MARTIN SOLVEIG
Most 17-year-olds keep themselves busy with daunting homework assignments and late nights at the movies, but spanish sensation Danny Avila has other plans in mind. The rising star is Big Beat Records’ newest prodigy, and he’s taking his talents to Pacha this Saturday night as Martin Solveig’s opener.
As the youngest ever prime-time resident on SiriusXM with his weekly Wednesday afternoon show “Ready To Jump,” Avila signifies a new wave of young music-makers producing the freshest progressive house beats around. This Saturday, you can catch Avila spinning his debut single “Breaking Your Fall” and other electro-goodies by entering our giveaway here.
The Fall 2012 phase of Bounce Music Festival is about to get in gear to rock a city near you. Hosting global superstar DJs, this year's festival welcomes headliners Alesso, Martin Solveig, Hardwell, Dada Life, Rusko, and Borgore.
Bounce kicks off on Friday, Oct. 26 in Raleigh, North Carolina with Swedish sensation, Alesso at the Longbranch of Raleigh. A second date on Oct. 26 will feature French producer Martin Solveig, Dutch master Hardwell, Deniz Koyu and Tim Mason at the Mesa Amphitheater in Mesa, Arizona. On Wednesday October 31st, Dada Life will be giving champagne showers at Pic-A-Chic Farms along with Borgore. The UK dubstep leader Rusko will drop the bass at the Limelight in Nashville, Tennessee as the last date of the tour on Nov. 19th.
DJ Rascal is not your average DJ. The Miami-based artist started on the music scene at the ripe age of 15, performing in some of the city's hottest venues, including LIV, Mynt, and Arkadia. He spent his early career spinning with some of the greats - Steve Aoki, Martin Solveig, and Miike Snow. Starting off in a school jazz band, playing piano and bass guitar, he quickly learned that his passion lay in DJing and quickly started booking gigs at clubs at a young age. Now at the age of 23, Rascal has announced that he will be releasing his first EP. Joonbug chats with the young superstar about his upcoming EP, his craziest moments in the club, and what he likes to do when he's not spinning.
What can we expect on your new album and what was the inspiration behind it?
I've been working on it for quite some time now. I decided to work on it because my entire life I've been involved in music, from being in a school band, then graduating to a jazz band in school, and then exploring with DJing once I got into high school; and now that's all I've been doing. Having the opportunity to open up and close for such big DJs in Miami, I would just sit behind them once I finished with my set and watch them play their own original music and the reaction they got - I thought, man, I could do this. The music is good, it's crazy, but it's nothing that I can't do. I know how to play instruments, so I decided to go home at the time and I started practicing again and brushing up on my music notes and how to work with melodies. I've created over 35 songs and out of those I've chosen a good 5-7 songs that I'm finalizing now. I am really, really hard on myself. I compare it to the best of what's out right now and if it's not as good or better, I start over or delete it. In order to be one of the best, you have to compare yourself to the best. I bring people to my studio and show them what I'm working on and listen to their feedback. But so far, with the 5-7 songs I've chosen, everyone has given really positive feedback.
Do you have a title for the album yet?
I had a title but I'm not 100% sure I'm going to use it, so as of right now, no, I don't have a title.
Do you have any favorite tracks off the album?
That's so funny you say that. It's funny because whenever someone comes to listen they'll be like, "Oh I like this song, but this is my favorite song." [But] I'm attached to every song in a different way. Each song has a different meaning behind it, whether it's the reason I started working on it, or the melody. Overall I'm happy with how [the album] is coming out.
You've been DJing since you were 14 years old. Do you think that gives you an advantage in the industry?
I wouldn't say it's an advantage because everyone's different and talented in their own way. Performance-wise, it would give me a little bit more room to get more creative. Instead of just playing two or three songs at the same time, I go out and study different DJs and see what they can do and what I can't do. I'll come back in my studio and sit here for hours and just practice and practice. Just so I can be as good as what's out there - some people might say I'm amazing and some might think I suck. But overall, I've gotten far for being so young, so I just keep working to better myself.
What do you like about the scene in Miami?
I love everything about the Miami scene. It's different from everything, even other parts of Florida. It's totally different because I grew up in bottle service clubs in Miami and I've been successful because I cater to the crowds, but at the same time, I don't lose my edge. I play what they want to hear but I play what I think is good and what I want to hear. So it's not very repetitive - I am always testing new music and sometimes people give me the craziest faces, like "what the f is this kid playing?" but that's my job as a DJ - to put out new music. I get that reaction and sometimes I get the best reaction, when songs that people hate turn into songs people love and then a month later, that song is on the radio. It's just that risk that a DJ is supposed to take. I'm happy to say that I've stuck to it and played music that no one has heard yet.
Would you ever consider leaving Miami?
Yea, I leave Miami once every week. [laughs]
Permanently, I mean?
I'm not sure, because my studio is out here in Miami. I travel a lot and work a lot and there's so much more out there. Who knows? I take everything day by day. If there's a huge opportunity for me out there one day and I feel that it's right, then I might jump on it. Maybe I'll move to Thailand and live in a jungle!
What's it like to work with some of the biggest DJs out there?
It's very nerve-wracking. The first time I ever got a big opportunity was when I opened up for Steve Aoki. It was just weird how it happened - I am the type of person who always just asks questions because the answer is always going to be no if you don't ask. So I was at a club where he was playing and afterwards I asked if I could open up for him. And I just waited and waited, for hours, and then the day of the show they got back to me and said yes, you can open for him and close. I was so excited and so nervous, I kept practicing and practicing. To this day, it's still probably one of the funnest sets I've had because I was so nervous and trying to do my best. And to this day I always get nervous, I always want to do my best. I've been lucky, all these big famous DJs, they are so successful, but at the same time they are so humble and nice that it makes you so comfortable being around them and playing before them.
