Watch out Edward Maya, you aren't the only superstar from Romania! ;-p
This new, up and coming group formed in 2005, known as Voxis, will give any dj/producer a run for their money as they don't just use computers or synthesizers but integrally use instruments in their music production! Quite classically, a band, I am quite impressed by the splendid electronic dance music they have been releasing!
And not to keep comparing, but in juxtaposition to Edward Maya, I can't help but have sentiments that Voxis and their music are by far a lot more dynamic, versatile and layered compared to Mr. Maya's music. No disrespect to the wonderful work Maya has been doing, but do you really want every song to be as catchy as "Stereo Love" without sounding exactly like "Stereo Love? Voxis has remedied this with their style of Euro-Dance music!
Voxis tracks present themselves with that open breezy, fresh easy Euro-trashy goodness! And, I like that a lot! How could anyone not? Their beats are fresh and crisp enough for dancing, jamming and chilaxing! Not only good studio or at home listening, their tracks are just as perfect for the club scene with much versatility for mixing into sets!
Needless to say, international dance radio out of Beirut, Lebanon has been blowing up playing Voxis with special popularity found for their track "Tell Me Everything".
Will Voxis take as long to catch on in the United States as fellow Romanian, Edward Maya, with his "Stereo Love" track did? I certainly hope not, because I am looking forward to going out and flying "To the Moon" aboard the smooth trip that Voxis music provides!
Perhaps the best thing about the Ellie Goulding event covered in the previous post was the opportunity to get introduced to some of freshest beats and coolest peeps I have encountered in a while! Opening for Ellie Goulding the New York duo graced a UCSB college crowd Monday night with some near blueman group magik in the way they were producing electronic music live before ones eyes!
Definitely a pair of wizards in my opinion, their smooth electro funk magik enchanted the audience and put an even deeper spell over me! Their music masterfully blends a cornucopia of elements that let you exhale a deep breath full of life while taking in all the right feelings that make you want to dance!
Having worked with the likes of not only Ellie Goulding but also Chromeo, Alex Winston and Samuel, I look forward to see their future projects with other artists and more of their own! Budding with all sorts of potential I am excited to see what more The Knocks are going to bring to the electronic music community!
Asides from producing blissheavy tracks and putting on one hell of a performance, the duo are a class act themselves! Having had opportunity to chat with them after the show, get some autographs and take some pictures, it was great to see how down to earth and genuinely they interacted with fans!
On the night of this past Monday, April 18, I had the outstanding opportunity to see one of the world's rising pop stars, Miss Ellie Goulding!
Already having conquered her native land of the UK, Miss Goulding has set out on her American campaign touring throughout the United States and Canada. On her way back from the Coachella festival on the weekend, Ellie graced the University of California Santa Barbara with her lovely presence for yet again another wonderful show put on by UCSB's Associated Students Program Board!
Playing a compilation of some of her most popular tracks, Miss Goulding jammed, jived and rocked out all those who attended the show!
In the intimate environment that UCSB's HUB venue provides, there was even a meet and greet event following the show! A time which I had the opportunity to meet the pretty lady, get an autograph, a photo and find out she used to play striker on an all girls team as she signed my Manchester United jersey!
What was most exciting about this show was the opportunity to hear her the lovely original unadulterated voice and music that many DJ's are finding every so tasty to remix and mash! In so many ways Ellie Goulding has become for some of the current electronic music scene what Sarah McLachlan was 5 or 10 years ago at a time when Gabriel & Dresden were doing their remixes and Tiesto was still early "In [his] Search of Sunrise".
Thanks for the lovely evening Ellie! Cheers to you!
Ever wondered what a day in the life of a very young and upcoming DJ/musical producer might be like? Adrian Lux takes there!
In 2 minutes and 41 seconds we go from Stockholm to Scotland and get to follow Adrian in his travels, through airports, hotels, the back end of venues and where the young DJ remarks about how "insanely nervous" he is before taking the stage!
