Social media has greatly enhanced the connection between fans and artists by allowing them to connect on a level far greater than that of a spectator. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have given us an unprecedented look into the lives of our modern day rockstars by taking us behind the booth, into their homes and studios, and even sometimes into their pasts. Click below the break to check out some of your favorite artists in their younger years and find out which superstars got an early start by strumming guitars or tickling the ivories. We have shots from Steve Angello, Chuckie, Skrillex, Nervo, A-Trak, and more.
If you’ve ever visited Dillon Francis’s virtual merch store you’re familiar with its unique offerings. For $20, Francis will tweet a personalized message to your best friend, for $750 he’ll paint a portrait of your family, for $3,000 he’ll name his next song after you, and for $75,000 he’ll join the army. On January 13th, Zedd and Rukes paid $1,000 to have dance music’s resident dickhead recreate the pottery scene in Ghost with 12th Planet as Patrick Swayze. Press play above to watch Dillon Francis and 12 Planet try and make it through the recreation without laughing.
We were admittedly a bit surprised last week when Zedd’sClarity 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.
Pete Tong is back this week with his weekly Essential Selection, featuring a flurry of new music that spans the dance music spectrum. We are treated to two world premieres this week; one from Ibiza royalty Solomun, and the other from Hot Natured vocalist/producer Ali Love.
Last week’s Essential New Tune, Calrian & Guy Gerber’s remix of “Claire,” was succeeded by Ali Love’s “Emperor,” which will be released on underground label Crosstown on April 1st, complete with remixes from Maceo Plex and Waze & Odyssey. Progressive lovers were treated to Tiesto’s remix of Zedd’s “Clarity,” W&W and Ummet Ozzcan’s “The Code,” and Tim Mason’s “Swoon” among others.
Belfasts’ old school house extraordinaire, Ejeca, stole his 15 minutes of fame, where he discussed dance music influences growing up and how his journey to success began. To top it all off, Bulgaria’s Kink showcased the best in techno in this week’s Goodie Goodies while Pete Tong ended with an Essential Hot Mix not to be missed. Full tracklist after the break.
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.
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?
A few months ago we spoke about the Cirque Du Soleil themed night club, Light at Mandalay Bay – the one that aims to redefine the nightlife experience by incorporating live performance art and dance music into a completely immersive experience. The ground-breaking club has just released details on its roster – one that may surprise the average clubgoer. Dubstep-heavyweight Skrillex, electro wunderkind Zedd, trap pioneer Baauer and Sebastian Ingrosso – for his American residency debut - all plan to call the new night club home when it opens on April 26th.
The choices here continue to impress us; the four artists announced so far all have unique sounds and styles. It will be interesting to see how Cirque Du Soleil and the Light group use the various artist’s personalities when designing the “experience.” Trap and gymnasts? Someone call Diplo.
After Zedd released the “Clarity” acapella as a free download, it was only a matter of time before the flood gates opened on the full stream of remixes. While yesterday Zedd revealed Tiësto’s official “Clarity” remix, today he’s shown the spotlight on two comparatively diverse remixes. The first is an enveloping trap remix by LA’s Brillz, for which Zedd enthusiastically praised on Twitter as “One of my favorite remixes anyone’s ever done for me!” The second is a thumping electro house remix from Canada’s Torro Torro, which Zedd has been playing out in his sets.
Though overshadowed by yesterday’s hype around Tiësto’s rendition, Felix Cartal also previewed his progressive house rework of “Clarity,” and it’s shaping up to be quite a release. Rounding out the official remix series will be a final, yet-to-be-previewed edition from Funkagenda. All five remixes are due out on February 12th, as part of the official “Clarity” remix package on Interscope Records. Click past the break to hear Brillz’s, Torro Torro’s, and Felix Cartal’s forthcoming remixes.
While dance music continues to ascend into popular culture, there have been some very odd pairings that have taken the world by storm. On television alone we’ve seen gerbils dance to “In My Mind,” Avicii throw a Bud Lite Super Bowl party, and A-Trak eloquently serve up glasses of Grey Goose. Some of the most unexpected collaborations, however, have taken place within the music itself. Dancing Astronaut presents: 10 collaborations that shocked dance music.
In anticipation of his Clarity remix compilation due out Feb 12, Zedd teased Tiesto‘s rendition of the powerful production today. Last year his concept album by the same name became a defining release in the young producer’s career. “Spectrum” — the first single off the album — reached number one on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Songs chart and a remix EP featuring reworks from artists like A-Trak & Clockwork, Arty, and Armin Van Buuren to name a few. Zedd is ready to give “Clarity” the same treatment with another extended play via Interscope Records.
