Neil Young’s Pono music player promises to play ultra high quality files and sound much better than lower quality mp3 files and digital streaming, and has received an overwhelming amount of support from the online community. Pono initially raised $500,000 back in 2012 to design prototypes and build infrastructure. Now, the music player has received $6.22 million in a Kickstarter campaign, the third highest figure ever raised on the site after the Pebble smartwatch ($10.3 million) and the Ouya game console ($8.6 million).

Neil Young thanked supporters with a special message. “On behalf of Pono, we thank you for helping us give music a voice. You have helped to set the stage for a revolution in music listening. Finally, quality enters the listening space so that we can all hear and feel what the artists created, the way they heard and felt it.”

Pono, which means “righteous” in Hawaiian, is a prism-shaped player that contains fully lossless tracks – large, uncompressed files that replicate the original master of the song. “Go back to your digital masters and see what they sounded like compared to what was released. Now, if you want to, they can all be released in their original glory… This is an opportunity to rescue the art of recorded sound… This music is world cultural history. All of this cultural history should be preserved for enjoyment of the people in its highest possible form forever.”

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You gotta hand it to Snoop Dogg - after all these years, he's still ambitious as ever. The rapper posted a picture (see below) to his instagram yesterday promoting his new group called LA Party Machine which he describes as "EDM meets hip-hop."

That short description alone is enough to divide opinion right down the middle, no doubt tanatalising some and striking pure fear into the hearts of others. Let's face it, Snoop can be rather hit and miss. For example, his diversion into reggae as Snoop Lion hasn't exactly set the world on fire, though his collaborative album with Dam Funk was a hands down winner.

This isn't Snoop's first foray into the world of dance music either, having teamed up with both Afrojack and Boys Noize this year, and even trying his hand at DJing house, disco and dubstep back in 2012 (though we still wonder whether it was actually him who made those mixes).

Who knows what we can expect from LA Party Machine, but colour us excited with a massive dash of nervous.

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Yes, we know that Easter is almost upon us, but just around the corner is Anzac Day, which means rounds of 2-Up, Anzac bikkies...and 12 hours of non-stop house, disco and techno at Circoloco Sydney!

With three massive names heading down to Australia - Dixon, The Martinez Brothers and Prins Thomas - it's set to be an absolute blinder. Finely Tuned have kept us in the dark long enough and have finally revealed the set times, which you can feast your eyes on below.

Third release tickets are flying out the door (grab them here), but if you're still not convinced (seriously?) then here are eight reasons why Circoloco Anzac Day is gonna be awesome. Plus check out our interview with The Martinez Brothers here and listen to Prins Thomas' brand new album here. Let's get loco.

Courtyard
20:00 > 23:00 Dixon
18:00 > 20:00 Martinez Brothers
17:00 > 18:00 Brohn
16:00 > 17:00 Gabby
15:00 > 16:00 Shaun Bro
14:00 > 15:00 Rachel May
12:00 > 14:00 Alan Thomas

Lost Disco Chapel
21:30 > 23:00 Softwar
20:00 > 21:30 COOP
18:00 > 20:00 Prins Thomas
16:30 > 18:00 Sam Roberts
15:00 > 16:30 James Fazzolari
14:00 > 15:00 James Cripps
13:00 > 14:00 Techno More

Redlight
21:30 > 23:00 Gary Todd
20:00 > 21:30 Sam Arelleno & Aaron Robins
18:30 > 20:00 Mark Craven
17:00 > 18:30 Start:Cue
15:30 > 17:00 Tristan Case
14:00 > 15:30 Tim Francis

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We told you the best parties to go to. We gave you a list of some of the biggest and best festivals on the planet to travel across the globe for. Now here's a selection of 22 off-the-path, boutique festivals to get stuck into.Start booking, get packing!

#22 ELE [Johannesburg, South Africa]
Their vision is to grow ELE by building a community who, by offering their unique skills and a little time, can help nurture a peaceful world for all of us to live in together. That’s the kind of love you feel at an ELE event. From their ‘Dreaming of the Beat’ to ‘Beats in the Bush’ the ELE team have created a fantastic, forward-thinking platform for all to enjoy…but with a cause. [Cliff Viljoen]
 

#21 Mozamboogy [Ponta Malongane, South Africa]
Temporarily escape from the hibernation of winter at Mozamboogy, which is held at the exotic beach front resort of Malongane, only a 7 hour drive from Johannesburg, with easy access over the quiet border post of Kosi Bay. From the Creators of ONE Festival and Tswaing Crater Gathering, this is another transcending treat. [Cliff Viljoen]
 

#20 Let Them Eat Cake [Werribee Mansion, Melbourne, Australia]
In the secluded gardens of Werribee Park thousands of revellers shrug off their New Years Eve hang over, or keep partying, for Let Them Eat Cake. The boutique New Years Day festival boasts surprises in every corner, from kitsch stages, to avant-garde artwork and cutting-edge visuals. The festival is free of buffed-up men and bikini clad women, full of electronic music lovers dancing in the new year to a diverse range of DJs. In the past two years it's lured away the likes of DJ Koze, James Holden, Soul Clap, Julio Bashmore, Kerri Chandlier, Flying Lotus, Theo Parish and Dusky from a cold northern hemisphere new year's to party at a mansion to bask in the glory of the Australian summer. Bring on 2015. [Lauren Murada]
 

#19 Meadows In The Mountains [Rhodopian Mountains, Bulgaria]
Meadows in the Mountains could be everything you’ve searched for. More than just a festival, this surreal gem is perched high atop the Rhodopian Mountains of Bulgaria. A place where intense sunsets settle over fog filled valleys. Reality looks like a dream and dreams are transformed into real life for three days.

The unspoiled beauty of the location mirrors the festival’s ethos. A small capacity ensures zero crowds and lines. Genuine collaboration with the community is also a key feature. MITM offer home stays, locally sourced food, excursions to the Greek coast, even horse and cart rides. Haute underground acts are also carefully selected house and techno names. This year think Maayan Nidam, Moomin, Hrdvision, San Proper, Jazzanova plus a healthy cohort of underground acts that you can see before everyone else. Bicep’s Matthew McBriar sums it up perfectly, “Meadows in the Mountains is what every festival wants to be." [Sonia Miles-Khan]
 

#18 Meredith Music Festival [Victoria, Australia]
Meredith is not as much a festival as it is a convergence of a musically minded family coming together each year. Now in its 24th year, ‘Aunty’ Meredith consistently pulls together some of the most diverse line-ups the Australian festival market has to offer, not to mention a proudly self-proclaimed ‘No Dickhead Policy’. What more could you want? [Marissa Demetriou]
 

#17 Strawberry Fields [The Wildlands, Victoria, Australia]
Over the past five years, Strawberry Fields has firmly cemented itself on the international circuit. Affectionately known as “Strawberry,” the festival appeared on numerous must see festival lists in 2013, including our Top Ten Australian Festivals and Resident Advisor’s coveted #2 position for November-December. Musically, Strawberry combines all things luscious and electronic, with a focus on borderless sounds. Highlights of past years include Pantha Du Prince, Tornado Wallace, Kyson, Minologue, Phil Keiran, James Holden, KiNK, Moodymann, Tiga and Carl Craig.

