Yes, this year audience members will have the rare opportunity to experience the world-famous disc jockey Mills and the internationally-acclaimed RTS Symphony Orchestra performing together. It promises to be a unique musical mashup of both electronic music and symphony music.

 
The event organizers have spent the past six months in preparation. In a statement to the press, they offered some details. They said:
 
“After . . . last year’s . . . Lovefest [Experience] which was [attended] by more than 70,000 people from all over the world, we knew that we [had] to find a way to repay all our devoted fans who have been growing . . . with us [over] the last ten years. That is how the idea of this special music event was created . . . Lovefest Experience is [more than] just a fusion of different musical genres, but [also] a unique audio-visual experience.”
 
For readers not up on all their audio artists, Jeff Mills is a disc jockey based out of Detroit, Michigan. His signature sound is a blend of electronic dance music (EDM) and techno. He is also the founder of the musical movement known as the “Underground Resistance”.
 

In a prior interview, Mills told the press that the focus of his performances is experimenting with various ideas in hopes of making each appearance different. Some online sources believe one of his more memorable performances to be on in which he put all his equipment directly onto the floor and pushed platters while he sat on the floor. This will be his second Lovefest performance.
 

 
His fans expect another noteworthy performance, especially with the RTS Symphony Orchestra. The RTS Symphony Orchestra is one of the biggest acts in Serbia today. For this performance, they will be conducted by Serbia’s hometown hero the maestro Bojan Suđić. The highlight of the concert is said to be a performance of Light from the Outside World.
 
Tickets for Lovefest Experience in Belgrade, Serbia are presently priced as follows:
 
General Admission tickets: 22 EUR
Fan Pit tickets: 33 EUR
VIP tickets: 66 EUR
VIP Gold tickets: 132 EUR
 

 
As this goes to press, tickets are still available online. Additional service charges may apply. Ticket purchase limits, age restrictions, and other details are also available online on the official ShopLovefest website.
 

The post Jeff Mills & RTS Symphony Orchestra Are A Real ‘Lovefest’ appeared first on Electronic Music.

With concerts and showcases at multiple venues day and night, Sonar has become one of the world’s largest and most influential festivals showcasing electronic and advanced music. This year boasts some amazing talent. Here are some of the highlights.

Richie Hawtin

Richie Hawtin has been a revered name in techno since he co-founded his own label with fellow Canadian DJ, John Acquaviva, in 1989. Hawtin has developed a sound that has become synonymous with the city of Detroit, home of electronic dance music.

Jean-Michel Jarre

Jean-Michel Jarre has been elevating the electronic music scene since the mid 1970’s, but his influence and creativity continue to be relevant today. With the recent release of his second collaborative album of the Electronica series, Jarre still has a lot of musical messages to send into the world. He is currently working with the British virtual band, Gorillaz.

Laurent Garnier

Laurent Garnier has been pushing the sound envelope for thirty years, beginning in Paris as a teen, and then to the rest of the world. Garnier has created his own unique blend of Detroit techno with disco, touches of jazz and ethnic inspired beats.

Booka Shade

This duo, consisting of Walter Merziger and Arno Kammermeier, are veterans of the electronic music scene. Booka Shade skyrocketed from fame to international stardom after their 2005 Sonar Festival appearance.

Ben Klock

Considered to be one of the top 10 world’s best DJ’s, Ben Klock has unique take on his craft. Capitalizing on a diverse track selection, Klock has the ability to alter his sound to adapt the environment around him, pulling listeners into his world instead of him playing to theirs.

Kerri Chandler

Kerri Chandler has become an inspirational leader in the world of electronic music. Heavily influenced by his New Jersey jazz roots, Kerri refuses to compromise on his soulful blend of innovation and traditional American urban sounds.

Paco Osuna

Paco has been influencing the electronic music scene for over twenty years, developing his own unique and recognizable style. Paco blends pure techno sounds with dark beats earning him the Spanish awards of Best Artist, Best Techno DJ and DJ of the year.

