Don Diablo Is Taking Over EDM.com's Instagram Live for "Story Time With Don Diablo" Tomorrow

Don Diablo will interact with fans, showcase his hot-off-the-press comic book, and debut a brand new song called "Voices."

Future house kingpin Don Diablo will be taking over EDM.com's Instagram tomorrow, May 1st, for a special "Story Time With Don Diablo” session. Fans can tune in for a special hourlong live session where the Dutch producer and DJ will debut his new single "Voices" and talk about his comic book series, Hexagon.

Debuting his latest release, "Voices," Don Diablo will take us back to his signature future house sound and bring a little bit of nostalgia to classic rock fans with a sample from Sting and The Police. During the live session, he'll delve into the inspiration and creation of the track, and also answer questions from fans.

In March, Don Diablo unveiled the first issue of his comic book series, Hexagon, before releasing the second edition recently. Influenced by his sci-fi favorites, the 80's Star Wars and The Last Starfighter, the story follows a 12-year-old boy named Don who wins an unbeatable video game and unknowingly summons an intergalactic war to his doorstep. 

View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article

Created and written alongside Impact Theory founder Tom Bilyeu and award-winning writer Michael Moreci, the comic book series debuted at the New York Comic Con last October and has since an abundance of support from readers of all ages. 

During "Story Time With Don Diablo," the Dutch dynamo will showcase his favorite artwork from Hexagon and the story behind the comic book series and its creation. He will also offer fans an exclusive link for a free digital download for the first issue, provided by Impact Theory.

Between the new track and comic book series, Hexagonians are in for a treat.

FOLLOW DON DIABLO:

Website: dondiablo.com
Facebook: facebook.com/OfficialDonDiablo
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Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/dondiablo

source https://edm.com/events/edm-story-time-with-don-diablo-hexagon

Legendary Afrobeat Drummer Tony Allen Dead at 79

The iconic Nigerian drummer and composer passed away in Paris today.

Legendary Lagos-born drummer Tony Allen, who was instrumental to the proliferation of the Afrobeat genre in the 1970s, has tragically passed away at the age of 79.

“We don’t know the exact cause of death,” said Allen’s manager, Eric Trosset, in a statement proved to French news outlet France 24. “He was in great shape; it was quite sudden. I spoke to him at 1:00 pm, then two hours later he was sick and taken to Pompidou hospital where he died.”

Born in Lagos in 1940, Allen rose to prominence as the drummer and creative director of fellow Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti's band Africa 70, recording 30 albums with his Nigerian compatriot over the years. Allen, a self-taught musician who singlehandedly revolutionized the art of drumming, was once referred to as "perhaps the greatest drummer who has ever lived" by iconic English musician Brian Eno.

Afrobeat is at the bedrock of electronic music. Its percussive and rhythmic elements serve as its backbone, and the genre may not exist today without Allen's contributions and early pioneering developments. In their report on Allen's unfortunate death, Rolling Stone characterized Kuti and Allen's style as "full-band dance music, boosted by searing, intricate horn parts, scratchy, relentless guitar, and agitated, hyperactive bass lines."

Our deepest condolences go out to Tony Allen's family and loved ones. As of the time of writing, a cause of death has not been announced.

source https://edm.com/news/tony-allen-dead-at-79

Bassnectar Announces Cancellation of All Remaining Special Events In 2020

Nectar shared the heartbreaking news today via Facebook.

Bassnectar took to Facebook today to share some somber if unsurprising news. He officially announced the cancellation of all remaining special events in 2020, including Freestyle Sessions, Be Interactive 808 Festival, and Bass Center, which was primed for its 13th annual show.

"We’re still in shock by everything transpiring in the world around us, in part due to the irony of 2020 canceling itself right as it was literally on the verge of being the most amazing year ever…," Bassnectar wrote. "At a time of intense beauty and magic, with a gorgeous schedule of upcoming events, with our community so engaged and so enthusiastic, it was BEWITCHING and mind blowing to have everything change so suddenly, so drastically."

"It is with intense respect and appreciation for our community as a whole and for each of you as individuals that today we have made the difficult decision to cancel all of our previously confirmed special events for 2020 [at this point this means Freestyle Sessions, The Be Interactive 808 Festival, and our thirteenth annual Bass Center]…," he continued. "Not only does it appear impossible that these events will be able to happen as planned, but also: we want to do what is best for you!

You can read his statement in full below.

If there's any silver lining here, it's that fans can look forward to a series of mixes from the dubstep don, who has been teasing THE LOCKDOWN MIXTAPES over the course of the last week. "Also, as we prepare to launch the first full length album in years, we are bursting with creative energy to explore new ways of sharing music," Bassnectar wrote. "The Lockdown Mixtapes series will continue for as long as we are all on lockdown, and there are many, many, many chapters of that to unlock and explore… so stay tuned." The first mixtape of the series, "Inside For The People," is set to drop tomorrow, May 1st, 2020.

FOLLOW BASSNECTAR:

Facebook: facebook.com/Bassnectar
Twitter: twitter.com/bassnectar
Instagram: instagram.com/bassnectar
SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/bassnectar

source https://edm.com/news/bassnectar-announces-cancellation-of-all-remaining-special-events-in-2020

Lee Foss, MK, and Anabel Englund to Appear at Factory 93 Livestream Tomorrow

The livestream will go down via Insomniac's YouTube, TikTok and Littlstar channels.

Underground electronic music brand Factory 93 recently announced a new livestream event, which will feature house kingpins Lee Foss, MK, and Anabel Englund. The stream will kick off tomorrow, May 1st, at 7PM PST (10PM ET, 3AM BST) via Insomniac's YouTube, TikTok and Littlstar channels. 

Originally born in the Downtown Los Angeles warehouse district, Insomniac-owned Factory 93 has grown to become one of LA's most recognized underground house brands. The brand's penchant for vintage-themed, nostalgic warehouse dance parties has helped it solidify itself as a staple in the nightlife scene of the City of Angels. Factory 93 has hosted a number of illustrious DJs at its events in years past, including Carl Cox, Eric Prydz, Maceo Plex, and Richie Hawtin.

With Foss, MK, and Englund, a bona fide triple whammy of house heavyweights, this livestream event is sure to be a doozy. It will feature DJ sets from all three artists as well as a special live performance from Englund.

Tune in via Insomniac's dedicated online livestream destination here.

FOLLOW FACTORY 93:

Facebook: facebook.com/TheFactory93/
Twitter: twitter.com/thefactory93
Instagram: instagram.com/thefactory93/
SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/thefactory93

source https://edm.com/news/factory-93-livestream

Flume Announces He's Working On New Music, Hopes to Have an Album "Done Before the End of the Year"

Flume joined George Breakfast’s "Bangers & Bants" to chat about new music on the horizon.

Future bass titan Flume recently appeared on George Breakfast’s "Bangers & Bants" radio show and revealed that he's been busy working on new music during his time in lockdown.

The operators of the radio show took to their Instagram account to share a clip of the interview, which ends with the mouthwatering news that Flume hopes to release a new album by year's end, which will potentially feature some drum & bass music. "Looks like @flume has some more DNB on the way," the post reads.

