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The 2 Bears Bus Of Fun

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Having survived 12 weeks of Eats Everything, XOYO welcomes The 2 Bears to the fold for a dozen Saturdays in April. The outfit was loosely born as cubs in 2009 when Joe Goddard and Raf Rundell met working on the Greco-Roman parties, with a mind to simply play together and make a few records. Fast forward five years later, and with a second album in the making, their eclectic record box has taken them to Ibiza, Paris, Croatia, and a slew of gigs around their home city of London. Pulse caught up with them ahead of their first gig at XOYO to talk residencies, festivals, the White Isle, and dipping their toes into being a live act.

You're about to embark on your 12-week residency here, what have you been doing in preparation? Crate-digging, press-ups? Both together? Joe: We were just talking about this.

Raf: Both of those things! Actually crate digging whilst selecting records might be a bit of a tall order.

Joe: Press-ups in any form might be a bit of a tall order. [laughs]

Raf: Yeah, there’s been a bit of crate-digging, a lot of time in the record shops over the last few months. I suppose when you're buying music to DJ with, you're always thinking about places you're going to play it, but it’s really nice to be in the record shop, listening to things, and not just be about what you're going to play peak-time for two hours when you're in Bournemouth or Lancaster, or one of these places. We're going to get to play all kinds of music, which is really exciting, and because we're residents, we can make the booth really nice. There’s a couple of decorations up, and we've had a neon sign made specially with a new logo that kind of applies to the artwork of the new album. It's a bit bear-ish, so that's nice! I've got a day at home tomorrow with my records and no-one else in the house, so the little one's at nursery, the missus is at work...

Remember to eat!

Raf: Yeah! [Laughs] That's true, sometimes you end up looking up and thinking, “Oh, I need to turn the lights on.” Hopefully it's more constructive than that! It's a different kind of DJ set every week, which is a nice thing, this comfort in coming back to the same place again and again and getting it right. We've got a load of new music, we've just mastered our new album, and we're putting a live show together, so there's going to be bits and pieces of that going on, and we've engaged the services of Sink The Pink, London's premier Tranny Posse, to run things up here. We've got a few set pieces in mind downstairs they're going to get involved with so, yeah, exciting!

Quite old school, in some ways – rather than just two guys in a booth playing records every night, it gives you the chance to be a bit creative. Joe: Well yeah, anything that gives you a chance to be creative and make things fun is brilliant. We want to create an atmosphere at a party where people feel free to dance and do whatever they want, dress-up, you know…

Raf: That's very much encouraged. There's an any-dress policy. Your mum's dress…

I don't think I'd get into my mum's dress! [Laughs] So, when did this all take shape? Obviously Eats Everything's done it up to last weekend, so I presume these were conversations going on well back in last year? Joe: About six months I think.

Raf: Yeah, before the end of last year we were approached. And obviously Dan was booked in then already and starting to do all the bookings for his twelve weeks. And then it was all kind of agreed before the end of the year and we started with all the bookings. It took us a while to get it all right, where it was something we were happy with and the club were happy with.

Joe: It's really nice to be actually finally doing it, and not just talking about it.

It must be like planning a wedding.

Joe: 12 weddings, and we'll be married to each other, 12 times! [Laughs]

Raf: Not again! [Laughs]

From a DJing point of view, knowing you've got twelve Saturdays booked out, that must be a strange but relaxing situation. You'll just be here every weekend until the middle of the summer.

Joe: It's really nice. And like Raf says, getting to know the booth, the sound system, the people running the club, means you feel free and comfortable to play records. You can invite friends, they'll know where you're going to be [all twelve weeks], its' going to be really social.

Looking at the line-ups, there's some fairly outrageous things booked in. You've got Deep Shit doing the first party up in Room 2, and Henrik Schwarz, Daphni, he Hot Chip Takeover, Andrew Weatherall, Bestival. Was it a little like being the kids in the sweet shop, when you realised you can go out and get anyone you liked?

Joe: Absolutely. We just tried to brainstorm all the people that we love, and most of them weren't available. [Laughs]

Raf: So we asked our mates…

Joe: It was difficult, it took a long time to get together, because everyone's got such a plan where they play and when in London, so we're really grateful we got everyone able to do it.

But now you're 48 hours away! Raf: There's a bit of trepidation, you know.

Joe: it puts your DJ skills to the test, doesn't it!

Raf: Its' going to be good for our chops, I tell you…

Joe: The great residents of our time, like Optimo, and people like that, it's the making of a lot of DJs, doing that regular thing. Obviously they did Optimo for eight years every Sunday!

It's like Erol Alkan, doing ten years at Trash, only missing it once for his honeymoon!

Joe: It's so brilliant.

Raf: The Same with Robby doing Sunday Best. He missed two or something all time.

People used to go to a lot of weeklies in the ‘90s and ‘00s, but it seems crazy now, it's really not common at all. Playing the same club every week for fifty-two weeks, it seems an alien concept.

Raf: I quite like the idea of that really! Good for the club...

Joe: Good for your skills, good for everyone really! Learning what records work in what rooms. And be experimental with it. When you're going around even the UK, you're learning slightly what works in what places. And when you go to Europe, it's even more. And when you go to somewhere like South America, you're amplifying it even more. London's always a pleasure anyway, as you can pull out older records that you're more sure that people are going to know.

When I first went out in the ‘90s, I used to go to clubs because of the residents, like Lottie at Turnmills, and Layo and Bushwacka at the End, and it seems to be a bit of an underappreciated skill these days, but they're the ones that make the clubs. Do you think things like this are shining a light on it a bit more, even though you're doing these 12-week blocks? It's getting people talking about it again.