This year’s festival will feature so many amazing artists that it’s impossible to showcase them all here, but there are a few more that have to be mentioned. Icons like Fatboy Slim, New Order, Skepta, John Grant, Kenny Dope, Santigold, BadBadNotGood, Nicola Curz, ANOHNI and the list goes on.

Every year the Sonar Festival takes over Barcelona and fills the streets with festival goers. Because of it’s success, Sonar branded events have popped up around the world from Tokyo to Los Angeles.

If you can’t make it to Sonar, rest easy, as the Sonar Festival has been blazing the trail for live streaming concerts for years. For example, last year, Culturebox live streamed more than 35 of the Sonar 2015 concerts. To see this year’s concerts visit the Sonar Media Page.

You can also check out the Culturebox website for more information during the festival.
 
Don’t forget to like the Sonar Festival page on Facebook, Instagram (@sonarfestival) and Twitter (@sonarfestival) so you can be part of the music revolution.

The post Be Ready For Sonar 2016 appeared first on Electronic Music.

David Bowie on the Set of Just a Gigolo in Berlin, February 1978. Photograph: Alain Dejean/Sygma/Corbis

Bowie was the original shape-shifter, constantly reinventing himself and his music throughout his life. Because society’s rigid norms, he did much more than push the boundaries of reality, but used the creative license his music allowed to continually morph his image, his art and his music and stretch the boundaries for LGBT youth and others that emulated and connected with him. Indeed, in an article from 1996 in the UK Telegraph, David was able to say, “I have done just about everything that it’s possible to do”.

1971: Pop star David Bowie with wife Angie and three week old son Zowie. He is modelling an Oxford Bags dress, Turkish cotton shirt and a felt hat.

Bowie’s influence is everywhere: from art to theater and music, Bowie helped spur irrevocable changes. Guitarist Johnny Marr of the English rock band, The Smiths, said of Bowie that “There are musicians who are influenced by him that don’t even realize it”.

 
American singer-songwriter and DJ, Moby, takes it a step further: “Without David Bowie, popular music as we know it pretty much wouldn’t exist.” Half of a storied friendship for the ages, Moby also tweeted after Bowie’s death was announced, “we lost the best musician of the 20th century and i lost a friend. goodbye, David. I will always love you.”
 

Bowie & Moby

 
Though not wholly political, Bowie had a huge influence on the world stage. His song “Heroes” was written during the time he lived with Iggy Pop in Berlin, witnessing news coverage of shootings and drownings of those trying to escape to the West. His performance during the Concert for Berlin in 1987 led the youth on the East German side of the wall to chant, “The wall must go!” inflaming guards and leading to beatings which underscored the inhumanity. A week later, Ronald Reagan visited and gave a speech at the Brandenburg gate, including this famous line, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” The rest is history.
 

David Bowie: “Heroes” live in Berlin 1987

 
News of Bowie’s death has brought condolences from around the world, Electro house musician Steve Aoki tweeted, “Ground control to Major Tom…#RIPDavidBowie.”
 

 
Perfect Stranger about the legendary musician: “R.I.P David, your music was ( and still is ) a great influence and inspiration.”, “The stars look very different today”.

Annie Lennox wrote on Facebook:

Madonna posted a photo of them together on Twitter, accompanied by “Hot Tramp I love you So!”

Tributes continued to pour in all week. Skrillex took to Twitter to thank David “I was young and misunderstood. You made it okay for me to not only be myself, but to shoot for the stars and dream big. I owe you for that realization and inspiration.” Carl Craig spoke of his love for the man with his tweet, “RIP David Bowie. He has been in my life since I was a young boy. He inspired Kraftwerk so he also inspired Techno music”
 

Paul McCartney posted on his website, “His music played a very strong part in British musical history. His star will shine in the sky forever.”
 
The Pet Shop Boys thanked him by posting, “We are all Bowie’s children. He inspired us and changed our lives. Love, gratitude and respect always for him and his work.”
 

 
Perhaps one of the most unlikely of the tributes to Ziggy Stardust came from the German Foreign Office on Twitter, “Good-bye, David Bowie. You are now among #Heroes. Thank you for helping to bring down the #wall.”

