DJ magazine - the outlet that brings us their controversial Top 100 DJs poll every year - are feeling the heat over an image that was published in their December issue; a satirical 'ladies guide' to the CDJ-2000. Take a look below.

As inthemix points out, the image has unintentionally caused quite the furore across the internet, prompting DJ Mag to state that the image is completely out of context when viewed on its own and should be read in conjunction with the original article; a column called 'Rant 'N' Rave' written by an anonmymous female DJ which in fact points out the issue of sexism in the dance scene.

The controversy over the image is quite unfortunate given that DJ Mag's intention with the original article was to draw attention to sexism in the industry, not agree with it. Though as Chicago DJ and producer Dani Deahl has pointed out, why did they create it in the first place?

“There’s no doubt in my mind that DJ Mag meant this photo as a joke – it’s obviously meant as an extremely exaggerated caricature of a misogynist’s point of view. But my question is – why? Why fuel the fire with this ‘satirical’ illustration?”

Listen to Pulse Radio

This weekend's Essential Mix was a biggie, with live sets from Booka Shade and Hot Since 82& Steve Lawler recorded at Machester's Warehouse Project.

Book Shade performed a live set consisting of material from their latest album 'EVE' with sprinklings of their classics a al 'Night Falls, 'In White Rooms' and more. The other hour was the unlikely but fruitful pairing of Steve Lawler and Hot Since 82, with the duo going back-to-back with tunes from the likes of Harry "Choo Choo" Romero, Kölsch, Hot Since 82 and cuts from Lawler's Viva label.

Enjoy both sets in full below.

Listen to Pulse Radio

This Tuesday December 10th the first in a series of parties around the globe supporting Human Rights Day is going down at Mrs Sippy in Double Bay.

With a focus on striving towards achieving peace in the Congo, the party will provide an array of culinary delights and cocktail jugs, with sounds provided by DJ Alice Q, who you can expect to effortlessly mix up everything from house to hip-hop to early 1930's jazz.

For more information head here!

Listen to Pulse Radio

The first of Cafe Del Mar Australia's Sunset Sessions series kicked off over the weekend with a roster of Sydney DJs - and Melbourne guest Tornado Wallace - getting deep and balaeric on the venue's rooftop deck perched over Cockle Bay.

This Sunday the special guest is one of Australia's finest purveyors of disco edits, the legendaryLate Nite Tuff Guy. In advance of the musical delights set to go down at Cafe Del Mar this weekend, LNTG has shared with us five tunes he'll likely be dropping in his set. See you there for sunset drinks and delicious tuneage!

#1 Alien Disco Sugar - 'Party Now'

"Good time party track. Will set any dance floor on fire."



#2 80's Child - 'I Can Go For That'

"Fantastic reworking of a Hall & Oates classic."



#3 Late Nite Tuff Guy - 'My Body's On Fire'

"This is pure sex."



#4 Late Nite Tuff Guy - 'Hold Tite'

"This is definitely one of my favourite edits in recent years. Very cool vibe."

#5 Late Nite Tuff Guy - 'Nobody'

Chaka Khan's classic 'Ain't Nobody' gets the LNTG treatment.

Listen to Pulse Radio

Last month Circoloco took over Sydney's Greenwood Hotel for another successful edition of the legendary clubbing brand's raucous parties. Thousands of clubbers took to the dancefloor in their freakiest Halloween garb, getting down to beats from Ame, Matthias Tanzmann and Francesca Lombardo. Recap the amazing day and night that was via Finely Tuned's below film. Stay tuned for Circoloco's return next Easter!

Listen to Pulse Radio

Just in time for the holidays, Beatport has cut an entire engineering team from its San Francisco office, as well as close to 20 employees from the Denver office. The move comes after SFX acquired Beatport back in February, as the corporate goliath, owned by Robert F. X. Sillerman, seems to be looking to change direction and cut some of the 'fat,' like Beatport Play and Beatport DJs, to appease shareholders after going public this October. Shares of the parent company have fallen from $13.00 to $11.60 since that time.