Joe: It's good to start appreciating residents. A few people have said to me in the past that the best DJs I've seen recently are the residents they've seen in the club. They know what they're doing; they know not to smash it too hard before you come on. That's the most difficult slot at the club really, starting things off nicely. It can also be one of the most fun things to do.

You can be experimental, and there's maybe a bit more freedom. Joe: You can also get it wrong, if you don't coax people onto the dance floor at the right moment. So residents at clubs around the world are generally really good DJs because they have a difficult job to do. So it's good to get people appreciating that.

In terms of your clubbing experiences when you were starting out, what were the clubs and residents you guys used to see or revere? Joe: I was talking about this recently actually. For instance, That's How It Is on a Monday night at Bar Rhumba was a big one for me, like Giles Peterson and James Lavelle.

Raf: There were loads of good ones at Bar Rhumba. There was Space on a Wednesday, with Luke Solomon and Kenny Hawkes.

Joe: There was Movement as well, and Derrick Carter whenever he was. There were some amazing nights there.

It seems like midweek stuff used to be the norm then but it doesn't really happen as much these days.

Joe: I suppose not. It’s a shame. It was brilliant. The atmosphere was good.

Raf: Martello and Seb Chew are doing their Thursday night at the moment.

And you guys have got a new album out this year. Are you pretty done on it?

Joe: Yeah, we've just mastered it. We just wanted to get it finished as soon as we could. We've been working on it for a long time! It's pretty varied, and it'll be really, really good to road test tracks at the residency. And we'll maybe start to think about what the live show's gonna be at the residency, sing some songs to people if the mood is right.

When's the release date, have you got one yet?

Both: It's going to be September.

You can tease everyone for months! Raf: Yeah! There's a single coming at the end of June, at the end of this run, which we'll be sending out soon, so hopefully people will start playing that. The bus is on its way out of the terminal! The 2 Bears Bus Of Fun.

What's it going to be called? Raf: I don't know if we're allowed to say.

I don't want to get you in trouble. Just make something up. Raf: Its' going to be called The 2 Bears Bus Of Fun [laughs]

You mentioned the live thing. Once you released the first album you probably got sick of people asking when you were going to do a live show.Joe: We got sick of talking about it!

Raf: Like most of these things, you talk about it for a very long time.

Joe: It's that, and you know, trying to do something that's fun and exciting and doesn't lose the energy of a DJ set, but is a good live experience. We really, really don't want to be the dudes looking at their fucking laptops! We really wanted to avoid that. We want it to be modeled on things like Basement Jaxx, where it felt like a carnival almost.

Not going for the Kraftwerk bodysuits, laptops and projections?

Joe: Actually I used to find it really funny when Kraftwerk would come on in their black and neon green bodysuits and their body shapes were bulging, these mid-50s dudes, it's brilliant!

Are you going to just try and road test that here at XOYO then? Joe: In a small way, maybe some live PAs to start with.

Raf: And our friend Oli, who co-wrote some tunes and is in a band called Boxed In – who are playing next Saturday before Henrik Schwarz – he played keys on a couple of tracks, so we'll try and do something with him playing and us singing, but it's all still to be worked out.

That's kind of exciting though, as you know you're going to commit to it in some way, shape or form, but you don't really know how that's going to pan out either. Raf: Well we've got gigs booked for it. We've got live gigs booked.

Bestival, right. That's just been announced? No pressure there. You've got 4 months work out what to do.

Joe: We should be able to learn how to lip-synch our own songs by then. [Laughs]

You seem to be busy every day. You do the Rinse FM show, your online mixes, and you had the “One Love” album last year. Despite you both having other projects going on, the DJing itch can be well and truly scratched with The 2 Bears. Did it just happen by accident back at the start when you wanted to just play records? Joe: Yeah, we wanted some tunes to play out together, and to make something for us to play, which is probably a classic way that people start making music. You identify a niche in the market.

Raf: I don't know if we ended up making the records that we intended, but it just unfolded very naturally. And with a great encouragement from the label. Nathan at Southern Fried who signed us, they put the first two EPs out then said, “We want an album” when neither of us had really thought about it that much. So he needs to take a lot of the credit really, as he's been so supportive. He's really helped us find our inner bear! It's really been crucial to the whole thing.

What I really enjoyed about the album and the music was that you could tell there were influences from reggae, and dub and dancehall, and rave, and old school house, but it kind of just felt like people making music that referenced what they loved, and didn't feel forced in any way. There wasn't much around that was like it at the time either, and it just sounded like two people having fun, which isn't as prevalent as it should be sometimes. Joe: Yeah, and that's really important when you're listening to music, to not feel like people are slavishly, studiously just trying to engineer something until it was like a stainless steel dance floor bomb. There's got to be a bit more life and soul to music than that.

Raf: I bit more imperfection too.

Joe: That's a really, really important thing with music in general for me. That's what people find endearing in music, when you can hear someone's personality.

And then having listened to that, and then seen you guys DJing, it looks exactly like the music you make, just fun, and that's not always the case. Your music tastes cross so many genres, a real crate-digging style, especially listening to some of your mix-tapes. Is that what you try and do every time? Raf: Whatever we can get away with!

Joe: I was reading an interview with Harvey just a week or two before, and he was saying that's what a crowd wants from a DJ, anyway, is to hear their personality come through.

Raf: It's bravery though. There's times when I'm more confident, and other times when you just go, “I’d love to play that but I know it's not going to work,” but maybe that's exactly when you have to play it.

Joe: That's a skill isn't it? When you feel like you can take a risk, or when you can't.

But then that's hopefully what this residency will give you. You'll get to the end of it kind of going, “Right, there's a whole load of stuff I didn't think I could play but.” Joe: That's exactly it. And those will be the memorable bits. Like, also the idea of finding records that become something that someone might expect from the night. That would be incredible.

