In the latest "In The Booth" video series, you get to see Tiesto take a tour of Toronto that includes visiting Dzeko & Torres' studio, making a dish at Lee Restaurant, and of course checking him out while he takes the mainstage of Digital Dreams. Enjoy:
A-Trak talked about the art of DJ'ing and how it's evolved over the years through his own personal experiences, a must-read:
"There's a lot of talk lately about what DJing is becoming. I've seen it evolve a lot over the years. I started DJing when I was 13, scratching vinyl and playing strictly hip hop, winning championships. The DMC judges thought I was pretty good at it, but think my definition was narrow back then. I remember when my aunts and uncles found out I was a DJ they assumed I was the guy talking on the radio. So to define who we were, we called ourselves turntablists. We wanted legitimacy. As I grew up I got into more sides of the craft. Party-rocking and mastering different musical genres. In the early 2000's I was Serato's very first endorsee. I remember talking to Jazzy Jeff and AM about Serato: was it stable enough? We also had to convert all our music. DJing was becoming digital. Then Kanye hired me to tour with him, because he learned how to perform from Common and Kweli who had real DJs too - shout out to Dummy & Ruckus. We went on an Usher tour and Kanye wanted me to bust solos. My routines were too specialized so I had to make new ones that this new audience would understand. I started seeing the bigger picture. Then I got into electronic music. I remember seeing Mehdi, Boys Noize, Feadz playing on CDJs and thinking: these guys are turntablists too. Surkin was the first guy I saw DJ on Ableton in a way that felt like true DJing too. Now there's a whole new cast in electronic music, and it's still exciting to me. I've seen a lot of fads come and go over the years. And I don't think my way of DJing is the only way. I wish I could also play like Carl Cox and DJ Harvey too. But I have my style and it's my passion. I love standing for something that means something, as Pharcyde would say. When you come to my show you know you'll see me cut. And take risks. DJing is about taking risks. I represent #RealDJing #YouKnowTheDifference"
(Copy-pasted from Instagram)
(VIA @MrRagerx)
Since the reported two deaths and 20 hospitalizations at the Mad Decent Block Party (MDBP) on August 1st in Columbia, MD, Diplo and the Mad Decent crew have taken more stringent measures to avoid calamity at the MDBP in Toronto this Saturday. Here are some of the items that are considered prohibited on the MDBP FAQ page for the Toronto show:
To read the full list, click here.
Mad Decent is now following an anti-Kandi trend that was started by HARD when they instituted a similar "restricted items" list for Hard Summer earlier this month. Diplo thinks these new rules will "keep people safe":
@EDMsnob all we wanna do is keep people safe. Before banned-lots people were sick. After banned - No injuries. I'm just happy people R safe
— blondre 3000 (@diplo) August 12, 2014But if you ask Derek Staples, author of the article "Why MDMA is Destroying EDM", he thinks it's all about controlling the "concert's image": (Source: New York Times)
“It’s almost like they want to take the fun out of it,” Mr. Staples said. “Like they’re worried about people taking pictures of lots of kids with binkies and pacifiers in their mouth — like they’re trying to control the concert’s image.”
Pasquale Rotella, the head of Insomniac and EDC Las Vegas, defended kandi: (Source: YourEDM)
“One of my favorite aspects of dance music culture is the freedom of self-expression. Since the early days, dance culture has always been a non-judgmental environment where you could express your individuality through art, music and positive energy. It’s been especially amazing to see how the making and trading of kandi has evolved over the years. Kandi started in Southern California, and is now a tradition embraced by ravers all over the world! I love that these beaded works of art create a special bond between the giver and recipient when traded. Although I don’t wear kandi regularly, I save all of the pieces I’ve been gifted by Headliners and remember the stories behind each one. Whether you’re from SoCal or Singapore, wear your kandi proudly and continue to spread the good vibes!”
What do you think? As promoters try to find ways to mitigate injury and deaths at electronic dance music events, the new policies by the Mad Decent Block Parties and HARD might be the beginning of a wider trend.
If you want to buy tickets to Toronto's Mad Decent Block Party this Saturday featuring Diplo, Chance The Rapper, Grandtheft, Flosstradamus, Zeds Dead and more, click here.
Flinch just released the "Too Much" EP, a 4 track package that will certainly please the bass fans. According to Do Androids Dance, this EP might be released on Smog on August 26th, so grab it now before it's gone:
Click here to download now.
If you're looking for some nouveau French touch, then look no further than "Filet Mignon Volume II", an amazing collection of fresh French talent showcasing 21 tracks. With artists like DJ Snake and Gesaffelstein emerging onto the scene in a big way, it'd be a good idea to take a look at the next series of artists that might make it big in the future:
Update: This compilation received a huge compliment by Porter Robinson
@madeon that group of artists/projects (nomak, lh4l, aazar, devoted to god, point point and alesia) is the best new stuff of the year imo.
— 【＝◈︿◈＝】ｐｏｒｔｅｒ (@porterrobinson) August 2, 2014Click here to download now.
Here's a fun little post made by Vice's Thump that gives a few key talking points about underground dance labels. It's a cheeky little guide that highlights the snobbishness of the dance music world in a comedic way.