Erik Arbores Interview (ADE 2013)

Discovered at age 14 by Armin van Buuren and signed to Armada records, Erik Arbores (born Erik van den Boom) is the youngest DJ to ever spin during the Amsterdam Dance Event.??His debut Bliss EP created a lot of buzz and garnered a lot of club support.??He has gone on to collaborate with Esmee Denters and has recently signed to Universal and Spinnin’ records.??Together with Martin Garrix, TV Noize, and Julian Jordan, he is part of a group of teenage up-and-coming producers who are changing the EDM world.

DJ Ron Slomowicz: How old were you when you first discovered EDM?
Erik Arbores: I have been listening to it my whole life, but I started producing when I was 11 or 12 years old.

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SONG OF THE DAY:? Grace Valerie – “Not For Love”

Discovered by American Idol Judge Randy Jackson, Grace Valerie launched onto the? scene with her electro confection “When the Lights Go Down” which found success in the clubs and youtube.? For? “Not for Love,” she worked with producer busbee (Alexandra Burke, Pink, Kelly Clarkson) to create a story song in the tradition of a Meatloaf epic.? The soft piano intro highlights the vulnerable emotions of the chorus while every time she repeats it, the intensity and power increases.? Though completely pop in the production, remixes would be powerful on the dance floor – even if they are based on just the memorable chorus over stomping electro beats (though including the verse would be nice also.)?? The video shows the power of love through sports and determination, and while I don’t want to give away the story line – it could easily be embraced by a large population as a protest theme to the host country of the Winter Olympics.

Image courtesy of Grace Music.

SONG OF THE DAY: Morgan Page and Michael S – “Against the World”

Premiered during Morgan Page’s recent MPP3d bus tour, “Against the Tour” is a moving and powerful song of unity between two people. The progressive pop track is almost a battle of contrasts; multilayered yet pristine, and energetic yet pretty, it really stands out from similar tracks that have been released over the past few months. Michael S contributes a solid vocal performance filled with emotion similar in style to “Leaving You” with Audien, but with the completely opposite message. Actually, the more I listen to the lyrics, I keep think its the modern interpretation of an old Helen Reddy song (written by Daft Punk collaborator Paul Williams) of a similar title. New remixes by Tony Romera and Denzal Park add a bit of electro for primetime dance floor energy while keeping the tone and message firmly in place. It might be a bit late for Valentine’s Day, but “Against the World” would be a perfect song to send to someone special in your life.

Image courtesy of Nettwerk.

Morgan Page and Michael S – “Against the World”