ZED'S DEAD
Thirty-five thousand people attended last Saturday’s (Nov. 3) sold-out HARD Day of the Dead festival in downtown LA. Attendees dressed in their leftover Halloween costumes, painted their faces like skeletons and erupted into song, singing "We Are Your Friends" by main stage headliner, Justice, whilst piling out of the packed Chinatown metro station early Saturday evening.
Upon exiting the metro station, which was conveniently located across from the festival's entrance, festival-goers were forced to wait in an obscenely crowded mob to get IDs checked, which were barely even glanced at. For a festival that adheres to strict security (they make attendees take off their shoes), this appeared to be counterproductive. Once past that checkpoint, fans had to wait in another lengthy line, but some grew impatient and just hopped the barriers wreaking havoc and causing even longer lines for those coming in after.
When Zack Rapp-Rovan and Dylan Mamid began making music together eight years ago, they never could have imagined becoming the electronic music duo Zeds Dead. They started off producing hip-hop beats but as their production skills grew they began experimenting with the worlds of dubstep, drum and bass, and hard-electro. Three years after their introduction to EDM, Zack and Dylan are headlining festivals across America, plunging into a European tour and producing their signature genre-blending sounds in the studio.
We had a chance to chat with Zack about his transition from hip-hop to EDM, the duo’s newest EP and what the future holds for these rising stars.
It’s a big summer for Diplo. After gracing us with his bulletproof moombahton-massive EP “Express Yourself” at the beginning of June, the brilliantly-dynamic producer is ready to show off his skills live at his recently announced five-stop “Mad Decent Block Party” tour.
Spanning the country and even dipping into Toronto for a day, each Block Party will feature a full day of performances from Mad Decent’s stellar roster of artists (such as Dillon Francis, Major Lazer, Zeds Dead and more). The all-ages event will also offer food and activities, and is ABSOLUTELY FREE.
It's always exciting when a new festival comes around. Here in the US, this is happening more often these days, helped by the huge increase in the popularity of EDM. Enter Counterpoint which stems from a collaboration between MCP Presents (Camp Bisco, Light All Night) and C3 (Lallopalooza, Austin City Limits), two of the biggest festival promoters in the US. With their knowledge and sway, they've attracted what may end up being one of the finest lineups of the year. Including Bassnectar, Skrillex, Pretty Lights, AVICII, Steve Angello and over 50 others, this multi-day, camper friendly festival is sure to cause quite a splash. Heading to Atlanta on September 27-29, the city will never be the same again.
The official lineup for this year's Lollapalooza Festival has been announced! Taking place on August 3 - 5 in Grant Park, Chicago, this year's festival is sure to be one for the record books.
Artists include The Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Black Keys, a recently reunited Black Sabbath, Jack White, Florence + the Machine, At the Drive-In, Bassnectar, The Shins, Avicii, Justice, The Weeknd, Sigur Ros, a recently reunited Afgan Whigs, M83, Frank Ocean, Nero, Die Antwoord, Tune-Yards, SBTRKT, The Walkmen, Sharon Van Etten, The War on Drugs, Twin Shadow, Toro y Moi, Wale, Zed's Dead, Childish Gambino and many more! For the full lineup, click here.
Get your tickets here, but hurry up, they'll sell out quick!
EDM lovers are in for a real treat for the next few months. A plethora of electro fests are lined up and ready for the taking. While we wait for dates and lineups to be announced for post-June festivals, peep these April-June events that are confirmed, with tickets on sale now!
who: Tiësto, Röyksopp, STS9, 12th Planet, araabMUZIK, Awolnation, Calvin Harris, Cosmic Gate, CSS, Datsik, Dillon Francis, Mt Eden, Nero, Steve Aoki
The 11th annual Camp Bisco Music and Arts Festival (July 12-14) announced their lineup today. With over 100 performers this year, the roster is packed with some of the biggest names in electronic music. In other words, get your tix before they sell out!
