210 DJs and Artists Look Back on 2015

2015 is done—stick a fork in it.

While the world remains in a state of tumult—terrorism, ISIS, Syria, Donald Trump—we wouldn’t be guilty of hyperbole if we said that 2015 still managed to be a fantastic year for electronic music. Countless artists upped their game by releasing choice artist albums and singles, and the genre as a whole took a giant step forward.

Instead of us vaulting into a dissertation about 2015, we asked DJs and electronic music artists of all styles and levels of popularity to wax poetic about the year. Here are their musings listed in mostly alphabetical order.

Artwork by Christian J. Petersen

Adam Warped

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was an excellent ride!

Highlights? Releasing Johnny Blackout’s EPs on both the Nylon Trax and Degrees Ov Separation labels and making waves on the Balearic scene with my Strange Days show on Hypersonic Radio.

Lowlights? The Austin underground house scene taking a nosedive.

Song of the year: Hawke – “Cantamon” (Steve Cobby Remix)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To stop making New Year’s resolutions.

Alexander Robotnick

How was 2015 for you? It was good for me altogether.

Highlights? Nice trip to India, Movement in Detroit, my studio restructured, collaboration with Bottin.

Lowlights? Fear and anger for the geopolitical situation and terrorism.

Song of the year: Wolfram – “United 707”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To slow down a bit; to enjoy my time more; to work more on videos.

Alland Byallo

How was 2015 for you? 2015 has been a sort of phoenix year for me, rising from the ashes. Change, progress, renewed vigor, application and dedication. I’ve let go of a few things that weighed me down, and I have generally committed myself to being more myself. I’ve become healthier and my focus has hit an all-time high. I’ve worked harder this year than ever before. Feels great, but I could use a nice, long holiday away from the screen.

Highlights? The release of my LP on Third Ear, forming a band with my best friends and finishing a beautiful album that transcends genres, then getting it signed to Intimate Friends. Also eating BBQ with my folks here in Berlin. I don’t get to see them too often so that was a precious moment.

Lowlights? Donald Trump.

Song of the year: Favorite record of the year was Reginald Omas Mamode IV’s All Together. As far as single tracks go, I’d have to say the Head High Core remix of Caribou’s “Mars” is one that sticks out.

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Make more art with my hands, let go of anything that keeps me down creatively or emotionally, and to forget the concept of genres while making music. And to try and eat less pizza.

ALX

How was 2015 for you? This past year will definitely go down in the books for me. Aside from the professional advances I’ve made, my wife and I welcomed our first child, Nicholas, into our home. 2015 was filled with some truly amazing moments, many sleepless nights (thanks Nicholas!), countless sunrises filled with friends and music (many on the Club Space terrace), and so much progression in all aspects of my life.

Highlights? Personally, the biggest highlight of the year and my life has been the birth of my son. This has changed me in so many ways; I’m looking forward to being the best father I can be. On the professional side, I never expected 2015 to turn out as it did. I’m incredibly humbled to have two of my tracks reach Beatport’s Techno Top 100 chart (“Don’t” at #21 and “You No” at #46). My visit to Ibiza was an eye-opening experience, and hearing Pan-Pot play my track “Don’t” at Space Ibiza caught me by total surprise. I’m grateful for everyone in the industry who has supported me, fans, friends and family, and, most importantly, my wife Elizabeth, who is essential to everything I’ve been doing.

Lowlights? I wouldn’t say they are “lowlights,” more like learning experiences and areas of opportunity. Although 2015 was filled with many highs, I’m also taking away many lessons. When you look back at anything, you’ll always find something you that maybe could’ve been done differently or have given more to. However, with those instances, I make sure to not dwell on them and instead use them to grow. I’ve been very blessed this year and there is so much to be thankful for that it’d be foolish let minor things sidetrack me. The blessings that we do have will always outweigh the petty misfortunes we encounter throughout life.

Song of the year: That’s always a tough question. So many artists are creating exceptional tracks so it’s hard to pinpoint just one. I love seeing how music continues to evolve and how artists are incorporating new elements to their sound.

What’s your New Year’s resolution? I just want to continue growing, both personally and professionally. In 2016, I strive to be the best father, husband, son and role model that I can. I want to continue learning, exchanging ideas and creating. I’m lucky to be able to do what I love with amazing people, which is an opportunity that is not afforded to everyone. I mean, I get to create experiences for people and help them shift their focus from whatever is going on in their life—it doesn’t get better than that.

Ambivalent

How was 2015 for you? Definitely a great year. I released more music this year than any time in the past 10 years. I’m really proud of that.

Highlights? Getting the opportunity to remix DJ Dozia’s “Pop Culture,” which is one of my favorite tracks. It was such a thrill to get responses from a lot of DJs I really respect, from Ben Klock including ite in his Essential Mix, to King Britt and Ryan Elliot playing the other remix. It was a thrill.

Lowlights? The amount of violence around the world, particularly repeated shootings and police violence in the US as well as horrible tragedies in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. I keep hoping for the better parts of human nature to show, but I think we all have to take action to prevent these things.

Song of the year: Special Request – “Reset It”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Less fear, more hope, less want, more gratitude.

Anastasia Kristensen

How was 2015 for you? Intense, bright and filled with unexpected events that brought happiness.

Highlights? Trip to Barcelona, gig a Tresor and of course Mona 01 release.

Lowlights? Lack of sleep.

Song of the year: CTRLS – “Onto Them”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To contribute more with my music.

Andrea Frisina

How was 2015 for you? Amazing. I got a lot of tracks hitting the tops, huge support from press, radio and from the whole industry. We made a great ADE label event and a remix of a track of mine has been nominated at RBEA (Red Bull Elektropedia Awards).

Highlights? Wild Prairie (incl. Joey Beltram Remix), Gate Null Label Night at ADE, RBEA 2015 nomination, BBC Radio 1 spinning Wild Prairie just to name a few.

Lowlights? Maybe none!

Song of the year: Mark Greene – “Tripod” (Spektre Remix) or Oliver Koletzki – “Iyewaye” (Original Mix)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To keep this line of achievements, always improving for the audience. Tour and finish works in progress!

Andre Crom

How was 2015 for you? Full of substantial changes. Musically, I went toward techno and electronica. I changed my home base from Berlin to Barcelona, and the main amount of my time—apart from touring—nowadays goes into music production, rather than label management. I feel very good with these moves, and am excited where they will lead me and OFF in 2016.

Highlights? Two amazing South America tours and an incredible gig at Sisyphos’ Hammerhalle in September, where I was able to play the first straight techno set of my life—a full four hours at 127 BPM. This really had a formative influence on my production process as well as regarding what kind of music I want to play and where I want to play in the future. As I am writing this, I am super locked into music production, and it’s the most amazing thing to learn something new every day, and experience the thrill when you feel “Yeah, this actually sounds pretty good, I can’t wait to play it out and see how people react!” Besides, every day in my new hometown Barcelona is a highlight for me. I just need to take a walk on the beach with sunshine and 20 degrees and could not be happier.

Lowlights? Phew, nothing really. Of course a period of such substantial musical change as I am going through now is not easy for an artist; but I feel privileged to do what I love every day.

Song of the year: Jamie xx – “Loud Places” (Barnt Remix)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions. If you wanna change something, do it NOW!

Andrea Parker

How was 2015 for you? Not bad, can’t complain. It had its moments, most of which I want to keep to myself! Cleared a few more dance floors trying to push forward-thinking, non-generic music, which is always challenging and mostly disappointing. The general public aren’t great at being open to new ideas. They want to stay in their comfort zones, being happy with what they are given…being boring! I say grow a pair and stop playing safe.

Highlights? Playing at the Contort record label launch for Atonal at Tresor, Berlin, and getting to hang out with and hear some amazing artists I’d always wanted to hear and meet. Playing for the Architectural Association on the roof of their Bedford Square building in London for their anniversary and Didier Faustino’s Undomesticated Places exhibition. He designed one of my favorite chairs so it was great to meet him. Releasing an Arovane 10” on Touchin’ Bass after being a long-term admirer. Soundproofing my studio. Buying wine glasses with no stems and finally getting out of my publishing deal after 23 years!

Lowlights? Reversing into my own house. Fracturing my foot and having to wear a Beckham boot. Getting delayed on the Eurostar for two and a half hours on my way to the Transient Festival in Paris when they ran out of gin and tonic and toilet paper. Finally joining social media. Sending negative royalty statements to artists. Hearing Ellie Goulding’s new single in the car the other day. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, hearing Kylie doing a duet with some comedian covering “Only You” by Yazoo. Bad times.

Song of the year: Kerridge – “Always Offended Never Ashamed”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Don’t expect too much and you wont be disappointed. Finish my album. Learn to embrace social media. Drink grown men under the table. Keep pushing and educating. Someone’s got to have the balls to do it!

Andrew Bayer

How was 2015 for you? By far the best year of my life for so many reasons!

Highlights? Getting married to my incredible husband, Allan.

Lowlights? Losing 30 pounds in a health kick, then celebrating the wedding enough to put most of it back on. Dammit!

Song of the year: Sufjan Stevens – “Carrie & Lowell”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? More pugs, less Trump.

Anenon

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was dense. Half a year spent working tirelessly on a full length LP, an EP made in a few weeks. An end of a three-year relationship and the beginning of a new one. A drastic move to East Los Angeles. The most beautiful trip of two end of summer weeks in Portugal. Watching LA change drastically into the “next big city.” The dichotomy of time spent in both East LA and far west by the ocean. Seeing Monument at MOCA, a program idea Nick Malkin and I have been working on for what seems like ages, come to fruition.

Highlights? See above.

Lowlights? See above.

Song of the year: Inga – “cradle2grave”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Never stop flowing.

ANNA

How was 2015 for you? Best year of my career so far. I’ve accomplished some things that I am really proud of like playing for Carl Cox at Space and Ultra, the tours I did all over the world specially in Japan, which I’ve always wanted to go to and also my music getting support form DJs that I am a big fan of like Richie Hawtin, Carl Cox, Tiga, Seth Troxler and Sasha. It was also a good year for my personal life as I finally moved to Barcelona, which was something I always wanted to do, and I am having a great time here. 2015 was really sweet to me.

Highlights? Moving to Barcelona; playing Japan; playing for Carl Cox at his residency at Space Ibiza; and the success of my single “Where Are You Now” on Terminal M.

Lowlights? All this craziness in the world. All these fights, hatred and wars.

Song of the year: Wehbba – “View Of Delft”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To make more and more music!

Arno Cost

How was 2015 for you? It was a great year! I did some great gigs, but also had enough time to work on new material in my studio in Paris. The development of my When In Paris concept is going really well. We launched it as a radio show, but with the roll out of the event concept and blog, we notice a raise in interest that people have for the concept. Also focusing on the ideas of launching a label next year.

Highlights? The launch of the first When In Paris event in Paris in September. I invited my good friends Kryder, Norman Doray, Hard Rock Sofa, Arias, Ravenkis and Rob Adans to play alongside me at a beautiful venue in Paris called Palais de Tokyo. The event was sold-out, and we received great feedback from people. They are already asking for a second edition in Paris! The idea is to bring this concept to other cities around the world as well.

Lowlights? I don’t feel there are any lowlights in my career this year, but there are lowlights in my environment lately in Paris. The terrorist attacks did have impact on me. My thoughts go out to the victims and their family and friends. It’s very scary that such a thing can happen so close to where you live. Let’s hope such things won’t happen again.

Song of the year: Eric Prydz – “Generate”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Release more music! I have been working a lot in the studio lately, finding a new sound for myself, and working with really good singers and songwriters. I can’t wait to share new music with all of you! My goal is to have a new track out every six weeks.

Bad Boy Bill

How was 2015 for you? Great! Except I probably only slept 40 hours the whole year.

Highlights? DJing some great events, releasing my two Respect The Technique EPs, and doing a lot more behind the scenes mixing and mastering projects with some amazing artists and exciting records.

Lowlights? The Cubs not going all the way.

Song of the year: Stefano Noferini vs. Marlena Shaw – “Woman Of The Ghetto”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Control my Amazon.com shopping addiction (probably going to lose that one).

BAILE

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was a great year. I released my second EP, Matter, which allowed me to pursue some really exciting collaborations and felt like a sincerely honest expression of myself as a producer. I also performed my first live show with this project, which was very cathartic and fun to put together—hopefully there will be many more of these in the new year.

Highlights? Working with Fortune Films on a music video for “Matter.” They are truly visionary filmmakers and were able to set up and shoot the video in less than 24 hours. The story they were able to tell in conjunction with the choreographed and freestyle movement of the dancers involved (Natalie Deryn Johnson and Kristina Desjardins) was profoundly emotional and paired perfectly with the tone of the song.

Lowlights? The two or so months of mind-numbing cold we had here in New York. I’m looking forward to that again in a couple months.

Song of the year: Sufjan Stevens – “Fourth Of July”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To run more. I find that’s a great activity to allow your mind to wander and get creative energy flowing.

Barbara Morgenstern

How was 2015 for you? A lot of work, a lot of things done, great new album Doppelstern with all the collaborators.

Highlights? Doppelstern record release party at Roter Salon, Berlin with Coppe, Gudrun Gut, T.Raumschmiere, Lucrecia Dalt, Richard Davis and Tonia Reeh on stage—big party!
Striking choir performances with “Chor der Kulturen der Welt” at Atonal Berlin Festival (August 2015) and Martin Gropius Bau, Berlin (April 2015). Hiking trip in summer at the Austrian Alps.

Lowlights? Feeling totally exhausted after touring.

Song of the year: Imogen Heap – “Tiny Human”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Try to focus on single projects, not too many at one time.

Ben Hoo

How was 2015 for you? Filled with sunshine, dancing and a new home studio which has made me very happy. It’s been a good year!

Highlights? Releasing on Josh Wink’s iconic techno label, Ovum.

Lowlights? My MacBook Pro deciding it didn’t want to turn on any more.

Song of the year: Eddy Romero – “Back In London” (Nicolas Masseyeff Remix)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To make lots more music!

Ben Long (Space DJz)

How was 2015 for you? Productive.

Highlights? Releasing lots of music.

Lowlights? The amount of war and terror around the world.

Song of the year: Floorplan – “Never Grow Old” (Mark Broom Dubplate Mix)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Not to make a New Year’s resolution!

Boris

How was 2015 for you? A pretty good year full of ups and down. Transmit Recordings has picked up heavy steam with a lot of top charting releases with some heavy artists. Our events at Winter Music Conference, BPM, NYC and across the globe have been successful and growing for the most part.

Highlights? Our Get Wet pool party during Miami Music Week went into its 11th year and is always a highlight. Our BPM Transmit showcase was great, and of course I did my debut gig at Space Ibiza NY. I also had regular plays at Output and look forward to another first as I close out 2015 with my debut at Marquee NY.

Lowlights? Losing my dear friend of 23 years and legendary NYC promoter Rob Fernandez, and Ultra founder and friend from Miami Alex Ohmes was tough to swallow.

Song of the year: Way too many songs to name, so I’ll name a few from the label: D-Unity – “Cancel”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To have the best year yet as far as touring, have the label grow and have more success.

Boxed In

How was 2015 for you? 2015 has a turning point for me. I released the debut Boxed In album. It feels like my whole music career has been developed with this in mind, so it feels great to have this vessel of creativity to continue releasing music through.

Highlights? Probably touring the USA. It’s also a first time touring there for me. We played SXSW, but got to fly around the country playing to rooms full of people wanting to hear the record live. It was humbling and hugely exciting.

Lowlights? Winter.

Song of the year: Julia Holter – “Feel You”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Less of the same.

Bruno Browning

How was 2015 for you? It was a great year for me both as an producer and as a DJ.

Highlights? Having my first release on Great Lakes Audio. Not everyday Mark Farina contacts you and asks for a couple of EPs. On the DJ side my first ADE was definitely the highlight of the year, and I’m already making plans for next year, and a local Las Vegas project also makes the list Nacho House Sundays at Taco’s and Beer. I’ve put the reputation of my label (Soulsupplement Records) and as a producer fully behind the only real underground house night in Las Vegas. It’s a project close to my heart because I get to work with guys I love like brothers and have known for years.

Lowlights? I didn’t release anywhere near the music that I normally do due to the fact that I spent most of the year working on sample packs. Fortunately we had plenty of releases for the label; however, as an artist I really didn’t get a chance to write from the soul.

Song of the year: That’s an impossible question. Demuir has put out so many great tracks that it’s hard to keep up and Mark Farina has been crushing it the second half of the year. I think I’ll be completely diplomatic and choose the easy way out by choosing one from my own label. With that being said the standout for me this year is Vincent Kwok’s original mix of “Heartbeat” off Soulsupplement Records.

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To get my production and release schedule back to normal and take care of the projects I’ve got on the books for other labels.

Chrissy

How was 2015 for you? Busy! Writing lots of music, preparing my new album and releasing work by others on my label, The Nite Owl Diner.

Highlights? Playing at Panorama Bar in Berlin and starting my DJ residency at Smart Bar in Chicago.

Lowlights? Being scared shitless by the increasingly open racism/classism/sexism/xenophobia of the GOP.

Song of the year: Savile & Jknochel – “Work.” The thing I wish I coulda played more: Bunji Garlin – “Exodus”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Keep doing exactly what I’m doing, only better and for more people.

Christian Ballard

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was a great year. Lots of DJing and new releases and events for our label, Friday Fox!

Highlights? Two top 25s on Beatport and Juno. Also playing at Ministry of Sound and the Danish DJ awards in front of 5,000 people was very cool!

Lowlights? Another season of X Factor and The Voice.

Song of the year: Disclosure – “Holdin’ On”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To release an EP per month and to grow the Friday Fox events both here and abroad.

Christopher Lawrence

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was a great year for both me and Pharmacy Music. Psy trance and progressive psy have exploded and firmly taken hold in the US, which has breathed new life into underground music.

Highlights? Pharmacy Music label nights around the world, open to close sets with John 00 Fleming as Fleming & Lawrence and my own personal productions especially Unbroken.

Lowlights? The absolutely disgusting rise of Donald Trump as a Presidential candidate.

Song of the year: M Theory vs. Sonic Species – “Samurai Bushwakka” (Spinal Fusion Remix)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Spend more time in the studio.

CID

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was definitely a turning point in my career.

Highlights? Collaborating with Kaskade on “Us” on his album Automatic, and supporting him on the album tour across North America.

Lowlights? Still no hover boards.

Song of the year: Galantis – “Runaway” (U & I)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Healthier living.

Cevin Fisher

How was 2015 for you? Definitely a big year for me.

