Album Review: Kris Menace / ‘Features’ (Compuphonic)

Kris-Menace-Features

★★★☆☆

“A summer spellbinder to warm you until winter” was Menace 2012’s stunner Electric Horizon — now in Jack Frost’s icy grip, Features follows up with 12 vocal collaborations. Whereas his first act showed a subtlety of touch when tenderising basic raw materials and rhythms close to the 80s, here he shows he can play percentages and tow the line rather more.

Early indications are that KM has picked up where he left off with Unai’s “Lone Runner”. The vocal performances are tailor-made rather than out-and-out breathtaking — this is an album featuring Miss Kittin (the Italo-styled “Hide”), Robert Owens and Romanthony, so it’s not short on firepower, but the neat vocal house pairings carry little to startle ears. The synth-pop references take tracks onto the edge of ad executive heaven, verging on EDM responsibility that’s a bit too ‘nice.’ The slo-mo crystallisation of “Golden Ratio” featuring Simon Lord and “Eye Opener” with Xavier Naidoo offer ways out, while still pretty conformist, shimmery yet pre-meditated. If “Love is Everywhere” was left instrumental, it would probably fit into the previous set perfectly. A gothic/psychopathic subtext to “Voodoo Dilate” shows its icicles, and a little bit of grit returns with Owens’ higher power dominance of “Trusting Me.”

Whereas Menace repeatedly let Electric Horizon beguile by itself, the vocals forcing the issue take the mystery out of the situation, and, only by a thin margin, make Features less charming.

File under: Love on Laserdisc, Lifelike, Keenhouse

125 Dance/Electronic Albums to Look for In 2013

2013-Albums-Big-Shot-Mag

Little equals the fresh possibilities and excitement a new year brings for music fans. 2012 was a very good year for dance/electronic music, especially with the underground bass and house scene thriving while stadium DJs dominating stages that had once been the sole stomping grounds of rock bands in years past. The good news is that 2013 looks like it’s going to be an even bigger and better year for our genre, with something on offer for every fan and DJ. Here we present an overview of 125 releases coming this year. Better buckle up because it’s going to be a bump ride.

January

Damiano von Erckert & Tito Wun / Mr. Pink, What Have You Been Smokin’? (ava.)
Two deep house explorers both contribute five songs for a 10-track album. Could the album title be a wink and a nod to Reservoir Dogs? You’ll have to listen to the album to find out.

Various Artists / Hot Waves 4 (Hot Creations)
Label compilation picks up where its third installment left off. The set includes the new track from Human Life & Anabel Englund called “Falling.”

Kuniyuki Takahashi / Feather World (Mule Musiq)
Many may remember Kuniyuki Takahashi from his notable 2010 collaboration with Henrik Schwarz. On Feather World the Sapporo-based artist explores deep house and jazz with talented guests including Norwegian pianist Bugge Wesseltoft, Japanese sax player Tetsuro Kawashima and West African vocalist Sona Diabaté.

January 4

Various Artists / A State Of Trance (Armada)
Armin van Buuren presents his end-of-the-year compilation including 103 tracks and remixes in a two-hour mega-mix.

January 8

Justice / Helix EP (Ed Banger)
Parisian electro duo issue an extended version of the song from the band’s most recent full-length, Audio, Video, Disco, in addition to exclusive remixes by Domenico Torti and Gesaffelstein.

January 11

Various Artists / Max Graham presents Cycles Vol. 4 (Armada)
The fourth edition of the Cycles series finds Max Graham navigating himself through 14 tracks from the likes of Gary Saville, Dan & Sam and Matt Lange.

January 14

Feed Me / Death By Robot EP (mau5trap)
Jon Gooch continues to mash up electro with dubstep, and his latest effort is timed with a lengthy Feed Me With TEETH tour of the U.S. kicking off this month.

Michael Mayer / “Mantasy Remixes” (Kompkat)
After releasing his second album Mantasy in 2012, Kompkat co-founder offers a remix EP featuring interpretations from Philipp Gorbachev, The Mole and Barnt.

Mumbai Science / Impact EP (Lektroluv)
Belgian DJ/producer duo Jonas Kiesekoms and Maarten Elen drop an EP of fresh tunes for Lektroluv.

Mike Wall / Different Colours (Hidden Recordings) 
Berlin artist crafts an album of diverse moods and sonic textures.

New Order / The Lost Sirens (Rhino/Warner)
Long-awaited mini album from iconic Manchester band finally sees the light of day. It features an unreleased mix of the Waiting for the Sirens’ Call track “I Told You So” as well as an extended version of “Hellbent,” which was previously released on the 2011 compilation Total: From Joy Division to New Order.

January 15

DJ Muggs / Bass For Your Face (Ultra Music)
Legendary hip-hop producer of Cypress Hill fame continues his exploits in the world of dubstep and glitch. Key collaborations include Chuck D of Public Enemy on “Wikid.”

KC and the Binja Ninja / Time EP (Broken)
MickSir reinvents himself as KC and the Binja Ninja and whips up three powerful tech-house jams.

Various Artists / Show Me The Future (Friends of Friends)
Label compilation featuring exclusive originals from the likes of Ryan Hemsworth, Dreams, Octo Octa, Evenings, Kid Smpl and more.

January 16

Shall Ocin / Crash Into My Love EP (Culprit)
Culprit continues to give up-and-coming producers a leg up. On the label’s 32nd release, they shine the spotlight on Argentian-born and Barcelona-based Nicolas Abalos (a.k.a. Shall Ocin), a promising newcomer whose dexterous dance floor cuts are precise and movement inducing.

January 17

Harem Tone / The First Step EP (ToneKontrol Recordings)
New label owned and run by Jay Riordan who also records as Harem Tone. Riordan uses his experience producing and remixing for Baroque, Remedy, Nice & Nasty, DXR and Circle Music Germany to craft a nice EP filled with proper basslines and beats that are simultaneously influenced by house and techno.

Various Artists Punch Music’s Strongbox (Punch)
Fourteen-track label compendium featuring curated tech-house tracks from Muzarco, Gary Beck, Nir Shoshani, Guy J, Yariv Bernstein, Peter Horrevorts, Roland M. Dill, Miki Litvak, Dan Drastic and Marc Marzenit.

January 21

Analog Session / Hot Elephant Music (Hot Elephant Music)
The debut album from Alexander Robotnick and Ludus Pinsky’s Analog Session delivers a melange of blend of electro, disco and techno over the course of extended tracks.

Chubby Dubz / EP3 (Loungin)
Deep house explorers Oliver $ and Gene Siewing team up for the third Chubby Dubz EP featuring the vocals of Elbee Bad.

Force of Nature / Expansions (Endless Flight)
Tokyo party starters Force of Nature are KZA and DJ Kent, two producers who’ve worked together for years. The pair unite for a tidy compilation featuring tracks from Joakim, Lovelock and Compuphonic feat. Marques Toliver.

Volta Cab / Strange Days EP (Illusion Recordings)
Sixth release from Illusion Recordings comes from Russia-based deep house explorers Volta Cab. The title track delivers their twist on the genre, but only a fool would overlook the deeper cuts on the EP.

Various Artists / Fabriclive 67 Mixed by Ben UFO (Fabric)
One of the three luminaries behind Hessle Audio, Ben UFO mixes the 67th edition of Fabric’s famed mix series. The 28-track session features big tunes from Tim ‘Love’ Lee, Herbert, Circuit Breake and Pangaea.

Various Artists / John O’Callaghan – Subculture 2013 (Armada)
Subculture Recordings label boss John O’Callaghan crafts a 14-track journey highlighting his two-year-old imprint’s best moments featuring trance and tech-house tracks and remixes from O’Callaghan and others.

Various Artists / Pop Ambient 2013 (Kompkat)
Running since 2001, this venerable compilation series returns with Kompakt co-founder Michael Mayer making his debut appearance with the Wolfgang Voigt remix of “Sully.” Look for tracks from Matias Aguayo and Jörg Burger’s Terrapin, Mikkel Metal and Leandro Fresco.

January 22

Birdy Nam Nam / Defiant Order (OWSLA)
French turntablists/producers who have a production credit on the new A$AP Rocky album offer up a new single packed with remixes.

