"The rumors of sexual misconduct that are circulating about me are completely untrue."
Following allegations of sexual misconduct that were shared on social media, Bassnectar has responded.
After an Instagram account called @evidenceagainstbassnectar started to gain traction online, the DJ and producer issued a statement to refute the alleged sexual misconduct. According to a report by Your EDM, Bassnectar posted a lengthy reply in a private Facebook fan group, which was distilled into a series of screenshots and circulated on social media. "The rumors of sexual misconduct that are circulating about me are completely untrue. I want to leave it at that, because it truly is that simple," Bassnectar wrote.
"I have never been involved in anything that was not absolutely, unequivocally consensual. During a time when high profile men are being called out for their violence against women, I am proud to be an ally of women and stand in solidarity with victims. Thank you to all those who are listening to real victims of abuse and standing to support women."
You can read his full statement in the screenshots below.
"In my 20s and 30s I was traveling constantly, and never felt like I had a permanent home. Most of the women I met were younger than me and in college, which at the time this did not seem strange or wrong or creepy," he continued. "We had a lot of fun together, and in most cases we shared a beautiful connection or lasting friendship. Looking back now, I simply wish I had never opened up to anyone I met on the road, because any relationship in that context had the potential to get complicated, misconstrued, or cause unintentional emotional harm to others."
Bassnectar also wrote that his team will be "offering a free therapy session specifically for anyone who feels like they need support and don't know how to get it." He also encouraged "anyone who needs this support" to reach out via email over the course of the next month, where only the women on his team will read and reply. According to Bassnectar, those women will "link you with a therapist to discuss your story of abuse and perhaps also to build aa long term plan for how you want to address it with friends or family or loved ones - or whatever you need."
Doubling down on his therapy-related course of action, Bassnectar published a follow-up statement on social media today, June 30th, 2020. "In response to the positive feedback in support of therapy for victims of sexual misconduct, we are offering scholarships for therapy via To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA)," he wrote before including an application link.
"I want to encourage anyone in our community to reach out for guidance or support - regardless of gender or sexual preference," he continued. "And if you are a man in a position of power, I want to encourage you to take an honest look at yourself, be open to learning from your mistakes, and how you can take accountability for them: there are many resources out there for you to improve yourself."
You can read his full statement from today, June 30th, 2020, below.
A serendipitous dubstep and gaming crossover has taken shape.
Excision and Borgore took to Twitter today to invite fans to join them for an impending Call of Duty: Modern Warfareromp. The "Friends vs. Fans" game is going down tomorrow, July 1st, via Borgore's Twitch channel.
Joining the dubstep dons for the competition are fellow bass music artists Benda, Ghastly, Hekler, and Wooli. If you want to join in on the fun, send an email to this address and include your Activision ID, and voilà, you're in.
The matchup will take place tomorrow, July 1st, 2020 from 4PM to 6PM PDT (7PM to 9PM ET) on Borgore's Twitch.
The engrossing music video for "This Is How" serves as an ideal companion to the original track, magnifying the mesmerizing undertones of the slow-burning melodic house ballad. Placed in a dystopian future, DVRKO travels through time in a DeLorean to infiltrate the fictitious "National Aerobics Championship." Mayhem ensues as he DJs atop a floating platform, which traverses the competition after engaging rocket boosters like a jetpack. The video also ends on a cliff-hanger, signaling more to come in terms of DVRKO's unique story.
Shrouded in mystery since the unveiling of his project, DVRKO continues to augment the allure of his tantalizingly shadowy brand with each mesmerizing release. With much more music on the horizon in 2020, it remains to be seen how much longer DVRKO can keep up his cloak-and-dagger operation before rumors begin to swirl surrounding his identity.
Until then, you can immerse yourself in the spellbinding music video for "This Is How" below.
The unique future bass and breakbeat hybrid features renowned British artist Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs.
Back in April 2020, ODESZA and Golden Features set the EDM world ablaze with the announcement of their collaborative project, BRONSON. The genesis of the BRONSON sent ripples through the community, which were only magnified following the debut of the powerhouse electronic outfit's first official music video, a hauntingly visceral visual for their single "HEART ATTACK (feat. lau.ra)."
BRONSON have now uncloaked their latest electronic masterstroke, a unique future bass and breakbeat hybrid called "DAWN" that features renowned British artist Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs. A 7-minute, 23-second journey through the peaks and valleys of BRONSON's gripping sound, "DAWN" oscillates between heart-pumping drum patterns and airy soundscapes reminiscent of M83 throughout its immaculate arrangement, which is imbued by TEED's hypnotic vocal flair.
"DAWN" will appear on BRONSON’s self-titled debut album due out on July 17th via Foreign Family Collective and Ninja Tune, which is currently available for pre-order. You can listen to the track in full below and find it on your favorite streaming platform here.
"My High" is a mouthwatering cut from the duo's highly anticipated third studio album.
The hype surrounding Disclosure's forthcoming Energy LP is on the cusp of bubbling over. As the duo prepares for the August 28th, 2020 release of their third studio album, they have dropped the curtain on one of its most ballyhooed collaborations.
The Grammy-nominated tandem today revealed Energy cut "My High," a rollicking hip-house tune featuring renowned British hip-hop artist slowthaiand blossoming "Caroline" rapper Aminé. In a press release issued to announce the track's unveiling, Disclosure waxed poetic about their desire to work with more rappers. "We always wanted to work with rappers, we just didn’t know any and we had no means of contacting them… there aren’t a lot of rappers in Reigate,” they said.
