World-renowned DJ and Grammy Award-winning music producer Zedd can now add another title to his illustrious résumé: actor.
Zedd is set to appear on Nickelodeon‘s The Substitute, a hidden camera prank show that invites celebrities to go undercover as disguised substitute teachers and mess with students. Check out his announcement below as well as a preview of the episode, which will also feature popular social media influencer Juanpa Zurita. It will air tonight on Nickelodeon at 4:30PM PT (7:30PM ET).
After its ingenious partnership with the NFL, it seems that Nickelodeon is ramping up its efforts to cater to kids by tapping into ancillary industries outside of typical children’s programming. The network recently teamed up with the NFL to broadcast the wildcard playoff game between the Chicago Bears and the New Orleans Saints, implementing goofy and nostalgic features like virtual slime cannons that blasted after each touchdown.
Long-form features with house icon Tchami are hard to come by, but DJ-turned-interviewer Willy Joy recently hosted the future house maestro on his podcast Back To Back.
The 70-minute conversation begins with talk about Tchami’s come up with DJ Snake and Malaa during their teenage years and the early inspiration that he found in French hip-hop before he caught wind of Daft Punk and “Drop The Pressure,” which would decisively convert him to dance music. Eventually, Joy gets Tchami talking about his 2020 debut record Year Zero, which was named Dancing Astronaut’s Top Electronic Album of 2020:
“I didn’t think I would ever be able to make an album with this Tchami project, because [there were the] single days, and then came the EPs that did quite well, and the tracks that were not the main singles on the EPs received a lot of attention too, a lot of praise too. So I was like, maybe I can express myself more than the Tchami sound I’m known for and open the range of the sonic possibilities for me. Little by little came the day where I opened the folder of all my tracks and I said, ‘maybe I could do an album.’ That was it, there was no greater intention behind it. We found everything else later, the title, the artwork, but the primal intention was music.”
By his own admission, Tchami is a very secretive guy. Even his own parents didn’t hear Year Zero until its release day, the album maker said during his Back To Back guest slot.
While on the tour that preceded the LP, Tchami played several Year Zero inclusionswithout announcing them as such just to get the crowd’s honest reaction to the music. He went on to explain how some of the marquee collaborations on his debut came to be, including “Praise” with Gunna, which still came about, despite their inability to get in the studio together.
“We couldn’t see each other, but we had that friend in common, so I gave the beat to Danny and he played the beat to Gunna…I was not there, but he was texting me and I was always getting feedback, ‘what do you think of this, or that?’ So we tried to make it like [I was there], but I was not. I thought it came out really good…It felt like I was doing a remix honestly at some points. I had the basic track and he did his part, which was great I loved it, and then I kinda rebuilt the whole thing around it. “
Year Zero‘s feature list is as comprehensive as it gets, starring everyone from ZHU to rapidly blossoming vocalist HANA. However, the collaboration that made Tchami the most nervous was the LP’s closer, Todd Edwards.
“That was the first studio session I had in LA, and I wasn’t shaking but I was like, ‘oh, he’s Todd Edwards, I need to do my best to bring him the best beat…we need to make something legendary,’ but he picked the last beat that I played. I saw him click on that song, and was ‘damn, this is the right song, let’s do it right now…’ He wrote the whole song, and that was just an amazing connection in the studio. “
Tchami’s monumental 2020 was also marked by his extensive work on Lady Gaga‘s Chromatica, where he scored producer credits on four tracks, including the smash hit “Rain on Me” with Ariana Grande. Along with revealing that he and Lady Gaga had sent ideas to each other for years before Chromatica, Tchami described what it was like to work on someone else’s project versus his own.
“It’s easier, because you don’t have expectation; you are not going to bear the weight of the work at the end. I put everything Tchami aside and try to focus on what Martin can do for you today. That’s how I approach every collaboration when it’s not Tchami.”
Joy also took some time to discuss spirituality with Tchami. From his Confession label to the priest outfit that he characteristically dons when performing, Tchami and his work have always related to spirituality in some capacity.
