Illexxandra and DJ Shakey are a pair of Brooklyn-based jocks who’ve rocked America’s underground party scene for years. Spinning at clubs, festivals, one-offs – even some mobiles and roller discos – they’ve mastered a variety of dancefloor genres and built their individual profiles nicely. But more recently, they joined forces in the studio create a superb debut EP, “Bass Arithmetic,” on ill.Gates’ Producer Dojo imprint. Filled with quirky, funky flavors, like the title track, “Nutty Queen” and “Bubble Rap,” the EP drops twisted synth basslines and head-bobbing breaks with ease. It’s quite a joy ride. But getting to a point…
Author: Jim Tremayne
Today, Andrea Oliva is one of Europe’s more prominent underground DJ/producers. His often melodic, but tough-edged techno sounds have earned him nearly every opportunity a DJ can enjoy. In fact, with major slots in Ibiza (Space, Pacha, Ushuaia), a deep discography of productions (“Scream”) and remixes (Luciano’s “Rise of Angel”) on a variety of impressive labels (Cadenza, Defected, Desolat), and gigs at top festivals (Coachella, Glastonbury, Sonus), Oliva’s bio is on par with the Continent’s best electronic talents. But, like many DJs on the ascension, the Swiss-born talent wanted more. So, he recently launched All I Need, an Ibiza-focused music-label…
Looking for a change-up to an overstuffed diet of EDM or hip-hop? Give a listen to DJ Samantha Michelle, who offers a slightly different range of musical flavors, including a tasty serving of rock-n-roll. Folk, funk, glam, psychedelia, blues or R&B, Michelle is open to a broad range of genres – from classics to deep cuts – as long as it rocks the party. Spinning since 2012, the Canadian-born, NYC-based jock has made her mark in playing special events (fashion, arts, film fests, charity) and members clubs (like the London-based Soho House, which has 28 worldwide clubs), plus the occasional…
New York City – Sitting smack in the middle of Manhattan’s famed Times Square district, Nebula is perhaps an unlikely place to find top-shelf tastes mixing with underground grooves. But, since the club’s opening this past fall, Nebula has done just that by booking top global-DJ talent to match its state-of-the-art light, sound and video systems. Filling out an 11,000-square-foot, dual-level room, Nebula has brought in some of the world’s best tech-house, deep house and techno DJ/producers. Recent bookings have included MK, Purple Disco Machine, CamelPhat, Damian Lazarus, Carnage, Duck Sauce and Lee Burridge. And, most recently, Diplo, who’s supporting…
Like all gigging DJs, Nicole Moudaber was blindsided by the pandemic in 2020. Not only were her touring opportunities put on pause, but with the global virus taking its tragic toll, creative motivation was at an all-time low. For “The Queen of Techno,” playing or producing music wasn’t her top priority. Nonetheless, as the lockdown moved on, DJs re-adjusted to the new normal. And DJs, being the hustlers they are, found new ways to remain noticed, if not fully active. Many took to Twitch and began live-streaming – some creating new profiles, some simply renewing their brands. Others, embracing the…
Sometimes, versatility pays off. Case in point: DJ E-Clyps, who has successfully turned his many passions and talents into a life of art and community advocacy. Hailing from Fort Wayne, Ind., E-Clyps is equally adept at scratching classic hip-hop vinyl or mixing soulful house tracks on CDJs. And when he’s in the studio, he’s not sure what’s going to come out of “his lab.” But it’s always quality. Just check out his most recent releases on his Blacklight Music imprint, “Basement Bounce” and “Walk Away,” a pair of old-school house tracks that’ll warm up the dancefloor. And don’t sleep on…
From his light-hearted videos and streams, one can see that French DJ/producer Myd has always been a bit of a goofball, someone who didn’t mind skewering our modern conventions while providing a backdrop of irresistible grooves. To get the picture, just check out these lockdown-era gems – “Together We Stand,” which pointedly lampoons our social-media/influencer culture, and “Moving Men” featuring Mac DeMarco, which puts Myd and Mac in cartoonland for some seriously stoned hijinks. In 2021, the frivolity continued, as Myd earned accolades for his dreamy-fun debut album, Born A Loser (Ed Banger/Because), which brought a tasty mix of house…
Berlin, Germany – DJ/producer Wankelmut initially caught the global dance community’s attention in 2012 with his stirring remix Asaf Avidan’s “One Day/Reckoning Song.” Then, his profile rose further the next year with his earworm track “My Head Is a Jungle” (with Emma Louise). The iconic MK remix of the latter tune brought even more attention and that led to high-profile DJ gigs and a slew of remix opportunities. Since then, he’s released a steady stream of productions and remixes, some leaning toward the deeper side of house, but always maintaining a uniquely catchy flavor. In fact, since the pandemic, he’s…
Manchester, U.K. – Across the pond, there’s the original dubstep sound with its wubs, wobbles and 2-step rhythms – and then there’s riddim, its dirtier, wonkier, more minimal subgenre. Confused? Well, don’t be. Just give a listen to massive Subfiltronik tracks like “Subminus,” “Demon Master” and the more recent “Vendetta,” and you’ll get properly sorted on what makes riddim. But… prepare for a rather visceral experience. As one of riddim’s main practitioners, the Manchester-based Subfiltronik (aka Corey Smith) has been flying the flag for dubstep and related bass-bombing genres for more than a decade. We recently caught up with the…