The 2014 event is shrouded in mystery and no details have been released bar a save the date. You’re safe to expect names of the above calibre performing in an expanse of divine Australian wilderness. Not to mention a laissez faire environment where beach styled renegade stages and kangaroos jumping through the mayhem are not at all uncommon (not a joke – this has happened nearly every year!) Prepare your glitter and stomping boots for frolicking in the fields. [Sonia Miles-Khan]
 

#16 Desert Hearts [Apple Valley, USA]
Entering its third year, Desert Hearts takes place from April 25-28 in Apple Valley, CA. The festival was founded by an eclectic crew of DJs and House lovers, all of which spent years attending desert festivals before deciding to start one of their own. Desert Hearts aims to promote community-oriented house and techno gatherings. Tim Green, DJ T, Matthew Dekay, Droog, Christian Martin and Atish are headlining this year. The festival is also host to a number of artists, art installations and performers, and yoga instructors. Attendees camp out and there are a number of themed camps. Desert Hearts promotes sustainability and leaving as little a footprint as possible. Check out the website for full details and lineu. [Sonali Sen Sharma]
 

#15 Sunwaves [Mamaia, Romania]
Located on the Black Sea in Mamaia, Romania, Sunwaves festival showcases 4 nights of some of the most prolific forward thinking names in techno. Last year the lineup hosted names such Richie Hawtin, Villalobos amongst others, this years bar has been raised well and truly, bringing Marco Carola, Tale Of Us, Seth Troxler and Nastia to the charming Romanian coastline. With return flights costing less than a train to London, and tickets not much more, this idyllic little get away is most definitely not something to be shrugged at. The weather isn't too bad either; so don't forget your sun cream. [Becca Kennedy]
 

#14 Lightning In A Bottle [Bradley, USA]
Presented by The Do LaB, Lighting in a Bottle is a transformational festival that takes place over from May 22-26 in Bradley, CA. LIB wants your festival experience to be spiritual, enlightening and generally fantastic overall. Along with musical stages, there are plenty of interactive and immersive environments, such as the Temple of Consciousness, along with workshops, yoga classes, art installations, guest speakers and a silent auction to raise money for public art programs. The festival, which supports sustainability, provides free water to all attendees, the only requirement being they bring their own water bottle or purchase one at the event. Social cohesion, personal health and creative expression are among other things the festival seeks to promote. Many attendees camp on-site. Fittingly, Moby is headlining along with Simian Mobile Disco, Damien Lazarus, Lee Burridge, Blond:ish, DJ Tennis, Maxxi Soundsystem, Claude Von Stroke and more. Check out the details and full lineup here. [Sonali Sen Sharma]
 

#13 Rocking The Daisies [Darling, South Africa]
Brought to you by Seed Experiences, Rocking The Daisies pulls together walks-of-life from across the board. With the main stage and Red Bull stage both focusing on the local talents of South Africa's finest live acts including high calibre international acts as headliners, to the Mainstay Beach Bar that plays home to the finest local DJ’s on the circuit, you get it all at Rocking The Daisies. And it works! [Cliff Viljoen]
 

#12 Camp Bisco [Pattersonville, USA]
Camping, jam bands and good vibes are just a few of the things that come to mind when thinking about the three-day festival in Pattersonville, NY. Located just outside Albany, the festival takes place over a weekend in July at the Indian Lookout Country Club. Passion Pit, STS9, Animal Collective, Umphrey’s McGee, Flux Pavilion, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Boys Noize, Zeds Dead and Madeon are among the number of bands and artists that performed last summer. There are enough rides, art installations, food stands and plenty of surprises to go around for weeks. Peep Camp Bisco’s website for photos, videos and details on the next Bisco, which is set to take place next summer. [Sonali Sen Sharma]
 

#11 Soundwave [Tisno, Croatia]
Croatia may have more than its fair share of beautiful festivals, but Soundwave comes about as close as we can imagine to perfectly pairing sound and sight. Their eclectic combination of cutting edge electronica DJs, unbeatable live bands and music that joins the dots between jazz, reggae, house and hip hop, mixed with picturesque beaches and boats of Croatia’s Tisno, is like something out of a dream. This year, artists like Fat Freddy's Drop, Madlib, Gold Panda, Mr. Scruff, and Shigeto will be providing the soundtrack to your experience as waves crash, people laugh, and reality floats away. And don't forget its renowned disco ball, which hangs above the sea front’s live stage and glimmers in the moonlight, reminding you that this disco on the beach is really and truly happening. [Chandler Shortlidge]
 

#10 The Garden Festival [Tisno, Croatia]
If you’re in the market for an intimate beach side retreat soundtracked by the freshest underground cuts, then look no further than long-standing boutique festival, The Garden Festival. The founding electronic music event to grace Croatia’s sun-soaked shores, the team behind The Garden Festival have been at it for close to a decade, hosting the week long party in an idyllic man-made bay in the costal town of Tisno. Boasting an eye-watering 2014 line up of live performances and DJ sets, featuring the likes of KINK, François K, Soul Clap and more, The Garden Festival is all about lazy days by the bay, boat parties at dusk and dancing all night long under a blanket of stars. Think this sounds like paradise? You’d be right. [Charlotte Lucy Cijffers] [Photo credit Khris Cowley]
 

#9 Electric Forest [Rothbury, USA]
From June 26-29, the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury, MI will be home to thousands of people flocking to attend Electric Forest. The four-day, multi-genre event focuses on electronic and jam band genres and is open to all ages. The String Cheese Incident, Steve Angello, STS9, Zedd, Cut Copy, Flying Lotus, Moby, Booka Shade and Art Department are among the many major talents headlining 2014’s event. Electric Forest is what its name suggests; an interactive, visually stimulating environment filled with rides, art instillations and a large camping facility, known as The Good Life Village. [Sonali Sen Sharma]
 

#8 Gottwood [Holyhead, Wales]
With many vying for status on the ‘boutique’ battlefield, Gottwood’s uniqueness stands against the beach-located festivals of mainland Europe. The North Wales early summer weekender is delightfully perched in Anglesea woodland, with stages intertwined in the trees, complete with wooden sculptures in a quirkily British setting. The music spans from homegrown stalwarts Craig Richards and Crazy P Soundsystem to Euro faves Prosumer and Tale Of Us, but it’s the embracing of club and label collectives in its idyllic setting amongst nature that makes the place a magical experience and an essential stop on the summer circuit. [Guy Hornsby]
 

#7 The Secret Garden Party [Abbots Ripton, England]
Known as the quintessential boutique festival, The Secret Garden Party leaves no stone unturned in providing a sensational experience. Take the Yacht Club for example – a cocktail bar closer to a Balearic chill-out sailing club rather than its true Huntingdon surroundings. Or the infamous Pagoda stage, playing host to the world's greatest DJs in the open-air on an intimate and breathtaking riverside platform. Or the giant bespoke structure built each year in the middle of the on-site lake – a fully functioning stage with sound-system accessible by boat only – which on the last night is lit ablaze whilst the sky is filled with a dramatic and ecstatic firework display. Or the stage made of hay bales, or the trapeze artists and petting zoo, or the chance happening upon cupid floating past. Each year there is a theme – last year Superstition, this year Wizard of Oz. There is no place like it on earth. [Sophie G James] [Photo credit: Luke Taylor]
 

