Artists will never come unprepared to a party. They always bring a toolbox packed with tracks that are truly dance floor destroyers. âWhatâs in Your Toolboxâ features artistsâ secret weapons, aka, the tracks they donât leave out of their USB. In this installment globally renowned electronic artist, Doorly, gives us his 6 choice picks.
Northern Nights Music Festival has announced the initial cannabis and wellness details for their highly-anticipated return to Californiaâs iconic Redwood Forest from July 15-17, 2022. Taking place at Cookâs Valley Campground in Piercy, CA on the Humboldt / Mendocino border, the beloved festival has built its name based on an eclectic mix of cutting-edge music, industry-leading cannabis programming, and serene natural landscapes.
Mary Droppinz has been catching the eye of labels all over. That’s no surprise to those that know her. She lives by a simple truth: music is an out-of-body experience. The artistâs fascination with rhythm began when growing up in her native Omaha, Nebraska as a result of her fatherâs seasoned skills as a drummer. She quickly started on the piano and carried that musical influence all the way to her current home of Los Angeles.
The artist recently teamed up with vocalist, Rowa, for a blistering breaks track “HOT PANTS”. The track is fused with acid and electro sprinkles for the ultimate escape into sound forthcoming on Insomniac Discovery. With upcoming bookings at Dirtybird CampINN, Lucidity Festival, a headline show at the Monarch in San Francisco, a continued residency at Discopussy in Las Vegas and more, Mary Droppinz is on direct course for the moon! The artist now shares more about her upcoming single and stellar ascendancy within the electronic and digital music universe.
Hey Mary! Welcome to 6AM, howâs this year and Los Angeles treating you so far?
Stoked to be here! This year has been going good so far, letting the creative juices flow while balancing with some self care.Â
What first got you hooked on electronic music, and when did you know you wanted to pursue it as a career?
When I saw Steve Aoki play in Cancun and went to Coachella in 2013, I thought the energy was so epic, Iâd really been missing something like this in my life is what I thought! I decided to pursue it as a career in 2015 while watching a woman DJ for the first time and realizing it is possible. Being from Nebraska I hadnât been exposed to dance music culture so moving out to California really expanded my mind. I listened to emo music and my dad’s favorite oldies at home.Â
How would you describe your mixing style?
Unconventional, ambitious, and energy boosting.
As technology becomes more advanced, I think itâs important to remember that in person connection is what keeps our species alive.
That’s what it’s all about, music is about bringing people together
Tell us more about your Twitch channel. What do you think is the biggest difference when you perform in person vs. when you perform online?
Playing on Twitch was the best thing I could have done when the pandemic hit, it gave me an outlet and also connected me to a supportive community that loves my music. Itâs a really cool experience performing online, I highly suggest at least trying it, you never know who you can impact with your music and vibe. The difference is when Iâm on twitch Iâm engaging, sharing more about the songs I play and my life on the mic. When Iâm performing in person, itâs all about sharing myself through music and dance only. Nothing beats the real thing. As technology becomes more advanced, I think itâs important to remember that in person connection is what keeps our species alive.
Whatâs your most memorable show to date?
Thatâs so tough, every show has a special memory. Most recently Iâd say Desert Hearts New Years Day Rave in San Diego!Â
Whatâs the inspiration behind your forthcoming single, âHOT PANTSâ?
I wanted to give tribute to the OG breakbeat pattern that I used called âHot Pantsâ. I want to put breaks back on the map, especially from a womanâs perspective here in America. I was also inspired by the operative vocals in Papua New Guinea by the Future Sound of London and I felt that my girl Rowa could nail it perfectly in her own unique way like she did. If you know me you know I love my 303 so of course there was going to be acid in there. Ultimately, I wanted to approach this track with a techno edge highlighting breaks as my percussion. All of it combined really created this heavy hypnotic spiritual experience, which is what music is for me.
I refuse to be boxed in as an artist.
Don’t expect the same thing from Mary Droppinz, she serves heat wherever she goes and whatever she plays.
Whatâre you looking forward to most in the future?
Iâm looking forward to DJing more festivals and embedding myself into the culture on a deeper level. Also to collaborate with artists around the world and see what beautiful music we can make together.Â
Anything else youâd like to share?Â
Iâd just like to say stay locked. I’ve got more music coming out in the next few months that are genre bending but all still have my energy. I refuse to be boxed in as an artist so you can always expect something fun, fresh and different at my shows that are based off my feelings or curation for that particular party.
