.
Pete Tong is back this week with another Essential Selection featuring a flurry of the best in house music across the dance music spectrum. English producer Michael Woods, known best for work with Deadmau5 and Chris Lake, showcases his favorite tunes at the moment, including his newest release, “Platinum Chains,” and Vince Moogin’s “Love Me Right.”
Last week’s Essential New Tune, Hot Natured & Anabel Englund’s “Reverse Skydiving,” was succeeded by Footprintz “Fear of Numbers,” a Montreal-based synth-pop duo signed to Visionquest Records. Progressive lovers were treated to Tiesto’s new remix of “Clarity” as well as Lazy Rich’s “Insomnia,” Jeremy Olander’s “Let Me Feel,” among others.
If today’s news is any indication, Tiësto is grabbing March by the horns. In addition to the announcements that he will be headlining KANROCKSAS festival and joining Calvin Harris as one of Hakkasan Las Vegas’ resident DJs, he’s also unveiled the preview for his remix of “So Young, So High.” The short but sweet preview doesn’t reveal much other than a synth-laden, festival-ready drop but, just like his remix of “Clarity,” Tiësto injects the original with his now-signature heavy dose of electro.
With its recent lineup announcement, KANROCKSAS proves that no state in our fine country is safe from dance music’s domination. Following the Midwest event’s inaugural year, the festival took a hiatus in 2012 to make way for some major infield renovations. Now that those are complete, KANROCKSAS is making its return to the Village West area of Kansas City on June 28th and 29th. Although the event isn’t strictly electronic, it does boast some major acts including Tiësto, Pretty Lights, Baauer, Rusko, Congorock, and more. Two-day passes for the event are available for $175.00 via the KANROCKSAS website. Click below the jump for the full lineup.
Calvin Harris recently became the first resident announced for Las Vegas’s brand new Hakkasan nightclub, but he wouldn’t be the last. Set to headline 46 gigs at MGM’s future establishment and 22 at the Wet Republic day parties, Harris is followed by Tiësto, who has just announced a similar deal. Over the course of his 20-month residency, set to kick off in April, Tiësto pledges to bring fresh young talent through the MGM each week and will try not to repeat opening acts. While he also talks at length about Hakkasan’s production quality, he also notes that he will be spending most of his time and focus for 2013 in Las Vegas — aside from a few festivals.
Despite being released almost a year ago, Tiësto and Swanky Tunes’ ”Make Some Noise” is a tune worth revisiting. For whatever reason, the original failed to make the serious impact its producers’ credentials warrant. Luckily, Dyro has revived both Ben McInerney’s alluring vocal track and the original’s endearing melody. Lending his big room electro abilities to the anthem, Dyro supplements the catchy lyrics with a riveting, illustrious build up and a thunderous electro drop. Dyro’s remix is out today on Musical Freedom alongside a remix from Skidka.
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