#6 Decibel [Seattle, USA]
The Decibel International Festival of electronic music performance, visual art and new media is approaching its eleventh year this September. The annual music and digital arts festival takes place in Seattle from the 24th-28th, and has hosted more than 750 acts ranging from underground dance and experimental electronic music to transmedial art. Similar to festivals like The BPM Festival, there is no single event space. Instead, there are a variety of venues that are host to a number of parties throughout the 5-day period. Check out Tiga, Green Velvet, Duke Dumont, MK, Tensnake, Pantha Du, Bonobo, Breach, Justin Martin, Danny Daze, Tycho and Dusky at venues like The Neptune, Q Nightclub, Neumos and Re-Bar. [Sonali Sen Sharma]
 

#5 Horizon [Bansko, Bulgaria]
2013 saw the arrival of a new major player on the snow festival scene with Horizon, and in 2014, the Bulgarian bash brought some of the biggest names in underground – Detroit Swindle, Âme, Kerri Chandler, Roy Davis Jr. and Kerri Chandler, just to name a few. Not settling for just another big lineup, Horizon’s true speciality is price – 6 days and nights of cutting edge electronic, 6 nights of accommodation with pool or spa use, and a 5-day ski pass with access to the whole mountain for just a few hundred quid – it simply can’t be beat. Bridging the gap between high-end ski festivals and a classic British festival, Horizon Festival guarantees 75kms of slopes at heights of 2,600m – no mud, no queues, affordable prices, and an incredible atmosphere. Sound too good to be true? Come March 2015, get yourself to Bansko Ski Resort and find out for yourself. [Chandler Shortlidge]
 

#4 Moogfest [Asheville, USA]
Each April for two to five days, the city of Asheville, NC plays host to Moogfest. The festival is named after Dr. Robert Moog, the inventor of the Moog Synthesizer. He spent the last thirty years of his life in Asheville and it is said that Moogfest is put on to honor his creativity and inventiveness. The festival is taking place from the 23rd-27th and features a variety of day and evening activities for attendees to choose from (or all). Days are filled with “mind-expanding conversation, experimentation and collaboration for creative and technology professionals” across seven venues in downtown Asheville. The conference is host to leaders and pioneers of music, technology, science, art, culture, design and metaphysics. Evenings are reserved for musical performances by Kraftwerk 3D, Pet Shop Boys, M.I.A., Nile Rogers, Animal Collective’s Avey Tare’s Slasher Flicks, Dillon Frances and more than 70 more artists. [Sonali Sen Sharma]
 

#3 Unknown [Rovinj, Croatia]
You'd be forgiven for thinking Croatia had reached saturation point with its countless festival offerings. Fortunately for everyone, last summer, a game changer came along. Located in the Disney-like town of Rovinj, Unknown Festival burst on to the scene with colourful production and a tantalising array of international DJs and bands, combining stunning lighting, sound and bunting, so much beautiful bunting.

With the Forest stage and a poolside used day and night by a host of revered labels and brands, Unknown takes its beautiful natural surroundings and charms them into an impressive and vibrant display, perfect for the consumption of both acoustic and electronic music. Highlights of its debut last year include the 20 Years of Kompakt boat party and the Innervisions takeover of the mystical Forest – an absolute delight of an Adriatic offering stretching the possibilities of boutique festival delivery. [Sophie G James]
 

#2 Festival No.6 [Portmerion, Wales]
This North Wales festival describes itself as “as festival unlike any other, in a place like no other.” That may sound oversimplified, but where so many other festivals get it wrong by thinking that bigger is better, over the past few years Festival No 6 has become one of the most celebrated boutique festivals in the UK by nailing those two most important factors; stunning location and an exciting and eclectic lineup. This year’s bill looks set to be no different, boasting seasoned favourites like James Holden, Bonobo and Neneh Cherry alongside exciting newcomers a la John Wizards and Julio Bashmore. [Henry Johnstone]
 

#1 Hideout [Pag, Croatia]
Hideout’s only in its fourth year, but it’s already made an indelible mark on the Adriatic. Tucked away on the island of Pag, its UK-focused line-ups are unafraid to mix veteran DJs with chart-topping acts and underground hotshots, all in the name of a weeklong sun-drenched beachside tear-up. In 2014, they welcomed Sasha and Loco Dice alongside Disclosure and Rudimental, sprinkling in a dollop of boat and pool parties into the mix outside its main three days – another addition to the crammed Croatia calendar, but an essential one. [Guy Hornsby]

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You seem to be hearing it all the time lately…everyone is talking about it…the sound-system that’s been rocking everyone’s world at all the outdoor, and indoor parties of late in Cape Town and Johannesburg, and of course, around the globe – the Funktion-One Sound System. 

Look, I can’t argue with you when you say the sound “should” be good because the promoter will be setting up the F-1. Yes, that would most probably excite me as well; it’s all in the setup, though. And a man who can’t know any more about the F-1 Sound System is Tony Andrews; sound-system designer and the owner and founder of Funktion-One. 

Tony Andrews (Owner & Founbder of Funktion-One)

For the most part, because it’s just that good, many are going the Funktion-One route for their clubs. Clubbers and djs will know Funktion-One best for the enormous stacks in some of the world’s top clubs, and not for nothing, to name a few Space Ibiza, Berghain, Output and Trouw. All of which understand that audio quality is of utmost importance. Obviously. 

Tony went through to the Brighton Music Conference to discuss the Importance of Audio Quality which was to be the U.K’s first-annual-dance-music business conference, but before that he sat with Dj TechTools and spoke about how bass excites humans, how to set up a pair of bedroom speakers, and one hugely simple mistake djs can avoid, yet somehow don’t manage. 

(The legendary Berghain in Berlin)

He explains how he goes about tuning the sound-system, the process he goes through to get the system humming at full-potential. Tony goes on further to explain “The first thing I do is look at the midrange. Is it all there? The best way to discover that is through a known human voice."

He continues to say that when testing systems, he maintains to use the same tracks time and time again, understandably because you will need some sort of a bench-mark to measure it against. Diana Krall’s “Let’s Face The Music And Dance” and nothing like a bit of George Benson’s “Nature Boy” to test the mid-ranges, is Tony’s choice. 

Having setup the mids, Tony looks to tweaking the high-end. He says “I start bringing in high frequencies until they are all there, but ensure that they don’t swamp the mids or vice versa.” To any sound engineer this is all too easy, yet somehow, many are getting it wrong. 

An interesting statement he made was that he never tests with electronic dance music until he has completely sorted out the frequencies across the board. Once that point has been reached, it’s Gat Décor’s “Passion” that comes out to test the overall bass response. Thought we’d add it in here for you, below: 

Here’s a thing…an ongoing feud between djs, sound engineers and club owners - the issue of playing in the red. If you’re a dj, you know exactly what that means, if not, I’ll tell you. It means when dj’s are playing and they push the volume knob up so much so, that eventually your eardrums pop as well as the speaker cones and everything else plugged in around you. I might have exaggerated somewhat, but also, not really. Tony Andrews in interview said something I really enjoyed reading that went to the tune of: 

“All you are really doing when you push a mixer into red is distorting the music and insulting the people who give us a living — the clubbers.” – Tony Andrews. 