"I've just kind of been sending demos out and trying to get as much music together before the lockdown finishes and hopefully come out of it with something to show for myself," Flume said in the interview. "And we'll see what happens, but yeah, I'm hoping to have a record done before the end of the year..."

Flume's last full-length album, Hi This Is Flume, arrived back in March 2019 before it was nominated for Best Dance/Electronic Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards. He followed with the fan favorite single "Rushing Back" featuring Vera Blue to close out 2019, and kicked off 2020 with his Toro y Moi collaboration "The Difference" on longtime label partner Future Classic.

FOLLOW FLUME:

Facebook: facebook.com/flumemusic
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Twitter: twitter.com/flumemusic
SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/flume

source https://edm.com/news/flume-working-on-new-album-2020

New Remixes of Classic Songs by Legendary Singer Diana Ross Are On the Way

The soul queen's iconic music has been reimagined for 2020.

Diana Ross, one of the most prolific musicians of all-time, has certainly left her mark not only on R&B and Soul, but also the music community at large. Electronic music has undoubtedly felt Ross' influence as well, as countless house music producers have continually remixed and sampled her work for decades, most notably Eric Kupper, whose remix of Ross' 1976 classic "Love Hangover" reached #1 on Billboard's Dance Club Songs chart. Now, a fresh batch of Diana Ross remixes is on the way. 

Supertonic, a collection of modern Diana Ross remixes, will be released digitally on May 29th along with a CD and vinyl release following on June 26th. Featuring remixes of iconic hits like "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "Touch Me In The Morning," and more, Supertonic is sure to be a staple in dance music and any Diana Ross fan's collection. Check out the full tracklist below.

Tracklist:
1. I'm Coming Out / Upside Down
2. Love Hangover
3. The Boss
4. Surrender
5. Ain't No Mountain High Enough
6. No One Gets The Prize
7. It's My House
8. Touch Me in the Morning
9. Remember Me

The Supertonic release only further illustrates that Diana Ross will remain one of the most quintessential musicians of our time, and her work will continue to be reimagined for years to come. 

You can preorder the release, which is out on May 29th, 2020, here.

source https://edm.com/news/new-diana-ross-remixes-2020

Deezer Uses Machine Learning to Detect Explicit Lyrics

Deezer's "Spleeter" tool uses machine learning and a binary classifier to identify explicit content.

With so much new music created and uploaded to streaming platforms daily, those platforms face the potential problem of identifying songs that include explicit content or lyrics. Those who wish to filter explicit content need it to be identified within the platform in order to avoid it. Detecting explicit content amid the vast expanse of music can prove to be tricky for music platforms, and using human ears is a process that would become a virtually endless task. 

Deezer has been working on a solution. Its new tool, Spleeter, uses machine learning in order to separate and identify explicit lyrics within songs, allowing the platform to tag items with adult content more easily. The system extracts vocals and matches dictionary entries of harsh language before submitting them for human review, saving time for humans who would instead be listening through entire songs to find anything that could be deemed explicit. 

Spleeter's learning can be problematic at times, and Deezer will have to be cautious in ensuring that the system doesn't develop any biases. “If you’re not careful when designing your experiment, you may end up with a system that instead of detecting explicit lyrics, will detect rap songs, just because they have on average, a higher probability of containing explicit lyrics,” Deezer says.

The platform is hoping to get Spleeter to a point where it can be used completely hands-free without any human intervention or machine-learned bias. 

H/T: Digital Music News

source https://edm.com/news/deezer-explicit-lyrics-tool-machine-learning

The U.S. Library Of Congress' "Citizen DJ" Project Provides Over 3 Million Royalty-Free Samples

Citizen DJ is a producer's buffet.

Modern producers across all genres have been using the technique known as sampling, or using sounds from existing music to create something new, for decades. This technique can be tricky from a technical standpoint, but copyright laws are another obstacle that can be tough to get around with the use of sampling. Fortunately, the United States Library of Congress, of all institutions, now has a tool to help producers with all of their sampling needs.

Citizen DJ, a project by the Library that has amassed a staggering collection of over three million samples, will allow producers to use those samples without the worry of infringing on copyright laws. The samples within Citizen DJ are completely royalty-free, meaning  there aren't any restrictions on their use, allowing producers to incorporate the samples into their own music in any way they see fit. 

This means that original works using samples from the Citizen DJ project are free from any type of creative restriction or worry regarding distribution. It's essentially a producer's buffet—over three million samples make the possibilities for musicians limitless. 

View the original article to see embedded media.

The Citizen DJ project was created by b-boy and Libary worker Brian Foo, as part of the Library of Congress' "Innovator-In-Residence" program. It's only running until September 2020, so producers interested in downloading samples individually or in bulk should waste no time digging in. 

Citizen DJ's breadth of royalty-free samples can be browsed here. 

H/T: MusicRadar

source https://edm.com/industry/citizen-dj-royalty-free-samples

Popularity of Livestreamed Concerts Will Persist After the Pandemic, Says UTA

One of the nation's preeminent talent agencies said livestreamed events are not going anywhere, even after the pandemic ends.

Beverly Hills-based United Talent Agency (UTA), one of the most renowned talent agencies in the world, released the results of a survey they conducted to "inform our agents, clients, partners and the entertainment industry at large.” The survey produced some very insightful and positive results regarding the concert and music livestreaming landscape.

Teaming up with New York-based consumer insights platform SightX, UTA surveyed approximately 1110 people about the entertainment they've been digesting over the course of the pandemic. According to the results, 90% of concertgoers have sought to replace the live music experience while adhering to “safer at home” regulations instated during the pandemic, and 70% of new streamers who did not previously livestream say they plan to continue doing so even after the COVID-19 crisis is over.

Moreover, 46% of the people who were surveyed said they checked out a livestreamed musical performance while on lockdown, and 28% divulged that they had paid for access to those streams.

In a statement regarding the survey, UTA also demystified its results by explaining their importance to the future of live music. “Prior to COVID-19, the appetite for virtual concerts was limited. Now, optimising the virtual experience may be critical to the future of live music, the statement reads. "Music tech companies have quickly begun to legitimise the livestream business through ticketing and offering community-based features that hope to replicate the shared experience of attending a live event.”

“The newfound appreciation for livestream and virtual music events reaches beyond just the frequent concert-goer”, the statement continues. “Even before the star-studded [Lady Gaga-organised] ‘Together At Home’ livestream concert raked in more than 20 million viewers, six in ten consumers stated that they had participated or planned to participate in virtual or livestreamed music events during this period of social distancing.”

UTA made the study available to the public, and you can download it in full here.

source https://edm.com/industry/popularity-of-livestreamed-concerts-will-persist-after-the-pandemic-says-uta

Idris Elba's TV Show "Turn Up Charlie" Cancelled After One Season

The famed DJ and actor's new Netflix series was met with a lukewarm response by critics and viewers.

