Tag: tiesto

SONG OF THE DAY: Christian Burns, Paul Oakenfold & Jes – “As We Collide (Orjan Nilsen Remix)”

Life after a boy band is always a challenge, yet after the break up of BBMak, singer Christian Burns has done quite well by embracing EDM. He collaborates with some of the best (Armin van Buuren, BT, and Tiesto), and continues his trajectory by working with the legendary Paul Oakenfold. “As We Collide” (Why do I always call this song “As Worlds Collide”?) is an energetic big room club track that acts as the background for a gorgeous and inspired vocal duet by Christian and the much-loved Jes. Vocals in club records are often relegated to the background or simplified and auto tuned to the point of being robotic. On “As We Collide,” both singers shine with emotional performances that show their range and true vocal talent. Somehow I missed this when it was originally released back in October, but Norwegian producer Orjan Nilesen?s remix here really grabs me. He completely reworked the track and added a new melody line similar to Bronski Beat’s “Smalltown Boy” or maybe the interpolated pattern of September?s “Cry for You.? A more lush feel is given to the emotional nature of the song while its energy is increased for the dance floor. If you missed this track the first time around, it would do you well to check it out along with this hot new remix.


Image Courtesy of Armada.

SONG OF THE DAY: Tegan and Sara – “Closer”

Just like fellow Canadians Dragonette, indie-rock duo Tegan and Sara seem to be going more electronic with each successive release. Working with Tiesto, Morgan Page, and David Guetta & Alesso as well as embracing remixes of their own songs, the identical twins are finding that EDM fans love their catchy, intelligently-written (and sometimes quirky) pop songs as well. “Closer” is a rock-flavored, energetic electropop song with influences of dubstep and stadium house in its original production. The sing-along chorus and “oh-oh-oh” chant are just two of the many catchy elements. Working with Greg Kurstin, a member of the group The Bird & the Bee (who has produced hits for Kylie Minogue and Kelly Clarkson), Tegan and Sara have managed to seamlessly blend indie dance rock and electronic pop into something cool and credible that is also insanely radio-friendly. While there is no doubt that a full slate of remixes will be forthcoming, the one to reach for is the epic-feeling Sultan and Ned Shepard rerub. Keeping the full vocals intact, the dynamic levels shift from a very pretty and euphoric verse which builds to a massively intense chorus. Even with the dropouts, the energy is constant as the emotion of the lyrics come through loud and clear. Like the original production, the remix is cool and edgy while being both club-friendly and commercial at the same time. Also like the original version, their remix is so strong that an edit of it would sound equally amazing on the radio.

Image courtesy of Warner.

INTERVIEW: Wolfgang Gartner (2012)

I have to be honest and say that I am a huge fan of Wolfgang Gartner.??His tracks are always fresh and banging, with unique elements that set them apart from the pool of tracks thrown on Beatport each week (and eight Beatport #1s is a testament to that).??Currently on tour with a full-on spaceship stage setup, he brings the energy to his crowd every night.??When I first interviewed him last year, I was blown away by how grounded, real, and down to earth he was. He is one of those rarities in the EDM world who does his own work, entertains crowds, and appreciates the success he achieves while managing to avoid the elitist attitudes so prevalent among a lot of the other big guys.

DJ Ron Slomowicz: The stage setup looks insane – did you design it?
Wolfgang Gartner:??Nope.??It was designed by Steve Lieberman of SJ Designs and built by AG Light and Sound.??They both do a lot of stuff for all the big dance festivals like EDC and Ultra, and clubs as well.

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