Highlights? It was good to get back to having multiple international gigs like playing in Europe, in particular enjoying the beauty of places like Rome and Florence, Italy and Faro, Portugal. One of my favorites sets was rocking the decks at Nest in Toronto. But I would have to say my favorite gig of the year was at EQ in Atlanta. It was a good year for collaborations. I released tracks with David Morales, Roger Sanchez, Mark Knight, Chus and Ceballos, Harry Romero, Tom Flynn and Takao Sumi on labels like Defected, Toolroom, Undr the Radar and my own label, Import Tracks.

Lowlights? The unexpected passing of my good friend the king of NYC nightlife Rob Fernandez. He was truly special and is dearly missed.

Song of the year: Copyright feat. Andre Espeut – “Be Together”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To make as much music as possible in 2016 and beyond.

Chris Garcia

How was 2015 for you? Good. Feeling the vibe of clubbing change and going back to basics. House music is coming back on the market of main room in nightclub.

Highlights? My gigs in Ibiza this summer and my first Groove Cruise.

Lowlights? Realizing how Las Vegas isn’t ready yet for a full underground scene.

Song of the year: Patrick Topping – “Forget” and Bas Ibellini – “That’s Right.”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Focus more on production.

D-Knox

How was 2015 for you? It was a great year. I can’t complain at all! I had two vinyl releases come out—one on my label, Sonic Mind, and the other on EPM Music. I also got to play at Tresor in Berlin.

Highlights? Starting a distribution company with my partner Myles Serge (Saure Music Distribution). Gaining more knowledge about healthy eating and positive thinking.

Lowlights? Not being able to go home to visit my family as much as I would like.

Song of the year: Jonathan McReynolds – “Gotta Have You”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Stay true to myself at all times!

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Daypak Solo

How was 2015 for you? It was an important year for me, because my first solo album, #nofilter, came out, which was my first solo LP in five years. I’m really grateful that I got to play at some amazing festivals and events this summer like Fusion, Sonne, Mond & Sterne or Sonar. All in all, I feel like I have been on the road a lot this year, which is a good thing. It helps to get inspired for new track ideas.

Highlights? Doing a festival in my hometown called I Love Vinyl. This year we celebrated our 7th anniversary.

Lowlights? My MacBook with lots of new track beginnings and idea sketches got stolen while I was on vacation on Mallorca.

Song of the year: Braille feat. Angelica Bess – “Better Than Nothing”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Do more backups!

Demuir

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was a great year.

Highlights? So many! The release of my Past To Future EP on DJ Sneak’s I’m A House Gangster label and my 6 Headed Freap album on Mark Farina’s GLA label. Plus, getting support from artists I’ve admired like Laurent Garnier, Kevin Saunderson and Tony Humphries. Opening for DJ Sneak and Mark at Sneak’s annual birthday party in my hometown of Toronto.

Lowlights? The coordinated attacks on Paris. Very unfortunate to know people who were out there living their lives to meet an untimely fate.

Song of the year: B Jinx – “Simple Feeling”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To dedicate myself to pushing house music to further levels and not being limited to one sub genre of the music. Stay tuned!

Detroit’s Filthiest a.k.a. DJ Nasty

How was 2015 for you? Busy as always, trying to find time to focus and concentrate on making music with a full-time job, family and chasing my babies around. But 2015 got me motivated and rejuvenated me to get back to what I always loved, making music. I got my record label, Motor City Electro Company up and running again. So it hasn’t’ been a dull moment at all.

Highlights? Getting a call from Universal Records for a license request to sample a track that I produced back in 2002 called “Pass Out” for Disclosure’s track “Bang That.”

Lowlights? Where do I start? How about the state of music overall. It seems more time is spent on social media promoting and creating hype then creating music. Times have changed when music stood for something. Now DJs make music to get gigs. DJs don’t even mix, everything is already mixed and all they do is press play. No one buys music anymore, people giveaway music. It’s so saturated. Music is not art anymore, and there are less and less artists around.

Song of the year: Of course what else would it be besides “Bang That” by Disclosure.

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To establish my music as a brand and put out quality music that will stand on its own. I’m going to focus on working with other artists to collaborate as well as putting music out on my own. I will bring the spotlight back to the underground sound of Detroit, where it all started.

Dev79

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was pretty dope. I feel like I got my head on straight about a few things and moving forward with my grind.

Highlights? The Slit Jockey 10 Year tour was a blast. It was cool putting out two USB releases on Seclusiasis this past year, and I’m really proud of my Smoked Salt EP that just dropped on Lucky Beard.

Lowlights? Making decisions. I hate making decisions, especially tough ones that I’d been procrastinating on. Ha-ha, but I def made some decisions this year!

Song of the year: A few that rarely left my DJ crate: Big Dope P – “Hit Da Blokk,” Subp Yao – “Fireface” and Mattwizard – “Purple Doves”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Reduce some distractions in life so I can focus on goals. Get a new studio space so my brain can be invigorated.

Digital 21 & Stefan Olsdal

How was 2015 for you? It was special. We recorded our first album and travelled all around the world. The album is almost done, so all in all a very special year.

Highlights? To see how our songs grew up and to play them live for the first time. To share them with our people and our audience.

Lowlights? No lowlights in music. Lowlights happen outside, in the sad things that happen like the attacks in Paris.

Song of the year: We really don’t know. It would be unfair to say one or a few. We’ve had our heads down just working all the time on the album.

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Music, family and friends always. Next year we gonna release the album too. And we want to try a trip to the moon.

Dirtwire

How was 2015 for you? The goodness flowed plentifully during 2015 and couldn’t be more thankful to all the Dirtwire heads out there. We released our sophomore album, played some amazing festivals and got to see so many new faces in the flesh across the US. It’s one thing to connect with everyone through music online, but it’s another to get down with everyone on the home front and create real memories that will last for lifetimes. That’s much better than the 30 seconds of love we give to each other through a like button. Hopefully in 2016, we’ll get to do this even more.

Highlights? Playing Coachella with The Do Lab family; seeing our new RipTide album make it to the Billboard charts; collaborating with Rising Appalachia and KML; and announcing our first show at Red Rocks with Papadisio next year. 2015 has been an amazing whirlwind of surprises that none of us expected.

Lowlights? David broke his thumb in a car accident. Thankfully, no other major injuries and everything will be fine, but it made us realize just how thankful we are to have him and reinforces the love for everything he does in both Dirtwire and Beats Antique. Don’t take life, and the people in it, for granted. David’s irreplaceable.

Song of the year: That new Drake song about his cellphone.

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To do more to get people off their phones and into a show and to use the music to bring us back to earth. Real music. Real family. Real feels—one show at a time.

D-Lux

How was 2015 for you? The year started slow but with my newest release on Soul Clap Records out in November it ended on a high!

Highlights? I am very proud of my newest release, “Is It You” featuring Saucy Lady on Soul Clap Records’ Dancing on the Charles compilation. A couple of gigs really stood out this year, playing the RISE closing party with my dear friends Charlie and Eli of Soul Clap. Also opening for Soul Clap at the Crew Love Dancing on the Charles event!

Lowlights? When RISE closed its doors it was a very sad day for the music community. I started going long before I was even a DJ. I feel privileged to have played there for the last seven years. There is no experience in Boston like it and will never be again.

Song of the year: Monkey Safari – “Walls” (Original)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To focus my time on becoming a stronger producer. I hope to travel more, DJing around the country and beyond.

DJ M3

How was 2015 for you? 2015 is the year I made enough time to get back in the studio, do a European tour and relaunch the Green Gorilla Lounge label. We put out three digital releases and one vinyl. I’m very happy with pulling that all together for 2015.

Highlights? Doing the Europe tour for 3 1/2 weeks was amazing. London, Brighton, Prague, Tisno (the last Garden Fest) and then coming and making it to Burning Man for Disco Knights. And having rocking guests for G been Gorilla Lounge parties at Monarch in SF.

Lowlights? Stupid people.

Song of the year: Docteur Satan – “Entity” (Red Axes Remix)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To keep pushing good music and make people dance!

DJ 3000

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was a great year for not only me but for Motech! We signed and released loads of new artists and worked with some great people. The label has been around almost 15 years now and to be able to still be here pushing new artists and exciting new sounds is great.

Highlights? Gary Martin’s Escape From South Warren album we released along with the remixes from the album from Robert Hood, Rolando and Mark Broom. It was a lot of work but to see the project finally released and so well received worldwide made everyone at Motech very proud!

Lowlights? I would say that I personally didn’t release much of my own music, but mostly remixes. But that’s okay, there’s always next year.

Song of the year: Yotam Avni – “Better Days”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To release more music in 2016 and some styles maybe people aren’t used to hearing from me.

DJ Empress

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was a year that brought me clarity. In some ways, it was a bit more uneventful than other years, yet I used the time to do a lot of work on myself. In by doing that I feel stronger than ever, which I am happy to say.

Highlights? Getting engaged with my longtime boyfriend. And also, I got in the best shape of my life and ate the cleanest of my life too. My fiance and I have about 20-30 new songs we are finishing up together. It’s been a lot of fun being creative together in the studio.

Lowlights? I stopped working with a bunch of people that I realized are extremely toxic. Coming to that realization wasn’t very pleasant, yet I always try to keep it moving.

What’s your New Year’s resolution? I have a lot of songs that are close to being finished, so I need to wrap them up! I also resolve to continue with eating very clean, doing yoga, exercising and taking good care. And, I also hope to finish a book I have been working on. So it already seems 2016 is going to be a busy year!

DJ Lady D

How was 2015 for you? 2015 represented 20 years of being a DJ. It was pretty rad. I traveled a bit, and I celebrated what seems like just yesterday standing in front of the decks playing publicly for the first time in 1995.

Highlights? Releasing my first new tune in three years (!) on Carillo Music. Getting it remixed by Paul Johnson, Ron Carroll, Tyree Cooper, Bear Who? and David Scuba was mad love! That and being interviewed and featured in a book coming out in 2016 by the man who started the disco demolition, Steve Dahl.

Lowlights? Tension everywhere, even in the clubs. The separation of community by race, genres, genders, technologies and sexuality. It just boggles the mind.

Song of the year: Gershon Jackson – “Take It Easy” [Mike Dunn’s BlackBall Ezee MixX]

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Only kiss a person that I could marry.

DJ Le Roi

How was 2015 for you? Great. I played amazing gigs like Paris, Dubai, Ibiza or Watergate Berlin this year, released on Viva Music, Knee Deep in Sound and my You Don’t Know EP on Upon You records has been in the Beatport Charts since with support from friends like Loco Dice, Andrea Oliva, Davide Squillace, Marco Resman and lot more. I’m very happy with 2015.

Highlights? Nordstern Rooftop Party during Sonar and Watergate Gig with the Studio Kreuzberg guys!

Lowlights? Some missed flights.

Song of the year: Jack Wickham – “State 80”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Got a new project in the pipeline with my best mate and great producer, Yare, under the name Breyn! So watch out for new stuff!

DJ Oil

How was 2015 for you? My first albums on the label BBE.

Highlights? My meeting with Lee Bright for this signature and my first visit to London. I never played there before.

Lowlights? The 13th of November for sure … attacks on culture and disarmed people.

Song of the year: Romare – “Roots”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Work harder and harder. Life is not long enough to express all I want to.

DJ Three

How was 2015 for you? Inspiring! It was a very busy and productive year from music to family to my personal life.

Highlights? Parties at venues like Suma Beach in Istanbul and also places I’ve never been like The Temple in Cairo, Egypt which was amazing. I also got to fulfill my dream of visiting the Pyramids Of Giza. Also, being including on two celebrated album releases with Hardkiss – Delusions Of Grandeur (20th Anniversary Edition) and Visionquest – Ultraviolet 1 which included my own curated and mixed compilation of music from their label catalog entitled DJ Three’s Laterna Magika Visionquest Mix.

Lowlights? People still talking about EDM.

Song of the year: Tame Impala – “Let It Happen” (Soulwax Remix)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Outside of DJing and family the focus is on good health and my label, Hallucienda.

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DJs From Mars

How was 2015 for you? It was a great year—great gigs around the world, great feedbacks and supports from big DJs, and lots of good tracks (some already released, some still under construction). We would say it was a “reasonably amazing” year!

Highlights? Arenal Sound Festival was an insane show in front of 30,000 people. Also our Australian tour in February and China tour in May were great, plus some great shows in America almost every month. On a side note, we were featured in the new Gillette commercial Shave Forth, we spent four days in South Africa for the video shooting—it was a brand new experience for us and it brought a great exposure.

Lowlights? We were expecting a good ranking in this year’s DJ Mag Top100 chart…but unfortunately we found ourselves at #111. Still a good ranking but we were expecting it to be a little better so it was a bit disappointing.

Song of the year: The Chemical Brothers feat. Q-Tip – “Go”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Focus more on original productions instead of bootlegs and mash-ups. It’s a brand new challenge for us, and we’re already working on some ideas so stay tuned!

Dotwav

How was 2015 for you? The best year so far. Every year is better than the last! It was a special year for us as artists because we had to deal with a lot of administrative work, founding the label Konflkt. So this year had its own challenge, only in a totally different aspect of the music process.

Highlights? We got to play at a lot of different venues, and every gig is a highlight in itself. But if we had to choose one, it was definitely at Metrolink Festival in Bologna, Italy. The venue is amazing and it felt absolutely astonishing to play there.

Lowlights? We are positive people. So even when things go wrong we always see the upper side to it. So in this matter, there haven’t been lowlights. Once we forgot our sound interface in the studio. Another time our system crashed on stage…but all these things are only terrifying in the moment. After the gig it’s forgotten.

Song of the year: SHDW & Obscure Shape – “Die Geliebte Des Anderen”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? In 2015 we took care of all the business aspects for our label and the distribution channels we will use. Now that this is taken care of we can focus on production.

Dr. Motte

How was 2015 for you? Very interesting, very emotional. I celebrated my 30th DJ anniversary with an international tour that will be expanded in 2016 owing to the great demand. I already visited India, Australia, many countries in Europe and I’ll probably play in Mexico on NYE. In January I’m going to continue the tour with gigs in China.

Highlights? The release of my compilation, Dr. Motte pres. Monstermix Vol. 2 , a continuation of a project I started in 2001. It’s an exciting and colorful collection of top-class artists such as Octave One, Ken Ishii, Monika Kruse, Pig&Dan, DJ Rush, Robert Babicz, Tom Hades, Aux 88, DJ Emerson, Secret Cinema & many more.

Lowlights? The increased dimension of wars on our planet. The refugee crisis, the suffering and misery of the people who have to leave their homes makes me very sad. Money and craving for power are the causes of the causes of wars. But all we really need to live happy and contended is peace, food and a home. All we really need is peace on earth!

Song of the year: Octave One – “Horizonz”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To take a little time out and go on vacation with my girlfriend.

Drivetrain

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was quite an eventful year musically. There was some unbelievable, groundbreaking music released on my label, Soiree Records. Also, I had the opportunity to release several of my tracks on other labels, including Speciman Records and D Records. I also played many amazing gigs, including an incredible European tour.

Highlights? I’ve rekindled my love of playing all vinyl sets. From the ease of walking to the decks and dropping a record (as opposed to plugging in gear before getting started), to the magic of digging through a record bag, it’s just an intangible experience. But the biggest highlight would have to be the 25-year celebration of my label, Soiree Records International. This historic accomplishment was celebrated in Detroit on December 12th. We featured current label artists and also brought back Scott Grooves, one of the label’s first producers. He has since enjoyed a very successful career with his Natural Midi imprint.

Lowlights? Unfortunately, this year has seen some very uncertain times with regards to safety and political stability. This has lead to the cancellation of my year-end European tour. We can only hope for better conditions in 2016.

Song of the year: There were too many great tracks for me to choose just one, so I’ll name a few less obvious favorites. I enjoyed playing tracks like OskiDJ feat Tommie Cotton – “Make You Want It” (Unique 2 Rhythm) and Ozzy Lee Tiger & Anthony Poteat – “Your Love Is Serious” (WTTW). Also some techno faves were Marquis Hawkes – “Jerk U Later” (Houndstooth) and Robert Hood – “Shaker” (EPM Music).

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Over the past few years, my music has been released almost exclusively on Soiree Records. In 2016, that will change as I will release more tracks on a wider variety of labels.

Dynasty Electrik

How was 2015 for you? It was a year of travel and rejuvenation in nature. We visited great lakes, waterfalls and oceans, mountains, forests and deserts… cities, towns and endless roads. We’ve met so many extraordinary people and lived in cabins, lake houses, mountain villas, downtown apartments, tents and mansions.

Highlights? Spending time with friends and family from Canada to California. We released a new album, A Million Words of Love, and several singles including “Morning on Fire” (SpinSpinNYC), and ‘Out of the Rain’ (NewSonic), a track that was commissioned for the motion picture Dark.

Lowlights? N/A

Song of the year: Protoje feat. Chronixx – “Who Knows”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To be fully present in every moment and cultivate compassion.

El Dusty

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was great! I released a few songs and did a lot of traveling and working. I am looking forward to releasing more music next year!

Highlights? Playing the Silent Disco at the Bonaroo Festival was the coolest show I did all year! I had the perfect time slot but was expecting to not get it but the set was incredible!

Lowlights? There’s a lot [laughs].

Song of the year: Major Lazer – “Jungle Bae” (Erick Jaimez Eemix)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To keep releasing music and taking care of my family and friends.

EMEX

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was a very productive year for us. We feel very lucky and blessed to have accomplished most of the goals we set for it. We had an amazing time performing live alongside international artists like Psyk, Terence Fixmer and Ø [Phase] and produced/released a lot of music.

Highlights? Our debut vinyl release on Modular Expansion Records. It was a very challenging one, due to the fact that it was purely produced on the Korg Volca synths (which Korg were so kind to provide us). We are very happy and proud of the result, and the feedback for it has already been amazing. We can’t thank our supporters enough!

Lowlights? Sure, every year has its highs and lows but we try to remain optimistic and not think of the lows too much. We prefer to work our way around obstacles creatively and figure out new solutions for making the best out of a difficult situation.

Song of the year: Max_M “Exceeding Brightness”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? We have a lot of stuff planned for the year to come; a brand new EP, a selection of individual releases on various labels and upcoming live performances on international events. The most important thing though is to try and be a better person and stay true to ourselves.

Emika

How was 2015 for you? Very inspiring and very challenging.

Highlights? My first symphony project being overfunded on Kickstarter—25k! Totally post-music industry amazingness.

Lowlights? I didn’t play so much this year because I had loads of production work to focus on. But my touring time will come again!

Song of the year: Jamie Woon – “Sharpness”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Keep on practicing the same thing and listen to your heart.

Empresarios

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was good to us. We worked hard to put The Vibes out and the results were good. It’s been a blessed year!

Highlights? Playing Florida and Puerto Rico this year (The Vibes tour doing from two dopes shows—one in Hollywood, FL and El Tucan in Miami—then Puerto Rico playing in front of friends, new fans and our families.