Especially with some of the new stuff for the album, if some of them became these anthems for the residency. Joe: Oh totally. That'd be wonderful.

For 2 Bears, is a lot of the joy that you can go anywhere with a bag of records? Raf: Or a USB stick! A bag of records becomes superfluous, especially when you turn up at a place and the turntables don’t' fucking work! Or you're playing after someone who's playing off 9 iPads and you get on and you look like a complete joke.

You played at We Love… a few times last year. Are you doing dates there this year? Raf: I think so, it's not been agreed yet though. There's been a few changes there at We Love…, so we're just waiting for the dust to settle really. We played there three times in the last few summers, and loved it there. The last time we played there I only then felt comfortable finally. It's a hard room to get your head round.

Joe: You want to do a really good job, and you have that weight of expectation.

Raf: It's the Space Terrace, you know? But you have to get over that and do your thing. Also, the first time we did it, we played at Lovebox on the Friday where we had a stage, then Sonar on the Saturday, and then we got there on the Sunday and we were just like "Go!" Not that it wasn't great, but it was just a long haul.

Joe: It was like we were saying – it was just about learning a new room. It was exactly that.

It's a world-famous room. I mean it's no longer a daytime thing, which is a shame, but the room now works really, really well in a different way. But it's nice that you feel you've got the hang of it now. Raf: Yeah definitely it felt like we'd cracked it the last time we were there. But it's all about attitude really. You need to be ready and not get overawed by it, just responding to the challenge that's put in front of you. But you know, it's a big room. We're not used to nightclubs that have two or so thousand people in there, it's massive! It's about having the weapons to take in there that you're comfortable with. And I think that's what I found last time, where you struck that balance of playing something I really felt I believed in but that was still going to work.

That's also exciting in a sort of shit-scary way!

Raf: Oh I'm up for taking those risks!

What else have you got planned for the rest of the year after this? You have Bestival first up. Raf: We're doing the Green Man, and one called Beatherder, which we keep hearing is off the scale. And Unknown in Croatia, and one in Paris called We Love Green. It's fun. We're playing there in the afternoon, then taking a train back and coming here, in June. And then we're doing Glastonbury Thursday and Friday and coming back here on Saturday, though Joe's talking about going back Sunday to see whoever it is on Sunday…

Joe: Dolly Parton!

I guess it's good to finish mentioning this week's very sad events with Frankie Knuckles' passing. I didn't want to be overly morbid maybe, but I mean it's obviously a devastating loss to music this week.

Joe: No, not at all. It was a tragedy really.

Are you going to get a few more of his records out to play over the next twelve weeks here? Joe: Yeah, of course. And beyond. I mean, it's a terrible tragedy, he made amazing records, and we'll definitely be representing him, yeah. It's an incredible legacy for someone. The things that he did for house music.

The 2 Bears start their twelve-week run at XOYO in London on Saturday 5th April. Head to www.xoyo.co.uk for all the details. Their new album is out in September, and for all info on releases and their plans, visit www.the2bears.co.uk.

Listen to The 2 Bears on Pulse Radio. 


Ibiza’s ANTS Goes International

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ANTS, one of Ibiza’s standout debut residencies of 2013, made its way from Ushuaia on the White Isle to the hotel’s very own installment at SLS in Miami Beach last week. The roster included a killer set from Nic Fancuilli who played b2b with Joris Voorn, alongside Maya Jane Coles, Andrea Oliva, Danny Daze, Robert Dietz, Stacey Pullen and Tapesh.

The setup was amazing - SLS was the perfect venue to transform into Ibiza’s famous hotel. Everything from the visuals, to the sound and the performers dancing on stage was incredible and screamed “Ushuaia.” It was definitely one of my favorite parties of the week. Nic b2b Joris was as sonically satisfying as it sounds. The event was very well organized and pulled off quite seamlessly. I was lucky enough to attend and interview Andrea, who played phenomenally. We sat down with the Swiss DJ and producer after his set to chat about his week, ANTS, his career and plans for the future.



How has 2014 and WMC been treating you so far? Very good. I’ve played some excellent shows and I’m actually happy it’s almost over. Not because it was not good - it was very good! But I’m looking forward to going home.

You’re down here every year playing with the Cadenza crew, how does it feel to bring ANTS to the USA? It’s different because we used to be a big family and we used to hang out a lot, and now it’s more me bringing my own thing. Years ago, it was more fun because now I feel the pressure. It’s my thing, I’m related to the brand, but it went well. The feeling is amazing and I’m very proud of everything that has happened with ANTS, so I couldn’t be happier.

You launched ANTS and your summer residency in Ibiza last year and it was widely regarded as one of the standout debut residencies of 2013. What was it like having a residency and launching a party at Ushuaia? I’ve played at Ushuaia from day one, and then they asked me to run this party. They already had the idea and I could put my ideas and input into the brand. It’s amazing because Ibiza is not the center of the world, of course, but everybody looks to the island in the summer because there is so much going on. So it’s important to be part of the whole movement on the island.

You played a big part in the production of ANTS and were heavily involved in the musical direction and overall philosophy of the party. Can you tell us a bit more about this whole process? When we first sat down and began discussing everything about ANTS, it was important for me to create a place that gave something to people who work on the island. That is why we have wristbands for workers. We have a lot of local Spanish people who work on the island and they normally go to work at 8, 9 or 10pm. It’s important to have a party where they can all feel related and welcome. That’s what makes it special. Our lineup doesn’t focus on really big names, although it would be very easy to book only big names, bring in a full crowd, and not tell a story. But we focus on talent and I think we have a good mix of the older and younger generations. We have Joris and Nic playing quite often and we have Deetron, Radioslave, Maya Jane Coles, Hot Since 82, and a lot of talent. Everything is based on the quality of the music and the feeling of creating a united atmosphere and a great party.

