In Interview with Darius Syrossian: Flashlight
As he marks his fourth full release on Hot Creations with Flashlight, we interview leading UK talent Darius Syrossian about the release and its influences which date back to ’90s U.S. House sounds.
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Ant LaRock Calls BK Brooklyn Album “At Home House”
For New York-based artist Ant LaRock BK Brooklyn introduces a different essence of house music, an “at-home house” type of grooves. In the present socially isolated day, the album brings the unique Brooklyn color and hustle to everyone at home. This is truly an album of the new decade.
Raving During COVID-19: Are DJs Compromising Club and DIY Culture?
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: raving during COVID-19. At the start of COVID-19 the dance music community came together and found alternate solutions to live music events. Necessity is the mother of invention and many quickly became tech experts. From DJs to promoters, they flooded the virtual gates hosting live streams through various channels. However, after almost six months since lockdown first started, it seems as if many have had enough of these pseudo-get-togethers, including some big-name DJs.
Side Hustles Artists Can Leverage When Not Touring
The coronavirus pandemic has impacted artists income from touring in a big way, and this is where side hustles come in handy.
While it may be a while before artists see those income streams fully return, there are alternative ways to earn income that are becoming popular. Namely, there are a ton of opportunities in the freelance economy.
It’s also known as the collaborative or sharing economy — which sounds nicer and gives a clearer picture of what freelance work involves. Creative side hustles are a great way to tide yourself over until you can get back on the road.
Sculpting Sound: Robert Babicz’s Music Leads to Happy Accidents
Imagine seeing sound and hearing color. Pretty wild, right? Those “superpowers,” or better known as synesthesia, have shaped Robert Babicz‘s music. People with synesthesia have a neurological condition in which information meant to stimulate one of your senses stimulates several of your senses. It could be “seeing” music as colors when hearing it or “tasting” textures like “round” or “pointy” when eating food. Translating his rare gift of synaesthesia, his ability to see music and hear color has helped Babicz create “happy accidents” for almost 30 years. The seasoned producer and live act, known for sporting a red scarf while performing, shares how he’s improvised his music to sculpt sounds that bring joy to others.
Insolate Plays First Live Event in Croatia Since Lockdown & Tells Why Adapting Is Key to Success
Emotions ran high at the first TRAUM event since quarantine started. One of Croatia’s leading techno artists Insolate played the country’s first live event this past June. Born Suncica (Sunny) Barisic, Insolate’s return to the decks and dance floor was powerful. “This was so emotional for me to have [an] event after so many months. Finally, everybody was just waiting for this thing to happen…it was super emotional,” says the DJ and producer. Hosting a city’s, let alone country’s, first event in months is something most DJs are dreaming about since COVID-19’s lockdown. Insolate, whose real name translated from Croatian into English means sunshine, has become one of the leading names in global techno. Keeping her perspective fresh on life and music, she shares why adapting is so important not only in the music industry but in life.
Malta Doctors Threaten Strike if Mass Events Including The BPM Festival Are Not Canceled
Time of Malta reports that The Medical Association of Malta has sent a stern declaration of dispute to the Health Ministry, threatening industrial actions if permits for mass events and parties on the island, which include plans for a massive BPM Festival edition, are not canceled by Monday.
This is just one of a number of demands contained in the declaration. The doctors’ union has specified that as from Monday, it will be instructing members to only perform emergency operations should the island’s Government not address their demands.
Amsterdam’s De School Is Permanently Closing Due to Pandemic
One of the world’s leading underground nightclubs, Amsterdam’s De School is permanently closing.
Today, club co-owner Jochem Doornbusch released a statement detailing how the Coronavirus pandemic has made the survival of the club financially impossible. “The bottom line is that the debts are piling up,” he stated. “Not only because of the uncovered staff cost, but also the other ongoing costs. Acting now and making this very difficult decision may prevent the total bankruptcy of our company Post CS (11, TROUW).” In the statement, Doornbusch does note that the bar, restaurant and terrace will remain open.
TOKiMONSTA Urges for Greater Inclusivity & Calls for Mentorship
TOKiMONSTA isn’t afraid to get loud. Urging for greater inclusivity, she’s amplifying the power of her voice via social media to make noise. “I was never one to state my opinions on society outwardly. It wasn’t what I thought musicians should do,” explains Jennifer Lee, artist’s real name. “However, times are different now.” In an e-mail interview, Lee talks about the music industry’s shared responsibility in elevating artists from different backgrounds and highlights a series of “checks and balances” within the ecosystem. She also dishes on French artist Dombresky’s remix of her song “Come and Go.”
