Two must-see Boiler Room sets (If you like Trap)

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Originally created in March 2010, the Boiler Room have been host to a wide variety of DJs (mostly underground UK DJs) giving online viewers a front row seat to the show. There have been a lot of fantastic sets from the Boiler Room but here are two of my favourites:

Lunice (From TNGHT):

This Montreal producer, along with Hudson Mohawke, have been setting the world on fire with TNGHT's ground breaking self-titled EP that was included in Jon Caramanica's top ten albums of 2012 from the New York Times. 'Higher Ground' was also recently crowned as A-Trak's favourite track of 2012 on Twitter. Lunice is really in his own world for the 45 minute set in the Boiler Room and to say that he threw down would be an understatement. I've probably seen this set 3 times now and I'm still not bored of it.

Lunice will be in Toronto at the Hoxton on January 18th, and in Montreal on January 26th at Igloofest as part of TNGHT.

RL Grime:

RL Grime/Clockwork is primed to become one of the biggest names in EDM starting in 2013. His remixes of Kanye West's 'Mercy' and Benny Benassi's 'Satisfaction' have put him on the map as one of the top producers of 2012. This boiler room set from LA showcases some of the best the genre has to offer.

There are literally hundreds of Boiler Room sets from almost every genre (no Trance) for you to choose from on Youtube, check it out.

New Skrillex EP and Video *Updated

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Skrillex surprised ardent fans yesterday with a brand new 'Leaving' EP composed of two brand new tracks and a DJ tool/track used in his sets via OWSLA's subscription service The Nest.

Leaving - Skrillex:

The Reason - Skrillex:

Notes from Sonny Moore himself on the new EP:

"The reason and Leaving came together last minute.  I made Leaving in my hotel room in mexico and just finished the Reason an hour ago in my hotel room in miami.  I guess it's just kind of a reflection of how I'm feeling right now." (The Nest)

Scary Bolly Dub - Skrillex:

Skrillex: "scary bolly dub is a song I've been playing in my sets for a while.  I use it more as a dj tool, but I wanted you guys to have it."

I make it no secret that I'm a big Skrillex/OWSLA fan so seeing these new tracks makes me very happy. The response so far from his fans are mixed because the 'Leaving' EP is a major departure from his more bass heavy style that has made him famous. But I am thrilled to see Sonny Moore, such a talented producer that he is, move in this direction and find different styles that inspire him to create more music. Skrillex is not staying put but moving forward and I hope that a lot of his fans take the ride with him. As for the 'Leaving' EP itself, my personal favourite is 'The Reason', and for a track put together so last minute I am really enjoying all of the subtle complications and slow build up to it.

Team OWSLA also released a new Skrillex video last night which should not be overlooked, 'Summit' - Skrillex (Feat. Ellie Goulding) [Video by Pilerats]:

I like the video but while watching it I have a nagging feeling that I am navel-gazing into a hipsters' nirvana. That's not a bad thing mind you, but it might be a little self indulgent.

Update: Skrillex had spoken to Billboard recently and confessed that he "has too many songs to even know what to do with." Skrillex also opened up about future plans with Dog Blood, the collaboration between himself and Boys Noize:

"We have a lot more music, man," Skrillex promises. "The cool thing about Dog Blood is it's another outlet where you can step back for a second and just let someone else take over and see what they do and then react to it, and you always come out with great things, some real next-level shit. It's so much fun, so we're going to continue to release stuff and just play when we feel like playing."

Pretty exciting stuff.

(Source: Billboard VIA Reddit)

Nicky Romero interview with Beatport

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Nicky Romero sat down with Beatport for a lengthy and informative interview. Here are some choice quotes:

On Holland being cutthroat for aspiring talent:

"My belief is that if you can DJ in Holland, you can DJ anywhere in the world."

On what is needed to become a major artist in electronic dance music today:

"These days you can no longer just be a DJ—you have to be a whole business entity. Between the radio shows, label work, live appearances, and productions there are so many boxes to tick these days and each one is vital to your visibility and success within the modern market."

Thoughts about pop music:

"It is only natural that people judge pop music, but to be honest I have never cared about that particular brand—I just carry on making my music."

If you are a fan of Nicky Romero then this is a must read interview.

Two opposing views regarding the Sync button on the new CDJ-2000 Nexus

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Gareth Emery played on the new CDJ-2000nexus during NYE in Toronto on Monday and wrote about his positive experience on Facebook:

..."whilst the reaction of a few is OMFG SYNC BUTTON URE FAKING URE SET I actually found the opposite was true, and I ended up playing a longer, more diverse & varied set than I would otherwise have done. I guess like many things in this wonderful world of dance music, when you dig deep and look at the subtleties & complexities of a situation, you find the reality is often rather different to the headline."

Read the whole post here.

Meanwhile fellow Trance producer Arnej offered an opposing 140 character view on Twitter:

With the new CDJ Nexus systems being installed in major clubs I'm sure the debate about the sync button is just getting started.