“[SFX] is not concerned with anything but the store. It was crazy. It was a fucking bloodbath for sure. Some of the people laid off were working there for almost ten years,” a source told TechCrunch. Shockingly, the Denver, CO-based Beatport considered firing the employees over a conference call, but after worries that the soon to be sacked team might trash the office upon hearing their fate, decided to send human resources representatives to San Francisco. “These guys will trash the office if we don’t send someone there.” SFX has released a statement regarding the layoffs, explaining they were necessary in order to "allow us to adapt and improve our service." Full statement below.

“With the additional resources provided by SFX, we are making significant new investments in Beatport and focusing on providing the best possible experience for our users – the DJ, the producer, the labels and the entire Electronic Music Culture community. To allow us to adapt and improve our service, it was necessary to make some organizational changes. We have closed our San Francisco office, reorganised our engineering team, and cut some positions in Denver. Beatport has always been about innovation and connection and these moves allow us to focus on that. With the recently announced acquisitions of PayLogic and Arc90, this refocus on maximising Beatport as the definitive site for everything related to Electronic Music is indicative of our commitment to igniting the simmering Revolution of this astounding movement, Electronic Music Culture. We look forward to unveiling a number of exciting new technology initiatives in 2014.”

It seems that now SFX will focus on the live music aspect of the industry, including ticketing and events, in order to help create the "$1 billion dance music empire" sought ot by Sillerman. Luckily, Beatport’s laid off workers got significant severance packages, especially the long term workers. 

Happy holidays, Beatport.

Listen to Pulse Radio.

Seth Troxler, Jamie Jones and Richie Hawtin all fall a notch or two from last year's poll, while Tale Of Us, Ben Klock and Dixon move up a few spots, with the Innervisions front man taking number one. See all the other results, at Resident Advisor.

Listen to Tale Of Us on Pulse Radio.

Following the album Dumb Dumb’s release, Death by Misadventure got local artists Reason, Sketchy Bongo and 37Mph in the studio for their latest, the On Top EP. The duo, Isaac Klawansky and Tamara Dey deserve the recognition they get for this new electronic outfit that’s certainly turning heads here in SA. A Synth-Pop electronic dance act that exudes an enormous amount of energy when it’s all systems go, and with the added talents of these local heroes the latest EP is a treat to fire up on the speakers and get grooving to. 

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/on-top-feat.-reason-ep/id768317884

Both works from DbyM are available on iTunes. What the duo have also been doing from the start of their new adventure, is commissioning the likes of local producers exploring the many avenues of genre in the electronic dance realm, the most of these productions are made available for download on their Soundcloud site. Go check it out. 

For now follow through to check out their latest and stay up to date with their whereabouts and stages they massacring around the country.  

Listen to Pulse Radio 

The passing of December 8th marked the 33rd anniversary of the death of iconic Beatles frontman, John Lennon. In tribute, Nicolas Jaar has released an hour long mix titled 'Our World,' which you can listen to and download here. 

The mix begins with a hanting recording of John Lennon speaking with famed sportscaster Howard Cosell, flashing ahead to the announcement of Lennon's untimely death. From there, it heads into typical Jaar territory - dreamy, experimental fusions of sound resulting in an unforgetable journy the likes of which only someone like Jaar could accomplish - a fitting tribute for one of music's greatest figures, and a mix not to be missed. 

Listen to Pulse Radio.

Thanks to THUMP, we’re able to get the difficult task across of explaining what it’s like having a night out in the world of EDM to someone that has little to no knowledge of the culture at all...without sounding like drug fiends. Let’s be honest, it’s rather difficult talking about a special night out without the mention of what is so clearly visible at most of the events around the world. 

Don’t get me wrong, I’m by no means trying to advocate the fact that our business is totally consumed and only about drugs, however if you’re going to spotlight what goes on at most EDM events, there has to be mention of the topic. THUMP’S 30-minute movie, ‘Blackout’ has tastefully covered all bases, discussing everything from the pre-parties to the afterhours, the high and the low points, everything that we all know so well, but at times fail to explain adequately. This does it fantastically. 

