Premiere: Kate Simko – Her Likeness (Extended Mix) – Underplayed

Kate-Simko

Underplayed, a documentary about female DJs and producers directed by Stacey Lee, will debut on Amazon Prime on International Women’s Day (March 8). The film features interviews with a broad range of artists, including Rezz, Alison Wonderland, Tokimonsta, NERVO and Tygapaw.

Musical multihyphenate DJ/producer/composer/musician Kate Simko, who leads London Electronic Orchestra, scored the soundtrack for the film.

Ahead of the release of the Underplayed soundtrack tomorrow on Lakeshore Records, we’re thrilled to world premiere “Her Likeness” (Extended Mix) from the 20-track collection.

The genesis of the rousing, Detroit-inspired “Her Likeness” — the only uptempo cut on the soundtrack — harkens back to February 2020. Kate wrote the banger the night before traveling to New York City to play at a Cityfox party.

“I knew they’d booked me to close out the room so I had late-night NYC in mind making it,” she tells us via email, adding that she was “loading live parts from the song on the plane.”

Kate adds, “I wanted to create a raw, don’t give a f*** vibe with this song. It’s over eight minutes long which is pretty unusual for a soundtrack cue. It’s unapologetically long because it has lots of little synth lines, rhythms and melodic voices coming in-and-out with something new to say.

“Underplayed is a film about women’s voices being heard, and ‘Her Likeness’ is like a homage to all the women out there hustling to carve a space for themselves in this industry.”

Hit the play button below and enjoy.

Image above by Rui Pignatelli

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Beatport Pivots To Web-Based, MIDI-Compatible DJ App

Beatport-DJ-demo

Yesterday online music retailer Beatport announced the release of Beatport DJ to all LINK subscribers. It’s a web-based, MIDI-compatible DJ app that allows DJs of all skill levels to set up workflows and playlists.

The interface is well-appointed with all of the bells and whistles you’d expect from a typical DJ setup and it seamlessly integrates music from the company’s store. What’s more, is that no software is needed to use it and previewing music is intuitive and smooth.

A day before Beatport DJ was unveiled, a rep from Beatport gave me a demo of the product. I learned the product was created after taking in feedback from customers, listening to their pain points and trying to reduce the friction that comes with the laborious process of finding, reviewing, buying and downloading music.

BEATPORT-DJ-Interface

Beatport DJ’s interface.

From the demo I watched, Beatport DJ significantly reduces prep time, allowing DJs to focus their energy on being creative and performing.

For now, Beatport DJ works only with a Chrome web browser. It’s in the beta stage, meaning that the product isn’t yet in its final form, so look for it to evolve now that it’s public.

Good to know: All existing LINK and LINK PRO, and LINK PRO+ subscribers can use BEATPORT DJ, as well as all existing LINK partner integrations with Algoriddim djay, Denon Engine OS, Hercules DJUCED, Pioneer DJ rekordbox, WeDJ, Serato DJ, PCDJ and TRIBE XR.

I asked about where the product might go from here. Beatport’s rep said the company is hoping to have iOS, mobile and social functionality as well as public and private playlists in the immediate future.

Beatport is currently offering free trials of Beatport DJ. You can access it here.

Have you tried Beatport DJ yet? If so, let us know what you think in the comments below.

No paywalls, free to all. Help us remain 100% independent and unbiased. Please give to Big Shot by making a secure one-time donation to help us continue covering DJ culture and electronic music like we’ve done since 2003.



Big Shot Guest Mix 350: Di Saronno

Big-Shot-Guest-Mix-Di-Saronno

Italian house DJ/producer Francesco “Frank” Ferraro is all about spinning and producing party-perfect music.

Known by his Di Saronno musical alias, he’s released music on top underground dance music labels including Nervous, Glasgow Underground, King Street and Peppermint Jam.

Today, we’re thrilled to announce that he’s taken control of the latest Big Shot Guest Mix — it’s a journey true-school house heads will not want to miss.

Throughout his 45-minute disco-house session, Frank ushers us through a curated tour including a handful of his productions and remixes as well as tracks and mixes from DJ Mes, Demuir, DJ Sneak, Phil Weeks and the late great Romanthony.

Hit the play button below and enjoy.

Tracklist for Big Shot Guest Mix 350: Di Saronno
1. Di Saronno – I Donʼt Know Why I Love You (Glasgow Underground)
2. Paul Rudder – Mind Drifting (Shall Not Fade)
3. Di Saronno – One Million Roses (W&O Street Tracks)
4. Johnick, Bonetti – Every Monday, Every Friday (unQuantize)
5. Kenny Dope & Man Without A Clue – New York Flow (Dopewax)
6. Makito – All The Way Back (Large Music)
7. Di Saronno – Embrace The Jive (Phoenix Music Inc.)
8. DJ Mes – Swamp Thang Do (InStereo Recordings)
9. James Saunders – Jamiroquai In The Garage (White Label)
10. Demuir – Soul Muzak (DJ Sneak Banger Dub) (MoXY)
11. Romanthony – Feel Your Love (Di Saronno Extended Remix) (Glasgow
Underground)
12. Phil Weeks – Chunky Chaser (Robsoul)
13. Blaze feat. Palmer Brown – Do You Remember House? (Harry Romero
Extended Remix) (SlipʼNʼSlide)
14. Adryiano – 18+ Member Groove (CESTRAW)

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DJ/Producer Claudio Coccoluto Has Died

Claudio-Coccoluto died

DJ/producer Claudio Coccoluto has died, according to reports in the Italian media and on social media. He was 59.

While an official statement on Coccoluto’s passing has not yet been released, it is believed that Coccoluto died in Cassino, Italy this morning, surrounded by family after a lengthy illness.

Coccoluto, who also maintained the Coccodance alias, began DJing in 1980. He went on to form his own label, The Dub, and remixed the likes of Adamski, Joey Negro and Dimitri From Paris. All the while, he continued to DJ all over the world at clubs like Ministry of Sound and helmed shows on BBC1 and Kiss FM.

Of his many productions, Claudio Coccoluto presents The Heartists’ tribal-flavored “Belo Horizonti” released in 1996 on Basement Jaxx‘s Atlantic Jaxx remains a rousing rhythmic masterpiece.

No paywalls, free to all. Help us remain 100% independent and unbiased. Please give to Big Shot by making a secure one-time donation to help us continue covering DJ culture and electronic music like we’ve done since 2003.