Space Wizard has busted his way onto the scene via Subtronics‘ new Cyclops Recordings imprint with an aggressively mind-bending EP, The Marble Room.
A concise three-track offering, the EP takes listeners down an increasingly experimental bass music path with each passing moment. The producer spent the better part of 2020 hitting us with consistent singles, but his first pass at a long-form project showcases his versatility more than previous efforts.
The EP’s opener, the titular track, sets the stage with ambient textures as sweeping waves of white noise usher in a fierce, grinding bassline. It’s easily Space Wizard’s most aggressive tune on the project, which is followed by the offbeat technological tinkering of “Deactivation Sequence.” The record closes with an even more experimental tune, “Corrupt Butterflies,” which incorporates quirky, distorted vocal samples amid the frenetic phases of shape-shifting synths.
As one of the first artists to release on the freshly minted Cyclops Recordings imprint, Space Wizard is setting the bar high for what is likely to be an impactful label in the coming year.
On New Year’s Eve 2020, canonical house music label Defected Records hosted We Dance As One 3.0, a virtual music festival rife with house acts such as Dom Dolla, Eats Everything, and Low Steppa, among others. Though all those who received the We Dance As One 3.0 rang in the new year with soothing, soulful house selects, Gorgon City‘s ID-filled set, delivered live from Printworks, was among the evening’s most preeminent.
Gorgon City’s We Dance As One 3.0 virtual set features six brand new IDs as well as a slew of tantalizing originals, and far as Dancing Astronaut is concerned, there is no better way to set the tone for the day than by threading it with a full hour of house. Watch the full set below.
Featured image: Gorgon City/Instagram
Tags: Defected Records, Good Morning Mix, Gorgon City, house, House Music, New Years Eve
Festival bosses have warned MPs that the current Brexit deal stands to threaten the UK’s “talent pipeline”, as well as the country’s access to European artists.
Representatives from the live music industry spoke to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee’s inquiry into ‘The future of UK music festivals’ today (January 5) about what the landscape could look like this summer and what support from the government would be needed for events to return after COVID.
Towards the end of the session, MP Kevin Brennan asked participants about the new Brexit deal – and concerns that it will damage the UK live music industry through the introduction of new costs, tariffs, paperwork and restrictions preventing artists and crew from touring freely. A petition calling for a new “cultural work permit” has since received phenomenal support and over 200,000 signatures – while music fans are also encouraged to write to their MP.
Parklife co-founder and Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester Sacha Lord said that it the current Brexit deal stands to have a hugely detrimental impact when it comes to booking bands.
“When you’re looking at headliners and paying for the visa, it probably won’t make much difference – but actually, when you stand at Parklife and look at the headliner, that headliner has not become a star overnight,” he told the hearing. “They’ve started from grassroots and grassroots venues. So if you look at a six-piece band now, to bring them into Parklife you’re probably looking at £1,800 in visa fees, which for smaller bands which are just breaking is not viable.
“That is a big [piece of] red tape and a big barrier that is in the way now and never was before. It might stagnate new talent coming through.”
British artists wanting to play European festivals would face the same problem. Both Sacha and Anna worry that this could impact the talent pipeline for the UK’s £5.8bn industry – both agree the UK Govt need to get an agreement with the EU for touring acts to move freely. (2/2)
Anna Wade, boss of Boomtown Fair, added that it was a “huge worry” for the development of UK artists wishing to grow their fanbase and hone their craft overseas before returning to homeland festivals.
“Boomtown actually has the privileged position of being a permit-free festival, which actually means that the visa process is far more simplified,” she said. “In terms of a solution for the larger acts, that could be something which could be rolled out across the board to make that a much easier process for other events.
“The worry is that for that talent pipeline, the venues in the UK, and the festivals, if we don’t have places for these people to craft and hone their talent then the pipeline will just dry up.”
Bang Hai Palace at Boomtown Fair 2019 CREDIT: Alamy
This comes after a government spokesperson told NME that their original Brexit deal plans to allow for more freedom of movement for touring artists and their crew were “rejected by the EU,” while the industry argued that this “wasn’t good enough” and continued to call for more action to prevent “catastrophic” damage”.
The Parliamentary hearing also heard that many of this summer’s music festivals could be cancelled as soon as this month due to coronavirus fears without urgent government clarity and support.
Today also saw UK Music share a new report, Let the Music Play: Save Our Summer 2021, outlining their recommendations for how to restart the UK’s live music industry once it is safe to do so with government support.
We are always a sucker for melody packed vocals layered on some bouncy Korg M1 pianos. Today, we have the privilege to share the latest addition to Epic Oslo’s developing portfolio with a happy energy remix to kickstart 2021 with the right energy. Expect pulsing basslines, punchy piano and a Don Diable-esque drop with roll synths and orchestras of electronic harmony. This tune needs to be played loud in any car drive and perfect to keep those spirits high in this year. Happy new year with LIZOT!
Back in November, PEEKABOO quietly unveiled his new side project, Elixir. Eschewing most of the heavy sound design attributed to his previous releases, the lighter sonics have been a refreshing change of pace for fans looking for something a little more low-key.
Both a fan and artist favorite, PEEKABOO quickly became one of the bass world’s most treasured producers and Elixir is the perfect outlet for flexing his production capabilities. Hitting the new year running, he recently shared a dreamy new track from Elixir called “Autumn Sunset.”
It’s immediately noticeable that his new sound is quite different from many of the hard-hitting, space bass tunes that make up his main project’s library. What they do have in common, however, is the ability to take listeners on a sonic journey to otherworldly lands with each meticulously-crafted sound. This is on full display in “Autumn Sunset,” a hip-hop-inspired beat accompanied by twinkling keys that creates a chilled-out, dreamlike atmosphere.
