Travis Rogers @ Dance Music 101

Travis Rogers is a nightlife visionary in the Miami scene, with over 10 years in the business curating the best events in the underground dance music industry South Florida has to offer. Launching his nightlife career back in 2007 at the notorious after-hours Club Space, Travis managed artist relations and marketing and quickly found himself immersed in a lifestyle he is truly passionate about. This lead to additional opportunities with working alongside the Surfcomber Pool Parties, which he still proudly stands beside to this day. In 2013, Travis found himself with the position as talent buyer for STEAM Nightclub, which in 2014, lead him to the esteemed position at newly launched Heart Nightclub as talent buyer and marketing coordinator. The last 3 years at Heart has been a successful ride, with DJ Magazine naming Heart Nightclub “Best Venue [South]” for their 2017 Best of North America Awards. Additionally, Travis launched his own promotions company “Humans Alike” in 2014, with a few industry heads to curate the best parties in town, and are know as “Like-minded individuals who are passionate about music and curating parties…” The best is yet to come, and Travis will continuously push the underground scene forward, until the last dance. 

- Life: when was the moment you figured out that Dance Music was meant to you?

In the late 90s I stumbled upon a trance compilation CD I found at a music store and immediately realized this was very different than the music we were used to. I dug into it more and kept buying whatever I could find at stores locally, which wasn’t much. Once the internet became readily available, I was able to discover more! I fell in love with old school progressive house, house music and I was listening to a lot of Chicago house believe it or not. I went to Club Space for the first time as a customer in 2003 and Oscar G was playing which changed everything for me musically. I really dug into tribal house and tech house at the time. Now-a-days I listen to all types of electronic music but to be honest when I’m not in a club I’m listening to a lot of 60s/70s rock, 90s hip-hop and various other genres.

- Laugh: when was the last time you had real fun?

Honestly I try to have fun as much as possible at my own events though it’s hard, since I do have to run around a lot. Since we are an after-hours club it’s much easier for me to enjoy the event since the DJ’s play longer than normal sets and I can sit back and enjoy it. I think I have the most fun when I travel to events though, since they’re not mine I can really enjoy them without people needing me. BPM and Ibiza are always my favorites.

 - Love: name the one thing you love more than anything – and why is that?

I truly love putting on a good event when everything goes perfect. Nothing more satisfying than hearing all the compliments, seeing positive feedback on social media and even sometimes people coming up and saying it was the best event they’ve ever been to. Also to mention, if I wasn’t doing events and my weekends were free, my other passion has always been racing both cars and motorcycles. I really miss doing that.

- Past: name a significant moment in your career in Dance Music – and why is that?

Opening Heart Nightclub was a huge moment for me and my Humans Alike team. Starting a venue from day-zero and really curating it into what it is today and especially in the short period we have, has been quite rewarding and a honor. I’m really excited to see Heart’s future.

- Present: what do you thing that is trending today in music, clubs and festivals?

Social media - “lol”.

- Future: where is industry heading in the years to come?

That’s the mystery question. Major cities all over the world seem to be fighting gentrification, which doesn’t seem to be a fan of nightclubs or rave scene. I’m curious if it will survive in big cities and if it doesn’t where it will end up.

Follow Heart Nightclub

https://www.facebook.com/heartnightclub

Follow Humans Alike

https://www.facebook.com/Humansalikeofc

Christian Salas @ Dance Music 101

Christian Salas is the current Latin America marketing coordinator for British music equipment manufacturer Novation. He has a background in studio production as an engineer and producer, and has worked with artist of all genres from blues rock to electronic music.

Life: when was the moment you figured out that Dance Music was meant for you?
It’s hard to pinpoint an exact moment, but I have to say that 1997 was pretty influential. I was really young in 97 but that’s the year that Homework and The Fat of the Land came out by Daft Punk and The Prodigy which were my introduction to electronic based music. Later on in my teenage years a friend introduced me to industrial bands like Ministry and Skinny Puppy (game changers for me).

Laugh: when was the last time you had real fun?

I always have fun experiencing live music or live sequencing. A co-worker took me to see GRiZ and I was very skeptical that I would enjoy the show but I ended up having a blast. I danced like a dummy all night and left with the biggest smile on my face.

