Digitalism will hit the United States this May for a string of shows across the country, bringing their live set to nine cities – with a kickoff performance in San Francisco on May 7th and a closing stop in Los Angeles on the 17th. The Hamburg duo will return to their rock-influenced roots for this tour as they bring a brand new live set to North America.
Eighteen years is a milestone in any lifetime, but one The Gallery club night is especially proud of. What initially started off at Turnmills for a one-off gathering of just 50 people and is now based at Ministry of Sound, The Gallery continues to enjoy the pace of London clubbing. Next month, to celebrate its 18th anniversary, the brand releases three CDs which not only reflect its legacy, but its pivotal role in helping to shape the future of electronic music.
‘Toolroom Goes Deep’ returns for its third outing, showcasing the deeper side of Toolroom Records though an array of Toolroom favourites and previously unreleased exclusives. The album is packed full of some of the biggest deep house tracks from established and emerging artists.
Coming straight out of Manchester, UK is NB Audio – a brand new label set up to cater for a cross section of electronic music. With a barrage of well-versed and experienced heads behind it, this first release comes from fellow Manchester residents Snap Shot – a new alias of Mark XTC (Da Intalex) and Microcosm (North Base) – two producers with a wealth of bass-heavy knowhow between them.
‘Blackout’ is the first single to be released from Wretch 32’s forthcoming third studio album. Premiered on MistaJam’s Radio 1Xtra show and as Zane Lowe’s ‘Hottest Record’ on Radio 1, the track was produced by emerging talent Knox Brown who hails from Birmingham and created the record in his bedroom studio.
Saved Records presents the third instalment in their collection sampler series, ‘Collection C’. The release contains music from artists who have already made a mark on the label as well as a couple of debutants. A reflection of the label’s tastes with original music and an eclectic range.
Contemporary and legendary female vocalists alike have graced this commemorative 20 Years Essentials edition of Divas on King Street and just the very mention of some of their names brings glory and glamour into the spotlight. Legendary female house music singers like Barbara Tucker, Michelle Weeks, Kimara Lovelace, Linda Clifford, Ultra Nate, Dawn Tallman, Stephanie Cooke, and their contemporary counterparts Monique Bingham, Tiombe Lockhart, Gaelle Adisson, Heather Johnson, and others have at one point or another raised hands and spirits on some of the world's best dance floors with their songs.
In perfect time for the summer, Ministry of Sound release some sunshine reggae vibes from UK home grown talent Liam Bailey, with 'When Will They Learn'. With huge features for super producers ‘Chase & Status’ on their 2011 hit, ‘Blind Faith’ and Radio 1 backed single ‘Big Man’, Liam’s next venture is a potential big tune.
Pacha Ibiza recently announced the launch of its new weekly event, Insane, kicking off on Friday May 24 with John Digweed and Fritz Kalkbrenner as residents. As well as its two residents (John Digweed will play 12 dates, and Fritz Kalkbrenner, eight dates), Insane will feature sets from DJs such as X-Press 2, Fabricʼs Terry Francis, Visionquestʼs Lee Curtiss, Monika Kruse, UNER, Nic Fancuilli, H.O.S.H, Pleasurekraft, Oliver$ and Steve Lawler.
DJ and Producer Laidback Luke kicks off his Revolt party series exclusive to Hakkasan Las Vegas at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino this Sunday, April 28. He will also DJ in the daytime at the MGM Grand’s Wet Republic Ultra Pool in May.
It’s been over 20 years since Orbital teamed up with Mike Hazell to form Golden Girls and release one of the undisputable club classics of the ecstasy generation – ‘Kinetic’. The riff is so recognisable and always raises a cheer. It has been remixed numerous times over the years as each new generation gets to hear it for the first time with a slightly new flavour to make that riff sound so right in DJs’ current sets.
Celebrating over a decade of Ibiza’s dance music scene, Defected In The House Ibiza 2013 is the latest in Defected’s compilation series. Spread over three CDs, it takes in tracks and remixes from Loco Dice, Rachel Row, Steve Bug, Nick Curly, Guti, FCL, Kings of Tomorrow and David August.
Following on from 2012's ‘Palua’ EP, Uner returns to Cadenza Records in May 13 with a brand new EP. Featuring two tracks (and a bonus digital track), the 'Nagual EP' delivers once more, with UNER very much at the top of his game.
Los Hermanos Cubanos, aka The Cuban Brothers, are all set to release their new album 'Yo Bonita' on May 6 via Jam City Records. The album features the band's hottest tracks; from funk and soul right through to hip-hop and jazz, with special guest appearances from Mica Paris, Kurtis Blow, Tenor Fly, Abdominal, Omar and KT Tunstall.