"Writing 'My High' with Aminé was a lot a fun, he’s hilarious and may as well be a comedian," they continued. "He writes so quickly and it’s amazing to watch. He brought so much energy to this already very energetic tune that when we got home to London in January, there was only one guy capable of matching it… slowthai.”
Disclosure also shared the official music video for "My High," which was shot before the onset of the pandemic in Mexico City and Los Angeles. You can watch the video, which was directed by French filmmaker Simon Cahn, below and listen to the single via your go-to streaming platform here.
Aminé and slowthai are just two of the distinguished artists set to make appearances on Disclosure's long-awaited LP, joining Kelis, Common, Kehlani, Mick Jenkins, and ChannelTres, among others. Fans can pre-order the record here, and those who do so will instantly receive "My High" plus the album's titular track.
RADIO.COM is encouraging responsible partying with its forthcoming broadcast.
In what looks more like the headlining roster of a major music festival, RADIO.COM has unveiled the lineup for its forthcoming "Party In Place" livestream event.
During the broadcast, RADIO.COM will be fundraising for their media partner When We All Vote, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization launched in 2018 by co-chairs Michelle Obama, Tom Hanks, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monae, Chris Paul, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw that aims to close the race and age voting gap.
Representatives also stated that the event will last three hours, so fans hoping for marathon sets must keep their expectations at bay. However, they can find solace in the fact that the artists may take advantage of their truncated performances to debut new music.
The "Party In Place" virtual concert will air across all RADIO.COM Alternative stations on Friday, July 3rd starting at 10PM ET (7PM PDT). You can also tune in on the RADIO.COM app.
The fest will feature Claude VonStroke, Krewella, SNBRN, and many more.
Following its postponement due to the impact of COVID-19, beloved Chicago music festival Spring Awakening is going virtual.
Organizers of the fest announced its foray into the digital concert space today via social media, announcing that virtual version of Spring Awakening will take place this weekend on July 4th and 5th. Moreover, they announced a lineup featuring a litany of dance music's finest artists.
Initially scheduled to take place June 12th to 14th, 2020, this year's iteration marked a milestone for Spring Awakening, as it was supposed to be the fest's 10th anniversary. Despite the cancellation of the in-person event, organizers are looking to the future.
"This is a massive opportunity for us to pilot a new business model for Spring Awakening that unifies a digital and in-real-life concert-viewing experience, and takes it from being a regional event to being truly national,” said Dermot McCormack, president of media company LiveXLive in a press release. "This year’s lineup and digital ticketing paired with additional perks for subscribers is just the beginning of the vision for the 10th Anniversary Spring Awakening in 2021.
The virtual version of Spring Awakening will air at 3PM CT (4PM ET) on July 4th and end on July 5th at 11:30PM CT (12:30AM ET). You can check out the full lineup below and find the livestreaming schedule here.
As Monstercat turns 9, the iconic label is celebrating with 90s-themed covers of tracks from Darude, Daft Punk, and more.
The illustrious, multi-genre label Monstercat is celebrating its 9th birthday. In honor of the occasion, the label is doing what they do best—bringing us new music. This time, however, Monstercat is throwing it way back to the 1990s for their latest compilation release.
The Monstercat - 9 Year Anniversary compilation album is comprised of six 90s covers by some of the label's most recognizable alumni. Pixel Terror whips up Darude's "Sandstorm" with vigorously pumping drums and added electro-house flare. Meanwhile, Half an Orange and Saxsquatch impressively prove they can bring the funk like Daft Punk with their cover of "Around the World." In its entirety, the record is fit for a 90s dance party, complete with contributions from Pegboard Nerds & Tia Simone, Grant, Stonebank & EMEL, and Rameses B.
First launching in 2011, Monstercat effectively holds the crown as Canada's largest independent electronic music label with hundreds of releases. The label has become home to some of electronic music's biggest hits over the years, including Marshmello's smash "Alone."
On July 1st, Monstercat will be playing the new compilation in full along with additional throwbacks you know and love in one continuous mix. You can watch the broadcast on Twitch this Wednesday at 1PM PDT (4PM ET).
Back on February 22nd, 2020, DJ Snake achieved a career milestone with his biggest performance to date. The multi-platinum producer put on a jaw-dropping show at the landmark Paris La Défense Arena to an audience upwards of 40,000 people. The show now holds the record for the largest single-day electronic dance music event in European history.
Of course DJ Snake had the performance filmed, but this footage isn't just going to be used for any old performance recap. “Le concert au cinéma” will be a full length cinematic experience giving fans from around the world the opportunity to relive that historic night. More than twenty cameras on-site captured the night's events.
Aside from performing his familiar smash hits "Turn Down For What," "Lean On," and "Let Me Love You," DJ Snake didn't hesitate to shake things up during that memorable evening. The French producer's recently released "Trust Nobody" did some serious damage when he dropped the (then unreleased) track on the fired-up crowd as they formed a massive "wall of death" in front of the stage.
DJ Snake's “Le concert au cinéma” premieres on August 27th. Tickets for the film will begin to go on sale July 2nd.
RADIO.COM is bringing top talent together for an unforgettable Independence Day celebration.
Dance music's biggest artists are taking to the airwaves this Fourth of July for a nationwide concert presented by RADIO.COM.
Fans can soundtrack their Independence Day with the beats of Summer Bash, featuring performances from Black Eyed Peas, Lil Jon, and a slew of dance music heavyweights.The lineup is in seemingly boundless supply of energy with sets from Diplo, Dillon Francis,Marshmello, and Steve Aoki, which are sure to make a splash. Meanwhile, Kygowill be rounding things out withsome peak summertime sounds of his own. Dance the night away with this A-list lineup by tuning in to your local RADIO.com pop station or by downloading the RADIO.com mobile app.