What influenced the decision to bring ANTS to Miami and host it at the SLS? It’s more about bringing our style of music and way of thinking about how a party should be. It started with booking the DJs and then over to the production and we also flew in all of our ANTS promoters. So there were about 30 crazy guys dressed in the black ANTS suit running around Miami and inviting people. It’s called ANTS because we want people to join the colony and let people know they are welcome, hence our slogan. Sometimes you have parties with no soul, no production, they just charge $80 entry and the sound system is shit. So, we want to tell people, “Look, you are the most important part of the party.”

Tell us about some of the most epic moments of your career? I have had a few actually. We never sold my face, so people who knew me either maybe knew about my DJing or my productions. I would be at dinner with some legends who I really look up to and they wouldn’t know my face until they saw me later at the club and said, “Fuck! You’re Andrea Oliva! I like your music.” Those are the moments I enjoy because it’s not about my face, it’s really about my music. Also, playing the Street Parade in Zurich, where I come from, in front of half a million people; that was amazing. But afterhours I’ve played to 50 people have been equally as epic because of the intimacy and freedom to experiment with the music I like and tracks I’ve had for fifteen years. You play them and nobody knows them but they are fifteen years old.

How do you plan to spend the remainder of your days in Miami and what is on the horizon for Andrea? As you may know, promoters in the States are going crazy now and are in to parties everywhere and we’ve actually gotten a lot of requests. I’m playing Ultra, Mysteryland, Electric Zoo, and some other clubs in the States. I’m very happy to experience new places and I like going places where I’m not that well known. I’m more popular in Europe and less well known in the States. I also never had a visa so I couldn’t play here but now I do and can play all the gigs. I can play all the new places and that’s a challenge for me. I’ve changed agencies and am now with William Morris. They’re doing an amazing job and I will surely be here a lot.

A big thanks to Andrea for sitting down and chatting with us and we look forward to having you play here more often!

Listen to Andrea Oliva on Pulse Radio

Mad Decent Block Party Embarks on Massive Summer Tour

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In only a few years, Mad Decent Block Party has grown in to a full-fledged festival tour hitting cities around North America. What once started out as a free pop-up concert in a few cities, will this year embark on a massive 22-stop tour, which will kick off in Fort Lauderdale on July 27th and continue on to Atlanta, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, and many more, wrapping up in Vancouver on September 21st.

Along for the ride will be Mad Decent’s very own artists. Past tours have featured performances by Diplo, Major Lazer, Dillon Francis, Lunice, Riff Raff, Reptar, Erol Alkan, Bonde Do Role, and more! A “mad limited” amount of presale tickets are now available for a cool $25 – head over to the official website to purchase and find more information about the 2014 adventure.

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Don’t Miss The Cityfox Experience: Enclave

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Cityfox returns to New York this weekend with a new adventure! The Cityfox Experience: Enclave presented by Cityfox and Listed Productions promises to be a truly unique event, “a community amidst larger society bound by strongly shared interests… a memory that stands apart from the rest… a night when such grandiose depiction will make perfect sense.”

In typical Cityfox fashion, the pop-up party will feature a 20-point KV2 Audio 3D sound system, visual art by Projektil, and some of deep house’s biggest artists. Set to take place this Saturday, April 5th at a secret location in Brooklyn, this is a night you don’t want to miss!

Providing the musical soundtrack to the evening is an all-star lineup including the Berlin-based Mano Le Tough and Cityfox favorite Adriatique. DJ Tennis will make a stop at the party on his “Local" album tour, Thugfucker is set to play an extended all morning set, and Naveen G will start off the night. Don’t miss out – get your tickets today here.

Listen to Adriatique on Pulse Radio

 

Essential Mix Pays Tribute To Frankie Knuckles

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Last week the music industry lost a true pioneer - Frankie Knuckles, the Godfather Of House. Since his passing DJs and producers from all over the world have been paying tribute to Frankie and paying respect to a man who had such a massive influence on so many, and who literally shaped the scene as we know it.

To celebrate the life of Frankie Knuckles, over the weekend the Essential Mix broadcast his mix for the show from back in 2000; a live set from Pacha Ibiza. RIP Mr. Knuckles. Thank you for the music.

Tracklist:
Kenny Bobien - Father (F. Feliciano Remix) - SOUNDMEN ON WAX
Lil' Louis and The Party - Clap Your Hands (Man of Soul Mix) - GO! BEAT
Dajaé - Everyday Of My Life - HUSSLE RECORDINGS
Loleatta Holloway - Dreamin (Satoshie T. Remix) - THE RIGHT STUFF
Bini & Martini - Happiness (Dave Morales Remix) - SPINNIN' RECORDS
Lenny Fontana and DJ Shorty - Chocolate Sensation (ATFC Remix) - FFRR
Roland Clark - I Get Deep (Sanon & Simpson Remix) - 157 SHELTER RECORDS
Frankie Knuckles - Keep On Movin (Feat. Nicki Richards) - DEFECTED RECORDS
Deep Vision - You've Been On My Mind - FLUENTIAL
JJ Knight - Crazy - WHITE LABEL
ATFC and OnePhatDeeva - Bad Habit (Feat. Lisa Millett) - DEFECTED
Pasta Boys and Bini & Martini - Soul Heaven - OCEAN TRAX
Dajaé - Time - CREDENCE
Hezekiah Walker - Let's Dance (E-Smoove's Vocal Stomp) (Full Vocal) - JIVE
Tribal Beats - Untitled - WHITE LABEL
Unknown - Tribute to Janis Joplin - WHITE LABEL
Black Legend - You See The Trouble With Me (Original Mix) - RISE RECORDS
[unknown] - Power In The Groove - SLIP N SLIDE
Gabrielle - Sunshine (Frankie Knuckles Classic Club) - GO! BEAT
Frankie Knuckles - Tears - FFRR

Listen to Frankie Knuckles on Pulse Radio

Police Raid Four Nightclubs In "Gold Coast's biggest drug blitz"

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QLD Police conducted three days of raids on the Gold Coast over the weekend which included four Surfers Paradise nightclubs, reports News.com.au.