International superstar actor, DJ, and musician Idris Elba is somewhat of a modern day renaissance man. Aside from starring in box office smash hits like Hobbs & Shaw and Pacific Rim, as well as the BBC's iconic television series Luther, Elba has also been a musician and DJ for quite some time. 

Combining his passion for acting with the world of electronic music, he created a series for Netflix called Turn Up Charlie, a comedy about a struggling DJ navigating the world of music as a bachelor. Unfortunately, the series was met with lukewarm reviews from both critics and viewers and, after just one season, Turn Up Charlie was cancelled at Netflix. 

"We're especially grateful to star and executive producer Idris Elba, who turned his passion for DJing into a witty, heart-warming comedy series," said Netflix in an official statement. "We look forward to continuing our relationship with Idris on future projects."

Netflix's decisions on whether to renew or cancel series are based upon internal data on a cost versus viewership analysis. 

Fans and those interested in checking out Turn Up Charlie are still able to view the first and only season on Netflix. Elba's original music can be heard via his SoundCloud. 

H/T: The Hollywood Reporter

FOLLOW IDRIS ELBA: 

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SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/idriselba

source https://edm.com/news/idris-elba-turn-up-charlie-tv-show-cancelled

Aluna of AlunaGeorge Steps Into Solo Career With Bouncy Dance Single "Body Pump"

Aluna also signed to Mad Decent and announced a new album on the way.

Aluna, perhaps most recognized as one-half of internationally acclaimed electronic duo AlunaGeorge, today dropped a new single called "Body Pump." The track is a sultry, deep house-inspired bop that serves as a catalyst for what is going to be a monster year for Aluna due to its accompanying announcements.

The release of "Body Pump" is a landmark one, as it also signals an exciting new chapter for Aluna. She signed to Mad Decent, the Diplo-led electronic tastemaker, and announced a forthcoming album. "I've been a fan of Aluna for years - her voice, her style and her way of putting records together," said Diplo in a press release issued for the single. "Having her sign to Mad Decent feels like a family reunion - can't wait to get these records out to everyone. Huge project for Mad Decent."

Aluna also shared her inspiration behind the single and rhapsodized about her artisitic direction moving forward.

"Having enjoyed being the main ingredient to many successful dance records, I started wanting to create the whole dish. In the past when performing on the stages of my white male peers, I always felt like a visitor being one of the few Black women I could see, so it never fully occurred to me to claim dance music as my music, as an artist, even though it was at the heart of my connection to music. Then I looked at the history of dance music and saw how, for example, Chicago House, known as the invention of house music, was pioneered in the Black and Latino LGTBQ+ communities which gave me inspiration to stake my flag in the ground as a Black woman in dance music by taking control of production and songwriting with my own vibe.”

You can listen and download "Body Pump" via your favorite streaming platform here.

source https://edm.com/music-releases/aluna-alunageorge-body-pump

Apashe Shares Documentary on Making of Groundbreaking "Renaissance" Album

The documentary details the creative process behind his sonically pleasing "Renaissance" LP.

Apashe released his jaw-dropping album Renaissance a few weeks ago on Kannibalen Records. Now he's released a mini documentary detailing the creative process behind the album.

The documentary begins with Apashe saying, "The album is really about epic, classical music, mixed with heavy bass lines, hip-hop, and what I call majestic." 

Renaissance wasn't an easy project, and Apashe stated that the "electronic music scene was on repeat and nothing was evolving." Thankfully, this LP reignited his interest and creativity again.

Renaissance is an Apashe masterpiece. He traveled the globe to complete it, including a trip to Prague, Czech Republic to record a 69-piece orchestra. The amount of time, creative energy, and detail that went into the whole album is astounding, and it's apparent in this short documentary. His cutting-edge audio manipulation between flawless sound design and meticulously recorded orchestral sounds places the record among the best in 2020 so far. 

Apashe is on a mission to continue to evolve his sound and push the limits of what modern electronic music can be. There's no doubt this is the beginning of another renaissance for him and bass music.

FOLLOW APASHE:

SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/lindien
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Apashe.Official
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Apashe_Music
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apashe/

source https://edm.com/music-releases/apashe-renaissance-album-documentary

Kevin Parker Reveals He Lied to First Record Company About Tame Impala on Rick Rubin's Podcast

Parker broke down his reasoning behind the lie, played old voice memos, and more on Rubin's "Broken Record" podcast.

Kevin Parker, your favorite artist's favorite artist and the man behind Tame Impala, recently gave fans a rare insight into his creative process on iconic record producer Rick Rubin's "Broken Record" podcast. The conversation, which was recorded remotely while on quarantine, extensively revealed his early musical inspirations, the reasoning behind the Tame Impala project, the difference between his albums, and even shared a candid voice memo of a skeletal demo never heard before. 

Growing up, Parker was inspired by listening to the albums his father, a hobby musician, would play him. Bands like The Doors, Jefferson Airplane, and Dungen really affected his formative years. When asked why Parker chose the moniker Tame Impala as opposed to his own name, the reasoning was because he wanted to give the impression it was a band versus just a solo project. 

“In fact, the record label when they signed us didn’t even know it was me that was playing drums and guitars and bass and multi-tracking,” said Parker. “I outright lied to them when we met up. The contract that we signed was for three of us. I didn’t want to say it was just me, for a number of reasons. Number one, I was kind of shy. Looking back, it’s like, why the fuck didn’t you just own it?”

Divulging more into why he represented himself as a group, he explained it was due to the musical environment that he grew up in. In Perth, the scene was much more communal, filled with bands jamming with one another. The lie began "eating away" at him, knowing that it wasn't the real truth. “I wanted people to know that it was more of a solo recording project because I realized solo artists get away with completely changing their sound a lot more than bands do,” said Parker.

Throughout his musical career, Parker's sound has gone through a few changes. This is especially evident between his first two albums versus the last. Parker knew that by doing this he would piss people off, but Rubin shared his insight that by changing early on, he gave fans the chance to accept these new sounds.  

Also shared during the hourlong installment was a demo for a song from his voice memos, a process he still utilizes today when coming up with new musical ideas. “It’s like flicking on the radio… [when you flick on the radio] it’s not like starting the song. It’s like coming in halfway through a chorus. And then I do my best to get to a place where I can record it before I forget it… It’ll be like two bar, or a one bar piece of music,” he explained.

Listen to the full interview below.

Tame Impala is set to perform this weekend as part of NTS’s 24-hour live stream concert Remote Utopias, which you can tune into here. 

FOLLOW TAME IMPALA:

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H/T: NME

source https://edm.com/news/kevin-parker-tame-impala-rick-rubin-podcast

Spotify's Revenue and Subscribers Skyrocket Based on Q1 Report

Spotify reports 130 million paid subscribers as quarterly revenue jumps 22%.

Streaming giant Spotify has announced an extremely successful first quarter despite navigating troubles associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. In the three months prior to March 31st, Spotify increased its revenue by 22% and gained over 130 million paid subscribers and 286 million total monthly active users. With those numbers ending around the time the stay-at-home orders were put into place, the growth is due to continue.  

