They left us without the recording of Swedish House Mafia‘s live set from EDC this year…arguably the best set of the weekend. Fortunately for us, NartNoside took the hit and recorded the whole set with a pretty great quality camera! Reminds me of when I recorded all of Soulwax’s set from HARD Summer 2010. The only thing with that was the battery ran out right at the end without saving any of the video. 45 minutes of taking turns holding the camera went to waste. Now that set is a pleasant memory shared only by the people who were there. Haha this is cool though! Dig it. Download it. Share it.
They left us without the recording of Swedish House Mafia‘s live set from EDC this year…arguably the best set of the weekend. Fortunately for us, NartNoside took the hit and recorded the whole set with a pretty great quality camera! Reminds me of when I recorded all of Soulwax’s set from HARD Summer 2010. The only thing with that was the battery ran out right at the end without saving any of the video. 45 minutes of taking turns holding the camera went to waste. Now that set is a pleasant memory shared only by the people who were there. Haha this is cool though! Dig it. Download it. Share it.
Happy Sunday friends. Pretty happy to say I’ve made it 50 weeks with these lists, and I don’t see an end to this anytime soon. Lots to be excited about that’s coming up real fast: HARD Summer, Outside Lands, A-Trak/Treasure Fingers at Wavehouse, Deadmau5 @ Palladium…woah. I think I’m excited for Outside Lands the most. There’s such a diverse amount of damn good acts, and plus, I love San Francisco. Decided against Audiotistic so Flux and Doctor P better be coming to LA soon. I’m still working to put on shows and may have landed an opportunity for a massive Orange County fest! I’ll keep everyone posted. Don’t forget to open your minds for these lists! Enjoy 50:
Happy Sunday friends. Pretty happy to say I’ve made it 50 weeks with these lists, and I don’t see an end to this anytime soon. Lots to be excited about that’s coming up real fast: HARD Summer, Outside Lands, A-Trak/Treasure Fingers at Wavehouse, Deadmau5 @ Palladium…woah. I think I’m excited for Outside Lands the most. There’s such a diverse amount of damn good acts, and plus, I love San Francisco. Decided against Audiotistic so Flux and Doctor P better be coming to LA soon. I’m still working to put on shows and may have landed an opportunity for a massive Orange County fest! I’ll keep everyone posted. Don’t forget to open your minds for these lists! Enjoy 50:
Got word today about this and I’m pretty ecstatic to say the least. I’d say 80% ecstatic and 20% nervous, because I don’t want to get my hopes up too high for a sophomore slump of an album. Not saying that I wouldn’t expect anything less than a great album, I’m just playing it safe. One thing we all gotta get straight is that † is one of the greatest electronic albums of all time. For a lot of us, it showed the light to how epic and approachable electronic could be. For others it was the influence they needed to start producing music of their own. So to expect an album as good or even better is like getting Daft Punk to tell us what the fuck they’re doing with their lives…aka it’s highly unlikely. But hey! Bright side is that the album should be coming out in the Fall, and there’s no doubt in my mind that we’re in for a treat.
It hasn’t been too long since Chronic Mncher had to move on to bigger and better things, but no evil comes without some good. Even though a major piece of C+A+D will be missed, a whole new life is born in the form of Alton Square. A DJ duo of Irvine’s own Godzilla Toboggan (Chronic Mncher) and Alan Artin. Together they’re throwing down some synthy house tracks that I’m pretty surprised to say I love. Not that I’d expect anything less…but it’s awesome when some of your homies get together to make something great. Their tracks range from dubstep to house to remixes and hip hop. All this experimenting will definitely find them a niche where I know they can thrive. I’m so pumped to see what else they put together in the future. In the meantime, here are some of their latest tracks that you can pick up from their soundcloud.
Empire of the Sun – Walking On A Dream (Alton Square Remix)
Alton Square – Del Playa
Alton Square – Kryptoknight
FULL POST
YOLO Mentions bring attention to special
songs featured in that week’s YOLO List. Get the latest list here!