Lowlights? Losing a couple friends in music that we love.

Song of the year: Loco Pero Feliz – “Pirulo y La Tribu”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Keep on rocking and taking Empresarios to places we haven’t been to and keep spreading the music and love.

Esteban Adame

How was 2015 for you? Great! Saw the birth of my second child. Although I had limited studio time, I still managed to eek out some tracks.

Highlights? Birth of my daughter, seeing my oldest daughter memorize the lyrics to Kraftwerk tunes, getting remixed by my idols Robert Hood and Mike Banks.

Lowlights? Not being able to make my yearly trip to Europe to perform, if I had to pick something.

Song of the year: Gavin Russom – “Brood Queen” (L.I.E.S)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To learn Pig Latin (wink, wink)

Exxon Bacon

How was 2015 for you? A really decisive and promising year. I decided to focus on two things: my artistic career and the management of Play Label Records. I spent most of the time working in studio, making new tracks and also working a lot on our artist’s releases. It felt really important for me to work more in order to improve our sound and to bring our label to the next level. I had the opportunity to meet a lot of interesting people and therefore started new influential collaborations. Finally, I feel so lucky to have shared the decks with big artists and friends and to have performed in so many singular places.

Highlights? As a DJ, I started the year playing alongside Jeff Mills and Robert Hood in front of thousands of people — that was something! As a label manager, I must say the weekend we spent in Paris with the crew for our Showcase at Badaboum was memorable even if the Tunnel Party we organized during the car free day with PLR was definitely the most intense moment of the year.

Lowlights? The last-minute cancelation of our winter showcase which I was working a lot because of the Brussels lockdown.

Song of the year: Howling – “Short Ligne” and Christian Löffler – “Lhotse.”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Always the same: to wake up earlier, work faster and quit smoking.

Fatima Hajji

How was 2015 for you? It was a massive year full of festivals during the summer and really nice parties also during the winter with great. I also started with my second label, Taikatta. During this year I felt so comfortable producing some techno beats on lower BPMs but tried to give the same energy with a personal touch.

Highlights? I went to many great and big festivals. Playing Hard and for the very first time I played with my Techno side on a big festival in front of a big crowd—this happened at Medusa Sunbeach in August and I have to say It was awesome. It was my first time flying on a private jet from Awakenings Amsterdam to 4every1 in Madrid. I just flipped out!

Lowlights? In general the scene is growing and I’m good at my health is good and I’m so happy so no really anything bad to complain about.

Song of the year: Umek – “Jingo”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Keep doing what I know, grow and enjoy my work and try to give back to the people who support me.

Federico Scavo

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was a great year for me. I released lots of big projects like “Live Your Life” in collaboration with Barbara Tucker, some single tracks on my label AREA 94 like “The Drums,” “Fricana” and the hit “Parole Parole” in the summer.

Highlights? Gigs like Blue Marlin Ibiza and Wall Miami where I feel like home every time and to win the awards of Best DJ Producer and Best DJ Guest at Dance Music Awards in Italy.

Lowlights? I didn’t have any!

Song of the year: Tiga, Ron Costa, Eats Everything, Audion – “Dancing (Again!)”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Lots of new music as usual and something special for my audience, but I can’t say more now.

Feenixpawl

How was 2015 for you? Josh Soon: Amazing! We started our own record label, Eclypse Records. We did a bunch of touring. We put out some music that we’re really proud of. It was an extremely productive year!

Highlights? Radio support on our single “Ghosts.” It’s been wonderful to see. And then for it to reach the top 25 on the Billboard Dance Charts was fantastic. From a touring standpoint it would probably be the bus tour we did across the U.S. with Breathe Carolina. It was an absolute blast.

Lowlights? After the bus tour we took some time off from touring to work on music, which we love doing. However you still get that itch to get back on the road. Sometimes it gets a bit too quiet sitting around at home and you just want to get back out there.

Song of the year: Galantis – “Runaway” (U & I)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To get bigger and better.

Fink

How was 2015 for you? Nothing but hard road worn gigging and releasing horizontalism was awesome.

Highlights? Forum London, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Tempodrom Berlin.

Lowlights? Lithuania/Belarusian border guards taking all of our merch at 6am.

Song of the year: Björk – “History Of Touches”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Learn German, breathe deeper, record albums.

Fort Knox Five

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was a rollercoaster for Fort Knox Five. We rocketed through some of our highest highs and crashed hard at our lowest of lows.

Highlights? The release of our second album, Pressurize the Cabin. A full-length release from Fort Knox Five is a rare event, so it’s a thrill and a surprise—even for us!

Lowlights? Losing JonH. There’s no way to express how much this is hurting us—still—and how much it will change the course of our future. He was a friend, a founding member and a force to be reckoned with whether on the turntables or the telephone. This is one blow that’s going to take a long time to recover from.

Song of the year: Toss up between Yolanda be Cool & DCUP – “Soul Makossa (Money)” and The Chemical Brothers feat. Q-Tip – “Go”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Turn some of 2015’s bitterness into some sweet 2016 tunes.

Fraulein Z

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was a year of big changes. After eight years of organizing Herr Zimmerman parties every month in Rotterdam we decided to stop with our monthly club nights and decided to start organizing more exclusive specials. 
This gave us time to think about new things. Our Herr Zimmerman label we had our first Techno Hits from Spacecompilation of different styles of techno electro tracks from fresh talented producers who I choose. The release got good support from different (well known) artists and various music blogs. And for the first time a couple of my own tracks were released on big compilations at other labels this year, such as my track “Zug nach Herr Zimmerman” on a techno compilation on Gastspiel Records.

Highlights? In October we had an amazing and sold-out Herr Zimmerman’s Wild Wild West Party. The 10th floor of the warehouse was transformed in an old wild west town with a saloon including a poker table, a sheriff’s office, jail and gallows. It was an amazing night, with lots of cowboys, sheriffs, saloon girls and Indians dancing together at the techno beats of Herr Zimmerman.

Lowlights? It was a hard year of making plans and to find out what’s next. The music played at Herr Zimmerman parties and released on the label is a different kind of techno compared to the “regular techno” which is played everywhere. This makes it hard to find DJs and producers that fit in our party and label.

Song of the year: Niereich’s remix of Al Ferox’s “Doomplanet”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? I have lots of unfinished tracks which I finally want to finish in 2016. I also hope to find more artists that will perfectly match at the Herr Zimmerman label. In 2016, Herr Zimmerman will celebrate ten years and we are working on our first festival. I hope that we can realize this and that it will be a big success.

Frankyeffe

How was 2015 for you? It was a very busy year for me, full of work in the studio and in clubs and for my label, Riot Recordings. But it was a great year because I worked on my album released in November and to make the first album is always something special. It was also a year full of great collaborations like that with Enrico Sangiuliano and with the great Mauro Picotto.

Highlights? Working on Trenta was the most important thing this year and perhaps even since I started making music. I made this album also for my positive condition that I have in everyday life. And for that I’m lucky.

Lowlights? There are always the dark moments my life and work, but the important thing is to always start with the right desire and energy. As I said in 2015, I don’t remember negative moments.

Song of the year: There are many tracks that I loved this year but maybe the most beautiful for me it was Mauro Picotto’s “Eterea”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To issue some big releases. I will have many important releases on my label and there will be also the release of the vinyl album and remixes and it will be continue the Trenta album tour.

Fred Falke

How was 2015 for you? Signed to a new label, wrote, produced and mixed my new EP, set up a new studio and worked on the album while releasing some remixes. It’s been so intense and so fast; it felt like superluminal motion!

Highlights? Mixing my Alpha EP at Sunset Sound Studios in Los Angeles; watching the first new Star Wars trailer, writing music for my album and playing Halo 5.

Lowlights? One of my vintage Moog synthesizers stopped working as I was finishing the second single of my new EP. I had to wait a few days for it to be back in the studio and finish the song—that felt like an eternity.

Song of the year: The Weeknd – “Can’t Feel My Face”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To use as much analog tape as I can when I’m recording music!

French Horn Rebellion

How was 2015 for you? Robert Perlick-Molinari: 2015 was our best year yet. Creatively we made more great songs than we ever have in the past. Financially, we’ve gotten smarter about how we spend our money and made it work to our advantage as an independent project. We’re so excited to keep chuggin’ along into 2016 and discover more of the mysteries that make great music great and how we ourselves can make some really special recordings.

Highlights? We had a show in Montreal this year opening for Lilly Wood & The Prick to a sold-out house of almost 1,500 people. It was at the end of a small tour, so everybody in the band was in high spirits, and we were also very well rehearsed. It ended up being in almost every way a perfect show. Every minute we had something fun happening on stage, and we ended it was a giant French horn solo, towering over the front rows, every note as loud as possible, and afterwards lifting the horn triumphantly into the air!

Lowlights? Facing up to yourself that sometimes you need to change. We had been getting into a habit of making the same type of music over and over again. We learned that bringing in new influences and continuing to be creatively inquisitive is extremely important. We weren’t doing that for a long time.

Song of the year: The Floozies – “She Ain’t Your Girlfriend”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To read more. This year I stared dating a writer and she has really encouraged me to read more books. I really want to read more about the mystery of groove and how the funk masters did it in the past!

Fritz Helder

How was 2015 for you? 2015 is a blur to me. I can’t believe it’s almost over! Time is running away from me.

Highlights? Finishing my EP— finally.

Lowlights? Donald Trump and all the other garbage polluting my social media.

Song of the year: I’m not sure about a song, but I really love the new Tame Impala album—it’s perfection. I’ve had my head down this year working on my own music so I tend to fall out of the loop of new music.

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Get back on the loop.

Funk D’void

How was 2015 for you? This year went super fast.

Highlights? My US tour in July was a blast.

Lowlights? Getting fat.

Song of the year: Andre Bratten – “Trommer Og Bass”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To give up paying gym memberships.

Fur Coat

How was 2015 for you? Wow, it has been amazing. So many gigs and places we’ve been and a lot of releases this year—especially remixes. We’ve been all around the world; I think we have stopped like two weekends this, and one of those is because Im (Sergio) got a minor surgery.

Highlights? Fortunately not really.

Lowlights? Being away from home so much time. But can’t complain—this is what we signed in for right? We are both married and have the opportunity to take our wives with us most of the time. The summer was intense and we had a lot of long-haul jumps from Europe to US and Australia and America. Really looking forward for some days off.

Song of the year: Scuba – “Black on Black” (Len Faki Goes Black Remix)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? I think to keep working as hard as we have been. So many goals we want to achieve and it’s all based on hard work and being constant with what we do. Looking forward spending some time in the studio to work all these ideas that come during the tour!

Gareth Emery

How was 2015 for you? It was an amazing year. I became a parent, wrote what I think will be the best album of my career and enjoyed life as much as possible.

Highlights? My Electric For Life tour. I played all-night, open-to-close sets in 12 US cities, finishing up with The Shrine in Los Angeles. It was my biggest solo show in the US to date, and to look out and see 4,500 people in this festival-type atmosphere was insane. I had to remind my self “this is your show!”

Lowlights? There really weren’t any, which I am grateful for. Naturally, like any year there were some challenges we had to overcome, but I think we learned from them, so I see them more as lessons than lowlights. There were a few periods of extreme hard work, especially the last month of finishing the album, which were tough. I was really pushing myself to the limits of what I could accomplish, and that is hard on anyone, but it’s almost any major project involves a few moments like that.

Song of the year: Alex Sonata – “Siren”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To continue working hard every day, enjoying life and making the best music I possibly fucking can.

Gareth Whitehead

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was a really great year. Been very busy! Most of the year was consumed by The Brood album which was released in late June.

Highlights? Releasing the album has definitely been one of the high moments as it was something that had taken several years to complete so it was nice to finally unveil it. Our label parties have gone from strength to strength, doing some international ones alongside our home at The Club, Paisley (Scotland).

Lowlights? Other than dealing with the usual egotistical monsters in this industry all has been fairly okay.

Song of the year: Ben Long – “Law Of Sine”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Not something I adhere to. Maybe I will next year!

Gary Martin

How was 2015 for you? Fantastic! Lots of love for my latest album, Escape From South Warren, and for my career as a whole.

Highlights? When a magazine in Poland did a review and ended by saying God thanks producers like Gary Martin. Brought a tear to my eye.

Lowlights? Well, I did hit a tree with a motorcycle the day after my birthday. It was raining, and I was hung over.

Song of the year: Gene Farris, Ron Costa, Miguel Bastida – “Chicago Song (Riva Starr Edit)”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To make one fantastic song that elevates my status in the music business.

Gavin Hardkiss

How was 2015 for you? Fabulous and stunning. The best year since 2014.

Highlights? Finally releasing the Hardkiss album Delusions of Grandeur digitally and getting it re-pressed onto vinyl.

Lowlights? Losing Michael Kandel of Tranquility Bass to the disease we call death.

Song of the year: That “Catch and Release” song by Matt Simon sure got a lot of play in my house. Monkey Safari’s “Cranes” and DJ Koze too.

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Drink more rum.

Geil

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was a very nice year. Geil and my other techno project are going very well; I’ve been touring a lot in very cool gigs around Europe; I’ve met great people with whom we planned to make some partnerships in a near future—all is going better and better.

Highlights? To have played at some great festivals like Marvellous Island with the biggest names of the electronic scene and to have received the support of major international artists for this new project was really a nice reward.

Lowlights? The beginning of the year was a bit difficult because I was lost in the different styles of music I produced. I made some mistakes by releasing under my techno name, some songs that was too different from what I was usually doing. It was a difficult period to manage but finally everything is back to normal and now it’s cool.

Song of the year: So many cool songs have been released during this year but I definitely liked Art Department – “Catch You by Surprise” (Guy Gerber Remix)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Release more singles as Geil. Certainly I will do the maximum to finish the first album and of course I will try to stop to smoking like past years.

Geko Jones

How was 2015 for you? It was a banner year for live events and releases and a year of transition as I moved to Puerto Rico.

Highlights? Releasing on Fania Records, the Que Bajo Barrioteca event, the Afro Latino Festival of NY.

Lowlights? Losing my apartment in NY and Donald Trump running for President. Makes me feel like America is failing big time.

Song of the year: IFÉ – “3 Mujeres”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Finish my first album of original material instead of remixes.

Grabbitz

How was 2015 for you? It was a great year for my music. I’ve been able to attend a lot more events to network properly, and have been able to build some great stepping stones necessary for a successful career as an artist. I spent a lot of time in the studio working on my newest release “Better With Time.” It was really satisfying to bring the songs to life. I hope people are pleasantly surprised by it (I play the cello, for instance).

Highlights? Deadmau5 reaching out to collaborate on one of his instrumentals that I had put vocals on. A handful of my tracks were placed in the hit television show CSI: Cyber, and my track “Ballin’” is being used for NBA promo on FOX Sports. I had released my Friends EP early on in the year, and I’m trying to finish the year out strong with the follow-up Better With Time.

Lowlights? Dealing with my mother’s terminal cancer.

Song of the year: Nero – “It Comes And It Goes”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To work harder.

Grum

How was 2015 for you? One of the best years of my life! I’ve loved traveling all over the world supporting Above & Beyond, and have found myself a nice label home at Anjunabeats.

Highlights? Definitely the Australian tour which included ABGT150. Looking at the audience it was hard to actually take in the number of people there..

Lowlights? I think it’s best to not dwell on negativity!

Song of the year: Pryda – “The Truth”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Finish more tunes! (I think it’s been that for the last several years. I’m working on it.)

Groove Squared

How was 2015 for you? The beginning of the year was not the best for me. I was also thinking of going far away to meditate on what to do next. I decided to hold on and to not give up, because I had some beautiful artistic challenges to accomplish. The release of two EPs gave me the courage and the desire to find a new placement in the music scene, or at least to get where I was nine years ago, before the long silence. This time I wanted to focus more on the dance floor idea, moving away from the original thought of a live band.

Highlights? The best thing is that on this path I unexpectedly received satisfaction from the start. My first release climbed important charts and opened up new roads and horizons.

Lowlights? The usual rises and falls. I think that passion mustn’t be cheated or dumped just because of difficulties. Sometimes it’s very hard to go forward, especially when problems makes you want to throw in the towel. That’s exactly how I felt in the first part of 2015, and that was the hardest part, but it’s fine now.

Song of the year: This question is difficult. I must not think more than 10 seconds, because more than 10 seconds I could start to thinking about another 10 replies. However, the first that comes to mind is Aphrohead – “Elevator (I’ll Take The Stairs)”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? I will release two new EPs very soon. The first one is a remix of a very beautiful song, and I’ll release it in collaboration with a London label. The second one will come out on February 2016 and it’s the result of an important collaboration with my close friend Alice Franz Stern. I’ve been working on it for nine months and now, thanks to Franz, it just found its way for this track. I’m really honored to come out with this label, and I think that this experience will give me the opportunity to understand which lands I’ll explore in the future.

Harrison

How was 2015 for you? The biggest achievement from 2015 was “Sally” going gold. With this achievement it has really shown what a successful year from day one it has been for Harrison productions, with this all happening this year it motivates me to see what next year brings!

Highlights? Performing with Hardwell to start the year off with the release of his new album and having the opportunity to perform “Sally” for the first time live at a sold-out Ziggo Dome two nights in a row was my dream coming true! Other highlights which took place a bit further into the year must have been touring China and South Africa, which were definitely the most eye-opening and amazing shows I ever did, as a solo Harrison act.

Lowlights? Not my proudest moment, but I see it as a learning opportunity. This was when I had a show in Brighton, probably on the rainiest day in England. I had two people show up to the club and only played half a song… this was definitely a letdown at first but when I went off to other shows a few weeks later, I noticed how lucky I was that not all my shows had such a turn out. It was also a learning experience in the fact that with all the success and the highs, there are bound to be some lows and if that was my low, I am okay with it. I mean it can’t get much worse from a DJs perspective!

Song of the year: Hans Zimmer – “Interstellar” (Main Theme) (Abandoned Remix)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To tour more, visit all my fans all over the world!

Hesta Prynn

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was an amazing year for me. My client list is growing and creatively I pushed the envelope a lot further than before. Creatively I’ve really enjoyed adding Afrobeat to my usual pop and hip-hop repertoire.

Highlights? DJing an eclectic live set for Spotify x Soul Cycle’s collaboration at SXSW was awesome. Curating walk-up music as well as live DJing the Mashie Awards for Mashable was a lot of fun too. I loved that Soho House let me do my own thing musically this summer as well.

Lowlights? I hate turning things down and two amazing events inevitably happen on the same night multiple times per year.

Song of the year: Drake’s record was huge for me—so many hits—and I mixed them into Taylor Swift on one side and Labi Siffre on the other.

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To spend more time enjoying life, meditating, breathing and counting my blessings.