One target that did see a negative impact from the current state of affairs was Spotify's ad revenue, particularly in the last three weeks of March. Ad-supported revenues grew 17% but fell short of Spotify's forecasts by over 20% as a result of the disruption caused by the global health crisis. Many previously booked businesses were canceled or put on pause, and buyers were forced to pull pack on spending.

“Despite all the turbulence around the world, we hit pretty much all the metrics,” Spotify CEO Daniel Ek told Reuters.

By positioning the company with more than 300 partnerships with device makers and expanding the podcast sector, continues to cater and adapt to audiences who are trapped indoors. The reports have shown a clear decrease in mobile and in-car usage but have noticed a surge in playtime on video game consoles. The metrics are proving Spotify's resilience during the pandemic, solidifying its commercial lead in streaming over Apple Music and Amazon Music. 

Spotify has also created a new initiative to donate up to $10 million to causes benefiting artists impacted by COVID-19. To learn more about the music relief project, click here.

source https://edm.com/industry/spotify-q1-earnings-2020

Yellow Claw Surprises Fans with New Single "After It All" Off the Arknights Soundtrack

Yellow Claw dips their toes in anime.

Video games and electronic music go together like peanut butter and jelly. We've seen this partnership in action before, with Disciple hosting their Block Party Minecraft Festival, deadmau5 launching the Ghosts'n DJsgame, and Skrillex creating the theme for Kingdom Hearts III.

Yellow Claw is now joining in on the fun by linking up with Chinese video game producer Yostar to produce an original soundtrack for the latest update of their Arknights mobile game called Heart Of Surging Flame. The track is called "After It All" and it comes as a surprise to fans after the Dutch duo recently dropped their new album Never Dies. 

The single, which will be featured in the game during a special digital festival for the players, opens with a synthpop production equipped with a smooth vocoder that fits right into the style of anime. The Dutch duo switches up the tempo with one of their trademark bass-filled trap drops, which you can imagine will have the digital festival-goers going wild. In addition to Yellow Claw, the lineup features their contemporaries Bear Grillz and Quix, who also created original sounds for the popular game. 

Arknights is the popular tower defense game, themed in the classic anime style and voiced by several Japanese voice actors and actresses. "After It All" will be featured in the studio's new special in-game event that instructs players to take a break from the mission, playing as doctors and operators fighting against a deadly infection, which is very on the nose for our current state of affairs. Gamers will be instructed to vacation in a place called Siesta, which is known for a music event called The Obsidian Festival. If you are looking for a fun escape from reality and love anime and Yellow Claw, this is the game for you.

Arknights is available now over on the App Store and Google Play as a free-to-play game with in-app purchases. To download and stream "After It All" by Yellow Claw, follow this link.

FOLLOW YELLOW CLAW:

Facebook: facebook.com/yellowclaw
Twitter: twitter.com/yellowclaw
Instagram: instagram.com/yellowclaw
Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/yellowclaw

H/T: CULTR

source https://edm.com/music-releases/yellow-claw-after-it-all-arknights-video-game-soundtrack

You Can Now Scan Bananas to Listen to Spotify Playlists

This is bananas.

The handy little Spotify barcodes that generate a unique code for any track, album, or playlist you want to share are now being integrated into bananas.

No, "bananas" isn't the name of a new high-tech app you've never heard of until now. The codes are being incorporated into stickers on the literal yellow fruit, thanks to a new partnership between Spotify and preeminent banana distributor Chiquita.

According to an announcement by Chiquita, the company partnered with Spotify to print custom barcodes on the iconic blue stickers it appends to its bananas. Five limited-edition, scannable stickers now appear on Chiquita bananas at grocery stores, where you can you use your Spotify app to link to the fruit's code.

The stickers correspond to five different Spotify playlists, which, according to the announcement, were carefully curated with feel-good music to lift spirits during these harrowing times contrived by the COVID-19 pandemic. The playlists are called "Feeling Happy," "Tropical Vibes," "Smile Workout," "Classics," and "Cook and Dance." Banana-scanners will also be able to listen to five new remixes of Chiquita's original 1950s jingle. 

Moreover, in a move plucked right out of Willy Wonka's playbook, some bananas are fitted with a special sixth "Golden Banana" sticker, which allows fans to unlock games and opportunities to win music-related prizes.

“The Spotify Blue Sticker series is intended to encourage those staying at home to join in a world-wide celebration of cheerful music and connect with playlists designed to get fans up and moving,” said Carlos Lopez Flores, President of Chiquita. “By tapping into Spotify’s 248 million active monthly users, Chiquita is continuing its mission of highlighting the fun side of healthy living by offering an opportunity to get active and boost fans’ moods during a challenging global situation.”

According to Mobile Marketer, who cited a recent survey by The Packer, 69% of U.S. shoppers say they purchase bananas, which puts them in a tie with apples as our nation's most popular fruit. Essentially, due to the popularity of bananas, the new partnership represents an opportunity for Chiquita to re-skin its flagship product into a vehicle for content distribution and for Spotify to reach a larger group of users adjacent to the music industry.

source https://edm.com/industry/spotify-chiquita-banana-partnership

Universal Launches Range of Reusable, Artist-Branded Face Masks for Charity

All proceeds from the “We’ve Got You Covered” initiative will benefit MusicCares and Help Musicians COVID-19 Relief Fund.

Across the globe, government-mandated regulations continue to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. With the rise in demand comes the rise in companies seeking ways to benefit the community by fulfilling this newfound need. Next up to join the race is Bravado, Universal Music Group's merchandise and brand management company, who have just announced the “We’ve Got You Covered” e-commerce site, which offers fans reusable, washable, cloth face masks.

The face masks, which cost $15 each, are made in partnership with artists from across the major label's roster, with 100% of the net proceeds being donated to the Recording Acadamy's MusicCares COVID-19 Relief Fund in the U.S. and Help Musicians in the U.K. Fans now will have the ability to flaunt face masks featuring their favorite artists, including Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, The Weeknd, The Rolling Stones, Blackpink, 2Pac, Justin Bieber, Pantera, and more. 

View the original article to see embedded media.

Announcing the initiative, Bravado CEO Mat Vlasic said, “I’m humbled and grateful to work with artists and partners who are passionate and driven to deliver a program that supports those that need it most during this unprecedented time. This initiative will continue to grow and evolve thanks to the hard work from everyone here at Bravado and UMG along with our artists across the globe.”

The initiative is a global, three-part program that supports UMG employees, the music community, and key community service providers. All UMG staff will receive free face masks and the company will donate 50,000 masks to those serving communities across the U.S. during the pandemic. It must be noted that these masks are not medical grade, nor are they claiming to protect you against the virus. The CDC advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of COVID-19 and help asymptomatic people who are unknowingly inflicted with the virus from transmitting it to others. They should be cleaned routinely, and users should still make sure to continue to wash their hands and refrain from touching their face. 

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source https://edm.com/industry/universal-launches-weve-got-you-covered-face-masks

SXSW Facing Class Action Lawsuit Over No-Refund Policy

The suit was filed after the cancellation of the 2020 event due to COVID-19 concerns.