It hasn’t been too long since Chronic Mncher had to move on to bigger and better things, but no evil comes without some good. Even though a major piece of C+A+D will be missed, a whole new life is born in the form of Alton Square. A DJ duo of Irvine’s own Godzilla Toboggan (Chronic Mncher) and Alan Artin. Together they’re throwing down some synthy house tracks that I’m pretty surprised to say I love. Not that I’d expect anything less…but it’s awesome when some of your homies get together to make something great. Their tracks range from dubstep to house to remixes and hip hop. All this experimenting will definitely find them a niche where I know they can thrive. I’m so pumped to see what else they put together in the future. In the meantime, here are some of their latest tracks that you can pick up from their soundcloud.
Empire of the Sun – Walking On A Dream (Alton Square Remix)
Electric Daisy Carnival made the switch to sin city this year after being stationed in Los Angeles for it’s first 14 years. Judging by how it went, I don’t think it will ever be going back. I had a different perspective of the whole thing since I was a volunteer, but the event went off without a hitch. The usual first day complications ensued: miscommunications with security guards and inevitable long antsy waits to get in. Once inside, everyone was welcomed with the largest EDM playground in North America with only more room to expand in the future. Six jam packed stages (Neon Garden, Cosmic Meadow, Circuit Grounds, BassPod, Kinetic Field), 20+ legit carnival rides that I didn’t go on for some reason, and 100s of the world’s best DJs. It all almost sounded too good to be true.
I don’t know why, but I went in with really low expectations this year…I just didn’t want to fork over another $200 on a festival mainly filled with DJs I’ve seen already. The event would have been worth every penny had I made the commitment. For the most part, everyone brought out a fresh tracklist to throw down. The up-and-comers (Zedd, Porter, Feed Me, Bird Peterson, Drop the Lime, Them Jeans, LA Riots) strategically put together the set of their lives. One minor qualm I had was that it was hard to go through the sets without hearing songs repeated. It seemed that the songs of the weekend included, but weren’t limited to: Brap, Bass Canon, Space Junk, Turbulence, In For the Kill, and remixes of that stupid Party Rock Anthem song or whatever.
Overall…it was one of the most fun and well put together events I’ve ever gone to. The production couldn’t have been more on point. The towering stages were lined with light screens, strobe lights, fog machines, and shit I’ve never even seen before. The performers on stage were either really trippy or really entertaining. So that whole aspect made each set special in their own right. On top of everything else, each night’s peak (circa 2-3AM) had its own 15 minute firework show. It wasn’t as elaborate as it was just large scale. Never seen that many fireworks. My whole concept of time was fucked. 3AM just meant “3 more hours,” and 5AM meant “SUNRISE SET!” It was so crazy seeing them perform as the sun creeped up behind the desert mountains. Bottom line, Insomniac really knows how to throw an event. They’re always in the know about DJs to pick up, but I feel like they should dive deeper and pick up some people that we aren’t as familiar with. That being said, I’m counting down til next year. Here are my picks for the weekend.
My Top 10
I tried to get videos for as many as I could, but I was working at the water station for a lot of them. So lucky my station was right in front of the Neon Garden Stage. If you saw the lineup you’d know what I mean (especially Day 2). And also sorry about the bass…my little flip couldn’t handle all the bass when I got too close. Just make sure to view the videos in HD.
I’ve seen Laidback Luke a few times now and he just gets better every time. When he performs he plays the widest range of songs compared to most DJs. He has those sing along songs, his original productions, rock, hip hop, and relentless bass filled, wobbly dub. I’m going to go far enough to say that he’s one of the top DJs in the world right now, and he’s only getting better. Watch out!!
Bassnectar is always such a pleasure to see. He plays an infusion of the fattest, hardest, most distorted dubstep and hip hop, and yet he’s such a positively light hearted dude. It’s hard to choose which one of the times that I’ve seen him is the best, because every set is different and amazing in its own way. He’s never started or ended two sets the same. Always staying up to date with new songs that come out and playing his own tweaked out remixes of songs we all know. Definitely one of my top pics for live DJs.
