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!

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.

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.

Richard Hoare @ Dance Music 101

Richard Hoare runs Hoare Associates Limited, a forward thinking music business affairs consultancy, focused on independent and electronic music and which provides advice to artists and companies working in music.


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

When I bought my first keyboard, and joined my first band, aged 9. My bandmate was a little more determined to succeed as a musician than me (he's called Jono Grant, and is now 1/3 of Above & Beyond).


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

I am fortunate enough to get to play records most weekends (7" vinyl only, all recorded at least 30 years ago) and this weekend we got to go back to back with a DJ who plays on 2 gramophones from the 1930s, playing exclusively 78rpm shellac records - we played to a packed crowd, lots of classic rock and roll, R&B, soul and country selections - a million miles away from the type of music I deal with in my day to day work - but it was a LOT of fun!


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

Aside from my wife and 2 sons, my next biggest passion is collecting 7" 45rpm singles (which I'm aware are in fact usually 33rpm in Brazil...!).


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

Starting my own firm last year - it was a big decision leaving the London firm which I'd worked at for 10 years - but I was fortunate that many of my clients decided to join me in the new venture, and I'm incredibly proud of the small, select and diverse roster which we now represent.


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

Authenticity - there is no short cut to it - careers can be built very quickly in the current climate - but to sustain that career, it feels like hard work, and being true to the roots of whichever scene or sub-genre an artist has grown out of, are the only real path to longevity and lasting success.


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

Who knows! - the book "the future of music" predicted nearly 10 years ago that recorded music would become "like water" ​​i.e. a commodity which is ubiquitously available, and seemingly free - and many of those predictions have come true - we're really in the very early stages of the new landscape is being carved by the new streaming models - my personal feeling is that with music becoming ubiquitous, many more music fans will become increasingly informed and selective about the quality and origin of the music which they consume.

Elizabeth Muirhead @ Dance Music 101

Elizabeth Muirhead is the Head of Legal & Business Affairs of BMAT® | Music Innovation


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

When Carl Cox gestured to everyone to get down on the ground, minutes before dropping I Can’t Get No Sleep by Faithless, on the Space old terrace in 2005.


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

Singing I Just Can’t Get Enough by Depeche Mode with Emi, Emilio and Sarah, also from BMAT Music Innovation, karaoke-style but with live band when celebrating the company’s 10th anniversary at the end of March.


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

The Parents, formerly known as Wendy and Dave, because they are, quite literally, the best.


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

Being elected to the Executive Board of the Association for Electronic Music.


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

Personally, exploration and travel. With services like Spotify I love finding new music and then seeing them live and it’s probably made me more open to going to gigs suggested by friends when I’m not familiar with artists - most recently attending a death metal event. Then there’s travel. I suppose they go hand in hand. I’m looking forward to experiencing Primavera Sound in Porto, Portugal this summer for example - though that is not so new but more and more are looking outside of their own countries.


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

Heading towards connecting the dots. There is a huge amount of music out there but finding what you love and having those amazing musical experiences with like-minded individuals in magical party settings, is something that isn’t always so easy to come by.

Mark Quail @ Dance Music 101

Mark Quail has been a lawyer in the music business since 1990. His current practice includes work for artists, composers, record companies, digital download websites and music streaming companies. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Mark worked as a band roadie and music journalist.


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

I’ve always been a music lover; it’s been the guiding force in my life since I was a kid. I’ve been in the middle of a few genres: punk rock, metal, hip-hop and they all filled the need at the time, which was my desire to be at the cutting edge of newly developing music. I had heard house music in the late 80s because I was writing music criticism for a few magazines but it never really “hit” me until July, 1994. I was in Detroit for an event called the “Detroit Regional Music Conference” and I heard the late Ken Collier DJ at a club called “Heaven” on Woodward Ave. They had one of those mind-blowing sound systems in there –all bass bins stacked up high and it was one of those nights where the music all made perfect sense. From there, I met musicians like Mike “Agent X” Clark, Mad Mike Banks, Derrick May, Richie Hawtin, John Acquaviva and Juan Atkins. It was a community on the cutting edge, making music for the ages that hit me in my soul.


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

I make it a point to build “fun” into my life on a regular basis. As the saying goes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”. So, at least a few times a winter, I go on a big ski trip where the runs are technical and challenging. There’s nothing like looking down a steep line and not really being able to see what is coming up. That type of fear and focus is refreshing and great to clear my head of the music business issues that fill the rest my days.


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

Well, that has to be my family. What else can I say?