Love: name the one thing you love more than anything – and why is that?
Family. That includes my closest friends who are there through thick and thin. You know who you are, thank you.

Past: name a significant moment in your career in Dance Music – and why is that?

The most recent significant moment was the last event we held in São Paulo back in June. Novation teamed up with the LAUD agency to put on a workshop and live experience. It was great to hear how appreciative the workshop attendees where and seeing L_cio jam on the Novation Circuit to a warehouse full of people dancing.

Present: what do you think is trending today in music, clubs and festivals?
Festivals are popping up everywhere! Tons of the them every weekend. Don’t forget about the smaller guys who are playing small clubs who are probably playing much more interesting music.

Future: where is industry heading in the years to come?

Not sure, everything happens in cycles so you’ll see certain genres come back into popularity. The market is bit oversaturated at the moment so hopefully we’ll see some unique producers come out and do something a little different and exciting to stand out from the crowd.

Francois Lebaron @ Dance Music 101

Francois Lebaron is the co-founder and partner of the AIM Montreal Electronic Music Festival in Canada.

- Life: when was the moment you figured out that Dance Music was meant to you?

At 13 years old I started a mobile disco with a friend which had quite a good success. We were buying dance records almost every week, playing in weddings, school parties and private parties. I just fell in love with DJ-ing. Later on, at 16, I stopped buying dance records and started to buy techno records and that was it, I was in the loop!

- Laugh: when was the last time you had real fun?

I played at a private event a few weeks ago and ended up playing 10 hours! That was real fun!

- Love: name the one thing you love more than anything – and why is that?

My parents. They’ve always been there for me no matter what.

- Past: name a significant moment in your career in Dance Music – and why is that?

When I signed my first record deal with Warner Music Canada in 2001. This deal allowed me to put out an album with Swedish producer Håkan Lidbo as well as other releases. For me, that was huge and the beginning of a lot of other significant moments.

- Present: what do you think that is trending today in music, clubs and festivals?

Definitely festivals are trending. The ‘'Experience'' is the new word to use. But, music wise, the movement is coming back to the roots. Since music sales are no longer relevant, artists need to be real good and perform shows to get fans. It's a whole different business now.

- Future: where is industry heading in the years to come?

The upcoming path is difficult to predict but I feel that ''synergy'' is a cutting edge way to expand projects, music, partnerships and success for yourself and the industry. It feels great to collaborate, exchange ideas and strengths. 

Rebecca "Becks" Lange @ Dance Music 101

Rebecca "Becks" Lange is the founder and mastermind behind Miami's most creative event brand, PL0T Miami, that For more than 10 years, has been a major contributor to the Underground Dance Music Scene in Miami, promoting events in the city's best venues, debuting and nurturing a number of international acts in the area.

Becks Lange has also earned her very own chapter in a web-series produced by Red Bull TV titled Inspire the Night, currently in its second season, Inspire the Night is an unscripted series that explores the brilliant and rousing individuals behind some of America's greatest nightlife experiences – watch more at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVhpptDTcKE  

- Life: when was the moment you figured out that Dance Music was meant to you?

I figured out that dance music was for me, when there were no parties I wanted to go to because they were lacking elements that I saw as essential... new sounds, venues, lighting, experiences. That’s when a group of friends and I first realized that this could be for us! We had a vision and we made it and continue to make it happen through PL0T - at least we hope!

- Laugh: when was the last time you had real fun?

Every time I travel far out it becomes a dive in experience, far out meaning Asia, Australia, Burning Man places where technology is not on top of mind and I’m able to disconnect in order to absorb and get inspired by everything I see and feel. Add to that a magic chocolate and you wont stop laughing :)

However, each of our nights are really my sanctuary and after 3:00AM, once you know everything is going smooth, it’s then when the real dancing happens!

- Love: name the one think you love more than anything – and why is that?

My dogs! They show me each day lessons of love, compassion, nowness, respect and that the world is more simple than what we make it.

- Past: name a significant moment in your career in Dance Music – and why is that?

My first Art Basel Life and Death event. Was a huge milestone to be able to host such a respectable label. The trust put on you to deliver a successful event by the agents, managers and artists is a huge weight to carry.

- Present: what do you thing that is trending today in music, clubs and festivals?

