SONG OF THE DAY: Patrick Hagenaar ft Saviors and Rebecca White – Tears of Gold

There are certain artists you watch and just know they are going to explode into superstars. Patrick Hagenaar is one of them. Getting his start as a part of the duo Hageaar & Albrecht, he went solo and has been releasing a stream of quality remixes of artists ranging from Kylie Minogue and Haim to Martin Solveig and Cash Cash. His new single “Tears of Gold” might just be the one that makes his career explode. Starting off with the pretty vocals of Rebecca White over a piano backing, the track builds to a stomping pop dance track with progressive house undertones. If someone said this was the new David Guetta or Calvin Harris, I would totaly believe it, as it is that solid and well-produced. For club consumption, the Rezone remix takes the track into a “Tsunami”-ish electro direction while Craft Cole goes uplifting with a pretty yet aggressive stadium house feel. Both mixes keep the vocal intact, which is not only a pleasant surprise but also impressive since the tone and feel of the vocals change as the song progresses. It is easy to see why everyone is supporting this track and it looks to be one that will start in the clubs and build into a commercial crossover track. If you are a fan of Cash Cash “Take Me Home,” definitely check this one out.

Image courtesy of Colour Code Music.

Terri B Interview (2014)

One of the many amazing things about going to Winter Music Conference is that you never know who you are going to run into. Enjoying a set by HiiO on a hotel rooftop, I saw Terri B walk in and started chatting her up.?Aside from Jes, it’s hard to think of anyone else who is such a quadruple threat ? singer, songwriter, producer, and DJ.? Then when you see her perform you will know why there is an exclamation mark instead of a period after the B!??Take a listen to this Spotify playlist, you will probably recognize a lot of her music.???Terri B! is a force to be reckoned with so watch out for her sets and new releases.?

DJ Ron Slomowicz: Terri B, you are a singer, songwriter, producer, and DJ, what can?t you do?
Terri B:?I can?t ski and I am not a great swimmer!

RS: I heard that you have been remixed over 1,000 times and you have a relationship with Avicii through that.

Terri B: Avicii?s first major remix was ?Bang That Box,? which was my collaboration with Roger Sanchez.??It was also remixed by Laidback Luke, and he also remixed ?You Used to Hold Me? which was a big track with D.O.N.S. ft. Terri B. I have opened a few times for David Guetta and also opened for Tiesto, so my diversity has been very clear. I started in trance by doing vocals for Future Breeze and went on from there to do a lot of major Global Deejays remixes.
Continue reading Terri B Interview (2014)

SONG OF THE DAY: Freemasons – Shakedown 3 (EP 1)

Enduring house icons The Freemasons preview their forthcoming Shakedown 3 album with four tracks that show the depth of their sound. Getting the initial buzz is their cover of the 2006 progressive classic “Discopolis” by Lifelike and Kris Menace. The respectful update keeps all of the instrumentation in place, ups the tempo, and gives it that somber yet uplifting house feel which makes it a Freemasons track, in the vein of their hit “Uninvited” cover a few years back. Keeping the somber tone is their track as side project Pegasus “In the Blue.” The retro, darker house vibe follows the template of their Lamb cover “Gorecki,” with a touch more of the Nu-House vibe. On first listen, you might think it is Roisin Murphy on the vocals, but it is actually singer/songwriter Emma Rohan (an Angelina Jolie lookalike who has written for UK pop stars Joe McElderry and Boyzone). Switching from progressive to more hands in the air vocal house, the Freemasons duo bring “Nothing to Lose” and “True Love Survivor.” “Nothing to Lose” is commercial and credible at the same time, with pristine production emphasizing both Hi-NRG house tracks and the soulful vocals of Andrea Martin (best known for the song “Share the Love,” which was sampled by Tomcraft in his track “Loneliness”). Closing out the set is “True Love Survivor,” which melds house, disco, and progressive for a commercial track that is both recognizable and original at the same time. Discovered at an Apple store, singer/songwriter Hana has a voice that encompasses both the ethereal prettiness of a trance-topliner with the power of a soul singer. The lyrics are quite strong as well and could easily be redone as a ballad for unplugged performances. As the first taste of Shakedown 3, these four tracks will whet your appetite for what will no doubt be one of the albums of the year.

Image courtesy of Freemasons.