Category: Amsterdam Dance Event

INTERVIEW: DJs From Mars (2013)

Italian producer/DJs DJs from Mars, the duo of Max Aqualuce and Luca Ventafunk,? are quite hard to pin down.? Pure pranksters at heart, they are difficult to spot in a crowd because they don’t reveal their identity, choosing instead to wear boxes over their heads (inspired by their first single, “Who Gives A Fuck About Deejays”). It took some effort to find them, but with a bit of effort and a little luck, I interviewed them at the Amsterdam Dance Event and can honestly say that the infectious energy and humor of their tracks and videos are true reflections of their animated personalities.

RS:How did you two guys meet up?
Max Aqualuce: We met at a recording studio about ten years ago, and in 2004 we started the project “Djs From Mars? as producers. A couple years ago we started with the bootlegs and continued that for years; right now, we are trying to focus mostly on production.

Continue reading INTERVIEW: DJs From Mars (2013)

INTERVIEW: Firebeatz (2013)

2012 was a massive year for the Dutch duo Firebeatz, Jurgio Ratello and Tim Benjamin.? Their track with Chocolate Puma, “Just One More Time,” was a big Beatport hit and gained massive support from Pete Tong.? A slew of solid remixes, including Pink’s “Blow Me,” has expanded their reach from the underground to the mainstream.? With so much going, they were quite in demand during the Amsterdam Dance Event, and I caught up with them for a quick chat.

RS: How did the two of you meet up?
Jurgio Ratello: We met at School of Rock in Tilburg.

RS: Were you DJs first or producers?
Tim Benjamin: I was a DJ first and played music, and then I started to create the sounds that I played. In the beginning, it was mostly drum and bass/hip-hop stuff. Later on when we met at school, it was more house music and that genre.
Jurgio: I started DJing first and was more into the original house sound. That is where we get this unique combination of all different influences.

Continue reading INTERVIEW: Firebeatz (2013)

INTERVIEW: Dyro (2013)

A highlight of the Amsterdam Dance Event is always finding the rising talent.? There is even a special day for ADE Next, highlighting aspiring producers/DJs learning the trade.? Dyro made the jump from attending the Next panel to being on the Next panel in the span of year. ? His track “Metaphor” received massive support from David Guetta and “Sky High,” his track with Amba Shepherd, was picked up by Strictly Rhythm.? Add to that remixes of high profile artists like Katy Perry, Afrojack, and Example, and you will hear why 2012 was such a good year for Dyro and why he is a rising star to watch for.

RS: How was the Revealed party last night?
Dyro: It was amazing; there was a really energetic crowd. It was different for me to play to a crowd that was really into the music. There was a good flow and I really enjoyed it.
Continue reading INTERVIEW: Dyro (2013)