I hardly ever have anything bad to say about Jack Beats. Again they fill an hour and a half with wobbly bangers and hard hitting remixes, and my friend and I were front and center for the occasion. You wouldn’t find me anywhere else for these guys. It was pretty cool at the beginning, because Skrillex and AC Slater came out to introduce them to the crowd. As if they need an introduction…Jack Beats are gods.
After Jack Beats came the prince of dubstep. I had seen Skrillex a couple times so I wanted to see what all the hype was with Above & Beyond. Being front and center already, we decided to stay. I got hella love for Skrillex and his production abilities. He’s changed the game and opened so many doors for electronic, and there’s no denying that. One thing I can do without is the crowd Skrillex brings: douche central straight up. Fools don’t even know how to get down to dubstep. Another thing that’s pretty funny is when Skrillex talks on the mic. Hahah always gets me. Speaking of mic, Afrojack came out in the middle of the set and grabbed the mic to let us know that there were more people there than the main stage and that he couldn’t believe it. Massive set and it looks like I’ll be seeing him again for HARD Summer.
Favorite sunrise set of the weekend. The sun would start creepin’ up around 5, be blasting the DJs at Neon Garden at 5:30. It seems like I’ll got months without hearing anything from MSTRKRFT, and then they play a local show or I’ll catch them at a festival, reminding me that these veterans are very much still alive and very much still bosses in the game. Such a fun dancy set. I just want another album already!
This kid knows how to jam. You can always tell how stoked he is to be performing, and he doesn’t get caught up in it. He hypes everyone up so much and throws down consistently bass heavy tracks that everyone loses their minds to. Still can’t believe he just graduate at high school. I try to refrain from saying “age is just a number” to keep from sounding rapy, but clearly it hasn’t kept him from producing some of the hardest tracks of today.
This set was the biggest surprise to me. I knew he was good, and I’ve heard a lot of his tracks, but I wasn’t expecting to be as blown away as I was. Such dutchy track selection had me going for the whole set. His song “Brap” was a DJ favorite for the event, so it was cool to seem him drop it.
Left Skrillex early to catch these guys. I thought I was going to be late but it looked like they had some technical difficulties, starting almost 15 minutes after they were supposed to. Their sound is definitely not for everyone. More on the wobbly side like Jack Beats, but sharper and more distorted. They definitely exceeded my already high expectations. Went mental for the whole set.
The Swedes capped out on the last sunrise set of the weekend. We trucked over with all the remaining energy we had, and their set was enough to keep me dancing for the final moments of EDC. They get so into it, and make it hard for you not to join. The usual blow up champagne and banana toys made their way through the crowd. It was cool because they took up everyone that was dressed like a banana. You can see in the video.
Not too much to say about Zedd other than I can’t to see what else he brings in the future. He just finished touring with Porter and Skrillex, so that should be enough to prove that he’s worthy. His productions have been hitting the blogs more consistently than most DJs. Zedd’s video game influenced style really makes his tracks distinguishable and easy to remember. His set was one of the few that were recorded, so I’ma give that one a go asap.
Delightful Mention
Avicii
Feed Me
Bloody Beetroots
Major Lazer
LA Riots
Drop the Lime
Them Jeans
Who I Wish I Saw
Had I been able to clone myself, I would have seen all of these guys:
Above & Beyond
Tiesto
ATB
Doctor P
All of Swedish House Mafia
Chuckie
Bingo Players
Skream & Benga
Electric Daisy Carnival made the switch to sin city this year after being stationed in Los Angeles for it’s first 14 years. Judging by how it went, I don’t think it will ever be going back. I had a different perspective of the whole thing since I was a volunteer, but the event went off without a hitch. The usual first day complications ensued: miscommunications with security guards and inevitable long antsy waits to get in. Once inside, everyone was welcomed with the largest EDM playground in North America with only more room to expand in the future. Six jam packed stages (Neon Garden, Cosmic Meadow, Circuit Grounds, BassPod, Kinetic Field), 20+ legit carnival rides that I didn’t go on for some reason, and 100s of the world’s best DJs. It all almost sounded too good to be true.
