Exclusive, Featured, Interviews | Hard Rock Sofa On Album “Most Important Thing For Us At Moment”
Posted by Middy on May 6, 2014
Hard Rock Sofa need little introduction. Though their rise to prominence has only been in the past 3-4 years, coinciding with the dance music boom Stateside, they have been making music since 2005. Approaching a decade of making music and it appears that they are hitting their stride (take notes kids, this does not happen overnight, unless you buy it), making tunes in a wide variety of sounds and styles.
We were supposed to sit down and chat with them the third day of E Zoo, but well I think we all know what happened. But we got the chance after “Arms Around Me” released to chat with them, so of course we did. We got to chat about their latest single “Arms Around Me” that was just released on Axtone, the impact of Sergey (the former third member of the group) leaving, their upcoming artist album and much more.
Events | FNT Presents Chocolate Puma @ Mixify Unity Festival 12/17-18
Posted by Middy on December 10, 2013
On December 17th and 18th, Mixify will be hosting the second edition of its “Unity” festival with a host of notable talent like Chocolate Puma, Arty, Norman Doray and more. Today, the festival is announcing through its 7 media partners, us being one of them, the 6 artists in the first wave of acts. They are: Arty, Norman Doray, Chocolate Puma, Will Sparks, Swanky Tunes and Paris Blohm.
We will be presenting Dutch veterans, Chocolate Puma’s set on 12/17 at 4pm. The duo have had a stellar year, racking up remixes for the likes of fellow festival attendee, Norman Doray, Kaskade and Major Lazer, while also releasing tracks on Steve Angello’s “X” Recordings and several on Spinnin’. The duo will bring their upbeat brand of house music to the festival, giving it a groove you won’t find from the other artists on the bill.
The whole festival has been put together to raise awareness and funds for disaster relief in the Philippines, following Typhoon Haiyan. Fans are encouraged to go to UNICEF‘s website to see how they can help with their efforts in the Philippines. Phase 2 artist announcement to come shortly in the next few days. Check out one of Chocolate Puma’s sets from this fall to see what you are in store for on December 17th. Enter here.
Progressive House | Swanky Tunes & Peking Duk feat. James McNally – You Are Like Nobody Else
Posted by Middy on February 11, 2013
Swanky Tunes leaves their heavy electro sound of late for their first single of the year, “You Are Like Nobody Else” tabbing Australian duo Peking Duk to round out the fivesome on this production. James McNally adds infectious male vocals to this track that shows the big room sound of both Swanky Tunes & Peking Duk with its emotive synths, prominent reverbed claps, a grungy low end and smooth piano driven builds. “You Are Like Else” is a strong follow up to Swanky Tunes’ collab with Kaskade “No One Knows Who We Are“, showing promise for them going into 2013 and also puts Peking Duk on the map for many as artist to keep an eye on with already several solid productions under their belt.
Beatport: Swanky Tunes & Peking Duk feat. James McNally – You Are Like Nobody Else
Electro-House | Kaskade & Swanky Tunes ft. Lights – No One Knows Who We Are
Posted by Middy on December 24, 2012
With Kaskade on the shelf from touring after his incredibly arduous and long Freaks of Nature tour this summer, we can expect more productions to be released from him soon, and this collab with Swanky Tunes and Lights is the first to see the light of day. This is one of those either you love it or you hate it songs because it is a strong change from what we have come to love with Kaskade. That does not mean change is a bad thing, but the grinding electro house that Swanky Tunes brings to the table in this track is a strong departure from what we are used to hearing from Ryan Raddon with his uplifting and emotional songs. Personally, I am not that big a fan of it and would love to see some remixes of it, especially with the vocals from Lights, but I can see how others would like this.
Beatport: Kaskade & Swanky Tunes ft. Lights – No One Knows Who We Are
Progressive House | Matchbox Twenty – Put Your Hands Up (Swanky Tunes Remix)
Posted by Middy on December 18, 2012
Russian trio, Swanky Tunes have been putting out songs this year that have been much more aggressive and electro based like “Here We Go“, “Chemistry“, “The Edge”, “Blood Rush” and their more melodic side we saw in previous years was only saw in sporadic productions like “Apogee“. This remix of Matchbox Twenty’s latest single “Put Your Hands Up” off of their recently released album “North”, brings us back to their melodic side in emphatic fashion. Gearing this track towards the arena, Swanky Tunes puts together a remix with a high energy melody and a powerful bass line, letting the vocals shine in the build.
Also do not sleep on the Ludovika night remix that is below. The young Dutch producer is a name that has been getting gigs with some of the biggest names in the industry on both sides of the Atlantic, so look for more of him in years to come.
Beatport: Matchbox Twenty – Put Your Hands Up (Swanky Tunes Remix)
Electro-House | Hard Rock Sofa, Matisse & Sadko, Swanky Tunes – Chemistry (Turn The Flame Higher)
Posted by Middy on November 5, 2012
Yes you read that right, Hard Rock Sofa, Matisse & Sadko AND Swanky Tunes have all combined to make a track. That is 7 producers for one track. All that is left is to add Arty to the mix and we have a real party. I wonder who had a big enough studio / enough vodka for all of the them… Anyway, the track combines the big room tendencies of Matisse & Sadko with the grungy electro dispositions that we have seen in recent tracks from Hard Rock Sofa & Swanky Tunes — all balanced with a quick alternating bass line.
Beatport: Hard Rock Sofa, Matisse & Sadko, Swanky Tunes – Chemistry (Turn The Flame Higher)
Progressive House | Calvin Harris feat. Ne-Yo – Let’s Go (Swanky Tunes & Hard Rock Sofa Remix)
Posted by Middy on November 4, 2012
To be honest I am quite tired of remixes of this track especially since it had a high profile beatport remix competition, but since its unveiling at Tomorrowland, the Hard Rock Sofa & Swanky Tunes remix has been one I have been eagerly awaiting. It draws on elements of past productions like the saws in “Here We Go” and a similar bass line to “Quasar“, while adding its own unique combination of electro stabs and grinding synths. This high energy take on “Let’s Go” manages to stand tall in a very crowded remix field as the Russians prove once again their production prowess.
Amazon: Calvin Harris feat. Ne-Yo – Let’s Go (Swanky Tunes & Hard Rock Sofa Remix)