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Gorgon City release their first 2020 single collaborating with DRAMA on ‘Nobody’

Following the success of their 2019 hit single ‘There For You’ in collaboration with US DJ and producer MK amassing over 45 million global streams, Gorgon City are set to drop their first new music of 2020. Here they collaborate with Chicago soul / dance duo DRAMA bringing an emotive, beautiful and fluid house jam entitled ‘Nobody’.

With each release setting a new standard for Gorgon City, ‘Nobody‘ is a deviation in sonic feel for them as producers and also for their own imprint Realm. ‘Nobody‘ shows the acts varied and versatile production range, downtempo but retaining its energetic feel, with a soulful vocal at its core making it a standout and unique release.

Collaborators DRAMA are Ne’el Shehade and vocalist Via Rosa, a multicultural collaboration blurring the lines between R&B, Soul and Dance. The pair have self-released several EPs and have just released their debut album as well as previously working with Chance the Rapper and Kanye West. Matt & Kye (Gorgon City) discovered DRAMA and fell in love with their sound and Via Rosa‘s amazingly stirring vocal.

Gorgon City Nobody

They reached out and discovered the duo lived in Chicago where Kye is currently spending lots of time, and of course they had to get in the studio together. After a couple of days writing ideas, ‘Nobody‘ was born, which Matt & Kye then produced in London.

Nobody‘ also comes equipped with a new video involving a street dance interpretation of ‘West Side Story‘, shot in DRAMA‘s hometown of Chicago with a local street dance crew, paying homage to the city that inspired Gorgon City & Drama’s collaboration.

For Gorgon City their REALM releases came in thick and fast last year to include singles; ‘Lick Shot‘, ‘Delicious‘, ‘Elizabeth Street‘ and ‘Roped In‘. Further collaborations propelled the duo with US dance royalty Kaskade on ‘Go Slow‘ reaching No.1 on the Billboard Dance Chart.

On top of a busy year of productions, Gorgon City had a packed touring schedule, the duo played out across the globe at festivals including Coachella, EDC Vegas, Israel’s Get Lost Festival as well as the sold-out UK shows at Printworks, Warehouse Project and Tobacco Dock, in addition to dates all around Europe and the US.

With over 1.2 billion global streams to their name and over 8 million singles sold across their careers, Gorgon City are titans of making house music hits, with each release reaffirming their status. Gorgon City & DRAMA‘s ‘Nobody‘ is out now on Virgin EMI.

Listen to the track below.

Why every DJ should learn how to play Piano Keyboard

Playing this dynamic instrument, called a piano keyboard, is an art. Be it expressing what one is feeling or even telling a tale, no other instrument does it better than our good old piano.

While playing instruments is looked upon as a traditional forte, being a DJ, is a completely versatile domain as well. Having the ability to make people dance to your very own tunes, is a dream most people see. In today’s times, a party without a DJ seems incomplete.

Also, having the special and renowned talent of knowing how to play a piano keyboard is considered a field of respect as well. But imagine, if these two domains combine. Imagine the impact they will generate being together, considering the audience they create alone. The knowledge of playing the piano would add so much more to being a DJ, and bring more zest and spirit to the crowd!

Now that you’re interested in getting a piano keyboard, make sure you read this guide on Piano nadu as they’re a trusted website in the industry.

Being able to play the piano keyboard as a DJ would:

1. Help you understand music theory

The top DJs and Music producers of today, including David Guetta, Skrillex and even the late Avicii, have claimed to have previously experimented with the keyboard before stepping into the game. They have described how such experimentation with the instruments have helped them realise their passion for music and to understand it better. Such examinations add to the experience of a DJ. It increases one’s awareness about how different notes are represented on the piano. Getting to know about the different relationships between chords, notes and rhythms helped them indulge in these in their own manner.