“To me, it’s the connection from the ground to the sky and to what’s beyond, whatever you call it, it’s fine with me. The collar thing is I liked the outfit so let’s give it a shot. I was born and raised Catholic, but not really going to church. Baptized, but not going beyond that. To me, art is the special thing human beings are able to do that can transport you outside reality. Music is a part of this too. I just try to reach that state of mind every time I’m making a track. All the things that go after, mix, mastering, arranging, are only to help that feeling to be better. “
Throughout the rest of the podcast, Joy and Tchami discussed songwriting techniques and the importance of the groove, the future, and inspirations for founding Confession, and how the pandemic helped Tchami fix many unhealthy habits brought on from his relentless touring and work schedule. Listen to the full podcast below.
Featured image: Tchami/Instagram
Tags: Back to Back podcast, Lady Gaga, Tchami, Willy Joy, year zeo
Following on the heels of their wildly successful November collaboration ‘Anything,’ electronic music mega heads Alison Wonderland and Valentino Khan excitedly debut the track’s accompanying music video.
The ‘Anything’ official music video chronicles a house party in the woods, starring Alison Wonderland and Valentino Khan themselves. Cutting between scenes depicting a lively party and Wonderland working as a mysterious mixologist, the party soon bursts into dynamic color as the guests sip Wonderland’s magic elixir. A sharp descent into hell-sent madness ensues, as the video turns towards the occult. Both Wonderland and Khan watch into the madness of the partygoers, before finally indulging themselves. Clocking in at just under 4-minutes, the official “Anything” music video is equal parts exciting and bone-chilling.
The Killers have shared unreleased track ‘C’est La Vie’ from the new deluxe edition of their acclaimed 2020 album ‘Imploding The Mirage‘. Check it below.
‘C’est La Vie’ adds more of a lilt and carefree bounce to the cosmic Americana sound and feel of ‘Imploding The Mirage’, but finds frontman Brandon Flowers in his full vividly poetic flow as he sings “it’s not about how you get lost, it’s what you do to find the trail, sometimes you’re Ahab, and sometimes you’re the whale“.
The new song comes from the sessions for their last album, which today receives the deluxe edition treatment and now comes with added stripped down versions of the singles ‘Blowback’ and ‘Caution’ – performed with one acoustic and the other in ‘Wasatch Style’, respectively. Check out all three tracks below.
This comes as Killers fans await news of yet another album. The band confirmed news on the record last year, with Flowers telling NME that it “might be even better” than ‘Imploding The Mirage’. Since then, they’ve shared a potential tracklist and a snippet of new music as well as footage that shows guitarist Dave Keuning back with the band, after sitting out of studio sessions for the previous record.
“Every time someone makes a record they say that they have 50 songs and they’re going to release another record. We really are,” Flowers told NME after the completion of ‘Imploding The Mirage’.
“We’re going to release another one in about 10 months. We’ve already gone back into the studio with [Jonathon, producer] Rado and Shawn [Everett, producer]. We did a week in Northern California.”
Flowers continued: “I had a lot of time on my hands. Before I’d normally be gearing up to tour, all of that time has gone back into writing more songs. It’s been pretty fruitful.”
Global Heist and Neurodisc are generally known for their diversity of sound, covering almost every part of the electronic music spectrum from experimental to pop house, but Head Fake is still easily their most novel act. A true new wave band for the modern era, Head Fake is comprised of three once prominent but now anonymous London artists who all feel that the sounds of the 80s still have a place in modern EDM. Judging by the emotions and sounds coming out of their latest EP3, they’re not wrong.
Your EDM started watching Head Fake early in 2020 when they started to really make their electronic prowess known on their EP2 project. Mixing lofi with new wave synths and LCD Soundsystem-style vocals make Head Fake appealing to multiple genres and generations, which is likely why the Neuro/Global team keep putting their releases out. That and the quality.
The interesting difference between Head Fake and the new wave of new wave artists over the last ten years is that, unlike the semi-ironic hipster feeling one gets from the likes of Hot Chip and Cut Copy, Head Fake are deadly serious. They’re here to tell stories with their electronica, which is partially what puts them in the echelon of LCD Soundsystem. They’ve lived though the 80s and they get it: it wasn’t all cocaine and banging on Casios. There was real music and real emotion in that era, and with EP3 especially Head Fake seem to be saying they’ll be damned if they leave that behind.