Two prospective SXSW attendees have filed a class action lawsuit against the famed Austin music and media festival over its stringent no-refund policy.

Following its cancellation in early March, SXSW informed its patrons that they would not be issuing refunds, instead offering them registration for its 2021, 2022 or 2023 iterations. Moreover, they promised ticket-holders a 50% discount if they opt to attend one of those three future fests.

Following that move, two seething plaintiffs—Massachusetts’s Maria Bromley and Colorado’s Kleber Pauta—have now filed a class action lawsuit against SXSW, claiming "breach of contract and unjust enrichment." Moreover, the tandem alleges that SXSW organizers "cannot be certain that future festivals will occur," essentially rendering the olive branch of the 50% discount a moot point. The latter assertion by Bromley and Pauta can be tied back to an ominous March 9th, 2020 announcement by SXSW officials that they were forced to lay off a large portion of its employees, casting doubt on its 2021 status. Speaking to The Austin Chronicle on the condition of anonymity, a senior official depicted the layoffs as “the only way to stop the bleeding" during a markedly grave time for the event in terms of its fiscal status contrived by the pandemic.

In a statement provided to Billboard, a SXSW spokesperson expounded on the situation at hand. "Due to the unique nature of SXSW’s business, where we are reliant on one annual event, we incurred extensive amounts of non-recoupable costs well in advance of March. These expenditures, and the loss of expected revenue, have resulted in a situation where we do not have the money to issue refunds," the statement reads. "SXSW, like many small businesses across the country, is in a dire financial situation requiring that we rely on our contracts, which have a clearly stated no refunds policy. Though we wish we were able to do more, we are doing our best to reconcile the situation and offered a deferral package option to purchasers of 2020 registrations.”

As of the time of writing, SXSW has not responded publicly to the lawsuit.

FOLLOW SXSW:

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source https://edm.com/news/sxsw-class-action-lawsuit-2020

Hayden James and Icona Pop Join Forces for Riveting Deep House and Pop Hybrid "Right Time"

"Right Time" arrives on celebrated alt-electronic imprint Future Classic.

In a refreshingly unexpected collaboration, Australian producer Hayden James has teamed up with Icona Pop for a dazzling new single called "Right Time." 

James' production is downright brilliant here. His velvety, piano-driven sound seamlessly blends with Icona Pop's infectious vocal stylings, resulting in a foot-tapping deep house and pop hybrid.

It's the chorus, though, that renders "Right Time" a needle in the haystack among its crossover counterparts. When the chorus hits, James arpeggiates Icona Pop's vocals to create a vacillating effect, lending to a hypnotic yet radiant undertone that melds perfectly with the track's accompanying music video directed by Icona Pop's Caroline Hjelt and Aino Jawo, where they toss their inhibitions out the window and dance while swathed in beguiling neon hues.

Hayden James dropped his debut album Between Us in summer 2019 on celebrated Australian record label Future Classic, collaborating with Panama and Elderbrook, among others. With a landmark Coachella performance looming in October, he has been livestreaming DJ sets from his own backyard each and every Saturday via his YouTube channel in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Feels good to release this energetic and positive song especially in these crazy times,” James said. “I had so much fun working with Icona Pop and the video we shot captures the raw energy of the girls and the song. It’s one of my favorites!”

Swedish duo Icona Pop have been a staple in the EDM realm for quite some time, as their signature punk-pop vocals have permeated the festival scene for almost a decade. No single rings more true to that sentiment than "I Love It" their 2012 breakthrough smash hit. At 126 BPM, "I Love It" was practically born to be remixed by house artists, and it was. The track received an astonishing number of remixes as big room house thumped its way through the states in the early 2010s, most notably by Dutch duo Sick Individuals. Their mainstage edit continues to be rinsed today by the biggest names in dance music, including Tiësto, Zedd, and Calvin Harris.

You can download or listen to "Right Time" via your go-to streaming platform here.

FOLLOW HAYDEN JAMES:

Website: haydenjamesmusic.com
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FOLLOW ICONA POP:

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source https://edm.com/music-releases/hayden-james-icona-pop-right-time

Kayzo and Crankdat Raise Hell With Blistering Bass Burner "The Fire"

The single arrives on Kayzo's own Welcome Records banner.

After teasing a monster collaboration earlier this week, the heavy-hitting duo of Kayzo and Crankdat have shown their hand.

Today they released their blistering new single "The Fire," which alchemizes both producers' signature production techniques into an absolute flamethrower of a bass track.

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Released via Kayzo's own Welcome Records imprint, "The Fire" is—for lack of a better term—not for the faint of heart. The dubstep single is a rollicking rollercoaster of energy throughout its heart-pounding 150 BPM arrangement, oscillating between half and double-time through its entirety. The juxtaposition in rhythm is a shrewd move, as it builds tension throughout and allows the peaks and valleys of both producers' nuanced production to shine. That includes crunchy guitar riffs and vicious, metallic bass patches, which run roughshod throughout.

Crankdat recently played out "The Fire" at his thunderous set for Room Service Music Festival, in addition to collaborator Kayzo's track "Spin It Back," which was produced alongside Calcium and also released via Welcome Records. Known for his boisterous blend of trap and bass, as well as for his own booming "Re-Cranks," Crankdat kicked off 2020 in a big way in March with his Mechanized Mayhem EP on dubstep kingpin Disciple Records. The same goes for the prolific Kayzo, who seems to be leaning heavily into his proclivity for collaborations. So far this year he has joined forces with Lil Texas, Ray Volpe, and Graves, among others.

You can stream "The Fire" via your go-to platform here.

FOLLOW KAYZO:

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FOLLOW CRANKDAT:

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SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/crankdatmusic

source https://edm.com/music-releases/kayzo-crankdat-the-fire

Marshmello Teases Forthcoming Collaboration With Halsey

It was only a matter of time before these crossover staples joined forces.

Marshmello took to Twitter today to announce a big-time collaboration with Halsey. Aptly titled "Be Kind," the track is due out this Friday, May 1st, at midnight.

Mello was cryptic in his tweet, only divulging the track's title and release date along with a silent promo video. If we're able to glean anything from visual aesthetics and the artists themselves, we're safe to expect a melodic pop/electronic crossover hit.

Halsey, of course, is the barnstorming pop artist featured in The Chainsmokers' 2016 global smash "Closer." While she is primarily a pop and R&B artist, "Closer" entrenched Halsey as a staple in the EDM world, as the full scope of her catalog has been remixed time and again from the genre's most recognized producers, like Illenium, who remixed the chart-topping Capitol Records single "Without Me," and R3hab, who reworked her Cashmere Cat and Benny Blanco-produced hit "Now Or Never."

FOLLOW MARSHMELLO:

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FOLLOW HALSEY:

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source https://edm.com/news/marshmello-halsey-collaboration

Bassnectar Reveals Upcoming Mixtape Will Feature Two Album Tracks and a Collection of Exclusive Edits

The collective EDM world is on the edge of its seat in anticipation of the launch of THE LOCKDOWN MIXTAPES this Friday.