2. Help you use piano theory to understand key signatures

Piano theory is considered as a must to be learnt by all musicians, and not just pianists and DJs. Learning and being able to comprehend piano theory helps a musician with their compositions. Composing can be a real pain if one isn’t aware about the correct coordination between notes. This also tends to hinder the improvisation process as well. Understanding the know-how of the notes is only possible through the knowledge of piano theory. Also, if you don’t work solo or work in a team, then you might want to keep up with the knowledge of other musicians to bring out the result that you really want.

3. Help you with chord progressions and harmonies

Setting strings for chords, i.e. chord progression, or learning to interpret harmonies and melodies is more important than you think it is. Only after learning about these, can one create these! Apart from creating personalised tunes for your audience, now you can have the confidence of personalising chords too! It is basically analysing or interpreting songs. Understanding chords and how they go together in different manners, increases the knowledge of a DJ or a Musician when it comes to the main field of music.

4. Help you with Composing

Piano tends to help DJs and producers a lot with composing. Try out a song on the piano and you’re sorted for the rest of the procedure. If you’re able to work with the piano during your composition process, the rest of the procedure becomes a smooth ride. These provide for a boost in the functioning of the DJ. Good pianists are believed to roam with songs on their fingertips.

They say learning an instrument, be it any instrument is the best way to understand what goes beyond the making of a song and music in general. Well, here’s proof that they say it right!

One can usually be sure of accuracy with pianos and not be reliant on inext softwares, which have made a point to loot off naive music producers and DJs. These days it is extremely easy to take piano lessons in person or online as well. So what’s stopping you?

John Digweed releases 4-Disc Album, ‘QUATTRO’

John Digweed
via Dan Reid

John Digweed, the unwavering English mainstay, continues to create, evolve and produce a level of dedicated production that is hard to match with his newly released QUATTRO, out now via his own imprint, Bedrock Records.

The monumental effort spans four discs, mixed entirely by Digweed himself, and serves as testament to his status as one of electronic music’s finest genre blending connoisseurs, as well as his inherent knack for soundtracking sonically-enriching journeys. Split into four discs, each is reflective of a distinct creative vision. QUATTRO is out now across all streaming platforms, Bandcamp, CD and Vinyl via Bedrock Records.

Beginning with Soundscape, QUATTRO entrances the listener, providing elongated cinematic sounds that incite true, raw emotion. With 11 unique productions and remixes, Tempo follows and sees the second disc of the album take a different approach from atmospheric breaks through deep techno and pacing hypnotic techno grooves.

Redux, the penultimate mix takes it up a notch with breathtaking remixes that build upon one another, creating a flurry of deep house, techno, and acid. Nick Muir, fellow Bedrock Records producer and longtime friend, lends his expertise in Juxtaposition, the fourth and final mix, which brings the release full-circle with ambient soundscapes that feel more experimental in nature.

John Digweed QUATTRO

To maximize anticipation for the release and as a special treat to his loyal fans, Digweed took to Instagram to unveil an exclusive vinyl unboxing video that showcased the stunning design and sonic craftsmanship that was poured into the project.

A week prior, Digweed was among the first to Livestream an exclusive 2-hour long set broadcasted directly from his home. The stream garnered over 124,000 views, and lead to additional ‘Bunker‘ streaming sessions, which have topped out at well over 600,000 views across the past 10 days. QUATTRO is shaping up to an unmissable piece of John Digweed history.

Having taken nine months to create, QUATTRO truly is a labor of love for Digweed. Spanning 45 exclusive tracks, the album serves as a stellar follow-up and successor to 2018’s Bedrock XX, the last four-disc album he produced to celebrate Bedrock Records’ 20th anniversary.

Perfect for any collector or vinyl aficionado, QUATTRO also comes in a signed limited-edition 5×12″ vinyl that includes 20 hand-selected tracks from the album itself. Fans who pre-ordered a QUATTRO vinyl are expected to receive their copy a few days before the official release. For those to wish to get their hands on vinyl and deluxe 4 x CD box set should place an order immediately as physical stock is nearly sold-out and there will be no additional pressings made. The last remaining copies are available here.

