DJsounds, a Vlog for DJs

Pure Pacha opening party, Ibiza 2009

DT — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:07:46 +0000

With Sander Kleinenberg and Basement Jaxx headlining the opening party, DJsounds’ Lorna Cole stops by Pacha’s signature Friday night – Pure Pacha, which is now in full swing for the summer.

Here, Lorna checks in to speak with Pacha’s Mark Netto and Danny Whittle about the club’s changes in 2009, and what the season holds with fresh new nights presented by Fedde le Grand and the Swedish House Mafia.

The Pure Pacha opening gets the party started for some massive guests this summer. These include, among others, Calvin Harris, Cassius, Faithless, Justice and Trentemoller.

There will also be special nights featuring the Renaissance and Toolroom Knights labels.

Pure Pacha now runs weekly until the closing party on Friday 2nd October.

Words: LRC

Space Ibiza opening party 2009, Ibiza

DT — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:41:10 +0000

DJsounds’ Mel Sutton joins a throng of thousands in orbit at the daddy of opening parties – the humungous Space Ibiza opening fiesta. What a way to kick off the 2009 Ibiza party season.

Here, footage features appearances from: Carl Cox, Satoshi Tomiie, Yousef, Deadmau5, Steve Angello, Sander Kleinenberg, Clara da Costa, Jonathan Ulysees and Steve Lawler.

With the grand opening now in the bag, you can look ahead to a range of nights that Space has racked up and ready for 2009, including the return of We Love…, Carl Cox (with his Revolution party) and Be @ Space.

This year celebrating 20 years in the mix, Space has rocked both the island and the world since 1989.

Words: LRC

In the Studio with CJ Bolland, Belgium

DT — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:51:45 +0000

Prolific producer CJ Bolland welcomes DJsounds to his studio in Antwerp. With new tracks from Magnus due out this summer, and a brand new CJ Bolland album on its way, he’s a busy guy right now, as our Belgium team finds out when they drop by for a chat.

Here, CJ talks about his influences and inspirations, and gives us a sneak preview of some ‘freaky’ new sounds from his new album.

UK-born but based in Belgium since he was a kid, Christian Jay Bolland’s career stretches right back to the 80s. Huge tracks like ‘Sugar is Sweeter’ and remixes for artists such as Tori Amos and Moby initially propelled him onto the world stage, and his discography continues to expand…

First up this summer CJ will be releasing some new tracks by Magnus, which is the name of his collaboration with rock star Tom Barman.

A new CJ Bolland album – 500 Euro Cocktail – will then follow, and is scheduled for a release in October.

Words: LRC

How to DJ: Episode 3 – Mastering the Scene With James Zabiela (7/8)

DT — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:26:35 +0000

One of James Zabiela’s trademarks as a DJ is the way that he scratches and transforms sounds. When done at the right time and place, this always turns heads. So the penultimate part of this series focuses on how to scratch it up, JZ-style.

Taking certain techniques from turntablism and giving them a digital twist, here the super-dexterous star runs us through a few of his favourite tips and tricks. These include how to create scratch patterns and how to cut them using the cross fader.

The CDJ-1000 is James’ first weapon of choice, plus he’s also incorporating effects and a feedback loop of his scratching via the EFX-1000!

All music is supplied by ALiVE Recordings, who are now giving away a free download of Tom Budden’s track ‘Willow’ – as featured in these tutorials – through the ALiVE Facebook fan page.

How to DJ is produced by DJdownload.com and Ministry of Sound TV.

Words: LRC

Interview: Jonas Temple, Beatport

DT — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 09:37:38 +0000

DJsounds sits down for a chat with Beatport boss Jonas Temple on sunny South Beach, Miami. In this interview Jonas speaks about everything from their annual pool parties, held at The National Hotel, to the development of digital dance music, artists and labels.

He also supplies sound advice on backing up digital content and storing/organising your downloads.

With a background in graphic design and DJing, CEO Jonas started the Denver-based online download store in 2004 out of a necessity for digital and a passion for music.

Additional footage features both DJ Sneak and Mark Knight slamming it down live for Beatport in Miami.

Words: LRC

The A Brothaz at Studio 54, Antwerp, Belgium

DT — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:10:53 +0000

Limos, red carpets, dancers and divas… Prepare for a mega-spectacle as DJsounds tracks down the disco/soul/funk duo The A Brothaz amid the glitz and glamour of a Studio 54 party, held at Red and Blue in Antwerp, Belgium.