Check out this incredible lineup:
The Disco Biscuits; Bassnectar; Skrillex; Amon Tobin ISAM; Crystal Castles; Atmosphere; Big Boi; Shpongle presents The Masquerade; A-Trak; Lotus; Simian Mobile Disco (DJ set); Dada Life; Zeds Dead; Porter Robinson; Portugal. The Man; Big Gigantic; Bonobo (DJ set); Zedd; Mimosa; Daedelus; Holy Fuck; Mord Fustang; Break Science with Chali 2na; Kill the Noise; Rubblebucket; Gramatik; Tycho; Star Slinger; NiT GriT; Brothers Past; Archnemesis; El Ten Eleven; Craze; Alvin Risk; The M Machine; Zoogma; Eliot Lipp Live; 3LAU; Mansions on the Moon; Future Rock; Minnesota; The Knocks; Abakus; Thundercat; Shigeto; Ill-Esha; Killabits; Lance Herbstrong; Mux Mool; Orchard Lounge; Virtual Boy; DrFameus; Nick Catchdubs; Codes; JWLS; Star Eyes; Mindelixir; The Nadis Warriors; Paul Chambers; Inspired Flight; Freekbot; Alpha Data; Kung Fu; Manhattan Project; Rich Aucoin; HOTTUB; Xylos; Spiritual Rez; Bird of Prey; Revolvr and Michett and many more.
With Zeds Dead headed to Starland Ballroom on the next stop of their Living Dead tour, we got the latest from the dynamic DJ duo. Read on!
Interview by Angela Samartano
Angela Samartano: How did you both originally start working with one another? How did you decide on the name Zeds Dead?
Hooks: We started a group called Mass Productions years ago with the goal of making instrumental albums, selling beats, and working with rappers. Years later we started getting into electronic stuff and decided to make a new alias which was Zeds Dead. It came from our initials Z and D (Zack and Dylan) and ya, the scene in Pulp Fiction.
AS: Which musicians or DJs have inspired your music over the years? Who would you say is your biggest influence of all?
Hooks: So many people have inspired me over the years. to list a few: DJ Shadow, Premier, Pete Rock, Rza, Madlib, Dre, Mugs, RJD2, Noisia, Pendulum, Skream, Justice.. I feel like my biggest influence may be the Beatles though..
AS: What has been your most memorable gig to date? Which city do you enjoy playing in most?
Hooks: Our show we just did at the congress theater in Chicago was incredible! So many people there and such great energy. I had some surreal moments on stage looking out at everybody.
AS: Beginning last month, Omar Linx and you started "The Living Dead Tour" throughout North America, bringing along Araab Muzik, XI, Memorecks, Mat the Alien and Knight Riders. How did you go about picking artists to join you on the tour? What are you most excited about throughout the tour?
Hooks: We tried to make the lineup very diverse with everybody bringing something unique to the table. All the artists we chose play different types of sets than us and have a unique sound. It's really cool to just be in an atmosphere full of artists that you respect. It gets the creative juices going.
EDM enthusiasts rejoice! Toronto based DJ Duo Zeds Dead are taking over the nation a la the Merry Pranksters of Wolfe’s Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test—aka, via a continent conquering bus tour! This sprawling endeavor consists of 80 Dates, 70 shows, and bolstered star quality through acts such as Omar Linx, and Araabmuzik. Further icing on the rumbling EDM cake arrives via reports that the crafty team behind the revolutionary light shows of Skrillex shall be helming the “Living Dead” Tour—ready those optics for ecstasy!
After discovering house music in 2010, I dabbled in the different sects of electronica and found myself in love. In March of 2011, I made my official crossover from rap-enthusiast to househead when I attended Ultra Music Festival. Nearly a year later, I cannot wait to return to my stomping grounds and once again bask in the harmonious music and beating sunshine.
Last year’s festival was an incredible experience, but as a newbie, I had a lot to learn. The low-point of my weekend was when my ticket was ripped off of the lanyard strewn around my neck by a drunken fool. The maniac grabbed the ticket that was hanging above my chest, and ran. Luckily, my mother had always instilled within me the importance of self-defense, so I lunged at the crazy kid who attempted to steal the $275 ticket and returned the item to its rightful owner... me.
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