Huxley

How was 2015 for you? It definitely had its ups and downs. But like every year I’m just happy I could carry on doing what I love for my job.

Highlights? Loads, but the a couple that stick out for me are Straf Werk in Amsterdam and Holy Ship!

Lowlights? Let’s not dwell on the negatives.

Song of the year: Denis Sulta – “A.A.S” or Anthony Parasole – “Point God”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To keep pushing forward.

Iban Montoro & Jazzman Wax

How was 2015 for you? It was an incredible year where we released with labels were could never have dreamed. It is a very pleasant dream where you never want to wake up! We have now released around 150 tracks on some big labels; there have been many emotions and has not finished the year and there are still great things come.

Highlights? The day we were contacted by Mark Farina is a day we will never forget—he’s a house legend! That feeling was priceless. Soon we will release on his label Great Lakes Audio, an album made with love. Also the day we contacted the head and creator of Defected, Simon Dunmore. When it was confirmed that we would release on Strictly Rhythm, we can assure you it was the happiest day of our lives.

Lowlights? The state of the electronic scene in Spain. I guess it’s the same situation everywhere. Stop making stupid people famous!

Song of the year: It is impossible to pick just one track and there have been many great works, but we have selected these three tracks: Tim Deluxe – “Feelings”; Tommy Largo – “Dedication”; and Phil Weeks “Baila Baila”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To launch our own record label called MoodyHouse Recordings. It will be underground house and will have great artists from around the world: it’s like a son to us. So we will make that a success!

IGLOOGHOST

How was 2015 for you? Dope, I think. I got signed by Brainfeeder. I also got a black shirt with a white grid on it covered in slimy cartoon blobs.

Highlights? Getting drunk with Flylo and friends.

Lowlights? Starting college.

Song of the year: M.E.S.H – “Epithet”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Make my first album and somehow make it my own favorite album of all time.

Ilan Bluestone

How was 2015 for you? It was probably the best year of my life in all honesty with all the amazing places I got to go play at and see!

Highlights? Being able to connect and see fans reactions to my music with my own eyes.

Lowlights? The flying—30 to 40 flights a month can really hit your body hard.

Song of the year: Above & Beyond – “We Are All We Need”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To make more trance.

Introverted Dancefloor

How was 2015 for you? Almost too stressful. Insightful.

Highlights? Mesut Ozil. Doma Damir. Margiela (shoes). Marriage. Growing my hair. Gastro bacteria. Mixing for Glass Vaults, Madeira, Boycrush, Benny’s Videos. XO

Lowlights? The small matter of humanity’s continual decline.

Song of the year: Glass Vaults – “Sojourn”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Motivate myself with less self-hatred.

IS TROPICAL

How was 2015 for you? It was a busy year! We had finished our third album and started introducing new songs into the set whenever we had a day off tour.

Highlights? The Spanish festivals have been great, sometimes three in a weekend. Great weather, great food, great crowds but the show times got as late as 6am so not much time to sleep.

Lowlights? Losing a dear friend, Adam Dean, who helped IS TROPICAL from day one. He was the first person to record us and believe; we had our first rehearsals at his warehouse and when we were poor he sorted us out with work. He was a beautiful soul.

Song of the year: Celluloid Jam – “Ocean”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Travel to crazier places!

Ivaylo

How was 2015 for you? More inspirational than productive. Looking very forward to 2016!

Highlights? Finally we closed chapter one here at Bogota Records.

Lowlights? There have not been any lowlights.

Song of the year: Pittsburgh Track Authority – “Rt 28”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? We are starting a series of showcases for Bogota Records in a few European cities, as well as many new productions/signed artists we are ready to get out.

Jaga Jazzist

How was 2015 for you? Lars Horntveth: A really good year. Finally released a new album with Jaga Jazzist after working with it for over two years. Also toured a lot with both Jaga and Todd Terje.

Highlights? Jaga Jazzist playing at Oslo´s Øya Festival. Great homecoming and a fantastic crowd. Playing with Todd Terje at Coachella. Tame Impala’s show at The Lowlands Festival in The Netherlands is probably the best live show I’ve seen ever. And yes, I drove from Los Angeles to New York with my girlfriend. Good times.

Lowlights? Having to turn down three tours to Japan because of conflicting schedules. Japan is my favorite country.

Song of the year: Tame Impala – “Let it Happen”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Make more music without getting too obsessed and/or hard on myself. Have more fun in the studio!

Jamaica Suk

How was 2015 for you? It was summed up in frozen pizzas, white wine and studio time.

Highlights? Playing a live set in Switzerland for Double Wood Festival at Shatzalp in May.

Lowlights? Having my next release for vinyl be pushed back four extra months.

Song of the year: Cosmin TRG – “Narr Day Remodulated”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Produce more music and stay with the moment and the journey.

Janice Robinson

How was 2015 for you? N/A

Highlights? When my song with David Morales [“There Must Be Love”] hit #1 in the Billboard Dance Club Play Chart. It was also when my songwriting idol Diane Warren gave me her recent Oscar-nominated song to record called “Grateful.” She specifically asked me to do a dance version of it that I’ll be working on for next year.

Lowlights? The sudden deaths of my little brother, Terrell Robinson in August, and my best friend/big brother, ‘Big Al’ Brown, in November. Losing both of them left me very broke in 2015.

Song of the year: Alessia Cara – “Here”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To release profound new music with a meaning and message in 2016 and be healthy mentally, physically and spiritually, always.

Jason Ross

How was 2015 for you? It was an exciting whirlwind! Ever since ABGT100 in Madison Square Garden things have really taken off.

Highlights? Playing at Stereosonic in Australia, and collaborating with Above & Beyond on our “Fly To New York” Club Mix.

Lowlights? Missing Thanksgiving while traveling to Australia (I literally missed that day while flying because of the time change!).

Song of the year: Andrew Bayer – “Nobody Told Me”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To continue pushing the boundaries as a producer, and put on incredible shows that fans will absolutely love.

Jerry Bouthier

How was 2015 for you? Quite important. I will always love to DJ and rock the party—so much fun—but as a musician I feel dance floors have been too formulaic and restricting lately so I’ve decided to explore other paths in the studio. 2016 needs to shake things up!

Highlights? Although my other half’s a hairdresser, I’ve managed to resist them up to now [laughs]. Kitsuné launching its YouTube channel Hot Stream. Hooking up with German label Emerald & Doreen and mixing their compilations. My imprint Continental pushing fresh talents such as Bleu Toucan, Romuald & Madji’k, Shindu…. Starting a new project in the studio.

Lowlights? Terrorism and dictators all over the place, greedy capitalism, global warming…things aren’t getting any better. Luckily music will always be here to inspire.

Song of the year: At home: Everything Everything – “Distant Past.” On the dance floor: Bordertown – “All This Before” (Jack Ritchie remix)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Stop smoking tobacco and spend more time with loved ones.

Jesse Rose

How was 2015 for you? One for the books. I toured for seven months straight, ended up circling the globe three times, managing to remix a few people on the way—Childish Gambino, Eric Prydz and Joey Badda$$—and released a few singles (“Chocolate” and Touch n Tease”) and started a new label, A-SIDED. It was a big year.

Highlights? Having Seven Davis Jr. sing on a new track of mine; he killed it. I guess Pete tTong inducting me into the BBC Hall of Fame and being asked to mix a fabric compilation (it’s coming out in January).

Lowlights? Having all my stuff stolen in Ibiza in the summer. And I mean everything: laptops, back-up drives, half of a new album I was working on. I was with Junior Sanchez and all his stuff got jacked at the same time. That was a pretty low moment but we got up again!

Song of the year: IMIURU – “The Grandma”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To continue to not make New Year’s resolutions.

Jochen Simms

How was 2015 for you? It was a great year for studio work. I’ve been very busy working on my album, working with lots of different artists and learning lots of amazing new production tricks in the studio.

Highlights? We were approached by a big US agency to perform at one of their big festival shows in the US for September so we have been working hard on new music in the studio for six months non-stop. Really pushing ourselves and our output. Very exciting times. We did a track with Jorden Milnes, who I love working with. We went top 10 in Traxsource with our collaboration “Get My Love On.” It was released on the Mjuzieek Digital Label. Roland Bartha who owns the label is a great guy to work with, I really enjoy putting tracks out with him. Loved working on the Chris Willis and Joachim Garraud “One Life” remix that we did that went Top 10 in the UK and U.S. and having a go at Basement Jaxx’ “Never Say Never” and banging out the Jochen Simms remix of fellow Londoners Sunbathing Spiders’ “Big Fun.” It’s fortunately been a busy time.

Lowlights? Finding out it was going to happen and we were getting bumped from performing at the festival!

Song of the year: Tom Misch – “Beautiful Escape” (feat. Zak Abel)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Run the marathon and stop eating chocolate.

John “J-C” Carr

How was 2015 for you? Very positive. Some great feedback and support received for my remixes for Robert De Long, Nervo, Beyoncé, Azealia Banks, French Horn Rebellion and Ultra Naté (which went Top 10 in the U.S. and UK). Also, Lil Jon himself approving a mix I did feat him called “The Weekend” by Eden XO was kinda awesome.

Highlights? The approval of my Jess Glynne “Hold My Hand” remix. I absolutely love the deepness in her voice and vibrato. Her songwriting style is very catchy, cool and now. I think she would be awesome on an original deeper style track. I would love to work with her on that.

Lowlights? Can’t complain thankfully.

Song of the year: Calvin Harris & Disciples- “How Deep is Your Love”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Beats, beats and more beats! Also please look out for my upcoming EP all of my original work. I held it back a touch this year because I wanted to make some changes but you should expect to see its release in the first half of 2016.

Jon Rundell

How was 2015 for you? It’s been full on, a lot of gigs and travelling, which has been good to experience.

Highlights? Space Ibiza’s main room was phenomenal again, as well as the Intec party we did at Fabric in London at Easter.

Lowlights? Not being able to get in the studio that much.

Song of the year: DJ Jock – “Raw Love”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? I don’t really make them, I just keep trying to move forward and be better than the last day.

Jonty Skrufff

How was 2015 for you? Rather than say the usual “worked harder than ever, overcame some obstacles, won and lost a few more battles, had some great adventures/mishaps,” I thought I’d go with a classic quote: “The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.” Friedrich Nietzsche seems spot on.

Highlights? Definitely spinning at Berlin street parade Zug Der Liebe on top of the Sisyphos truck in the middle of summer. An unexpectedly fantastic day out in the Saturday afternoon Berlin summer sun when tens of thousands unexpectedly turned up and the vibe was amazing. One of those truly magical pinch yourself moments.

Lowlights? The Paris terror attacks and the state of the world generally. Enough said.

Song of the year: Agoria – “Independence” (Stephen Barnum Remix)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Here’s another quote from Aleister Crowley: “May the New Year bring you courage to break your resolutions early! My own plan is to swear off every kind of virtue, so that I triumph even when I fall!”

Joyce Muniz

How was 2015 for you? The year was good. It brought many positive changes which will affect 2016, at least I hope so.

Highlights? I got to work with many new people through my new agency. I am glad. I travelled to a lot of exciting new places as a DJ, and I was super happy to release on 2020 Vision at the end of 2015.

Lowlights? The never-ending topic. Unfortunately, there is a huge political disorder and this is affecting the mood of the people. My greatest wish will always be the same: a peaceful world.

Song of the year: The Juan Maclean – “A Simple Design” (Deetron Remix)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Truthfully keep my own musical style. I feel like it is a very chaotic time in the music industry. Everything is possible at the same time not possible. That is why I decided to push quality over and over and never stop developing.

JP Soul

How was 2015 for you? Great! Huge year for me as an artist and for Roam Recordings.

Highlights? Working with Anthony Mansfield and releasing more music than ever.

Lowlights? Waiting forever to get vinyl pressed.

Song of the year: Red Axes – “Waiting for a Surprise”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Last year was to get my digital collection up to par with the vinyl for when the decks are broke. This year I’m just gonna keep doing what I’m doing. Very excited about the releases scheduled for 2016!

Julian Calor

How was 2015 for you? A great year. A lot of really cool bookings and of course my album Evolve was released!

Highlights? The release of Evolve and the Revealed Asia tour. That was crazy!

Lowlights? Tiësto & KSHMR – “Secrets”

Song of the year: &Me feat. Sabota – “Trilogy”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To step more out of my comfort zone music-wise.

Jump Smokers

How was 2015 for you? Far and away the best year for that Jump Smokers sound! Our year started off on the award-winning Pitbull/Enrique Iglesias Tour. Flipside won the award for Mixshow DJ of the Year and we continued our streak of #1 remixes including our Demi Lovato “Cool For The Summer” remix landing on Demi’s Confident Deluxe album!

Highlights? Touring North America with three artists as amazing as Pitbull, Enrique Iglesias and J Balvin was definitely the highlight of not only our year but also of our career up to this point! Night after night, we got to play in between Pit and Enrique at arenas as legendary as Madison Square Garden, Boston’s TD Garden and two sold-out shows at the All State Arena in our hometown Chicago!

Lowlights? Having our SoundCloud account terminated! All of our remixes are totally legally and legit but they still terminated our account for some DUMB reason! UGH!

Song of the year: Calvin Harris & Disciples – “How Deep Is Your Love”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To get our SoundCloud account reinstated!

Justin James

How was 2015 for you? It was one of the best years of my life. I was fortunate to travel and share my music with people all around the world.

Highlights? My European tour was one big highlight which included one of the biggest festivals in the world, Tomorrowland. Playing ENTER. in LA was also pretty amazing.

Lowlights? Thankfully I can’t pinpoint anything that really is a lowlight for me. Just upsetting hearing about the diminishing health of people who have made huge impacts in my life.

Song of the year: Cosmic Boys – “I Don’t Care”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To focus on all aspects of my health and everything that my music career encompasses, especially production and touring.

Kamara

How was 2015 for you? Super nice! We made lots of progress on stage and in the studio!

Highlights? Playing as main act on the Yinyang Festival on the Great Wall of China.

Lowlights? A cancelled tour to Korea because of the Mers virus.

Song of the year: Super Flu – “Jo Gurt” (Stephan Bodzin Remix)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To get out more and more sign more releases.

Karen Gibson Roc

How was 2015 for you? 2015 has been great! I recorded a bunch of new tracks to be released in 2016! A lot of soul searching and decision making! I decided to put 100% into this whole creative thing! Money or no money! I’m all in!

Highlights? The release of “Breathea” a house track produced by Ben Hoo featuring me and seeing it released on Ovum Recordings both digitally and on vinyl and seeing the video for “Breathe” directed by Phil Roc premiere on Thump/Vice.

Lowlights? Dealing with the constant demands of being an independent artist.

Song of the year: Ben Hoo – “561595” (Original Mix)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To continue pushing myself to grow as an artist! To step up to the plate and meet all challenges with courage! And to be a great mom for my daughter.

Kazimier

How was 2015 for you? The best year of my life.

Highlights? Every moment.

Lowlights? None.

Song of the year: Debby Ryan – “The Best Year of My Life”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Make 2016 the best year of my life.

Kissy Sell Out

How was 2015 for you? Another year of adventures in new places across the world. My sound has changed quite a lot since the early days, but I’m still here playing tunes every day and loving it!

Highlights? This year I went to the Pioneer headquarters in Tokyo to work with the technicians on the new mixer and CDJ designs in person which was very exciting – although learning a little more Japanese would’ve saved a few awkward moments popping up along the way! I had an absolutely wicked time touring Australia for the ninth time this year as well, which gives me a big grin on my face just thinking about it!

Lowlights? Well, let’s face it—the terror attacks in Beirut, Paris and everywhere else have been absolutely dreadful.

Song of the year: Dusky – “Skin Deep”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Get back to my experimental side, I think. I didn’t make as much music as I would’ve liked this year, but I’ve got some new ideas and I think it’s time to embrace some more alternative sounds again.

Kenny Summit

How was 2015 for you? Maybe the best year to date for my label, Good For You Records. Also one hell of a year for me personally. I had two or three #1 releases this year including my latest release on Classic Music Company, a collaboration with my besty Eric Kupper called “Over Here.”

Highlights? ADE was a lot of fun, and I made a ton of deals there this year. The current #1 release on Classic as I already mentioned and a new distribution deal in place for GFY. And gearing up to throw an official Paradise Garage event in Hollywood on December 19th featuring original Garage residents Joey Llanos and David DePino; the event served as sort of an announcement to tell the world about Paradise Garage: Inspirations, a double 12″ compilation featuring tracks by Tony Humphries, Frankie Knuckles, Louie Vega and more house legends due to be released in 2016. I put a good chunk of my time in 2015 into that project, and I’m pretty excited to see it coming to fruition.

Lowlights? My fucking apartment building is under construction. That’s probably the only thing that’s gone wrong this year. Non stop banging, noise from workers tearing the other apartments apart while I’m trying to mix tracks down. Very distracting and doesn’t seem like it will end any time soon. And I lost a pot brownie at ADE. If anyone finds it, please contact me.

Song of the year: Kenny Summit – “Lemonade Was A Popular Drink” (J Paul Getto’s Southside Remix)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Focus. Focus. Focus. Don’t get involved in any drama. Keep my head down, blinders on, and just make good music and continue to improve on my production abilities. And try and eat less pizza.

Kiki

How was 2015 for you? Full of exciting gigs and festivals like BPM, Circo Loco, Flow or Feel Festival and my hometown gigs in Panorama Bar and Watergate and full of studio work with releases like “Supermoon” on Exploited, “Knights” on Suara and numerous remixes. And my radio show on Ibiza Sonica turned one with the 50th show.

Highlights? My 40th birthday at the Feel Festival near Berlin, where I was given the opportunity to curate the booking for a whole stage.

Lowlights? Although I had so many releases this year it was mainly remixes, and I have a feeling there could have been even more time for studio work for my own music.

Song of the year: Joris Voorn – “Homeland” (&ME Remix)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To have even more exciting year in 2016!

Kill The Buzz

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was a wonderful year with a lot of ups and downs. I have been to so many countries which I wouldn’t imagine going to five years ago. I released new music, got in touch with a lot of big artists like Jason Derulo, and I played the biggest show so far in my career in Gelsenkirchen, Germany for the I Am Hardwell Show – 40,000 people! I had a really big hit in my personal life by losing my brother in July. Me and him were pretty close and we shared the passion for music and DJing though our age difference was 17 years. Though 2015 was a beautiful year I had trouble finding the time to spend time in the studio and finishing projects because of all the traveling and doing shows. It was difficult to learn how to produce while being onboard an airplane but I managed to find my way!

Highlights? Jason Derulo remix for “Want to Want Me”; playing Ultra Music Festival Korea and I Am Hardwell Show in Gelsenkirchen.