Watch here:  

Listen to Pulse Radio 

Starting with his "Tech In Hand" Remix EP, Riva Starr has recently embarked on a unique new remix project for his summer "Hand In Hand" album featuring prominent artists from across the house music spectrum. We've got an exclusive listen to the Jesse Rose remix of "We Got This Ting" featuring Roots Manuva from the "Deep In Hand" EP, out on December 16th, as well as all the info surrounding the project, here.

Having already released the "Tech In Hand" Remix EP, which includes remixes from the likes of Carlo Lio, Technasia and Coyu, Riva Starr is following up with the "Deep In Hand" Remix EP, featuring this Jesse Rose remix, as well as remixes from H.O.S.H., Timo Mass and Nice7. Instead of the usual album remix route, the basis of the project sees Starr releasing three different themed EPs, then selecting some of today's hottest emerging producers from deep house, tech house and bass to put their own take on the tracks.  

Following the December 16th release of Starr's "Deep" EP comes the "Bass In Hand" Remix EP on January 6th, with remixes from Alexkid, Zombie Disco Squad, Addison Groove, and Ardalan, and the full length "Hand In Hand" remix album is due out on February 3rd. 

Listen to Pulse Radio.

So DJ Fresh is giving away over R500 000 worth of bursaries for Boston Media House. It’s this easy to win, all you have to do is submit a piece of visual art, 30” video/audio clip or write a 500 word creative writing piece to djfresh@boston.co.za

Winning is easy, simply submit a piece of visual art, a 30’’ video/audio clip or a 500-word creative writing piece to djfresh@boston.co.za and 7 dynamic, creative and deserving learners will stand a chance to win a Boston Media House bursary worth 500 large as well as mentoring sessions from the man himself.

Take a look at the breakdown of the 500k before you get cracking with your creative process to further your knowledge. 

Sandton

1 x BBA in Media Operations Management (4 year) 

1 x Diploma in Media Practices (3 year)

1 x Soul Candi Digital Music Composition & Production (1 year)

Pretoria Arcadia

1 x Diploma in Media Practices (3 year)

1 x Soul Candi Digital Music Composition & Production (1 year)

Umhlanga

1 x Diploma in Media Practices (3 year)

1 x Soul Candi Digital Music Composition & Production (1 year)

Total prizes worth R500 000. For further details on the comp navigate to the Boston City Campus’ page with this link here: BOSTON CITY CAMPUS 

Listen to Pulse Radio 

In a recent Reddit AMA, or Ask Me Anything, members from Multi-disciplinary Association For Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) answered questions on a variety of drug related subjects, including on the ongoing clinical trials of MDMA, the key ingredient in ecstasy. 

According to MAPS Director of Clinical Research, Amy Emerson, the team is currently in Phase 2 of clinical trials, gathering preliminary information on the safety and efficacy of the drug in small groups of 12-200, which is estimated to be complete by 2015. Once finished, two Phase 3 studies need to be completed, with larger groups of 250-2000, and if proven safe by these two studies by around 2021, MDMA could become a prescription medication as approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Read the full response here.

Right now, MDMA is also being used in trials to help treat Post Tramatic Stress Dissorder, or PTSD, which is common in veterans of war. Often, those who suffer from PTSD find it difficult to express themselves, and MDMA makes it easier for patients to be comfortable, and may increase the effectiveness of psychotherapy.

Listen to Pulse Radio.

This weekend, the long list of 2014 Grammy nominations was announced featuring several electronic music artists, even outside of the dance music categories. You may remember when Skrillex snapped up three awards last year. This year, Daft Punk, Calvin Harris, and Kaskade lead with the most nominations – all are nominated for Best Dance/Electronica Album as well as single song categories.

Daft Punk is also in the running for Record Of The Year as well as Album Of The Year. Other artists who are nominated for the prestigious awards show, which will be held in Los Angeles’ Staples Center on January 26th, include Disclosure, Zedd, Armin van Buuren, and Pretty Lights. Check out the full list of nominees in the following categories featuring electronic music artists.