RADIO.COM Summer Bash Lineup
The three-hour summer concert will be supporting the nonpartisan charity When We All Vote, which aims to increase voter participation by closing the race and age voting gap. The Summer Bash broadcast kicks off at 7PM PDT (10PM ET) this Saturday, July 4th.
Less than a month after Switzerland's clubs reopened, a breakout has taken place at a Zurich venue.
Around 300 guests who attended the Flamingo Club in Zurich last week have been ordered to quarantine following their exposure to COVID-19.
The revelation that the club's attendees had been exposed to the virus came after one man, who was at the club on June 21st, tested positive several days later on June 25th. A group of five others who attended the club with the man have also reportedly tested positive. The quarantine period for all guests and staff who were at the venue will be ten days.
The news arrives less than a month after Switzerland's nightlife industry began its long-awaited reopening. Upon reopening, venues were conditionally instructed to operate at limited capacity with a maximum of 300 attendees. Social distancing rules, however, have been relaxed upon entry into the nation's clubs thus far.
A report by Deep Knowledge Group in June called Switzerland the safest country in the world during the COVID-19 pandemic. The country has effectively managed its case load and initially maintained strict lockdown procedures. However, cases are once again increasing as the country continues to reopen. Switzerland reopened its borders on June 15th and very recently permitted gatherings of 1,000 or more to once again take place.
Rumors are swirling around who exactly the mystery artist is.
Ty Dolla Sign took to social media yesterday to share a cryptic teaser for a forthcoming project with Skrillex, FKA Twigs, and a mystery artist.
Dolla Sign posted a teaser on Instagram in the form of an animated video along with the caption "7/1," leading fans to believe that he is releasing a powerhouse collaboration tomorrow. Animated versions of Dolla Sign and Twigs float in the air before two additional cartoons materialize—a human, who clearly resembles Skrillex, and a snake, who is purportedly experimental pop artist serpentwithfeet. Noticeably absent, however, is a blurred out fifth cartoon next to Dolla Sign.
Rumors have been swirling around this project for quite some time, and the Instagram post sent fans into an unbridled fever pitch regarding the unnamed fifth collaborator. Many believe that it is Kanye West considering a track tentatively titled "Ego Death," which surfaced after his widely publicized "Wyoming Sessions," was premiered live by Dolla Sign in early 2019. You can watch a clip below.
Her "Beyond the Senses" EP from summer 2019 earned the hardware.
At the age of 24, bass music wunderkind REZZ has taken home her second JUNO Award for "Electronic Album of the Year." The first time Space Mom won the award was back in 2018, when her debut album Mass Manipulation took the prize. This time around, it was her scintillating Beyond the Senses EP that took the crown at the 2020 iteration of the illustrious Canadian award ceremony.
Beyond the Senses was released in summer 2019 and received critical acclaim. Staying true to her genre-shattering ways, REZZ dropped the project in July and stunned with a six-track song-cycle of hypnotic, gritty bass music anthems.
The EP is a pristine example of her forward-thinking sound, which further pushed the envelope of the midtempo genre she helped to popularize. Released independently, the record also featured collaborations with Deathpact, EDDIE, Sayer, The Rigs, and Grammy Award-nominated rock outfit Underoath.
You can listen to Beyond the Senses below and congratulate REZZ via the social links beneath the stream.
Fans are now questioning the club's commitment to safety.
Local authorities recently shut down a 130-person party at the Ibiza nightclub Amnesia. The club was not permitted to host parties as local law states that Balearic Island venues with a capacity of over 300 may not open due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Early Sunday morning, nearby residents called local authorities and reported that there was a party inside Amnesia. Police discovered that there were 130 people inside and that they were not social distancing or wearing masks. Spanish newspaper EL PAÍS reported that authorities have filed a complaint against Amnesia's owner for not abiding by the safety guidelines instated due to COVID-19. The owner of the club responded to the report and said that the party was private and not open to the public.
Some fans have questioned their commitment to safety after news of the undisclosed event took place, as the private party occurred days after the club's promoters announced that they would be canceling all events in July. They go on to mention that there will be another review next month which might lead to a change in the current regulations.
Hercules DJ's newest product is a convenient, intuitive controller perfect for any skill level.
DJ controllers come in all shapes and sizes, and cater to many different skill levels. Navigating these various products with a multitude of knobs, faders, jogwheels, and buttons can get confusing and picking out the perfect DJ controller can be a challenge for any DJ, regardless of experience. Enter Hercules.
Conceived in the analog era, Herculeshas been a standard in the music scene for over 30 years and has continued to innovate and improve their products for DJs, with a focus on beginners. Their latest product, the DJControl Inpulse 500 provides a fluid and enjoyable experience that works just as well for DJs on the first step of their journey as it does for those who have been rocking gigs for years.
The DJControl Inpulse 500 expands upon previous models, the 200 and 300. All of the Inpulse models cater to beginner DJs, with built-in features that help aspiring DJs move from the sync button to real-time beat matching. The Inpulse 500 retains those features, but boasts more compatibility that seeks to move users from bedroom to venue.
Built-in streaming compatibility comes at the perfect time, with many DJs shifting to the livestream format as venues and concert halls remain closed amid the pandemic. The Inpulse 500 comes standard with both Serato Pro compatibility and DJUCED, Hercules' own in-house mixing software, ensuring that users find the perfect fit for their mixing needs. Among the other features is compatibility with even more external sources via a dual RCA input or a 3.5mm stereo mini-jack as a backup or as an extra source of music, complete with an AUX filter for that input, which could be just as useful as a backup as it could for rocking a house party on the go. The Inpulse 500's retractable feet also protect the device against spills, which can be rampant at those very parties.
