DJ MAG

In an exclusive interview with Sean "Hollywood" Hamilton of New York's WKTU radio station, the undisputed king of trance, Armin van Buuren, dishes on some topics that hit close to home. Always an artist to be forthcoming about how he feels, Armin delves into what it is like to be crowned the world's number one DJ, what his favorite hot spots to play around the world are, and how his life has changed since becoming a father.

Additionally, Armin cites some good news for his fans all over the world, but also specifically for those in New York. The last time he graced our fair city was on the northeast leg of the DJ Mag tour, when he spent an intimate evening with a lucky few at Lavo. The first hints of Armin's and Joonbug's New Year's Eve plans were dropped that night and the crowd's enthusiastic response was enough to rumble all across midtown. It just so happens that Armin's highly anticipated new artist album will be also released in the next few months, and the resulting energy that Armin will be wearing on his sleeve will be palpable from miles away. Check out the exclusive interview below to hear more, and grab your tickets for New Year's here while you still can!

Ever wonder what a day in the life of an international superstar DJ is like? Thanks to Armin van Buuren’s new DVD “A Year With Armin van Buuren,” you’re about to find out.

This insider-view film gives viewers an intimate glimpse into the Dutch superstar’s life as a musical perfectionist, industry trailblazer and genre taste-maker. Armin is constantly dealing with the pressures of remaining at the top of the music business and this insightful DVD shows fans just how determined the jet-setting DJ is. Detailing the 365 days leading up to winning DJ Mag’s “Top 100 DJs Poll” for the unprecedented 5th time, “A Year In The Life Of Armin van Buuren” is a must see for electronic music lovers everywhere.

Although it's more than one month away, we're gearing up for New Year's Eve here at Joonbug.com, especially after our exciting announcement today that DJ Mag's number one DJ, trance sensation, Armin van Buuren will be headling THE best New Years Party on deck to close out 2012 at Pier 36. Snag your tickets and tables here, and listen to these van Buuren spun grooves to get you in the mood:

1. Armin van Buuren feat. Jennifer Rene- Fine Without You

DJ Mag is an English music magazine and one of the most popular electronic music publications in the world. Its popularity has made it an authoritative figure in identifying the top DJs and clubs across the world. One of the key features of the magazine is a yearly, publicly voted poll that determines what are considered to be the top 100 DJs in the world. The contest began in 1997, and has been the ultimate ranking system of international DJs; propelling the likes of Paul Oakenfold, Tiësto, and Armin van Buuren to the very peak of fame.

The poll, however, is far from perfect. In the new era of digital voting, DJ Mag has uncovered several instances of cheating, wherein DJs are buying votes or using other illegal methods to propel themselves further up the chart. This year, a particular problem was DJs buying votes through an eBay scam. Cheating is nothing new and it has happened before in the competition. It certainly accounts for the presence of relatively unknown DJs gracing the list in years past.

When it comes to worldwide DJ rankings, DJ Mag’s "Top 100 DJs" list is king. The be all end all of the electronic music industry, the list is voted on by the public and published once a year in November. And if you didn’t make the cut, you’re simply not relevant this year.

While the wide-ranging list encompasses DJs from all sects of the EDM world, it fails to include one thing - women. Not one female DJ made the list this year. In fact, Claudia Cazacu is the only women to make the list since 2007, earning her spot as number 93. In a scene that’s fairly equi-gender when it comes to the fan base, I really have to wonder, what gives? Where are the female DJs?

Winter Music Conference is almost upon us, and for those of you who haven’t quite mapped out your party plans, you’re in luck; here at Joonbug we’ve already done the heavy lifting.

Joonbug is proud to present our guide to the Winter Music Conference opening weekend. Saturday and Sunday’s star-studded lineup promises unlimited debauchery, mischief, and of course, brilliant techno music. So grab your skimpiest bathing suit, your highest stilettos, and your earplugs (for those of you who can’t handle bass in your face) and get ready to have your minds blown.

You know the lyrics by heart. (Probably because you googled them). You know the opening chord progression. Never did you think you would belt it all out to piano music (except Billy Joel), but the kick drum bass and 4/4 beat begged for this song to be remixed as the song of Summer 2011. So spill out spring’s heartbreak with the top 3 best remixes of Adele’s Rolling in the Deep.

1. AVICII’s Nothing Without You vs. Rolling in the Deep (Live June 11th at Neptunes Beach Club, Hampton Bays, New York)

What’s better than fist pumping? What’s better than meatheads? Meatheads fist pumping and singing their over-juiced hearts out.

Long Island’s most famous citizen claim to fame is the Piano Man (Billy Joel) so it’s fitting that the debut of AVICII, the Piano DJ, at Neptunes brought a packed deck on a rainy Saturday. Rather than taking a hard, bass approach AVICII combats on Adele’s downward-moving melody (a standard blues motif) by capitalizing on the piano chord progression and high-hats, and then pulling out that bass drum as the main melody enters. In short: AVICII is able to continously build energy by focusing on the songs simple but varied instrumentation. And he keeps his soaring, elated signature sound that takes the crowd into flight.

Listen to AVICII’s track by clicking here, or watch the live recording below, which radiates the energy and enthusiasm of the crowd. Warning: You may just have to back and head out east this weekend just to pop some of this beloved corniness. (Just hit the gym first).


2. Michael Anthony’s Rolling in the Win

This deep house track highlights the lovely blues melody of Adele’s original and never becomes cheesy or sentimental. The sampled intro starts out far away and builds up, creating a sense of space. Rhythmic and soulful, this is not the remix to which you can fist-pump; instead, it offers a delicious space to groove and salivate for more.

By a prolific Brooklyn producer/DJ who hails himself as “The Unknown Artist,” over 1,000 plays on Soundcloud suggest a new moniker is soon in store. (If only he’d changed the track’s title to reflect Adele's song, more listeners could have searched him out... ) Hear Michael Anthony’s remix here.


2 ½ . Boris playing Michael Anthony’s Rolling in the Win (Live at Believe in the Lights, May 15th, Pacha NYC)

Ezra Pound said “bad artists borrow, good artists steal.” (Or something like that.)

Three minutes and twenty boring seconds into the video listed below, New York City-made DJ Boris whips out Michael Anthony’s production of Rolling in the Win and then proceeds to talk in the DJ booth throughout the whole track. Although Rolling in the Win is smoothly mixed into Cassius’s classic track 99, the only light worth believing here is Michael Anthony’s production.

You can argue amongst yourselves whether Boris is stealing or borrowing by clicking here or watching the video posted below.


3. Lazaro Casanova’s Rolling in the Deep

This Miami-based DJ and producer keeps it deep like the Everglades, and tings the instrumentals with a delightful, xylophone-like percussion that adds some complexity to the original song. Listen here for house music in its rawest, pure form.

This remix has gained much noteriety; featured on Nic Fanciulli’s Worldwide Sounds and Pete Tong’s Radio 1 show, it was also played by Jamie Jones at DEMF 2011’s Hot Natured After Party and by S.O.S at Space Ibizia for DJ Mag’s 20th anniversary. Far from "mainstream" yet not "underground," this may be the one remix that lasts until... October.