Lowlights? Technical problems during two shows and spending less time in the studio.

Song of the year: Alesso – “Cool”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To put the 2015 experience into my creativity in music for 2016!

Kim Ann Foxman

How was 2015 for you? It was overall a very busy year for me as far as gigs, projects and putting out music on Firehouse Recordings with The Vinyl Factory.

Highlights? Panorama bar tag team sessions with Maya and Heidi; Into the Valley Festival in Sweden; playing Skopje for the first time where the crowd was so warm; Lost Beach in Montañita Ecuador and getting to surf while I was there.

Lowlights? The heartbreak of the Paris attacks.

Song of the year: Josef K & Winter Son ft. Flora Cruz – “Tribal Rhythm”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Keep pushing forward and put out great music.

King Unique

How was 2015 for you? Life changing.

Highlights? The release of my Beyond Borders: London mix album. Deeply satisfying.

Lowlights? Saying goodbye to my studio of the last 18 years—the longest I’ve ever been linked to a place in my whole life.

Song of the year: Max Richter – “Sublunar”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Finish things before starting new things.

Kruse & Nuernberg

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was on a personal view a year full of up and downs. For our career it was a great year with some highlights and lots of good gigs especially through out the summer season.

Highlights? Our gig at Ushuaia for La Familia and our two single releases with Brolin, “Lost n Free” and “Yokohama Nights.”

Lowlights? A gig in Cesme where we had a nightmare of a journey and got completely ripped off by the promoter. A freakin’ disaster.

Song of the year: Stephan Bodzin – “Zulu”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Keep on doing what we are doing.

Laraaji

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was full of wonderful celestial music and sound activity along with hilarious laughter, meditation and play. The year has been joyfully filled with lots of old and new warm friends, great vegetarian food options and great movies. I am an occasional moviegoer.

Highlights? Teaching a five-week NADA/sound vibration yoga class at Jiva Mukti in Manhattan. Having my very first face to face Rattlesnake encounter in the Colorado Rocky Mountains in July. Neither I or the snake was bitten. Seeing the re-release of my early music recording Day Of Radiance by Glitterbeat Records. This is truly one of my most memorable record productions, produced by friend Brian Eno.

Lowlights? Being lost in the city of Lueven, Belgium on foot at night in a torrential rain downpour while looking for my hotel. I was on tour and had just finished evening dinner on my own at a vegetarian restaurant. Leaving the place I decided to explore a different way back to my hotel, not taking into account the way the streets in Lueven wind, curve and stray. Somehow I lost my sense of direction, and all the advice I was receiving got me further lost. After an hour in rain soaked clothing I stumbled upon my hotel.

Song of the year: “Happiness Is”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Being in the moment, having more quiet time, going deeper inward, sharing more of my voice in music performances, sharing more laughter and meeting more smiling faces.

Larry Tee

How was 2015 for you? F*cking crazy with my touring, moving to Berlin and the breakout of my fashion brand TZUJI. Now, when I do dates in around the world, I not only play my sets I also do fashion shows and shop appearances. It’s a totally new way of traveling and making me stretch my talents and getting my music to a new audience. And it’s great to play for a hot, young very select crowd.

Highlights? DJing Palace De Tokyo in Paris for the largest Fashion Week party for the release of my new single “Body Talk” where the singer Portia Ferrari debuted my TZUJI smoking hand dress. The Fashion 500 were all there. Finally, I’m fashionable.

Lowlights? Not getting writing credit or money for “You Better Work, Bitch” by Britney Spears even though it obviously steals from my #1 hit “Supermodel (You Better Work, Bitch)” by RuPaul.

Song of the year: Mia Dora – “Un.sub”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? After moving to my favorite city Berlin this year, I realize I will open a TZUJI office in LA and start parties there too. It’s great to hear great new music in Berlin. I love knowing that the entertainment industry is discovering TZUJI and that I will need to visit LA more to service their needs. Plus, the parties there are great now too. This is beyond my wildest dreams.

Lau Frank

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was undoubtedly best year so far in my short career. It was a year full of noticeable releases and my first tour in UK and Europe.

Highlights? I had the chance to play at the official Made in Leeds after party at the mythic Warehouse in Leeds, warming things up for Steve Lawler and Claude Von Stroke. I also played at Bora Bora and Social Sundays in Ibiza alongside Audiojack who gave me the big opportunity to release a solo EP on their label (Gruuv). This EP had amazing feedback and outcomes. The remixes got all the credits! The Tiger Stripes remix for my track “Body Count” was noticed and played by Maya Jane Coles, John Digweed, Santé and numerous times on BBC Radio 1. The Dachshund remix for my track “7AM” was played by Joris Voorn and included on his mix of the Fabric 83 CD.

Lowlights? N/A

Song of the year: Nick Curly’s – “Rack and Run” and Adrian Hour’s – “In Hell.”

What’s your New Year’s Resolution? This year has been very productive in all aspects. Hoping that the next one will be even better.

Lee Van Dowski

How was 2015 for you? It was a very intense year for me specially production wise. All in I think I spent seven months in my studio living in a bubble. But it was worth it. I actually had some goals for 2015, and I think I’ve reached them all as expected. Lots of things are already planned in 2016, so It’s time to enjoy all the work I’ve put in a bit.

Highlights? I’m totally impressed by the music quality of the 2015. Level had never been so high and it’s been very motivating and inspiring. I really hope it will be the same in 2016.

Lowlights? I don’t want to remember lowlights. Let’s move forward!

Song of the year: Stephan Bodzin – “Wir”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Stop smoking.

Lifelike & Kris Menace

How was 2015 for you? Great year. “Ready 4 Love” and “Discopolis 2.0” both very successful releases and a new EP with Kris
Menace that will be out on Toolroom early March 2016.

Highlights? Going back in studio with Kris Menace and the rise of the vinyl sales.

Lowlights? All that terrorism in our country, especially dangerous if you live in Paris like I do.

Song of the year: The return of Mark Moore with S-Express -“Funky Killer”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To stop making New Year’s resolutions!

Local Suicide

How was 2015 for you? Loads of fun. The year kicked off with an Asian tour and new impressions. We started our new event series TOFU (Too Old For Understatement) in Berlin and already had guests from all over the world. We produced a couple of tracks with various befriended producers, which are going to be released at some point in 2016, played 70+ gigs including festivals like Melt!, Berlin Festival, Tel Aviv Festival and Off Sonar and had our Berghain debut. Our blogs and fan base are growing as well so we can’t really complain.

Highlights? Opening for New Order in a sold-out arena in Berlin. The band has been a huge influence on us musically since early on.

Lowlights? First a birthday spent on a plane traveling from Berlin via Belgrade via Moscow to Bangkok and then due to delays and several fuck ups missing a gig we were very much looking forward to in Bangkok.

Song of the year: Boot And Tax – “Brace Brace”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Invest more time in producing music and maybe only attend every second post-gig after hours.

Lupe Fuentes

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was very exciting and an important year for me. It was a period of development and growth, the building stage of my label In The Loop and my overall brand. Defining my sound has laid the foundation for my future. I work very, very hard on 2015 and I cannot wait for 2016!

Highlights? The launch of In The Loop and my resolve to keep my focus on the big picture of building a brand and having the opportunity to connect with the artists I am signing to my label and helping them to get their music heard from taste makers to the dance floor.

Lowlights? The passing of my dad was a really big blow for me and my family. Even though death is a part of life, it’s hard to let go of someone you love. And the latest terror attacks against humanity have been horrendous and hard to grasp. It’s incredible how ignorance can bring so much hatred.

Song of the year: “Mouth” by Yvan Genkins. It’s a dance floor banger.

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To be more present in the moment, be more helpful to other people and give back whenever possible.

Malachi

How was 2015 for you? A great year, certainly a year of change with the end of Audiowhores and the start of my new Malachi solo productions.

Highlights? The nights I DJ’ed in Poland (SQ Club), Amsterdam (Arnhem), WeAre FSTVL (Essex) and ADE were all ace! Also having my debut Malachi track signed to Armada Deep was a blessing.

Lowlights? Having my two gigs in Ibiza cancelled was a big downer! I always look forward to White Isle visit every year. Ah well, this year was not meant to be.

Song of the year: Format B – “Chunky”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? I don’t bother with New Year’s resolutions. If there’s something I need to do on a personal development tip, I’ll sort it there and then.

MANIK

How was 2015 for you? It was a hectic year for me, but not with gigs, more in terms of the politics end of it. Also did a lot of self-reflecting and organizing on where I want to go for 2016.

Highlights? “Buffalo Trace” (my track on TEED’s Nice Age label) got played two weeks in a row on Annie Mac and then by Pete Tong. Also getting the #1 download on XLR8R two times for my Janet Jackson reworks in July and September.

Lowlights? I was one of the many artists on Elastic when it just folded. So that was a reality check into making sure I am being handled by the right people.

Song of the year: Moomin – “Aquarama”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To get better as a producer/DJ/musician in 2016 and also see the growth in my new side project 909 Til Infinity. I also would like to eat less meat.

Manse

How was 2015 for you? 2015 has been an amazing year full of first-time experiences. It started off with Miami (WMC & Ultra), and signing with my management and booking agency deals, and then my debut single “Freeze Time” was played at a major festival (Tomorrowland). I can’t wait to see what 2016 has to offer!

Highlights? Definitely my gig at Tomorrowland on the Revealed Stage. My expectations were high but I didn’t expect it to be that many people watching the Revealed Stage already at 14.00 when my slot started. When I realized that it was around 3,000 people waiting before I started made me nervous, but after my intro I saw that the crowd was there to party and the adrenaline kicked in and we got an amazing connection to each other…. a gig I’ll never forget!

Lowlights? When I got the fever during the Revealed Recordings Asia club tour and missed a full day of sightseeing in Mumbai, India. Luckily I am going back to India for the Sunburn festival where Revealed Recordings is hosting their own stage.

Song of the year: Third Party – “Arrival”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To start exercising on a daily basis and curb my addiction for Maltesers.

Man Power

How was 2015 for you? Possibly the best year of my life. I’ve been around the world, lived in Berlin, moved to Mexico, released an album, played at several places that I’d always dreamt of playing and made amazing new friends. I really can’t express how great it all feels. I’d be worrying about the wheels falling off everything, but truthfully, even if it happened tomorrow then I’d still have no cause to complain as I’ve still done so much already that I’d only ever dreamed of till this year.

Highlights? All of my releases have been highlights for me, but the album still has to stand head and shoulders above everything. It’s so rewarding to have been given a platform to do such a highly personal piece of work, and then on top of that have it come back with such amazing feedback. It really makes you feel like you’re not alone in the world. Gigs wise there are quite a few to choose from: Glastonbury was an all-time life goal for me, so going there for the first time and playing to so many people was definitely in the dream come true category. Japan was just mind-blowing. It really is the most unique country I’ve ever visited. Burning Man was also fairly indescribable for very different reasons—there really isn’t anywhere else like it on earth.

Lowlights? Musically there have been none. I want to keep my personal life to myself, and that extends to my personal politics. I’m a DJ so my opinion is as worthless as anyone else’s in these matters (although some other DJs possibly seem to feel differently regarding themselves). Suffice to say there have been global developments this year that have been truly horrific. I’m writing this in the week following the attacks on Paris and many other global atrocities perpetrated on people of every creed and color and I’m just hopeful that these aren’t further compounded by retaliatory acts of fear and hatred. To retread an oft-used MLK quote: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness.”

Song of the year: Ian Blevins – “Hannibal”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To learn Spanish. I’m also going to make an attempt to be a bit more healthy too, and maybe to give up smoking and some other vices. I want to make an attempt to start reading properly again too. I was studying literature up until last year, and since taking a break I’ve picked up nothing more strenuous than a Game of Thrones book. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoy them, but it’s hardly Finnegans Wake. Finally, I want to make a concerted effort to shine a bit more light on the amazing music coming from the North East of England, the region where I’m from. We’re seeing a bit of a musical renaissance at the moment and I’m in a really fortunate position where I can help some really deserving people get the attention that they should.

Man With a Clue

How was 2015 for you? It was an amazing year. I had the opportunity to travel the world and work in a studio in New York for a week doing nothing else other than creating music. Lots of releases have come out, and I’ve made many friendships all over the place. It’s been a crazy ride thus far and hopefully this ride ain’t over yet.

Highlights? I travelled for the first time to Hong Kong and Tokyo to play both places in one weekend. It was incredible to see this part of the world.

Lowlights? Being sick with food poisoning for the one day I had free to explore in Hong Kong.

Song of the year: Pele & Shawnecy – “Better For My Brain”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? I’d like to get back in the gym! Too much good food in 2015. Also to keep on working on new records and make everybody ‘clueless’ in 2016!

Marco Bailey

How was 2015 for you? 2015 started for my very sad with the death of my best friend at the very young age of 35. One week later my uncle died too! Luckily it picked up soon after with a great tour and gigs and some good releases on Drumcode, Carl Cox’s Intec Records, my own MB Elektronics and my other imprint, MBR Limited. All in all, 2015 was nice and successful although 2014 was bit more lucky and happier though.

Highlights? Definitely my gig at my favorite spot/club in the world Crobar in Buenos Aires, my Materia concept parties at Zig Zag in Paris, Liege in Belgium and Vienna in Austria and my gig at Pacha New York, not because of Pacha the club but mainly because it was the last gig I played for one of the greatest promoters I have ever known and friend, Rob Fernandez, who died also this year. 2015 was full of beloved people who passed.

Lowlights? The loss of my best friend, my uncle and friend Rob Fernandez.

Song of the year: I can’t just pick out one—too many great tunes I liked but to name a few: Johannes Heil – Black Light album; Marco Bailey – “What Happened” (Arnaud le Texier Remix; Jesper Dahlback – “Do It Right”; Rodhad’s album on Dystopian; Jacek Sienkiewicz – “Drifting.”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Health, lots of love, more techno and please more tolerance and peace!

Maribou State

How was 2015 for you? It was an amazing year for us. We had a lot of fun and achieved so much more than we ever expected. It’s left us feeling pretty tired though!

Highlights? Selling out Koko in London! It’s venue we never would of dreamed of playing and to sell out so quickly was very overwhelming.

Lowlights? Massive technical fails at Lovebox and Village Underground. Out of our hands but pretty deflating all the same.

Song of the year: Nina Simone – “Be That Way Sometimes” (Reflex Version)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Be healthy! Eat well, exercise and write a second album.

Mark Broom

How was 2015 for you? It has been a very productive year. I brought my Beard Man label back into action, was super proud to have been on M-Plant again with my Stunned EP, doing the The Fear Ratio album with James Ruskin on Skam Records. Pretty good year so far!

Highlights? Getting the techno don Robert Hood to remix my “Frontline” track on Beard Man.

Lowlights? I ran out of coconut water the other day.

Song of the year: It’s between Makaton – “4 Point Suspension” or Patrik Carrera – “Phantom.”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To get my solo album out in 2016. Watch this space!

Marshall Applewhite

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was an absolutely amazing year for me. A full-length album and a slew of EPs/singles kept me very busy.

Highlights? Playing my first European shows and playing Movement in Detroit for a second time in the past few years are at the top of my list. Other than that, getting to join the Detroit Underground and Clan Destine families was super cool.

Lowlights? I’m still too young to run for President of the U.S.A.

Song of the year: Zebra Katz x Leila – “You Tell Em”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? I’m going to put Sludge on the map and ruin boring techno for everyone.

Matoma

How was 2015 for you? 2015 for me has been great! It’s been an adventure, and I’ve been having so much fun and just living the dream.

Highlights? All the festivals I’ve played; releasing the track with Jason DeRulo and Jennifer Lopez “Try Me”; getting “Old Me Back” signed as the official single with the Notorious B.I.G on Atlantic Records; signing a record deal; signing a publishing deal; going on a tour bus for the first time… there’s been so many milestones this year and it’s just the beginning!

Lowlights? I had to cancel a few shows in September due to food poisoning from pizza on the way there—Tomorrow World and three gigs in Europe. I was so devastated to do that.

Song of the year: Major Lazer – “Lean On”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To keep spreading the music and the love while and grow my fan base even bigger. I also want to work more on charity, like raising money for kids with special needs or kids with cancer. I like kids, and I want to be an inspiration for them.

Mauro Picotto

How was 2015 for you? Really exciting as I released my new album, From Heart to Techno, and my book, Life as a DJ. I had an amazing time producing and promoting all of these projects. I couldn’t ask for more.

Highlights? Anytime I get to play in Italy at Tenax.

Lowlights? Before the release of the album I was a little bit stressed to get everything on time but I think was normal. All in all it was a great year!

Song of the year: In pop music I liked Drake’s “Hotline Bling.”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? None!

Mendo

How was 2015 for you? Huge one regarding productions with not less than 18 releases on labels such as Chus & Ceballos Stereo, Hot Since 82’s Knee Deep in Sound or Mark Knight’s Toolroom among others and great collaborations with Rene Amesz, Danny Serrano and my partner in crime Yvan Genkins. Without forgetting my own label, Clarisse Records, remixing tracks from DJ Sneak, Simone Liberali or Toni Moreno from Ibiza Global Radio. I also mixed the Toolroom Live 03 and the Deeperfect’s Barcelona Off Week 2015 compilations. Podcasts for Pete Tong’s All Gone Evolution radio show in the U.S. and Knee Deep in Sound series first one with more than 65,000 plays. And, last but not least, travelled the world, as usual, from Western to Eastern Europe, North to South America and Middle East to Asia.

Highlights? My biggest Ibiza season with 13 gigs at Space, Sankeys, Blue Marlin, Hard Rock Hotel or on the Ibiza Global Radio boat.

Lowlights? Terrorist attacks in Paris.

Song of the year: wAFF – “Connected” (Hot Creations)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Honestly none as I already quit smoking a few months ago and any other bad substances long time ago and I manage to drink reasonably at my gigs.

Megan Vice

How was 2015 for you? Great!

Highlights? Getting to collaborate with some of my favorite artists and visionaries on several different projects. I shot a music video for my single “All Of The Time” directed by Coco + Breezy and Leighton Pope! I’m a huge fan of what Coco + Breezy do, especially their work on Prince’s Art Official Age album cover — those third-eye sunnies are bomb! It was a real pleasure being able to create with them. Another (and most recent) highlight was playing a sold-out show at Webster Hall with The Knocks. This wasn’t my first time playing with these guys but this show was particularly special as it’s always been a dream of mine to perform in the Grand Ballroom where I’ve stood in the middle of that massive, sweaty crowd countless times watching others. The Knocks have been a favorite of mine from the jump, I remember sneaking into bars with my fake ID like five years ago seeing them play and thinking they were the coolest (they are).

Lowlights? There’s a lot [laughs].

Song of the year: Tuxedo – “So Good”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To be more present and stop focusing on the future and past.