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

It is hard to name one moment because the last two and a half decades have been full of them. I’m lucky to work with a progressive, ground breaking group of clients who are always pushing boundaries, whether it was the early days of the rave scene in North America, starting digital download sites, developing new music technology, building music streaming businesses or simply releasing great music. I have been lucky to have been front and center in regards to some of the biggest developments in dance music over the last 25 years and I hope that continues for many more years.


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

This is not so much a “music” answer but it is what I see trending for record labels: Right now I’m seeing a lot of record labels look for alternate ways to handle their administration. It’s too expensive to employ one of more people to handle bringing in the tracks, promotion, releases and then dealing with the royalty and copyright administration afterwards. There’s a movement to consolidate all this work in the hands of a single administrator that handles a few labels. Not a surprise really when you consider the effects of digital piracy. Since few pay for the music, there’s little income to support the individual label. Miniscule payments from streaming companies don't help here either.


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

Well, it’s clear it isn’t going to be record sales and music publishing income that will be the big earners for music companies in the future. What I do see is an opening in the market for products and tools that enhance the listening experience or the live event experience. So few people pay for music any more, but those products that enhance music listening could do well. Beats by Dre was just the start. The haptic technology you see in products like The Sub-Pac bring a whole new dimension to the feel of music. When you tie this in with the Oculus Rift, there’s a great upside here.

Andi Durrant @ Dance Music 101

Andi Durrant, is a radio presenter, DJ and music producer. He currently hosts “The Electrik Playground” radio show on various radio stations around the world and is the CEO and founder of “This Is Distorted”.

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

It’s hard to pinpoint 1 single moment – as a child of the 80s my dad was always playing Pet Shop Boys and Kraftwerk in the house and I was obsessed with his vinyl collection so electronic music was always what I listened to, but when I was 14 I went on a German Exchange trip with school. It was 1995 and at the time ID&T’s hardcore Gabba compilations “Thunderdome” were massive in Germany and the Netherlands and all the local kids were listening to them.. Coming from England I’d never heard anything like it and it sounded so rebellious and incredible. One evening we sneaked (well underage) into a club called "Magic 3” and I heard a track that was soooo amazing (it turned out to be Robert Miles “Children”) and when a got home I spent months trying to get hold of a copy. In 1997 a radio station called Kiss 105 started in my home city of Leeds and they played everything from classic disco to early house and big European dance anthems.. Growing up in a boring suburban town in the North of England it sounded like Aliens had landed and the music was from out of space.. From then I was addicted and I did everything I could to get a job there working as a tea-boy and then technical operator at the weekend’s while I was finishing school.

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

I have a big group of friends I’ve known since I was 5 years old and we’re a very close group – we’ve been to school together, grown up, had lots of adventures and started our own families. Twice a year us boys pack up our cars and camp out for a few days at the Drag Racing where we drink, bbq and race silly cars.. More recently I had a lot of fun last night sniping a french kid playing online GTA V.. But that’s a bit pathetic for a 35yr man right? Lol.

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

I have to say my family – I’m very lucky to have an amazing wife and 3 little boys – aged 6, 5 and 18 months old, as well as 3 dogs and some chickens.. so my house is very very loud! Travelling around the world working and Djing has been an absolute privilege, but there’s nothing like coming home to lots of smiling faces :)

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

I’ve been very lucky so there’s too many to mention, but interviewing people like Daft Punk, The Prodigy and The Pet Shop boys are up there, along with playing festivals like Fort Dance in Russia, Creamfields main stage, the Privilege Ibiza closing party with Tiesto, and winning the Sony Gold award for Music Broadcaster of the Year. In the last few years helping guide the radio careers of some of my musical heroes and favourite new artists has been incredibly rewarding.

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

Especially in the UK and Europe we are seeing the big room EDM festival sound starting to slow down. There seems to be a much bigger focus on the other genres and the slightly more underground scenes – from future house and bass, tech and D&B.

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

I wish I knew exactly where it was heading.. If I could predict I could be a very rich man! :) Most styles come and go, but after 25 years modern dance music is still getting bigger and bigger. I think the modern streaming-music world will open us up to even more young people around the world. I think we’ll see many more artists and DJ’s creating their own eco-systems.. There is becoming less need for the major record labels, the big radio stations and media networks.. Artists can connect with their fans directly in way they never have before, so the power is coming back to the creators. I also hope that there’s a little less focus on the massive DJ fees and the “Las Vegas Effect” so that clubs and events in other parts of the world can afford to book the big names.. Dance music was always for the people.. Not just the rich elite.