 
Released on David’s 69th birthday, January 8th, only days before he passed away, his last album, “Blackstar” is headed for No. 1 on the US Billboard charts, something he had not achieved during his lifetime.
 

 

Even his death is an Act Of an Art

 
His friend and producer, Tony Visconti, took to Facebook to memorialize Bowie, “He always did what he wanted to do. And he wanted to do it his way and he wanted to do it the best way. His death was no different from his life – a work of Art. He made Blackstar for us, his parting gift. I knew for a year this was the way it would be. I wasn’t, however, prepared for it. He was an extraordinary man, full of love and life. He will always be with us. For now, it is appropriate to cry.” Indeed.
 
 
 
Image Courtesy of The Guardian & Mirror.co.uk

The post Life and Death on His Own Terms – David Bowie appeared first on Electronic Music.

If you have a knack for nightlife, then you may have partied at the King Cross nightclub Soho. This was one of the oldest clubs in all of Sydney and its closure is a shock to many fans. Social media was ablaze yesterday and today with reports circulating that the club was shutting down. Many treated the reports as rumors perhaps because this was a favorite joint for many. However, the news hit home when Andrew Lazarus the owner confirmed that indeed the club was closing down. The lock-out laws whip has now landed on the club which has been in operation for 20 years.

Lazarus said these laws were destroying an entertainment precinct with his establishment being the latest victim. When the laws came into effect, patronage to the club declined significantly and the increased cost of compliance only made a bad situation worse. Continuing operations at the club is no longer viable and closing the club was only prudent.

An iconic club

Soho began its operation over two decades ago. For eight years the club operated under the name YU, however, in 2009, the club reverted to its original name. The club had been the life of the party on several nights when they hosted international acts such as Afrojack, Felix Da Housecat, Pual Van Dyk, Hardwell,Laidback Luke,Basement Jaxx and John Digweed.

The club praised for promoting local talent

Sydney DJ Glover, also took to social media where he praised the club for promoting and supporting local talent. He went on to say that the club had provided hundreds of DJ’s the opportunity to showcase their talent. He recalls having played in the club and said the venue offered him and many others a boost in their careers. His sentiments were shared by other musicians and fans who took on to social media to express their views. Many recalled of the nights they had performed at the club while thousands of fans shared memories of their fun times at the club.

The club previously under scrutiny

This is not the first time the club is making headlines. In 2013, the club had its share of bad publicity, when the 23 year old son of Andrew Lazarus was convicted for sexually assaulting a teenager right outside the venue. He received a three year imprisonment sentence.Luke Lazarus  testified in court saying that visits to his father’s club had given him a sense of entitlement and power. The club also faced negative publicity because at the time of the rape incident, pictures of a drunken young woman lying on the floor with her legs apart were posted on the nightclub’s facebook page. This only served to fuel the public rage as hundreds took onto to social media to criticize the incident.

The laws lockout more establishments

At the beginning of the month, Oxford St Nightspot had announced that it will be closing, prior to this, other late night venues, the Backroom and Flinders in Potts, also called it a day when they closed, citing the controversial lockout laws. The new rules were enacted to help curb alcohol-fueled behavior often experienced in bars, clubs and pubs. The law covers major hotspots such as Kings Cross, Cockle Bay, Darlinghurst, Hay Market and Rocks. Since the enforcement of the laws, patrons who leave or those ejected from such premises will not be allowed to re-enter. Licensed premises are not allowed to serve alcohol after 3am while bottle shops were prohibited to sell alcohol after 10pm.

Patrons and fans of the Soho club were forced to come to terms with the fact that the curtains had fallen on this venue; however, they will carry the memories with them for a long time.

The post Last and final drinks as one of Sydney’s oldest clubs close down appeared first on Electronic Music.

Exit Festival has even won the Best Major European Festival Award in 2014. They have received attention on an international scale from media outlets including: BBC,CNN,MTV,Euronews and Guardian.

The people who operate Exit Festival run it as a non-profit organization. During the event, internationally acclaimed music artists perform at the scene. It’s the hottest event of the year in Novi Sad, Vojvodina, Serbia. The unique location offers panoramic views and spices up the atmosphere with differing gigs occurring without sound interference.

