Tag: afrojack

INTERVIEW: Laidback Luke (2013)

Laidback Luke is an energetic character – something you get when you listen to his productions or see him perform live.? Take a listen to his recent track “Pogo” and that infectious joyous energy comes through.? Although he’s been producing tracks for twenty years, his work with the different members of the Swedish House Mafia in 2006/2007 really launched him into the stratosphere.? His solo tracks, as well as collaborations with everyone from Steve Aoki and Hardwell to Robyn and Sander Van Doorn, appear in the crates (or on the hard drives) of every big DJ around the world.? He launched his own label MixMash as a breeding ground for new talent, and having helped launch the careers of Avicii and Afrojack, you know that’s definitely a label to watch as well.? We caught up for a brief chat at WMC in March.

DJ Ron Slomowicz: Are you having a good conference?
Laidback Luke: Yes, it has been an amazing conference. Every year it seems to get bigger and better and I must say that it seems like a Dutch invasion as well.

RS: Well you have Dirty Dutch and Trance Superstars, what else do you see coming out of Amsterdam now?
Laidback Luke: Tons of stuff, we have Showtek coming up, those guys were a hardstyle before. We crashed Benny Benassi?s party at LIV?on Monday?and you would expect all the Italian DJs to be there but all the Dutch DJs were there, it?s crazy.
Continue reading INTERVIEW: Laidback Luke (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)

SONG OF THE DAY: Afrojack ft Chris Brown – “As Your Friend”

Grammy-winning Dirty Dutch producer/DJ Afrojack has proven himself to be one of the few craftsmen that can create pop hits (“Give Me Everything,” “Take Over Control,” “So High”) as well as big room/underground club jams (“Polkadots,” “Rock the House,” “Prutataaa”). “As Your Friend” partners him with R&B/pop star/noted humanitarian Chris Brown for a club-and-radio friendly blend of electro, stadium, and house with emotional chords supporting the chorus made of the repeated title.? Not a stranger to repeating titles for choruses (“Don’t Wake Me Up”) nor collaborating with dance producers (Benny Benassi, David Guetta), Brown delivers a soulful performance which adds depth to the almost frantic production. Being the trainspotter that I am, the song kept reminding me of another R&B/pop hit which took me forever to place.? It wasn’t until I was driving and heard Jay Sean’s “Down” that it hit me – though the similarity doesn’t come as a shock as both songs share the co-writer Jared Cotter.??? As the first taste of his long-awaited forthcoming debut artist album, “As Your Friend” seems to set up the project as an R&B/pop/electro hybrid a la David Guetta, though knowing Afrojack’s eccentric style we can definitely expect some surprises in the final lineup.

Check out our Afrojack interview.
Continue reading SONG OF THE DAY: Afrojack ft Chris Brown – “As Your Friend”