segunda-feira, 30 de maio de 2016

José de la Barra @ Dance Music 101

José de la Barra is a Talent Buyer and Promoter with Lotus Producciones, one of the main producing companies in Chile (Lollapalloza Chile & Sónar Chile).


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

When I understood that the electronic music turned on a global thing, even more important for younger generations than mine (I born in the 85)'. And dance music has covered much of the music business nowadays, and I realize even more when some electronic music festivals become famous around the globe and a bunch of night clubs start to be part of this music movement.


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

Lollapalooza Brasil; when a bunch of friends goes massively together to enjoy a music festival could be very fun, one of my big pleasures in life.


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

Enjoying life and take decisions that help me feel better, because there is nothing better than paying attention to your body-mind-spirit and do what you love to do. I love my work, I do also feel I'm contributing to the society by delivering live music by managing bands, and also promoting festivals experience.


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

Probably 2 or 3 years before YouTube was launched (2005) I went to the first drum & bass festival in Chile, so my curiosity for hear all music electronic genres become something when I was on school.


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

From my perspective, what people are looking for are those things make us easy our life and make us happy on what we do consume. For example consuming music in streaming in internet (not a big effort even for those who start recently work with computers), having good services and nice installations at clubs (people will come back), delivering unique experience and nice production at music festival.


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

It's expanding the live music festivals experiences, and some new platforms & devices for music will help to get even less boundaries around the music in the world.

segunda-feira, 23 de maio de 2016

Wade Cawood @ Dance Music 101

Wade Cawood is the CEO of Pulse Radio, which is consistently evolving the way people discover, generate, interact, promote and experience electronic music, connecting artist, fans and promoters at the heart of Electronic Music Culture. He is also the founder of Hairy Robot Media, which offers high-technology campaign solutions that connect brands with the world’s most influential and engaged audiences.

Life: when was the moment you figured out that Dance Music was meant to you?
Standing on the dance floor at Circoloco in Ibiza listening to Magda for the first time did it for me.

Laugh: when was the last time you had real fun?
Real Fun... ahah… isn’t all fun real... I think I’m having more and more fun every day. Whether you are booking a festival lineup or doing a brand deal for a website, this industry is a rollercoaster of emotions.

Love: name the one thing you love more than anything – and why is that?
The thing I love most of course is my beautiful son. At the end of the day he is the reason I work so hard everyday. I’m inspired by the opportunities that lie ahead for him. Other than that... around 9am at the after party when shit gets weird.

Past: name a significant moment in your career in Dance Music – and why is that?
I would say the second year I did the float at the Berlin Love Parade made me realize that i was in this for the long haul and realized that and industry was about to be born.

Present: what do you think that is trending today in music, clubs and festivals?
Smaller / Personal / Boutique – It’s all about more connection.

Future: where is industry heading in the years to come?
Anyone who answers this question is pulling it out of his ass. No one knows... and that’s the most exciting part of this ongoing journey.

segunda-feira, 16 de maio de 2016

Felix @ Dance Music 101

Felix (born Francis Wright) is a British producer and DJ also known for his underground house project "The Party Crashers".


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

I guess when I was about 15. I had been in Hip Hop bands but it was always frustrating to try and get everyone together at the same time. I was so excited to get involved with samplers & drum machines as that technology meant I didn't need anyone else to create my ideas.


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

This weekend with my wife & kids, family time is always fun!


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

My two boys. Having children changed my whole world and now means more to me than anything else.


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

I would say there have been many, many individual things that are significant to me but to most people looking in at my career the real game changer would be my 1992 single 'Don't You Want Me'. It really helped launch my music career and is the track that I am best known for.


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

I think there will be a trend for more intimate events or events that at least try to emulate a more 'exclusive' vibe. Everything goes in cycles so it's easy to predict some sort of backlash against anything too large and corporate. I think people will seek out uniqueness and authenticity wherever that may take them. The music will continue to split into more sub genres but essentially these are just names - we should celebrate the amazing diversity and talent that is out there.


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

I think the main challenge is making sure that Artists get paid to create. We need to harness the technology that's out there to share income from streaming and advertising in a more fair way. I can't see physical music or downloads surviving other than a niche market it will all be about streaming in one form or another. I would like to see the Dance community continue to come together through organizations like AFEM and make sure that we protect our music. I'm certain we can do it!

segunda-feira, 9 de maio de 2016

John Acquaviva @ Dance Music 101

John Acquaviva is the Managing Partner at Plus Eight Equity Partners, an early stage venture capital firm that has partnered with electronic music industry leaders to invest in groundbreaking music technology companies.


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

From an early age I remember selecting 45’s for a school party when I was in grade 2 or 3.
I always wanted to share my love of music and pick it at the right time for my friends.

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

I have fun every day. Especially when travelling. So in a work context last Thursday i was with some colleagues in Berlin and we met, then had food, reminisced, make jokes and although not a party… turned into a late one.

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

Music-food-travel.

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

I have a pretty good past, but i never look back. What I am doing now and for the next days, months and years ahead at Plus 8 Equity is a good one. It has taken almost 3 decades of experience to get here and now we are doing some really good stuff for the music world, technology and of course our partners.

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

There is a real dichotomy as festivals are bigger and commercial than ever for the most part and clubbing is really underground and for the real music lovers [at least the clubs i hang out and also play at].

Future: where is industry heading in the years to come?
Some really great things. The whole world is living in technology 2.0 and for us… we are living in music 2.0. The companies in our portfolio in the signature below attest to that. The website shows 6 but we have now a stake in 8.

segunda-feira, 2 de maio de 2016

Nick DeCosemo @ Dance Music 101

Nick DeCosemo is the Global Editorial Director with Mixmag Media.


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

Not sure there was ever a definitive moment. I just kept hanging around having the time of my life, waiting for the day I grew out of all this nonsense. Still no sign of that happening any time soon!


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

Every day in the Mixmag office. I'll have at least three genuine belly laughs. I am blessed and I never forget it.


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

My magical kimono from my girlfriend's clothing brand Dacoit London. I love her almost as much as the clothes she makes for me.


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

I was in a electronic outfit called Freeform Five a number of years from around 1998-2006. After having some relative success we took a break and I found myself wondering what to do next. I was working as freelance journalist when one of my friends told me that Mixmag were looking for an editor. I hadn't even considered it! I applied last minute and got the job. And almost ten years later, here we are. I still make music and love doing that – but I'd never change my day job.


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

Boutique, multi-venue, destination festivals like SXMusic in The Caribbean (of which, for full disclosure, I am a founder member so little biassed!) or BPM In Mexico are definitely on the rise Flash tattoos are fun new trend. Flash Factory is a new club New York that's bringing a bit of the classic 90s NYC club vibe back to Manhattan. And – Lord have mercy – drones seem to be everywhere.


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

Not really sure I can predict that. Things are moving very fast and so exciting to see different parts of the world embrace this culture that we all love so much. I guess my one wish would be that things become better, not just bigger.