FaltyDL / Hardcourage (Ninja Tune)
NYC beatmaster steps up his game with an intimate, personal album that’s been gaining a lot of interest courtesy of his current single “She Sleeps” feat. Ed MacFarlane of Friendly Fires.

Roots Manuva / Banana Skank EP (Big Dada)
Lastest release from Rodney Smith is a hard-hitting four-track EP created around the last track of his 2011 album 4everevolution. Our man is joined by long time Banana Klan collaborator Kope.

Toro Y Moi / Anything In Return (Carpark)
Toro Y Moi’s Chaz Bundick returns with his third album influenced by a move to Berkeley, CA and the subsequent extended separation from loved ones. Expect house-influenced 4/4 grooves and adept sampling on this release.

Young Fathers / Tape One (Anticon)
Edinburgh’s Young Fathers, the trio of Alloysious born in Liberia, Kayus raised by Nigerian migrants, and producer G of Scotland, announce their first release with new home Anticon.

January 23

Piemont / The Gap EP (Mr. Carter)
After issuing tracks on labels including My Best Friend, Reposal Schallware and Terminal M, Frederic Moering-Sack and Christian Jonqueieres present their first effort for the Mr. Carter imprint, a tech-house affair crafted purposely for the dance floor.

January 25

Ian Pooley / What I Do (Pooled Music)
Four years since the release of his last album, In Other Words, veteran producer Ian Pooley returns with What I Do, an album inspired by his global travels, various inspirations and analog gear.

January 28

Derrick May & Jimmy Edgar / We Love Detroit (We Love Recordings)
What happens when one of the pioneers of techno connects with one of electronic music’s brightest stars? That question is answered on this monumental compilation collaboration between Derrick May and Jimmy Edgar.

Ejeca vs Rhythm Controller/Citizen – Split 10″ (W&O Street Tracks)
The third release on Waze & Odyssey’s own label is a split 10″, on one side nu house hero Ejeca goes up against Rhythm Controller on the dance floor igniting Raid, while on the flip, Citizen goes to show why he’s being talked up as one of the most exciting new producers around.

Hot Coins / The Damage Is Done (Sonar Kollektiv)
Danny Berman sets aside his Red Rack’em alias for the moment for a new moniker: Hot Coins. This new project investigates the darker, sleazier side of the ’70s and ’80s and features City Hayes and Crazy P member Chris Todd among others.

Nicole Moudaber / Roar EP (Intec Digital)
After two killer EPs on Drumcode, techno deity Nicole Moudaber offers up another banger for Carl Cox’s famed imprint.

Various Artists / Hospitality D&B 2013 (Hospital)
Thirty-track label sampler from one of the best drum ‘n’ bass labels in the game includes big (and several unreleased) tunes from Netsky, High Contrast, Placid, Ayah Marah and more. Rewind!

Various Artists / Dubstep Allstars Vol. 10 Mixed by Plastician (Tempo)
The tenth installment of Tempa’s ongoing series taps Plastician to handle mixing duties. The 21-track journey includes his re-rub of Cato feat. Doctor’s “Brap” as well as tracks by J:Kenzo, LAXX & Walsh and Mutated Mindz.

Various Artists / Fresh Meat 1 (Cheap Thrills)
New and up-and-coming artists that Cheap Thrills are feeling, all out on a new compilation.

Various Artists / Noir In The House (Defected)
Danish DJ/producer Noir (a.k.a. René Kristensen) connects with London-based Defected label for a 29-track compilation displaying his poppier brand of house. Look for tunes from dOP, Nick Curly, Maya Jane Coles, Nina Kraviz and Shlomi Aber.

January 29

Pearl Necklace / Soft Opening (Smalltown Supersound)
Debut album by New York duo Bryce Hackford and Frank Lyon create their minimal techno through sampling field recordings, library records, dusted disco cuts and more. Special guests include Alexis Georgopoulos (a.k.a. ARP) and Andrew VanWyngarden of MGMT.

Various Artists / Modern Underground Music V.2 (Black Catalogue)
Detroit’s Monty Luke unveils a sampler of his Black Catalogue label, a five-track EP of R&B and soul-infused house and techno, featuring Lance De Sardi, AbJo and Luke himself.

January 30

John Dimas / Living Lies (La Vie En Rose)
After issuing tracks on labels such as Dame Music and One Records, Greek native John Dimas spreads his musical wings for Terence:Terry: recently launched imprint. Expect an album loaded with deep chords, 808s and Chicago inspired house.

February

Hieroglyphic Being / Imaginary Concepts (Mathematics Recordings)
Chicago producer Jamal Moss pushes his creativity to the next level with his experimental alias Hieroglyphic Being. Released on his own Mathematics Recordings, the album features ten “Imaginary Landscapes” Moss and is accompanied by a four-minute video clip of “Imaginary Landscape 2″ featuring visuals by Chanel Von Habsburg Lothringen.

Justin Velor / 2013 (Brutal Music)
Manchester-based Brutal Music get the new year started in a big way with the 13-track debut album from Justin Velor (a.k.a. label head Dom Thomas) that’s appropriately titled 2013. The album features four guests (Jez Williams, Marie Chantecaille, Gerry Love and Leee John) with co-production by 808 State’s Graham Massey.

Population One / A Simpler Form EP (Reduction)
Famed Detroit DJ/producer Terrence Dixon offers the first release from his new label in the form of a three-track EP under the Population One alias.

Streetwalker / Future Fusion (Cititrax)
Streetwalker, a collaboration between Beau Wanzer and Elon Katz, release a debut album on Minimal Wave offshoot Cititrax. The release’s six songs were all recorded live in one take to one-inch tape, with no overdubs and no MIDI. All the synthesizers and drum machines were run through amplifiers.The selections were beautifully mastered for vinyl with artwork by Spencer Longo that’s limited to 999 copies.

February 4

The Asphodells / Ruled by Passion Destroyed By Lust (Rotters Golf Club)
Ten-track debut album issued on Andrew Weatherall’s Rotters Golf Club gets a global release after being issued back in November in Japan. The duo is comprised of Weatherall and Bird Scarer alumnus (and former Battant member) Timothy J. Fairplay.

Benoit & Sergio / Bridge So Far (Hot Creations)
Red-hot production duo make their debut on the mighty Hot Creations label. It’s a two-track featuring a bound-to-be-huge vocal effort.

Grouper / The Man Who Died In His Boat (Kranky)
Portland-based one-woman musical entity Grouper issues an 11-track concept album on the experimental Kranky imprint. The album is based upon “the wreckage of a sailboat washed up on the shore of Agate Beach” in Oregon.

Laura Jones / Sensoramic EP (Visionquest)
A disciple of Leftroom, Laura Jones takes the lessons she learned touring in 2012 and imparts them into her debut release focusing on the deeper side of techno.

TM404 / TM404 (Kontra-Musik)
Prolific Swedish producer Andreas Tilliander dons his TM404 alias for an album featuring eight polyrhythmic productions recorded live in one take without any post arrangement using a combination of Roland gear, including the TB-303, TR-606, TR-7-07, TR-808 and MC-202 drum machine.

Wraetlic / Wraetlic (Convex Industries)
Scottish producer Alex Smoke returns with a new studio album under his Wraetlic moniker.

Various / 5 Years Desolat – 2012 (Desolat)
After a killer 2012 that featured high profile releases from DJ Sneak, Basti Grub, Aldo Cadiz, Francisco Allendes & Paola Poletto, and Shlomi Aber, Desolat takes a quick victory lap with a five-year anniversary sampler featuring tracks by Loco Dice, Shlomi Aber, Alexkid, Benny Rodrigues and others.

Various Artists / Channel Zoo Compilation One (Channel Zoo Recordings)
Ibiza party series makes the logical progression into label with their first compilation mixed by resident DJ Michael James featuring tracks from Axel Boman, Kerri Chandler, Dana Ruh, Leif and others.

Various Artists / Night Slugs All Stars Volume 2 (Night Slugs)
London club night/record label kicks off 2013 with a banger of a compilation featuring tracks by Egyptrixx, L-Vis 1990 and Girl Unit.

