DJ
Nicknamed the ‘Voice Belgique’ (the Voice of Belgium), Quentin Mosimann is making a name for himself internationally as one of the few existing DJ-singers. Known for his use of various instruments and his wild and unpredictable performances, Quentin sat down with Joonbug at the Perry Hotel in South Beach to talk about his favorite names in music, his beginnings as a jazz singer, and his current international tour.
You’re probably best known for your success in the French reality TV show, Star Academy France. What were you doing before the show?
Kristin Schrot, better known as "Miss Nine" has helped pave the way for female DJs everywhere. One of the first to ignite the model/DJ trend worldwide, Miss Nine is one charming, beautiful and talented package in demand everywhere from Seattle to Buenos Aires. When she’s not traveling the world playing the latest tracks from her own label 925 Digital, Miss Nine is busy being the ambassador for Levi’s Curve ID line and Plan International, a designer for the leather jacket brand Goosecraft and a spokesperson for Pioneer. When she’s running at full speed doing the aforementioned things, she’s listening to Michael Jackson and M83, running in forests and throwing down in the kitchen. Sorry fellas, but this fresh-faced beauty is taken.
Disco influenced DJ/Producer Richard Dinsdale’s resume is impressive; he’s established a residency at the legendary Ministry of Sound in London, remixed a track for Hollywood blockbuster, The Skeleton Key, as well as for Morgan Page, Kat Graham, K’NAAN and Natalia Kills. To top it off, in 2010 he started his own record label, Tanzinite Records. We sat down with the English heavy-hitting house producer fresh off his first Ultra Music Festival performance to find out how he’s making everyone “shake what your mama gave ya” and what’s next.
Known for his breakneck mixing and use of up to three turntables, Andy C has been one of the most distinguished DJs and producers on the D&B/jungle scene for decades. Not only has he received the Drum and Bass Arena Awards 'Best DJ' title two years in a row, he is also ranked #61 on DJ Magazine’s Top 100 list. We got a chance to chat with the busy DJ at Ultra in Miami. Read on to get a peek into his world!
Amanda Mesa: Why drum and bass?
Andy C: When I started out, there wasn’t drum and bass. I started out back in the days when it was kind of all mixed—pretty much like it is today. Acid house, then house was coming through…it was all one genre. The first tunes I was doing had house tempos. And then jungle and drum and bass kind of just spawned naturally and I veered that way…I’ve always been more break-beat orientated than four-four kick drums. And so it kind of organically grew over a number of years; it became drum and bass. And now we find ourselves in 2012 and it's kind of come full circle. All the genres are mixed up again, and everybody’s just enjoying music because they enjoy music. Everyone just enjoys having a party, and that’s good. It's not as tribal as it used to be, it used to be very tribal—‘I like one sound, I don’t want to hear anything else,’ whereas now everybody’s a bit more open-minded.
Slovenian DJ and music producer Uroš Umek has been wooing crowds with his unique techno/tech house style since the '90s. Umek is considered to be one of the founding fathers of Eastern European electronica, and his record label, Sixteenofive, is one of the world’s fasting growing techno labels. In 2011, he earned the title of Beatport’s Best Artist and was ranked 29th in DJ Magazine's "Top 100 DJ’s". Umek's music continues to top Beatport’s techno charts, and he's been remixing major artists like Carl Cox, M.I.K.E., and John Digweed.
For those in the market for a riotous night of luscious tunes and debacherous endeavors, look no further than Amnesia’s “Weekly Magic Circus Party." This week’s installment features prominent, Aria-Award Nominated DJ Tommy Trash spinning hot fire that’s destined to incite boundless pleasure in the aural orifices. Reigning electro dance authority in his native Australia, this recent import has set his sights on global domination one venue at a time—seize the chance to be a part of the movement!
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.
With music sales collapsing due to the immediacy of the internet, the surviving record stores of New York City stand strongly as sonic sanctuaries. You might be able to download music for free, but you can’t pirate the feeling of digging through crates of records until the perfect vinyl reaches your fingertips. Record stores are some of the city’s best landmarks, and here are some of the best ones to check out. Whether you’re a DJ looking to add to your mix, a fervent Elvis collector, or you’re looking to pawn off your parents’ oldies for some cash, there’s a spot for you.
2011 is a major victory lap for UK electronic veterans Above & Beyond, as their constantly evolving Anjunabeats label entered it's 10th year and saw it's 200th release. While the trance unit, comprised of Jono Grant, Tony McGuiness, and Paavo Siljamäki, already hit some huge milestones with this summer's Group Therapy record and a few sold-out performances at the Hollywood Palladium, their musical year is far from over. The 9th installment in their annual Anjunabeats collection is out this Sunday, showcasing some of the best work from Anjunabeats artists and the trio themselves. We got an exclusive first listen to the two-disc compilation, and trance-heads everywhere will be happily immersed in A&B's soundscapes.
The art of being a DJ is so expansive and ever-changing, that the title itself is hard to classify. Is a DJ someone with a milkcrate of old records, some turntables, and limitless creativity? Or is it someone who’s mastered the art of Pro Tools and Reason and is ready to take their digital playlists to clubs all over the world? For some artists, the answer is simply both. Swiss artist Deetron has taken this duality to heart on his new Balance 20 mix, a combination of electronic music methods old and new that manages to come together as something that’s as cohesive as it is eclectic.
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