In what is being labeled as "the Gold Coast's biggest drug blitz," Police raided nightspots SinCity, Club Liv, Vanity and Shuffle Nightclub, seizing 18kgs of cocaine, MDMA and methamphetamine and six litres of methamphetamine oil which authorities claim could have been used to make $11 million in drugs.

Those arrested in the blitz - which was the result of an 18-month investigation - include Gold Coast DJ and club manager Joseph 'JoeyMojo' Sandagon and Jamie Pickering - owner of popular Surfers Paradise clubs that include SinCity and Vanity. Pickering owns a multimillion dollar property portfolio which includes a $250,000 yellow Ferrari with the number plates "SINCITY."

Among the 152 people in total arrested were 37 bikie gang members, including Joshua Downey - former Bandidos bikie gang sergeant-at-arms and Cleo Bachelor of the Year nominee.

Via News.com.au

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Nick Warren & Jody Wisternoff Lock In Sydney Afterparty

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This weekend the Way Out West production duo of Nick Warren and Jody Wisternoff set sail aboard the Soapbox boat party on Sydney Harbour for what will no doubt be an epic pair of DJ sets.

For those who can't make it to the boat, you've been given a reprieve, with the announcement coming through today that both Warren and Wisternoff are locked in to play a special after party at The Burdekin Hotel. Hosted by Soapbox in conjunction with weekly party La Famiglia, the party kicks off at 5pm until the wee hours with a slew of local talent in support.

Tickets are on sale now for just $25+BF - buy below. Also don't forget that you can still win a double pass to the boat party here.

Full lineup:
Nick Warren
Jody Wisternoff
Whitecat
Aboutjack
Kevin Alves
Tomas
Dave Stuart
Garth Linton
Shepz
Aaron Robins
Damien Osborne
Nightwalkers
Murray Elliott

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Glastonbury Lineup Is Looking Good For Electronic Music Fans

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Massive Attack, Skrillex, Bonobo and Four Tet are just some of the names announced so far for the grand daddy of all music festivals, Glastonbury, which revealed its first round of acts over the weekend.

So far 87 acts have been announced for this year's edition, which takes place at Worthy Farm from Wednesday 25th to Sunday 29th June.

One of the biggest music festivals in the world, last year Glastonbury attracted 135,000 punters with tickets selling out in under two hours. Check out the lineup so far below.

Glastonbury 2014 First Round Lineup
Arcade Fire
Special Guests
Kasabian
Dolly Parton
Jack White
Elbow
The Black Keys
Robert Plant
Lily Allen
Lana Del Rey
Skrillex
Pixies
Massive Attack
Disclosure
Paolo Nutini
Manic Street Preachers
MIA
Rudimental
Bryan Ferry
Richie Hawtin
Ed Sheeran
De La Soul
Goldfrapp
London Grammar
MGMT
Jake Bugg
Jurassic 5
Dexys
Above & Beyond
The 1975
Bonobo
Kelis
Blondie
Warpaint
The Wailers
Wilko Johnson
James Blake
Gorgon City
Metronomy
Tinariwen
Chvrches
Little Dragon
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80
Kodaline
Interpol
Foster the People
Mogwai
Royal Blood
John Grant
Annie Mac
Lil Louis
Daptone Super Soul Revue
John Newman
Chromeo
Rodrigo Y Gabriela
Midlake
Angel Haze
Four Tet
ESG
The Sun Ra Arkestra
François Kevorkian
Parquet Courts
Sam Smith
Crystal Fighters
Nitin Sawhney
DJ Pierre
Toumani & Sidiki Diabate
Chance the Rapper
MNEK
Temples
Phosphorescent
Connan Mockasin
Public Service Broadcasting
Courtney Barnett
Gorgon City
Wolf Alice
Radiophonic Workshop
Suzanne Vega
Tune-Yards
Eats Everything
Jamie xx
Ms Dynamite
Breach
Chlöe Howl
Jagwar Ma
Danny Brown

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Luciano Announces 'Origins' Project for Ibiza 2014

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As we approach another season in Ibiza, the announcements continue rolling in.

After moving exclusively to Ushuaia last year after leaving his Cadenza nights Pacha, Luciano returns with more news for 2014. The Cadenza boss will play 8 exclusive dates  at Cocoon at Amnesia Ibiza, where he has played several times before.

You can watch the mesmerizing video teaser below, which simply states 'From Another To Earth' below.  

Origins by Luciano from Cadenza Music on Vimeo.

Dates announced are June 09th & 23rd, July 07th, August 04th, 11th & 25th, and September 15th & 22nd. Visit the Origins Ibiza website for more info.

Listen to Luciano on Pulse Radio.

Patrick Topping - Boxed Off

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Miguel Campbell. Danny Daze. Richy Ahmed. The list goes on. One glance at the Hot Creations artist roll call leaves little doubt that London-based label bosses Jamie Jones and Lee Foss know how to pick ‘em. And young Newcastle recruit Patrick Topping is no exception, already racking up several standout releases on the cult label over the last 12 months, and who now returns with his most dance floor crushing effort yet, “Boxed Off.”

Still riding high from his last EP, “Get Beasty,” which dropped to widespread acclaim back in February, it would seem 24-year-old Patrick Topping possesses both impressive production skill and a formidable work ethic. Despite the short turn around between EP’s, “Boxed Off” is a fast and triumphant follow up, continuing in the same viable, tech house vein of its highly praised predecessor. A hypnotic 3 track packet of predictable brilliance, Patrick Topping’s “Boxed Off” strikes the balance between club-ready rawness and slick, studio production, the secret to his much-lauded past releases.

