Exclusive, Featured, Interviews | Andrew Bayer talks past and future with “If It Were You, We’d Never Leave”, producing with Above & Beyond, future works and more
Posted by Middy on April 15, 2013
American producer (we can’t even try to put him in one genre), Andrew Bayer may seem like a new name to many of you, but this veteran has been in the dance music industry for 10 years now and finally getting the credit he deserves. Starting back in 2003 when he was just a teen in the now on hiatus group, the Signalrunners with Alan Nimmo, before striking out on his own in 2008. An alum on Berklee College Of Music in Boston, Massachusetts (we are all pulling for you guys), he is one of the few DJ / producers with a professional music degree, an experience he calls “amazing for my growth as a producer”.
Andrew Bayer’s music crosses genres and styles. His 2011 artist album, “It’s Artificial” made waves with its wide variety of styles, from glitch-hop to silky smooth techno to eclectic electronica and progressive, that made the whole experience very cerebral. The experimental 8 track debut artist album signaled his arrival as a solo artist and put the world on notice that he was to be reckoned with. His upcoming album “If It Were You, We’d Never Leave” is a beautiful piece of work. Set to release April 22nd, it may be my favorite album since “Group Therapy”, I am willing to go that far. The subtle layers and samples that create the soothing emotions and sounds are unparalleled to what other producers are putting out right now. You can download “It’s Going To Be Fine” for free here on XLR8R, but to be honest it would be a disservice to the track because this album needs to be heard as one contiguous piece of music, just as it was originally constructed, and each single by themselves will not make as much sense without the context of the album.
We had the chance to get him on the phone today, to talk everything from, working and producing with Above & Beyond, the Signalrunners, the album and more. Pre-order and preview the album below and then click the jump to read the interview.
Events, Review | Above & Beyond turn Roseland Ballroom into a Temple of Trance
Posted by Middy on February 22, 2013
It is said that Above & Beyond live creates an atmosphere much like that of a religious experience. Whether you are the person right up front wearing an Anjunabeats T-shirt, the girl on somebody’s shoulder making a heart hands and getting one back from Tony, or the guy dancing all the way in the back, Above & Beyond have a way to connect and touch every member of the audience on a deep, personal and emotional way that few other Djs can do. I credit Above & Beyond for helping take the full on plunge into dance music. It was not until I saw their club show at Glow DC two summers ago right after the release of Group Therapy, a show I almost did not get into due to issues with the overzealous bouncers, that I dove head first into this thing called dance music and eventually led me here at FNT.
Progressive House | Zaa ft. Molly Bancroft – Timebomb (Audien Remix)
Posted by Middy on February 19, 2013
Audien has been a busy man this year, starting with his chart topping single “Wayfarer“, his single with Michael S. “Leaving You“, his remix for Tommy Sunshine and the Disco Fries and now another remix, this time for Mexican producer Jorge Munoz Mancilla under his Zaa moniker with Molly Bancroft who recently struck gold with Andrew Bayer on “Keep Your Secrets”. Audien provides us with an uplifting, piano driven melody, making the most of Molly Bancroft’s outstanding vocals. This remix shows the more uplifting and progressive side of Audien’s sound as another example of wide range and diversity of what he can put together.
Beatport: Zaa feat. Molly Bancroft – Timebomb (Audien Remix)
DJ-Set | Mat Zo Essential Mix 2/8/13
Posted by Middy on February 10, 2013
Following up Eric Prydz’s legendary essential mix last week, Mat Zo had the unfortunate job of trying to follow up that otherworldly two hour mix. Mat Zo manages to mix 75 songs into the 2 hours given to him, making for some very quick transitions and interesting drops. The mix takes you on a journey of genre and style moving through not just trance or house, but through tech, nu-disco and even some drum n bass, as be used to make it himself under his MRZO alias. The mix is nothing like you would hear from a Mat Zo club set, but rather the eclectic taste of the artist and displaying his care free attitude for barriers in music. The mix features new tracks from his upcoming album, including the funky “Pyramid Scheme”, which we have heard in his sets for the past few months and also has some exclusive cuts from The M MAchine and fellow Anjunabeats label mates Andrew Bayer and Norin & Rad. Tracklist after the jump.
