Features

Exclusive interviews with DJs and electronic music artists.

2019 Rewind: Siege

Yehouda Silverman Leave a Comment

Siege

How was 2019 for you?
Siege: 2019 has been amazing. Released more music on some of my bucket list labels; played more and bigger shows, and bought a house so nothing to complain over here.

Highlights?
Offf, that’s a difficult one. I’d say closing down Fuse in Brussels after Hot Since 82 early on in 2019 was one of the highlights for sure! I played somewhere between three or four hours and could build my set from Daley’s vibe to banging out techno till 7 in the morning. Then there was Toolroom’s residency at Eden in Ibiza. It’s a childhood dream to play on the Island and what a way to fulfill that dream. Playing the last set at the closing party was magical. If I can pick one more it must be playing the peak-time set at Elrow in Belgium a few weeks ago. It’s one of the best party concepts in the world and yet again a massive bucket list thing to tick off. Oh, and seeing Carl Cox play my music all summer long must be a highlight too.

Lowlights?
None. I can’t and won’t complain about anything.

Song of the year?  
Hmm, there’s so many but if I’d have to pick one I’d say Eli Brown & Will Clarke’s Our Love EP on Adam Beyer’s Truesoul label. Both tracks are MASSIVE and they always go off. Eli Brown has been releasing so many tracks and they’re all quality. Truesoul is one of my favorite labels too with the perfect blend between house and techno.

What’s your New Year’s resolution?
To finish the renovation works in my house, studio and move to it in 2020!

2019 Rewind: Needs No Sleep

Darren Ressler Leave a Comment

Needs-No-Sleep

How was 2019 for you?
Needs No Sleep: 2019 has been great! I’ve worked hard to put out a stack of releases, and I’ve really ticked some huge goals off my list.

Highlights?
Taking the number one spot on the Australian Aria Club Chart with my track “On The Edge” was definitely a highlight. I also released twice on the label This Ain’t Bristol which has always been a huge goal of mine to work with them.

Lowlights?
I’m a pretty positive person, so i always try find the best in everything. To be quite honest, there hasn’t been any lowlights of this year.

Song of the year?  
Biscits’ “Pressure.” That song goes off in every club set.

What’s your New Year’s resolution?
To keep the same energy I had this year and to work hard and put out even more killer tracks that I hope people get to enjoy.

2019 Rewind: Roger Silver

Ian Fleming Leave a Comment

RogerSilver

How was 2019 for you?
Roger Silver: 2019 was somewhat of a breakout year for me.

Highlights?
I played a number of memorable gigs which I feel increased my exposure, including opening for Claptone at Marquee New York in which many fans and friends were there with me in support. I played a long set at the Monkey Love camp at Burning Man following the Martinez Brothers which was a big moment for me as an artist. Looking ahead, I am excited about a new monthly residency at Gospel, which is a cool vibe and venue in the East Village. I recently released a three-song EP named Forests on Plastic City Records out of Germany. I plan to finish two new works by the end of this year with the goal firmly on writing many new tracks in 2020.

Lowlights?
I wouldn’t say there were any lowlights. I feel blessed and excited about my passion of bringing forward my unique sound forward to my listeners. I am hopeful that the melodic techno sub-genre continues to gain in popularity outside of the underground scene and becomes a more mainstream music medium in New York and the U.S.

Song of the year?
Haha, there have been so many incredible records. This year has proved to be a strong one for a number of new and upcoming artists writing well written and beautiful melodies. I would say my personal favorite was “Yeke” by Sparrow & Barbossa (Enzo Siffredi’s Remix). Every time I played it, the energy of the crowd was swell with everyone dancing. Great record, but there were many.

What’s your New Year’s resolution?
To continue to love and believe in myself and create and play music which inspires people. To me music equals life, and I am fully committed in continuing to curate my brand to both to my faithful and new fans alike. I wish you guys all the very best in the year ahead.

2019 Rewind: Michele Chiavarini

Yehouda Silverman Leave a Comment

Michele Chiavarini

How was 2019 for you?
Michele Chiavarini: 2019 was indeed a very productive year. Although I have been mostly releasing remixes and not much of my own material, I have also been involved in many musical projects outside of dance music. For the most part, however, I have been working together with my partner, Fernanda Reis, on launching our label, SPRY Records. This has meant finishing many records in the various music styles that we will be releasing, ranging from soulful house, jazz house, gospel house and other genres outside house music. Many people I know have been waiting for this label for a very long time! We truly cherish the opportunity and we will definitely endeavor not to disappoint them.

Highlights?
As I am not a performing DJ, although I am working toward that too, my highlights are mostly associated with working in studio with fellow producers and musicians. For a big part of my career, I used to perform live as a musician. I then decided that I prefer the creative environment of the recording studio. This year I have travelled extensively, meeting some amazing musicians, singers and wonderful people in general. It has been extremely rewarding.

Then there is the first offering on our SPRY label called “Express Yourself” and it features a truly exceptional singer-songwriter from Alabama, Carmichael Musiclover. It was released on the 13th of December.

Lowlights?
I see many fellow musicians and producers, talented people, struggling financially, because music sales are low (at least in the case of more specialist genres), streaming is dramatically underpaid, budgets are often non-existent, etc. We live in a time where the opportunities to share one’s music are truly endless. There are no barriers to entry, especially if you make popular music. I am not sure whether this devalues the work, but it certainly saturates the market, making music highly disposable. One truly needs to adapt and embrace change. Easier said than done.

Song of the Year?
Way too many to choose from! I shall go with Raquel Rodriguez’s “We Go Together (Joey Negro Club Mix).”

What’s your New Year’s resolution?
To make the best possible music that I can make.

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