I know this is a big topic between the said parties above, and it really does need some attention paid-forward in its direction because let’s be honest, a lot of djs out there are red-lining the hell out of the systems, over periods of time ruining them, and our ears. It’s not necessary. Take it from Tony Andrews, he knows what he’s talking about. 

[Courtesy of www.djtechtools.com]

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It’s come to my attention that there are some unfortunate folk out there that haven’t yet had the opportunity to experience a night out at And Club in Braamfontein, JHB. Okay, unfortunate might be a strong word, but depending on how seriously you take clubbing and exposing yourself to cutting-edge music in the realm of electronic dance music, it may just be, a little unfortunate. 

Behind the blueprint and the music policy of And Club, you’ll find the well-known brand TOY TOY. The TOY TOY nights have moved from strength to strength showcasing South Africa’s top talents behind the hardware as well as artists from abroad at the frontline of change and groundbreaking releases and for TOY TOY’s next international instalment they welcome to our shores – Ambivalent. 

On May 16th at And Club the support from locals comes in the way of Andi Dill, Sound Sensible, Fabio and Dogstarr. If this line-up was sans the international act it would still be a ‘don’t miss’ event so understand, the collective efforts of the FULL line-up will be nothing short of spectacular…and a hard-dance. Read further for details: 

EVENT: TOY TOY featuring Ambivalent

Kevin McHugh, also known as Ambivalent is currently working out of Berlin. Kevin has spent the last decade living in the German capital or New York and in a sense, these two metropoleis represent the contradiction at the heart of his Ambivalent persona. On the one hand the reckless freedom and hedonism of the Berlin subculture, on the other the more considered, conceptual approach of its New York counterpart. 

As a result his idiosyncratic sound lies somewhere between the two, a precarious balancing act that manages to infuse stripped down, finked up minimal techno with a distinct sense of purpose, often defined by a pearl of an idea around which his skeletal grooves revolve.

Ambivalent by name, ambivalent by nature, Kevin McHugh insists we shouldn’t read too much into his ideas, but as long as he continues making such bold musical statements, that stimulate the instinct and intellect in equal measures, he’ll just have to get used to the attention we’re all giving him. 

See you on the dancefloor!

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Getting his start by throwing the now infamous Kunst:stoff Breakz hip-hop parties in Dresden, Cuthead has since made the transition to house and techno, though he most certainly hasn't ditched his roots. His mixes and tracks bubble with hip-hop beats layered with smooth, lush, organic synths - though he still makes straight up hip-hop and trip-hop cuts now and again, like his well received "Everlasting Sunday" EP. Recently, he's connected with the ever-popular Detroit Swindle duo (noticing a big bump in fans in the process), having played their first The Great Escape party at Studio 80, which doubled as an album release party for their recent "Boxed Out" LP.

Along with his meticulous productions and tour schedule, he creates his own beautifully crafted music videos for tracks like "The Sinner." With a new and ever-growing fan base, a newborn, and a bevy of remixes, originals and collaborations on the way, we decided it was time to sit down for a Fresh Blood with Cuthead.

Cuthead Fresh Blood Pulse Radio Mix by Pulse Radio on Mixcloud

I understand you grew up in hip-hop, but found house music back in 2008. How did that transition occur, and who were some of your early house music influences? Around 2000 I started to produce music for some friends who started to rap. It was really loopy stuff and the main purpose was to make the MC sound good. Later I came from really simple rap beats to the more playful trip hop stuff, and also came in touch with IDM and electronic music. I mean, hip-hop is also electronic produced, but it does not sound like that. When I was younger, I really had some blinders on. For example, I did not like four-on-the-floor beats at all and also skipped the track when there were to much synthesizers. Over the years, I opened my mind and discovered genres like disco music, and also found some housey stuff, which made it easy to take my first steps into this genre.

The first artists I dug where big names like Kerri Chandler, MCDE (Motor City Drum Ensemble) and Masters At Work. Up to now, I still prefer the sample-based and organic sound more then the industrial and electronic.

With your history of throwing parties with Kunst:stoff Breakz, do you have any plans on creating your own nights around Uncanny Valley? I think, the period when we did the illegal Kunst:stoff parties is a closed chapter, because most of the other crewmembers moved to other cities and got their own projects there. In the end, it faded out on its own, and it was okay like that. I am not sad that we do not do illegal parties anymore, but I got some good memories about the times. Today I try to focus more on producing music, but sometimes am itching to do another party. We did, for example, a little open air on the birthday of the label.

You have one of the best biographies I’ve ever read, full of orgies, beautiful women, and insect photography. How much is fact, and how much is legend? Everything is true. The wildest episode isn’t even mentioned. I won’t tell too much, it’s got something to do with David Hasselhoff, world domination and roller skates.

What’s your wildest memory from the Kunst:stoff Breakz days? I remember, on one of our illegal parties in a abandon cellar. The power generator stopped working at around 2 o’clock. The whole venue was dark and everyone pulled out their flashlights. We tried to fix the generator, but it did not work out. We had a band playing that night, and suddenly the drummer started playing. Everybody went crazy and people were waving the flashlights. The crowd was dancing to the drum solo for 1 hour, until the drummer had to stop because he had bloody hands!

I love the videos you’ve done for “Vibratin’” and “The Sinner.” Have you always been into photography and filmmaking? Photography is my hobby since I was a teenager. My father was an ambitious photographer too and gave me all his equipment and explained to me everything. The moving picture is something like the Champions League of arts for me, because it combines my favorite elements – music and pictures. We also want to shoot a video for one of the song of the everlasting Sunday EP soon. 

I read that you were expecting to be a father this year? Has that happened yet? And if so, what’s that been like? Has that slowed down your production and tour schedule at all, or has in inspired you to make new and different music? Yes my little son was born in January. In the beginning I was afraid that everything will change and I won’t find time to do music anymore, but it turned out that he is a really friendly and handsome kid. It is also very inspiring on the other hand, and I talked to other musicians who also have kids and manage to do both. I definitely had to slow down touring a bit and only play two gigs a month. I think it’s most important to find the right balance between family, party, job and relaxing.

Your productions are very unique, sometimes pulling from your hip-hop roots and sometimes heading towards house. Do you usually head into the studio with an idea or a plan, or do you usually just let it flow? When you are doing sample-based music, you are looking for sounds wherever you go. It can happen anywhere and in any genre of music - suddenly I listen to something creative for my taste, like a special hi-hat rhythm, a cool snare sound or a way an effect is used. I keep it in mind, and when I start a new song I combine the ideas I’ve collected. The formula is like: listen, abstracting and recombine. Sometimes I start with a drumbeat; sometimes I’ve got a nice sample as basis. Usually I don't have something in mind when I start. It’s a lot about tying out different things and letting things flow to a point where i like the result.