Dance Arena at Exit Festival

Known as the second largest Exit Festival stage, it can host more than 25,000 people. At the Dance Arena, the show starts in the evening and reaches to the early hours of dawn. It becomes a constant party at the Dance Arena. The Dance Arena has seen the most influential and experienced DJs in the world. This includes: Housecat,Timo Maas,Roger Sanchez,Axwell,Sven Vath,Carl Cox,Dubfire,Sander Kleinenberg ,David Morales etc.
 

For 2015, Exit Fest has announced one of the strongest lineups that they have ever had. The techno goliaths will include: Octave One,Adam Beyer,Joseph Capriati,Chris Liebing,Nicole Moudaber,Simian Mobile Disco,Tale of Us etc.
 
In addition, be certain you check out the Dance Arena’s famous sunrise on July 13th. During this time, Exit Festival moves itself to a beautiful seaside in neighboring Montenegro.

Why Attend Exit Fest 2015?

Exit Festival is known worldwide as one of the best festivals in Europe. It becomes an opportunity to party and experience live music from some of the most influential artists in the industry. Attending Exit Fest 2015 gives you the chance to experience panoramic views while enjoying some of the best music in the world. What more could you want? Travelers can experience the best of outdoor European festivals while enjoying some sightseeing. In addition, you will be making forever memories with your friends and family, and it comes at a price that is amazingly affordable!

The Lineup

Who can you expect to see at Exit Festival 2015? Some of the well-known artists you will see this year at the festival include: Bondax,Motorhead,Faithless,John Newman,Tom Odell,Breakage,Catz n’ Dogz,Clean Bandit,Hardwell,Expire,Chris Liebing,Dirtyphonics etc.

In the past, legendary artists including: Beastie Boys, Wu Tang Clan, Billy Idol, Underworld, The White Stripes, David Guetta, Korn, Faith No More and Avicii performed at Exit Festival. Musically speaking, you can expect a wide variety of artists at the festival. For example, you have strong cult classics and mainstream bestsellers performing at the festival. In addition, you have top names from the electronic music industry who will keep playing until dawn in the dance arena. However, Exit Festival cannot be confined to a single genre, and you will even find metal fans at the explosive stage. In total, there are several different stages where you can receive a musical education in the art of partying.

Accommodation in Novi Sad for Exit Fest 2015

If you want comfortable accommodation at a hotel, motel or the salas farm, we recommend booking a few months in advance. People who wait until the last minute will not find accommodation because the event has become so large, and there is a large demand for this style of accommodation. Every year, however, accommodation may also take place at the Exit Festival’s Exit camp. You can also find an offer for accommodation in the form of hostel packages. However, they are mostly twin rooms, so if you are going alone, or you are traveling with a group in an odd number, this can make it difficult.

What to Know: Location

Located at Petrovaradin Fortress, an 18th century castle on the right bank of the Danube River, you will experience some of the most picturesque landscapes in Europe. Exit Fest gives you a cosmopolitan section in the crowd, and it creates a welcoming vibe that is above all, exciting. The fortress sits on a rocky cliff, and it has been used as a military fortress since ancient times.

 
 
One of the best summer music festivals in the world, Exit Fest 2015 will be one of the hottest events in Europe. You do not want to miss out! What began as a student protest against the Milosevic regime in 2000 now promises a lively four days of dancing and partying. The Dance Arena lets you party all night and meet the friends of a lifetime. The dancing madness takes place from July 9th to July 13th but be sure to book in advance because the tickets sell fast.

The post Exit Festival 2015: Don’t Miss This! appeared first on Electronic Music.

The world-renowned band, U2 recently announced dates and venues for its upcoming “iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE Tour.“ As of right now, the tour kicks off on May 14, 2015 at the BC Rogers Arena in Vancouver.

What is perhaps most surprising is that for the first time in over a decade the Irish superstar band, well known for its elaborate stadium shows with spectacular audio and visual effects, will be playing in indoor arenas.

While there are no confirmed dates in Ireland as of yet, a spokesperson has stated there will be shows scheduled for Dublin. These additional shows will most likely take place at the end of next year and will be a part of a special project on which the band is working.