A timeless fixture in the world of underground electronica, Digweed’s latest delivering with QUATTRO showcases his untouchable talent from beginning to end. As the only artist to have ever procured a discography comprising 57 mix CDs, and compilations, the WOW factor around this alone solidifies John Digweed as one of the hardest working, ever-evolving artists on the planet.

The album features the likes of Francesca Lombardo, Booka Shade, Tom Mangan, and many more, with the fourth disc mixed in conjunction with fellow Bedrock label-mate Nick Muir.

Listen to the 4-Disc Album, ‘QUATTROhere.

Watch John Digweed Live from ‘The Bunker’

Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano drop ther first release of 2020: ‘PRAY’ (With Yax.x and Sabri)

Though Sunnery James and Ryan Marciano have been cranking out supreme club-flavored tracks since seemingly forever, the sheer versatility of their productions made it a bit challenging to put a finger on what their sound truly encompasses. But today, the SONO label bosses put a stop to any and all questions by defining their signature mark in their first record of 2020: ‘PRAY’.

Made in tandem with SONO regular YAX.X, ‘PRAY‘ offers a fresh perspective on the sound of its creators. From the tribal beat grooves and the subtle progressions to SABRI’s lush vocals, this record is one of those cuts that will have listeners begging for more.

Here’s what they had to say about their latest release:

Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano: “We have long searched for a sound that truly personifies our vision, projecting our current state of mind and portraying our emotions, staying true to who we really are. ‘PRAY’ is the definition of that state. Our next chapter is just beginning. Even though we’ll still be releasing more mainstream music here and there, this is us from now on.”

Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano PRAY

When asked about their own record label, SONO, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano added: “SONO is our creative outlet where we release unique, authentic music that fits with our ethos. We also strive for our label to be a stepping stone for pioneering talents who share our vibe of dance music.”

Listen to the track below.

Claude VonStroke releases new track in isolation called ‘I’m Solo’

Claude VonStroke

While Dirtybird’s 15-year celebration has felt a little muted given the current global situation, Claude VonStroke has kept his spirits high. In this time of isolation, Claude has gotten back to what he loves doing the most: creating amazing music. Today, the Dirtybird boss returns with a brand new original, ‘I’m Solo’ (feat. Barry Drift), out via his legendary imprint.

Claude takes ‘I’m Solo‘ into the depths of modern house music. A groovy bassline and lush piano chords compliment the signature modulated Claude VonStroke vocal we’ve come to love. Ironically this track was begun, complete with the ‘I’m Solo’ title before we entered the Coronavirus quarantine.

The track comes on the heels of his sixth studio album, Freaks & Beaks, which released in February 2020 as part of Dirtybird’s 15 year anniversary. The album saw Claude nodding to all the inspirations and individuals that helped create the label, a true love letter to all the things that made Dirtybird such a singular powerhouse in the world of dance music.

Claude VonStroke I’m Solo

While Claude‘s tour dates remain postponed or canceled, for the time being, rest assured he will be back on the road as soon as he can to deliver his uplifting anthems to the world once again. In the meantime, watch this space for more exciting content from Claude, including his recent 8-part Freaks and Beaks documentary series.

Listen to the track below.

GRAZZE joins Renaissance with ‘Cold Nights’, inc. a Gallago remix

GRAZZE

GRAZZE joins Renaissance with a discography chock-full of many of the world’s best electronic imprints to present ‘Cold Nights’, a track which came about because of his own inspirational experience after visiting Iceland for the first time.

“I was amazed by its landscapes and wild elements,” says the intrepid producer, “during the cold nights you could hear the island’s magical vibes and natural sounds. Its elements truly pulled at me and inspired me to capture them in this delicate track.”

If ever there was audio of distilled, Icelandic essence, ‘Cold Nights’ lays an arguable claim; there’s no fire here, rather a song of ice, northern lights, and haunting glacial expanse. A true hymn of deep house beauty that’s as easy to listen to, as it is to dance to.