Longtime Studio 54 residents The A Brothaz comprises DJ Da Pierre and DJ La Plaz, who in this interview chat about the party and the original Studio 54 in New York.

Our Belgium team also hits up Studio 54 manager Patrick Aertsen to find out more about the evolution of the event and their increasingly visual approach to partying.

And we continue to follow the party to another venue – the huge Sportpaleis…

Could this be the biggest disco party on the planet?

Words: LRC

How to DJ: Episode 3 – Mastering the Scene With James Zabiela (6/8)

DT — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 22:09:25 +0000

We’re back with more beats and bites from master blaster James Zabiela as he loops us something fresh in this latest instalment of the How to DJ series.

Yes, after looking at various different facilities and looping functions on the EFX and DJM-800 mixer, JZ finally gets busy with the CDJ decks…

Here, he demonstrates how to do all sorts of useful things with loops, and even shows how to use a CDJ like a drum machine. Check it out.

Once again, all music is supplied by ALiVE Recordings. And to celebrate the label’s 10th release, ALiVE is offering up a FREE download of Tom Budden’s track ‘Willow’, which James uses in these tutorials.

You can now download your free MP3 via the ALiVE Facebook fan page, here.

How to DJ is produced by DJdownload.com and Ministry of Sound TV.

Words: LRC

IMS 2009 – In Summary

DT — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:46:38 +0000

DJsounds’ Ibiza team presents a video montage of the recent International Music Summit, cut to the 2009 IMS anthem, which was created by Dirty Vegas and remixed by Above & Beyond.

This clip features cameo appearances by Justin Pearse (DJDownload), Tom Kihl (Alchemy Content), Ola Sars (Pacemaker), DJ/producers Filthy Rich, Fred Hush and Tom Peppe, Rapheal Bertran (Roar Records), and, finally, Jedi blogger Tom Middleton.

There are also talks with Jason Bentley, musical director of the Santa Monica radio station KCRW and winner of the IMS Pioneer Award 2009 for outstanding dedication to business.

As Pete Tong says: ‘It was an incredible second year. We’ve raised the bar with the summit, and now with the Grand Finale, which is one of my proudest moments in this business. To see such an event in Ibiza was inspirational. IMS brought together veterans and virgins - from Ted Cohen to Callum Negus-Fancey, this was a true melting pot of ideas and visions for the future.’

Words: LRC

DJ Binaural – DJ Tutor’s skills challenge winner #001

Lisa — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:21:50 +0000

Check out the skills and selections of DJ Binaural (aka Hagen) from Munich, Germany. He’s the very first winner of DJ Tutor’s skills challenge competition and has only been DJing since 2007.

Binaural hasn’t got his own website up and running quite yet, but he’s a regular on YouTube, so stay tuned as we’re sure this will not be the last we hear from this young bedroom DJ…

Mixing six/seven tracks in only 10 minutes is definitely no mean feat!

Track list

Alex Barattini – ‘The Cha Cha’
Cunnie Williams feat. Monie Love – ‘Saturday’ (Alex Gaudino & Jason Rooney Remix)
Gramophonedzie – ‘Why Don’t You’
Wolfgang Gartner – ‘Flashback’
Burufunk Vs Carbon Community – ‘Community Funk’ (Deadmau5 Remix)
Fake Blood – ‘Mars’
Finger & Kadel A cappella – ‘Die Mit Dem Roten Halsband’

You can enter all kinds of video clips, from tips and tutorials to DJ mixes in DJ Tutor’s online challenge and the best will feature on DJsounds. Check out the links for more details.

IMS 2009 – An interview with the founders (part 2)

DT — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:22:31 +0000

DJsounds’ Mel Sutton continues her discussion with International Music Summit (IMS) partners Pete Tong, Ben Turner, Danny Whittle and Mark Netto, on day three of the conference in Ibiza.

Here, Mel chats to the guys about how the panels/seminars come about, what they achieve, and how they all work together as a team.

Many of the IMS panels are now available to watch on YouTube, where you can check out what the speakers say about such topics as digital developments, brands, A&R, managers and festivals.

There’s furthermore a host of interviews, from Pete Tong’s talks with Basement Jaxx (who also played the grand finale at D’Alt Vila) to Ben Turner’s keynote with Richie Hawtin.

IMS 2010 will take place 26-28th May, in Ibiza.