According to U2 band member, the Edge, this tour will not be nearly as big as their previous tour during which they put on a total of 110 shows. Bono has said they are hoping to play more indoor venues this time around. The tour is being planned in conjunction with their album, “Songs of Innocence.” Besides Vancouver, shows will be taking place in 18 other cities hosting back-to-back shows. Some of the other cities and venues include:

• San Jose, CA SAP Center
• Phoenix, AZ US Airways Center
• Chicago, IL United Center
• Toronto, ON Air Canada Center
• Boston, MA TD Garden
• Turin, Italy Pala Alpitour
• Stockholm, Sweden Globe
• Berlin, Germany O2 World
• Barcelona, Spain Palau Sant Jordi
• Paris, France Bercy

The band will also be doing four back-to-back shows in Los Angeles, New York City and London. U2’s Innocence-Experience Tour 2015 tickets go on sale December 8th and 9th.

The post U2 Announces Upcoming World Tour appeared first on Electronic Music.

Created in 1994, Sónar is a pioneering electronic music festival. The infamous “Off Sonar” or “Off Week” has been created along with this festival.

This festival is one of the reasons why thousands of festival and party goers travel up to the wonderful city of Barcelona each year.

The Off Week has been developing and growing for many years now, and it has been promoting and expanding the spirit of electronic music. The Off Week hosts all kinds of parties that you can imagine. From beach to rooftop parties. From small, intimate parties, to big events.

Every type of party imaginable is covered during the Off Week. Most of the top list artists are there to play, and most of the major labels will have a showcase there. For the love of the music and the Off Week, Off Party Barcelona has been providing the service of sharing all the events on one digital platform.

Off Party Barcelona has been been sharing all of this in different forms since 2009. With this avalanche of information, locations and parties, Off Party Barcelona is undeniably the federating platform for all these events. With its website, mobile app, and geolocation of events, Off Party Barcelona offers an easy-to-use interface which is rapidly becoming the favorite guide of all Off Sonar-goers!

The post Sorry…I’m OFF appeared first on Electronic Music.

The international music and art festival Sonar celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2013 and plans are already being announced for Sonar 2014. Some of the world’s biggest artists are slated to perform at the festival in 2014, as well as new and unreleased performers. Famous names like Richie Hawtin and Massive Attack are scheduled to give cutting-edge performances and new locations have been added to the standard festival roster. Sonar 2014 doesn’t kick off until February 2014, but the anticipation and excitement are already building for this highly respected music festival.

2014 Festival Locations

There are some new locations that have been added to the Sonar tour schedule for 2014. Here is a quick rundown of the cities where the Sonar festival will be appearing in 2014.

*Reykjavik, Iceland

The first stop of the Sonar 2014 tour will be in Reykjavik, Iceland on February 13, 14 and 15.

*Stockholm, Sweden

Sonar will be appearing in Stockholm, Sweden at the same time as Sonar Reykjavik. This is a new addition to the Sonar schedule and it will take place on February 14 and 15.

*Tokyo, Japan

The next stop will be in Tokyo, Japan on April 12 and April 13. Reykjavik, Stockholm and Tokyo are all new additions to the festival schedule for 2014.

*Mexico City, Mexico

2014 will be the first year that the Sonar festival will come to Mexico City. The festival will be in Mexico on May 16 and 17.

*Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona has been host to the Sonar festival in the past and is one of the most popular destinations on the schedule. Sonar will be in Barcelona on June 12, 13 and 14.

*Cape Town, South Africa

The final destination of the Sonar 2014 tour schedule will be in beautiful Cape Town in South Africa on December 16, 2014.

2014 Artist Line-up

The Sonar Festival is famous for featuring new artists alongside legendary performers. It is common for legendary artists to debut new performances and exclusive material to Sonar audiences. Just this past year, the electronic music pioneers Devo presented a groundbreaking 3D visual show.

