If you thought that the perception of electronic music’s fans couldn’t get any worse, think again. One of the news highlights this week comes from a scientific study claiming EDM, along with rock and hip-hop, is a factor in juvenile delinquency.
Multiple releases came out or were announced this week, including a couple of house-trance hybrids. One was Hadouken’s latest single, “Levitate,” on January 20. Taken from his upcoming album Every Weekend, the track can be heard in this “People Are Awesome 2013” video.
On January 22, there was DESTROID’s “Blast Off,” featuring Ajapai. Another was “Hypnotize Me,” a single from 19-year-old Canadian producer Gorula.
On February 1 is “Mainbeat” from Russian duo Eximinds. This house-trance blend comes out through Garuda Music.
Scheduled for February 4 is W&W and Ummet Ozcan’s collaboration, “The Code.” Receiving buzz for the past few months, the track is being released through Hardwell’s Revealed Records.
Announced for a February 17 release is Disclosure’s “White Noise,” a collaboration with vocalist AlunaGeorge. A day later, Slovenian DJ Beltek puts out “Connect Us” on High Contrast Recordings, and Art Department releases Social Experiment 003 on No. 19 Music. Additionally on February 18, Gareth Emery has his first single of 2013 scheduled, a track called “Meet Her in Miami,” which will appear through Garuda Music.
Less than a week later is Nicole Moudaber’s In The Mood EP on February 25. Then, announced for March 5, but now available in digital form, is Gold Panda’s Trust EP.
Kaskade this week was the first DJ to present at the Grammy Museum and, in the process, previewed new material from his upcoming album.
Aside from the new singles, the last week saw multiple festival announcements. To announce her new record label MOOD Records, Nicole Moudaber is holding a launch party at Pacha NYC on January 26. Joining her five-hour techno set are Alan Fitzpatrick and Nathan Barato.
Road to Ultra New Orleans, part of the festival’s tour, is scheduled for February 1 and 2, with Steve Aoki, Kid Kamillion, Money P, Nervo, Afrojack, and Docmartin performing.
On February 10, Deadmau5 is headlining a concert at the House of Blues on Sunset in West Hollywood. A similar event benefitting the Children’s Orthopedic Center at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles was held last year. This post-Grammys show will also feature Nervo, Crookers, and other EDM performers.
Just as long-time European festival Sensation debuted its first U.S. festival in 2012, another mainstay European promoter is eying this side of the Atlantic. Tomorrowland’s promoters, through partnering with Live Nation, are planning to expand globally. Although no date is set for a U.S. festival, its promoters have set up shop in Brooklyn.
Electric Daisy Carnival, meanwhile, added a Chicago run for 2013. The event will be held from May 24 to 26 on the Chicago Speedway.
Also regarding Electric Daisy, its promoter Insomniac Events went up for bidding this past week. Vying for 50- to 100-percent of the business were Live Nation, SFX Entertainment, and other companies. For those not aware, Insomniac is the largest promoter of EDM events in the U.S.
Causing controversy this week was the launch of Billboard’s Dance/Electronic Songs chart. While more representative of what’s being listened to than the Dance/Club Play chart, Billboard seems to have a very loose definition of what electronic music is. Synths on a track? Put it on the chart!