Record Of The Year
Get Lucky – Daft Punk & Pharrell Williams
Radioactive – Imagine Dragons
Royals – Lorde
Locked Out Of Heaven – Bruno Mars
Blurred Lines – Robin Thicke featuring T.I. & Pharrell

Album Of The Year
The Blessed Unrest – Sara Bareilles
Random Access Memories – Daft Punk
Good Kid, M.A.A.D City – Kendrick Lamar
The Heist – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Red – Taylor Swift

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Get Luck – Daft Punk & Pharrell Williams
Just Give Me A Reason – Pink featuring Mikky Ekko
Blurred Lines – Robin Thicke featuring T.I. & Pharrell
Suit & Tie – Justin Timberlake & Jay Z

Best Dance Recording
Need U (100%) – Duke Dumont featuring A*M*E & MNEK
Sweet Nothing – Calvin Harris featuring Florence Welch
Atmosphere – Kaskade
This Is What It Feels Like – Armin van Buuren featuring Trevor Guthrie
Clarity – Zedd featuring Foxes

Best Dance/Electronic Album
Random Access Memories – Daft Punk
Settle – Disclosure
18 Months – Calvin Harris
Atmosphere – Kaskade
A Color Map Of The Sun – Pretty Lights

Listen to Daft Punk on Pulse Radio

A new Mixmag mini-doc, Daft Punk: Behind The Helmets, gives viewers a special behind the scenes look at Daft Punk’s signature helmets and robot suits. The video, sponsored by Olmeca Tequila, features stage FX designer Tony Gardner, who takes us through the evolution of their famous costumes. Merely starting as humans, the duo made up of Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo transformed into high tech robots, keeping up with the latest in technology. The documentary features several early prototypes of the iconic duo’s helmets, gloves, and body armor, and discusses the designers' inspirations for the look.

Listen to Daft Punk on Pulse Radio

UK DJ/producer Max Cooper has announced the release of his highly anticipated debut album ‘Human.’ The forthcoming production will officially come out on March 10th on label FIELDS. The album follows a series of well received EPs, and we look forward to hearing the result of his venture into the full-length format.

The first single from the new album, “Adrift” featuring Belleruche’s Kathrin deBoer, is out December 16th along with a Raffertie remix and an accompanying video. Listen to it below!

Max will embark on his upcoming Human Tour in conjunction with the album’s release. The first leg of the tour runs from late-December to early-March with stops in Paris, Vienna, Copenhagen, Basel, Cologne, Singapore and more.

Tour Dates:
20 Dec - Club Lehmann, Stuttgart, Germany
21 Dec - Hinterhof, Basel, Switzerland
31 Dec - Artheater, Cologne, Germany
10 Jan - Break Club, Montpellier, France
25 Jan - Club Kyo, Singapore, Singapore
27 Jan - Rainbow Serpent Festival, Lexton -Victoria, Australia
02 Feb - Sunday Roast | La Machine Du Moulin Rouge, Paris, France
07 Feb - Gare Porto, Porto, Portugal
15 Feb - Roest Warehouse, Amsterdam, Netherlands
27 Feb - DIEP | Poppodium 013, Tilburg, Netherlands
28 Feb - Perron, Rotterdam, Netherlands
01 Mar - Flex, Vienna, Austria
05 Mar - Mistral Club, Aix En Provence, France
08 Mar - KB18, Copenhagen, Denmark

Tracklist:
1. Woven Ancestry
2. Adrift feat Kathrin deBoer
3. Automaton feat BRAIDS
4. Supine
5. Seething
6. Numb feat Kathrin deBoer
7. Impacts
8. Empyrean
9. Apparitions
10. Potency
11. Awakening

Header image courtesy of Shaun Bloodworth

Listen to Max Cooper on Pulse Radio

Brandt Brauer Frick are set to mix the next edition of DJ-Kicks! The Berlin trio recorded the set in one day at Watergate during an afterhours session using only vinyl and dub plates. The mix includes three original productions by Brandt Brauer Frick as well as tracks from the likes of Kingdom, Theo Parrish, Thundercat, and more.  The mix is set for release on Feburary 24th.