“Boxed Off” opens with “Forget,” a chugging, bass-laden bomb that’s set to be a crowd-pleasing favourite for DJs spinning post-3 a.m. It’s magic lies in the tune’s sweet, mostly-spoken vocal cadence, which Topping masterfully plays off against a menacing bass line, sending the listener on an atmospheric slippery slope of light and shade. Next up it’s the EP’s namesake tune “Boxed Off,” which centres around a choppy, orchestral opener, before plummeting into a thunderous bass riff of perfect techno proportions. Finally, “Schwicked” closes off the petite and perfectly formed EP with an appropriate amount of Topping style, fist-pumping fanfare. It’s “Schwicked” in particular that shows off the young producer's unique ability with FX, the clever use of which, turn the track from a simplistic, tribal groove to a tripped-out and infectious anthem.

Expertly produced and commercially astute (we’d expect nothing less from under the watchful eye of Jones and Foss,) “Boxed Off” will only serve to further cement Patrick Topping’s steadily bubbling, future house star status. Most at home blasting out into the depths of a packed dance floor, each of the tracks on “Boxed Off” demonstrate Topping’s undeniably consistent “all killer no filler” production nous. Already a favourite of Radio 1 spotters Annie Mac and Pete Tong and signed up for 2014 releases on Defected, Circus Recordings and Resonance Records, this truly is the tip of Topping’s very talented iceberg.

Listen to Patrick Topping on Pulse Radio.

 

Chopstick & Johnjon: 'It had to come naturally.'

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Maybe you know Chopstick & Johnjon from dance floor hits, such as their soul-drenched body shaker ‘Listen’, or maybe it’s their ever-blossoming Suol imprint. Whether it’s their on-point producing or their knack for choosing just the right track to please each crowd, we have come to expect a lot from this duo. So when their debut LP ‘Twelve’ landed in my inbox, I was anticipating only the best – still, about four bars into the first track, I realised they’d delivered a game changer. A fruitful collection of evocative melodies and gorgeous vocals, each track has danced through my mind long after listening, leaving me humming at my desk and desperate to talk to the two of them about where this album evolved from. I had the pleasure of catching up with the guys after their first live show at Watergate last Saturday and just days before the launch of this stunning debut LP.

So I’m just going to jump straight in and talk about all things ‘Twelve.’ It’s a different style to what I was expecting from you – What was your initial vision for the album when you set out to create it? Have you achieved that vision? John: We had a vision of the album’s production but we weren’t sure of what the outcome would be. Normally, we finish one track after the other after the other. Here, we wanted to play around, capture ideas and record a lot of instruments. Here, the vision came during all the recording sessions; while we were recording we got an idea of what it was beginning to sound like. At the beginning of last year we recorded lots of material, left it alone for two months, then listened back to all of it and finished the tracks in one go.

‘Twelve’ incorporates so many emotions and elements of music, with lots of title references to the elements in the world around us. Did the album’s name and choice of 12 tracks have a deliberate reference to the months of the year? Or was that just me? J: Actually the album title comes from the fact we’ve known each other and worked together for twelve years. But that sounds really cool so we’ll definitely use that in future!

Why did you decide now was the time for an album? Thien: Before we didn’t feel we were at the point where we could actually make an album that would be interesting enough! We could have done 12 dance floor tracks and make an album out of it, but that wasn’t our ambition. For us, it had to come naturally.

Got a favourite track? J: For me it changes with my mood and the moment I listen to it.

T: I would say either ‘Run Slowly,’ which is the first track we recorded with Chris, or the acoustic ‘Pining Moon.’

I heard you two played a pretty clever practical joke on Chris James - do tell... J: Chris wrote everything on the go – we’d show him our ideas then he’d write lyrics. Afterwards he’d get bored and change them. One line was ‘the struggle is over,’ which we thought was fitting to the track, but he really hated it, so next time he came in, we replaced it with another lyric. But when we finished the track, we just kept it in at one point and built a big break around it so it was just his vocal singing that line. We played the track to him somewhere, and he just looked up and was like, “Did you really leave that in?!” We kept telling him it was already at mastering and we couldn’t change it anymore but obviously that wasn’t the case!

Any tracks that proved a bit harder to finish? J: Not really, it was really easy in the end. When we came to finishing the tracks we had so much recorded it was more a matter of deciding what to leave out.

Was there anything you disagreed on when it came to production? J: Not really. When you record so many instruments, it can go in a different direction – we’re both big fans of folk music and singer-songwriter stuff, so at some point we had to stop ourselves and get some synths and electronic stuff out. We would talk about it a lot; one of us would say, “Are we going a little in the wrong direction here?” Then we’d discuss it, mostly over a Ping-Pong game, and then move on and finish the track.

Was it always the plan for Chris to play such a significant role in the album? T: When we had the idea to make an album, we had a list of potential vocalists, and our promoter Adam sent us a track Chris was singing on, telling us to check it out. We loved the track, asked who the singer was, and he connected us with Chris. We invited him over for a week and the vibe in the studio was so brilliant and perfect we didn’t need to find another vocalist.

Lets talk about your label for a moment – what can we expect from Suol in the coming months? J: Of course all the guys and girls from the label will do 12” EPs, but the big one is, these new artists Tender Games - they’re going to release their first album at the beginning of summer. Late summer we have the ‘Summer Days’ compilation, where friends and family put tracks together and we compile it and put it out there. Then in autumn we have Fritz Kalkbrenner’s album.

