Exclusive interviews with DJs and electronic music artists.
How was 2019 for you?
Developer: For my label, Modularz, I think it was another great year celebrating 10 years in operation.
Highlights?
Having label nights in Berlin and a few cities around the world.
Lowlights?
None
Song of the year?
I don’t do favorites. I mean, really … there are to many to mention.
What’s your New Year’s resolution?
Consistency always.
How was 2019 for you?
Paris The Black FU: 2019 was a very interesting year for me, learning a lot from my son, who’s a bit more than 2 1/2 at the moment. And I’m really diving into learning more about sound design and modular synths. All in all, it’s been a good year for me.
Highlights?
There were so many things that I enjoyed about the year but I’d have to say that bringing my mother over to visit her grandson to spend some real face time with him was a pleasure. Also the first EP from the Techmarine Bottom Feeders project had its first proper release. We did have a release on KilleKill a few years back but this new release is the first from an album. We have some really dope remixes from The Exaltics and father-and-son duo, The Advent & Zein. I also got to work with The Exaltics on another project soon to be released with some killer artwork. I was able to pick up more things I needed/wanted, not sure which was more, the need or the want, but nevertheless I got them!
Lowlights?
Can’t say that I’ve really had any, personally speaking. Learning that my father-in-law has cancer really got me down at one point, but he seems to be taking it all in his stride, so I stay positive and try to support him.
Song of the year?
Do they have to be current? If so, I have to be honest with you. I don’t listen to the radio, I don’t listen to too much that’s current these days, my son takes up most of my time. My day is cook breakfast, get him dressed, start his art lessons, play some games, go outside, come back inside, cook lunch, put him down for his nap. While he sleeps, I try to do a bit in the studio or sleep while I have the chance… I usually work. Then it’s back to him and cooking dinner for the family. Should I have put this in my lowlights? LOL!!! So, if I don’t have to be current I’d say “Spill the Wine” by War. My son loves it and can pretty much sing it by heart.
What’s your New Year’s resolution?
I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. All I want to do is get from January 1 to December 31 and then start it all over again. I don’t believe in making promises I can’t keep, especially to myself.
How was 2019 for you?
Michael The Lion: It really flew by. Music-wise, I spent a lot of it getting my new projects with Amy Douglas into shape to drop at the end of the year and all through early 2020. I laid a bit low to take care of my new baby daughter, but I enjoyed spending more time DJing in my hometown of Philadelphia than I had in previous years.
Highlights?
I rebooted my Funk Train party a bit this year, taking it to NYC, DC and Philly. Our guests were amazing: Recloose, Pontchartrain, Shyvonne, Elvin T and Shawn Ryan.
Lowlights?
The world is full of negative vibes right now. I grew up a block away from Tree Of Life Synagogue. Although that massacre happened in October 2018, I’m still trying to work through that and how it’s affected me. Amy and I have always tried to focus on really hopeful songs and themes, so we’re trying to do our bit for our audience. We’ve always tried to work that way as a bit of therapy for ourselves.
Song of the year?
The Vision feat. Andreya Triana – “Heaven”
What’s your New Year’s resolution?
Encourage people to vote in the 2020 U.S. elections and get more sleep.
How was 2019 for you?
Fish Go Deep: The classic mixed bag – released plenty of music that we’re proud of and played loads of great parties. The world is going to shit though, isn’t it?
Highlights?
The Go Deep birthday party that we throw every year here in Cork is hard to beat. It’s a beautiful celebration of the music, dancing and friendships that we’ve shared with so many people over so many years.
Lowlights?
Smaller clubs being increasingly sidelined in favor of festivals and enormous events. The roots of the music are in these spaces and they are slipping away.
Song of the year?
Windows – “Life Knocked Me” (Gerd Remix)
What’s your New Year’s resolution?
Get involved!