Paul Frick explains, “We didn’t want to record it in our studio or at home, mainly because we preferred an intense session with limited time. That feels more like a unique situation and it enforces the tension and the necessity to do it right.”

“Because we mixed it live there are mistakes and flaws, some rougher transitions in there. We are not super technical DJs. We like it when you can hear those imprecisions because it’s human. It feels like someone is behind the mix, rather than a computer.”

Listen to one of the tracks which the trio created specially for the mix, “Bommel," and check out the full tracklist below.

Tracklist:
01. Jan Jelinek - HipBird
02. Inkswel - Australaborialis
03. Theo Parrish - Electric Alleycat
04. Dollkraut - Rollercoaster
05. William Onyeabor - Better Change Your Mind
06. Max Graef - Bummse
07. Brandt Brauer Frick - Bommel
08. Kingdom - Stalker Ha
09. Parental Control - Feel Like / Le K - Abraz
10. Alfabet (Awanto 3 & Tom Trago) - Lap The Music
11. Fantastic Man - Late At Night
12. Brandt Brauer Frick - Out Of Tash
13. Galaxy 2 Galaxy feat. Atlantis - Transition
14. Peverelist - Sun Dance
15. DJ Do Bass - To Catchy
16. French Fries - White Screen
17. Chico Mann - Soul Freedom
18. James Braun & Troels Abrahamsen - Wooden Knuckles
19. Glenn Astro - How I Miss You
20. Philogresz - Edge
21. Bok Bok & Tom Trago - Vector
22. Cosmin TRG - Echolab Disaster
23. MMM - Re-tics
24. Jam City - How We Relate To The Body
25. Brandt Brauer Frick - Hugo (DJ-Kicks)
26. Machinedrum - Now U Know Tha Deal 4 Real
27. Thundercat - Tenfold
28. Dean Blunt - Galice

Listen to Brandt Brauer Frick

The official aftermovie of the debut edition of ID&T’s TomorrowWorld music festival has just been released featuring highlights from the three-day extravaganza at Georgia’s Chattahoochee Hills. The video shows the TomorrowWorld experience from arriving at the festival grounds, meeting people from all over the world in the Dreamville campsite, and dancing at the festival’s many stages to some of the world’s biggest DJs.

Despite conflicting reports about the festival’s return in 2014, the end of the video reveals plans for the next edition of the festival, which will take place at the same location from September 26th to 28th! Keep your eyes peeled on Pulse for more information about the festival.

Listen to TomorrowWorld on Pulse Radio

Just days after Dutch festival Mysteryland announced its debut in New York on Memorial Day Weekend 2014, Electric Daisy Carnival has revealed its plans to return on the very same weekend. EDC NYC will return to its original location at Northern New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, where it was held in 2012 before moving to Citifield last year. The festival will run for two days from May 24th to May 25th.

Tickets will go on sale this Wednesday on December 11th and will be sold in the following tiers - $199, $225, and $239. Keep your eyes on Pulse for future updates about EDC NYC!

Listen to Electric Daisy Carnival on Pulse Radio

DJ Sneak, King of the Twitter beef, is back boys and girls. You may know the house gangster more for his online dissings of Joris Voorn and Swedish House Mafia than his actual skills on the decks these days, and this latest incident isn't going to change that anytime soon.

So what's all the fuss over this time? After playing the packed out Warehouse Project in Manchester over the weekend, Sneak then headed down to Liverpool to play at Yousef's famed Circus Recordings night at the East Village Arts Club alongside Fatboy Slim, Riva Starr and Yousef himself, but he was pretty unimpressed by the lack of punters dancing to his set (the majority of the crowd was grooving to Fatboy Slim). So unimpressed, in fact, that the next morning he tweeted that Circus have "had a good run" but now it's time to "pack it in".

The resulting backlash on Twitter from Circus punters and fans is heated, and amusing, to say the least. You can read the whole feed here and check out some highlights below.

Listen to Pulse Radio