A week after officially announcing his upcoming mixtape series THE LOCKDOWN MIXTAPES on Twitter, Bassnectar took to the platform again yesterday to provide an update on the project's first iteration.

If Nectar fans weren't already seething with anticipation, they are now after he divulged the titillating news that the mix, which is titled ""Inside For The People," will include two unreleased tracks from his forthcoming album All Colors. 

Previously describing the initiative as "...a series of custom-crafted mixtape journeys," Bassnectar also revealed that "Inside For The People" will also feature a number of exclusive edits, flips, and "unique versions" that are bound to be breathtaking considering he tweeted on April 16th that he's "been neck deep in labs, daydreaming and fine tuning" the mix, also writing that it "is BANG. ING."

Moreover, Bassnectar is hosting an interactive listening party at 9PM PST this Friday, where fans can join in and revel in what is going to be a doozy of a live stream event.

FOLLOW BASSNECTAR:

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source https://edm.com/news/bassnectar-lockdown-mixtapes-unreleased-album-tracks

Choosing the Right Guitar Amplifiers: A Guide for Beginners

When it comes to playing the electric guitar, the amplifier is a must. This equipment is what picks up the electric signals from the guitar, allowing the sound to be produced. Without an amplifier, your electric guitar playing won’t sound like much of anything.

Depending on where you purchased your electric guitar, you most likely got a bundle-deal that included some sort of amplifier. But, of course, you will want to think about whether that amplifier meets your needs. And as you get better at playing guitar, you might decide you want something with more power than the one that came with your guitar.

As you start trying to navigate the world of amps, here are some tips you’ll want to keep in mind.

Four types of amps

There are four types of amps to familiarize yourself with. These are tube, modeling, hybrid, and solid-state. Research all four types and read various reviews to determine which type works best for you.

Tube amps might also be referred to as valve amps. Many guitarists feel that tube amps produce the best sounds. They are also some of the oldest types of amps available and are relatively simple to use. However, despite their smooth sounds, there are some downsides with tube amps. They’re expensive, heavy, and tend to burn out easily.

Solid-state amps are lighter than tube amps and produce clear tones. They also require very little maintenance. Most beginners are using some type of solid-state amp. However, the tones they produce might not be as smooth as a tube amp or as wide as a modeling amp.

Hybrid guitar amps mix the sounds of tube amps with the sounds of solid-state amps. While a hybrid amp gives guitarists access to a wider range of tones, many find that they do not work as well as a tube amp. Some people do prefer these, but it is important to remember that they aren’t necessarily the best of both worlds, but a compromise.

Modeling amps (or digital/amp simulators) use modern technology to replicate (or model) tones from other types of amps. This allows guitarists to have access to many different types of models and sound effects. Modeling amps are becoming increasingly more popular, especially considering improvements are made each year. One downside is older models won’t sound as good as newer models.

Understanding power

Next, you’ll want to develop an understanding of the power behind the amp. Many beginners assume that the more power an amp has, the better. After all, then they make more noise!

However, how much power you need depends on how you’re going to be using your guitar. If you’re just playing at home in your bedroom, you only need a small amplifier. You would only need a larger one if you were playing for a larger audience.

Most of the time, if you’re a beginner or if you’re playing at home, you will only need an amplifier that has between five and 20 watts. If you ever reach the point where you’re playing for a larger audience, you’ll need to think about getting something with more power. This could also include the need for some sort of speaker system.

Figuring out features

As you start looking at potential amps, you’ll notice that some offer certain features. These features often come in the form of various knobs and buttons on the amp.

Features could include channels, effects (such as different rhythms), and different input and output jacks (these allow you to hook up different equipment, such as a speaker). While some features could be fun to play around with, an amp with too many features can be overwhelming for beginners.

Start simple. And once you have a basic idea of how your amp is working, start to dive into different features. As you become a better guitar player, you may eventually want to upgrade to an amp that offers more features. But in the beginning, sticking with the basics will provide you with the best possible sounds.

In conclusion

There’s no point in owning an electric guitar if you don’t own an amp! Without an amp, you won’t be able to produce those electrifying sounds that you can use for your electronic dance music. If your guitar came with an amp, take the time to get used to that one before deciding to upgrade to something with different features and tones

source https://edm.com/gear-tech/guitar-ampliflier-beginners-guide

Facebook Continues Vigorous Efforts In the Virtual Music Streaming Space With Hiring Spree

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Facebook has taken notice of the flourishing music livestreaming landscape.

Following the game-changing news that Facebook is rolling out new monetization features for Facebook Live creators, the social networking titan is gearing itself up to continue its concerted effort to bolster its influence in the virtual music streaming space. 

As detailed in a report by Music Business Worldwide, Facebook is currently embarking on a music business hiring spree in anticipation of the licensing and accounting challenges associated with the undertaking.

In a recent blog post, Facebook announced that owners of Pages will soon be able to “...charge for access to events with Live videos on Facebook – anything from online performances to classes to professional conferences.” With no discernible end to the pandemic in sight, it was only a matter of time before Facebook twisted the knife into its efforts to carve out their share of the increasingly competitive music livestreaming environment.

In their report, MBW unearthed an array of new music-related job ads posted by Facebook. In addition to the vital role of Lead Council—Music, they are looking for high-level individuals to fill the positions of Partner Marketing Manager, Music Accounting Manager, Strategic Planning & Operations Analyst, Music Business Development Manager—APAC, and Digital Marketing Lead—Media Partnerships, with the latter two roles requiring a combined 22 years of experience.

H/T: Music Business Worldwide

source https://edm.com/industry/facebook-virtual-music-streaming-hiring-spree

This Pandemic-Proof Raving Suit Has Built-In Speakers, Cameras, and a Vaping and Beverage System

Pandemic shmandemic. This high-tech raving suit can weather the storm while you party smart.

In something out of a dystopian Black Mirror episode, Los Angeles-based creative studio Production Club has released jaw-dropping blueprints of a cutting-edge "raving suit" called Micrashell.

Designed with responsible social distancing at its crux, the patent pending suit technology was designed specifically to cater to the unwavering needs of the nightlife and music communities, as well as the overarching live entertainment industry.

On their website, Production Club, who has designed intricate stage productions for Skrillex and The Chainsmokers, among others, touts the suit as an "Air-tight top suit + hybrid soft+hard helmet made of tactical, high performance cut resistant fabric and developed for durability, endurance and easy disinfecting procedures. Main materials based on UHMWPE fabrics and lightweight film composite, including sealed sewed patterns and ornaments as well as cordura inserts. This offshoot of a hazmat suit contains two lithium-ion cell battery systems for uninterrupted active operation and are easy charge and swap when discharged (18650 type batteries)."

The features included in the site are just as mind-boggling as the suit itself, as it integrates wireless voice communication, a vaping and beverage consumption apparatus, a camera scheme with RGB LED monitoring that pans and tilts, and an internal speaker system.

View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article

Eager prospective buyers must keep their whims at bay, though, because the suit is merely in its early design phase and is not available for purchase at this time.