After enjoying one of her most prolific periods in the studio, Romanian techno DJ/producer Simina Grigoriu steams into 2022 with continued vigor, as she unveils her next EP, “Rooftop Ballerina / Pirouette.” The brooding “Rooftop Ballerina” pulses with a booming kick and swirling keys for a wonderfully disorienting result. Meanwhile, the even-darker “Pirouette” works a snaky synth line over a rumbling rhythm accented with tasty effects. Out now via her beloved Kuukou Records imprint, it’s quite a pair of techno tracks. DJ LIFE MAG recently caught up with the Berlin-based talent. Creatively, how did you approach “Rooftop Ballerina/Pirouette”? They’re two…
By his own admission, Lubelski is a bit of a modular-synth maniac. And if you listen to tracks like “Asylum” from Happy Accidents, his recent album on Dirtybird, you’ll quickly get the picture. It’s a manic tech-house excursion that fires you thru a gauntlet of compelling club sounds – nervy bassline, commanding kick drum, acid squiggles, the lot. It’s a thrilling ride that, according to his studio approach, resulted from the “conversations” he had with his synths. Quite a diverse outing, Happy Accidents is one of electronic music’s best recent full-lengths, and “All This Technology,” his recent tech-house collab with…
ZIPDJ has launched ZIPDJ PRO, an entirely rebuilt version of the subscription-based, music-discovery platform that’s been around for nearly 15 years. ZIPDJ PRO offers major core updates with new features, improved application speed/stability, and a new look to enhance up the v3 update of 2020. New features include a software overhaul, bringing a new music-discovery experience; advanced search and filtering for easier and faster discovery; Favorite & Follows, which provides valuable feedback for record labels; Playlists, which allows DJs to organize music into lists; and Advanced Mobile Optimization. President of ZIPDJ, Nick Fiorucci, has long led the industry with a…
As a late-teen, Kenneth Hyman entered NYU with the hopes of becoming a psychiatrist because, he says, he wanted to make people happy. But after getting exposed to NYC’s rich, mid-’90s club scene, he reconsidered his path and took to the DJ decks. As Herbert Holler – his new DJ handle – he found a better method to infuse happiness to the masses. He worked smaller parties, handed out flyers for promoters and learned nearly every angle of putting on events that left customers satisfied. His hustle and perseverance set him up for good things to come. In 2003, The Freedom Party – an egalitarian club event that plays all forms of classic party music – was born. Nearly 19 years and 800 events later, Holler’s hoedown remains the longest-running club party in New York City. Currently set up on the regular at downtown Manhattan’s Le…
Here we are, finally, where 2021 meets 2022… and, hopefully, a little more normalcy is just around the corner (variants be damned). So, as we wrapped up ’21, we fired off a quickie poll to DJs of all stripes, asking how 2021 looked to them in the rear-view. We asked three simple questions: What’s your top tune of the year (one that’s not yours)? What was your best accomplishment of 2021? What was the best DJ/musical moment (live, streaming, or studio)? Here are the first 100 responses we got. Ready, steady, go… 1. Anabel Englund, Ultra Music, L.A. Tune: “What You…
Join DJ LIFE editor Jim Tremayne and Hazan Media Group President/CEO Shawn Hazan on Twitch as they visit with NYC DJ/Twitch personality Mike Marquez at 5 p.m. EST, Tuesday, Dec. 7. In addition to examining the latest developments in the DJ world, the three will discuss the recently launched DJ LIFE digizine and website, plus some exciting new moves at DJX, the trade show/exhibition that’s set for Aug. 8-11 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. Since the lockdown, Marquez has delivered plenty of useful and entertaining content, plus some serious house jams, for Twitchers the world over.…
SoundSwitch, a leading manufacturer of DJ-lighting control software and hardware, has released Control One, a professional lighting controller and dual-universe DMX interface. Control One provides dedicated, tactile control over light-fixture color, intensity, movement, automated light shows, and FX. SoundSwitch + Control One bring music-synchronized light shows and the power of on-the-fly visual effect to the DJ’s fingertips. Control One is compatible with Engine DJ, Serato DJ Pro, Virtual DJ, and Ableton Link. Says SoundSwitchʼs Product Owner, Matt Watkins: “The Control One adds new functionally and improves the overall experience of controlling lighting while DJing. Following on from the release of…
The beat-mad throngs returned to the East Coast this past Labor Day Weekend, as the Electric Zoo: Supernaturals festival rocked Randall’s Island with a slew of top DJ/artists. Running on five stages from Sept. 3-5, Electric Zoo 2021 brought headliners like Tiësto, Alesso, Zeds Dead, Seven Lions, Kaskade, Illenium, and Steve Aoki, plus genre faves like Claptone, Andrew Rayel, Rezz, and Duke Dumont. Though the festival grounds remained only a tad wet from the week’s record rainfall – the remnants of Hurricane Ida, which took dozens of lives in the tri-state area – the kids poured in for New York’s…
After nearly 19 months of industry uncertainty, the DJ market returned in a big way as DJ Expo 2021 brought jocks of all stripes back into its community. Rebranded as DJX, the DJ Life-produced trade-show/exhibition filled the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City this past Aug. 9-12 with mobile entertainers, club DJs, streaming jocks and home-studio hounds. After missing its 2020 incarnation due to the pandemic, the show on AC’s famed Boardwalk delivered three days of exhibits featuring some of the industry’s latest technologies, four days of seminars, workshops and keynotes, and three nights of sponsored After Dark events.…