Various Artists / San City High All Stars (San City High)
Kissy Sell Out brings together new and fresh edits of his own tracks and those that best represent his label. Artists include Eats Everything, Kissy, Hervé, Lee Mortimer and Dillon Francis.

February 5

Darkstar / News From Nowhere (Warp)
The follow-up to 2010’s North features the single “Timeaway.” Says James Young about his band’s second album, “This record is it’s own thing, in its own bubble and time.”

Tosca / Odeon (!K7)
Richard Dorfmeister and Rupert Huber draw influence from their native Vienna and conjure up a moody, ambient 10-track work of art featuring collaborations with vocalists Sarah Carlier and JJ Jones.

February 6

Hav Lyfe / Hav Lyfe (Sonic Router)
Mysterious producer’s self-titled 10-track full-length, an exploration into the bowels of bass, is the third album from London-based blog-turned-label Sonic Router.

February 8

Marc Romboy & Ken Ishii / Taiyo (Systematic Recordings)
The distance of 7,000 kilometers didn’t prevent from two techno titans from uniting on what will be one of 2013’s most breathtaking albums. Over the span of seven tracks Romboy and Ishii (virtually) explore a wealth of groundbreaking sounds and musical ideas.

February 11

C2C / Tetra (Casablanca)
After releasing the single “Happy” featuring Derek Martin at the end of 2011, French foursome C2C step out with their diverse debut album.

K-X-P / Menace II (Melodic)
Finnish foursome known for their krautrock roots embark on a poppier journey. They are describing their sound as “electronic Motörhead techno.”

Semedo feat. Capracara / “Love Illusion” (DJ Wool Remixes) (Body Work)
Body Work returns after a brief hiatus with a remix set of newcomer Semedo’s “Love Illusion” featuring re-rubs by Capracara and DJ Wool.

February 12

PVT / Homosapien (Felte)
Australian trio follow up their 2010 album Church With No Magic on Warp Records with Homosapien, their fourth studio album and Felte debut. Richard Pike has assumed the role of front man, and the threesome forge a unique soundscape beneath his voice.

Salva / Odd Furniture EP (Friends of Friends)
Frite Nite label boss Paul Salva follows up his collaborative remix of Kanye West’s “Mercy” with an EP for the FOF label.

February 13

Detboi / Sliding Doors (Cheap Thrills)
After a pair of EPs in 2012 for Hervé’s Cheap Thrills, Detboi welcomes 2013 with a big artist album.

February 18

Art Department / Social Experiment 003 (No.19)
Nearly three years since Soul Clap contributed to No.19’s Social Experiment 002 comes the latest mix in this series by Art Department on member Jonny White’s imprint. The group, which includes Kenny Glasgow, contribute two previously unreleased tracks and exclusive jams from Jamie Jones, My Favorite Robot, Gregorythme and Jackin Rabbit featuring Robert Owens.

Black Strobe / “The Girl From The Bayou” (Remixes) (Blackstrobe Records)
Arnaud Rebotini’s latest and greatest gets a reworking from the likes of Mustang.

Flume / Flume (Transgressive)
21-year-old Aussie Flume issues his 2012 self-titled debut through Transgressive Records. Buy on sight.

Jamie Lidell / Jamie Lidell (Warp)
Talented British soul singer now living in Nashville after stops in Berlin and New York offers a self-titled, self-produced 11-track affair.

Lusine / The Waiting Room (Ghostly International)
Ambient/IDM artist Jeff McIlwain has explored everything from minimal house to abstract hip-hop. On The Waiting Room the Seattle-based producer follows up 2009’s A Certain Distance with an album of lush soundscapes, of which five are fronted by vocalists.

Max D / House of Woo (RVNG Intl)
After dropping “Woo” in November, Future Times head/one half of DC dance duo Beautiful Swimmers Maxmillion Dunbar presents an album focused around 4/4 house grooves.

Trus’Me / Treat Me Right (Prime Numbers)
Manchester-based producer (a.k.a. David Wolstencroft) delivers his third album on his own Prime Numbers label. The eight-track release is a departure of sorts from what he presented on 2010’s In The Red and will no doubt sound as equally as sublime.

Vince Watson / Serene (Pyramids of Mars)
Scottish producer known for his work in techno explores the world of ambient sans drums on Matt Edwards (Radio Slave)’s Pyramids of Mars. Cover art was created by photographer/contemporary artist Natsumi Hayashi.

Voigt & Voigt / Die Zauberhafte Welt Der Anderen (Kompakt)
After working on a slew of tracks over the past decade or so, brothers Wolfgang Voigt and Reinhard Voigt unite for a full-length album for Wolfgang Voigt’s mighty Kompkat label.

February 19

Brandt Brauer Frick / Miami (!K7)
BBF’s third album finds the trio pushing itself into new creative territory. Always ones to put a twist on their albums, for Miami they collaborated with Jamie Lidell, Om’mas Keith, Gudrun Gut, Erika Janunger and Nina Kraviz.

Dobie / We Will Not Harm You (Big Dada)
British bass king Dobie has been around the block and then some, working with Soul II Soul back in the day, issuing a solo album for Pussyfoot and remixing an incredible list of names ranging from Massive Attack to Wiley. He follows last year’s Nothing To Fear EP with a full-length that took shape over an 18-month period.

Fatboy Slim / Big Beach Bootique 5 (The End)
Norman Cook serves up a live document of his two-night residency at at Brighton’s Amex stadium this summer.

Inc. / No World (4AD)
L.A.-based brothers/session players Andrew and Daniel Aged take the lesson they learned playing with 50 Cent, Beck, Raphael Saadiq, Cee-Lo and more and forge a post-R&B album on their own.

M Machine / Metropolis Pt. II (OWLSA)
Second installment of their epic album from three San Franciscans who produce in a studio/warehouse that Journey used to own. Very narrative and conceptual and tasteful.

Major Lazer / Free The Universe (Mad Decent)
Delayed second album from the Diplo-fronted Major Lazer finally sees the light of day. Expect to hear collaborations with Bruno Mars, Tyga, Flux Pavillion, Wynter Gordon, Shaggy, Wyclef, Ezra Koening from Vampire Weekend, Dev and more, mon.

Matmos / The Marriage of True Minds (Thrill Jockey)
The musical union between Drew Daniel and M.C. Schmidt continues on an album influenced by four years of parapsychological experiments based upon the classic Ganzfeld experiment. They used the resulting transcripts as poetic and conceptual scores to generate the nine songs on this album. Guest include: Dan Deacon, Dominique Leone, DJ Dog Dick, Leslie Weiner and Holger Hiller (Palais Schaumberg), Jason Willett (Half Japanese), Angel Deradoorian, Jenn Wasner (Wye Oak) and more.

Mitzi / Truly Alive (Future Classic)
After teasing us with the infectious “All I Heard” in late 2012, this Aussie foursome conjure up a joyous live sound that draws from disco, house, pop and Garage.

Natasha Kmeto / EP (Dropping Gems)
Portland-based singer, songwriter and producer Natasha Kmeto reveals her ____ EP on Dropping Gems, a soulful take on electronic music featuring vocals by Kmeto herself, with an LP to follow-up in Spring 2013.

Various Artists / Change The Beat: The Celluloid Records Story 1980 – 1987 (Strut)
The history of influential street smart New York City ’80s label Celluloid Records is told over a sprawling two-album collection featuring nuggets from Time Zone, Fab 5 Freddy, Manu Dibango, Grandmixer D.ST and Future 2000 feat. The Clash. Too bad there’s nothing by The Golden Palominos.

February 22

Benjamin Damage / Heliosphere (50Weapons)
After issuing 2012’s collaboration with Doc Daneeka They! Live, Damage sets off on a slightly different musical direction, mixing up tunes for the dance floor with headier tracks.

Mano Le Tough / Changing Days (Permanent Vacation)
Influential Irish DJ/producer takes his career to the next level with a 10-track debut album informed by his many years behind the decks, spinning at institutions like Panorama Bar, Trouw and Robert Johnson.