In addition we get a chance to catch a glimpse of Tiesto waving the Scottish flag, whom Lux compliments as "...the most famous DJ in the world, Tiesto... he's a Dutch guy".
Expressing more than that, this film also gives Adrian Lux a chance to articulate where he places importance in his profession to challenge oneself, produce new material and simply just try surprise people! Something the young wizard has done most positively!
"We can do one of those sad documentaries about a DJ that has to travel around the world alone living in hotels and all that exhausting stuff!"
My final word... ghost ride da whhip dat pretty pink unicorn my yung wizzard
For those of you who thought the full clip of Martin Solveig & Dragonette's "Hello" left you on a cliffhanger... have no fear because the story continues!
The rising French wizard is back to continue his witty, comical and creative narrative that was initially produced as an extended music video for his and Dragonette's awesome track that is "Hello"! The webisodes are part of Solveig's newest project entitled "SMASH" which will include a tour and his new album! A project that I am personally very much looking forward to and am curious to see how the already wonderful media he is producing with further unfold!
This new installment of "SMASH" is just as brilliant! With the continued antics of Gregory Darsa as Solveig's manager, Martin's own naive church boy persona and more characters portrayed by Flo Lafaye, Gael Monfils, Francios Rollin, Jo Wee, Melanie Laurent, Alyssa Kokilah, Vinnie Quek, and Mari Muramoto all adding to the ensemble and guarantee this new episode doesn't disappoint!
Check out "Initial SHE" to see Solveig's therapist discuss how he feels like "a baby wombat left on the side of the road", Gregory Darsa in a Speedo, Solveig's dj/tennis knighthood with a new headband, some Kung Fu, Mambo Jambo, an Escalade golf cart and a city large light show!!!
Musical Technocracy will be posting episode 3, ASAP!
But until then, I will end with this, "Martin Solveig is a dj who, despite his weak tennis level and early Woody Allen style, is irresistibly ascending the contemporary music chart, knowing however that he will never be the Mick Jagger of the dj world, but more a sort of hairless King Kong who wants to feel free to buy a baguette in a boulangerie, driven by his naive quest of the one true love, that would bring him out of his shell, instead of simply enjoying the multiple sexual opportunities of a successful show business career"
With that said in today's previous post, what is really amusing here is not so much even the conversation between Deadmau5 and Tiesto, but the celebrity/media/fan divide that is so regularly broken by way of all sorts social media, but especially Twitter!
Who knew that we would ever find ourselves in a time or place where another two individuals dinner conversation could be publicized and broadcast casually to millions of people around the world. Once getting over that amazing realization who knew that fans could so easily ever communicate with the celebrity class in such a manner. Once upon a time there would have been incredibly limited means for any such contact.
Twitter really bridges the gap in a way that a fan has the opportunity to directly say something to their favorite celebrity or public figure that before even with facebook would have been rarer.
This has been both good and bad! Obviously it is something exciting but there have been some instances where one could see some backfire. Most recent example of this can be disgruntled fans calling out Kaskade for seemingly not going to be at the Electric Daisy Carnival this year. Though Mr. Raddon handled the situation well, there quite a many individuals without any hindrance capable of attacking Kaskade as a sellout in a very public fashion for anyone using a twitter to see.
But it really wasn't that bad... on the other side of the same coin, those who have been following Kaskade long enough and know of his reputation in the Electronic Music Community were also able to come to his defense.
While checking the Musical Technocracy Twitter page just last night, I was welcomed into the twitter atmosphere by a fairly amusing conversation between Deadmau5 & Tiesto! Displayed in my "Timeline" one could not help but chuckle at the bantering between the two!
You can follow the conversation from the bottom to the top of this screen shot:
and Deadmau5 gets the last word...
....get your "super sayan" on Mr. Mau5! Roll out in that G! Cheers!
This past Saturday the 9th of April marked UCSB's Isla Vista community's Earth Day celebration! And yes it was a happy hippie tree-huggy filled day with tribal like trading and bartering of organics! So honestly, a pretty cool day venture to add to any college experience while participating in the advocation of responsible intentions towards the environment.