Events | Full Lineup Announced for Above & Beyond’s Anjunabeats Vol 10 Launch Party
Posted by Middy on January 15, 2013
Selling out in only 30 minutes (we hope you got tickets), Above & Beyond’s Anjunabeats Vol 10 Launch party at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City on February 16th now has the supporting cast to go along with headliner and label head Above & Beyond. A mixture of both Anjunadeep and Anjunabeats will be represented with a cast of American producers, Andrew Bayer, Norin & Rad & newcomer on Anjunadeep, Beckwith. Andrew Bayer is set to release his sophomore album this spring on Anjunadeep “If It Were You, We’d Never Leave”, so expect a new and fresh set from him. We saw both Andrew Bayer & Norin & Rad at Electric Zoo with Above & Beyond and they were outstanding and we are excited to see Beckwith for the first time. You can preorder Anjunabeats Vol 10 now here. Listen to selections from each of the supporting cast below.
Albums, Trance | Anjunabeats Volume 9 (Mixed By Above & Beyond) Review
Posted by Middy on November 15, 2011
Anjunabeats Volume 9 is a mix compilation of 28 new and unreleased songs from artists on Anjunabeats mixed by Above and Beyond. It is a compilation that will leave you speechless with the range of styles and mastery displayed by these artists. All 28 songs are mixed, but it is separated into 2 separate mix CDs, where the style changes somewhat. The first CD is what Anjunabeats is known for and what its fans all around the world love it for. It starts off perfectly with one of Above & Beyond’s new tracks “Tokyo” with a teasing piano lead, relaxing synth build and soft choral chants to get you into the rest of the volume. The first CD is that melodic, euphoric trance with sensitive piano leads, flowing synth melodies, easy bass, smooth violin samples and of course the occasional female vocals that we all expect from Anjunabeats. This CD includes 2 NEW releases from Above and Beyond, Oliver Smith, Andrew Bayer, Norin & Rad and others. The second CD is more of the progressive trance/house type of releases from Anjunabeats. It has several already released remixes and singles on Anjunabeats such as Arty “Kate”, Mat Zo “Frequency Flyer” and Jaytech’s “New Vibe”. This is more upbeat trance, while maintaining the structure, bass, sensitive piano leads and uplifting synth melodies that Anjunabeats is known for. CD 2 includes the much anticipated release from Mat Zo & Arty “Mozart” and new songs from Cramp, Jaytech and others. Here are some samples from both CDs for you to listen to and if you want to get the album you can buy it from the Anjunabeats store HERE, or on iTunes HERE.
CD 1:
PREVIEW: Above & Beyond – Formula Rossa
PREVIEW: Andrew Bayer & Matt Lange Feat Kerry Leva – In And Out Of Phase
PREVIEW: Cramp – RUN116
CD 2:
PREVIEW: Mat Zo & Arty – Mozart
PREVIEW: Above & Beyond Feat Richard Bedford – Every Little Beat (Myon & Shane 54 Summer Of Love Mix)
PREVIEW: Sunny Lax – Contrast
Albums, Trance | Trance Tuesdays Cosmic Gate – Wake Your Mind Album Review
Posted by Middy on October 25, 2011
Yesterday was a huge day for EDM with Kaskade releasing his 7th artist album “Fire and Ice” (review to come soon) and Cosmic Gate the German trance duo releasing their album “Wake Your Mind”. The album is a masterful display of production from start to finish. They are masters of vocal trance with the long vocal builds into a euphoric hands in the air drop that makes you feel like you are at their show. With a good balance of instrumental and stirring vocal tracks with collaborations with other trance heavyweights such as Andrew Bayer and Myron & Shane 54, Cosmic Gate leaves us with a 14 track treat that will leave you hitting repeat. I picked out four of my favorite songs from the album for a full preview and if you like them get this album on Beatport HERE or wait until October 31st for iTunes and other sellers. They are in the middle of a North America tour right now, so if they are in your area do not hesitate to go out to see them.
Listen: Cosmic Gate – Flying Blind
Listen: Cosmic Gate – Over the Rainbow
Listen: Cosmic Gate – Wake Your Mind
Listen: Cosmic Gate – All Around You