Streaming support via SoundCloud GO+ or TIDAL Serato integration guarantees that users can find the exact track that's perfect for their set at any time. MCs can also be included in any set with the Inpulse 500's micro input, which is fully equalizer-enabled and features its own VUmeter.
The Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500 is sleek and intuitive, making it easy to use and a great tool for perfecting the art of the DJ mix. It's also Hercules' largest DJ controller to date, with a professional, industry-quality look that sits nicely among virtually any other DJ controller in the business.
The Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500 releases on July 3rd, 2020. Pre-orders can be placed here.
The Croatian festival is set to host performances from ARTBAT, Honey Dijon, Paco Osuna, and more.
Despite most of the world's festivals being canceled or postponed due to COVID-19, Croatia's BSH Island Festival isslated to operate as normal in early July. At the roughly 4,000 person event, festivalgoers will be able to enjoy performances from ARTBAT, Paco Osuna, Richy Ahmed, Honey Dijon, and more.
A spokesperson for the festival has shared that they have sold more than 1,500 tickets in record time. Even though sales are happening at a record pace, fans have questioned if the festival will go on despite the ongoing pandemic. Organizers shared a response to those questions in the form of a statement in the Facebook event page letting attendees know that the show is still on.
After ensuring the public that the event will happen, BSH Events briefed them on some of the safety practices that will be implemented. They stated that there will be masks for all attendees, temperature checks at the entrance, hand sanitizer, and lots of open-air space for social distancing.
BSH Island Festival takes place July 9th to 12th at NOA Beach Club in Pag, Croatia. For more information and to purchase tickets, you can visit their official website here.
The Walking Dead star and Dim Mak founder joined forces to try to put a stop to Costco's sale of caged eggs abroad.
Steve Aoki has penned an open letter with The Walking Dead's Eleanor Matsuura calling for the end of Costco's sale of caged eggs in Asia. Directed to the grocery chain's CEO, W. Craig Jelinek, the actress and EDM star state how caged egg sales violate the company's own animal welfare policy and put Asian customers at risk of food-borne illness. They follow up the second point with links to studies that have shown that caged egg farms have higher rates of salmonella contamination than cage-free facilities.
Caged eggs are not sold in their western stores, but are still on sale in Asia. In a segment of the letter shared by Showbiz Cheat Sheet, the two stars state how Asian customers should be treated the same as their western counterparts and that their current practices are "unacceptable."
Just as others did so eloquently five years ago, we feel the need to speak out today to say what Costco should already know: Asian customers deserve the same level of food safety and quality as customers in the west. And a double standard of touting animal welfare at home but embracing the cruelest factory farming processes abroad is unacceptable.
In the conclusion of the letter, they call upon the company to set an end date for the sale of caged eggs in Asia. Aoki and Matsuura then state that by updating its practices, the company is doing what's best for both its Asian customers and the caged hens. You can read Eleanor Matsuura and Steve Aoki's letter to Costco in its entirety below.
Defqon.1 at Home may have earned the title of MVP of quarantine livestreams.
Earlier in the month of June, fabled hardstyle event brand Q-dance announced its foray into the virtual concert space with its "Defqon.1 at Home" livestream event. Since it was the first time in 18 years that Q-dance was unable to host its famed Defqon.1 festival, hardstyle fans had high hopes for the stream.
The livestream, which took place last weekend, did not disappoint in the slightest. Organizers pulled out all the stops for Defqon.1 at Home, erecting a festival-grade stage for its performances, decked out to the nines with polychromatic lasers and pyrotechnics. Over the course of the three-day event, many of the most renowned producers in hardstyle graced the stage, including Coone, DaTweekaz, DJIsaac, and Headhunterz.
The conclusion of the event was marked by a dazzling closing ritual set to the tune of Queen's iconic 1991 track "The Show Must Go On," which you can watch in full below.
In an ensuing blog post, organizers reminisced on the momentous livestream event, which they characterized as a "rare chapter in the history of Defqon.1." You can read the full post below.
Dear Weekend Warriors,
The last three days mark a rare chapter in the history of Defqon.1. We’ve witnessed extreme levels of dedication and unity in a world that doesn’t allow us to physically connect with each other. From the crazy energy of the Zoom Room and the countless comments in the chat and on social media to the thousands of Q-dance Quiz participants: you guys have shown us that the power of an orange heart can conquer all. It’s been a journey that we’ll never forget and we’re extremely grateful to have you as our fans.
It is our deepest desire to soon be reunited again. For without you, we are lost. That’s why we have a special message. A message for our community and for the rest of the world.
THE SHOW MUST GO ON.
Please share this message and video with everyone you know.
SM1LO are back with their latest dance pop earworm.
New Jersey-based electronic duo SM1LO are back with their latest radio-ready earworm, the slow-burning "Counting Days (feat. Sara Ray)." "Counting Days" is a melodic house jam that combines pop sensibilities with a foot-tapping four-on-the-floor rhythm, delivering a bubbly electronic hybrid that should lift spirits amid the COVID-19-induced melancholia.
SM1LO did a fantastic job melding the velvety vocals of Sara Ray with their warm sound to create a sun-kissed tune at the onset of summer. While were unable to go to live concerts and dance our worries away, the single serves as a timely reminder that better days are on the horizon, and we should all be counting them down.
In addition to the radio edit of "Counting Days," SM1LO also released a mammoth official remix from fellow Tri-state area producer Tensteps, who took the track into the stratosphere with a soaring trance rendition.
Unannounced and unaware, fans were stunned to see the illustrious Erykah Badu take the stage at the Coyote Drive-In in Fort Worth, Texas over the weekend. Considering Rebillet never has a setlist and improvises each and every performance, creating every track on the spot, fans were blown away at how seamlessly the two artists collaborated. As you can see from the short clip below posted on Twitter, the duo had a lot of fun letting loose during a time where there are almost no concerts.
The featured clip is quite short, but those who weren't able to make it to the Texas outing might be in luck as he has been known to post full clips from his past performances. When replying to fans online, he shared how much of an honor it was to take the stage with a legendary act like Badu and how she was actually his first musical guest to join him onstage.
Marc Rebillet just finished his monthlong run last night after his performance in Houston. After one of his earlier shows, he shared how much the tour meant to him in the comment section of one of his now-viral songs. "I am seriously having the best fucking time on the road, y’all...getting to be around you and playing these shows has restored my faith in humanity," he exulted. "And I know how lucky I am, especially at a time like this. It’s a true privilege to be able to make stupid shit up for you night after night! Anyway, more to come soon. Love you."
The three-track release cements Decadon's place among dubstep's hottest new talent and is a worthy tribute to his late father.
Denver-based musician Decadon is one of bass music's brightest rising stars. He's proven that sentiment time and time again with his unique blend of hard rock guitar riffs and relentless bass sounds. Now, he's back to cement his title as The Don with a new EP of the same name.
Decadon's latest is a heavy-hitter by all accounts, showcasing his talent for creating genre-bending earworms and bringing forth something new to the realm of dubstep. His The Don EP represents some of his best work to date.
EP opener "Say Hello" kicks things off in a big way with one of cinema's most recognizable quotes from Scarface and an energy that lets us know that The Don isn't playing around. The guitar riffs in the buildup do the same before the bass drops into an all-out assault on the senses. Title track "The Don" features hip-hop verses from Atarii, furthering the unique blend of genres and lending even more ferocity to the EP. Trappy, stuttered hihats and another catchy guitar riff generate intensity before the drop, which pulls no brass-knuckled punches.
Horns and strings create what sounds like an epic film score in "Like That," The Don's closing track. Grinding wobbles and a chopped and screwed vocal sample move this heater along. Another vocal sample beckons, "Let's run it again," mirroring exactly what notion listeners will be feeling at the end of the EP.
"This record means so much to me," said Decadon, who tragically lost his father on Valentine's Day this year. "It’s been written at a time where not only my own personal world has been shaken, but the entire world has been standing still."
Decadon has dedicated The Don to Don Miller Jr.'s memory. "I hope it puts a smile on everyone’s face who listens," he said. The EP has provided him with a therapeutic means of grieving while heralding a new era for his sound. It's a worthy tribute to Miller Jr. indeed, and paints a vivid picture of what's to come from Decadon.
The duo took to Twitter to call on their fans to provide suggestions for the post-pandemic fest.
As many local governments continue to navigate the painful process of reopening their nightlife and hospitality industries, many artists, promoters, venue owners, and music industry professionals are looking to the future. Enter SLANDER, the barnstorming future bass and dubstep duo who took to social media this morning to announce their plans of hosting their own "Melodic Bass Festival" after the COVID-19 pandemic.
SLANDER took to Twitter to announce the fest, writing, "When the pandemic is over we’ll be starting our own Melodic Bass Festival!" They also said the festival's theme will be "outer space" and called on fans to drop in with suggestions for the event's official name and artists to book. They also said that whichever fan proposes the name they end up choosing as the official title will receive free passes for life.
SLANDER's plans to host their own post-pandemic music festival could serve as a harbinger for other artists with similar intentions. As of the time of writing, they have not divulged any more information about the festival, including dates, artists, or even an official name. You can check out their announcement below.
Join us tomorrow for a massive livestream featuring MYRNE, Icona Pop, GATTÜSO, Anabel Englund, and Dipha Barus.
Ultra Musichas partnered with Pioneer DJ to bring you a mammoth livestream event tomorrow, June 30th, hosted by EDM.com. Featuring five exclusive performances, the "Ultra Music x Pioneer DJ Takeover" event will benefit the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund, which supports those in the music community experiencing the pitfalls of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kicking off the stream will be rising Indonesian DJ Dipha Barus, who will start the party at 4PM PDT (7PM ET). Dual threat DJ and singer Anabel Englund will then take the virtual stage before blossoming New York-based producer GATTÜSO, who is fresh off the release of a gargantuan collaboration with Laidback Luke. Famed Swedish duo Icona Pop will follow with their sun-kissed electropop sound before Singaporean star MYRNE closes out the stream having recently unveiled the lead single from his forthcoming Wandering EP.
You can RSVP to the "Ultra Music x Pioneer DJ Takeover," which will debut at 4PM PDT (7PM ET) tomorrow, June 30th, here.
The remix bundle will arrive right before July 4th for an Independence Day treat.
Back in the month of March, Seven Lions unveiled his highly anticipated Find Another Way EP, offering up a beautiful 5-track project chock full of the typically rapturous sound synonymous with the melodic dubstep and trance kingpin.
Seven Lions has now announced that a full remix package for Find Another Way is en route, arriving this Friday, July 3rd via his own Ophelia Records imprint. He took to Twitter to announce the exciting news, writing, "It's been amazing sharing the Find Another Way EP with you all, and stoked that all the remixes I've been playing over all the livestreams will officially be out this Friday on [Ophelia Records]."
Seven Lions has been teasing the remixes in many of his recent live sets, like his recent performance at the EDC Las Vegas Virtual Rave-A-Thon. You can watch him drop what is ostensibly an official remix of "Another Way (with April Bender)" at that livestream event here.
You can pre-save the remix bundle here ahead of its official release this Friday, July 3rd.
The enigmatic producer is back after making serious noise in the EDM realm with his debut single in May.
Enigmatic electronic producer DVRKO has stepped out of the shadows for his sophomore release, the soaring future bass jam "Lights Up." The single follows the anonymous artist's debut release back in May 2020, "This Is How," a sultry house tune featuring Sarah de Warren.
With its poignant lyrical elements and anthemic sound design, "Lights Up" offers a beautiful dance pop tune while reinforcing the halo of mystery surrounding DVRKO. Inspired by personal experiences in toxic relationships, the track's top-line serves not as a wistful reminder of love lost, but as a buoyant reminder about redemption. DVRKO employs melancholic guitar plucks and spacey soundscapes throughout the lush arrangement, which ultimately culminates in a euphoric drop featuring warm future bass saws and soaring falsettos.
As the mystery of DVRKO continues to mount, you can get familiar with him via the links below and stream "Lights Up" on your favorite platform here.
With over 65 separate worlds to explore and almost 1,000 artists to see, Rave Family Block Fest is the most ambitious video game and EDM crossover to date.
With each passing weekend, social media memories wistfully remind us of the music festivals we’re missing out on due to the ongoing global health crisis. Without concerts, nearly everyone in the music industry is struggling to make ends meet. Many artists, promoters, and organizations are thinking outside the box to give fans a way to experience live music once again and to help artists recoup some missing revenue. We’ve seen dozens of livestreamed festivals, drive-in concert tours, and special recorded performances from unique places.
Thinking outside the box, or should we say block, is Rave Family with the introduction of their new music experience, Rave Family Block Fest. Next month, concertgoers will log into the world of Minecraft for a musical experience beyond the scope of anything we’ve seen before. While this is not the first Minecraft-hosted festival to hit the scene, Rave Family Block Fest is by far the biggest and most ambitious of the bunch.
We had the pleasure of sitting down with the CEO of Rave Family, Jackie McGuire, to discuss the mega-event and get a behind-the-scenes look at how they plan to pull off this ambitious technical feat.
BEHIND THE BLOCKS
With an extensive background in both the technology and the EDM industries, McGuire and co. are no strangers to both URL and IRL events. Although Rave Family is not yet a household name, you might have crossed paths with them before. In the past, they provided infrastructure for real-life music festivals in the form of general stores or silent discos. They also worked hand-in-hand with medical teams to provide tranquil areas for those who need to give their body or mind a break and even host big parties inside the festival campgrounds themselves.
McGuire’s kids, like many around the world, are big fans of Minecraft. Considering their parents are technical wizards, they had their very own server to play with their friends on. Due to frequent crashes, McGuire moved their server to the cloud, which inspired a bold idea to host a little event in the game.
Spoiler Alert: the event is far from little.
With the entire team sharing a passion for music and saying that music festivals and the community surrounding them changed their lives for the better combined with the fact that they have immense experience with scaling cloud servers, the event grew and grew and grew into the behemoth it is today.
When speaking on why she started Rave Family, McGuire explained how going to festivals opened up her worldview and helped her to meet new people. "There are a lot of people in the world who only ever interact with the same small group of people, and the more people you get to meet and interact with the more you realize that we’re all a lot more the same then we are different," she told EDM.com. "That was something that I really felt I got out of music and I wanted to provide to other people."
THE FESTIVAL
Block Fest Video (; 2:25)
Previous Minecraft concerts have typically featured one or two stages and usually a dozen or so artists. Rave Family Block Fest will feature over 65 stages and more than 950 artists in what is primed to be the largest event the game has ever seen in terms of scale. With nearly 1,000 performers across a staggering number of genres, including dubstep, techno, house, trance, and even jam bands, this might be the only festival that can actually say “there’s something for everyone” and mean it. The lineup poster has more text on it than some short stories, but while reading you might have noticed that there are no tiers, phases, or headliners and that every act is in alphabetical order and sized the same.
When speaking with McGuire, we learned that this was not due to style or spacing constraints. It was done intentionally to treat all artists equally and combat some of the gatekeeping involved with getting booked for a show. "When we were booking this festival, I didn’t care who I was talking to," she said. "Be it nobody or somebody, our lineup poster is alphabetical order and everyone is the same size. If that’s a problem, we’re not the company for you to work with.”
The stages are primarily hosted by artists or labels and their construction was led by fans, staff, or even many of the artists themselves. Don’t let the word “stages” make you think that these are simply recreations of a standard raised platform with turntables, though. The stages featured at Rave Family Block Fest are anything but basic, encapsulated in their own entrancing worlds with much to do and explore. Essentially, you won’t just spawn into a room with a stage and dancefloor—you’ll spawn into a pixelated paradise with space stations, meteors, aliens, and otherworldly views to explore.
Another area features a replica of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, Inc. from The Office with an added underground warehouse stage for artists to take the decks. For the in-person concert aficionados in attendance, organizers have even included a replica of the world-famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre. In addition to having a place to virtually dance and listen to tunes, these worlds are meant to be explored and interacted with. There will be minigames, secret areas, easter eggs, and more included across the 65 stages, so, like a real festival, there will be more to do than just watch the performances.
BUILDING A DIGITAL UTOPIA
When players log into Rave Family Block Fest, they will spawn into the main festival hub. From there, they’re welcome to meet up with their friends, plan their journey, or simply explore the large area chock full of pop-culture references, activities, and more. After a tour of the gargantuan festival grounds, our heads were spinning with not only how much substance was packed in, but also the meticulous level of detail. In an effort to make exploration simple, there are giant replicas of the TARDIS from Doctor Who scattered around that let players easily teleport from one area to another.
On the technical side of things, the organizers have exactly the right background to operate an event of this scale. Spearheaded by McGuire, who just so happens to have delivered the winning pitch at the 2018 iteration of the prestigious tech competition TechCrunch Disrupt, the team has an extensive background in virtual reality, augmented reality, and more. This has allowed them to use their knowledge to organize the event in such a way that makes an event of this scale possible while providing a lag-free experience.
This is done by hosting the festival on many different servers with each stage being its own entity and implementing a load balancer rather than using just one large server. For our experienced Minecraft readers, McGuire informed us that Rave Family Block Fest will be using a paper server rather than commonly used spigot servers, which will drastically increase performance. In addition to the server structure, when building the grounds, they’ve avoided the use of in-game building materials that are known to cause latency issues, which they state will create a smoother experience for all. Don’t let the idea of multiple servers scare you—players will not be forced to back out and reconnect the game multiple times, as all of the servers are connected through teleportation pads that make travel as easy as a mouse click.
Since the Minecraft application does not allow you to host in-game audio, Rave Family Block Fest partnered with Mixcloud Live to host legal DJ sets. As a result, every set will be cleared and the holders of the featured songs will be paid. Seeing as there are almost 1,000 performances, many of the stages and their respective artists will be playing their sets two times per day in order to help ease scheduling conflicts.
CONTINUOUS ECOSYSTEM
A typical barrier to entry for Minecraft-hosted events is access to the game. Although livestreamed festivals are often free and require no download, the experience is limited when compared to an interactive environment. McGuire has taken the cost of the game into consideration and has shared with us that she intends to host monthly iterations of Rave Family Block Fest and create a continuous space for digital rave squads to party while in COVID-19-induced lockdown. She explained how after the initial outing, they intend on keeping things fresh month to month while also giving artists the ability to transform their personal spaces.
"The plan is to do one of these once a month," said McGuire. "So each month, we’re going to build a new main festival area and then the artists can continue to change and improve on their individual servers. So if they have a record coming out and they wanted to do a different theme, they can. It’s going to be this whole ecosystem that exists until we go to live shows again."
Fortunately, Minecraft is the best-selling game of all time, so many potential attendees already own the game. If one does not own a copy, the full version only costs $30 and is genuinely a fantastic game that can be enjoyed even without an EDM crossover event.
As reported earlier in the month, the festival’s original name was Electric Blockaloo. This was inspired by the movie Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo and the movement behind the film but was changed due to an extremist group taking on a similar name. Alongside the name change, the date of the festival was pushed back two weeks, as Minecraft recently released a massive update that will require organizers to implement some compatibility updates. Rave Family has stated that while they are sad to push back the festival, it was a necessary move that will help ensure a better experience for players.
Another roadblock arrived when allegations of sexual assault were made against one of the festival's performers, Space Jesus, who was to host his own stage. After Space Jesus publicly responded, McGuire took action. "If there's one thing that we can say for sure about 2020, it's that people are done being silent," she told us. "In that spirit, I want to unequivocally state that Space Jesus and the Moon Dot stage will not be a part of our festival."
"If you see or hear about someone doing something wrong and you do nothing about it, you are complicit, which applies to many of the injustices that we are facing in the world," she continued. "I applaud the people who have spoken out and can only hope that more will feel empowered to do so when they see real action being taken. As a company, we will continue to believe and stand by anyone who speaks their truth, and we will continue to try to lift up the voices of those who have been silenced for too long."
THE FUTURE OF DIGITAL EVENTS
What started as a gathering for a couple of friends has grown from a small snowball to a Titanic-sinking iceberg in no time. What Rave Family is creating is beyond anything we’ve seen from gaming and EDM crossovers to date. Rather than just a virtual performance space, with the inclusion of mini-games and a bevy of futuristic worlds to explore, they’ve created what is essentially a music festival MMO equally enjoyed by ravers and gamers alike. With the promise of monthly gatherings, artists being paid for their performances, all of the music being cleared and legal, and more, McGuire’s premonition that this festival will change digital events as we know it seems like a surefire bullseye.
Rave Family Block Fest takes place July 9th to 12th inside Minecraft. Tickets are on sale now. For more information on how to join in on the fun and to purchase tickets for yourself and squad, head over to their official website here.
EDM DJs and producers benefit from learning how to play an instrument before they dive into the world of music production. Even basic knowledge of an instrument can help!
Benefits of playing an instrument
Playing an instrument allows you to gain a better understanding of musical theory. An instrument allows you to have a tactile and visual way to learn musical concepts. Knowing musical concepts can help you make better compositions.
Not to mention, learning an instrument also gives you a better ear and learn how to analyze musical pieces. This can help you gain a better understanding of melody instead of just producing by ear. For example, knowing how to play an instrument can help you learn the chords of a scale. So when you are producing something, and it doesn’t sound correct, you can figure out which scale you’re in and determine which chords you should be using.
Playing an instrument can also help your creativity and inspiration. Many people also believe that playing an instrument helps boost their mood and increase their focus, both of which can fuel your creativity.
Best instruments for EDM producers
Once you’ve decided to learn an instrument, you might wonder which instruments are most popular for producers. You want to learn an instrument that allows you to develop a strong sense of rhythm.
