Features

Exclusive interviews with DJs and electronic music artists.

2019 Rewind: Pagano

Yehouda Silverman Leave a Comment

Pagano

How was 2019 for you?
Pagano: Do you mean apart from the world generally falling apart? It was actually a pretty good year professionally, with some super-fun gigs, lots of great music and plenty of dance floor madness!

Highlights?
I loved the resurgent popularity of house and techno. My gig in front of more than 10,000 people at Palais12 in Brussels; my label KISM getting promo support from heavyweights like Alan Fitzpatrick, Gary Beck, Nicole Moudaber, Mark Knight; my releases on Toolroom, Unity, and all the other labels I collaborated with. The launch of my new event OFF at The Steel Yard in London … and Greta Thunberg! She is a real hero of our time!

Lowlights?
The general political and divisive climate worldwide.

Song of the year?
Avision – “Big Shot” (Paco Osuna Remix). I especially love the lyrics on this one!

What’s your New Year’s resolution?
No more Jägerbombs. No more carbs. Get another Beatport number 1 and generally stop being so daft!

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2019 Rewind: Vanilla Ace

Yehouda Silverman Leave a Comment

Vanilla Ace

How was 2019 for you?
Vanilla Ace: 2019 was a eventful year. I started my new label, WyldCard, and have released some great music from established and new artists. It’s been a learning curve as well as the industry is forever changing. I toured the U.S. twice as well this year and is always fun but exhausting to be on the road.

Highlights?
Playing Idris Elba’s wedding back in April. Me and Idris went B2B on the second night at one of the after parties and we didn’t finish till 5 am in the morning. I got to play some great tracks that I probably wouldn’t get to play anywhere else. He knows his tunes.

Lowlights?
Probably releasing too much music and some of it not getting the attention it deserved as I was busy traveling with gigs. I need to get better at spreading my releases out so everything doesn’t come out at the same time.

Song of the year?
Tough call between The Chemical Brothers’ “We’ve Got to Try” and Reuben James’ “I Know You Too Well” (Karma Kid 12” Remix). Both [are] amazing pieces of music.

What’s your New Year’s resolution?
I hate New Year’s resolutions but it would probably be to continue making good music and pushing my label as hard as possible.

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.



2019 Rewind: Ursula 1000

Darren Ressler Leave a Comment

Ursula-1000

How was 2019 for you?
Ursula 1000 (a.k.a Alex Gimeno): Amazing! I hit my 20-year mark since my debut and released my new album, Esoterique, which encapsulated all my influences up to now. I couldn’t be happier how it came out!

Highlights?
Esoterique hitting the number one spot on college and indie radio charts and opening [my music up] to [a] whole new batch of younger ears.

Lowlights?
Still unhappy about the political climate we’re all in. Hoping for a change for the better.

Song of the year?
I’m gonna cheat and say a box set, and that would be Prince’s 1999: Super Deluxe Edition with all these amazing vault tracks!

What’s your New Year’s resolution?
Keep on keeping on. I have a video coming out featuring the track I did with Fred Schneider of The B-52s that should be a total hoot! And some fun remixes off of Esoterique.

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.



2019 Rewind: Matchy

Yehouda Silverman Leave a Comment

MATCHY

How was 2019 for you?
Matchy: 2019 was definitely a great year after kicking of my solo project in 2018. It actually went by way too fast. But I had a lot of wonderful gigs. And in terms of releases it has also been my most successful year as a producer so far.

Highlights?
Oh, there were a couple of highlights like the whole festival summer in Germany, I got to play a lot of beautiful festivals; my Columbia tour;  joining The Cloud for the US and enjoying my time at Art Basel. My track “Irreversible” on Katermukke is still Beatport Top 5 after [several] months and one of the most successful tracks this year. I think I’m missing a few now, but yeah it really could have been worse.

Lowlights?
Well, I didn’t really see any lowlights. This year has also taught me that although I have the greatest job I can imagine, it also comes with some sacrifices. When playing a lot of gigs, it’s sometimes not so easy finding time to spend with your girlfriend and friends. Plus, being productive in the studio becomes more difficult as well.

Song of the year?
It’s not the style I play at gigs but I recently discovered this song, something with Fisher…losing… this one not! Haha.

What’s your New Year’s resolution?
I already have a couple of goals for next year and besides music I want to live a little bit healthier – that one’s definitely on the list. And as a general suggestion: Take time for the stuff you love and don’t focus on things that won’t let you progress. Sometimes uncomfortable steps are necessary but they have to be done and will bring change for the better.

Image by Daniel Stuhlpfarrer

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.