But that's not why I am posting here. The reason for inclusion of this event into the Musical Technocracy blogging curriculum is due to the wonderful musical traditions well expressed at the festival that day. In the relaxing and warm afternoon sun I managed to catch a performance by UCSB's Afro-Brazilian Ensemble and the musical roots that they laid down.
With each pulse of the drum and ride off of the edge of a snare not only did the music bring you to another time and place but so did the environment that the music stimulated in the festival goers. An array of people began grabbing hula hoops and hulla-ing any which way they knew how. And might I say they were quite impressive with their hula hoop dancing abilities! Especially the seemingly Sikh gentleman! A big shout out to his skills and the way he moves!
And actually speaking of this gentlemen it was his presence and persona that could not help but jog my memory to other musical and dance personalities that have for a long time fused musical roots and traditions with the "now" in similar spirit. The personalities that I am thinking of are those that comprise the Goa trance and psytrance communities. It was such movements, especially Goa trance in India, that sought out to reestablish the roots of musical traditions into contemporary musical practices. The result was the very instinctual, communal and sometimes tribalistic Goa trance movement.
Perhaps I am making a bit too far of a stretch connecting the Afro-Brazilian beats and Earth Day festival to Goa and psy trance, however I could not help but feel such a connection amidst the activities that afternoon. Perhaps my reasons are then just that... the feeling and mood of the atmosphere, especially considering the hippie cultural movement and spirit are inherent in both realms of the Earth Day movement and Goa trance.
What exactly is Goa trance?... one might be asking. For those perhaps unfamiliar with the genre, Goa trance is a musical movement that actually came out of Goa, India. A place that was once considered a sort of hippie Mecca, which attracted many expatriates from a variety of nations around the world. Looking as far back as the 1960's and 70's one can see the foundations for electronic music development here amidst the European and especially British ex-pat communities that remained in Goa well into the 1980's. Many began experimenting with synthesizers and drum machines while also playing traditional Indian instruments and the fusion of traditional old with technological new came to be. This was in fact around the same time that similar explorations into the electronic production of music was happening in Europe and elsewhere. The difference was that for the developing Goa trance community, their ascetic lifestyle and yogi-esq philosophies as well as drug consumption contributed equally to the development of what became that far out Goa trance. In turn, what evolved from the Goa trance was the psytrance or psychedelic trance that grew in popularity amongst underground electronic music communities in the 1990's and early 2000's. Where as Goa permeated out from India into the world, psytrance had several bastions of founding, development and popularity. Prominent psytrance communities can be found in Israel, Japan, South Africa and also parts of Central and South America. Israel especially has a very happening psytrance scene thanks to the contributions of groups like Infected Mushroom and Skazi.
With all that said, I am thankful for having attended the Isla Vista Earth Day celebration as it has provided me with a wonderful segway into discussing another heritage of electronic dance music that is Goa and psy.
Well despite the intense political activism that often is happening in Lebanon, it does not mean that this gorgeous Mediterranean country ever stops partying. Even if the power goes out and the music stops, the drinks keep pouring and people make their own beats! The Lebanese people never let anything keep them down or get in the way of a good time! And, for a foreigner to the country, no one seems to know this better than Armin Van Buuren himself! Thanks for the kind words Herr Armin, Nehna Minhebak Kaman! ;-)
AVB also spends some time talking about what the Armin Only Mirage Beirut show actually is, the collaboration of entertainers, musicians and live performance with him as the only DJ for this grandiose and expensive show this past January, that was perhaps one of the largest in the Middle East!
Having posted two other news pieces done by NPR focusing on dance and electronic music, this sort of wrap up to the Winter Music Conference is more than an called for!
Just as in the previous NPR pieces, Yenigun is considerately concerned with imparting a bit of education as to the history and traditions of not only the Winter Music Conference and Ultra Music Festival, but also electronic and dance music in general. Yenigun provides a significant and contentious credit to the pioneers of the genre, the recent viral evolution of the music and the current electronic dance music community that is emerging amongst "spring breakers".
