How was 2019 for you?
Red Nailmaker: It was the year the Red Nailmaker project started. I’m happy to see how warm these noises were met by the industrial-techno scene.
Highlights?
The first vinyl single by Red Nailmaker was released in April on Folgsamkeitfaktor, a new industrial sub-label by Wunderblock Records. Also, Red Nailmaker was featured on the WR label showcases in Berlin, Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Lowlights?
Sad to see a further commercialization of the techno scene.
Song of the year?
Not just a track, but a whole new album, Ostalgia, by the one of the godfathers of EBM and industrial, Rhys Fulber, on Sonic Groove. It’s totally over everything else that was released last year. Fresh sounding and epic work.
What’s your New Year’s resolution?
A lot of work on new music, new single on Folgsamkeitfaktor and then an album are in near plans.
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How was 2019 for you?
Roi: Without any doubt, 2019 was the most intensive year of my life in many aspects. After almost 20 years, this year I tried to reach another level and finally I did it. No way to come back.
Highlights?
Releasing the Diego EP. The tour through Argentina & Chile and my gig at Fanzine Festival.
Song of the year?
Cocktail Party Effect – “I Feel Sick”
What’s your New Year’s resolution?
To keep enjoying my passion: the music. In 2020, I want to concentrate even more on production. I still have a lot to learn and improve. Keep working hard in Fanzine alongside with my soul brother Pablo and the rest of the family. I’m sure this will be a great year!
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How was 2019?
FLMM & Time Traveler: 2019 was a year full of changes. We met new people and started a lot of new collaborations. We can definitely say it has been a really interesting year which gave us the power and right mindset to achieve our goals. So yeah, stay with us and you will see so many things happening in the next year.
Highlights?
The amount of releases that we’ve been able to plan with so many great artists that we never imagined would be involved in the label. The biggest satisfaction will be the first V/A that we have planned for March/April 2020 that involves 18 artists and it will be printed on three vinyls. Of course I have to mention our first collab as FL/TT on our label, “Power Levelling Sequence,” with another one in the works for the new year.
Lowlights?
We didn’t really feel connected to the scene. As you know, there have been so many changes and it was hard to keep up, we even considered stopping everything. We were too focused on what people around us were thinking rather than sticking to our passion and minding our own business as we always did in the past. Surely this job is really tricky and affects you mentally, even with everything that’s going on with social. We started to see that we’re not the only artists facing this conflict, so yeah it was a bit discouraging but it’s important to remember where you come from and let those thoughts prevail instead. Now we’re finally back in the business and our music will be louder than ever.
Song of the year?
One of the tracks you won’t ever miss in our sets is definitely Mätäsism’s “MF” on Emerald Records.
What’s your New Year’s resolution?
To be even more focused in our projects, and definitely put more quality music out.
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How was 2019 for you?
Bill Coleman: It was insightful. I definitely understood the need to set boundaries. Our world continues to get faster and faster – yet the numbers of hours in a day remains the same. In order to remain effective, at peace, flexible, creative and operate on any level of excellence required I [am now] okay with letting go of certain people, things and expectations. The only constant is change. And music. It’s truly been my solace, my voice and my spirit throughout the year.
Highlights?
There’s been quite a few, fortunately!
I feel honored to be a new member of The Red Hot Organization as A&R/producer. The Red Hot Organization is celebrating their 30th Anniversary. We are still committed to creating global anthems for humanitarian charities. It’s time and effort well spent. Red Hot + Love!
Had a glitter ball of a time providing and curating music anthem mixtapes for DJ Andy Cohen and Bravo for their very first Pride float over the Summer.
Got to create a massive R&B/funk DJ party mix with Nona Hendryx for Black Artist Retreat’s Sonic Imagination exhibit and Tribute to Grace Jones at The Armory in NYC
Dancing for Cyndi Lauper on stage at Barclays Center for World Pride Opening ceremonies was definitely one for the books!
We co-produced a sold-out event this summer for Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night Swing outdoor series featuring Escort, DJ Mike Q, DJ Lina! And have been asked to return this season.
A blast DJing and getting the crowd loose for the grand re-opening of Museum of Modern Art (MoMa) this past autumn.
It was satisfying to be able to feature a genre-fluid selection of guest DJ mixes with the acclaimed The Voice Of Cassandre European radio series. Really great to flex some favorite selects across genres from ’80s new wave retro to reggaeton to Americana in various episodes.
I’ve had a great time tapping back into my producer/remixer brain again. Its been a minute. So being creative and working on original productions and a few remixes have been a gratifying exercise. My remixes of Lizzo’s “Juice” and Elle Fanning’s Robyn cover “Dancing On My Own” with the whiz kid John “J-C” Carr did the bizness here and abroad with both DJs and radio. We are super excited to have more releases in the works and on deck under the moniker 808 BEACH. Bass. In. Your. face.
As a proud card-carrying AARP member, I feel fortunate to still be asked to rock a party. I’ve been a student of NYC nightlife for decades and I’m happy to represent. There’s a lot of shoulders I lean on. That’s never lost on me. My monthly DJ residencies throughout the year at The Rosemont in Bushwick, Ritz in Hell’s Kitchen, Lola Star’s Dreamland Roller Disco and GBH Events theme parties keep me in line.
My birthday present to myself was not watching any cable news for over six months. Totally saved my nervous system.
Through our management and production company Peace Bisquit with Angelo “Pepe” Skordos. I’m looking forward to our mission of continuing to develop and assist a wide variety of talent. We don’t take it for granted the phone still rings. We’ve been working on a lot of projects. Totally excited to come out of the kitchen in 2020 and serve a bit.
Learning when to keep my mouth shut was a divine emotion.
Lowlights?
Navigating, navigating and being reminded…
– That everyone is not here forever. You don’t always have tomorrow.
– Folks don’t always choose to do the right thing.
– Bad things sometimes happen to good people.
– Sometimes you have to truly fight for Your value. Your worth. Your recognition. Your respect. It’s not a given. Watch yer backs people!
Song of the year?
YUNA – “Blank Marquee” (ft. G-Eazy)
What’s your New Year’s resolution?
To be more present and enjoy the blessings and good times more!
Love more. Worry less. Be open to change. Revel a bit in that Peace Bisquit is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2020. I left Billboard magazine as singles reviews editor/dance music editor in 1990 to manage Deee-lite and Ultra Naté! We’ve been able to work with and collaborate with so many great artists and projects in varying capacities throughout the years. I want to soak in that a bit while looking toward the future.
Image by Andre Wagner
No paywalls, free to all. Help us remain 100% independent and unbiased. Please give to Big Shot by making a secure one-time donation to help us continue covering DJ culture and electronic music like we’ve done since 2003.