February 23

µ-Ziq / Somerset Avenue Tracks (Planet Mu)
Planet Mu label boss Mike Paradinas celebrates his imprint’s 300th release with a 12-track offering of unreleased productions.

February 25

Atoms For Peace / AMOK (XL Recordings)
Supergroup led by Thom Yorke finally gets around to issuing its much-promised debut album that blends rock with electronic music. Expectations are high for quite good reason when you consider the lineup: engineer Nigel Godrich, bassist Flea and drummers Joey Waronker and Mauro Refosco.

Compuphonic / “Sunset” (Remixes by Aeroplane, Waze & Odyssey, etc.) (Get Physical)
One of 2012’s deepest and best vocal house tracks is reworked and reimagined.

Daniel Steinberg / Treptow (EMI)
Sophomore full-length from the German producer and includes the track “Joy and Happiness.” Album encompasses a quirky concoction of crisp tech house beats, infectious hooks, playful vocal samples and darker minimalist flavors.

Jay Shepheard / Home & Garden (Retrofit)
UK-born, Berlin-based deep house/disco DJ/producer presents his debut album on his own label, the 11th release following on from a string of 12″s featuring along side himself artists including Catz ‘n Dogz, Iron Curtis, Matthew Burton, Martin Dawson and others.

Mekon / Piece Of Work (Wall of Sound)
Electronic music journeyman John Gosling has worked with the likes of William Orbit and Afrika Bambaataa during his 25-year career. With his fourth album, Piece Of Work, he pays homage to homage to the late Peter “Sleazy” Christopherson of Throbbing Gristle and Psychic TV (who appeared on his third album, 2000’s Relax With Mekon). Interesting fact: Mekon was Wall of Sound’s first signing 19 years ago.

Ultrademon / Seapunk (Fire For Effect)
Formerly known as Fire for Effect, Kansas-born and now Chicago-based Albert Redwine’s debut album taps into the essence of ’90s house and techno, peppering it with dashes of pop, trap and soul.

Various Artists / Silicone Soul – Darkroom Dubs Vol.3 (Darkroom Dubs)
Silicone Soul’s Craig Morrison and Graeme Reedie commemorate ten years with a label compendium featuring tech-house tracks from Of Norway, Alex Niggemann & Marc Poppcke, Terje Saether and others.

February 26

Alice Russell / To Dust (Tru Thoughts)
British soul presents her first solo album featuring the killer single “Heartbreaker” featuring remixes by New York’s Falty DL and Parisian house producer Yakine.

Kavinsky / Outrun (Casablanca)
After releasing three EPs through the Record Makers label and turning heads with “Nightcall” (which appeared in the film Drive) produced by Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo of Daft Punk, the French electro provocateur unveils his debut album produced by rising French DJ/producer Sebastian.

Mister Lies / Mowgli (Lefse)
The musical alias of Chicago upstart Nick Zanca, Mister Lies is a downtempo exploration of what can happen when you experiment with a laptop and controllers along with microphones, synthesizers and samplers.

Sally Shapiro / Somewhere Else (Paper Bag)
Elusive Swedish italo-disco pop princess Sally Shapiro returns with her third album arriving after her 2012 teaser in the form of her single “What Can I Do.”

March

Depeche Mode (Columbia)
Dave Gahan, Martin Gore and Andy Fletcher are back with their 13th album and first for Columbia.

Michael Canitrot / TBA (Aime Music)
Known for his various singles, remixes and So, Happy in Paris? club night, David Guetta and Bob Sinclar’s protégé releases a new album.

Footprintz / Escape Yourself (Visionquest)
Debut album from Footprintz’s Clarian North and Adam Hunter was produced by Ewan Pearson and references ’80s noir-pop that’s synth heavy and dreamy.

March 4

Blue Hawaii / Untogether (Arbutus)
Canadian duo embark on their first album, an 11-track effort written separately and then recorded over the course of the year across Canada.

Hervé / The Art Of Disappearing (Cheap Thrills)
A derivation from Hervé’s classic sound finds the master conjuring up a chilled out, dark, downtempo album made for “disappearing.”

Nu:Logic / TBA (Hospital)
Ongoing collabo between drum ‘n’ bass artists/brothers Dan Gresham (Nu:Tone) and Matt Gresham (Logistics) will spawn another album this month.

March 5

Autechre / Exai (Warp)
Legendary experiemental duo Autechre drop their 11th album in the form of the 17-track Exai. The duo’s release will be available as a double-CD package or as a four-piece 180 gram vinyl box set with download codes redeemable at Bleep.com.

Chris Carrier & Hector Moralez / Lotus Seven (Apollonia)
The debut album on Apollonia Records, the label owned and run by Dan Ghenacia, Dyed Soundorom and Shonky, finds Chris Carrier and Hector Moralez exploring hip-hop, disco jams and soul-warming joints.

Helado Negro / Invisible Life (Asthmatic Kitty)
Brooklyn via South Florida’s Roberto Lange stretches out on his third album. Known for his quixotic songs sung in Spanish, Lange sings in English for the first time on an LP featuring contributions from Bear in Heaven’s Jon Philpot, Mouse on Mars’ Jan St. Werner, Devendra Barnhart, Matt Crum and Eduardo Alonso.

Maximum Hedrum / S/T (Spectrophonic Sound)
Sam Spiegel unveils his new project, an electronic-funk hybrid featuring contributions from vocalist Derrick Green from the Brazilian band seminal heavy metal Sepultura and renowned German musician and producer Harold Faltermeyer. Funk legend George Clinton guests on the single “Keep In Touch.”

Úlfur / White Mountain (Western Vinyl)
A veteran of Swords of Chaos and in Jónsi’s touring band, White Mountain is Úlfur Hansson’s debut under his own name. Alexandra Sauser-Monnig of Mountain Man contributed vocals to the album, and Skúli Sverrisson (who has worked extensively with Laurie Anderson, Blonde Redhead, etc.), contributed bass and guitar. Hints of collage-y field recordings mingle with subtle electronics.

Various Artists / Friends Will Carry You Home Too (Pets Recordings)
Second installment of the celebrated compilation series compiled by label bosses Catz N Dogz also marks the label’s third anniversary. The 21-track compilation includes cuts by Squarehead, Jay Shepheard Trikk and digital exclusives by Mooryc and Adam Zasada.

March 11

Hugo & The Prismatics / The Consequences of Loop (GoodVibe Records)
Debut album that uses offilter percussion and strains of jazz to supercharge this act’s grooves.

Goldie / Metalheadz: Goldie (FFRR)
Twenty-year best-of collection from the drum ‘n’ bass pioneer’s vault.

March 18

Goose / Control, Control, Control (Goose)
Belgium band known for its releases on Skint and !K7 release their new album after success at home. Expect to hear a bristling mix of rock and electro.

March 19

Deptford Goth / Life After Defo (Merok/Cooperative Music)
South Londoner Daniel Woolhouse’s highly anticipated debut arrives after his knockout 2012 single “Union.” Awash in lush synths and dreamy vocals, this is one of 2013’s most important albums.

Team Ghost / Rituals (Wsphere)
Team Ghost is Nicolas Fromageau, who started M83 with Anthony Gonzalez and was on their first two records. With a sound filled with swirling guitars and shoegaze, it’s all spiced up by electronic elements.

April

April 1

Various Artists / Electric Voice II (Electric Voice)
Canadian imprint presents its second label compilation featuring contributions by Das Ding, Ike Yard and Tropic Of Cancer.

April 2

The Third Man / Beyond The Heliosphere (EPM)
Debut album from The Third Man, who has previously released material on Ai, Taberncalce and ART. The album’s first single will also feature remixes from John Heckle and Claro Intelecto.

Zoon van snooK / The Bridge Between Life And Death (Lo Recordings)
ZvS’s latest was recorded in Iceland and is comprise of “childlike electronica, found sounds and more.”

April 8

The Knife / Shaking The Habitual (Brille)
Swedish electro-pop duo return with their fourth album and a big European tour in 2013.

April 22

Miss Kittin / Calling From The Stars (wSphere)
After rocking it on her 2012 “Hide” collab with Kris Menace, Miss Kittin strikes on her own with an album featuring her trademark lyrics and mish-mash of electro and techno. Cool fact: Miss Kittin self-produced the sprawling double album.