Yenigun again does a nice job furthering the electronic music community and thanks to NPR as a wonderful means, simply does some musically technocratic justice!
Before much can be said about the video, the track itself can simply only be praised! Definitely with a summery or spring time pop, Solveig's "Hello" sends little vibes of electric sun drops by way of the tracks mood, beats and well collaborated vocals thanks to Canadian group Dragonette!
However when looking at the lyrics, one can come to realize that in so many ways the message conveyed by the lyrics don't entirely match up with the happy sunshine emphasis of the music itself.
None the less that is not at all a negative thing! In fact the lyrics narration of one perspective lover's honest rejection of a suitor could be very well be appropriately set to the lighter euro-poppy beats of the music as the honest or plainly expressed rejection is being put out there into the open sunlight vibe of the beats for all to see and comprehend.Moreover, the "hello" concluding many lyrical lines of the track serve as a sort of wake up call... a Hello, Wake Up! Which too could possibly connect to the sunny vibe of the music as the sun itself is a way by which people are awakened from one state of being to another. The sunny and poppy "hello" serves as a wake for the potential suitor to transition from the state of being a suitor to move on.
Now asides from giving the one voice of the track too much credit, in fairness to the rejected suitor, he just simply in the wrong place, at the wrong time, fighting the wrong battle because the sought after lover simply is not interested and is just here "to enjoy the party".
Lyrics are as follows:
I could stick around and get along with you, hello.
It doesn't really mean that I'm into you, hello.
You're alright but I'm here, darling, to enjoy the party.
Don't get too excited 'cause that's all you get from me, hey.
Yeah, I think you're cute, but I really think that you should know.
I just came to say hello, hello, hello, hello.
I'm not the kinda girl to get messed up with you, hello.
I'ma let you try to convince me to, hello.
It's alright I'm getting dizzy just enjoy the party.
It's OK with me if you don't have that much to say, hey.
Kinda like this game but there's something you should know.
I just came to say hello, hello, hey, hey.
I could stick around and get along with you, hello.
It doesn't really mean that I'm into you, hello.
You're alright but I'm here, darling, to enjoy the party.
Don't get too excited cause thats all you get from me hey.
Yeah I think your cute but really you should know.
I just came to say hello, hello, hello, hello.
I'm not the kinda girl to get messed up with you, hello.
I'ma let you try to convince me to, hello.
It's alright, I'm getting dizzy, just enjoy the party.
It's OK with me if you don't have that much to say, hey.
Kinda like this game but there's something you should know.
I just came to say hello, hey.
Such a narrative is expressed quite creatively in this 8 minute extended music video that is a lot of fun to watch! First of all, I must say, not sure if I am considering a sports drama, music video or indie comedy while sharing this track's most creative video production by Martin Solveig in collaboration with a fantastic ensemble of Dragonette, Bob Sinclar and world class tennis players Novak Djokavic and Gaël Monfils! With that being said, as a kid growing up in a house with a father who was and still is a tennis fanatic, this video was particularly fun!
The video begins with a hilariously comical exchange between Martin Solveig as a tennis pro and his manager/agent on the training grounds. Solveig is then further introduced as a DJ Producer and fan of Sweedish tennis legend Björn Borg, whom he almost tries to assume a similar appearance of, at least with the headband. Solveig's character is further introduced by the mention of his one and only true life's love that he has secretly been pursing. This object of his affection simply being known as, "She". The character of Solveig's manager is then introduced and typified as a ridiculously crazed, lotion using, bum smacking, orientalist who likes to do his shopping in Marakesh! This character played by another world class dj, Gregory Darsa, truly helps make the video!
The video then transitions into what becomes the grandslam tennis match between DJ's Solveig and fellow Frenchman Bob Sinclar! This grand slam match takes place on a near immaculate set that is seemingly a full clay court as played on at the French Open, complete with all the French Open sponsorship trimmings of Peugeot, Pierre Water, Lacoste, BNP Paribas and a full decked out stadium! The players are then introduced by their ranks in DJ Mag comically mirroring tennis matches player ranking notifications.
