The very first TSOQ is about to begin in a few hours in Edmonton and just in case you needed to listen to preview of what to expect tonight, local hero James Bayliss created an hour long mix to get you in the mood:
(Source: FB)
In case you have been living under a rock, the very first Q-Dance event in Canada is taking place tonight in Edmonton and has an absolutely stellar lineup that includes the famous Dutch hardstyle artist Frontliner. He's no stranger to Canadian crowds as he graced us with his presence in two recent events in Alberta and B.C. Frontliner started his success as a hardstyle artist back in 2006, and is well known to have a diverse style. So without further ado, go ahead and get to know Frontliner before he takes the big stage tonight for the first ever Sound of Q-Dance in Canada:
1. Who is Frontliner?
Your everyday normal guy with a crazy passion for hardstyle!
2. What style of hardstyle do you play?
My style! I don’t believe in working within sub genres, I make whatever I want to produce as long as it’s hardstyle, I like to keep it a bit on the euphoric side, I’m crazy about melodies but when it doesn't have a hard kick or when it isn't 150 BPM it ain't hardstyle. so that is the only limitation I set for my self, it isn't difficult though, I love the energy hardstyle offers and if it was up to me I would never change a thing about that! That energy that hardstyle carries, you don’t find that in other genres, if you do, let me know ;-)
3. You've been to Canada at a few shows in Alberta and Vancouver last year, how do you find the Canadian crowd as compared to European ones?
Well, this is a strange question cause crowds differ all over the world, even within Europe itself but let me put it like this: Hardstyle loves Canada and that isn’t for no reason, CANADA ROCKS! I have to admit I’ve had some of the most insane crowds in Canada
4. Hardstyle seems to be making few inroads in North America, what's your take on this genre of music getting bigger in this part of the world?
I don’t really care about that, I’m happy as long as I can perform and produce, I really don’t care where I have to do so, I’m so thankful for just being able to play!
5. Q-Dance is making their Canadian debut next month in Edmonton and you're a headliner – how important is this event for hardstyle and what can fans expect from your performance?
Well, with Q events the quality is always high and especially when you bring something into a relatively new market you need to make sure to set a standard. hardstyle production wise is on such a high level now, this is the time! I’m happy to help q-dance by bringing the musical part. You can expect me to play a lot of my own tracks. I don’t know, I just get such a great vibe from the feedback of the crowd, watching everyone go crazy on your own productions is just unreal, every time again. I never got why DJ’s want to play other DJ’s hits but then again I don’t know any other hardstyle producers with a discography of 105 tracks. ;-)
6. Tell me about the Summer Of Frontliner series of track releases – it seems you've been very busy in the studio!
I have been! I absolutely loved working on this project releasing a video once a week with the footage of the festival the weekend before was challenging but I have such great people around me to help me out with that part that I could only focus on producing, we had a few deadlines that I nearly missed but all worked out fine. The feedback I got was just great!
7. What can we expect from Frontliner for the rest of 2014 and beginning of 2015?
Sometimes I set the bar too high but I still believe that's good, I now have a great studio where I love to work and I just keep on producing, of course the news just got out that I’ll be having my own X-Qlusive Frontliner in the holy grail of hardstyle in Amsterdam next January, I am a man on a mission to make the most out of this opportunity Q-dance gave me!
My thanks to Frontliner for the interview.
The lineup for the Sound of Q-Dance would please any hardstyle fan worldwide as they booked Frontliner, Gunz For Hire, Coone, Audiofreq, Bass Modulators, and James Bayliss. There are still a few tickets left for tonight's show at the Shaw Conference Centre and if you want to pick some up, click below:
Halloween is one of the biggest party times of the year, and there are always plenty of worthy events to attend. But without a doubt, this year's Sinister Halloween party at the Chateau Le Jardin is one of the hottest tickets in Toronto on October 31st. Project 46 will be there and they have an entire album full of unreleased tracks that will certainly bring any dancefloor to a euphoric high. Joining them is the young talent Paris Blohm who struck gold this summer with a Beatport #1 track "Left Behinds". Did I mention that the price of admission includes an open bar? Yes that's right, the only EDM event in Toronto with an open bar will be this party!
EDM Toronto is offering a very lucky winner 2 free tickets to this exclusive Halloween party. This is going to be a very popular contest, so listen up and find out how can you get in on this unique experience.
To enter, get on Twitter and do the following:
Win 2 tickets to Sinister Halloween ft. @DJProject46, @ParisBlohm at Chateau Le Jardin (Open Bar!) - Follow @edmtoronto + RETWEET to enter!
The contest is open now and will end on Wednesday, October 15th at 3 pm EST. Enter as many times as you want (You can tweet the contest tweet once a day!) and good luck!
Important note: A potential winner will be contacted via direct message on Twitter at 3 pm on Wednesday, October 15th. To win you must give me your full name and email to claim the prize. A potential winner will only be 24 hours to claim before EDM Toronto is forced to re-draw the prize and another winner will be selected. Good luck!
ILESONIQ was the first ever electronic dance music centric festival that took place in Montreal this summer and the organizers have released their official recap video, enjoy:
Hopefully ILESONIQ will be back in 2015 with an even bigger lineup!
(Source: Rukes)
Yesterday Markus Schulz posted a special message about his 11 hour open to close set experience at the Guvernment in Toronto on his website. I posted it in full below and I highly suggest that you read it as it is a special tribute to one of his favourite clubs that has supported his career throughout the years:
"Hello friends,Checking in with you following a ridiculously hectic summer with a couple of treats, in an effort to say thank you.Throughout my career, I am privileged to have had the opportunity to build my legacy at some of the world’s greatest and iconic clubs – venues held in the highest esteem and provide crucial building blocks towards the scene we love.And one of those clubs lies in the Canadian city of Toronto; quite simply, The Guvernment.As my name began to spread beyond the years of local residencies in Phoenix and Miami, Toronto was among the first cities worldwide to embrace me and what I represented. Through the early Armada nights, they made me feel like one of their own – something that continued through their magical Labour of Love events. Alongside the main Guvernment room, the amazing Koolhaus next door played home to some of the most important nights in my DJ life.When doors opened for me to be able to perform in the domain I love the most – the open to close solo sets – I wanted them to take place in the venues which would do them justice – and The Guvernment fit the bill. And when they finally happened, they exceeded the expectations of all of us.Sadly, earlier this summer, it was announced that The Guvernment complex would close its doors for good this coming January, and a cherished piece of clubbing land would cease. Fortunately, I was given the chance to pay tribute to the people of Toronto, and The Guvernment itself, with one final solo set, and going for the duration record.So as a thank you to the people of Toronto, and also to everyone worldwide for your support throughout another year, this is a small way of giving back and saying thanks.I present you the entire set recorded from The Guvernment, and on top of that, I’m also giving away my much requested Dakota track Doors Open – all 22 minutes of it. Hope that you guys will enjoy the treats, and that you will share and embrace the love and gratitude for The Guvernment nightclub, the promoters, staff and DJs who graced the decks, and the people of Toronto who made it special.With love,Markus"
To get the full 11 hour set stream of Markus' final performance at the Guvernment, you'll have to visit his site. Simply give your full name and email, and it'll unlock all of the content. Very easy to do, and so worth it. Click here to go check it out.
If you want a snippet of his performance, then enjoy this 2 hour excerpt:
