IN-THE-MIX
Big news has dropped today in the festival circuit: New York’s Governor’s Ball has officially announced its 2012 line up. For those not familiar with the Ball, it’s a two day fest featuring diverse tunes, a myriad of activities, and all the usual shenanigans that accompany any outdoor music festival. Situated on Randall’s Island—stock prison backdrop included—this fest boasts headliners Beck, Modest Mouse, Chromeo, Ducksauce, and Passion Pit (to name a few). Interspersed throughout the two days, the line-up looks fiendishly delicious, with June 23 & 24 shaping up to be quite the weekend.
The name Grimes is a secret. She simply won't say. And although work ethic comes from a background in ballet, with obvious familiarity to spandex and that powers of femininity that be, sex appeal won't be hiking this one to the top; it's an aspect of the art she thinks too dark. She's described as anything from the Montreal artist from the DIY post-Internet scene, to the methodically slow-burned indie "it" girl who's become “the marriage between the voice of a human and the heartbeat of a machine” (Bullett Magazine). Grimes is Claire Boucher. And yes, a Canadian pop-singer with twinkly-light and layered vocals; with moody, chaotic, if misunderstood lyrics, and a level free time one can only imagine as nill, as she's cranked out four consecutive albums (-esque) since 2010. Two of such, Gedi Primes and Halifaxa (2010), were Internet-dispensed gratis efforts, though regarded highly, while she churned out singles on side A of Darkbloom in May 2011, along side hip hop experimentalist D'eon, the latter).
While we boring adults toil away at our office desks in 30 degree weather, a shit ship-load of people are having the time of their lives, bikini-clad in the tropics. Holy Ship! set sail last Friday and pictorial evidence has surfaced of what we suspected was going to be the the craziest cruise of all time. Indeed, it is. With Skrillex, Steve Aoki, A-Trak, Diplo, Jonathan Davis, and Tommy Lee amongst others, we had no doubt this was going to be quite the party. Now there's photographic evidence of what we're missing. Laugh now, cry later? Actually, cry now, cry later.
Dubstep phenom Scion A/V will release a 5 track EP, produced by DJ 12th Planet titled Scion A/V Presents: The End Is Near. Even better, the EP will be available as a free download at www.scionav.com starting January 18th. In addition, Scion A/V will present 12th Planet’s nationwide tour, set to hit 28 different cities starting February 2nd in Miami.
12th Planet had a huge year in 2011 with a sold out North American tour with Skrillex, and the release of ‘Who Are We?’ EP on his label SMOG. He also co-produced a track for Korn, who has recently moved into dupstep. UK's Mixmag also named him the "US Dubstep Godfather."
LAVO New York has some treats in store for you this week! First, tonight, December 22nd, they welcome super star Bob Sinclair. Then, on Saturday, December 24th, Dash Berlin will be tearing up the turntables. These are two shows not to be missed. Details here:
Thursday, December 22 - Bob Sinclar
There are few DJs with as much international recognition and star-power as Bob Sinclar. The French producer and DJ, born Cristophe Le Friant, is well known and respected for his passion of music and his originality in flawlessly meshing differing styles. His massive club hit "Love Generation" reached the #1 spot in several countries and became the official anthem of the FIFA World Cup. Sinclar has collaborated with superstar artists like Gary Nesta Pine (formerly singer of The Wailers), Axwell, Shaggy, and Sean Paul in his never-ending quest to break down dance club barriers and traditional formats. 2011 has proven to be a pivotal year for the eclectic maestro, with released singles "Far L'Amore", and "F*** With You" from his Grammy-nominated, genre-defying remix album, ‘Made in Jamaica.’ His performance at LAVO on December 22nd is guaranteed to be a rhythm-heavy, floor-shaking dance fest, grooving strongly late into the night.
