Playlists Of The Weekend: EDMTunes/Spinnin’ Records & InDeep 30!

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Super glad that I can bring this out to share for y’all. A bunch of my peeps at EDMTunes put together this fantastic 90min of dance music for you. New illness from The Chainsmokers, deep gorgeousness from Matt Lange off Anjunabeats, Bassnectar’s summer jam & 17 more tunes. From trap bangers to progressive anthems, if you want to know what Electric Zoo sounds like right now, you’d be hard pressed to find a better sampling of tunes that are big right now. Strong by Arno Cost & Shadow of the Sun’s Mako remix are highlights as well. Hit up EDMTunes and thank them for making this happen with Spinnin’ Records. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you know when the next one comes out as well.

Over on Soundcloud, there’s the next session of InDeep. These cats are quickly becoming my go to source for deep, future, tech & “insert sub-genre of house here” house. The list comes in at a manageable 72min and with new Hot Since 82, Amtrac, a fun little snippet from Marcapasos, a FANTASTIC deep house remix of Bittersweet Symphony (must listen), a joint from Mixmag featuring Jody Wisternoff & a whole lot more. If the EDMTunes playlist is your Turn Down For What list, this is your grooving, deep dark set that happens later in the night. Or now while you’re walking around cleaning the house on the long weekend before shenanigans later. Or yachting, elephant polo’ing or jousting, whatever you’re into. The tunes are quality so enjoy the almost 3 hours of music between these two playlists and rock out your weekend!

Kaskade Is The American Champion Of Modern Dance Music.

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(A month or two ago, I was given the honor of writing a long-form article about my favorite homegrown EDM DJ. Kaskade is an American hero. Peep the article and show some love to EDMTunes, who keep letting me yammer on about stuff that I love.)Kaskade - EDM

I was sitting there listening to MIA to LAS (a personal favorite off Kaskade’s Atmosphere), reading about all of his music disappearing from Soundcloud when it struck me. Kaskade is one of the only producers in the industry besides maybe deadmau5 who really gets it.  Soundcloud has been bent over a table by the labels when it comes to takedown notices, even when the original creators (i.e. Kaskade and 50,000 other DJs) want them to be available. While I’ve given it up to deadmau5 here before, I wanted to take time to write a love letter to Kaskade. He, in my mind, embodies the absolute best in American dance music, much more than just being America’s Best DJ (which, he totally won last year if you forgot). Not only has he been innovating both sides of the house coin, progressive & deep, but his embrace of the exploding dance music culture in the USA over the last 5 years deserves massive respect. His recent Redux 2014 tour is astonishing and he’s working on more crazy stuff in addition to ways to get his music to his fans directly.

While he grew up in Chicago, he attended university Utah. He took a break from spinning records to serve two years on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Japan. That’s right, he served as a missionary bringing His word to the people in Japan, before Kaskade was ever a thing. After being inspired by a waterfall, he thought maybe “cascade” sounded good, so he got to work.  In 2003, “It’s You It’s Me” with the debut album pushed out, creating an amazing, smooth sound that was signature then, even though we had no idea how far he’d go. Or perhaps you did, and I tip my hat to you, EDM hipster 😀

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Ayah Marar Gets Ready For The Weekend With NERVO & R3HAB!

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While Ayah Marar’s solo work needs no introduction, she’s fast becoming a globally recognized vocalist, doing tune after tune. This is a proper banger that needs to get into your face this Friday. You made it. Labor Day weekend is upon us, and if you’re one of the few souls still stuck in the office, jam out to this and enjoy the poppy drop and glittering break. Not a whole lot of depth needed here. Go party!

ElectronicNightLife Interview: Andy C (at Webster Hall)

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(I was lucky to be able to interview the Executioner himself, Andy C at Webster Hall, via Electronic Night Life. Give them some love and check out my interview below.)Andy C - Logo - Facebook

1. How has your summer been? Do you have any cool stories/highlights from 2014 so far that stand out? Summer’s been incredible man. The summer kind of kickstarted, for me it was March. I know that’s not summer, I did Ultra and I did a little tour. I did like a week in the US, and then it’s just gone crazy since then. I went out for two weeks in June and I’ve played the most amazing festivals already. Electric Forest was amazing, EDC was incredible, Paradiso, Spring Awakening. I’ve been blessed already, you know. Then I come back to the UK and I went straight to Ibiza, doing a residence in Amnesia. Serbian Exit Festival, there ya go, tens of thousands. I mean, honestly it’s crazy. And here I am back in America, this tonight, Red Rocks tomorrow, and we’re only halfway through the summer. The bags are getting bigger and bigger under the eyes.

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There Is Actually A Place More Hipster Than Williamsburg.

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Just when you thought we’d reached the pinnacle of Hipsterdom, it seems Eastern Europe has beaten Brooklyn out for the top spot. The capital of Latvia, Riga, has been voted as the top spot for Hipsters anywhere across the globe. Check out the rest of the neighborhoods and feel free to light up my comments if you think the jeans in Riga couldn’t possibly be more tight than the ones coming out of Billyburg. Yes, people do actually call it Billyburg. Check out the article at Skyscanner here.

Midnight Music: The Crystal Method – Keep Hope Alive [Vintage Dance!]

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This is one of my favorite classic tracks of all time. The Crystal Method is more important to American dance music than most realize. This track, the theme to an acclaimed NBC Law & Order style show called Third Watch is everything good about classic dance music. If you hear this and don’t get transported to around a decade or two ago, listen again. You won’t regret it. Catch The Crystal Method at Escape Festival this Oct (More info here). I saw them back in 2011 at Identity Fest, and you bet your ass they put on a great show. Gotta school the younglings somehow.

Sam Feldt’s New Mixtape Is All Kinds Of Wonderful [Even More Summer House!]

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Since it would be tacky to post Summer House tracks after Labor Day, I’m gonna cram as much of it into this week as I can. Next up, Sam Feldt’s glorious tropical house mix. This mix has a number of great remixes and there’s a free download on Sam Feldt’s Facebook page as well. Free summer vibes for the last week of the unofficial season, and just in case you need another reason, the mix is dedicated to a single fan. I love this idea, the direct connection to a single person, something that really creates a connection between artist and dance party attendee. I can’t imagine how happy the winner of this mix would’ve been. Anyone want to make a Gotham mix for me? 😀

Midnight Music: Mauns – Flying EP [Chillstep/Downtemp Vibes]

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Mauns got into my world a little while ago, after releasing this smooth drum & bass track that has been on my repeated listen list for months. There’s a soothing quality to the productions, and this EP is no exception. This is the perfect sound for winding down, a quiet class of wine at home, or to cuddle someone hot to. The 20min of chill goes by quickly, leaving me wanting more, especially when it comes the irregular syncopated beat that it seems 95% of the dance community hasn’t been able to master yet.