Events, Featured, Review | THROWBACK THURSDAY: How Our Lives Have Changed Since Amsterdam Dance Event
Posted by mimada on November 14, 2013
Just one short month after attending the Amsterdam Dance Event in the Netherlands, VMan and I bring you nothing but the best coverage of the event, including a first hand understanding of how the Dutch produce such great DJs and the aftermath of how our lives have changed since the festival. Expect to be ready to purchase a plane ticket to next year’s ADE upon completion.
Annnnnd go!
Events, Exclusive | Countdown to ADE Spotlight: Rustie
Posted by mimada on October 16, 2013
Tomorrow, Fresh New Tracks will be jetting off to the Netherlands for ADE: Amsterdam Dance Event, a five-day electronic music festival, conference, and playground taking over the city. Leading up to ADE, we’ll be filling you in on just who and what we’re looking forward to seeing most. And if any of you out there have any insider tips on the best acts to catch, drop either VMan or myself a line and we’ll be sure to add it to our list.
Name: Rustie
Born: January 4th, 1983 (30)
Homebase: Glasgow
Previous Occupations: Apprentice park keeper and tractor operator (source)
Latest Release: “Triadzz / Slasherr”
I’m ashamed to admit producer Rustie really only entered my radar within the past 6 months after falling head over heels in love with the Flume remix of “Slasherr” and consequently the EP’s other half, “Triadzz.” Since then I’ve diving further into his discography, specifically his album, Glass Swords, which was recognized by the Guardian for their first album award in 2012.You might have also noticed his contribution to Danny Brown’s latest game-changing album, “Old.”
The beginning of Rustie’s electronic career could be described as “aquacrunk,” but has since continuously evolved through various artistic styles and trends, while staying true to it’s hip-hop, 8-bit, and grunge roots. It’s dynamic, spontaneous, and unpredictable, which makes it much more of a rewarding listening experience. Even after having his works on repeat for the past few days, I have no idea what to expect in his live set – I mean, other than potentially a guitar? – nevertheless, the anticipation is killing me.
So, if you can’t make it across the pond to Amsterdam this weekend, I’ve got a solution for you. During his set at the Numbers x Lockdown Showcase at Paradiso on Friday, take an hour or two (considering the event lasts for 6!) to dive into some of his stuff. I’ll leave his legendary BBC 1 mix here for you in case you need a starting point…
FACEBOOK || SOUNDCLOUD || TWITTER
Events, Featured | Countdown to ADE Spotlight: Kastle
Posted by mimada on October 1, 2013
Today is October 1st, which means in 16 short days Fresh New Tracks will be jetting off to the Netherlands for ADE: Amsterdam Dance Event, a five-day electronic music festival, conference, and playground taking over the city. Leading up to ADE, we’ll be filling you in on just who and what we’re looking forward to seeing most. And if any of you out there have any insider tips on the best acts to catch, drop either VMan or myself a line and we’ll be sure to add it to our list.
After browsing through the hundreds of artists set to play at ADE, Kastle’s name was the one that lingered with me the most. The producer//philosopher has beautifully maintained a characteristic, innovative sound over the period of his career thus far. If there’s any slight possibility you’ve found yourself unacquainted with Kastle and his work (which really shouldn’t be the case), then let us give you a little background. Kastle’s music tests the limits of art and expression, ranging all the way across the spectrum from electronic dub, garage, and house to R&B and hip-hop. Kastle himself, also known as Barrett Richards, is in an artistic sense a renaissance man by constantly exploring the virtues of all forms of art and philosophy. Browsing his Facebook, you might stumble upon an assortment of great music along and thought-provoking quotations with corresponding photos. I’m particularly fond of his Tumblr, which is almost like a window into Kastle’s seemingly infinite pool of inspiration.
Kastle will be headlining the Plafonddienst showcase at The Sugar Factory Thursday, October 17th. Joining him will be Liar, one of the newest additions to Kastle’s very own label, Symbols Recordings, and Tourist of the UK. I’ve heard rumors of these artists putting on live sets that are high energy and perhaps different than their typical sound, so I’m pretty anxious to see what these guys throw down. Keeping my fingers crossed for the Ellie Goulding remix Kastle dropped just a few days ago… (which is available for free download!)
