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DJ Minx interviewJonathan McDonald

A New Legend: DJ Minx on Finally Hitting Her Stride

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Detroit 1989… the forefathers of the now-classic techno sound were regularly spinning in clubs around the city. As the likes of Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson were spinning in legendary clubs such as The Music Institute, techno and house were poised for a foremother as well. Enter Jennifer Witcher aka DJ Minx. She certainly has. On the heels of an EP featuring an all original track “Up All Night” with a slamming remix from Honey Dijon, 6AM caught up with DJ Minx to discuss her storied career, being an under-appreciated pioneer in the dance music scene, and why she’s finally ready for the world’s stage.

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techno Paula Temple Village Underground

Who Says Techno Has to Be Serious? Not Paula Temple

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ā€œI was quite nervous being back on the road because it was 18 months since the whole shut down,ā€ admitted highly respected techno artistĀ Paula Temple as she sat in her trailer ahead of her CRSSD 2021 set. ā€œIā€™ve just done a few gigs in Europe. Some pretty big ones and I feel ready again.ā€ Wearing a simple yet bold red dress and comfy black sneakers speaks to Templeā€™s unassuming presence. However, donā€™t let her petite stature and soft-spoken voice fool you into thinking this UK-born DJ canā€™t hold her own behind the decks. Temple delivers hard-pounding industrial techno sets in the most graceful way. She recently wrapped up her six-day U.S. visit since last playing in Los Angeles in February of 2020. Temple shares what life has been like for her since. She also opens up about her career trajectory and why being you is all that matters.

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DJ Heather Dirtybird Campout

Listen to Exclusive DJ Heather Dirtybird Campout Mix

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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.Ā “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.

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Barbie Music Producer

Barbie Career of the Year: Music Producer, Bridging Gender Gap

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Mattel, the creator of Barbie, nods to female underrepresentation in the music industry. The new Barbie Career of the Year is Music Producer. The Barbie comes with all the music producer essentials: sound mixing board, a computer and headphones to get the creativity flowing and music going. Read more

Nicole Moudaber Techno

Casting Dark Dancefloor Spells, Nicole Moudaber is a Techno Force

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Her voice is unmistakable and her presence is undeniable: Nicole Moudaber is a mood. Techno DJ and producer Nicole Moudaber has a way of keeping crowds entranced the moment she steps to the decks. Her hypnotic grooves and spellbinding mixing are enough to lose you in her magical world. All are welcomed to her dancefloor. She is one of the most hardworking electronic music artists and passionately followed by all who get in the mood with Nicole Moudaber. Her influence stretches beyond the dancefloor. An event promoter, label founder, radio host, philanthropist, and fashion icon. These are a few of the titles you’ll find listed under Modaber’s resume. Moudaber is a techno force and a boss in her own right who has been pushing boundaries in the world of dance music for nearly 15 years.

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Annie Mac Radio 1

An Emotional Farewell: Annie Mac Ends 17-Years on Radio 1

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An unsuspecting girl from Ireland became one of the leading names in the electronic music scene. Annie Mac closed out nearly 20 years on Radio 1, a radio station owned by BBC. In an emotional farewell this past Friday, Mac opened up about her beginnings and closed out with a personal favorite: “Knights Of The Jaguar” by DJ RolandoĀ akaĀ  The Aztec Mystic.

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diversity 2021 music festivals

Tracking the Diversity (Im)Balance of 2021 Music Festivals

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Even though electronic dance music was born from BIPOC and LGBTQI+ communities, the current incarnation of dance music in North America is overwhelmingly white and male. This lack of diversity in dance music is no more present than on festival lineups across the United States. With the pandemic shutting down the live music industry, some members of the dance music community wondered if promoters would take this time to discover new artists and emerge from the ashes with diverse, innovative lineup offerings. As you dust off your dance shoes, let’s see how diversity on 2021 music festivals is tracking. Will 2021 welcome a shift in the festival rotation from previous years?

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Sam Divine Defected Records

Love at First Sound, Sam Divine on How Defected Records Captured Her Heart

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Known as the First Lady of Defected Records, Sam Divine has been making crowds dance for the last 20 years. Her love for the dance floor has carried over nicely onto the airwaves where she’s been presenting the label’s radio show for nearly 10 years. How did she go from a fan to one of Defected Records’ most recognizable faces? “You have to take risks, be knocking on doors, and have really really thick skin,” says the self-taught DJ. Sam Divine’s grit is a measure of success.Ā  Having unexpected time off the road, she shares how these disruptive times have helped her kick open the door to new habits. She also talks about the changing landscape of women behind DJ decks and the importance of forging your own path as an artist. Read more

Panic

30 Year Industry Vet & PANIC Founder Talks About Rave Culture & Its Future

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30 and 25, those are the numbers PANIC founder LinusĀ has been DJing and producing respectively. In those years, he’s seen rave culture transform yet also hold onto its core principles. His event series called PANIC started in 2017 viewing it as a platform for greater inclusivity. Recognizing the male-dominated industry, Linus has sought to create an environment representative of rave culture welcoming all people both on the dance floor and behind the decks. A 30-year industry vet, Linus looks back on his inspirations while looking to those artists helping shape today’s scene.

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Insolate Live Event 6AM Interview

Insolate Plays First Live Event in Croatia Since Lockdown & Tells Why Adapting Is Key to Success

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Emotions ran high at the first TRAUM eventĀ since quarantine started. One of Croatia’s leading techno artists Insolate played the countryā€™s first live event this past June. Born Suncica (Sunny) Barisic, Insolateā€™s return to the decks and dance floor was powerful. ā€œThis was so emotional for me to have [an] event after so many months. Finally, everybody was just waiting for this thing to happenā€¦it was super emotional,ā€ says the DJ and producer. Hosting a cityā€™s, let alone country’s, first event in months is something most DJs are dreaming about since COVID-19ā€™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.

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