The DJ's battle it out with a seemingly dominant Bob Sinclar about the take the match! In fact both gentlemen appear so athletic on the court, one might wonder if they do in fact have any personal tennis history!
A bad call against Solveig is then called but rectified when Novak Djokavic appears on the court, rattles the official's chair until he comes down from his ivory tower, sees for himself and rules in favor of Solveig. All this happens just in the nick of time as Solveig's love interest appears and can witness not his failure, but his dramatic come back against Bob Sinclar!
Alas however... it is revealed that Solveig's love interest indeed, as the lyrics state, "just came to say hello" as she is already romantically involved with superstar Gaël Monfils!
At which point, Solveig does indeed throw in the towel, but not until after completing one heck of an electronic musical piece and one wittily clever and well humored music video!
So this post is not to dwell on that fact but simply to reiterate how wonderful a group of people Late Night Alumni is!
Sharing a link to my previous post on the group's facebook page, I simply thought I would share for anyone who might enjoy the blurb and the short film if they had not seen it already. Lo and behold who actually checked out my post was Late Night Alumni themselves! And not just checked it out, but took the time to make a comment of appreciation!
Moreover, Late Night Alumni takes the time to comment and connect with a lot of their fans! I was impressed to see how thoughtful and down to earth the group is to actually facebook and tweet! Late Night Alumni really sets a class act example by taking a few moments from time to get on the computer and communicate with their followers. It's wonderful because those few moments really can make someones day!
So thank you Late Night Alumni for your online hospitality!
This last Thursday of the month of March 2011 marked a day of great adventure, highs and lows with a climax ultimately better than the fruits of the flesh could bear!
UCSB Alumni and now international DJ wonder with growing popularity around the world, Steve Aoki graced his alma mater and my current undergraduate institution with his presence!
Having gotten up fairly early before my ten o'clock class to stand in line outside our Associated Students ticket office, my day started off with dashed hopes after surviving a mob on the ticket office only to leave empty handed with now way in to the show.
Having already made other plans for my evening, with only minutes to spare before the show began, a good friend of mine called me up asking if I at all needed a ticket! Eureka I exclaimed! This was better news than striking gold! And I graciously with much appreciation accepted my pal's extra ticket!
Already with the company of a lovely lady my night's festivities were now in full motion!
Getting to the venue was a comfortable breeze with Aoki's beats being arranged to be blasted in UCSB's University Center's "Hub". Arriving there the opening DJ was just then concluding his set and the transition for Mr. Aoki was about to begin!
From that point on not one track was found to be at all disappointing and Steve Aoki put on one of the best shows I have seen in the past 5 years! With heavy electro, fast paced and hard bass packing tracks one could not at all help but move their feet and pump their arms to all that energy! Not just even settling for electronic tunes, Aoki got creative with smashes of hard rock and some tunes by the Carpenters! More mystifying was how he remixed a track from the "Lion King" Soundtrack full of Swahili into his set! And if that was not creative or showman enough Aoki dived into the audience crowd surfing at least 5 times as per my counting!
Full of energy and life the man radiates the aura of not only Electronic Dance Music but his very Alma Mater and legendary party spirit that is culture at UCSB. With constant shout outs to us Gaucho students and Isla Vista residents, Aoki further connected with all of us through the fraternal bond that there is amongst true blue and gold bleeding UCSB students!
Not only was the night full of zip, zap and zing, the night was also full of sentimentality as Steve Aoki spent a good near hour after the show socializing and visiting with UCSB students! He talked about classes, some of his favorite professors and took outreach the whole nine yards! It was at this time that I learned he himself was a Women's Studies and Sociology Major. It was also at this time that I managed a photo and an autograph!
Thank you Steve Aoki for the wonderful show and down to earth genuine character that you carried yourself with!