With the long-form EP, songs like “We Are Stars,” “The Silence,” “All I Carry” and “Feel Like Going Home” are lyrically almost akin to indie folk: rife with storytelling and nostalgia. There’s a definite streak of the Psychedelic Furs contained therein, and any 80s fan will be here for it. There’s no small amount of fun as well, as plucky tones and odd dissonance escapes from tracks like “Hollywood Dream” and “JFK.” They remind fans quickly that Head Fake are still synth masters. These two tracks are the opening and closing tracks of the EP respectively, so it’s sort of like the whole work is and emotional story bookended by colorful 80s new wave.
Head Fake’s from the heart, endearing brand of nouveau new wave will always incite nostalgia in fans who lived through the 80s and 90s with them, but it’s also modern enough to turn the head of even the most stalwart EDM hipster. Combining genuine feeling and vintage synth style, it’s really always a winning combination and EP3 is another winning release from the UK trio.
EP3 is out now on Global Heist/Neurodisc and can be streamed on Spotify along with Head Fake’s other work. Check out their YouTube channel for more videos.
Plenty of iconic EDM tracks have been used as walk-up songs for some of Major League Baseball‘s biggest stars. Ookay‘s classic “Thief” was used by Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story, Jose Altuve of the Houston Astros famously walked out to Kygo‘s “Firestone,” and Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani championed Afrojack‘s remix of Thirty Seconds To Mars‘ “Do Or Die.”
Sports and music have always gone hand in hand, and electronic music has certainly had its place in stadiums across the globe (à la “Kernkraft 400” and “Sandstorm”). So, it’s only logical that MLB’s newest video game, R.B.I. 21, features a slew of EDM hits in its soundtrack, recapturing the vibe of attending a live sports outing.
EDM mainstays such as Diplo, The Chainsmokers, and R3HAB are featured in the official soundtrack for R.B.I. 21, alongside some rising artists and well-established bands and musicians across all genres. “Cry,” Gryffin‘s collaboration with John Martin, is a future bass standout on the soundtrack, and Conan Gray shines with a synthwave-inspired cut called “Maniac.”
Tracks from pop-punk titans All Time Low, blues monarch Marcus King, and indie rockers Cold War Kids are also featured alongside the strong roster of EDM acts. Going yard has never sounded so good.
R.B.I. 21 will be released March 2021 on Xbox, PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC and mobile devices. For more information, check out the game’s official website.
In preparation for Anjunadeep 12, set to release in full on February 5, label boss James Grant and Bristol DJ Jody Wisternoff have released the first of the compilation album’s three discs.
The compilation series is a platform for Anjunadeep‘s up-and-coming talent, and the compilation is indicative of what fans can expect from the label in 2021. The first disc in the Anjunadeep 12 triptych highlights hits from 2020 in addition to showcasing 50 new releases. Lane 8, Yotto, Just Her, Leaving Laurel, and newcomers Primnite and Franky Wah are just a few of the many artists set to be featured across the LP’s three discs.
Grant spoke about the forthcoming two compilations in an official release, noting,
“This past year has presented many new challenges for our artists, whether coping without gigs, trying to stay inspired musically, or just keeping safe. It would be understandable if 2020 wasn’t a very productive year, but I’m pleased to say that the opposite is true, Anjunadeep 12 is our most expansive compilation to date, spanning three mixes for the very first time.
It’s a testament to our remarkable roster of artists that they’ve navigated a difficult year with such resolve and creativity, and also to our wonderful community of fans—you have continued to support one another through a shared passion for music. We hope Deep 12 can offer you a little escape, and can’t wait to enjoy some of this music together in person with you in the not too distant future.”
With just one listen, it’s clear why Anjuna was Dancing Astronaut‘s 2020 Label of the Year. Stream disc one of Anjunadeep 12 below.
Tags: anjunadeep, Anjunadeep 12, James Grant, Just her, Lane 8, Yotto
Rising French DJ/Producer NICOLAS’ new single “Want It” is a jam. With the percussion giving way to the classic / tech house vibe that presents itself, “Want It” showcases a deep house melody which comes into play right as the build-ups transition into drops. Augmented tone-edited vocals slide in as a cadence, injecting a certain sing-along trait and club-friendly essence within, this all occurring as the track starts and finishes it’s second verse. The song is off of his upcoming, currently untitled, EP that is due out in March. Read a quote from NICOLAS on the new track below and under that be sure to stream “Want It”. Enjoy!