This year promises to deliver more of the kind of performances for which Sonar has become famous. Some of the artists on the schedule include:

*Richie Hawtin/Plastikman

World-renowned electronica DJ Richie Hawtin will be one of the biggest performers at Sonar 2014. Richie Hawtin has been one of the key performers at the Sonar festivals over the years and, as a result, has become synonymous with the spirit of the festival. In 2014, Richie will be presenting his new performance concept “Close” in the main hall of Sonar by Night. The performance will feature new material and a unique visual element that will use cameras and video screens to give the audience an up-close view of the DJ in action.

The other half of Richie’s persona, Plastikman, will be showcasing the performance concept “Objekt.” The Sonar festival will showcase the very first European performances of “Objekt”, which premiered in New York in November 2013. The performance concept is based on those New York shows at the Guggenheim Museum.

*Massive Attack

For the first time in 10 years, Massive Attack will be performing at Sonar. They will debut their exciting new show. The new performance will combine agitprop politics, visual design and new music to create an entirely unique experience.

*Bonobo

UK artist Simon Green, also known as Bonobo, will be performing at both Sonar Stockholm and Sonar Reykjavik. The famed downtempo producer will be one of the biggest performers at both events.

*Caribou

Canadian composer Caribou will also be appearing at both Sonar Stockholm and Sonar Reykjavik. Fans of the electronic dance compositions of Caribou will definitely want to be at one of the two performances for the Sonar Nordic weekend.

*Moderat

When Berlin artists Modeselektor and Apparat joined forces, the result was Moderat. They will be debuting their new album “II” at Sonar 2014.

The important thing to remember about the Sonar festival is that there is something for everyone. Not only do major artists perform but many smaller, unsigned musicians and composers showcase their talents for appreciative audiences. There are also breathtaking visual art displays and technology presentations. With a larger performance location roster than ever before, no matter where you are, attending Sonar is a real possibility.

For more information, go to www.sonar.es.

The post Ready For SONAR 2014 appeared first on Electronic Music.

Music has always been around me. As a child, I remember I could spend hours browsing radio stations at home.

Rodriguez Jr. – Podcast Analogik – 01.2014

This is how I heard Kraftwerk, Depeche Mode or Jean Michel Jarre for the very first time – I am definitely an 80’s child.
I’d started taking piano lessons at the age of 6, and I eventually became fascinated with how one could produce sounds from outer space using electronic devices and computers. This is how it all began.
Years later, I produced my first tracks in my bedroom studio with a couple of synthesizers and an Atari computer.
Things became really serious when I realised that there was a chance I could fail at the university where I was studying Mathematics (at least I was trying to…).

At that time, I was gravitating in a network of musicians and artists in the South of France, and I was lucky enough to meet the right people. In the year 2000 I eventually got the opportunity to be signed for an album with The Youngsters – my former band – on Laurent Garnier’s imprint F-Communication, which was one of the biggest steps in my whole career.

What was one of your first musical inspirations? Did you have a group, performer or artist that was your favorite?

Jarre was the one who really changed my vision as a child with his blend of poetic electronic landscapes and melodies. I guess his influence is still very present in my music nowadays, as melodies are often at the core of my tracks. But it was also all about Kraftwerk, Tangerine Dream, Art of Noise, Depeche Mode. When dance music exploded in Europe in the 90‘s, I was the biggest fan of WARP Records: LFO, Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada… That was fucking insane.

Bittersweet is your first album? Tell us about some of the ideas and influences that went into the album and how making it differed from producing a single or a remix?

An album is a statement, since you have more space, freedom and possibilities to express yourself on a longer format. In my opinion, an album should be colourful, diverse and consistent at the same time.
On Bittersweet, I wanted to showcase a wide spectrum of influences – house music, techno, dub, pop, ambient… Before I began to record anything in the studio, I drew some kind of a storyboard on a sheet of paper, including the progression of the whole album and the different categories of sounds and textures.

Your release “Back To Back” on Mobilee. How did the project come up? And what was your approach to arranging the music?