Drums are a popular choice since drums are all about rhythm and beats. Knowing how to drum could help you better learn to hand-program beats as a producer. However, while there are many benefits to knowing how to drum, learning how to play the drums is a commitment.
Playing the piano also allows you to develop a strong sense of rhythm. Not to mention, knowing how to play the piano can benefit you as a songwriter. Many producers use the piano as a way to develop a song structure before moving to the production studio.
Finally, learning how to play the guitar or the bass can also be beneficial since EDM music requires a strong bassline.
Learning how to play an instrument
Once you’ve chosen your instrument, decide whether or not you want to take a class to help you learn how to play that instrument or if you would prefer to teach yourself.
Taking a class is a way to quickly learn how to play while also receiving feedback from a skilled musician, but classes can be expensive. Plus, they are also a time commitment, which can be challenging if you’re working a full-time job.
If you teach yourself, it might take longer, but you can use free online tutorials on Youtube to learn the basics. Once you’re ready to advance, there are websites that allow you to get the chords of popular songs. Check out this guide about getting chords online.
No matter which route you take, just make sure you’re ready for the commitment of regularly practicing your instrument. Mastering an instrument takes time, but even knowing the basics can help.
Moving on to EDM production
While you’re learning how to play an instrument, you can also start mastering the basics of EDM production. For example, you’re going to want to learn more about what type of software you need and whether or not you have the right technology.
Producers use Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) to produce music. While there are some expensive DAWs out there, there are also more cost-efficient options for beginners. Many beginners start with GarageBand since it is free and is fully equipped with basic functions.
Starting to familiarize yourself with a DAW is a great way to begin mastering the basics. Even just playing around with different sounds and learning about all the features of a DAW can help. There are also online videos that can help you master the basics of your DAW software. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you’re ready to begin applying all of your knowledge into music production.
Final thoughts
If you’re interested in EDM production, start by mastering the basics of an instrument such as the drums, piano, or guitar. At the same time, however, there is nothing wrong with learning how to use a Digital Audio Workstation. Learning the basics of an instrument will only help you become a better EDM producer.
Claude VonStroke, TOKiMONSTA, CloZee, and more are scheduled to take the stage at the August 2020 event.
While many festivals around the world are being canceled due to COVID-19, the Tennessee gathering, Deep Tropics, is moving forward with its plan for an August event. Doubling down on their objective to open doors two months from now, organizers have released the lineup for the third iteration of the festival. This year’s fest will features performances from Dirtybird boss Claude VonStroke, CloZee, TOKiMONSTA, Whethan, and more.
On the festival's website, organizers have laid out their plan for hosting a safe festival during the ongoing pandemic. They have stated that they will be complying with all local and state guidelines, limiting capacity to the event and checking the temperature of employees and patrons, among other measures. The page outlining their safety practices can be found on their website here.
Although the festival has sold out of its first tier of tickets, many fans and Nashville locals have questioned its safety and expressed concerns over hosting a large-scale event in the middle of a global health crisis.
Deep Tropics is scheduled to take place on August 28th and 29th at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park in Nashville, Tennessee. Those looking for more information or to purchase tickets to the end-of-summer event can visit their website here.
NGHTRE’s debut album is on the way, so we want to hear who your dream collaborator is.
Fans were left reeling after NGHTMRE recently casually teased the existence of his debut album. While he didn't share much, it's interesting to note that he mentioned it will be a fully cohesive body of work with each song flowing into the next and that it will represent his artistic vision perfectly. While we count down the seconds to its release, we'll have to be patient, as he said there's still a lot that has to be done before it drops.
In honor of the exciting news, we want to hear from you. Which producer should NGHTMRE collaborate with on his debut album? Choose one of the selections or add your own to the poll below.
After partnerships with Amazon and Postmates, the duo gave "Be Kind" the music video treatment.
Marshmello and Halsey have released a colorful music video for their single "Be Kind." With the EDM superstar only in the video for a couple of seconds, the spotlight is on Halsey. Playing on themes of escapism and wanderlust, the duo uses green screens to show her journey into an animated world.
The video starts out with the superstar singer-songwriter in a bleak, warehouse-esque environment dancing by herself. Her world then begins to shift when she picks up a flower and is transported to a cherry blossom-filled city and park with picturesque vegetation.
The vibrant voyage was directed by one of Halsey's frequent collaborators, Hannah Lux Davis. In addition to "Be Kind," Davis also helmed the videos for Halsey's songs "Nightmare" and "Alone" (not to be confused by the Marshmello song of the same title).
Shortly after the release of "Be Kind," the duo teamed up with Postmates to donate to delivery drivers working during the COVID-19 pandemic. Shortly after that, they joined forces with Amazon to give their "thoughts of the day" to fans who own an Amazon Alexa-enabled device.
"Be Kind" by Marshmello and Halsey was released on May 1st, 2020. You can download or stream the duo's springtime single here.
The EDM icon is serving up a special performance for his hometown on Canada Day.
deadmau5 is set to deliver a special hometown performance in honor of Canada Day 2020. For this year's event, the city of Niagara Falls is hosting a special virtual celebration due to in-person gatherings being restricted in the name of public health. Headlining the event is none other than the helmeted EDM icon himself. The city also promises virtual fireworks, games, prizes, additional musical guests, and a variety of special programming.
The city of Niagara Falls' virtual Canada Day party takes place on Wednesday, July 1st at 9AM and 6PM EST on the city's official YouTube channel and on select local Canadian TV channels. For more information on the event, you can check out the official website here.