Words: LRC

How to DJ: Episode 3 – Mastering the Scene With James Zabiela (5/8)

DT — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:25:16 +0000

Technophile James Zabiela continues the series with a demonstration of the beat roll effect on the DJM-800 mixer, which is a favourite for a lot of DJs. One of the many beat effects on the DJM-800, the roll (and reverse roll) effect is particularly useful as it also acts as a sampler for creating non-destructive loops, as James reveals.

He furthermore shows off a few of his signature JZ moves involving the roll and reverse roll. These DJ gymnastics include how to edit the roll live, and how to assign the effect to different channels.

James finishes up this clip with even more manipulation and further improvisation as he illustrates how to combine the roll effect with the mixer’s colour effects (including crush, filter, harmonic and sweep).

How to DJ is produced by DJdownload.com and Ministry of Sound TV.

All music supplied by ALiVE Recordings.

Words: LRC

IMS 2009 – The Pioneer IMS Grand Finale party at D’Alt Vila, Ibiza

DT — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 06:37:54 +0000

DJsounds’ Mel Sutton checks out the IMS grand finale at D’Alt Vila (Ibiza old town). This party made history as the first official dance music concert to be allowed on the stunning world heritage Old Fort site overlooking the marina in Ibiza Old Town.

Here she chats to guest DJ Rob da Bank and official IMS/Beatportal blogger Tom Middleton, before hitting up the party with Basement Jaxx, Filthy Dukes and Pete Tong.

Radio 1 DJ and Bestival boss, Rob da Bank was on a panel about festivals earlier in the day, and in this clip speaks about his experience of IMS.

Meanwhile, Jedi Tom, who has been blogging like a trooper for days, extols the virtues of communicating to both the physical and virtual IMS communities simultaneously.

DJsounds’ Ibiza team finish up by talking to co-founders Mark Netto and Danny Whittle about their IMS reflections, post event.

IMS 2009 – An interview with the founders

DT — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:24:21 +0000

DJsounds’ Mel Sutton interviews International Music Summit (IMS) founders Pete Tong, Ben Turner, Danny Whittle and Mark Netto on day three of the conference, held 27-29th May, in Ibiza.

That’s all the IMS partners – apart from Simeon Friend, folks. So find out what they had to say about the event’s highlights, its much-welcomed sense of intimacy, and how things have changed since IMS debuted in 2008.

The second IMS drew 400 delegates and around 80 big name speakers, including influential keynote interviewee Richie Hawtin, to the five-star Ibiza Gran Hotel, to talk business, do business, and focus on the future of the music industry.

A jaw-dropping grand finale was then held at D’Alt Vila, a UNESCO World Heritage site, leading into the island’s opening parties.

Words: LRC

Café Mambo opening party 2009, Ibiza

DT — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:26:28 +0000

Dip a toe into Café Mambo’s opening party as DJsounds’ Mel Sutton takes a trip to the famous sunset strip in San Antonio. With Mambo celebrating 15 years on the White Isle this summer – the Balearica begins right here!

So meet owner, Javier Anadon, and members of the Mambo family, who talk about the spirit of the place and some of the countless highlights from the past 15 years…

Check out chill-out connoisseur José Padilla, who plays Mambo’s first sunset set of the year, in preparation for regular sessions this summer.

And find out what resident Alex Wolfenden and Mambo newcomer Tom Peppe had to say about it all…

The illustrious Mambo has some huge nights lined up, evidently causing as much of a roadblock online as it is by the Med!

Words: LRC

Ctrl Alt Shift: A documentary about VJ/AV culture, by Dean G Moore & Simon Lane

Lisa — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 07:44:13 +0000

Ctrl Alt Shift is a smart new 10-minute documentary film by Dean G Moore and Simon Lane. Filmed at several locations across the UK, and using some interesting participatory/exploratory techniques, it assembles the views of various pioneering VJs and audiovisual artists.

Visionaries captured in this mix include: Addictive TV, Alex Wright of Fata Morgana, Chris Allen from The Light Surgeons, Hexstatic, Michael Faulkner of D-Fuse, Oli Sorenson (formerly VJ Anyone), and Vector Meldrew.

Whether you’re already familiar with these faces or fresh to the field, looking for an introduction to the emerging artform, its evolution and impact, there’s plenty of food for thought here.

Ctrl Alt Shift was conceived, filmed, edited and produced by Dean, who is himself a VJ, and DJ/producer Simon (DJ Search) as a part of their university degrees in broadcasting. They now plan to transform the documentary into an AV show that will be performed/re-mixed live.