What do you like to do when you're not DJing?
I sit on a leather chair all day. I sit in front of a computer. This is going to sound boring, but I'm kind of a boring person. I work a lot. During the day when I'm not working I'm either working on my music, eating cookies and drinking water, or when it's basketball season, I'll watch that here in the studio while I work. I'm pretty determined to finish this EP - all my energy is into that right now.
What are some of the craziest things that have happened while you've been DJing at a club?
I watch people fall all the time. I love to people watch. It depends what you consider crazy - I've seen people get into fights. One of the craziest things happened one night last year in March, it was almost like the club caught on fire because of how many bottles were sold. Somebody bought close to 200 Cristal bottles at once. So it was just one big fireball of sparklers, it was crazy and cool to watch. Also, I went to a club with Aoki up in Pampano Beach and he had me and Marshall Barnes get this raft and go into the crowd. So we are in the crowd on the raft and Steve jumps off the balcony and misses and just knees me in the face. It was crazy; we thought we were going to drop him.
What's your drink of choice, besides water of course?
I have two. Goombay Punch is a Bahamian drink that's really good - it's like a soda. And I'm so addicted to Red Bull. People tell me it's bad, but it's just so good. I love it.
Keep up to date on DJ Rascal and his upcoming EP.
It’s official - EDM is here to stay.
As if the flurry of festivals popping up around the country wasn’t enough to convince you, MTV’s announcement of adding a Best Electronic Dance Music Video category to the VMAs certainly solidifies the dominance of the genre.
The nominations are no-brainers: Avicii’s “Levels,” Calvin Harris’s “Feel So Close,” Duck Sauce‘s “Big Bad Wolf,” Martin Solveig’s “The Night Out,” and Skrillex’s “First Of The Year (Equinox).”
Electric Beach is bringing in the big guns this weekend. The infamous Saturday night hot-spot will host Sebastien Drums and Chad Stark as headliners, spinning away a night of pure musical bliss.
International DJ Sebastien Drums is no newcomer to the stage. The French house-master is best known for his mega-hit “My Feelings For You,” coproduced by the one and only Avicii.
Joining Drums is Chad Stark, the recent University of Michigan grad whose upbeat, progressive sounds has led him to open for big-name DJs like Tiesto and Martin Solveig.
Together, the two DJs are sure to spin a killer set at the sleek and sexy Santos Party House. Check out their mixes below:
It was a busy Saturday for music in the Big Apple.
While Identity Festival was taking over Jones Beach with an all-day roster of talent, Pacha NYC was gearing up to host Madeon and Eric Prydz at Beekman Beach Club. And while it’s always good to have concert options, choosing between the 18-year-old prodigy and the 36-year-old mastermind is no easy task for an electro-loving gal... major @ravegrlproblems!
Ten miles of darkness and 2000 cars separated us from the festival we had only dreamt about. As we stared forward, excited and anxious, there was a faint flicker towards the sky and then the familiar explosion of fireworks in the distance. A roar ripped through the desert from the cars around us. Indian chiefs and their topless girlfriends yelled and cheered out their windows, as packs of neon spattered fur boots ran by on foot. This was the scene I had heard so much about. The one that would save dance music events
Insomniac’s Electric Daisy Carnival has consistently been remarked as the premier Electronic Music festival in the country. With steady competition from Ultra Music Festival , and the multitude of other events that have developed in the past few years, claiming that title is quite a feat. Insomniac’s founder, Pasquale Rotella, has rose through the ranks of California promoters to a point of utmost success. He has absolutely earned his stripes, with the immense scale of his events and consequences this sometimes brings. The risk involved with such massive gatherings as these has made it necessary for Pasquale to impose a new standard for safety at these events, both at the gates and in the festival. In both appearance and functionality, EDC proved to be nothing less than the world-class event that was beckoned for.
Electric Zoo's Phase 1 Festival lineup has just been announced! Taking place Aug 31 - Sept 2 on Randall's Island here in NYC, this year's festival has THE biggest names in EDM. Check out the killer lineup that includes Pretty Lights, Above & Beyond, Laidback Luke, Hardwell, Martin Solveig, Tiesto, Steve Aoki, David Guetta, A-trak, and more. Get your tickets while you still can!
The French producer sat down with Joonbug before Ultra Music Festival began on Friday to discuss his explosive rise to stardom, his new North American tour, and his favorite places to search for new talent.
Jaime Sloane: Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk to Joonbug, we’re all huge fans and we’re excited to hear what you have to say.
Martin Solveig: Thank you.
Jaime Sloane: Your performance at Ultra marks your second stop on your North American tour. How’s the experience been so far? And what differences have you noticed between touring in North America and touring in Europe?
Tuesday boozeday is quickly approaching, giving us yet another reason to rage face from sunrise to sunset. Here’s a list of the hottest parties happening:
Shelter featuring Timmy Regisford at Shine at The Shelborne South Beach: 10PM - 5AM
Timmy Regisford had a dream 19 years ago, that one day, Club Shelter parties would be held around the world. Regisford made that dream a reality, starting off in New York City and now boasting an international network of Club Shelter events. Focusing on soulful house music, Regisford and his team of Shelter DJs are giving the Shelborne a night of old-school house music partying. Enter our giveaway now to get free admission to this WMC event and others at The Shelborne!
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