ME & her

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was a pretty exciting year for us. We got the chance to play in many countries we’ve never been to before and became part of a big music family where we got friends (DJs, promoters, agents) all over the world. We also had our India and Asia tour which and our first little documentary.

We worked really hard in the studio and as we manage nearly everything by ourselves, we also took care about where to release our EPs and how to increase our awareness. We worked together with many great people but also made our first thoughts about next steps and where we see us in 1, 2 or 3 years. We found out that being a professional artist means 20% is about the music and the rest is PR, management and booking efforts.

Highlights? Besides our Asia and India Tour were the Clarisse Records Showcases at Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and Blue Marlin Ibiza. The label acts as well as its head Mendo became close friends with us and we had so much fun together.

Lowlights? 2015 was the year of finding ourselves and our future vision and our music style(s) as we are a little different. As well the demand of time we had to put inside our project increased a lot. Phuong had a job until end of July and Jen is about to finish her studies. So we really had to think about if ME & her is still just a hobby or if it will be a full-time job for us in the future. Because of the pressure with all the decisions we had to make and the stress we got we had some divergences. You need to understand that we are having very different personalities which in the end makes us complete but also can be a bit difficult to manage.

Song of the year:
Phuong: Kobana – “Barsoom” (Verve Remix)
Jen: Alex Under – “11 Mutombo 11” (Original Mix)

What’s your New Year’s resolution?
Phuong: To stay healthy and to reach even more people with our music.
Jen: Sport and to finish my studies with good results (writing my thesis at the moment and I having final exams after summer 2016). Music-wise, I want us to find a unique sound which is brave and experimental. That’s quite a challenge.

Michna

How was 2015 for you? Ted Dibiase.

Highlights? Releasing my sophomore album. Thousand Thursday; doing an event at MoMA with Yuri Suzuki; and scoring a short film called Ghost Trio.

Lowlights? Taking my Rane TTM57 into a local shop to repair broken knobs only to have the guys fry the motherboard, smile and say “sorry?”

Song of the year: The Orb – “Moonbuilding 2703AD”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Build a glass hot tub on the roof of our building.

Mickey

How was 2015 for you? Blissful.

Highlights? South America tour.

Lowlights? Airport food.

Song of the year: Les Sins – “Grind”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To not get fat.

Midival Punditz

How was 2015 for you? 2015 has been great! It’s been an adventure, and I’ve been having so much fun and just living the dream.

Highlights? Its been a crazy year full of accomplishments and surprises. We released our fourth studio album, Light, to a huge success. We got to travel with our new live show with new visuals and music. We travelled a lot across India and the world and connected with our fans in a big way. But most importantly, it was a year of music.

Lowlights? The album tour didn’t materialize in the manner we expected this year. With the entire audio and visuals production in place and the band sounding tight, we hoped to do a lot more than what we actually accomplished. Hopefully we can make a proper Light tour happen in 2016.

Song of the year: Prateek Kuhad – “Oh Love”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To stay happy and write loads of new music.

Miguel Campbell

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was a good year for me. Things have been nonstop and whilst I have been busy on tour and with work in the studio, I have been able to find time to enjoy things a lot more. Now I am back in my hometown and I have my studio at home, it is very easy for me to mix my work time and down time in a flexible way. Musically, I have completed my new album this year, and I’m really excited to be releasing it on my own label. I have been working on an album with my friend Benjamin Diamond from Stardust and we have focused on a very cool type sound and so I am also very excited about this project. Matt Hughes and I have now completed the next MAM album, which will be released early next year!

Highlights? I won the award for Best House DJ at Sankeys in Ibiza. I was proud just to have been nominated so I was very happy to receive the award at the ceremony and then play an extended set at the club afterwards. Gig-wise, playing with Etienne De Crecy and DJ Falcon in Paris had to be the highlight for me. I have always been a big fan of French Touch and so to have been invited to play the home show as part of the Super Discount Tour was an honor for me and a real dream come true.

Lowlights? I always try to stay away from negativity but the condition of the world recently is not cool.

Song of the year: Clyde P – “Don’t Stop Your Love”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Continue to work hard and be nice to people.

Mijk Van Dijk

How was 2015 for you? Preparation and consolidation.

Highlights? My tour of Japan in July.

Lowlights? The increase of terrorist activities on the planet and the wrong agendas of our governments.

Song of the year: Maceo Plex – “Solar Detroit”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? We are the microglobe. We house music lovers of all nations must stand as one and not be divided! The huge corporations are multinational. So we must be!

Mike Huckaby

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was a very stressful year trying to finish My Life With The Wave Vol. 2 and the sample CD, but near the end of the year I got it done, and it’s ready to be released early in 2016. 2015 was a very busy year DJing around the world. And it’s hard to see a decline in my schedule anytime soon.

Highlights? Playing in the Ukraine.

Lowlights? Being stuck in the airport for nine hours after a gig in Nance, France.

Song of the year: Mike Denhert – “Losange”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Not to drink or cook with tap water, and that will be a resolution that I can easily keep!

Miss Djax

How was 2015 for you? Actually, it was the same as always which means very nice.

Highlights? The fact that many people still love it when I play old-school acid vinyl sets.

Lowlights? The growing brutal terroristic attacks all over the world.

Song of the year: Bjarki – “I Wanna Go Bang”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Do some sports as I’m sitting too much behind my laptop.

Miss Melera

How was 2015 for you? Best described as a year with innovation and change in a good way. It was a great year with new experiences. For instance, my Brazil tour in the beginning of this year. I’m really in love with this country. Also my very first time in New York was an amazing experience last summer and really happy to be back in Berlin a couple of times.

Highlights? It was a dream to play at Warung Brazil. I will never forget my closing set in the early morning. Fusion Festival in Germany was definitely one to remember. Of course, I have to say again Familiar Forest Festival in the Netherlands and DGTL Festival in Amsterdam was so cool! Canada is also always a highlight for me. Oh, and my own Colourizon event during SAIL Amsterdam on a boat. Also, my All Night Long evening in October at an amazing venue in Amsterdam: De Marktkantine. As you can read I had many highlights… it’s hard to stop!

Lowlights? The day that all festivals in the Netherlands were canceled due to extreme weather conditions. A sad day especially for all organizations who had been working so long on their festivals. A few weeks earlier I had the same [experience] in France. But Mother Nature can hardly be controlled and cancelling was the best decision a promoter could make at that point.

Song of the year: Arthur Oskan – “Love Bug”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To shine on!

Moonbootica

How was 2015 for you? Excellent, actually. We produced many great new tracks and had fantastic festival and club shows.

Highlights? The shows at Live RCA Bangkok, Echelon festival, Kater Blau Berlin and many more.

Lowlights? Honestly?! James Bond’s Spectre. Still don’t understand how they could fuck up this movie so bad!

Song of the year: Curry & Krawall – “The Soul Condor”; Tim Deluxe – “Feelings”; Tommy Largo – “Dedication”; and Phil Weeks – “Baila Baila”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Same as it always is: Just do it!

Mpeach

How was 2015 for you? It was a year where I learned a lot! There was a ton of hard work and goals to achieve. It was though but really good.

Highlights? The release of my Malania LP.

Lowlights? The death of two dear friends.

Song of the year: Tifa – “Rock My Body” and Spice – “Hold Tight.” It’s hard to choose only one.

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To tour as much as possible, start working on my next album and develop the base structure for other projects I want to work on.

Mystic Bill

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was a good year, but I think 2016 will be even better.

Highlights? I had two of my favorite record labels license one of my tracks.

Lowlights? Lost a close friend.

Song of the year: N/A

What’s your New Year’s resolution? I guess to stay focused on my work.

Nandu

How was 2015 for you? Very busy year. New friends, label families and gigging. The scene is growing and there is so much talent out there, so it’s an honor to be chosen out of all that to sign with labels I respect. Also this year I came to finish my first solo album, and I’m very much looking to releasing it in the new year.

Highlights? It was definitely playing a three-hour warm up for Andre Crom at Hammahalle, Sisyphos. Perfect vibe and nice people around. But Mano Le Tough’s set at the Maeve party at Sonar this year was also very nice.

Lowlights? That I had to leave Sonar Festival early because of a gallstone.

Song of the year: Damian Lazaruz & The Ancient Moons – “Vermillion” (Original Mix)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To keep on growing as a musician. I think it is very important to never stop challenging yourself as an artist and never stop evolving.

Nhan Solo

How was 2015 for you? Man, you cannot imagine. I’m the happiest boy alive! We are Deep House #1 and #2 with Mat.Joe’s Make A Living EP on my Mother Recordings.

Highlights? Did I mention we are #1?!

Lowlights? Like every end of the year payment of taxes.

Song of the year: Drake – “Hotline Bling”

What’s your New Year’s resolution Start playing tennis again.

Nick Rockwell

How was 2015 for you? I have no idea. I gotta slow down on the vodka.

Highlights? The release of my track “Undersex Me” on Hotfingers Records which has always been one of my favorite labels. I had a couple of memorable gigs as well including Set in Miami and Studio Paris in Chicago!

Lowlights? Life of a producer always includes lowlights such as creative blocks and getting tracks turned down by labels you love. But you always have to keep working.

Song of the year: L’Tric – “This Feeling”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Gain some weight, smoke more and a residency in Ibiza!

Nicole Moudaber

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was the best year to date!

Highlights? At the beginning of 2015 we had an In The MOOD party at The BPM Festival in Mexico as well as special editions of MoodDAY and MoodNIGHT parties at WMC in Miami. Also, my In The MOOD radio show now reaches 64 countries on FM stations worldwide with over ten million listeners weekly, which is where we had a live seven-hour broadcast of my MoodDAY party from WMC. I had an amazing summer in Ibiza with a residency for Circoloco at DC-10. Then the BREED EP with Skin from Skunk Anansie was released with two music videos and we had a huge release party at Space Ibiza where I played a back-to-back set with her. Also, my In The MOOD party at Output in NY earlier on in the year as well as all of my extended and open to close sets at Stereo Montreal, Exchange LA, Club Space in Miami, plus my set at Glastonbury in the UK. So gig- and release-wise, it was an equally unbelievable year.

Lowlights? I had an accident on a bike during the summer that slowed me down a bit. It led me to cancelling a couple of shows so that was a bit of a low moment for me. Also, the constant traveling was a bit hectic but nonetheless once I got on the decks the pain went away immediately.

Song of the year: Paul Ritch – “Brain Washed”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? I never have a New Year’s resolution, but I’m going to carry on and just do more of what I’m doing.

Night Talk

How was 2015 for you? Filled with great gigs, old and new friends and inspiring new music.

Highlights? Hearing Solomun playing my “Gamma” track in his Boiler Room set, playing the warm up set for Daniel Avery in my hometown Basel, the release of my Dark Matter EP.

Lowlights? None that I can think of.

Song of the year: DJ Koze – “XTC”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Go back in the studio and work on new music.

Nino Blink

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was an amazing year. The label is going really well and I played at some amazing parties.

Highlights? Playing in South America for the first time and playing at an 18-hour party in Berlin.

Lowlights? No lows this year.

Song of the year: Joris Voorn & Joran van Pol – “Sonic Highway”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Make more music, play more gigs.

OCH

How was 2015 for you? Very productive. I finally finished the debut OCH album, Time Tourism, which will emerge in early 2016 on Systematic Recordings. There’s an accompanying remixes 12” with killer additions from Marc Romboy and Baby Ford. On top of that I’ve been writing new material for London’s Trelik plus some more techno-based stuff for Berlin’s Dreiklang, all of which will see the light of day in the coming weeks and months.

Highlights? I was very happy to release Perbec’s “Chaser” 12” on my own Autoreply imprint—their first record since the Ifach stuff they did 14 years ago and it was very well received. Kashawar’s “Moments and Lost Memories” Part 3 on Autoreply was a big highlight. We’ve worked on this series for three years. Now it’s complete and we’ve started jamming some tracks together.

Lowlights? Won’t answer as a mark of respect for everyone who’s fallen victim to recent world atrocities.

Song of the year: Far too many to pinpoint just one but off the top of my head I can tell you the new Professor Inc 12” on Boe Recordings is a bomb, The XDB on Ferox is off the hook, Dan Curtin’s forthcoming “House Spirits” on D3 Elements never fails to light up peoples face’s and David Hausdorf’s 2015 rework of “Space Walk” ain’t leaving my box anytime soon.

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Haven’t made one of these for years but let’s try spread more love and eat more fruit.

Oliver Deutschmann

How was 2015 for you? It was pretty good. Played in a lot of new cities and countries like Armenia or Kenya.

Highlights? My ten-hour Berghain closing set in May.

Lowlights? I don’t wanna talk about lowlights.

Song of the year: There were a lot of good tracks this year. I can’t pick one out. But when it comes to pop or rock nothing really impressed me this year, to be honest.

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Finish my second album!

Olivier Giacomotto

How was 2015 for you? 2015 is the best year I had so far, with some great results on productions and remixes on my favorite labels such Get Physical, Noir, Suara and Definitive Recordings. Now lots of promoters and club owners want to see me play for their events all around the world, so my schedule went crazy with 45 gigs in the last four months.

Highlights? “Bipolar Star” on Noir Music. Everybody played it and people ask me to play it at every gig. I also did two tours in Brazil, with such amazing gigs at legendary clubs like Warung, D Edge, Vibe, Tribe, etc.

Lowlights? None. I always see things on the positive side. My glass is always half full.

Song of the year: Emanuel Satie – “Like Phoenix”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? None. I’m not that kind of person who finally decides to change something in their life only because they are stepping into a new year. If something needs to be changed in my life, then I’ll do it when I feel it’s necessary.

Onionz

How was 2015 for you? This year was the most fun I’ve had with music in many years and super excited for 2016!

Highlights? Being asked to be the musical director for a large indie film.

Lowlights? None.

Song of the year: Lewis Boardman – “Stay Together”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Finish my solo album and to begin splitting my residence between the east and west coast.

0rfeo

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was really great. I spent the year working on new music, searching for new artists to collaborate and work with. I think I made the right choice not gigging as much as a D, but working on my own sound and starting to work on a live set.

Highlights? There were a lot of amazing moments during 2015. One of them was playing together with Yougene and Pr3snt on the first Ghosthall label Showcase. It was a great night for all of us! Also recording my first Ghosthall radio show podcast. It was pretty difficult making a mix as good as the first two editions by Rearte and Yougene, but a fun experience for me and last but not least working on new music with great people and lots of amazing artists like Gytis J, N3stro, PR3SNT and GAN to name a few.

Lowlights? A day only has 24 hours. There is always more stuff to do, more records to make, but not always enough time to do it.

Song of the year: PR3SNT – “Pacem”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Invest even more time into music and play my first live set.

Otodojo

How was 2015 for you? Rocky. Many losses, but also many gains. Overall, I’m coming out more content than ever before.

Highlights? Finding the love of my life.

Lowlights? Losing a close family member.

Song of the year: Ooh, too many to name…but Image Man’s “Baby” is pretty sweet

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Revamp my live set and play out in NYC.

Pablo del Monte

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was an excellent year. I set up my label, East Recordings, which was an enormous amount of work, but we’ve managed to come a long way in a short time. We went from zero to charting in eight months, all on a limited budget!

Highlights? Amsterdam Dance Event was my highlight of the year. Got to meet so many people and hear DJs like Maceo Plex and Maya Jane Coles all in a few days. And I got my picture taken with Marshall Jefferson. I was like an awe-struck kid!

Lowlights? The bombings in France. What’s the world coming to?

Song of the year: Maceo Plex – “Conjure Dreams”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To delegate more. I’ve got so caught up in the nitty-gritty day-to-day running of the label. I lose sight of the bigger picture at times.

Parks Burton

How was 2015 for you? One continuous spiraling headlong dive into the unknown.

Highlights? Setting impossible terrifying goals and then trying to accomplish them as best I could. Seeing friends and family succeed and overcome illness and thrive.

Lowlights? Still no Frasier reboot.

Song of the year: Makeunder – “Plain Tendency”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? See my little brother more.

Paul Hazendonk

How was 2015 for you? Festive! Celebrating the 10th anniversary of my Manual Music label is something I’m proud of and it was an extra reason to party.

Highlights? The above mentioned 10th anniversary of Manual Music, traveling to Australia for a couple of gigs and finally see that beautiful country for the first time in my life.

Lowlights? All the shit that has been going around in the world. Innocent people getting killed by people (ab)using religion as their cover, the whole refugee situation in Europe, and I’m afraid this is only a tip of the iceberg.

Song of the year: Andre Hommen – “Battery Park” (Objektivity)

What’s your New Year’s Resolution? More studio time, more touring, more cowbell.

Paul Mac

How was 2015 for you? Interesting and varied: the usual odd ratio of time in studio, on the road and real life.

Highlights? Finally finishing a new record for the mighty Mosaic Records. It’s been a good 15 years since I recorded an EP for Steve.

Lowlights? Quite a few I’d rather leave in the past.

Song of the year: Sergie Rezza – “Moving Coil”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? More good stuff, less bad stuff.

Penguin Prison

How was 2015 for you? I released my second full length album, Lost In New York, and played a bunch of sold-out shows with my band as well as a bunch of DJ gigs. So 2015 was a very fun year for me.

Highlights? Selling out Music Hall of Williamsburg the week of my album release. The crowd was amazing and proved that New Yorkers can let loose and have fun not just stand there with their arms crossed like some people say!

Lowlights? Reading the news about the various shootings this year like the attacks in Paris and the many tragic shootings in the U.S. The attack at the Bataclan was particularly disturbing for musicians and fans but hopefully nothing like that will ever happen again.

Song of the year: Kendrick Lamar – “King Kunta”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To release more music, play more shows and try to get better as a person.

Pezzner

How was 2015 for you? It was a fantastic year for me.

Highlights? I went through another personal artistic renaissance, reconfigured some things in my life and got straight to work. Released some of my best records to date, and started up my own imprint, Hunt & Gather.

Lowlights? I didn’t tour as much as I would have hoped, but the hiatus was much needed given my current workload.

Song of the year: In the clubs I am pretty sure I played Dauwd – “Jupiter George” more than any other track.

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To get my label Hunt & Gather properly off the ground and begin shipping vinyl.

Pierre Bellion

How was 2015 for you? Since we started the Lauter Unfug-Project, I would say that 2015 is the best year so far. We’ve had great artists playing for us with big names like Gregor Tresher, Mathias Kaden, Coyu, Karotte but also fantastic underground acts like Marcus Meinhardt, Cinthie, Kellerkind b2b with Nico Schwind and others. Another big step this year was the launch of our own label, Lauter Unfug Musik, which means that we are doing now more than “just partying.” It helps us to get more reach, especially when releasing our own productions we will get more attention by the music scene in other countries which is quite important when you are living in a small country like Luxemburg.