Immerse yourself in the futuristic glory of this one-of-a-kind suit here.

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source https://edm.com/gear-tech/production-club-micrashell-pandemic-proof-raving-suit

Popular German Nightclub IPSE Severely Damaged After Suspected Arson Attack

The open-air club shared the devastating news on Facebook.

IPSE, a popular open-air club located in Berlin, Germany, has fallen victim to a suspected arson attack. 

After nightclubs worldwide were forced to close due to COVID-19 concerns, effectively suffocating their businesses, hearing a wretched story like this is akin to a swift punch to the collective gut of the music community. The blaze erupted around around 5AM CEST and it was finally contained at 1:30PM, sending a firefighter to the hospital in the process, according to a report from German newspaper Der Tagesspiegel.

IPSE's operators took to Facebook to expound on the devastating news.

"As police confirmed today, IPSE was the victim of arson, leading to the complete destruction of the entire indoor area and parts of the outdoor area. "We are still speechless," the statement reads. "Standing in the ruins of what dozens of people put years of energy and passion into is almost excruciating—and it is unbearable to imagine that this happened purposefully. And to make it worse: due to the specific situation insurance companies won't compensate the damage to our entire inventory, including the technical equipment. There is no right moment for this - but it couldn't be worse right now."

You can donate to IPSE's rebuilding efforts via the club's official crowdfunding campaign here, and read the full statement below.

H/T: Resident Advisor

source https://edm.com/news/german-nightclub-ipse-arson-attack

Lost Lands Uploads Full 2019 Excision B2B Illenium Set

Relive the magic of one of the most ballyhooed sets Lost Lands has ever seen.

Did you hear that? That's the sound of the collective bass music community sprinting from their kitchen to their laptops after Excision and Illenium's celebrated debut B2B set from Lost Lands 2019 was uploaded.

Organizers from Excision's beloved bass music festival have finally posted the set, which you can watch in full below.

Excision and Illenium's joint set at Lost Lands' The Prehistoric Paradox stage in 2019 was one for the ages. Those who were in attendance can attest that it had a storybook feel, with a palpable energy that did not relent for the entirety of the performance.

Opening with their collaborative single "Gold (Stupid Love)," Excision and Illenium went on to throw down an absolutely mind-boggling set oozing with the ferocious dubstep flavors we've all come to expect from two of the most recognized heavy-hitters in bass music. Chock full of fan favorites like Illenium's "Crawl Outta Love" and Excision's rip-roaring Space Laces collab "Rumble," alongside rippers from fellow dubstep kingpins SVDDEN DEATH, Virtual Riot, and Zomboy, among others, the set went down in history as one of Lost Lands' most iconic.

Thanks to Excision and Lost Lands, you can now watch the full performance via Lost Lands' YouTube channel here. 

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source https://edm.com/music-releases/lost-lands-full-2019-excision-b2b-illenium-set

Deadmau5 Postpones Highly Anticipated Cube V3 Live Shows

Sources cited COVID-19 concerns as the reason behind the postponement.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Deadmau5's highly anticipated Cube V3 shows in London and Ireland have officially been rescheduled. Ticketing service MyTicket and organizers from Ireland's Live at the Marquee concert series each took to Twitter to share the unfortunate news.

Earlier this month, Deadmau5 shared a sneak peak into the groundbreaking Cube V3 production, offering fans a glimpse of what to expect at these live shows. The production was primed to be a tour de force of sorts for the renowned electronic producer, featuring an intricate, grandiose configuration of different LEDs and visuals all operating from code written by the "Strobe" producer himself.

He was set for larger-than-life Cube V3 shows at Cork's Live at the Marquee series on June 19th and London's O2 Academy Brixton on June 26th. Those two shows have been rescheduled to June 18th, 2021 and June 10th, 2021, respectively.

All tickets to the shows remain valid, and more information can be found via MyTicket here.

source https://edm.com/news/deadmau5-postpones-cube-v3-live-shows

Yung Bae Releases Infectiously Funky Remix of "5PM" from Animal Crossing

Lose yourself in this bubbly new remix from Yung Bae.

Yung Bae breathes new life into the after-hours song "5PM," a cut from Nintendo's Animal Crossing: New Horizons. 

The original song, a laid-back tune that will have you relaxing with the close of business, received an energizing boost from Yung Bae. Leaning further into the funk elements of the original, Yung Bae's first release of 2020 beefs up the low end with a dance-worthy bassline and infectious filtered synths. 

Stylistically, the remix feels aligned with the disco influences of Studio 54, which Yung Bae has cited as a creative influence. Judging from his new video, Yung Bae had no problem bringing the full cast of characters out to dance. He even got Tom Nook to bust a move in the process.

The storied video game franchise from Nintendo released its fifth installment, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, just over a month ago for the Nintendo Switch system. The game has since set a record for most digital units of a game sold within a single month after over 5 million copies were purchased in the month of March.

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source https://edm.com/music-releases/yung-bae-releases-remix-of-animal-crossing

April's Top 10 Tracks Across the House Music Spectrum

From heavy-hitters like Pryda and deadmau5 to rising producers like Massane and Slow Hearts, April saw stellar house music releases.

While we’ve been holed up in quarantine this past month, our favorite house music artists have been lifting our spirits with plenty of live streams and new music. From electro and progressive to deep and techno, here are 10 of our favorite house music tracks, in no specific order, from the past month.

“Make Up” - Hot Since 82
Hot Since 82 is one of the biggest names in tech house, and “Make Up” proves why. Just 30 seconds in, the track kicks into overdrive with an impeccable kick drum and a deep, driving bassline. “Make Up” marks the centennial release of Hot Since 82’s Knee Deep In Sound imprint, and the hard-hitting track is the perfect way to celebrate the occasion.

“Bear Hug” - Lane 8
Speaking about his track “Bear Hug,” Lane 8 recounted, “I went into the mountains on a vision quest of sorts. I stayed in a cabin that had a huge painting of a bear with its arms stretched out and I spent a lot of time staring at that bear while I made this song.” 

Just like a bear hug, this song grips tightly, sucking listeners in with a mystical melody before breaking into an assault of sonic growls.

“Twisted” - Massane
Shimmering synths and soft keys embellish a yearning lead on “Twisted,” the sum of parts forming a serene soundscape. The track is a perfect fit for its release on Lane 8’s This Never Happened label, which curates tender-yet-spirited melodic house tracks like Massane's “Twisted.”

“Loop Machine” - Raxon
Though “Loop Machine” veers a little into techno territory, it’s worth a mention for its sinister, pulsating atmosphere. The track’s been smashing dancefloors for months as dance music mainstay Maceo Plex revealed it’s a staple in his recent sets­, and he finally released it on his label Ellum Audio.

“Extraction” - Dosem
“My method when composing music is very visual, projecting images and putting a soundtrack to an imaginary sci-fi movie,” Dosem explained on the making of “Extraction.” The bassline is certainly otherworldly on this track. Not to mention, Dosem nails the progression from intro to drop, with 3 minutes of ever-increasing tension exploding into groove-inducing beats.