Soma Records present a compilation of tracks from the last year, mixed by Gary Beck in what is his first ever commercially available mix CD.After the successful 20th anniversary celebrations, Soma continued with their output right through 2012, forging ahead with new and old artists alike. 2012 saw the debut album from Gary himself that immediately made its mark on the techno world, demonstrating his talent as not just a techno producer but as an artist.
DJ and producer Toddla T returns to Tramlines Festival, Sheffield, with an expanded dance music programme and the Toddla T Sound show. For the first time ever, Toddla T has curated the festival’s opening Friday night (July 19) where the ‘steel city’ meets the ‘motor city’.
Tommy Trash has teamed up with members of the Jim Henson Company in Los Angeles to bring Kal the Monkey to life. In what is the first of a two-video series, Monkey See Monkey Do sees us following Kal, a simple, innocent but inquisitive monkey, on the first leg of a journey of discovery.
After a successful 2012 pool season, Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and Insomniac – the producer of music festivals such as the Electric Daisy Carnival - recently announced the return of Wet Wonderland. This daytime party launches April 27 with Avicii and will take place every Saturday, poolside at Marquee Dayclub.
This summer, Pete Tong kicks off his most ambitious party yet as he begins a new chapter with the launch of Le Grand Bazaar every Friday at Ushuaïa, Ibiza. With full line-ups still to be announced, so far Pete’s revealed he’ll be joined by the likes of Hot Natured (debut Ibiza live performance), Fatboy Slim, Carl Cox and many more.
Slovenien born Valentino Kanzyani has been one of Cadenza’s secret weapons over the last 12 months, already building a solid profile with the first two installments of his ‘Love & Gratiude’ series. And now he delivers the third, and final, part of this musical trilogy, with a double pack vinyl release, and a continuous mixed CD by Valentino himself, featuring almost all of the compositions released on the series.
In about six weeks time, on Saturday May 25, Defected’s Ibiza 2013 season kicks off in style with Dennis Ferrer, Yousef, FCL accompanied by ‘It’s You’ vocalist Lady Linn and Simon Dunmore. After a top performance at the label’s New Year’s Eve party and, more recently, at London’s Ministry of Sound, Dennis Ferrer is their chosen headliner to start the season in Ibiza with a bang.
Leftfoot are the curates of Birmingham’s urban festival, Mostly Jazz, Funk and Soul, bestowed with the honour of opening up proceedings on Friday July 5 in the leafy splendor of Moseley Park. Headliner Bonobo takes centre stage, with his latest opus, ‘The North Borders’, just released to nice feedback.
Four years since his last EP release and Josh Wink is back with ‘Balls’ on Ovum. Since his album release in 2009 with ‘When A Banana Was Just A Banana’, Josh Wink has been heavily touring and working on building a new studio, and enjoying the birth of his baby son. After taking some time out to enjoy fatherhood, he finally got into his brand new studio towards the end of 2012 and the outcome was ‘Balls’.
Creamfields recently announced a host of new acts to their line-up for this year’s festival including Duke Dumont, Mark Knight, Chris Lake, Michael Woods, T Williams, Doorly, Stefano Noferini, Just Blaze, Danny Howard, Claptone, Albin Myers, DJ Fusion, DJ Punish, P Money, Scrufizzer, Linguistics, SP:MC, SGT Pokes, Stamina MC and many more.
After the success of his tracks ‘Koko’, ‘Nothing Inside’, ‘Ten’ (w/ Mark Knight and Underworld) and ‘Joyenergizer’, Sander van Doorn is back with his spring 2013 track ‘Into The Light’, a collaboration with Duch-bred duo DubVision, LA-based emerging talent Mako and vocalist Mariana Bell.
Jamie Watts aka KiloWatts has a long tenure and impressive body of work contributed to the Harmonious Discord imprint. He has been an integral component to the shaping of its sound over the years and first appeared on the HD label with a glitched out breaky contribution on its fifth release in early 2004. Since then he has been featured in three artist EPs, two remixes, and one sampler contribution.
On Friday April 26, Shogun Audio is teaming up with the London Warehouse Events team once more to return to those red brick arches of Ewer Street for another top party event. With another huge line-up, this has the potential to raise the bar even higher after the success of last year’s event.
‘Owner Of A Lonely Heart' is a vocal known the world over and there aren't many producers that will do it justice with a remix, but step forward Jose Nunez and Baggi Begovic who have done just that with what could be a summer anthem, especially with the Ibiza season near to kicking off.
Empire Of The Sun recently unveiled the cover art and track-listing for their second album ‘Ice On The Dune’, which is released on Monday June 17. ‘Alive’, the first single to be released from the album is exclusively available as an instant grat on iTunes from today, with the full bundle available on Sunday June 16.