I don’t know why, but I went in with really low expectations this year…I just didn’t want to fork over another $200 on a festival mainly filled with DJs I’ve seen already. The event would have been worth every penny had I made the commitment. For the most part, everyone brought out a fresh tracklist to throw down. The up-and-comers (Zedd, Porter, Feed Me, Bird Peterson, Drop the Lime, Them Jeans, LA Riots) strategically put together the set of their lives. One minor qualm I had was that it was hard to go through the sets without hearing songs repeated. It seemed that the songs of the weekend included, but weren’t limited to: Brap, Bass Canon, Space Junk, Turbulence, In For the Kill, and remixes of that stupid Party Rock Anthem song or whatever.
Overall…it was one of the most fun and well put together events I’ve ever gone to. The production couldn’t have been more on point. The towering stages were lined with light screens, strobe lights, fog machines, and shit I’ve never even seen before. The performers on stage were either really trippy or really entertaining. So that whole aspect made each set special in their own right. On top of everything else, each night’s peak (circa 2-3AM) had its own 15 minute firework show. It wasn’t as elaborate as it was just large scale. Never seen that many fireworks. My whole concept of time was fucked. 3AM just meant “3 more hours,” and 5AM meant “SUNRISE SET!” It was so crazy seeing them perform as the sun creeped up behind the desert mountains. Bottom line, Insomniac really knows how to throw an event. They’re always in the know about DJs to pick up, but I feel like they should dive deeper and pick up some people that we aren’t as familiar with. That being said, I’m counting down til next year. Here are my picks for the weekend.
My Top 10
I tried to get videos for as many as I could, but I was working at the water station for a lot of them. So lucky my station was right in front of the Neon Garden Stage. If you saw the lineup you’d know what I mean (especially Day 2). And also sorry about the bass…my little flip couldn’t handle all the bass when I got too close. Just make sure to view the videos in HD.
I’ve seen Laidback Luke a few times now and he just gets better every time. When he performs he plays the widest range of songs compared to most DJs. He has those sing along songs, his original productions, rock, hip hop, and relentless bass filled, wobbly dub. I’m going to go far enough to say that he’s one of the top DJs in the world right now, and he’s only getting better. Watch out!!
Bassnectar is always such a pleasure to see. He plays an infusion of the fattest, hardest, most distorted dubstep and hip hop, and yet he’s such a positively light hearted dude. It’s hard to choose which one of the times that I’ve seen him is the best, because every set is different and amazing in its own way. He’s never started or ended two sets the same. Always staying up to date with new songs that come out and playing his own tweaked out remixes of songs we all know. Definitely one of my top pics for live DJs.
I hardly ever have anything bad to say about Jack Beats. Again they fill an hour and a half with wobbly bangers and hard hitting remixes, and my friend and I were front and center for the occasion. You wouldn’t find me anywhere else for these guys. It was pretty cool at the beginning, because Skrillex and AC Slater came out to introduce them to the crowd. As if they need an introduction…Jack Beats are gods.
After Jack Beats came the prince of dubstep. I had seen Skrillex a couple times so I wanted to see what all the hype was with Above & Beyond. Being front and center already, we decided to stay. I got hella love for Skrillex and his production abilities. He’s changed the game and opened so many doors for electronic, and there’s no denying that. One thing I can do without is the crowd Skrillex brings: douche central straight up. Fools don’t even know how to get down to dubstep. Another thing that’s pretty funny is when Skrillex talks on the mic. Hahah always gets me. Speaking of mic, Afrojack came out in the middle of the set and grabbed the mic to let us know that there were more people there than the main stage and that he couldn’t believe it. Massive set and it looks like I’ll be seeing him again for HARD Summer.
Favorite sunrise set of the weekend. The sun would start creepin’ up around 5, be blasting the DJs at Neon Garden at 5:30. It seems like I’ll got months without hearing anything from MSTRKRFT, and then they play a local show or I’ll catch them at a festival, reminding me that these veterans are very much still alive and very much still bosses in the game. Such a fun dancy set. I just want another album already!
This kid knows how to jam. You can always tell how stoked he is to be performing, and he doesn’t get caught up in it. He hypes everyone up so much and throws down consistently bass heavy tracks that everyone loses their minds to. Still can’t believe he just graduate at high school. I try to refrain from saying “age is just a number” to keep from sounding rapy, but clearly it hasn’t kept him from producing some of the hardest tracks of today.