Grazze Cold Nights

Renaissance then charged Gallago with a difficult brief, to retain ‘Cold Nights’ admitted beauty, yet take it firmly into the darker depths of peak time. “I’ve been inspired by techno and 5 am sweatboxes for a while now,” he explains.

“I immediately fell in love with the record’s natural, emotional voyage. The remix became a journey of stripping it back and figuring out how to stay true to this whilst capturing it through a darker lens. It was the perfect opportunity for me to try to strike a balance between the grit I love and deeper emotion” he added.

Gallago, who was born in South Africa, recently moved to Bristol, a city famed for its electronic musical heritage. We can only assume this heritage has played another part in Renaissance expanding tale of influence, because the freshly-minted Bristolian delivers a breakout rework that’s made for peak time, or even – dare we say it – that prized slot when the lights are about to come up and it’s time for ‘one more tune’!

Listen to the tracks below.

ZNAS is back with a brand-new conceptual 3 track EP titled “OO”

ZNAS

Super-talented DJ and producer, ZNAS is back with a brand-new conceptual EP that features 3 tracks that surround the torment of struggles of a couple who hide their love for fear of rejection. ZNAS tries to tackle the taboo surrounding prejudice and love through the medium of music.

The three tracks in the ep include ‘dOOm’, ‘rOOm-antic’ and ‘tabOO’ which lends itself to a more vocal-led Deep House styling with hints of Progressive House and Melodic Techno.

The fusion of these genres makes for music that touches your soul and makes you want to move to, perfect for any late-night DJ set. It’s dramatic, yet euphoric feel paired with the thematic concept make this EP truly something special.

ZNAS OO

After a frivolous career in music publishing, Znas decided to pursue a music career of his own and is now a completely independent artist with his very own label ‘Znas Music’. Znas bases all of his music on thought-provoking concepts and taboos to get his fans talking. You will often undergo a journey with all of Znas’s release and it is no different with the OO EP, this is definitely an EP to check out.

Listen to the tracks below!

RMA touches back down with his hotly anticipated cut ‘Burn’ ft. Mert Gökmen

RMA

RMA touches back down with his hotly anticipated cut, featuring the vocal talents of Mert Gökmen – ‘Burn’ is out via Ensis Records.

Closely following on from his previous studio output ‘Rock This Town‘ – signed to NoFace Records, this time revered German house music DJ and producer RMA collaborates with Mert Gökmen on ‘Burn‘ – seeing the pair deliver a solid dose of upfront electronic goodness.

With RMA‘s trademark blend of heavy-hitting electronica taking center stage, the danceable beats, energetic rhythms, and rolling melodies are perfectly synergized with the powerful vocals of Mert Gökmen.

RMA Burn ft Mert Gokmen

Stay tuned, as ‘Burn‘ ignites club floors & radio airwaves in the coming weeks. Listen to the track below!

Afterlife bosses, Tale Of Us present AL037 – Various – Unity

Afterlife UNITY

Our favorite Techno label Afterlife drops surprise compilation stacked with powerful tracks and a very special Voyage mix from Tale Of Us, just for your listening pleasure during these difficult days in quarantine due to COVID-19 outbreak.

Out of darkness can only come light. Afterlife‘s latest gem titled ‘Unity’ is a 31-track opus, a symbol of togetherness curated by bosses Tale Of Us, including artists already on Afterlife’s roster and some new names to the label. Accompanied by acontinuous journey through this new music, mixed by Tale Of Us, we hope this compilation brings some escape at a challenging time.

It is more important than ever that we stand together and do what we can to help our loved ones, our communities and humanity as a whole. All profits from Afterlife‘s compilation ‘Unity’ will be donated to the Coronavirus medical relief fund of the most heavily-affected region so far, Lombardy in Italy. It is a cause particularly close to the hearts of all members at Afterlife.

Tale Of Us

Tale Of Us cover the full spectrum of Afterlife sounds, from stirring, sunrise epics and eyes-down techno to more inward-looking moments, individually expressing a collective vision. Crystalline melodies and emotive oscillations connect each work and form the strands which Tale Of Us weave into a momentous Voyage.