May

Phaseone / If I Tell U (Adultswim)
St. Louis producer steps out with a big album harkening the essence of Flying Lotus but clearly defining his own turf.

Will Saul / Getting Closer (!K7)
Saul’s second album features guests including Joe Dukie, Paul ‘Tikiman’ St.Hillaire, Scuba, Appleblim and Ewan Pearson.

June

AlunaGeorge / TBA (Island Def Jam)
British electro-pop duo comprised of Aluna Francis and George Reid deliver their debut after the much remixed 2012 single “Your Drums, Your Love.”

On the Horizon

AraabMuzik: he’s hard at work on his follow up to Electronic Dream with co-productions with Skrillex and Diplo.
Austra: The band is also currently in the studio, preparing the follow up to their critically acclaimed debut full-length, Feel It Break.
Classixx: L.A. outfit will release an album on Innovative Leisure.
Compuphonic: Belgian house maestro who scored the massive club jam “Sunset” might have his debut out this year.
Daft Punk: Hey, you never know, right?!
Danny Bird: Drum ‘n’ bass legend will issue an album on the mighty Hospital imprint.
Fenech-Solar: The band continue recording their new album as taster track “All I Know” has given their fans a brief glimpse of what’s in store on the new album.
Katy B: After dropping her New Danger EP, Ms. B is expected to deliver a new album in the spring.
M.I.A.: Delayed Matangi is scheduled to be released in 2013. In addition to the soundtrack, it will include an autobiography, a documentary, and an art exhibition.
Nervo: Aussie twin sisters will present their debut album after a string of smash singles
The Prodigy: Much talked about How To Steal A Jet Fighter will hopefully see the light of day by the summer
Stafford Brothers: Aussie DJ brothers’ debut on Cash Money will feature plenty of big-name guests
Steve Angello: new album forthcoming from 1/3 of the SHM.

Big Shot State of DJ Culture 2012 Survey: 90 DJs Speak Out

Like it or not DJ culture is all grown up. Starting out in warehouses, basements, lofts and clubs in the ’70s and ’80s, and evolving into massive raves one-offs, festivals and global tours in the late ’90s and ’00s, its long and winding road has set the stage for a new generation of formidable talent and musical innovation. If you consider where DJ culture is at the moment, it’s hard to see things cooling off anytime soon: DJs are gracing the front covers of old guard print magazines, scoring movie soundtracks, touring with shows boasting fantastic production and even squabbling with each other on social media like reality TV stars.

The mainstream’s heightened interest in DJ culture has once again brought it to the crossroads. Knowing the cyclical nature of pop culture we’ve been wondering how it will all play out. When the pendulum swings back — and it no doubt will (simply reference every musical fad over the past 40 years) — what might the ramifications be?

Hoping to gain more insight we conducted interviews over a three-month period with 90 DJs of varying profiles playing a range of styles based all over the world. Our intent was to get a first-hand, unedited view about the state of DJ culture in 2012 from those who make their living in the DJ booth. We asked each DJ the same three questions: Where do they see the culture? What are its most disturbing trends? How are we going to make the global scene better? The comments (listed in alphabetical order below), like any quality DJ set, were intriguing, enlightening and entertaining.

We would like to thank all of the DJs who participated in this article. It is our hope that their views will open a wider discourse in the community we’ve been a proud member of since 2003.

1. Andrea Oliva

"I am happy we still have an amazing scene here in Europe, like Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Spain and the UK."

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

Well, everything became so big! I just hope all the young guys, especially the big commercial acts who became famous in one day (in the States), care about the “culture” and try to teach the same young kids about it! There is so much history behind the techno and house scene, and it’s so frustrating when DJs tell the wrong stories… I mean imagine a country that has a history and one day someone comes with his new fame from nowhere and start to tell a total different story, the older guys who know the real story will eat him! So I just wanna say respect the culture… Don’t make everything a huge sell out — we are still a kind of movement so go out and find the real history behind our scene.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

I don’t know why the trance guys say nothing? I mean they made a whole kind of music for themselves which was big! Now trance is like gone with the wind and people today think it’s house…it’s weird! All those melodies, harmonies, big snare roles in the break of the track, etc. this is trance even if it’s more rhythmic now and maybe 5bpm slower but its still trance, but this is not house! Some guys have influenced the kids so bad, they made confusion for their own interests. And the industry is clever — they see a trend if good or bad, they jump on the train and give them (the kids) to eat what they wanna eat, this is the trend… For me the trend goes to the wrong direction… I am happy we still have an amazing scene here in Europe, like Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Spain and the UK…. we know what we want to eat in these places!

How are we going to make the scene better?

Separate those guys in dance acts and don’t call them DJs or producers because it has nothing to do with house, techno or trance! Make only dance festivals or only house, techno and trance festivals! Do you ever see a Big Mac menu at McDonald’s with fresh homemade pasta, bolognese as a side dish, everything on one plate? It just doesn’t match together! Big Mac is big Mac and homemade pasta, and bolognese with fresh basilico are two different things!

2. Andrei Osyka (Droog)

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

I think the general quality of DJing has gone down primarily because of the shear quantity of people claiming to be DJs. Like a lot of things that come with the digital age you have to dig deeper. But I think for a DJ like myself I’m the most I’ve been excited about music, and I’ve been DJing for the last 11 or 12 years. The volume of interesting music that I find myself playing is really thrilling, and I’m excited about it. I would say it’s both the most exciting time and slightly a scary time because now people like Paris Hilton are trying to be DJs. There’s some problems here, but I would encourage those who feel like they have the knack and feel like they have true ability to definitely go for it. Even though I’ve seen a lot of shit out there, I’m seeing young DJs doing some really cool, interesting things predominantly as a reaction to the crap out there.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

The misuse of technology: Traktor and Ableton are amazing technologies but unfortunately they’re often in the wrong hands. New technology in the wrong hands can really be problematic. There’s also a whole new generation of people jumping on the DJ bandwagon and sniffing around. Cream rises to the top pretty much, especially in our less commercial genre. Those who are truly talented and have their heart in the right place are succeeding. I think in the bigger picture of things I’m not too pessimistic.

How are we going to make the scene better?

We have to be genuine with everything you do. With us we have a slightly bigger platform and more people are paying attention, so we really have to stay true to our sensibility in the same way we were when nobody knew about us as critical as ever while maintaining that quality control and taste level. I think the more we grow and people pay attention, the more we stay true to ourselves and we believe in what we do, then that will be our contribution and hopefully that’s contagious in its own way. You can achieve a greater level of success while still doing what you do.

3. Andrew Emil

"It's a good thing that 'electronic' music is so big, but with that also comes the diluting nature of mass appeal."

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

DJ culture is, as far as the US is concerned, the largest it has ever been. I mean you have “DJs” that came out of the woodwork a few years ago playing at the Grammys. I grew up in a time where you really had to work for to get your name out there and get gigs. It’s a good thing that “electronic” music is so big, but with that also comes the diluting nature of mass appeal (i.e. loss of individualism, lack of experimentation, creation of more product based things and not art, etc.).

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

Entitlement issues that children have; thinking a music career is a sprint and not a marathon; not respecting the game of making a solid discography and performance resume; just thinking because you can have access to a million songs does not make you a selector. Experience makes you a selector. After many years of perfecting your craft is the only way you get amazing at it. So leave the performance arena to the “amazing ones.” A lot of tracks that come out today are either what I would call “demos” ten years ago or just a total lack of creativity. Loss of art and individualist imprints leave a very uninspired crowd in the wake of that kind of output. Quality control needs to come back home! If you don’t want your music to be disposed of. Stop making disposal music!

How are we going to make the scene better?

First step: Keep making great art in hopes that it will become more successful as there are more fans of house music than ever before.

Second step: Try to educate the masses about the history of this thing called house. If you get inspired by the past you will tend to have more respect for the future and take your time to craft excellence.

Third step: Take you time to create great art. It will have a longer shelf life and will be revered in the future as well as now. Create everlasting pieces so that when the trends come and go, as they always will, your work will stand the test of time. Future classics!”