This set was the biggest surprise to me. I knew he was good, and I’ve heard a lot of his tracks, but I wasn’t expecting to be as blown away as I was. Such dutchy track selection had me going for the whole set. His song “Brap” was a DJ favorite for the event, so it was cool to seem him drop it.
Left Skrillex early to catch these guys. I thought I was going to be late but it looked like they had some technical difficulties, starting almost 15 minutes after they were supposed to. Their sound is definitely not for everyone. More on the wobbly side like Jack Beats, but sharper and more distorted. They definitely exceeded my already high expectations. Went mental for the whole set.
The Swedes capped out on the last sunrise set of the weekend. We trucked over with all the remaining energy we had, and their set was enough to keep me dancing for the final moments of EDC. They get so into it, and make it hard for you not to join. The usual blow up champagne and banana toys made their way through the crowd. It was cool because they took up everyone that was dressed like a banana. You can see in the video.
Not too much to say about Zedd other than I can’t to see what else he brings in the future. He just finished touring with Porter and Skrillex, so that should be enough to prove that he’s worthy. His productions have been hitting the blogs more consistently than most DJs. Zedd’s video game influenced style really makes his tracks distinguishable and easy to remember. His set was one of the few that were recorded, so I’ma give that one a go asap.
Delightful Mention
Avicii
Feed Me
Bloody Beetroots
Major Lazer
LA Riots
Drop the Lime
Them Jeans
Who I Wish I Saw
Had I been able to clone myself, I would have seen all of these guys:
Above & Beyond
Tiesto
ATB
Doctor P
All of Swedish House Mafia
Chuckie
Bingo Players
Skream & Benga
So while I was gone over the weekend, BBC’s Annie Mac had the honor of the first radio play of another anticipated Duck Sauce track. For most, the first time it was talked about was after both A-Trak and Duck Sauce played it at Coachella. Although it’s a stand out track, I’m still pretty confused as to why people are getting so hyped on it. This is seems more like an album filler of a track to me. Annie Mac talks about the nonsensical humor of it, and I get it, but it’s not enough to match up to any of their other tracks. Duck Sauce played another track during Coachella that no one is talking about. I’m pretty sure it’s called “Radio.” That song was stuck in my head forever. It’s so much more fun and dancy and it seems like much more of the kind of Duck Sauce I want. Anyhow, here’s the preview for “Big Bad Wolf,” and also a video of the “Radio” song. I’m sure if you heard it you’ll remember.
FULL POST
So while I was gone over the weekend, BBC’s Annie Mac had the honor of the first radio play of another anticipated Duck Sauce track. For most, the first time it was talked about was after both A-Trak and Duck Sauce played it at Coachella. Although it’s a stand out track, I’m still pretty confused as to why people are getting so hyped on it. This is seems more like an album filler of a track to me. Annie Mac talks about the nonsensical humor of it, and I get it, but it’s not enough to match up to any of their other tracks. Duck Sauce played another track during Coachella that no one is talking about. I’m pretty sure it’s called “Radio.” That song was stuck in my head forever. It’s so much more fun and dancy and it seems like much more of the kind of Duck Sauce I want. Anyhow, here’s the preview for “Big Bad Wolf,” and also a video of the “Radio” song. I’m sure if you heard it you’ll remember.
Back to reality after the first ever massive in Vegas. EDC was absolutely insane. My concept of time hasn’t been the same since last week. I had to work at the free water station and missed a few people I wanted to see, but it was worth every second. I got SO many videos and thoughts ready for my review, and I’ll have it up as soon as I fully adapt back to real life. Here are some choonz to hold you off in the mean time.
Back to reality after the first ever massive in Vegas. EDC was absolutely insane. My concept of time hasn’t been the same since last week. I had to work at the free water station and missed a few people I wanted to see, but it was worth every second. I got SO many videos and thoughts ready for my review, and I’ll have it up as soon as I fully adapt back to real life. Here are some choonz to hold you off in the mean time.