Basically, Anja and Ralf asked me to do it! It was quite a big challenge to be in charge of it, after some nice editions and the big success of the previous one selected and mixed by Pan Pot, which included a video documentary about them. I knew I had to develop the concept and find a new way to push the label upfront. My original concept was about producing one hour of original music using loops, samples and sounds from the Mobilee in-house acts who had enough time to spend on this project – it would be like jamming all of it together. It’s been tough and challenging, as I had a lot of material to handle in a short period of time: only 4 months to produce the whole album. But in the end I am very proud of what all of us accomplished together!

What are your thoughts on the mainstreaming of the techno/minimal sound? What effect do you think this will have on the music?

Getting a wider audience shouldn’t be a shame. Some artists manage to be mainstream, while still being very consistent and inspiring: Bjork, Bowie… I mean, being ‘mainstream’ is not a shame if you manage to be honest with yourself and remember your roots. I obviously don’t talk about these DJs trowing cakes in the crowd here! But, all in all, it’s a good thing to have more people being attracted by this kind of music.

How did Laurent Garnier influence you, and what do The Youngsters mean to you?

Laurent Garnier has been a big influence since his first album ‘Shot In The Dark‘. I remember when I heard this album for the very first time – it has possibly been one of the reasons why I decided to produce this kind of music. Being involved in his label F-Communications has been a great experience.

Vinyl or CDs? What’s your preference?

I am still a vinyl fetishist and I have quite a big collection. But honestly, music is the most important, no matter which medium you use. I don’t mind playing with CDs, USB sticks or computers… That’s definitely a wrong debate.

There are a lot of trends in electronic music. What are your thoughts on some of these trends, for instance slowing down BPMs?

I’ve just listened to a live set I did in 1999 which was running at 141 BPM – that’s scary. I wouldn’t survive that today. Slowing down BPMs can have a positive influence on the groove.

What type of performance equipment and staging do you generally use, and how is it transported, set up and ultimately disassembled?

My setup is very compact, as it’s becoming more and more difficult to travel with equipment every day.
Furthermore, interacting a lot with a compact easy setup is much better than getting lost with loads of gadgets and shit.
I basically use a laptop computer running Ableton Live, a couple of controllers (Native Instruments Maschine and an iPad running TouchOSC with my own templates), plus a master keyboard which I am using more and more to play and improvise. Next year I might decide to travel with a second laptop running more synths and synchronised visuals.

What determines an individual as a live performer?

No idea! But you definitely have to enjoy playing your own music, and connect with different kind of crowds.

How did you connect with Mobilee and how would you describe your collaboration with Anja Schneider and Ralf Kollmann?

That’s an old friendship. I met Anja and Ralf more than 10 years ago when I got invited to Anja’s radio show ‘Dance Under The Blue Moon’ in Berlin. Ralf & Anja were already deeply involved on the German music scene, throwing parties and so. We have always been in touch since then. And they helped me a lot when I launched my solo project. Sometimes life brings the right people on your path. They have been awesome artistic advisers and I’m so proud to be part of Mobilee nowadays. It’s not only a label, but also a wonderful family. I am sure people could feel this unity during our several showcases.

Tell us something about RoofTop sessions in Hotel Diagonal. What’s the plan?

I guess it’s all about showcasing our music in some of our favourite arrangements: an open air rooftop, with a great sound system, amazing view, and the people we like. I love to hear my music in this kind of arrangement.

Your plans for 2014?

Basically, I am gonna keep on touring and working in the studio – I am currently recording new material for mobilee. And possibly a new album for 2015. It’s gonna be a busy year.

The post Rodriguez JR Interview appeared first on Electronic Music.

Sonar 2013 was unlike anything that anyone could have imagined. Much more than just a four-day party, this year’s Sonar festival proved to be something that many in the electronic music scene spend years trying to find: an unforgettable experience.

The first day at Sonar 2013 kicked off with the beginning of the Sonar by Day lineup. The festival is divided into two main categories: Sonar by Day and Sonar by Night.

Later that day, UK composer and producer Gold Panda touched off his own incendiary live set. His style, which features a deceptively simple approach, fell right into line with the spirit of the Sonar Festival. Rather than focusing strictly on EDM, Sonar showcases a broad range of styles, from ambient down-tempo to nonstop party beats. Gold Panda brought his unique mixture of straightforward beats and lush, organic tones to bear at the Sonar Village showcase and the audience loved every second of it.