In electronic music big room sounds are trending heavy, which are sounds created 5-6 years ago by labels like Innervisions and Life and Death, but they have evolved into other sounds (the labels) and people are now getting what they were into 5 years ago... it’s part of it all. Takes time for crowds to adjust to newness.

In festivals Amsterdam has taken the lead, their world class productions and lineup curation is incredible. Diversity I would say is trending in festivals for clubs. When it comes down to big clubs, the trend is to mimic the waves that small rooms have been working on for years, bc they've seen that the big room formula is no longer as desired as it was before.

- Future: where is industry heading in the years to come?

You never know which shifts the industry might take but its all of our responsibility (party goers, promoters, press, managers, artists, etc) to take our part and shape it to the best it can ever be. I know I will continue to push the boundaries in my market for new and fresh experiences, regardless of what that might imply.

Mark Ursa @ Dance Music 101

Mark Ursa was born in Belgium and he soon caught the virus of House Music, moving to Ibiza where he started his career of DJ in the early 2000’s being the first Belgian DJ to get a residence of a party in that town. Since 2006, Mark Ursa shares his time between several cities in Brazil, Miami, Las Vegas and Ibiza, playing in major superclubs and festivals around the world.

Life: when was the moment you figured out that Dance Music was meant to you?

I think that Dance Music really took a big place in my life 20 years ago when I decided to move to Ibiza. Before that, I organized few electronics parties, but also fashion events and marketing actions for brands (Bacardi, Playboy, MTV, ...). As DJs, I was just warming up my nights. This year I organized the model contest (New Face Top Model) in Amnesia for the famous agency Elite Model. After my first season in Ibiza, I decided to devote myself totally to electronic music. The next year in Ibiza, I was already organizing my own electronic parties at Privilege Ibiza, which was the biggest club in the world at the time, and I also got a weekly residency as a DJ every Sunday.

Laugh: when was the last time you had real fun?

I had real fun when I played at a Holi festival in my city, in Belgium. I don't often to Belgium so when I come back a few days, all my friends come to see me (which 'are completely nuts hahaha) and it always ends up like the movie "The hangover", often much worse... We Belgians, we are revelers, we love life, and we don't have too many limits when we are partying!!!

Love: name the one think you love more than anything – and why is that?

There are 2 things I love more than anything... my daughter and my life. My daughter, because it's a true and pure love, it's my blood. My life because I'm happy and I do everything I love. I worked, fought and risked a lot to be happy today. I didn't always have a dream life, I went through very difficult times too. That's why my life today, my happiness, my work are more important than anything.

Past: name a significant moment in your career in Dance Music – and why is that?

I went to the army for 10 years (from my 16 till 26 years old). I was in anti-aircraft commandos in a Belgian military base in Germany. In parallel, I organized parties on weekends. It was not the life I wanted, especially at this time because there were several wars (Somalia, Rwanda, Yugoslavia, ...) where we were sent as blue berets (peacekeepers) or for the Protection and repatriation of civilians as in Zaire. So the first event of Dance music important for me was a party that I organized in a Belgian club called Studio 411 and which made me earn good money for the first time. I realized that "maybe" i can live only with my second job (who was a hobby at this time), and i decided to take the risk of leaving the army and starting a new life. This decision has changed my life.

Present: what do you thing that is trending today in music, clubs and festivals?

The music has changed in the last 2 years and comes back to what we were doing 10/15 years ago, like House, Tech House and Techno. I am even sure that Trance will also come back strong this year. It's a good change, THANKS GOD, hahaha. I think club culture is almost dead, killed by festivals. Only the quality clubs survive, and it's the same for the festivals I think. It's a pity because there is nothing warmer than a small club with good music. But unfortunately today, it's not enough for a club to have good music to survive.

Future: where is industry heading in the years to come?

This is really difficult to say because industry moves a lot and every year. The positive point is the Electronic music become also "pop" (Special thanks to David Guetta), that mean this brings a recognition of all musical styles, and a bigger audience of fans, and by the consequences, it brings also budgets and a lot of opportunities. Dance Music will grow up much more I think.