4. Angel Alanis

"Pre-recorded sets. If you're going to do it at least be honest about it."

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

It’s gotten much broader and it’s reaching out to so many more people who were not exactly big fans of it or just did not know. The technology has improved so much that being a DJ is more accessible.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

Pre-recorded sets. If you’re going to do it at least be honest about it. Steve Angello and the like should at least try to put some work into it. I’m sure most people don’t care since it’s just a name up on stage. What’s next? Hologram DJs? Anyway, bring a fucking flute or something or juggle while your 60-minute CD plays out.

How are we going to make the scene better?

Better? I have no idea.

5. Ashley Beedle

"It's not about being a superstar on a stage, it's about making a party."

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

DJ culture is dying as an art form.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

It has become very easy for people to “DJ” due to technology, but technology doesn’t make a DJ. DJs need personality and know how to select and program a journey.

How are we going to make the scene better?

The only way to fix this is looking at who came before us, understanding music and presenting it to those who want to learn. It’s not about being a superstar on a stage, it’s about making a party.

6. Atnarko

"The most disturbing trend is the idea that you have to stand behind the decks looking as wasted as possible (while usually playing bad) to be cool."

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

I think it’s a really exciting time for electronic dance music in all forms. There are many more possibilities then there were a few years ago as a DJ. I enjoy the challenge.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

Besides the “DJs” that fake it the most disturbing trend is the idea that you have to stand behind the decks looking as wasted as possible (while usually playing bad) to be cool.

How are we going to make the scene better?

We can make it better by working hard and using our creativity to the maximum potential. Make music you believe in. Play music you love. Don’t be afraid to reach out or leave your comfort zone.

7. Beat Assassins

"It would be nice if from time to time if acts broke through because they are totally sick on the decks."

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

Completely in the hands of the producers.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

No one breaks through anymore for being a great DJ. It’s all about being a great producer. Therefore it would be nice if from time to time if acts broke through because they are totally sick on the decks. I have in the past gone out clubbing to check out a new act because their tracks were amazing, only to find someone behind the decks who can’t DJ or (worse) using software to mix their tracks for them.

How are we going to make the scene better?

Good question. It’s not an easy thing to change but YouTube could play a big part. I’d like to see a magazine or large blog/website have some serious contacts run a DJ competition. Not a DJ competition whereby you send in a mixtape and win a warm-up set at blah blah night. No, I suggest DJs upload a YouTube video of themselves DJing in their bedrooms (not live) and the footage must clearly show the decks. This way DJs can demonstrate mixing skills and scratching (if they scratch) and the format they play off, CDJs, Serato, vinyl, etc. — no software mixing allowed. Plus the competition should be about genres — in this competition we are looking for the best drum ‘n’ bass DJ, in this one the best dubstep DJ, the best house etc., so DJs win on merit and not one what’s the most popular music. Check out this footage of DJ Sleeper, and you will see the kind of footage I’m talking about. The winner should get some proper booking at some events within their genre; I’m sure that could be arranged. Judging (well it’s up to the organization running tings) but I suggest at first by the website — final ten go to public vote (maybe).

8. Berger

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

As the music industry’s “It” girl. And future episodes of where are they now? or Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.”

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

Fist pumping, checking in, tweeting and posting in place of dancing on the dance floor.

How are we going to make the scene better?

Give it a Zooropa meets Tommy meets The Wall overhaul.

9. Break Science

"No trends really disturb us, because all trends eventually die."

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

DJ culture is now a culture of producers that make their own music, instead of just playing other peoples original tracks. It’s a growing culture of musical composers who are feeding off of each other to create the sound of the future.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

No trends really disturb us, because all trends eventually die. It’s all about timeless music.

How are we going to make the scene better?

All the producer/DJs on the scene have to keep developing their craft to insure a true renaissance in modern, electronic music.

10. Brett Johnson

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

The names may change but the party is the same.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

Not dancing.

How are we going to make the scene better?

Depends where you live. Free things….

12. Chuck Love

"Support the DJ whether he's a performer or selector."

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

Evolving with exciting new technology, soon the idea of two turntables will seem nostalgic.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

Listening to people whine that are nostalgic for two turntables.

How are we going to make the scene better?

Evolve beyond simply beat matching two tracks together. Support the DJ whether he’s a performer or selector. Open your mind to new genres. More slide guitar.

13. Colleen “Cosmo” Murphy

"Many DJs think turning up the volume as loud as possible is what they are supposed to do and do not realize those little red lights mean you are only amplifying a distorted signal. These problems are so easy to correct."

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

Sonically inept.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

One of the most disturbing trends of current DJ culture is the lack of interest in or understanding of sound quality. Most vinyl-based DJs are unaware of how to set up a turntable correctly (balancing and adjusting tracking force and anti-skate) and could care less as to whether the cartridges have a compromised and blunt stylus. On the digital side many DJs play MP3s (using 320s is a poor excuse) and are amplifying low res digital files over a loud club PA. Finally, many DJs think turning up the volume as loud as possible is what they are supposed to do and do not realize those little red lights mean you are only amplifying a distorted signal. These problems are so easy to correct.

How are we going to make the scene better?

There are loads of turntable tutorials on YouTube, DJs can download and play WAVs as opposed to low quality MP3s and they can adjust their levels on their equipment so that it doesn’t distort. Very simple and very effective.

14. Creep

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

Bigger than ever. Especially since pop music is derived so much from dance music nowadays. It’s a good and bad thing. Everyone considers themselves a DJ, even if they don’t take the time to learn the craft.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

I always find it disturbing when people don’t take the time to learn how to beat match. They either use a program that will do it for them, or worse yet, they will just mix songs without them matched. This is what we call “shoes in the dryer.” The most enjoyable part of DJing is putting songs together properly, teasing the crowd a bit through EQing and then dropping in the next song at the appropriate time. It just doesn’t get old to me, and I’ve been doing it for 15 years. I can’t imagine having a machine do it for me, there is no soul in that.

How are we going to make the scene better?

Real DJs will always be noticed. DJ culture will remain strong through those that do take the time to learn how mix properly and really know how to work a crowd. Those that don’t are weeded out.

15. Dani Casarano

"The new generation is here now so it is important to know what happened in the past to make better the future of the scene."

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

For me DJ culture is everywhere. With all the new technology, everybody can play music.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

People love bad quality music more and more.

How are we going to make the scene better?

Electronic music has existed for a very long time. People change – the new generation is here now so it is important to know what happened in the past to make better the future of the scene.

16. Dave Clarke

"There are two sides of this 'culture' but only one side can claim a cultural heritage."

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

There are two sides of this “culture” but only one side can claim a cultural heritage, the commercial only for money side has completely left the culture side with no one batting an eyelid if they are caught on camera with no cables plugged in or a mix CD on and faking it. Then you have those who care what they are doing because they represent a belief, you have a few clever ones in between the two camps who profess to care and trade on their past but actually only want cash.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

PR people buying fake chart positions on online stores, do the maths….the sales are so low these days that if someone buys a couple thousand of their own track they will get almost half the money back when they get accounted too, so for a thousand euro or so they claim a top online hit.

Then you have the last generation moguls claiming big business is killing dance music, when in reality they are green with envy that they didn’t get where Guetta is, that is utterly laughable and ultimately sad and hypocritical, especially when they laid the seeds to culture not being important in the scene in the first place.

How are we going to make the scene better?

By having journalists that are mot swayed by PR people, by not blindly following trends because you lack the minerals to be self determined. By actually giving a fuck, that might help.

17. David Alvarado

"There is always a new flavor or trend that grabs the attention of the most susceptible of dance music lovers, but quality and true craftsmanship always finds its way to the top of the pile."