Highlights? Our anniversary party was a real nice one: Douglas Greed and band performed live and the party just didn’t stop — nobody went home! Later on this year we were quite excited about hosting our own party at the ADE! If somebody would have told us this a year before we couldn’t believe.

Lowlights? The fact that we had to change our location was really annoying. Public authorities told the club where we organized our parties to shut at 3am due to some formality but we had the chance to find a quick solution.

Song of the year: Maceo Plex – “Mirror Me” feat. C.A.R. Dark Dub

What’s your New Year’s resolution? More self-productions, more underground acts, more music!

POPOF

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was a great year. I particularly enjoyed performing live at Paradise at DC10 in Ibiza, Amnesia’s closing party, also in Ibiza, and Creamfields Buenos Aires were two outstanding experiences.

Highlights? Releasing my new album on Hot Creations, which included remixes by great artists like Jamie Jones, Luciano, Lee Foss, Eats Everything, Miss Kittin & Oxia , Marc Houle and Luca Donzelli & Mar-T.

Lowlights? No downside for me! I’ve always been happy with my projects or my gigs.

Song of the year:

Hot Natured – “Off World Lover” (Will Clarke Remix)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Release the third single “Lidl Girl” from my new album on Hot Creations remixed by Carl Cox, Shaun Reeves, Kerri Chandler and Magda. There are also two video clips in preparation for “Lidl Girl” and the previous single, “Going Back.” The latter is almost completed and let me tell you — it’s awesome! Seems 2016 is going to be a busy year!

President Bongo

How was 2015 for you? Like walking through mud up to my knees: warm, wet, cozy, interesting and fun but somehow very alien and kinda hard.
Highlights? Finishing my album Serengeti, , splitboarding Mt. Ararat.

Lowlights? My father diagnosed with cancer.

Song of the year: Teitur Magnusson – “Drekktu”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Be a better person.

PR3SNT

How was 2015 for you? We created the concept for a live show at the end of 2014 and started performing it in 2015 so that kept us busy for quite some time. We also did two releases on Hive Audio.
Musically we focused on working with analog machines, which we think made quite a difference in our sound.

Highlights? Performing at club Hive in Zürich. To us it was really special to have a release on Osunlade’s Yoruba Records.

Lowlights? Trying to make a living from music can be a bit depressing sometimes, but the production and performing keeps us motivated.

Song of the year: 0rfeo – “Prismatic”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Stop buying new synths, create more music.

Ramiro Lopez

How was 2015 for you? It has been a great year. I’ve been making a lot of music in the studio and there’s a lot of new releases coming in the near future. I made my debut in a few countries this year and had a superb experiences. I achieved many goals and will be working on new ones next year.

Highlights? The successful India tour, ADE and my debut at Space Ibiza.

Lowlights? The premature cancellation of Suara’s parties at Sankeys Ibiza this summer.

Song of the year: Danny Daze – “Ready2Go”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Keep working to achieve new targets, develop my sound and keep learning every day. Tour USA and South America, visit new countries and enjoy this job which is the best one in the world.

Recid

How was 2015 for you? It was the most unpredictable year. The situation in Ukraine has changed my plans and pushed me back. But I made a lot of music before the crisis in my country began. Now it has evolved into several releases. I have hope for the future.

Highlights? I realized my dreams. Music on vinyl—it’s a dream.

Lowlights? Losing my job and studio and being temporarily unable to engage in creative activities.

Song of the year: Karim Sahraoui – “Father’s Legacy”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? I’ll try to perform in different countries.

Remute

How was 2015 for you? It was a very intense year with many interesting and awesome gigs and releases! My album Yoshiwara, which I released on the US-label Telefuture, was the electro album of the month in Mixmag. I collaborated with two of my favorite artists, the Japanese super DJ Shinichi Osawa for my song “Escalator” and uber-singer Plavka for my tune “The Solution.” I already started working on my next album for 2016. My biggest project so far with many catchy vocal collabs and some other surprises.

Highlights? Funding my next album Play The Game via Kickstarter which will also consist of a wicked animation video made by pixel-wizard Lazerhorse! You guys out there are so great! I promise an awesome for album for early 2016! Stay tuned!

Lowlights? Uhmmmm………..none!

Song of the year: Brian Cullen – “Annoying Neighbor”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Set up a brand new show and album tour and do more live gigs in the USA. I will be the Lawnmower Man of Techno. Wanna get to know what the hell this means? Book me!

Richard Vission

How was 2015 for you? Dope! Working with peeps like Will.i.am, Nghtmre, Wild Style, Luciana, Manny Marroquin and DQ made the year amazing.

Highlights? Working on the Wild Style album has been highlight because they have their own sound; remixing Jesse Glynne, Pitbull, Trey Songz and Silento was super cool; and watching Star Wars The Force Awakens on opening day was everything!

Lowlights? Finding out that Netflix series The Killing’s last season only had 6 episodes. Boooooo!

Song of the year: Enzo Siffredi’s “Sometimes” tied with SNBRN’s “California” (Chris Lake Matroda Remix). Killer tunes!

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Help bring back the art of DJing through live creativity and train my dog Zulu to not bark at the pool man.

Robbie Hardkiss

How was 2015 for you? Beautiful and bittersweet. Bunch of fun gigs and the swells and swoons of family life, amidst the 20th Anniversary celebration of the Hardkiss album Delusions of Grandeur.

Highlights? Playing Delusions live with Rabbit in the Moon’s David Christophere and Gavin Hardkiss at the 20th Anniversary party in San Francisco. It was an absolute love fest, with DJ Three, Wish FM and people traveling from all over the country to celebrate with us.

Lowlights? Losing Mike Kandel of Tranquility Bass and celebrating the Delusions anniversary without Scott Hardkiss. Two dear friends and soulful musicians whose absence stings.

Song of the year: Obas Nenor – “I Love You” (Andres Remix)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To eat more fried chicken and to finish more songs.

Roland Klinkenberg

How was 2015 for you? 2015 is the year my second artist album, Construct, was released. Met lots of new friends this year.

Highlights? My gig in Marseille with Edwin Oosterwal.

Lowlights? The current state the world is in. The status quo is keeping us all hostage and is obviously not working.

Song of the year: Deepchord – “CMOS Therapy”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Live in the now. This kinda contradicts having a New Year’s resolution, no?

Quivver

How was 2015 for you? It was a good year. My Cold Sun album finally got released on Distinctive; the Bedrock and Selador EPs did really well and I started a monthly Drisky show called Controlled Substance. It was also good fun working on the American Ultra soundtrack, and I just finished a collaboration with Sasha which is sounding really cool. It’s for the upcoming Late Night Tales project he’s working on.

Highlights? Closing Saturday night on the Glade stage at Glastonbury was the best gig of the year for me. The main stages were closed by the time I went on so the place was packed. I had a lot of friends there too so it was a wicked weekend all round.

Lowlights? I lost a hard drive full of half finished tracks and ideas that I hadn’t backed up. A week later I left my iPod (an original shuffle which I never backed up) on a plane and never got it back. Needless to say I’ve started backing stuff up more often.

Song of the year: Leftfield – “Universal Everything”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Same as it’s been for the last five years or so: to get better at social media and back shit up!

Ralph Falcon

How was 2015 for you? Excellent! Weekly #murkmondays party at Coyo Taco and @murkrecords posted some chart toppers!

Highlights? New studio setup plus some cool travels.

Lowlights? #ParisAttacks

Song of the year: Oscar G – “My Life”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To finish this country track I’ve had on the backburner.

Ramiro Bernabela

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was a great year for me musically. I extended my studio and had great releases.

Highlights? My collaborations with Roland Clark and Mr. V.

Lowlights? That’s tough because this year was a really good year for me. I played less gigs than I normally do, as I spent a lot more time in the studio. Next year I’ll play more gigs.

Song of the year: DJ Le Roi – “You Don’t Know”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Make lots of music and add more gear to my studio.

Ravell

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was amazing! I learned a lot musically.

Highlights? Automatic Tour with Kaskade and moving to LA

Lowlights? I feel like everything I do is for a reason. I have no regrets.

Song of the year: Eats Everything feat. Tiga vs. Audion – “Dancing (Again!)”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To have an EP out and have my music known internationally by the end of 2016.

Roberto

How was 2015 for you? It’s been really great. I set up my own label called Fossil Archive. So far I’ve released three 12-inch records and all three have been really well received. I’m looking forward to putting out more releases next year.

Highlights? There’s been so many, but playing at Berghain again this year was really special alongside my Fachwerk buddies, as well as closing at fabric after Robert Hood.

Lowlights? Can’t think of any!

Song of the year: Mike Dehnert – “8 Years Fachwerk”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To go running more often!

Rhymos

How was 2015 for you? Musically 2015 was great. It has been nice to have a solid run of releases and remixes. I’m happy to have the Whistleblower Records up and running, and we had great success with our last release so looking to push on from that. We’ve got some solid releases planned for 2016, which we are very excited about.

Highlights? Having Steve O’Sullivan remix one of my tracks on Alan Fitzpatrick’s ESD. Very grateful for Alan for making that one happen.

Lowlights? Donald Trump’s hair, face and overall presence.

Song of the year: Lisière Collectif – “O – 0308 – 14”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? I’m starting a new neighborhood watch initiative for my street—can’t wait to get stuck into it.

Sacha Robotti

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was a crazy year for me. I toured a lot, crossed the Atlantic over 10 times, and played in new countries I hadn’t played before (Bangladesh, Russia, Georgia, United Arab Emirates). I also stayed in Costa Rica for a month, got a US artist visa and toured the States for another month, played many awesome gigs in Latin America and Europe. The most memorable solo gigs for me were the Dirtybird Campout in Orange County, Dirtybird Miami where I did a surprise performance, and Sisyphos Hamma Halle in Berlin. I also produced a ton of music until recently, then I packed up my studio and moved from Berlin winter to Los Angeles. I felt I needed a new perspective on my life and my art, better weather and happier people!

Highlights? Decompressing in LA right now is definitely a highlight! It’s taking a little while for me to settle in and get my studio up and running, but I’m enjoying every moment of being here. We tend to forget sometimes that there’s a life outside of work and performance. So this is why I am here in LA: to re-charge my batteries and get inspired

Lowlights? All the blood and wars, the terrorism on all sides, and the way intolerance and racism seem to get more accepted in the mainstream of Western countries. All this shit really disgusts me. Get a grip people!

Song of the year: Escape – “Just Escape” (Justin Martin Remix)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Work out more and eat less junk food.
 Make original killer tracks that are going to slay the world’s dance floors!
 Be happy and enjoy life.

Sam Pace

How was 2015 for you? It was a big year for me! I made a lot of moves in my career that have defiantly set up 2016 to be even better. I’m always challenging myself when one goal is achieved to reach out and jump to the next.

Highlights? Finally taking the step and signing with my agency, Skam, was a huge highlight in 2015 for me. It’s been amazing to go on this journey now with a family behind me, having push and support me at every turn.

Lowlights? There have defiantly been some ups and downs, but I’m not sure I would call any lowlights as I have seen every circumstance as an opportunity to learn and grow from.

Song of the year: Calvin Harris & Disciples – “How Deep Is Your Love”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To spend more time in the studio!

Samuel L Session

How was 2015 for you?Pretty good. I started to make a lot more music again, which has been great. To keep that creative passion has not always been easy, so to bring that level up once more was pure joy.

Highlights? Switching to Studio One from Cubase. Yes, seriously.

Lowlights?That I did not switch before.

Song of the year: Mark Broom – “Decay”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To improve myself all the way.

Sandy Turnbull

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was a great year. It’s been spent with productive periods in the studio with lots of finished new music, which is just starting to come out in the last few months.

Highlights? The DJ reactions to the new mix of my track “The Most Fantastic Thing.” I was blown away with the feedback from a lot of idols like Groove Armada, DJ Sneak, Jimpster and Tony Humphries.

Lowlights? I can’t think of any memorable lowlights for 2015. It must have been a pretty good year.

Song of the year: Adesse Versions – “Wash My Soul”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To start working with songwriters and singers again.

Simion

How was 2015 for you? It was a great year with releases on Suara Music and Hedonism Music.

Highlights? Definitely doing IMS Ibiza and playing Sankeys Ibiza

Lowlights? Some last-minute cancellations. This sucks.

Song of the year: Sabb – “One of Us” (Dennis Ferrer Remix)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Give up smoking, less drinking and do more work out.

Sky Deep

How was 2015 for you? This year has been a huge shift for me. Sometimes it feels like I’m 13 again, with all its wonder and awkwardness. I turned my whole life upside down by making the move from Brooklyn to Berlin. Living here is much different than just dropping in for a few gigs. I am really enjoying my time here though. I have found a great bunch of people to continue discovering life with. The community with its variety of backgrounds, passions and never-ending parties are beautiful inspirations for me.

Highlights? More than ever in my life I have had more time to be creative and produce new music. I’ve been able to fall out of my bed and into the studio chair. This brings me ridiculous joy. Also, I’ve been loving how there seems to be much more freedom of expression in my circles. It has encouraged me to embrace more of my own self and to share my ideas and creativity.

Lowlights? It saddens me seeing the many beautiful humans of the world that are being treated wrongly simply because of the way they look and/or where their passport is from. The lowest point of the year was seeing a 16-year-old privileged EU girl say that refugees were not welcome in her town because she didn’t feel they had enough to share. I truly believe there is enough for everyone in this world. Economic power structures and greed are creating violence.

Song of the year: Manni Dee – “Romantic Self”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? I don’t usually make resolutions because I’m always making goals throughout the year anyways. One goal I have is to complete my full-length album, develop the live show and begin touring with it. I want to include every artistic aspect of what I do into a single project! The stage show will be big and theatrical with many twists: Electronics, guitars, vocals, performance art and visuals. With sounds ranging from ambient to vibey to booty-shaking.

Slam

How was 2015 for you? Good for the most, like a kids roller coaster—the ups were better than the moderate downs!

Highlights? Playing at Cocoon in Amnesia. We’ve always gone there to hang out or whatever, but it was great to finally play there. We made a special hardware live show and it was one of the first times we had done that so it was nerve racking but great at the same time! Of course we have to mention the two festivals we’re involved in both Riverside Festival in Glasgow and the Slam tent at T in The Park both went right off this year. Also we took our monthly club night Pressure to a new home SWG3 which has exceeded our expectations. And finally we we’ve had such a good year with our label Soma! It’s been a good year for techno in general!

Lowlights? The Arches closure was disappointing and can only be described as cultural vandalism! After all this time the same draconian measurers are still in place, and little is being done to fully understand dance culture. I really feel that the venue became a scapegoat for societies perceived ills in general! The venue had such a lot to offer and was not only an iconic landmark for the Arts in the UK but was also one of the safest and most compliant. That compliance ironically led to its downfall. So the message sent out by the authorities was don’t comply, we will use it against you and shut you down! Very clever! Also events like the Paris bombings are horrific and it’s sad that people still can’t learn to respect people for being of a different faction whatever religion or believe you have! It’s time for people to start being cool with one another—extremism radicalization is divisive and dangerous!

Song of the year: Drafted – “Drastic”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Drink more, smoke more, and exercise less!

Small Black

How was 2015 for you? Josh Kolenik: Strange and inward then and outward and uplifting. Spent the first half locked away making Best Blues and the rest of it figuring out how best to show it to people.

Highlights? Finishing the new record. The current tour was amazing. So much love across North America. Been exciting to adapt these new songs live and stretch out some older arrangements into a more jammy and loose form. Seeing Willie Nelson. Summer. Tacos. Etc.

Lowlights? Getting delayed at the airport and having our laptop crash and go dark on us. Back up your files people.

Song of the year: Konig – “Point of Light”

What’s your New Year’s Resolution? To get to Japan and the other side of the world. To finally learn to surf.

Sofie Letitire

How was 2015 for you? Really, really exciting!

Highlights? The release of “Uncanny Valley” on Division Recordings. I am very proud to be a part of their crew. They let me do what I believe in and I feel a great deal of support doing it.

Lowlights? Probably during one of our first live shows. One of the laptops crashed because of the heavy low frequency vibrations. We use a lot of bass and had no idea that this was even possible! We had to improvise our way through, which isn’t very easy with this set-up. I got to practice my poker face though—that was useful.

Song of the year: JNTHN STEIN – “Cata”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To not work till I drop, but try and find some time off to be more productive in the end. Letting go can give you new and interesting perspectives and of course release a lot of good music.

Spettro

How was 2015 for you? 2015 has been up and down for me.

Highlights? I started off writing solo again after the breakup of my previous project, Extended Play, and released a couple of great records with Get Physical Music + remix of Johnny Fiasco’s classic “Conduction.”

Lowlights? I was full steam ahead over the summer, but I overworked myself and I’ve been dealing with wrist injuries since early September. I haven’t been writing music the last few months, and I’m chomping at the bit to write!

Song of the year: Jimmy Edgar – “Let Me Tell You”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To be patient.

Split Secs

How was 2015 for you?It flew by just like the years always do. It started off great, guess we’ll have to see how it ends.

Highlights? Watching our friends put out great records. Listening to Mind Fair DJ mixes in the summer. International Feel. Having Paranoid London Live and Nick the Record DJ at our Machine night in LA was a rocking time.

Lowlights? We both had traffic school.

Song of the year: Impossible to come up with one so we’re gonna cheat here and give you two, okay three: Jose Padilla – “Blitz Magic,” Decius – “Bread and Butter” and Elbee Bad – “What Do You Do Feat Ruby”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? If only…

Starkey

How was 2015 for you? N/A

Highlights? Putting together the Slit Jockey 10 year anniversary comp and realizing how great the music is we have put out.

Lowlights EDM.

Song of the year: Golden Ratio Syrup – “A Screaming Comes Across the Sky”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Get back to working out on a routine basis.

StoneBridge

How was 2015 for you?2015 was really great. I had four big singles with “Losing Control,” “Believe It,” “Out Of Nowhere” and “A World Without You,” joined SKAM artists and played some of the best shows ever!

Highlights? An epic show at Huntington Beach in June and total fan appreciation in Osaka, Japan in July.

Lowlights?Well, the trick is to turn everything into something positive and learn from mistakes so I was lucky this year.

Song of the year: Panic City – “5AM”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? World domination in 2016!

Strange Talk

How was 2015 for you? Exciting, exhausting, challenging, eye-opening and fun.

Highlights? Transforming/evolving; releasing our E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N EP and all the artwork; video clips and all things creative to go along with it. Touring North America, Canada and Colombia!

Lowlights? Shifting from a four-piece to a duo. Even though it was amicable between us, it was still really tough to make the decision.

Song of the year: The Weeknd – “Can’t Feel My Face”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To be positive always.