Saturday, December 24 - Dash Berlin
Dash Berlin is more than meets the eye. With two studio mavens Eelke Kalberg and Sebastiaan Molijn, along with DJ front man Jeffrey Sutorius, they utilize their different skills in tandem, creating both big time trance tracks and killer parties. Things started with a bang in 2007 when Armin van Buuren featured "Till The Sky Falls Down" on the renowned ‘Universal Religion’ album; since then their unique futuristic brand of trance has reverberated throughout clubland with the 2009 debut artist album ‘The New Daylight,’ the 42-minute “Flashback” YouTube video mix, and their 2010 mix album ‘United Destination.’ 2011 has seen a epic collaboration with ATB "Apollo Road," and their recent release "Better Half of Me" with Jonathan Mendelsohn, along with Sutorius embarking on an epic worldwide DJ schedule, including ASOT 500 with Armin van Buuren, a residency in Ibiza, and a special Christmas visit to LAVO New York – a miracle on 58th street, which is certainly not to be missed.
For more info check out: www.lavony.com.
Representing all that is the Big Apple's eclectic musical scene, Lo Primo is an eight-piece musical collective that plays what they like to call “Bodega Soul”: electro-Caribbean jams with roots in hip-hop, electronica, rock, merengue, salsa, and bachata.
This past Saturday, December 10th, Lo Primo held a free concert and event titled 'Sewn Sounds" at East Village venue Drom (85 Avenue A), where they performed along with another up & coming band Delexilio, who most recently had a presence at the 12th Annual Latin Grammys Street Parties. "Sewn Sounds' was a colloborative effort between the bands and urban streetwear line Wildboy! Clothing, who released items from their new Winter line. To check out a full recap of the event, be sure to stay tuned to www.LoPrimoNYC.com and visit www.wildboyclothing.com to check out the new threads!
Nostalgia is a powerful, inexplicable beast. Images, movies, and even words can instantly take you back to the most memorable portions of your life in vivid detail, evoking just about every type of emotion. And while Saturday night at Starland Ballroom looked and sounded as it did during any other musical evening at the venue, the screams, chills, and tears of everyone present for The Early November’s reunion show proved just as vital to the night's energy as the band's own sounds and words.
The night began with a diverse bill of opening bands who all fit nicely into the musical realm that The Early November were once at the forefront of. The folky, honest pop-rock of Young Statues held the crowd’s attention just as much as the progressive, dazzling indie of A Great Big Pile of Leaves. Ohio pop-punkers Hit the Lights have been a staple in their scene for years, and the audience’s shouty reaction to their material old and new proved that they still are.
If you stop to think about it, symphonic music is probably one of the most ubiquitous sounds out there. You hear it everywhere from movies to television to Starbucks. It's probably not the first thing on your bucket list, but attending a live symphony or opera can be an unforgettable experience.
The soothing, classical sounds of Schoenberg and Mozart drifted throughout Dreyfoos Hall at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach last week. The music created by the Munich Symphony Orchestra and the Gloriœ Dei Cantores choir was as exquisite as the detailed gold and red velvet decor of the theater itself. Soprano Valentina Fleer, soprano Julie Cherrier, tenor Eric Barry and baritone Benjamin Bloomfield added another layer of luxurious sound to the concert.
With the release of their 2004 breakout album The Silence in Black and White, Ohio's Hawthorne Heights became the poster boys for angsty, scream-sprinkled emo jams that were begging to be sung along to live. The years of success that followed, including the mainstream explosion of their hit "Ohio is For Lovers" and a well-recieved follow up LP, were tragically soured by the sudden passing of guitarist Casey Calvert during the band's fall 2007 tour. Still, the band soldiered on in their fallen brother's honor, releasing two more records (2008's Fragile Future and 2010's Skeletons) and enduring some internal label woes in the process.
Ever since his first gig at NYC’s Limelight at the age of 16, Kenny Summit has become a household name in New York’s nightlife scene. Summit quickly found himself playing alongside the likes of Paul Oakenfold, Tiesto, and Fatboy Slim, and commanding the music for major fashion and music events everywhere.
He soon brought his talents to the production world, working on various mixes including his 2009 Ultra Records release One Night in St. Tropez. Already a favorite DJ among celebrities, Summit looks to add to his impressive resume in 2012. With a brand new track titled “Keyed Up” (which you can download for free here), a new album on Mile End Records, and the launch of his own record label, the newest phase for this accomplished DJ is just getting started.
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