Whether or not you make it out to Amsterdam for the weekend, be sure to indulge in Kastle’s vast selection of free downloads and his full length, self-titled album. While you’re at it, check out this interview with MTVHive where Kastle pairs cocktails with tracks from his album. Cheers!
FACEBOOK || SOUNDCLOUD || TWITTER || FREE DOWNLOADS
Electro-House | Ummet Ozcan – The Cube
Posted by Middy on July 23, 2013
Living in the Netherlands, but from Turkish descent, Ummet Ozcan has found his way to forge a path in the increasingly crowded dance music landscape, where the saying “imitation is the highest form of flattery” is taken waaay too literally. His relatively new bombastic style that has helped catapult him to larger mainstream success is what you now know to be Ummet Ozcan. With “The Code” still a prominent track this summer, he has wasted no time resting on his laurels with efforts like “Here & Now“, “Airport“, and now “The Cube“. As a follow-up stylistically to “The Box“, with some updates in his current sound, Ummet Ozcan goes 3-dimentsional with this track, as he upgrades from boxes to cubes bringing his full-bodied bass lines and thunderous synth leads to this heart-racing single.
Beatport: Ummet Ozcan – The Cube
Albums, Progressive House | Project 46 – Continuum EP
Posted by Mel on May 29, 2013
It brings me great pleasure that perhaps my favorite house duo Project 46 are, not only fellow Canadians, but also huge hockey and also Vancouver Canucks fans (well, one of them is). The always good looking duo (I don’t know what they look like) have just released an EP for free on Monstercat. When one hears that an EP is free they usually associate the free aspect with low quality; the leftovers that aren’t good enough to go on Beatport for $2.49. This EP, however, is not that. Each of the three tracks included are great. The two instrumentals show some diversity with “Catalyst” being more of a high energy, big room track and “Ekho” going for the cheery, uplifting vibe. Also included is “Waiting”, a vocal house track made in collaboration with Soundwell, a seemingly unknown producer from the Netherlands. Overall, this is an impressive EP made even better by the fact that it’s free.
Free Download: Project 46 – Continuum EP
Videos | Armin van Buuren Joined on Stage by Dutch King and Queen; Everything Makes Sense Again
Posted by Spice on May 1, 2013
Here is a video of Armin van Buuren being joined on stage by the King and Queen of the Netherlands, who made an impromptu pit stop at this apparent rave while probably en route to a ball and/or palace.
This video is perfect. Several things:
1) There are currently multiple comments on YouTube alleging that Armin is, in fact, the real King in the North King of the Netherlands and the other guy’s an impostor. Interesting theory.
2) I’m assuming that this is the Dutch equivalent of the Obamas getting on stage with Skrillex at Ultra. Awesome; also excellent visual.
3) In that vein, I’d really like to live in a country where Armin van Buuren is backed by a symphony orchestra and kings and queens come out to wave to the adoring populace as the dulcet sounds of trance and violins fill the air. Armin van Buuren: Dutch National Treasure.
4) The Queen is kind of a babe, no?
5) Coolest royal family ever. Sorry England — until Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles are photographed waving glow sticks at Ministry of Sound, I don’t want to hear about it.
BREAKING: I’ve just been informed that this is a video of King Willem-Alexander’s inauguration, where Armin was specifically asked to perform. However, what King Willem-Alexander isn’t telling you is that the whole inauguration thing was actually a ploy; he really just wanted to see Armin drop his Dead London edit of “Stresstest.”
Progressive House | Jesse Draak & Ryan Fieret
Posted by W8 on July 20, 2012
Residing in the Netherlands are two young emerging producers, Jesse Draak and Ryan Fieret. The youthful duo has a thorough understanding of progressive house with a keen ear for euphoric builds and cheery drops. They recently released a compilation of tracks containing five remixes and two originals, which they are generously giving away for free. After reviewing all the tracks it’s my pleasure to present my three favorites, enjoy.