The Dirtybird squad is going all INN next year as they migrate to the East Coast for Dirtybird CampINN. The event’s Phase One lineup features Dirtybird label boss Claude Von Stroke, Maya Jane Coles, Walker & Royce, and nine other artists. With 40+ more artists to be announced, the party will take over three stages at the Wyndham Orlando Resort in Florida from February 25 to 27. Grab your bags and pack your swimsuit, the vibes will roll straight from your room balcony to the dance floor in one swoop.
This yearâs edition features Dirtybird artists and friends of the label. In Phase One, Claude VonStroke will be joined by disco lords Chromeo, drum n bass legend Dillinja, and iconic hip-hop producer DJ Premier. Additional highlights include a b2b set from Chicago residents DJ Heather and Colette, UK favorite Eats Everything, and cutting-edge bass act Eprom. Not to mention experimental North London outfit Ivy Lab and queen of the electronic underground Maya Jane Coles. The multi-style lineup will be rounded out by pioneering UK producer Skream, groove-heavy duo Walker & Royce, and many more artists to be announced soon in Phase Two.
Guests can look forward to soaking in the sun and enjoying the pool party vibes at the Birdbath Stage. Next you can fly high at Lava Lab or switch it up at the Flip Side indoor stage. Cool down from the dance floor and enjoy some theatrical entertainment at the vaudeville themed Claudeâs Cove. If that isnât enough, then follow the fan-favorite mobile renegade DJ booth around the resort for some all-night mischief.
This week’s 6AM Guest Mix is supplied by Solamente label owner Sharpson, recorded from his home studio in Dublin, Ireland. For this mix, he blends a variety of techno and breaks with a constant acid bassline throughout.
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Jake Lubell, better known by his genre-bending house alias Lubelski, is a man on a mission. In a sea of digital DAWs, Lubelski knows how to strike a chord – or better yet, plug in a cable- to create sounds of what he calls “happy accidents.” Lubelski treats his music creation with modular synths as an experiment, exploring sounds and sonic landscapes of which he has no preconceived plans. On the release of his second album, the multi-talented producer, DJ, and Percomaniacs label head is clearly just getting started in developing his own unique sound within the current house music scene.
Ravers making an annual pilgrimage to the tech-house and party Mecca… that’s the only way to describe what transpired at the annual Dirtybird Campout 2021 at the Modesto Reservoir in California. A small and intimate affair, fans flock (pun intended) each year to the steadily growing event now in its six-year run. The 2020 edition was skipped due to the pandemic. Starting with humble beginnings in 2015 in Silverado, California, Dirtybird Campout has grown over the past few years becoming one of the best boutique music festivals in North America.
DJ Heather has been widely regarded as one of the best music selectors in the game. This Brooklyn-born Chicagoan has made a name for herself for her commitment to musical appreciation and innovation. Mostly known as a Hip-Hop DJ, she eventually shifted the tracks and genres she played toward house music. “The demand for me to play house seemed to increase after each gig. Over time one just gave way to another. Gone but not forgotten” she says. With roots in Detroit, Claude Vonstroke always loves to show love to the Midwest on the Dirtybird Campout lineups. This year is no exception with DJ Heather’s name gracing the bill. 6AM caught up with DJ Heather to talk about her Dirtybird Campout appearance and inclusivity in dance music.
Clinic Wednesdays are back starting June 16 with Marques Wyatt (Deep-LA). This summer, Clinic Wednesdays has prepared its hottest weekly line-up yet. They’re kicking off with one of the most respected DJs in the United States and a West Coast legend. In addition to producing some of LA’s most legendary clubs/events, many associate Marques Wyatt with “DEEP,” the illustrious event that he nurtured in his hometown of Los Angeles – thriving and continuing today for well over 20 years.
This might be music to your ears: signs of life are coming back to the live entertainment industry. The fate of live music in the United States seems to be moving in the right direction for re-opening; even for states currently in the most restrictive tiers like California. With the percentage of the population being vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 increasing every day, promoters around the country and Europe are gearing up to bring the sound systems and festival vibes back to fans around the country. Here’s your 2021 festival guide. This guide will be updated as more news about festivals becomes available.
Andre Benz