Super8 & Tab

How was 2015 for you? It was the busiest year for us so far! We’ve been touring around the world more than ever before, released a number of originals and remixes and met so many new people. A fantastic year for us!

Highlights? Releasing a lot new music and seeing all the reactions on the dance floor around the world.

Lowlights? The parties always ends too soon!

Song of the year: Super8: Ferry Corsten – “Festival Crash” (Original Mix). Tab: Fatum – “Mandala”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Not to make one as we can’t keep them anyway!

Sydney Blu

How was 2015 for you? It was amazing. I released my first artist album, had a string of successful BLU Parties and toured to some amazing cities. I also moved back to my home Toronto, Canada.

Highlights? Definitely the release of Relentless, my album. The Blu Party Toronto also was a massive success with Carlo Lio, Nathan Barato and the Cocodrills. Also having an incredible lineup for The BLU Party at Miami Music Week this past March.

Lowlights? Having to live in winter again! I love everything about Toronto and Canada…the cold…not so much. It’s still worth it to be home though.

Song of the year: The Scumfrog – “Spin”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To make as much new music as possible in 2016. Spend summer 2016 in Europe.

Tall Black Guy

How was 2015 for you? This year was pretty cool for me.

Highlights? I played at Glastonbury Festival, Boiler Room and I was asked to be apart of Jazzy Jeff’s Playlist Retreat.

Lowlights? A couple of my family members passed away. Also, just all the craziness going on in the world.

Song of the year: Jill Scott – “Prepared”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Be a better friend, husband and make more music.

Teenage Mutants

How was 2015 for you? I played nearly 100 gigs all over the world and had a bunch of releases and remixes, which did really well. So I can say the year was good.

Highlights? The Kaballah Festival in Sao Paulo. More than 100,000 people were there! It was a big happy rave and really, really good and strongly organized. Hopefully, I will be back there 2016.

Lowlights? Lufthansa had so many strikes this year; I think four. Due to this, I needed to cancel a lot of gigs. That sucked. You can’t do anything about it, and sometimes the promoter doesn’t understand this situation. Not good for the image.

Song of the year: Betoko – “Just Live” (Original Mix)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To keep the level of profile and try to grow. Both points are really important for an artist and DJ. It will not be easy, but I have some good productions ready to be released.

Tevo Howard

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was extremely great living.

Highlights? Those who know me on Facebook know this year led to my cooking career (a new hobby for me) so I ate some great healthy food and rekindled my love for skateboarding. If art represents real life and vice versa, then I’ve taken a huge inhale to hurt, feel good, fall in and out of love, and/or just let life love instead of insisting. Beautiful especially was spending time with my kitten (Gwendolyn) in 2015.

Lowlights? Shattering my wrist in the highest Ollie contest at the skateboard park contest. I hadn’t done tricks that big in 10 years and I should have taken it easier.

Song of the year: Ruby Music Chicago put out a video called “Intrigue.” The color and mood is at the true heart of house music.

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Quit smoking. I’m a pretty simple guy sometimes.

The Advent

How was 2015 for you? Cisco Ferreira: A busy year of productions and tours went round the globe at least twice.

Highlights? Dockyard Festival @ ADE Holland and reaching my 100th release only label, Kombination Research.

Lowlights? SFX and Beatport royalty drama.

Song of the year: Bjarki – “I Wanna Go Bang”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Drink less, dance more.

The Checkup

How was 2015 for you? 2015 has been quite good! Got a lot of releases and launched my label, Heat Up Music. Really happy to have continued releasing on Large with #1 deep house on Traxsource and some Top 10s with Simma Black and Bobbin Head! Overall, I’m very happy and really looking forward to 2016 with new releases and collaborations.

Highlights? ADE was the highlight of the year. Met a lot of people and made a lot of new friends in the business. Came out with a lot of good vibes and motivation.

Lowlights? No lowlights that I can recall. I stay positive all the time and take the best from every situation, so I don’t get stuck in any negative mood. Happy to be doing what I do, and very fortunate for it!

Song of the year: Chriss Stussy – “One Thing I Can” (Roland Nights Remix)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Stop eating so much candy in the studio maybe. And also do more collaborations with artists that I really love! And most importantly take my time.

The Herbaliser

How was 2015 for you? Jake Wherry (pictured below, right): Pretty good, although things were slow for us as far as getting booking for the band. Ollie and I spent a lot of the year putting together new material which will be released next year.

Highlights? We played a great show in Paris in July and another in London in October. Two of our favorite cities to play live in for sure.

Lowlights? I found out last month that I’ve got Hodgkins Lymphoma again (for the third time since 2009) so I’ve just come back from my second chemotherapy session.

Song of the year: Roots Manuva – “Fighting For”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To try and eat a mostly vegan diet and start doing some regular exercise.

Thee Cool Cats

How was 2015 for you? Full of amazing events and milestones like getting our first #2 track on the Beatport charts and playing venues we always dreamed of playing like El Fortin and Ministry of Sound, working with and making so many friends and artists and getting to release records on some of our favorite labels. Being able to see the reaction people have to hearing our music.

Highlights? Definitely releasing alongside Mark Knight and Green Velvet on the T1 EP on Toolroom Records and our track “Thee Worst” reaching the #2 spot in Beatport as well as our track “One Time” with Jamie K being premiered on BBC Radio 1 by the man Pete Tong. Also playing the Toolroom Showcase at BPM Festival, Ministry of Sound London, our CUFF Familia at Sankeys Ibiza, EDC Las Vegas, HARD Day of the Dead Festival and we can’t forget our amazing tours in Brazil, Mexico, Europe and the US.

Lowlights? Getting delayed at the airport and having our laptop crash and go dark on us. Back up your files people.

Song of the year: Gerry: Ryan Blyth & After 6 feat. Luther Soul – “Special” (Original Mix). Tony: Option4 – “Vibe On” ft. Michael O (Original Mix), Mirco Caruso – “Siren” (Original Mix) and Tough Love – “Pony (Jump On It).”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To keep improving and keep following our dreams, never giving up and always staying on the hustle.

Tim Baker

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was an amazing year for me. Loads of touring and tons of new productions.

Highlights? I released my fifth studio album.

Lowlights? Still too much violence in the world.

Song of the year: Maceo Plex – “Solar Detroit”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Make more music and drink less beer.

Tim Green

How was 2015 for you? It was different to most years. I spent much more time writing music in the studio than touring, which has its benefits and drawbacks. But ultimately it’s been massively rewarding. So a good year I think.

Highlights? The two releases on Cocoon and My Favorite Robot. In turn the continued support from so many artists and DJs. Most especially peers of mine that I look up to and really respect, like Laurent Garnier, Roman Fluegal and Sven Väth to name a few. It’s a huge reward for me having such talent be into my music.

Lowlights? The many set backs with ongoing projects I’ve been either trying to finish or launch throughout the year. Sometimes (well, probably most times) things just don’t go to plan the way you’d like. It’s tough trying to juggle several projects at once and keep the quality high on all things, as everything takes a knock on effect.

Song of the year: Kiasmos – “Burnt”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Don’t let up!

Timo Maas

How was 2015 for you? I had a pretty exciting year so far with loads of great gigs, interesting new projects and new challenges. Feels good!

Highlights? Realizing one more time that the most fun and unplanned projects are the most exciting in the end.

Lowlights? Fortunately none really.

Song of the year: Luna City Express – “Mr. Jack” (Robags Edna Mompf Remix)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Go on with living healthier and fitter.

Timid Boy

How was 2015 for you? A great year for me as a DJ, producer and for my label, Time Has Changed.

Highlights? As a DJ my own parties at Rex Club were really big success. I travelled a lot to very nice venues like the great Carpe Diem club in Hvar (Croatia) to play for the residency of the great Mendo’s label Clarisse Records. They’ve invited me to play many times and it’s always great parties with Clarisse. As a producer the release of my Test Test EP on Nic Fanciulli’s Saved label was a dream for me. My Gangsta EP on my label Time Has Changed was a also an highlight as also my Pleasure on Popof’s label Form. And I’m satisfed with my label Time Has Changed in general—it’s a lot of work, but good results with artists as Mihai Popoviciu, Metodi Hristov, Miguel Lobo, Toni Varga or my friend Acumen!

Lowlights? My mind is very kind to me—he makes the lowlights disappear from my memory. Of course the terrorist events in Paris were the lowlights, but I could already see how quickly Paris stays strong and people continue life. That was sad and horrible, but we are strong.

Song of the year: It’s impossible to say one song: “Flora” by Dubphone; “Aria” by Ben Grunnel; “CZ” by Seth Troxler; Toni Moreno’s “All Back Night” remixed by Mendo on Clarisse, “Synchronicity’” from Martin Buttrich and Mathew Jonson was a big tune for me also. Paul C & Paolo Martini made also big tunes this year too.

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To never to make a New Year’s resolution.

Tini Tun

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was a good one for me. I had a lot of work and lots of gigs around Mexico. I did a few remixes for my label We Are Here Music, and I also had the opportunity to play along side important artist/DJs/friends that I have always admired and respected: John Digweed, Chris Fortier, John Debo, Nick Warren, Nic Fanciulli, ANNA.

Highlights? To be alive! Managing and taking We Are Here Music to another level together with my partner Juan Zamanillo. It’s always great to support and exposed new music from new talents and getting supported from the big guns like: Sasha, John Digweed, Hernan Cattaneo, Nick Warren, Chris Fortier, Jimmy Van M, Betoko and Gabriel Ananda to name a few.

Lowlights? Nothing that I can think right now really, which is good, I really love my job and I feel been thankful and blesed to be able to do it. And also not being in the studio more time that I should be.

Song of the year: Tonii – “Love Over Entropy”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To keep it real, focusing more on music and bringing love to. To spend more time in the studio and release more music. Work harder and enjoy life as much as I can.

Tony Arzadon

How was 2015 for you? Exciting with lots of travel involved. We kicked it off by continuing our DJ residency at The Light Nightclub in Las Vegas, making it our eighth consecutive year playing in Vegas. Then we were able to do a mini tour across Asia in the spring, hitting Tokyo, Hong Mong, Manila and Cebu. Summer came and went with all my shows filled lots of memories.

Highlights? I got to play at Sundown Music Festival in Huntington Beach, CA. The location was right on the beach—seeing so many people in happiness and watching the sun go down during my set. It was special!

Lowlights? Not enough sleep. It’s been another year without some sort being invented to make travel quicker.

Song of the year: Axwell Ingrosso – “On My Way”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? I am currently working on so much music fused with multiple styles and in different tempos. I’d like to release them all and maybe an album in 2016.

Torsten Kanzler

How was 2015 for you? It was quite a good year for me. I have refined my sound, released my album, remixed a few good tracks and released on some fine labels. I have found a lot of new, good artists with big productions for my label TKR. I am really happy.

Highlights? My album release and gig at ADE this year.

Lowlights? Those never-ending Lufthansa strikes.

Song of the year: Bart Skils – “Lost Boys”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To keep on producing good techno, to make my fans happy and bring them beautiful weekends. Or in other words: To continue with what I did in 2015!

Ultrademon

How was 2015 for you? Pretty good. Played out in Milan again and UK, wrote a new record and bunch of new material, released my new record “Durian Rider” and another record via my side project Thiefist. Met my fiance, and am planning on moving to Hawaii by next fall. Learned Japanese, Korean, about planet-based nutrition, rode my bike, hungout with my two Italian greyhounds. Wrote new material. Discovered this new Japanese genre of music called Gorge and have gotten into this community.

Highlights? Getting engaged. Starting an organic mushroom farm after engaging a bunch of extra solar entities as protectors.

Lowlights? Had some issues with a booking agent who fucked me out of heaps of money.

Song of the year: I don’t think I put it all into one song, but this one by my homie Londy https://londydub.bandcamp.com/track/chiraq (Thanks to Violet Systems TEKK DJS for pointing me to Londy.)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? I don’t really make resolutions each year—I set goals and do exactly what I want each day. But I’ll set a resolution for y’all: go vegan stay vegan, be plant-based, be fit, get enough sleep, exercise, eat more fruit, ride your bike and love each other.

Ultra Naté

How was 2015 for you? It’s been a big year of personal realization and growth as well as professional ups and downs. But most importantly staying the course has been the biggest lesson this year. Staying the course while moving the chain forward.

Highlights? Having the opportunity to work with Nile Rodgers on his two-day Fold Festival in NYC this summer was a big highlight! This was my second opportunity to work with him and the festival included many industry luminaries that I have idolized for many years. It was very surreal. I had to pinch myself quite a few times!

Lowlights? Getting the news of the closing of two venues that have been like homes to me for many years really stunk. The Paradox in Baltimore and Space Ibiza are so special. I’ve had long running residencies, and I’ve grown up as well as honed my craft in both. They represent an era that was special to dance music in their own way and will be severely missed when they close their doors finally in 2016.

Song of the year: The Weeknd – “Earned It”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? I don’t really make resolutions because I’m always pushing for more or working to improve something. It’s my nature.

Unbalance

How was 2015 for you? Busy with my own productions. It was a nice year for gigs around globe and some big steps for our Monasterio project—we started showcases, our first vinyl from Monasterio label will be in stores just in few weeks.

Highlights? Releasing on one of my favorite labels, Solid Groove, starting Monasterio showcases in Moscow and Monasterio Records, and playing on ADE festival for the first time.

Lowlights? I’m trying to be optimistic!

Song of the year: Cømpass – “Porrima”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Main priority: development of Unbalance, Rebalance and Monasterio labels and make new steps with Monasterio team in all directions. Also, I want visit new countries with my performances.

Underlord

How was 2015 for you? Best year yet, totally crazy. I produced a ton of new tunes yet to be released and DJ’ed for Carl Cox at EDC weekend.

Highlights? Doing the Carl Cox guest mix slot for Carl’s radio show, then being asked to do a remix for him. I also remixed Placebo and Orbital. Mixmag named me Hot 6 breakthrough artist, saying “makes full on peak time bangers for when you absolutely, positively have to blow the doors off.” And seeing Carl Cox play my track “Jack Ya Body” at Tomorrowland and everyone going mad.

Lowlights? Finding it harder to find really good tracks for my label. If you are reading and produce, send me your track. Also I didn’t do enough of my own shows.

Song of the year: Cassio Kohl – “Legendary”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Do more solo shows and tour.

Ursula 1000

How was 2015 for you? Great. Put out Voyeur, my sixth album, and first for my own label Insect Queen Music. Super happy how it came out.

Highlights? Getting control of my back catalog. Working with some amazing producers for remixes for the new album like Vanilla Ace, Sleazy McQueen, Seahawks and Abelard and collaborating with music monsters like Mocean Worker, Lady Bunny and Puddles Pity Party!

Lowlights? The Mets losing the World Series.

Song of the year: “Coupe De Ville” by TCTS? I don’t know. So many good ones. Really enjoyed the new Tom Furse Run To Me EP which comes which is like a house suite in five parts.

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Hope the planet can be a little less crazy.

Vassy

How was 2015 for you? A phenomenal year with two number ones with two of the biggest DJs in the world. I can’t complain.

Highlights? Winning an IDMA for “Bad”—my collaboration with David Guetta and Showtek; going double platinum with “Bad”; having “Secrets” go number one with Tiësto and KSHMR; and making it into the first round of four 2015 Grammy nominations. Fingers crossed.

Lowlights? All the shootings and explosions around the world. Sad times.

Song of the year: Calvin Harris & Disciples – “How Deep Is Your Love”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Less stress with positive energy around me and more hits with exciting collaborators.

Vazik

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was a hectic and very productive year. I moved to Germany for nearly six months, and I played in amazing clubs and parties Germany, France, Switzerland, Czech Republic, etc. I met so many cool and good people during this time and I produced some of my best tunes that came out this year. I released music on very cool labels like Sprout, Clinique Recordings, Plasteline, Mirabilis, Pumpz, etc. My label, Sounds of Earth, keeps releasing some very cool underground dance floor music. Our fifth edition of Picnic Day Party was off the hook and the sixth edition will be happening on November 2016.

Highlights? Playing at Hamburg’s Summer Opening in the park was amazing—nearly 4,000 people gathered to party in the park. Playing in Sisyphos in Berlin was way too much fun.

Lowlights? I have learned so many things in one year, not only about music but life in general. I am very thankful for what I have and for the people that is around me. No lowlights for me!

Song of the year: Madloch – “Bluebird Day” (Kastis Torrau Remix)

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Keep focusing on my music production and grow my international career. No more wars and racism around the world. Peace and music.

Vessels

How was 2015 for you? Martin Teff: It was pretty good actually. In many ways, the best yet for the band with the release of our latest album, Dilate, and a succession of great shows. That album was a long time in the making, so it felt good to finally have it out there. Had a lot fun DJing with Lee as well in a bunch of sweet places.

Highlights? Playing our first full summer of festivals—about 13 in two months—was definitely a big highlight. We had some pretty epic — makes me tired just thinking about them. I guess it wasn’t quite as glamorous as one might imagine, but still huge amounts of fun. I think Tauron in Poland was my personal favorite—perfect in so many ways and one of the few where we got a proper chance to check out other music. Nils Frahm and Autechre was quite a combo!

Lowlights? Can I have an album of the year instead, please? Sufjan Stevens – Carrie and Lowell. I had this on repeat for about three months.

Song of the year: Drake – “Hotline Bling”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Read more books and be a good father. Not sure how mutually compatible they are.

Victor Santana

How was 2015 for you? It was an amazing year for me. 2015 was a year to improve myself, discover a lot of good music and share great moments with family and friends.

Highlights? One of the best thing was to travel to Japan. I spent some amazing days in Tokyo, Kyoto and other cities. It is wonderful. On the music side, I have shared a cabin with artists that I always admired.

Lowlights? Losing friends. It is hard to understand these kinds of things.

Song of the year: Copy Paste Soul – “Home”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To keep techno music alive and give more support to new talents.

Will Monotone

How was 2015 for you? 2015 was a good year for me. I took time off from touring to work on my first artist album, In Colour, that will be out Feb 2, 2016 on my label Sub Society.

Highlights? Being able to put in the quality time on my album and collaborate with all of my friends and artists I have deep respect for.

Lowlights? The closing of RISE (Boston, USA), which brought an end to my ten-year residency. It was truly heartbreaking because RISE always felt like my second home.

Song of the year: Steve Lawler – “House Record”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? To continue to build on my Sub Society brand, my career and help develop new artists.

Yougene

How was 2015 for you? Spent a lot of time at the studio for fresh sounds. My latest EP Sanctum will be released 28 December this year on Ghosthall.

Highlights? A small intro project for the big premiere show of the new James Bond movie in Zurich.

Lowlights? Somebody stole my headphones during a gig.

Song of the year: &Me feat. Sabota – “Trilogy”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? More international gigs. Deadline is beginning of next week!