Without question, the star attraction of the second day of Sonar 2013 was the Kraftwerk 3D show at Sonar Club. Kraftwerk are legends in the music world because of their part in creating the electronic styles that were the precedent for all the performers of the day. Their seminal 1974 recording “Autobahn” brought vocoders, analogue synthesizers and live performance art to the masses. Over a career spanning four decades, Kraftwerk have always been at the forefront of the evolution of electronic music.

Their live 3D show was mind-blowing. It combined the best of their recordings with the modern technology that brought their sound to new life. Behind their 3D glasses, the audience was breathless as they took in the scintillating graphics and lights that pulsed to the synthesizer hooks and rhythmic beats. Sonar 2013 brought in visitors from over 90 countries and it’s a safe bet that the Kraftwerk 3D show had adoring fans from all over the globe that night.

Nicolas Jaar – Encore

Nicolas Jaar also took the stage over at the Sonar Lab performance area. The US artist has risen to prominence as a leader in the global music scene. Glowing reviews from music critics propelled Nicolas Jaar to a top spot on Resident Advisor’s list of the best live shows of the year. The close, technical atmosphere of the Sonar Lab space was a perfect fit for Jaar’s set. His minimal techno sound pulsed at 100 BPM and his on-the-fly vocal collages added texture and depth to the groove. The crowd was enthusiastic and showed their love.

The third day of Sonar 2013 was the culmination of excitement that had been growing since attendees first arrived. At 5 PM, over at the Sonar Pub area, Laurent Garnier closed out a thumping DJ set to a packed house. Garnier is a familiar face at Sonar. He spun tracks at the first Sonar festival 20 years ago and his mixes have only gotten better over the years. Garnier is world-renowned and is widely regarded as one of the most consistently excellent performers working today. His thrilling set included tracks from Klaus Nomi, Jeff Mills and Emmanuel Topp. Even though many in the audience were tired from a long day of dancing and partying at the Sonar Pub, they quickly found new energy as Laurent took the stage, rocking and grooving to the exquisite music selection.

At the same time as Laurent Garnier’s set, Chilean DJ Luciano was kicking things off over at the Sonar Club stage. Well-known and respected as a prime proprietor of microhouse and minimal styles, Luciano was also celebrating the 10th anniversary of the creation of his personal label, Cadenza. He spared no effort in his performance and the crowd quickly matched his energy and enthusiastic style. His set was all about solid grooves, with a no-frills approach that still left room for embellishments and his own artistic flair. As his set drew to a close, the crowd was left wanting more and they had instantly become addicted to this DJ’s unmatched style.

These two DJ sets had created a massive, exciting tone for the evening and that spirit was continued at the Sonar Lab when American DJ Seth Troxler kicked off his set. Troxler is a native of the birthplace of the techno sound: the clubs of Detroit. Seth was named the number one DJ on Resident Advisor’s 2012 list and the audience at Sonar Lab quickly learned why he won that acclaimed spot. His set featured his trademark style, which encompasses influences from classic to modern. The tracks he selected showcased his respect for all forms of dance music and the result was a set that had something for everyone.

Sonar by Night was closed off that night by a live performance from UK group Hot Natured. Their full-length show was an amazing display of their unparalleled songwriting abilities. They are set to release their new album and the crowd showed off their appreciation and anticipation for the new songs. There really was no better way to mark the closing of this legendary festival than the high-energy, anthemic sounds of Hot Natured.

All in all, the 20th anniversary of Sonar was an event to remember. Veterans of the festival and newcomers alike were enthralled from beginning to end. There was truly a sound for every taste, and no one left disappointed. Sonar is set to launch a festival in the US and and the Sonar creators are excited to announce new dates and locations in the coming year. For anyone who missed this year’s incredible performances, there is no reason to worry, as by all indications, Sonar is ready to grow, expand and it’s definitely one of the best festivals for electronic music in the world.

Many thanks to mr. Ivan Vilovski

The post Electronic Anniversary: On the Ground at Sonar 2013 appeared first on Electronic Music.