While it may not have the mosh pit-inducing qualities of tracks like “POWA” or “Maniac,” the relaxing single comes at the perfect time considering the vast majority of live shows are not yet safe and most of our musical consumption revolves around quiet, introspective listening sessions.
In addition to “Autumn Sunset,” PEEKABOO has released two singles since the debut of his Elixir side project last fall. You can check out the three tracks on his alias’ SoundCloud here.
The first details from Lollapalooza’s 2021 installment have informally come to light. In a recent interview on SIRIUS XM‘s Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk, Journey guitarist Neal Schon let it slip that the classic rock band is set to headline Lollapalooza in April 2021.
Said Schon,
“Hopefully [Lollapalooza will] not get pushed back because the vaccine is finally here. And hopefully they start dispersing it very quickly so everybody can get back on their feet and can get out and hear music, ’cause that’s what heals the world, I think.”
Schon also disclosed that Journey has a brand new studio album due later this year. Notably, it will be the first Journey LP to feature the group’s new members, drummer/producer Narada Michael Walden and bassist Randy Jackson.
At this time, Lollapalooza has yet to declare 2021 dates or a lineup for 2020’s rumored follow-up.
Cardi B has responded to criticism she received following a recent video she posted where she stopped her two-year-old daughter Kulture from listening to her hit single ‘WAP’.
In an Instagram Live video on New Year’s Eve (December 31), the rapper was seen dancing and singing along to her explicit collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion from the comfort of her own home when things took an unexpected turn.
As Cardi performed to the camera, Kulture was seen gradually entering the shot from another room – prompting a moment of panicked realisation from the former, as she quickly turned off ‘WAP’ from playing on her phone.
You can see the clip in question below.
Cardi subsequently received some criticism online over the revelation that she won’t let Kulture listen to ‘WAP’, with one Twitter user accusing the rapper of having “an agenda to push”.
In reply to that post, Cardi wrote: “Ya needs to stop with this already! I’m not Jojo Siwa!
“I don’t make music for kids I make music for adults. Parents are responsible on what their children listen too [sic] or see. I’m a very sexual person but not around my child just like every other parent should be.”
There’s moms who are strippers.Pop pussy ,twerk all night for entertainment does that mean they do it around their kids ? No! Stop makin this a debate.Its pretty much common sense. https://t.co/JqZaUKbjNo
In a follow-up tweet, she added: “There’s moms who are strippers. Pop pussy, twerk all night for entertainment does that mean they do it around their kids ? No! Stop making this a debate. It’s pretty much common sense.”
Cardi has previously defended the ‘WAP’ lyrics after encountering criticism from right-wing pundits such as Ben Shapiro.
‘WAP’ was named NME‘s number one song for 2020, with our ranking describing it as “the titan track that drenched the entire year”.
Cardi also recently gave her blessing to a parody of the track from medical students at John Hopkins University, which stressed the importance of wearing face-masks amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
You know when you find one of those tracks that is absolute grower and every time you listen just lures you in more and more with its charm and groove. Well this is such an example. Today we share with you the latest single from Alessandro Costa, ‘This is How I Live’. A timeless deep house track that ouzes vocal melody, bassline groove and just a proper release of a chorus. Enjoy this super fresh talent we are proud to share and get spinning this tune on repeat.
Since the first Pop! figures debuted in 2010, Funko‘s licensed collectible brand has grown into a behemoth, entrenched in pop culture as a nostalgia machine. The brand has come a long way since it first dropped its Batman, Batgirl, and Green Lantern items, branching out into all mediums of entertainment, including music.
Superstar DJ, electronic music producer, and cake-hurler SteveAoki is the latest high-profile musician to be Pop-ified by the iconic brand. Like one of his signature cakes, his likeness has been baked and congealed, reimagined into a miniature shirtless version of himself who is ready to pelt someone with a Dim Mak-branded confection. Funko has now made Aoki’s original Pop! figure available for pre-order.
Check out Aoki’s announcement below.
One of dance music’s biggest stars, Aoki’s ventures have expanded beyond the music industry in recent years. He has made his interest in pop culture well-known, further leaning into it in 2020 at a breakneck pace via number of collaborative projects. In September, he opened up a shop on Hollywood Boulevard that trades and sells rare sports memorabilia, Pokémon cards, and modern art. The following month, he revealed a custom line of Topps baseball cards.
You can pre-order Aoki’s Funko Pop here for $11.00. Buyers can also purchase a gift box for $3.50 and a premium protector case for $8.00.
On New Year’s Eve 2020, David Guetta continued his“United at Home” series with a year-end performance at the Louvre Glass Pyramid in Paris, France. Presented in partnership with PS5 and Xiaomi, Guetta’s set invited fans across the globe to celebrate the new year with another philanthropic livestream after previously raising $1.5 million for UNICEF, Les Restos du Coeur (meaning “Restaurants of Love”) and the Musée du Louvre through his previous United at Home” sets in Miami and New York.
Exhibiting one of the finest art collections in the world, the Louvre Museum adds to Guetta’s list of unique live settings. Though the New Year’s Eve festivities are over now, the set, which showcased Guetta’s “future rave” sound while unloading a lengthy list of originals and remixes, including an exclusive rework of his 2009 smash hit “Memories,” with Kid Cudi, is available to re-experience below.
Featured image: Anthony Ghnassia
Tags: 2020, David Guetta, Future Rave, gmm, Good Morning Mix, kid cudi, louvre, NYE, united at home
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