2019 Rewind: DJ 3000

dj-3000-motech

How was 2019 for you?
DJ 3000: The handful of EPs I released in 2019 were all received very well, and I collaborated with some great artists so I’m very grateful for that. Overall, 2019 was a good year for me and predicting 2020 to be an even better one.

Highlights?
I would have to say just the long hours spent in the studio exploring new sounds, ideas and concepts and seeing the hard work pay off when the projects are finally released and being received well by your peers.

Lowlights?
Not being able to make music in a proper studio for all of 2019. I purchased a house this past year so I spent all of 2019 remodeling it and build a proper studio, so I was forced to make music on a laptop and MIDI keyboard. All the producers out there can feel my pain because after 15 minutes of making beats on headphones it will drive you crazy. I guess as a lowlight of 2019 it ain’t all that bad.

Song of the year?
The song of the year from me is this tune called “Moon” by TSHA. I absolutely love this song, and I think she’s dope! I heard this in some random place and I had to Shazam it to figure out what it was. I know people reading this will ask themselves “It’s not even techno, why is he picking this tune?” But I don’t really listen to much techno these days because I make techno all the time so I like to listen to other styles of music for inspiration or just to chill.

What’s your New Year’s resolution?
I feel like I say the same thing every year, but I really need to make more music! I can go long periods of time without even turning on my studio, but then again there are times I can crank out tunes in s short amount of time when inspiration hits.

2019 Rewind: Deepchild

deepchild

How was 2019 for you?
Deepchild: 2019 was a strange year. A year in which ‘post-nostalgia’ reached a curious peak. New producers born in the ’90s lamenting the supposedly ‘authentic’ sound of an 80s, whilst posting overly confessional tropes on Instagram. A year in which the narratives of capitalism conveniently suggested we forget the future in favor of stolid acquiescence (once more) into irony. Of course, I’m being facetious here,  but I feel we’ve been witnessing a growing self-obsession with the more aspirational side of DJ culture (alcohol and clothing sponsorship, selfies from business class flights, etc.) in a way which feels quietly tragic.

I hope that 2020 might be a year in which we hear far more from DJs seated atop their golden plinths – and not just more about themselves, but perhaps about the wider cultural challenges unfolding in front and within our digital communities. It takes courage to name the fact that success in dance music is as much a product of privilege and chance as it is of hard work and following your dreams. Ultimately, I believe that we need to learn to dream together, rather than as individuals. 2019 reminded me of the ecological and social cost of the narrative of individualism. It’s time to burn it all down and build again, I believe.

Highlights?
Seeing queer voices rise, defiantly, within the ranks. Witnessing (rather unexpectedly!) the incredible surprises and advances thrown forth as pop and trap music re-dream what song structures, hooks and form might resemble. Witnessing with glee when established artists like Jimmy Edgar throw their hat into the southern rap production ring, as purists stand aghast and look on.

Reconnecting with old friends forged through playing shows across North America and Europe – friendships holding strong and forged on unlikely dance floors. Working with incredible young artists in prisons, youth centers and my own fledgling studio called Neu Studios in Sydney. Seeing students of mine shine with potential and joy at feeling empowered to make work.

Traveling to India – not as a performer, but as a wide-eyed nobody with a wonderful wife reminding me of what I so easily forget. Spending time with my dad as he slowly dies.

Lowlights?
Witnessing the continued cost of Australia’s right-leaning government on our arts, culture and environmental lives. Leaving London with some sadness because of family health issues. Witnessing some very real and heartbreaking mental health issues in fellow artists who can no longer compete/survive/find validation in their chosen position in the arts world. The arts, at best, is fickle and erratic, and traditional models are rapidly collapsing. Remember (to any listening) the process is the art. All else (as mentioned) is privilege and chance. If you can maintain joy in your practice, then this is enough. No one owes us (as artists) anything – and there’s a strange sort of liberation in the recognition of this; joy found beyond the modality of commerce is rare and precious, and in our power to take part in. All we have, ultimately, is grace and each other.

Song of the year?
East Of Oceans – “Hard Red” (R&S Records)

What’s your New Year’s resolution?
To be kinder. To learn to listen more clearly. To keep imagining a new kind of future. To learn to rest.

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2019 Rewind: Inaya Day

INAYA DAY

How was 2019 for you?
Inaya Day: 2019 has been amazing and eventful.

Highlights?
I finally took that trip to Iceland. My music was licensed to the hit TV show Queen Sugar and the upcoming TV show HighTown. I was the headlining act and released a single for Stonewall 50 World Pride with Masterbeat. I performed for the Ministry of Sound Annual Classical in London with a live orchestra and for the Sydney Mardi Gras Closing Party in Australia. Those are just a few.

Lowlights?
I’ve suffered the loss of a few great friends this year.

Song of the year? 
“Say So” by PJ Morton feat. Jojo

What’s your New Year’s resolution?
My new year’s resolution is always to be better … a better musician, better songwriter, an even a better person. To do everything better than I’ve done in the years past.

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10 Most-Read Big Shot Magazine Stories of 2019

big shot most popular stories of 2019

At the end of each year I share a list of our most popular stories. As I sat down to compile this year’s list, I wasn’t surprised by the articles that grabbed the attention of our loyal readers across the globe over the tumultuous past 12 months.

From the the first playable record made from recycled ocean plastic to the passing of DJs and dance-music luminaries, below are the most-read and most-shared stories we published in 2019.

I hope you can find some space to exhale and recharge from this intense year during this holiday season. Let’s pray 2020 will be a less crazy year for us all.

Read DJs and artists’ 2018 Rewind recaps here.

  1. See the First Playable Record Made From Recycled Ocean Plastic
  2. NYC DJ/Producer Jason Jinx Has Passed Away
  3. Ugh. New Tenants of Former Output Space Removed the Club’s $1.5 Million Funktion-One System
  4. NYC Dance Music Industry Veteran Judy Russell Has Died
  5. Premiere: Arctween – Along The Way
  6. Israeli DJ Ronen Dahan (a.k.a. Perplex) Fatally Shot at Club in Mexico
  7. Superfreak Artist Laurent Blondeau (a.k.a. Lo) Commits Suicide
  8. Video Premiere: Joney – Owl School
  9. Premiere: All Hail The Silence – Daggers (BTS Video)
  10. Video Premiere: Freddie Frampton – So Good
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.