Lets digress to pre-Chopstick & Johnjon. Thien, you used to be a semi-pro skateboarder! What made you flip to music? And John, what would you be doing with yourself if it wasn’t music? T: Music was always by my side as far as I can remember. It accompanied me throughout my youth, and I was making music when I was nine years old with a drum computer! When I was about eleven I started skateboarding, and took it really seriously. But music was always there, I was always making music.

J: Same, music was always with me. I started playing guitar when I was thirteen because I wanted to play in a rock band, then started DJing a year later. I did start studying economics so maybe that would have been something – but I didn’t want to end up being a suit!

Finally, this album is a great pivotal step in your career as a duo – tell us a couple of other moments that have stuck out as game changers in your career as Chopstick and Johnjon. J: One definitely is the label, but on the musical side I’d say when it comes to attention I’d definitely say ‘Listen,’ the digitalism remix and ‘She’s a Whore.’ That was the first time where we really got attention. It’s also one of the parts where we thought, “Ok we got some attention;” it’s another reason why we decided to do the album now.

Chopstick & Johnjon's 'Twelve' is out now on Suol:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/twelve-deluxe-version/id825517768

Listen to Chopstick & Jonjon on Pulse Radio.

Painter And Loud Music

M.A.N.D.Y. headline EXIT Festival party at Ministry Of Sound

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The Serbian EXIT Festival is celebrating its 15th year with a UK and European tour, showcasing some of the stars of EXIT from the past, present and future.

And on Saturday May, 3rd, the EXIT XV Tour 2014 arrives at Ministry of Sound for the flagship party with M.A.N.D.Y., Jaymo & Andy George, Waze & Odyssey and SE7EN in the Box.

Having just released the 12th edition of their 'Full Body Workout,' Philipp Young and Patrick Bodmer, better known as M.A.N.D.Y., will be bringing the Get Physical vibes they're world famous for. Waze & Odyssey have become one of the most talked about house duos in recent years, and will be joined by will be joined in the Box by Moda/Moda Black kingpins, Jaymo & Andy George, and SE7EN.

EXIT festival takes place at Petrovaradin Fortress near Novi Sad, Serbia from July 10-13, and this year names already announced include Damon Albarn, Carl Cox, Skrillex, Disclosure (live), Andy C and Carl Craig Vs Green Velvet.

Click here for tickets.

Listen to M.A.N.D.Y. on Pulse Radio.

Frankie Knuckles scores first Top 40 hit in almost 20 years

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After the unfortunate and untimely death of one of house music's originators, Frankie Knuckles, the music community banded together to help his seminol track, "Your Love," reach the charts. 

And yesterday, according to Official Charts Company, all the love paid off, as one of Knuckles's best love songs reached the Top 40 in the UK charts. DJs and fans alike all banded together around a Facebook campaign, pushing for "Your Love," and it hit number 29 yesterday, higher than its debut spot at Number 59 in 1989.

Knuckles passed away Monday, March 31 from what is believed to be complications resulting from Type 2 diabetes. He was 59 years old.

[Via Official Charts Company]

Listen to Frankie Knuckles on Pulse Radio.

Listen: Tiesto’s “Experimental Tech House” Remix of Coldplay’s “Midnight”

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Always one to shock fans and try out different musical styles (remember his “after hours” Essential Mix?), Tiesto has just dabbled in the world of tech house. As a thank you to fans for their continued support and for reaching the 17 million fan mark on his Facebook page (wow), Tiesto has released a new remix for Coldplay’s newest single “Midnight.” The self-described “experimental tech house bootleg” is definitely a departure from many of the Dutch DJ’s earlier productions, and it's available for free download. Check it out below!

Coldplay surprised the dance music community when they worked with Jon Hopkins on the original version of the track. Tiesto is busy launching the third season of his ‘In The Booth’ docu-drama this summer, which will see the icon as an artists, producer, DJ, as well as a mentor to other rising stars.

Listen to Tiesto on Pulse Radio


Serkal Showcase & WeOwnTheNight at Sankeys NYC

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Sankeys NYC has a huge weekend planned with a Serkal Showcase set for Friday night in the main room while Massive Groove and Rite of Momentum take over Spektrum. Saturday night continues with WeOwnTheNight in the main room and Audiolism returning to Spektrum for another night of fun.

Kick off your weekend properly with the highly anticipated Serkal Showcase featuring an all-star lineup of Filipe Venegas, Chris Tietjen, Clio, Dave Rosario, and Antonio Piacquadio all set to play well in to the early morning hours. The label, founded by Robert Toma and Anthony Piacquadio and under the artistic command of Dave Rosario and Sebastian Oscilla, has dedicated itself to cultivating the underground scene by embracing old school ideas.

Downstairs, Massive Groove and Rite of Momentum present Crylo, Tom Breu, Darlectric (Dariana Mayer), and Skinny and Blind (Matias Jofre b2b Ward).

The momentum continues on Saturday night as Delano Smith, Reset Robot, Jason Justiano, and Faver take the decks in the main room. The night is presented by WeOwnTheNight.

Audiolism returns to Sankeys NYC as well with Carlos Alkalina, Da Dwek, Emma, and special guest Connie. Don’t miss out on this weekend at Sankeys – it’s sure to be one for the books!

Listen to Dave Rosario on Pulse Radio

deadmau5 Shares 2-Hour “Actual Good Music” Set

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As promised days after he stood in as Ultra’s Saturday night headliner, deadmau5 told fans that he would stream “a live full on techno-actual-good-music set” from his studio in Toronto. This weekend, the two-hour set finally aired live on his site, live.deadmau5.com, and was then uploaded to YouTube by a fan.  Despite the recent controversy from his Ultra set when deadmau5 played a mashup of his "Ghosts 'n' Stuff" with Avicii's "Levelsafter Avicii fell ill and couldn't perform his set, he couldn't resist throwing the Swede's chart-topping track in to mix around 1:45:00. Check the set out and let us know what you think!