From the opening tones of the label founders’ own track ‘Alone’, every turn flows further into the Realm Of Consciousness, an unbounded dimension which ends in light.

Tale Of Us present
Various – Unity (AL037)

1. Tale Of Us – Alone
2. Ae:ther – He Does It
3. Anii – MT1
4. Colyn – It’s All Over
5. Hunter / Game – Dark Aster
6. Tale Of Us – Together
7. Avidus – Vangelis
8. Coeus – Rebirth
9. Denis Horvat – Perpetual
10. Fideles – Wave Rider
11. Stephan Jolk – Doubts
12. Stephan Bodzin – Diamant
13. KAS:ST – The First Time (feat. Kerri
Chandler)
14. Agents Of Time – Astra
15. Lyke – Moonwar
16. Glowal – Behind Us
17. Anyma – A True Connection
18. Woo York – Immigrant
19. Recondite – Tunnel
20. Josh Wink – Chrysalis
21. Marcel Fengler – Wir Kommen
22. Kevin de Vries – Omertà
23. Soel – Fiorire D’inverno
24. Innellea – Dust Planet
25. Mathame – Magia (feat. Franchino)
26. The Element – Ryder
27. Marino Canal – Unfold
28. In Anima – Last Call
29. Alfa Romero – Claim Your Love
30. Franky Wah – Aftertime
31. Mind Against – Above It All

Check out Tale Of UsUnity Voyage mix below!

Buy AL037: https://smarturl.it/037unity

Donate: https://bit.ly/2WJ8roB

Andhim release their west side story movie, ‘Miles To Go’.

It was April 2017 and as the sun rose on the North American West Coast, it seemed something particularly outrageous would ensue on the beautiful coastline. Landing in San Diego, a pair synonymous with a thirst for life, German electronic duo and ‘Superhouse’ pioneers Andhim arrived to embark on their North American Tour, yet something different was afoot; they would travel for an entire 10 days, 2,000 miles in a 30ft RV, hunting the American dream for beers, boobs and burgers.

Now bringing together a detailed and aptly humorous account of their travels, Andhim present their west side story tour diary and movie, ‘Miles To Go‘.

“We rented this 30feet speed monster for a 10-day road trip along the west coast of America. In the end we went 4000 kilometres in this RV” they said.

Andhim Miles To Go

A crew of five, Simon, Tobi, Camera man Manoah and tour managers, Griffin and Josh, they took for the open road, immersing in an array of musical, cultural and culinary experiences as they travelled across San Diego, LA, San Francisco, Portland and Seattle, before ending in Vancouver.

Following the highs and lows of their journey, ‘Miles To Go‘ sees Andhim proceed in true Andhim style; the lows were always approached with a distinct sense of comedy; overflowing toilets, fridges flying open in transit and 39 cent microwave burritos that tipped the scales on their inadequately arranged eating habits across the tour.

“The whole tour was terrible for our bodies. Shitty food, no motion, no sleepand a lot of parties. It was like an anti-health campaign. A defiant protest against all the cold pressed juices and Acai bowls in the world.” – Andhim

Embracing the wild and whacky areas of their trip, Andhim can be found eating interesting, off-kilter taco selections and hosting an after-hours at their RV in San Diego, moonwalking across Hollywood’s walk of fame, camping in the Red Woods of California, before spontaneously heading towards Big Sur. Embracing the freedom that travelling in an RV offered, ‘Miles To Go’ is an amplification of Andhim’s outward charm and infectious hilarity.

Having been shown at film festivals across the globe including Filmarte Festival, Berlin, Filmfest Bremen and Universal Film Festival in Kansas City, ‘Miles To Go’ was awarded ‘Best Score‘ at Swindon Independent Film Festival, UK and ‘Best Documentary Feature‘ at San Diego’s IKFF.

Andhim’s ‘Miles To Go’ is an all-encompassing look at two DJ’s taking touring back to its roots and ditching the private jet and champagne lifestyle.

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