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

I see it trapped in a battle of ideology; it is suffering from a serious identity crisis as well. You have this constant back-and-forth argument about what is and what isn’t DJing: Vinyl vs. digital, CDJ vs. laptop vs. USB stick vs. whatever is next on the horizon. What has made things even more confusing, and has further blurred the line, is the recent advances in DJ software and hardware and the quick pace of its evolution. It’s a bit odd but it’s been more than 10 years since I started using Final Scratch as one of its beta testers, and only in the last few years has the technology finally caught up to our imagination, that and a whole slew of DJ controllers now hitting the market only makes the possibilities that much greater. I look back when I first started and there were DJs that played records but then would drop a remix fresh out of the studio on reel to reel, now that never made them any less of a DJ in our minds — they were just using whatever medium available to stand out from the rest. I think that’s the same applies now as well.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

I think the one that I find most offensive is the creating of social media/YouTube stars that spend more time building a fan base based of their viral marketing efforts and social media rather than their actual skills. Add a gimmick of some sort like a costume, or mask and presto! You know have an Internet superstar DJ!

How are we going to make the scene better?

Whatever the medium or tools have been, true talent and innovation has always won out. There is always a new flavor or trend that grabs the attention of the most susceptible of dance music lovers, but quality and true craftsmanship always finds its way to the top of the pile. I’ve seen many trends and hype up personalities come and go. I also see the true craftsmen and artists still around and relevant — you fix it by leaving it to its own evolution and self regulation.

18. Derek Dunbar

"DJs need to be more creative in what they bring to the table. Entertaining is more than pushing play and fist pumps."

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

Hungry for something new and different.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

A handful of DJs made a big name for themselves in the mid-late ‘90s.  These are the same DJs you still see at the top of charts and booked over and over again at clubs. Very little desire is shown on the part of club promoters and booking agents to expose people to new talent. Afraid of having a low attendance and possibly losing money, promoters and thus agents resort to pushing the same few they know are a sure bet.

How are we going to make the scene better?

Better marketing! Promoters who have a good following need to realize that for the most part their attendees depend on them to expose them to the variety of DJs who are out there. We also need more agencies willing to get behind talent, market them and bring some competition to the agency world. DJs need to be more creative in what they bring to the table. Entertaining is more than pushing play and fist pumps.

19. Detboi

"I'd prefer to go see someone playing their own music right now than a DJ, but there is the odd exception."

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

It’s never been more popular to be a DJ, so you could say it’s very healthy! But to me it’s in a bit of a mess at moment. I’d prefer to go see someone playing their own music right now than a DJ, but there is the odd exception — Martelo, Jackmaster, One Man, Bok Bok are all incredible DJs and they have a voice.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

Do you really want to set me off on this? Buying a Beatport top 10 to make you more popular, buying 20,000 likes on Facebook, also wanna “DJs” ripping shit from YouTube and then playing it out… so many annoying trends at the moment. But my main hate is just lack of originality in DJ sets — the Internet has given birth to the most original music but not many visionary DJs that have their own stories to tell. In some ways, it’s become monotone and lacking in art.

How are we going to make the scene better?

Sudocrem. It fixes everything. I guess if more people celebrated originality rather then mediocrity that would be a great start. BE DARING. HAVE A VOICE. HAVE A VISION. TAKE RISKS.

20. DJ Dainjazone

"DJs are finding comfort in how they want to represent themselves. Why be limited?"

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

I see it adapting to the times. Technology is giving opportunities to DJs/producers to deliver their ideas and sound in a multitude of ways. DJs are finding comfort in how they want to represent themselves. Why be limited?

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

Hate. Negativity. There’s a way to be heard, get a point across, etc. without being disrespectful or negative. Negativity comes from an unpeaceful place inside. Those people, typically, don’t know how to control their emotions.

How are we going to make the scene better?

I think the scene is okay the way it is. It’s not great. Originality in production is always necessary. Some guys play pre-recorded mixes at their shows and do things that are frowned upon and although there is no excuse for their lack of ethics and etiquette, those guys will always be around. Things are only frowned upon until everyone does it. Then it becomes the norm.

21. DJ Gospel

"It's time to take the DJ booth back under control."

Where do you see DJ culture?

I don’t really see it as a culture anymore as it is a fad or trend brought on through social networks. You used to never see “celebrity DJs” but with today’s advances in technology you can see any athlete, actor or personality try their hand at DJing. When you look at the definition of culture and compare to what is going on now in the DJ profession it falls way short. Today it’s more of let’s see how many people we can pack in here to be seen. The music has become an afterthought and that to me is not an advancement in the “DJ culture.”

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

I find it disheartening that a club will go for quantity over quality these days, having 5-10 DJs play in a 4- or 5-hour period is like riding a bus that makes too many stops when you are trying to get out of the bad side of town. A DJ just does not get a chance to create a memory with people with such short sets and generally you will hear the same tracks repeated. Instead of the DJs working the crowd they are trying too hard to impress the other DJs and the crowd is feeling left out.

How are we going to make the scene better?

The scene will have to go back to it’s roots before it gets better, there are some great DJs out there that get it and have the ability to create a memorable night without needing a lineup of other DJs to do so, but there are far too many that don’t and will just fall into the vicious cycle of being the puppet for a promoter or club owner. It’s time to take the DJ booth back under control, get rid of the wannabes looking for fame and the celebrities looking to keep their name in the game.

22. DJ Sneak

"Separate the phony from the real, be truthful about what’s going on, when someone is faking the funk, expose them."

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

DJ culture needs to get back to the basics, back to when a DJ actually played for the crowd and the purpose of being up there was to entertain with music, not lights, looks and fireworks. It’s okay to embrace change and evolution but it’s also very important to remember and respect the art form and its foundation.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

The ones that are running the music business: clowns run the show, corporations cash in on garbage music and no one learns anything. For me the best music was recorded in the ’70s and ’80s — music died after 2000. The new generation falls for the pressure of the industry and its gimmicks to become pop stars, to put their talent aside to make money and fit in with the masses.

How are we going to make the scene better?

Start a musical revolution! Separate the phony from the real, be truthful about what’s going on, when someone is faking the funk, expose them. People need to take a stand and pay attention to what they are listing to and watching, be smart, read between the lines. People should be challenging their talent, respect should be given when respect is due, not when it’s manipulated by marketing plans, money and fake behavior.

23. Dogu of Ancient Astronauts

"DJ culture today is a mixed up thing of people preserving the old art form and those pushing the limits of new DJ techniques."

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

DJ culture went through big changes within the last couple of years due to new digital DJ equipment, which changed the whole game of DJing. Back in the day you had to carry a lot of vinyl to gigs while nowadays people mostly carry laptops, a hardware box and control vinyl (those that still want to keep that physical vinyl feel). Even a lot of those that kept on DJing with vinyl to keep up that culture sooner or later turned into one of the new DJ technologies. Vinyl sales of all music genres rapidly went down. Then easy to use producer software like Ableton came up and with the help of external controllers a new level of playing music was born. Producers that before would just play their own recorded music from vinyl or a digital file could now spin their own music in Ableton and even do live remixes and add live effects and such. DJs started from being selectors of strictly good tunes/songs to play to a crowd and mix it and cut it together. DJ culture is still present everywhere on this planet but through the easy help of technology nearly everyone could become a DJ. And through the easy access to free music in the internet (legal or illegal) one of the most important parts of DJ culture, the digging for new vinyl, nearly died. Music somehow lost a big portion of value. Especially for the younger generations who were raised in the digital age. In the last two or three years vinyl got a new renaissance and sales went up again, but DJ culture today is a mixed up thing of people preserving the old art form and those pushing the limits of new DJ techniques.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

Through the easy access to digital music people lose the touch to the real value of a song and its background. Digital DJ techniques often make the DJ more an entertainer than a real selector of quality music. I think a real DJ is someone that also teaches people where music comes from and where it can go and not just kicks a fat entertaining show. The music always comes first.

How are we going to make the scene better?

We should keep on spreading the true culture of digging for good music and presenting people the history and roots of the music. The connection of the past and the present is what makes up the culture and progression can only come from fusing these elements. To just rely on technology will not lead forward.

24. Ernesto Ferreyra

"I will keep on supporting underground music and will spin vinyl until the end."

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

Highly competitive, which is good but at the same time more and more DJs are going too functional, synced and boring.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

The enormous hype that is built around to push some artist or crews and six months later that’s old and there must be some new hot stuff…

How are we going to make the scene better?

In my case, I will keep on supporting underground music and will spin vinyl until the end. It’s not much but at least this way I keep finding special music and feel a bit more human while playing.