“The inspiration behind WANT IT came from the feeling of tension/attraction between two persons. Sometime you meet someone new and instantly feel a sort of connection but perhaps you’re the only one feeling it. You start overthinking every move the other person makes and interpreting it falsely when it’s really only you overthinking everything. Still, you hope that this feeling is true and that it’s not only in your head.” – NICOLAS
Justin Bieber has shared an alternative video for his recent single ‘Anyone’ – you can watch it below.
The singer recently debuted the new track during his “arena sized” New Year’s Eve performance, which was his first full-length live concert since 2017.
“I can’t think of a better way to close out 2020 and kick off 2021 than celebrating with my fans all over the world and sharing this new music with them,” Bieber said of releasing ‘Anyone’ at the time.
“Music has gotten us all through so much this year, and for me personally it’s been healing and transformative. ‘Anyone’ is such a special, hopeful, anthemic song. It sets the tone for a brighter new year full of hope and possibility.”
Bieber accompanied the track with a Rocky-inspired music video, starring Zoey Dutch and directed by Colin Tilley at the time.
Now the singer has released another video for the track directed by Joe Termini, featuring Bieber’s wife Hailey.
The new track follows ‘Holy’ and ‘Lonely’, the first two songs from the singer’s “new era”. Bieber released his most recent album, ‘Changes’, back in February.
Earlier this week he marked the seventh anniversary of his DUI arrest with a reflective post shared on his Instagram account.
“7 years ago today I was arrested, not my finest hour. Not proud of where I was at in my life,” Bieber’s post began. “I was hurting, unhappy, confused, angry, mislead, misunderstood and angry at god..”
Bieber continued in his post to say he now realises that “God was as close to me then as he is right now”.
“My encouragement to you is to let your past be a reminder of how far god has brought you. Don’t allow shame to ruin your ‘today’.”
Back in December we announced the pending launch of Hydeout: The Prelude, an exciting new virtual music platform that boasted some stellar names on its roster. However, other than just a press release, we didn’t have much to go on. Well, now the platform is finally ready to go with a full schedule, and the folks over at Hydeout are not messing around. It is set to be a huge opening weekend with Martin Garrix and DJ Snake performing this Friday and Saturday respectively. There’s also been some social media posts that have been shared, and the production and virtual stages approach Tomorrowland quality. Here’s what Hydeout tells us to expect.
Hydeout: The Prelude will take fans on a truly unique journey, bridging the virtual and physical realms with secret locations around the world. Stepping through the portal, users will be transported to every corner of the globe with Hydeout’s exclusive on-demand episodes. The digital dimension will span three different worlds, HydeCity, HydeIsland and HydeEscape, encompassing over 20 stages including Aqua Sphere, HydeAlley, Pandemonium, Sanctum, The Arch, The Mirage and many other secret on-location stages in HydeEscape.
Users can also create a digital avatar and connect with other users via live chat rooms. There’s a free option for using the platform, or you can pay $49.99 for an all-access pass which gives you 5-day VOD playback on all episodes. Head over to the Hydeout website for more info and to register. Here’s the full schedule below. Hydeout: The Prelude goes live this Friday at 12 PM PST/3 PM EST/9 PM CET.
January 1/29-Martin Garrix 1/30-DJ Snake
February 2/5-Rita Ora 2/7-Eptic 2/12-Julian Jordan, Loopers, Justin Mylo 2/13-Nicky Romero 2/14-Sam Feldt (Live) 2/19-Yellow Claw 2/20-Mercer 2/21-Dombresky 2/26-Andrew Rayel, Cosmic Gate, David Gravell 2/27-Don Diablo 2/28-Nervo
March 3/5-Matt Nash, Dubvision, TV Noise 3/6-NGHTMRE 3/7-Flux Pavilion, Tokyo Machine 3/13-Thomas Gold, Mark Sixma 3/14-Gattüso 3/19-Wiz Khalifa 3/20-Habstrakt, Pixel Terror 3/26-Tinashe 3/27-Slushii
April 4/2-Charli XCX 4/3-Alison Wonderland 4/4-Tokimonsta 4/9-G-Eazy 4/10-Kill the Noise, Sullivan King 4/11-Kid Laroi 4/16-Yung Bae 4/17-Maurice West 4/18-Manila Killa 4/23-Bohan Phoenix 4/24-Emma Hewitt, Myrne, Trouze
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