How to DJ: Episode 3 – Mastering the Scene With James Zabiela (4/8)

DT — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:37:11 +0000

If you have ever heard James Zabiela finish off one of his high-octane DJ sets with a mad mash up of ‘thank you’ vocals, then you may be interested to know how it’s done live. That’s right, we’re now halfway through Episode 3 as James returns to continue demonstrating yet more techy tricks involving the famous feedback loop!

First up, James plugs his headphones into the microphone input of the mixer and shows how he records in live vocals by drawing on the sampling and looping facilities of the EFX-1000.

He also shows how to play in, layer and even edit extra looptastic sounds, such as hi-hats from a Korg Kaossilator.

So get stuck in and expect stacks more tips from the digital music-meister over the next few weeks as How to DJ endeavourers to help you become master of the scene too.

How to DJ is produced by DJdownload.com and Ministry of Sound TV.

All music supplied by ALiVE Recordings.

Words: LRC

Get ready for 10 Days Off in Ghent, Belgium

DT — Fri, 29 May 2009 01:55:01 +0000

DJsounds.com gets hyped for the forthcoming 10 Days Off party marathon in Ghent – where our Belgium team will be delivering the freshest daily videoblogs from the scene. So tune in to check out the party action! In the meantime, here’s a small compilation clip from last year’s event to get you in the mood…

10 Days Off has now announced its first 20 performers for this year’s event, who are: Ben Klock, Benga, Carl Craig, DJ Hell, DJ Hype, Dr Lektroluv, Gaslamp Killer, Gilles Peterson & Earl Zinger, Henrik Schwarz, Joris Voorn, Lulu Rouge, Mark Farina, Metronomy, Miss Kittin & The Hacker, N.A.S.A., Richie Hawtin, Slagsmalsklubben, Stijn, Trentemoller, and Who Made Who.

10 Days Off takes place 17th – 27th July at Vooruit Arts Centre in Ghent, Belgium.

Words: LRC

Daniele Mancini – transform scratch effect

Lisa — Thu, 28 May 2009 16:23:09 +0000

Young bedroom DJ Daniele Mancini from central Italy takes his very first steps towards ‘Zabieladom’ and gives the transform scratch effect a whirl. This is basically a digital way to emulate a transform scratch with the EFX-1000.

Breaking it down, here’s one way to do the trick: set your mix pot at 2 o’clock, your character pot to 12 o’clock, and your depth pot to 3 o’clock. Switch on the 1/4 bar time button, transform effect and all frequency bands, and then add a jet effect via the right hand side of the EFX.

Daniele’s track list: Sebastien Drums vs. Tom Geiss & Eric G – ‘Funky Beep’ (Original Mix)

How to DJ: Episode 3 – Mastering the Scene With James Zabiela (3/8)

DT — Tue, 26 May 2009 15:19:22 +0000

DJ wizard James Zabiela steps away from the decks and waxes lyrical about buying, acquiring and organising his tunes. Yes, it’s all about the music in this clip, filmed at London’s Ministry of Sound. So snuggle up to the speakers with James as he talks openly about working with music in the digital realm.

Ever heard of ‘blind’ record shopping? If not here James explains one of his favourite secrets, a method of finding new music that is done online, entirely by ear…

He also talks about organising music according to what he wants to do with it and what technology he’s using, plus, of course, where in the world he is playing at the time.

If you want to find out more about James’ current playlists in the flesh then you may want to check out his tour of the US that starts this June – when he gets back from Australia that is!

The How to DJ series is produced by DJdownload.com and Ministry of Sound TV.

All music supplied by ALiVE Recordings.

Words: LRC

Interview: Danny Rampling plays Crobar Buenos Aires, Argentina

DT — Sun, 24 May 2009 07:41:43 +0000

Influential UK house music pioneer, author and entrepreneur Danny Rampling speaks to DJsounds’ Daisy Heartbreaker in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This is interspersed with club footage – coming hot from Danny’s set at Crobar – in our latest clip from Latin America…

In this interview Danny discusses how he has experienced firsthand the development of the Argentinian music scene, the progression of technology and associated changes in DJ culture.

He also chats about a fresh new production for 2009: ‘Slow Dance’, produced with Steve Mac, featuring vocals by Cevin Fischer.

After dipping into ‘semi-retirement’ a few years back Danny now continues to play select gigs, like Crobar Buenos Aires. And last year he even released a book – Everything You Need to Know About DJing & Success – to share his 20 years’ experience of DJing.

Words: LRC