“Nightwhisperer” - Jody Wisternoff & James Grant
Jody Wisternoff and James Grant are best known for running Above & Beyond’s deep house label Anjunadeep. The pair is able to masterully curate and craft though, which “Nightwhisperer”—the title track from Jody Wisternoff’s upcoming album—highlights. 

The tune plays off a delicate melody from Spike Jonze’s film adaption of the popular children's book Where The Wild Things Are. A powerful bassline, cushioned brass, and lush synths blanket the melody to create a dreamy, melodic house concoction.

“Find Love” – Kaskade
Kaskade’s Redux live shows and EP series are ways for him to shift from his established sound to dig into his roots, exploring an intimate and introspective style of house music. “Find Love,” featured on his fourth Redux EP, hits home with this sentiment. There’s a soft energy to the song, which is shaped by a warm piano melody, musing vocals, and a gentle groove.

“Sands Of Time” - Slow Hearts
There’s no better home for “Sands Of Time” than Lee Burridge’s All Day I Dream record label, which is revered for its consistent curation of emotive dance music. Spanning eight minutes, “Sands Of Time” moves slow and steady, animated by tranquil bells, tribal drums and a deep, dancefloor-ready beat.

“The Gift (EPIC mix)” – Pryda
Eric Prydz is notorious for his hoard of unreleased live edits and mashups, and diehard fans may have been waiting for the “EPIC” mix of “The Gift” for almost 10 years. On finally releasing the cinematic “EPIC” edit under his progressive house focused moniker Pryda, Eric Prydz stated:

“I’ve been waiting for the right time to give this track away for free. I promised to do that probably a few years ago actually, but I just wanted to wait for the right time. And I just feel that now when we’re all at home sitting on lockdown everyone needs a gift. ”

“Fives” - BSOD
It’s been six years since deadmau5 and Steve Duda (famously known for creating wildly popular music production plugin Serum) linked up for their collaborative project BSOD. The duo reemerged this April for their No Way, Get Real EP, and “Fives” is one of the best tracks off it. 

From the playful panning in the intro to the glitchy synths fans have come to love deadmau5 for, “Fives” is an eccentric electro house track that’s ready-made for a colorful, carefree video game akin to Rocket League.

source https://edm.com/features/best-house-music-tracks-april-2020

Producers of Upcoming Italian Film Deny Reports of Dank Punk Score

Dario Argento recently told an Italian newspaper that Daft Punk will be scoring his film "Occhiali Neri (Black Glasses)."

The dance music community was buzzing yesterday with the news that legendary electronic duo Daft Punk would be reentering the public eye by scoring a forthcoming film. The score for Dario Argento's Occhiali Neri (Black Glasses) would have been the enigmatic duo's first since 2010's Tron: Legacy, which was nominated for Best Score Soundtrack Album for Visual Media at the 54th Grammy Awards.

Producers of Argento’s film have now issued a statement denying all reports of Daft Punk's involvement with the film, the first of which was published in Italian newspaper la Repubblica. “They know all my films,” Argento told la Repubblica. “They learned through a mutual French friend that I was working on a new film and they contacted me to tell me that they wanted to collaborate with me.” 

Producers Conchita Airoldi (of Urania Pictures) and Brahim Chioua (of Getaway Pictures) went on the record to declare that Argento’s sentiments reflected as a mere “desire to work with Daft Punk” as opposed to a finalized agreement.

“Urania Pictures and Getaway Films, producers of Dario Argento’s Dark Glasses, wish to react to the rumours currently circulating, following an interview in La Repubblica in which Argento stated that Daft Punk were to compose the soundtrack of his new movie,” said Airoldi and Chioua. “This statement reflects Argento’s desire to work with Daft Punk, however there has been no agreement nor discussions between both parties. The movie is currently in pre-production, and Dario’s wish is not on today’s agenda.”

The denial is a disheartening blow to those who wish to hear new Daft Punk music, but the prospect of the iconic duo joining the film isn't completely dead. We will be providing updates on this story as soon as they become available.

source https://edm.com/news/producers-of-upcoming-italian-film-deny-reports-of-dank-punk-score

Monstercat Taps Just A Gent for Live Stream and Q&A Tonight

It's a match made in heaven for melodic bass music fans.

Celebrated electronic tastemaker Monstercat has team teamed up with fan favorite Just A Gent for a live stream event. The show, which is part of the Vancouver label's new MCTV digital series, will begin at 6:00PM PST (9:00PM EST) via their Twitch channel and also feature a Q&A session.

MCTV is airing a new live show every Tuesday and Thursday, inviting an artist to perform for one hour, debut new music, and interact with fans.

Long considered one of the most forward-thinking producers in electronic music, Just A Gent has an uncanny ability to blend hypnotic future bass and booming trap under a melodic umbrella. No project was more emblematic of that refreshingly original sound than his URCA EP, which arrived on Monstercat in December 2019. Roaming the full spectrum of dance music's subgenres, URCA is a poignant song-cycle of beguiling, vocal-driven electronic ballads. You can listen to the EP in full below.

View the original article to see embedded media.

Fans of Just A Gent can also look forward to a forthcoming collaboration with rising trap artist YVNG JALAPEÑO, which is dropping on Dim Mak this Friday, May 1st.

Tune into the live stream tonight at 6:00PM PST (9:00PM EST) via Monstercat's Twitch channel here.

FOLLOW JUST A GENT:

Facebook: facebook.com/JustaGent/
Instagram: instagram.com/justagent/
Twitter: twitter.com/JustAGent
Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/just-a-gent

FOLLOW MONSTERCAT:

Website: monstercat.com/
Twitter: twitter.com/monstercat
Instagram: instagram.com/monstercat
SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/Monstercat

source https://edm.com/news/monstercat-just-a-gent-live-stream

Facebook Announces Creators Will Soon Be Able to Monetize Their Streams

Facebook is rolling out a suite of features for Facebook Live creators.

In a new blog post, Facebook outlined their plan to roll out new monetization features for Facebook Live.

One major new feature will enable Facebook Live users to charge for access to live stream events. The feature would provide creators with new controls for monetizing access to live stream concerts, which have been on the rise in 2020 due to worldwide in-person show cancellations due to the impact of COVID-19. 

Facebook additionally announced new inter-platform integrations to Facebook Live, including the ability to mark a Facebook Event as "online only" and allowing hosts to broadcast live directly to the event's attendees. 

Another popular Facebook Live feature, "Live With," is being resurrected. The feature, which allowed two live streamers to connect and co-broadcast simultaneously, was scrapped in 2019. However, Facebook has stated they're bringing back the function in response to feedback. "Live With" will ensure creators have the ability to collaborate in a live stream setting from anywhere in the world. 

With an increasingly competitive live streaming landscape, it remains to be seen how the new Facebook Live will fare against competition, Like Twitch. Facebook suggested it will be acting quickly to implement the new features with some of them set to arrive in the coming weeks.

source https://edm.com/news/facebook-live-stream-new-features