INTERVIEW: The M Machine (2013)

San Francisco-based EDM group The M Machine gained major attention when Skrillex released their debut EP “Promise Me a Rose Garden”/”Glow” on his OWSLA label.? The trio of Andy Coenen, Eric Luttrell, and Ben Swardlick were inspired by the classic movie Metropolis for their follow up EPs and their name.? Their remixes of Arty, Passion Pit, and Madeon gained a lot of attention as well.? The artistic trio are really involved with the full aesthetic experience of their music – focusing on creating a live audio and visual show as they tour.? We caught up with them in Nashville when they were touring with Markus Schulz on the Scream Bus Tour.

DJ Ron Slomowicz: How is the bus tour going?
Ben: We are in a new city every day, it?s great and we are very happy. Markus is awesome and his crowds are really intense which is great for us. Andy just programmed a big video show and we get to use his giant LED screen, so the timing is perfect.
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SONG OF THE DAY: The Presets – “Fall”

The Presets have always had a dark tone to their music – with their first two albums blending ’80s new wave and rock with industrial and the piercing voice of singer Julian Hamilton.? The new single keeps that dark tone but contrasts it with a pretty, almost perky, ’90s synth groove feeling like 808 State as interpreted by Hot Chip or Empire of the Sun with a touch of atypical stadium. As a love song, it borders on emo (if not hipster) with the lines about finding heaven while falling into hell.? Dramatic, cinematic, and yes, again reminiscent of fellow Aussies Empire of the Sun.? Or maybe I just have Empire of the Sun on my brain because of the incessant YouTube ads.? Of the various remixes by Alan Braxe, Erick Rincon, SymbolOne, and Tomas Barfod, the energetic progressive electro mix by Hook N Sling stands out as being the perfect blend of aggressive and pretty. The video is spooky and angelic at the same time with guys sky jumping from a plane while either wearing masks or keeping their faces completely motionless through the whole experience.

Image Courtesy of Modular.

GALLERY: WMC 2013 – Earplug Pictures

It’s amazing the response we got to our NotableDance.Com Earplugs that we handed out during the Winter Music Conference. Check out these pictures of the dance music world’s finest holding up the infamous earplug cases…