In a top year of releases for Toolroom Records, label leader Mark Knight gets set to release his new track ‘Your Love’ (formerly ‘Can’t Get You Out Of My Head’). Twice nominated in this year’s International Dance Music Awards, Mark Knight uses crisp percussion, a big bassline and a cheeky nod to a pop princess to bring a new take to some classic sounds.
After the success of the 2012 edition, Kappa FuturFestival – Torino Summer Music Festival, returns this summer on July 13 and 14 at Parco Dora, Torino and will host some of the best national and international artists in electronic music. The event will be held during two days on two different stages, from midday till midnight, to celebrate contemporary music culture in an open-air, daytime festival dedicated to electronic music in a post industrial park space in Torino.
Azealia Banks releases her new track ‘Yung Rapunxel’ today on Polydor Records. Produced by Lil Internet the single features samples from Mary J Blige’s ‘No More Drama’, which Mary personally agreed to clear for Banks.
Loco Dice recently announced the next chapter in his love affair with the White Isle with a new residency that will witness a return to Ibiza’s heyday via a series of outdoor daytime parties at one of the island’s leading venues; Ushuaïa Ibiza. Starting on the June 6 and running every Thursday to the end of September 2013; Loco Dice – Used + Abused - sees one of electronic music’s leading figures curate a new experience that not only pays homage to his 15 year journey on the island, but is representative of where he is artistically in the present.
London’s The Electric in Brixton is bringing a club show to the city for one night only as dance legends Faithless, featuring Maxi Jazz and Sister Bliss, will DJ and play a live PA with many others on May 31. This is Faithless' first UK show since 2011 although recently they played at the US festival Ultra.
Guy Gerber recently announced his new residency, Wisdom Of The Glove, at Pacha Ibiza, launching on Wednesday May 22. The DJ/producer and Supplement Facts boss, aims to transport you to a 360 degree otherworldly rabbit hole…
Just ahead of his second studio LP, ‘Eight Bit Ocean’, James Teej delivers the ‘Liking Your Disorder’ single, backed with a remix from Timo Maas, for Sasha’s Last Night on Earth imprint. Having first appeared on Last Night On Earth with the ‘Bring On The Night’ collaboration with Sasha, the prospect of a Teej LP on the label has been rumoured but before that, ‘Liking Your Disorder’ is here to whet the appetite.
The Emperor Machine returns with his first new release in almost four years, ‘Like a Machine’ backed with a remix from Andrew Weatherall. Andy Meecham AKA The Emperor Machine really needs little introduction, having been at the forefront of electronic music for well over 20 years now. His musical history as Bizarre Inc, Sir Drew and Chicken Lips charts the changing face of dance music over the last two decades but it is perhaps as The Emperor Machine that he has found his most experimental and innovative outlet.
Defected In The House brings a heavyweight line-up to Bomba Ibiza for Saturday nights, while Defected presents DFTD introduces a new concept to Ushuaia Tower with a free party on Mondays for the 2013 Ibiza season. The first of two new venues to open this summer is Bomba Ibiza (which we featured earlier in the week), with Defected In The House parties taking place each week from May 25 to September 28.
DJ of the year for MixMag and awarded best producer in the DJ Awards, Mladen Solomun has been developing a multitude of facets such as promoter, club owner, radio broadcaster and as the owner of the record labels Diynamic and 2DIY4. Now it’s recently been announced that Solomun will be taking over Sundays at Pacha with a new concept aimed at continuously changing the sounds of Ibiza.
Bomba is the new purpose-built club in Ibiza which houses the first ever custom made Pioneer Sound System. It’s brought to you by Giuseppe Cipriani, who has partnered with Danny Whittle and Mark Netto, the former programming directors at Pacha.
Jonny White’s No.19 Music teams up with UK duo Jakkin’ Rabbit for some house music featuring vocals from the legendary Robert Owens and the act’s own Danny Kane. Birmingham’s Danny Kane is an accomplished producer and multi instrumentalist who has worked with the likes of UB40, Chaka Khan, Bobby Womack and Shara Nelson, and now as part of Jakkin’ Rabbit with partner Marc Spence.
The London-based Smiley Fingers imprint returns with ‘Toxic Picnic’ by Dave Seaman & Andy Chatterley, backed with a Pezzner remix. Smiley Fingers is now over 80 releases deep and its back catalogue boasts works from some of the industries heavy-hitters, from Richie Hawtin and Steve Lawler through to Steve Bug and Gabriel Ananda as well as rising stars such as Italy’s Rick Sanders.