Where do you mainly draw inspiration from when you make music? Other musicians, for instance, or is it from things like everyday life, art, books, and film, or something completely different? I find inspiration in other contemporary artists, but mostly in older music from the ‘70s and ‘80s. Sometimes I also find a sample in TV, or a film gets me in a certain mood, which I would like to express in a song. Very important for my music is the coincidence. I really like to experiment and see what happens. Sometimes I keep a beat loop running for hours and take a random samples and slice them somewhere, try different start points, pitching, or effects, and maybe something interesting is happening. When you do a profession for a long time, you usually want to get more control about what you do, but in music it’s very important to let things slide at some point.

Where do you find most of your samples? It’s really easy today to find out what your favorite hip-hop group sampled in their songs. When I started, you were really lucky to find a sample on a record, and we only had these GDR records of Amiga everywhere around in East Germany. Almost everyone had the same collection before the wall came down. For me, it was a good start to look at what other producers sampled in their songs and try to start digging from this point. Today it is really easy to find a group which is connected to another song you already like using Discogs or YouTube. Also, compilations are a great way to find interesting artists from the past and look what else happened around this person.

You’re the first guest for Detroit Swindle’s new club night, The Great Escape. How did that connection come about? And do you have any plans for working with the guys in the studio in the future? One day, the clicks on Soundcloud and Facebook went through the ceiling and I found out that it was because of Detroit Swindle, who had shared my song, “The Sinner,” on their Facebook page. I also liked their releases like the “Guess What“ EP. Early this year, Lars of Detroit Swindle wrote me a message and asked for a remix for their upcoming album, which was really cool. It will be on the second remix EP. Later he also came up with the idea to invite me to the release party.

Finally, what’s next for you and Uncanny Valley? Any big news, releases or tour plans you can tell us about? We will release an album on Uncanny Valley with all my early stuff later this year. There are also some remixes for Detroit Swindle, 6th Borough Project and Son Of Sound in the pipeline. I am also in contact with Sampling As An Art, and would like to release a track on his label. I will play in some clubs around Europe and there are also plans to do a little North America tour together with Jacob Korn later that year, but that is not safe yet.

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We have followed Bridges for Music closely and spotlighted the projects that have been coming out of their corner from the beginning. Taking electronic music development to the lesser privileged with the vision to educate through electronic music is a concept that we back completely. 

This here is a teaser of a full-documentary produced by non-profit organization Bridges For Music tracking the progress of initiatives, that have been carried out in the townships of South Africa with Richie Hawtin, Skrillex, Niskrone, Luciano& more. 

It aims to reflect how the visit of these three key music figures has brought discussion, ideas and motivation to these communities with the ultimate goal being to enhance the REAL values of music and the opportunities the music industry has to create positive change and leave a legacy while developing in new territories. 

Film by : Eldon Van Aswegen (www.eldonvanaswegen.co.za)
Music: Enhamin by Damascvs  

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After just one year on the festival circuit, We Are FSTVL has already established itself as a not-to-be-missed mainstay on the UK’s chock full party calendar. Following the event’s widely acclaimed maiden voyage last year, which saw the organisers nab the Best New Festival gong at the 2013 UK Festival Awards, co-founders Reece Miller, Nikki Gordon and David Winney are now on a mission to make 2014’s FSTVL even more ballistic. With the bar set sky-high from 2013’s success, We Are FSTVL’s 2014 offering will, once again present punters with a plethora of electronic acts that span an immense spectrum of dance genres, from Kerri Chandler to Sven Vath.

In the wake of what’s set to be a memorable May bank holiday weekend for Essex-based dance fans and beyond, we sat down with co-founder Reece Miller to talk all things FSTVL, the Croatia vs. Ibiza debate and 2014’s “ones to watch.”

You worked on We Are FSTVL, along with co-founders Nikki Gordon and David Winney, for over three years before you saw it become a reality. Was it intimidating launching a new festival in the midst of what was already a saturated UK market? And with dance music festivals more prevalent than ever, what do you want to show festivalgoers this year that they haven’t seen before? Firstly, was it intimidating? Not at all. When you’ve had a lifetime of promoting, then this festival is, at its core, just rolling out another show. Don’t get me wrong; it was on a much bigger scale than a club show, obviously. But certainly wasn’t intimidating. We just saw a niche in terms of where we are. In Essex. Yes, we’ve got V Festival, but that’s very much pop orientated in comparison to what we do. Our background is purely dance music.

Yes, we are fortunate that dance music is enjoying such popularity at the moment, but we just see it as we put a plan together and we’re going to go out there and execute it. And work every hour in the day to get it over the line, to produce something that is special for the hard paying customers and to produce something that is financially viable, so that it can grow into a festival that will run for many years.

I think what we want to offer is a bigger line up in this area than anyone else. No disrespect to any of our dance music festival competitors in the capital, but they are simply not putting on nine arenas a day for the capacity that we are and they’re not investing as heavily in their line ups. That is a fact. I’m not going to name names because that wouldn’t be fair. But we will go about tackling the audience with longer stages and more hours. And yes, that comes at a cost and tickets are not cheap but that’s the quality that we put on for the customer.

If you look at the 2013 after movie you’ll see how much was put into the production of the show; the colour, the high production spend and the essence of the whole event. You can see that in the movie. And certainly for this year’s show, the customers don’t know what’s coming yet but there will be some really bespoke structures that will be invested in. From drawing and ideas, to reality when gig day finally comes around.

You’re obviously a fan of the festival experience and of dance music culture. Can you tell us about your professional journey and your most career-defining moment thus far? My professional journey up to this point comes from promoting. It started at school really, as most promoters do. I was the lad, you know, putting on the under eighteens disco and it really did grow from there – 200 capacity to 600 to 1200 and so on. Then obviously you get to a point where you’re 17 and you’ve already gone to many venues, many raves and you’ve got the taste for it, enough for it to become your career. It’s been many, many highs and lows, shows that have gone really well, shows that haven’t gone well, loosing business. But I think it makes you rounded in terms of being a promoter and being an industry professional. I’m really able to appreciate the successes when they do come along, which We Are FSTVL definitely has been.

I think the most defining moment, for all of us, was the year one show. Getting to the end of it and for the event to have reached such a critical acclaim, both on the day and afterwards. When you get that first initial euphoria after you’ve got that first show over the line, which was huge for all of the team. That, and the professional recognition of winning Best New Festival at the 2013 UK Festival Awards and beating out other huge concerts with legends like The Rolling Stones, Tom Jones, Elton John. It really was a phenomenal achievement for all of us.

 

You are making quite a reputation for yourself as a brand synonymous with booking the best acts in the business. How do you select the acts that play? How much is determined by the business side of the industry and how much is down to the team’s personal preference and selection?

It’s always a tricky one. You can imagine the office of people that sit here and you will always get certain members that have different musical tastes. The office can’t just influence you. You have to look at the market too. What’s selling out and what’s not? What artists are selling out, what is their success defined and made by. All of that goes into a melting pot, and then you’ve got two or three of us that lobby artists, labels and management to try and secure those acts. If we missed out on certain acts for 2013, we’ll be making sure that we get them this year. And similarly, with our year 2 show, there are still acts we’ve missed who will hopefully be included next year. It’s very dependent on a strong marketing campaign and having the after movie so we can go round and show people “this is the show you missed, this is why you need to be included!”