Mia Lucci @ Dance Music 101

Mia Lucci is a DJ, producer, host to her own radio show on Ibiza Global Radio for 3 years running and partner in Berlin based record label Kindisch. Mia has established herself at the forefront of the modern house and techno movement with a career spanning over 10 years behind the decks and 6 years in the studio, she has become a staple in the international house and techno scene.

Life: when was the moment you figured out that Dance Music was meant to you?

There wasn’t really a defining moment.  It was more a collection of moments that created the close affinity I now have with dance music. From what I've seen in life we're all a product of our environment and that includes developing a quality like passion. I began DJing when I had to pay my way through university but that led to me taking more interest in music, finding new records, travelling to Ibiza, starting a record label, giving up my profession as a Child & Family Psychologist and ultimately focusing full time in the industry. All of these experiences built my passion for Dance Music.

Laugh: when was the last time you had real fun?

Do you want me to tell you how it's a mission of mine to  make everyday fun or if are you looking for details about my last 2-day party bender? Both require a little more time then what we have here but I can tell you about them in person one day :)

Love: name the one think you love more than anything, and why is that?

I love "love". Mushy but true.

Past: name a significant moment in your career in Dance Music – and why is that?

I was having one of those moments where I was doubting myself.  A friend of mine said to me something along the lines of “It doesn’t matter how you begin or finish. There’s no right or wrong way to do music. You just do it. You will have your own journey as has and will everyone before and after you”. There are a lot of moments (and I still have them now) where something might happen or be said and it makes you doubt yourself. But having those words in my head and believing in my own individual path is what pulls me back in line whenever I get off track.

Present: what do you think is trending today in music, clubs and festivals?

There is a huge shift musically across continents and generations. The biggest shift that I have noticed across continents and generations is that there is this increased burning curiosity for people to seek out something new, to be part of something fresh and also unique. I feel like music from  the underground (for lack of a better word) is really making headway because of this.

Future: where is industry heading in the years to come?

Because the younger generations are becoming more curious and wanting to be part of something unique, this is opening the flood gates for increased exposure and general consumption of music in our industry.  And this means growth of the industry.  For me, the more the merrier. It is a great thing what is happening in our scene.

Matt de Plessis @ Dance Music 101

Matt de Plessis is Get Physical’s A&R manager in Berlin. He also manages Artists such as Marc Houle (Items & Things), Jazzuelle (Get Physical), Stephan Hinz (Second State) and he has run labels for Artists such as Chris Liebing (CLR), Nicole Moudaber (Mood), Groove Armada (Pack Up And Dance). His passion of Electronic Music dates from early 90’s and took him on a journey from Paris to New-York, Barcelona, London, Berlin and Rio de Janeiro.

- Life: when was the moment you figured out that Dance Music was meant to you?

It was back in 1984, I was 8 years old and I was dancing at my parents living room to bronski beat - small town boy as I got the 7inch record as a birthday present. I use to  play it again and again every day at any time of the day and dancing in front of my parents hi fi stereo system.

Laugh: when was the last time you had real fun?

Very hard to pick a moment! I usually try to laugh as much as possible on a daily basis, i can mostly turn anything into a joke if life gives me enough time. I had a real fun time in Rio during the last Rio Music Conference with my partners in crime Leo Janeiro and Roland Leesker… I think we have rinsed a lot of running punch line jokes that we have made up together and this was going on for days… Hilarious!

- Love: name the one thing you love more than anything – and why is that?

The Sun cause everybody loves the sunshine!

Hip-hop and house music cause it’s the love of my life.

The rest is pretty much personal for now.

- Past: name a significant moment in your career in Dance Music – and why is that?

I think it’s a long endless moment that has started 15 years ago when I’ve first started to work as a pro with my music heroes such as Funk D’void, Groove Armada, M.A.N.D.Y., Chris Liebing and my beloved Get Physical Family.

Present: what do you think that is trending today in music, clubs and festivals?

I will use my joker here and would simply quote  Antoine Lavoisier, French  chemist:

“Nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed."

Future: where is industry heading in the years to come?

I think industry is going to have to deal with more dematerialization when it comes to music itself as a media, especially with streaming, I think it will hit the djs, the festival and clubs’s dj booths very soon at some point. When that time will come we better make sure to learn how to rematerialize our Music and to celebrate it properly during parties and Share The Fun as chicago's pioneer Larry Heard says ‘Can You Feel it’.