25. Escort

"As DJs turn into performers and producers, they will have to develop a compelling live experience or else people won't want to go to the show."

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

Eugene Cho: The production aspect for DJs becoming more and more important and I don’t see that trend ever reverse. The tools of music production and editing have become more easily accessible and now even geared specifically toward DJs which is transforming the role of the DJ from a curator to a creator.

Dan Balis: I agree. The primary role of DJ is to curate a musical environment for a night. There’s some technical aspects that are important, but at the end of the day, I’d much rather hear great records, sequenced in a way that makes me want to dance, over impeccably beat matched poops. An impeccable 2-minute blend of two crappy records doesn’t make those records any better. That said, there are a few DJs — I’m thinking specifically of our friend, Porkchop, who will often drop the odd record that by any measure, blows, but somehow he sequences it in such a way that you’re blown away.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

Eugene Cho: With all this focus on DJs today they are now turning into performers, which is weird because a DJ is traditionally someone behind some gear looking down and not engaging with the crowd. So you end up with a crowd of people watching someone bobbing their head illuminated by a computer, which seems so detached from the crowd and to what you are hearing.

Dan Balis: Yep. DJs with laptops and control surfaces — they don’t even make any attempt to play records; it’s just a half-baked live PA.

How are we going to make the scene better?

Eugene Cho: If a DJ isn’t really going to put on a show, then they need to get out of the limelight. I don’t think making the face of dance music someone twiddling knobs or playing with a laptop is a good idea. That’s what MCs and VJs are for.

Dan Balis: I’m not that optimistic that it’s fixable. Your average 16-year-old consumes music in a way that’s completely alien to us — thousands of MP3s and yet they’ve probably never listened to an album end to end.

Eugene Cho: As DJs turn into performers and producers, they will have to develop a compelling live experience or else people won’t want to go to the show. Some way or another it’s going to be fixed

26. Fred Everything

"It used to be DJs made the Jesus pose during an epic breakdown. Now DJs throw cake in the crowd while they DJ. Really Aoki?"

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

It’s bigger than it’s ever been, no doubt, but it has lost its sense of “special.” The turntable (CDJ, laptop) is the new guitar. (Un)fortunately, the learning curve is so small these days. Having access to a ton of music and software mixing your songs together only increases the quantity of over quality of DJs.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

It used to be DJs made the Jesus pose during an epic breakdown. Now DJs throw cake in the crowd while they DJ. Really Aoki?

27. FreQ Nasty

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

DJ culture, and electronic music in general, is in an amazing place where genre boundaries have broken down, the music has a wide appeal and the prejudice between vocal and instrumental music has almost broken down in the scene, if not outside it. It’s an exciting time to make music right now. DJ culture and electronic music will go underground again as it has before after a big wave of popularity, but the idea of what “underground” means has been changed forever.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

The amount of time taken up by social networking in a DJ/producer’s day.

How are we going to make the scene better?

Like everything else the trend will pass. Until then I’ll remain a twittering fool for the kids.

How are we going to make the scene better?

We don’t have to agree with what’s going on in the mainstream and it’s okay. Staying true to our craft and keeping in mind what made us do what we do in the first place should be the main inspiration.

28. Frivolous

"As electronic music becomes more mainstream and crosses over with more traditional forms of music, we will see good developments happening too."

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

I’d like to think that DJ culture is in a bit of a transition. I know that some traditions are hard to break, and in a lot of ways you could say that old rockers aren’t that different from old DJs, but I think that with the young generation we are seeing some of the boundaries being blurred between the roll of the DJ/live set/performance artist/etc. Mostly attributable to the changes in distribution via the Internet, and the technology used to play music. With products like Beatport’s Mashbox and Ableton Live, Traktor, Maschine, etc. it’s becoming harder and harder to say this is a DJ set, or this is a live set, this is a concert, this is an original recording or edit or remix or whatever. I think that this transition has some negative side effects, but is primarily a good thing for the record industry as a whole (if it ever catches up).

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

This is hard to say. There are different problems that face different countries all around the world. I guess the worst thing is the phenomenon of the super-star DJ. When a name becomes more important than the music that they play. We see it a lot more in countries with a long history of nightlife like Italy. The problem becomes when promoters can just count on a good attendance from putting a well recognizable name on the bill and not giving two shits about the quality of the event. This is when the music suffers and it’s probably what burns me the most. In North America it still seems like the scene is struggling to establish solid footings in places where bi-laws and the general reputation of electronic music is soured on a political level. I think that with this adversity, it makes people really ask themselves, “Why am I really into this scene to begin with?” and thus it can make for some actually quite good parties. When people are dedicated to a vision which is not understood on a mainstream level it’s underground, and that’s where it all comes from to begin with.

How are we going to make the scene better?

As “the scene” grows, there will be more shitty DJs, events, labels, etc., but as electronic music becomes more mainstream and crosses over with more traditional forms of music, we will see good developments happening too. These days I’m really excited about the music and festival scene in South America, where they have such high integrity for having music in their lives that is meaningful and inspiring. I think it’s hard to talk about electronic music in relationship to “a scene” by this point, because electronic music is everywhere, and the metamorphosis is happening on so many frontiers. To talk about “the scene” kind of makes me feel old.

29. Gavin Herlihy

"The once elitist, shadowy world of production and DJing has now been democratized."

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

A really fascinating place proving that Warhol was correct when he famously proclaimed that everyone would have 15 minutes of fame in the future. That has positive and negative effects on the industry of course but at least the once elitist, shadowy world of production and DJing has now been democratized.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

The assumption amongst fans that everything is free.

How are we going to make the scene better?

Sadly, we’re not going to change that idea but we need to fix other things to ensure artists have a worthwhile income to keep on making music. In an ideal world publishing could pay the bills as technically we should be paid every time our music is performed/played or reproduced but we need to make changes to our laws to make that happen and allow technology to help. For example, if every DJ playing Traktor/Serato had an app in their software that automatically e-mailed their tracklist to a royalty collection society when they played at a professional venue suddenly it might be possible to accurately claim that money back. If every radio station by law had to mail that society their full tracklists (and not just the sample tracklists they’re currently sending which are pointless for helping underground producers). If every ISP had to pay every time a song was illegally downloaded via their networks they would pay a lot more attention to the issue or artists would get some form of compensation for the abuse of their music. If cloud music companies were made to pair a fair amount of money to artists that would be another money door opened. The technology is there to do all these things but what we’re short on is lobbying power to make them a reality. I think it’s about time that the likes of Madonna, Paul McCartney, U2, etc. who currently enjoy the lion’s share of publishing royalties, gave something back to the music industry by funding lobbying groups to see that artists gain the necessary voice they need to stop being ripped off by the industry around them.

30. Hugh Cleal

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

We are in the middle of the best time for DJs in the history of dance music.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

Illegal downloads.

How are we going to make the scene better?

Throwing underground events with up-and-coming talent.

Album Review: Kris Menace / ‘Electric Horizon’ (Compuphonic)

★★★★☆

Kris Menace is a firm believer that euphoria will take care of itself if you let it develop naturally. Time and again across his follow-up to Idiosyncrasies there are moments of elevation and jubilation, bearing all of the riffs a Balearic paradise could ask for in a higher state of “Discopolis.” The key is not to lay it on thick or ostentatiously; such knowledge of how a dance floor works (while not being a source of revolution there are tracks that overlap too much into one another, about the only criticism Menace has to wear), makes you wonder how so many others fail in turning the same essence into an overblown fireball of cheese. The album title couldn’t be more clued up either. Even the format is a winning throwback of thirteen, vocal-less tracks.

With reference points to bygone clubbing via keyboard also not missing the point (the divine “Fly Me to the Moon”), electro-house is measured precisely by the German, who always seems to have extra time to push forward with his bass pads and twinkling synths, with no discernible drop in BPMs. “Trusting Me” shows the tactics aren’t always lightweight either, with “We Are” appearing to want to fade to grey, and crisp and clean electro punches “Timeless” and “eFeel” make movements as mesmeric as following a particular thong clad video of Menace’s. A summer spellbinder to warm you until winter.
File under: Junior Jack, Mainframe, Lifelike