You’re representing a plethora of labels across a spread of genres this year with legends like Fatboy Slim, Derrick Carter and Andy C all set to play. Who are the artists on the bill that you’re personally excited to see cut their teeth? Who should we look out for? You’ve got so many acts across so many different stages, there’s so much to be excited about. Obviously, Hot Since 82 on the main stage on the Saturday. We broke him on the Defected stage last year, so it will be so nice to see him back again now that he’s doing so incredibly well. If you’re in to the EDM bits and pieces, there’s another guy called Syn Cole who is Avicii’s right hand man that I personally think will go a very, very long way. MK’s AREA10 of course; we really helped break MK to Essex last year. He’s gone on to have phenomenal success and is now hosting his own arena this year. Even Shadow Child, we put him on last year and it’s wonderful to see how he has blown up. Route 94 is another one who’s coming through this year. Finally, Tube and Berger are a big one; they’re performing on the Sunday, May 25th. They’ve got a huge new track dropping on Pete Tong’s FFRR label in the summer. We are huge supporters and we’re looking forward to seeing them go all the way.

Aside from a great line up, I personally have a few prerequisites that make a great festival fondly called W.P.L (water, peeing, loud). Aside from the music, what other logistics have gone in to making We Are FSTVL such a market leader? The logistics are truly mind-boggling. The amount of staff, the amount of suppliers, the event planning that goes in to it… The easiest way for me to summarise it is that you simply don’t stop. From the minute the doors close, you’re debriefing the show. Working on improving licensing conditions, lobbying for talent and it’s a whole year round job. Some people don’t understand that one show is a full year’s work. We literally deal with thousands of staff and it’s a very busy schedule.

With the UK about to experience its hottest summer on record, what do you think about the explosion of Croatia as a summer festival destination? Do you think there’s any comparison in terms of quality with the UK or is it just a flash-in-the-pan holiday fad? I think its great. I think new things in the industry are always really exciting, although I do think there needs to be an improvement in infrastructure in Croatia for it to ever rival say, Ibiza. I mean Ibiza will always have those incredible venues, whereas the Croatian scene is still very much growing.

I also think Ibiza hasn’t done itself any favours with its drinks prices, but they have, and always will, attract a certain “jet set” who will be able to sustain that economically. I guess when I look at those prices, I understand where they come from. The overheads and artists are at such a level that they demand certain fees and those costs have to pass on for a business to be successful, were ever you are. I’m sure Croatia will continue to evolve and continue to be a part of dance music culture.

But as a music destination? It’s not Ibiza and it’s certainly not the UK.

You’ve already mentioned that you won Best New Festival at the 2013 UK Festival Awards. With such an impressive start, where to from here? Where would you like to see the brand in 5 years? I think if you look at the shows that first inspired us to put together We Are FSTVL, you can see the aim. It was Creamfields and Bestival in the UK and your Tomorrowland and Mysteryland in Belgium and Holland respectively. And Ultra of course. These are all career achievements that we’re aspiring to everyday. Will we get there in 5 years? That’s a tall order. Hopefully we’re much closer in 5 years than we are today, and that’s what gets us up and motivates us every single day.

Your story is no doubt inspiring for other start-ups that are looking to crack in to a big corporate market. What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs who want to start their own brand, night or event, or just have a great idea? Immerse yourself in. Make it the most important thing in your world. Never, ever ever give up! Just keep going.

We are FSTVL takes place Bank holiday Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th May, 2014 at The Airfield Of Dreams, Damyn’s Hall, Upminster, Essex. For more info, head to www.wearefstvl.com.

Listen to Sven Vath on Pulse Radio.

Rocking the Daisies, the same boutique festival that made it into Pulse's Top 22 Boutique Festivals to do around the world (read full article) is set to dominate the Western Cape from 2–5 October 2014…again. For the past two years Daisies has sold out and to combat fraudsters, scalpers and to amp up festival security, organisers have got a whole new ticketing system for you. Head on over to their website to secure your position at one of South Africa’s premium boutique festivals, below:  

REGISTER FOR ROCKING THE DAISIES

Full Ticket Prices:

Full Weekend Pass – R750
Two Day Pass (Sat/Sun) – R650
Sunday Pass – R200
Cycling the Daisies – R500
Campervan – R500 (excl. ticket)

Walking the Daisies registration will open at a later date:
Gate Price (if not sold out) – R800

See you on the dancefloor! 

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It's that time of the month again when we invite Adeline to broadcast a new edition of her radio show on Pulse Radio.

A truly talented producer, DJ and label manager, Adeline chats to Ryan Crosson of Visionquest. We’ll hear his new remix for Mobilee, as well as a fresh cut off the new album from Rework, due out in May on Visionquest. You’ll also hear about Ryan’s favourite record store in London.

With a weak spot for melodies and driving grooves, Adeline is playing the new release from DJ Tennis, a previous guest on the show, and this week also features new music from Brett Johnson and the debut project Hauser/Quaid.

Follow Adeline on Facebook.

Listen to Adeline on Pulse Radio.

A new company called Fuzipop is putting together dance parties for children at some of Manhattan’s major nightclubs. Held once a month for children ages 6 to 12 and their parents, the parties typically run for three hours and cost $20 for a parent and child or $60 for a family of four. Fuzipop’s goal is to “inspire the next generation of DJs, music producers, artists, dancers, and music business moguls. Growing up in New York City is a unique one-of-a-kind experience and city kids deserve an event of the same stature.”

The music is provided by a nine-year-old DJ (perhaps a graduate of Brooklyn’s baby DJ school?) with several professional dancers to keep the kids fully entertained. Kids dance around with glow sticks as they sip from juice boxes, and no, we’re not kidding.

CNN Money recently sent a reporter to one of the events held at Pink Elephant in the West Village on a Sunday afternoon. Here’s how she described the scene:

“Inside, parents lined up the full cash bar as their kids leaped around the dance floor shouting out the words to “What Does the Fox Say.” The tables usually reserved for VIPs ordering pricey bottle service were littered with champagne glasses and juice boxes. The bartender who’s used to serving a liquored-up, over-21 crowd on Saturday nights, was surprised by how much the parents were imbibing. The most popular drink that afternoon was vodka.”

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What’s happening South Africa!? With our finger on the proverbial pulse of this beast that spawns-off event after event, each weekend, week-in and week-out, we like to put together a list of ‘don’t miss’ events each and every Friday for our series called - What’s Happening SA? From ramblings on the net, to conversations in the bathrooms of our favourite clubs, from the inside-info that finds its way into our inbox, to straight up just searching for what we’re looking for in a dancefloor, Pulse offers a selection of events mostly in the Cape and Gauteng regions that demands your attention, and really shouldn’t be missed. 

What’s Happening Cape Town? 

NomadiQ Music presents INXEC and Maki Polne

Join the N omadiQ guys on Thursday the 17th as they gear up for an INTERNATIONAL mash-up... Showcasing two incredible artists from across the globe.