Featuring a giant synapse shorting LED display designed and programmed by himself, Squarepusher joins The Playground Festival this year on the 7th and 8th June at the 02 Academy Brixton. Expecting around 10000 people across the weekend, the event hosts some of the biggest names in electronic music.
Groove Armada’s Andy Cato has announced a photographic exhibition at The Book Club in London to mark the release of his new solo album, ‘Times & Places’, forthcoming on Apollo Records. The exhibition will open on Thursday April 25 with a private view followed by a public event featuring DJ sets from Andy Cato and Geddes.
Electric Daisy Carnival, the world-famous electronic music event, will be heading to London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Saturday July 202013 for one of the biggest shows to hit the UK this summer, featuring some of electronic music’s biggest and most globally recognised talent, including headliners Tiësto and AVICII, as well as Steve Angello, Alesso, Hardwell, Madeon and many more, across one main stage and three arenas.
Cream Ibiza returns to Amnesia with a roster of artists set amongst possibly some of the best production on the planet. As one of Ibiza’s longest running and most successful parties, the line-up for this year’s season sees the return of heavyweight headliners Calvin Harris, Above & Beyond, Paul Van Dyk and Laidback Luke.
Ministry of Sound Records will release ‘Danny Avila Live’, a 24-track compilation that features the biggest hits currently flying out of Avila’s sets. From start to finish Avila blends electro, dubstep, D&B, progressive and trap.
Fresh from a busy week of shows in Miami and with his last single ‘Pogo’ continuing to work well in his sets, Laidback Luke is back with his next single for Mixmash and this time he has teamed up with fellow Dutchman Hardwell.
As One In The Park will be the first credible large-scale gay festival in London for over a decade, putting the capital in line with other major European cities. Victoria Park is firmly established as a prime festival site, already playing host to events including Field Day. As One In The Park is the day after Field Day and will be using their infrastructure and production crew.
The International Music Summit recently announced that Diplo and Instagram co-founder, Kevin Systrom, will join IMS Engage’s series of un-moderated conversations at this month’s event in W Hotel, Hollywood. IMS Engage is a one-day series of conversations, consisting of eight pairs of speakers who will address the growing influence and prominence of electronic music in America and beyond.
Layo & Bushwacka! recently announced details of the second Olmeto Records party of 2013 with Cadenza mainstay Michel Cleis, and Circus Company troupe Guillaume & The Contu Dumonts (Live) joining them at The Egg on April 27 for a 11-hour event.
Without light, there is no dark. And without lows, there are no highs. UK producer Ashley Wallbridge has taken an old Chinese philosophy and applied it to his latest production, coming full circle to reveal both the lighter and darker sides of progressive house with his new track 'Yin-Yang,' out April 15 on Gareth Emery’s Garuda Music.
To commemorate the impact of Cosmic Gate’s most successful album to-date, Black Hole Recordings have built ‘Wake Your Mind’ – The Deluxe Edition, to deliver the ultimate W.Y.M. experience, featuring tracks and remixes from Ferry Corsten, W&W, Orjan Nilsen, Omnia and others and a full span of multimedia aspects.
Steve Angello will be launching new label X at the end of this month, providing another outlet for some of the styles of music that inspire him. The label will start off with a new two-track EP from dance music veteran Trent Cantrelle entitled ‘Nice & Close’.
Danish DJ/producer Kasper Bjørke had a busy 2012, the highlight of which was releasing his 'Fool' album. Setting off 2013 in a similar vein, Kasper releases a remix package of one of ‘Fool’s highlights – ‘Sunrise’. The original is an emotive disco pop track featuring the talents of Jacob Bellens. The fourth single from the album and third featuring Bellens, Bjørke has clearly developed an affinity for the songwriting and vocal skills of the I Got You On Tape and Murder front man.
Nearly a decade after his last artist album, Dutch DJ/producer The Scumfrog returns with his new album, ‘In Case We’ll All Still Be Here’. Now that the dance scene is more alive than ever before, New York based producer Jesse Houk shines a new light on the deep, techy sounds of the underground.
The Black Ghosts are back with ‘Forgetfulness’, one of the highlights from their last album remixed by Fake Blood, Maribou State and Sona Vabos. The Black Ghosts burst on to the scene back in 2006 with a string of singles that captured their unique fusion of folk tinged songwriting and edgy electronic production. The brainchild of songwriter/vocalist and Simon ‘Skywave’ Lord and production wizard Theo ‘Fake Blood’ Keating, the Black Ghosts have gone on to become a highly respected act with two album releases under their collective belt.
Thomas Gold kicks off his headline show at Ministry Of Sound this Saturday, April 6. Just back from two weeks in Miami, Thomas will be joined in Room One by Michael Woods, Danny Avila and Anakyn, and is promising all sorts of exclusive edits and secret battle weapons.