The set is a certainly a departure from his recent main stage performances, and comes just as the Canadian DJ/producer has been working on his forthcoming double album. He recently shared that the 25-track album is ready to go and will be released soon on Astralwerks. “I’m confident that there’s enough fresh stuff on there that it’s going to attract new fans. That’s kind of the play here – not do a continuation of what I’ve been doing for the last four albums; that’s just stupid.”

Tracklist:
1) ID – ID
2) Lluis Ribalta – Belial
3) Deadmau5 – Luxuria
4) RAR – The Tool w/ Deadmau5 – Secondary Complications w/ Deadmau5 – Sometimes Things Get, Whatever
5) ID – ID
6) Whyt Noyz – In 95
7) Carlo Ruetz – I’m F***ing Famous
8) Pryda – Muranyi
9) Theo Parrish – Falling Up (Carl Craig 2013 remaster)
10) TG – Mr. Dry
11) Audion – Noiser
12) Joris Voorn – Decay
13) Schneider TM – The Light 3000
14) ID – ID
15) Max Cooper – Enveloped
16) Deadmau5 – Petting Zoo (working title) w/ Deadmau5 – Glish (working title) w/ Deadmau5 feat. Rob Swire – Ghosts ‘n’ Stuff w/ Nine Inch Nails – Survivalism (Deadmau5 remix)
17) Deadmau5 – 74 (working title)
18) Tony Rohr & Layton Giordani – Careless Suggestions
19) Cari Lekebusch & Joseph Capriati – Missed Flight
20) ID – ID (probably something by him)
21) Ricardo Villalobos – Arild
22) Miro Pajic – Digits (Billy D’Alessandro remix) w/ Avicii – Levels
23) Chazzy Chaz – Imun (Chazzy’s panic re-edit) w/ Deadmau5 – Gula
24) Deadmau5 – Cyclic Redundancy
25) Deadmau5 – Orca

Listen to deadmau5 on Pulse Radio

 

Mario Basanov Mixes Pulse.167

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Lithuanian born and raised DJ/producer Mario Basanov steps up for this week’s podcast, Pulse.167.

Now based in Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital and largest city, Mario Basanov has established himself as a truly versatile producer creating everything from pop-infused vocal tracks such as “Changed” from his Mario & Vidis side project to a more undergound sound with his house and techno productions like “Redline.” His work has been released on labels such as Future Classic, Under The Shade, Innervisions, Mood Music, and many more.

He is currently wrapping up a major world tour that has taken him to several different continents with stops in Milan, Los Angeles, Toronto, Barcelona, Sydney, Dubai, and Istanbul, among others. Next up for Mario is a highly anticipated set at Snowbombing this weekend in Austria.

We’ve been chasing Mario for an exclusive mix for a while now, and we’re excited that it is finally here – an hour of his finest work and the tracks that have been impressing him lately. Enjoy!

DOWNLOAD PULSE.167

Tracklist:
01. Christian Prommer feat. Lew Stoi - Beautiful (Intro Edit)
02. Mr Roaul K - Africa (Kuniyuki Main Remix)
03. Johannes Brecht feat. Fetsum - Freedom Walks
04. Henrik Schwarz - Synthphonica
05. Aaron Ahrends - Little Space (Gunjah Remix)
06. Yousef, Blakkat - Analogue Times
07. I:Cube – Makossa Suspens
08. Unknown – Unknown
09. Marlow feat. Knixx – This Is It
10. Unknown – Unknown
11. Taras Van De Voorde – Chasing Winters (Pitto Remix)
12. Paul Bonneau - Universal Sideral
13. Giuseppe De Luca - Dorian Gray

Listen to Mario Basanov on Pulse Radio

 

Peaches Geldof Dies at 25

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Peaches Geldof, the daughter of musician Bob Geldof, has died at age 25. Police were called to a Kent residence Monday afternoon after a report of “concern for the welfare of a woman.” She was pronounced dead later by South East Coast Ambulance services. As of now, the cause of her death has not been revealed but police are classifying it as “unexplained and sudden.”

Geldof, who chose a career in media, was a contributor to the Telegraph and Guardian newspapers since she was 15 and was a reported for ITV’s “OMG!” She also worked as a DJ, playing at events for brands and making appearances at club nights.

Bob Geldof released a statement on Monday about the news. “Peaches has died. We are beyond pain. She was the wildest, funniest, cleverest, wittiest and the most bonkers of all of us. Writing ‘was’ destroys me afresh. What a beautiful child. How is this possible that we will not see her again? How is that bearable?”

She leaves behind her husband Thomas Cohen and their two sons – one-year-old Astala and 23-month-old Phaedra. “My beloved wife Peaches was adored by myself and her two sons, Astala and Phaedra. I shall bring them up with their mother in their hearts everyday.”

Listen to Pulse Radio

Win Double Passes to This Weekend at Chinese Laundry!

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Our good friends at Chinese Laundry have given us 5 double passes to this weekend’s festivities. You and a friend could be heading along to catch this weekend's feature artists.

DJ Hype & MC Funsta will be headlining Friday, with Mad Decent duo Sliink and Dirty South Joe leading the charge on Saturday.

To win, send your name and the night you’d like to attend to contactoz@gmail.com. Good Luck!

Friday Lineup:
DJ Hype & MC Funsta (Playaz/UK)
DJ Styla G
Tactical Aspect
FKNA
Amy Lee
Autoclaws
Judson

Saturday Lineup:
Sliink (UK)
Dirty South Joe (UK)
Oskillator
Luny P
A-Tonez
Matt Ferriera
Jace Disgrace
Disco’s Over
Fingers
King Lee
DJ Just 1

Listen to Pulse Radio

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