The Side Show

Friday Night is a Public Holiday and they've got a mad night planned in celebration of the madness. Expect filth, carnage and mayhem all the way - and with Friday Night being GOOD FRIDAY - they have decided to close so this is your chance to get your weekly dose of the madness.

F%&K Me It's Friday @ Imperial

F%$K ME ITS FRIDAYS!! @ IMPERIAL Is an all out assault on what's fun-loving about the industry with pulsating lashes of passion, deep tech, funk and minimal FUSED with uplifting Nu disco and techno. Be there!

Easter Honey

Saturday Honey Cream is BACK and Creamier than ever and this time they're jolling to raise funds for Charity... It is Easter afer all. 

Introspekt

INTROSPEKT is the first edition of a new night brought to you by Claudia and Margaret where they will be offering a journey of music for your body, thoughts and feelings. The concept is built around the ladies offering a lengthy B2b set of their favourite house and techno, along with incorporating live vocal elements from various featured artists.

Fiction Friday

This Friday they have yet another GREAT combination of some of South Africa's most talented artists and Amsterdam's, Ici Sans Merci (NL).  

What’s Happening Johannesburg? 

TOY TOY April

This Friday, they welcome two guests, Dakin Auret from Cape Town and Offbeat-and-Dexterity. Supported by TOYTOY Residents. Be there!

Addictshun

Calling all the Jungle Addicts...They're ready to keep the tunes rolling, spread the word and bring your friends. Thursday's were made for Deep, Rolling Drum & Bass and they've got that covered. 

Easter Weekend Celebration featuring Ryan Dent, Craig Massiv and Ricardo da Costa

2 Fully stocked bars, plenty TV screens for our sports fanatics, viewing deck, a variety of delicious food, fantastic drink specials, including their Buckets and Wheelbarrows (YES, Wheelbarrows full of drinks), an awesome Vibe and nothing but great music!

Deep Town presents Alpha Night Shutdown

Get ready for the final instalment of the Alpha Night with special guest from Cape Town – Dakin Auret. 

See you on the dancefloor! 

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Yesterday on Wednesday, April 16th, IMS Engage returned to Los Angeles for its second conference. This year’s edition, held at the W Hotel in Hollywood, featured intimate conversations between pairings of some of the industry’s most prominent figures: Moby, David Lynch, Guy Gerber, Diddy, Steve Aoki, Chad Hurley, Junkie XL, and Hans Zimmer. They casually chatted about the state of the music industry today as well as a collection of other topics. Here are some of the highlights from IMS Engage 2014.

Moby & David Lynch
The two chatted about a range of topics including their love for the city of Los Angeles, ‘Twin Peaks,’ flying yogis, and quinoa.

DL: I believe in consciousness as a continuum. In a way, you never die. You drop your physical body, but continue on.

M: If there was a questions you could be asked in an interview, what would it be?
DL: Would you like to go home?

DL: If the world ended tomorrow, I’d spend the afternoon and evening painting, then have some red wine… meditating throughout.

Pete Tong & Giorgio Moroder
Two of electronic music’s greats discuss Ableton Live, early DJ careers, Donna Summer, Studio 54 in the late 70s, and the prodigy skills of young French producer Madeon.

GM: I think I am one of the few people in the world whose biography is one song.

GM: I had my first hit with a Moog in ’71.

PT: What were the spoons for?
GM: I don’t know… cocaine?

GM: I now do dance music but a combination of disco sound and electronics. I use a real saxophone, real drums, etc.

Guy Gerber & Diddy
The recent collaborators talked about their ‘11:11’ project, the underground, and performing in the United States, among other things.

GG: The mission with ‘11:11’ is to touch a lot of people without trying to please everyone.

GG: We’re not doing it for commercial success, so we’re able to have fun doing what we want.

D: The underground keeps music alive.

D: We wanted the whole world to hear so they have something new to add to their playlist.

D: People pay a lot of money to be entertained… you can’t just press a button.

D: I’ve never had ferris wheels at my concerts or hotels with my name on it. I’m learning from y’all.

GG: I love playing in the States. People are very enthusiastic and not afraid to show it.

GG: Where I’m from, in Israel, I had to fight for this sound.

D: We both have the same 24 hours… (humble reminder that time is the most valuable resource, not money)

Steve Aoki & Chad Hurley
The two chat about Steve’s signature on-stage antics, singularity, and every social media platform under the sun.

SA: It’s all about amplifying the environment and making the energy through the roof. (on cake throwing and crowd surfing)

SA: We live in a YouTube generation. The level I am now is because of YouTube.

SA: “Facebook is the mother brain of it all. I don’t really interact with Facebook; it’s too massive and uncontrollable.

CH: Netflix has been the most disruptive with nonlinear programming. Hopefully the quality of content continues to rise.

SA: I deleted Snapchat from my phone a day later. I don’t want weird dicks and things like that coming to my phone.

SA: Circulation, at the end of the day, is what you want. People will have the decision to buy or bootleg it. (on free music)

Junkie XL & Hans Zimmer
The two film industry veterans talk about composing electronic music, the importance of music in film, and sound design.

HZ: The problem with composing electronic music is that it’s very isolating – important to bring other people in.

HZ: You want to draw the audience in. You want them to lean in. You want them to be co-creators.

HZ: I have to give credit for Giorgio Moroder, among the first to make us realize the importance of music in film.

HZ: I don’t segregate between music and sound design. Sound is sound.

HZ: To progress and advance, we have to fail occasionally.

HZ: Many composers have died on the final moments of a score, but fuck it, it’s rock and roll.

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It’s Thursday, April 17th, and that means that the second weekend of Coachella is just about to kick off. Following an incredibly successful Weekend 1 with sunny weather and top level performances by a collection of all-star artists, Weekend 2 has a lot to live up to.

At first glance, Weekend 2’s set times appear to be very similar to those of last weekend. Over 100 artists will perform on the festival’s six stages over three days. Catch a ton of electronic music performances by Darkside, Nicolas Jaar, Dillon Francis, Deorro, Duke Dumont, Davide Squillace, Solomun, Maceo Plex, Guy Gerber, Nicole Moudaber, Calvin Harris, Michael Brun, and many more!

Don’t forget about The Do Lab, which is tucked away this year on the outskirts of the festival. The setup will feature the likes of Thugfucker, Moonboots, Blond”ish, Mikey Lion, Eduardo Castillo, and others throughout the long weekend.  Check out the set times for all stages below!

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Next weekend on Saturday, April 26th, Eric Volta is touching down in Los Angeles for a special daytime pool party on the rooftop of The Standard in downtown LA. Underrated Presents invites you to join them for the party full of summer vibes as Eric Volta takes the decks with support from the likes of Human Life, Sonns, Low Tide, and Matt Hardinge.

Eric Volta is a star on the rise. He just released his “Blood Burgundy” EP featuring vocals by Gretz on Toronto’s No.19 Music and has upcoming tour dates at some major festivals including Moogfest, Electric Forest, and the inaugural Mysteryland USA on the legendary Woodstock ’69 festival grounds in Bethel Woods, New York. To learn more about what he’s been up to recently, check out our interview with him here.

Pulse Radio is happy to be giving away a pair of tickets to the party! Enter to win below – it’s easy. The more options you choose, the better your chances are of winning. The contest will end on Thursday, April 24th at 1pm PST and the winner will be notified via email shortly after. Good luck!

Listen to Eric Volta on Pulse Radio

It has been revealed that every Monday Ibiza Rocks House will be channelling the rock and roll spirit of Pikes and transforming Pacha into a weird and wonderful den of hedonism. Kicking off on Monday 26th May and running each week until 6th October, Pacha will be completely converted by Ibiza Rocks House to offer Ibiza a unique, eclectic and no doubt crazy house party vibe within the grand confines of one of Ibiza’s most famous super clubs. Ibiza Rocks House plan to recreate some of the original characteristics and features that make their Pikes home so popular and create a night centred around eccentricity, eclecticism and fun.

Ibiza Rocks House will bring their private disco ‘Freddie’s’ to Pacha by renaming the Funky Room, with old Ibiza heads Griff and Antz on the decks. Both new and old will be represented in the main room in the form of house music royalty such as Derrick Carter, Kevin Saunderson and Kenny Dope, and fresh talent such as Shadow Child, Claptone and Ibiza Rocks resident Doorly. Further appearances during this 2014 season will be made by huge dance artists such as Basement Jaxx, Groove Armada and 2manydjs.

Pacha General Manager Francisco Ferrer had this to add: “We’ve been waiting a long time to unite with Andy & Dawn and the desire to work together has grown stronger since we’ve witnessed the spirit, energy and authenticity of the parties they host at Ibiza Rocks House. They fit perfectly into Pacha, our ethos and our history. Two brands entwined and two families with a deep love of this incredible island united.”

The Pikes Hotel has become something of an Ibiza institution over its many years hosting celebrity stars such as Freddie Mercury, Grace Jones and Julio Iglesias. The former’s wild and now legendary 41st birthday party is particularly notable for its flamboyant, rock n’ roll excess. In 2011, Ibiza Rocks founders Andy McKay and Dawn Hindle took over the reins of Ibiza’s oldest rock n’ roll fixture in order to breathe new life into the hotel.

For more info, head to www.pacha.es

Listen to Derrick Carter on Pulse Radio.

The second weekend of Coachella 2014 just kicked off which means that the same amazing group of artists who played at the southern California festival last weekend will be taking the stage again for another round of performances. This year for the first time, Coachella has decided to live stream select performances from both weekends of the festival with Weekend 2’s acts set to stream on AXS TV.

Beginning each evening at 9pm EST, the stream will feature the likes of Grouplove, Elllie Goulding, Lorde, Chvrches, MGMT, Capital Cities, Big Gigantic, Skrillex, Arcade Fire, Calvin Harris, Chromeo, Broken Bells, Zedd, and many more! Each day’s stream will reair the following day at 2pm EST in case you miss out the first time around.

Click here to stream Coachella 2014!

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Veteran jock Nick Warren was booted off the decks at Club Vanguard in Seoul last night for not playing to the liking of some of the club's punters.

Warren has since taken to his facebook to apologise to his fans, stating that club owners stopped him mid-set for not playing commercial enough.

"Apologies to everyone on the full dance floor last night in Seoul," his post reads. "Someone who had booked a table had complained to the club that I was not playing commercial music so the club told me to stop after an hour, words can not explain how i feel about that to be honest."

Sadly this is not just a one-off, with clubs bowing to wealthy customers who wish to control the music policy becoming an all too common occurrence. Both Mark Farina and DJ Shadow suffered a similar fate in Las Vegas and Miami last year.

Prior to the incident in South Korea Warren had been touring Australia, where his sets went down without any hitches.

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House duo My Digital Enemy have recently started a brand new label, Vudu, which saw an immediate hit with their track 'Shamen.' The deeper, funkier groove was an immediate hit, getting air time from Radio 1's Pete Tong and Danny Howard, to name a few. Though that's hardly the first time these two Brighton jocks have seen their tunes hit the radio waves, as their infectious, energetic brand of house consistently heads to the top of the charts, with tracks like their remix of Crazibiza's 'My Lips,' which wound up making it to the number 2 spot in the charts, and their collaboration with Jason Chance, 'Feel It In The Air' - released on their own label 'Zulu Records' - hitting number 3.

Recently back from Miami, and with Ibiza on the horizon, we caught up with Serg & Kieron to chat about a recent gig in China, plans for their labels, and they guys stepped up for Pulse.169, which you can download below.

DOWNLOAD PULSE.169

You guys were just in Miami recently. Where did you play, and what were some of the highlights? Miami was amazing! Our best gig there has to be on Nikki Beach for Electric Beach on the Saturday opening party. The place was rammed – everyone was up for it and fresh as it was the beginning of WMC.

What were some of the biggest tunes for you guys down there? If I was to name 3 it would have to be: Prok & Fitch's ‘Man With Soul,’, the My Digital Enemy remix of, Matteo Dimarr & Dashka's 'Closer,' and the Zoltan Kontes remix of Emskay's 'Serchin.'

Do you have any thoughts on the recent call to shut down Ultra by the City of Miami? Well, I think that ultimately it would be a bad move for the city as it brings in a lot of people to Miami. But on the other hand, it might help out all the smaller venues and parties, so I can see benefits either way (always look on the bright side of life, eh?)

I understand that aside from parties in your native Brighton, some of your favourites growing up were Dance Valley in Holland, Nature 1 in Germany, Creamfields and Ibiza. Where did you party in Ibiza, and do you still make it out to the island? Well, we pretty much partied all over Ibiza when we were younger – Space, DC10, Eden… Nowadays, it’s a little harder to deal with the all-nighters out there, but that still doesn’t stop us trying!

You guys recently played the Pepper Club in China. What was that like, and how did you like China? It was really good actually. We had no idea what to expect from the clubbing scene over there but it was classy and they treated us really well. Definitely up for doing that again!

When you’re not busy in the studio and touring, what do you normally do to unwind? Drink! [laughs] We love going down the pub and chilling with our mates on our days off – the same as the rest of England.

You recently started a second label, Vudu, for your deeper stuff, which saw the release of 'Shamen'– a massive track for the new label. What’s next for Vudu this year? We have just finished a new track for Vudu, which will be out around 19th of May on Beatport. Keep an eye and an ear out for it as we think it’s going to be a big one.

And for Zulu? We have releases from Carl Hanaghan, Marc Vedo and more from us planned along with the new Zulu in Ibiza 2014 Compilation.

Any younger artists we should watch out for on either label in the coming months? It’s hard to say at the moment, ask me again after the Ibiza season!

How about for you two – what do you guys have planned for the rest of 2014? Any major gigs, releases or collaborations we should watch out for? Well our gig diary is looking nice and full! We’ve got gigs coming up in Germany, Prague, Canada, Japan, Croatia, Bulgaria, Australia, Ibiza to name a few. On the production side, we are aim for more radio, so I hope you should be hearing us on the air waves more often.

On the collaboration front we are speaking with Federico Scavo, David Penn, Prok & Fitch, and Junior Sanchez to name a few.

Can you tell us a bit about the mix you’ve provided for us? The mix is a snippet of all the best tracks that we are playing out at the moment so enjoy!

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