Tag: wolfgang gartner

SONG OF THE DAY:?Charlie Darker – “Anxiety”

For some reason, when I was listening to “Anxiety” I was having a flashback to the part of “Rush” by Big Audio Dynamite when they were talking about the only important thing today is “rhythm and melody.” Rising Canadian producer/DJ Charlie Darker has found his own sound, a blend of hard and pretty – aggressive, bass-driven electro smoothed out with pretty, melodic breaks. The contrasts work and make for interesting tracks like “Anxiety” and his recent collaboration with Paris & Simo, “Cairo.”? Along with rising star Popeska, Charlie has been signed by electro mastermind Wolfgang Gartner to his Kindergarten Recordings.? In addition to checking out his track, follow him on twitter as his ramblings as a 20 year-old spinning around the country tend to be quite humorous.

Image Courtesy of Dim Mak.

SONG OF THE DAY: Popeska ft Luciana – “The New Kings”

Signed to Wolfgang Gartner’s Kindergarten label, Georgia Tech alumni Popska (aka Ralf Popescu) is quickly making a name for himself with glitchy, electro remixes (Bloody Beetroots, Street Lurkin) and strong original productions (“Karma Meter” and “Liar”). Enlisting the vocal talent of clubland favorite Luciana, he has constructed “The New Kings,” a big room electrohouse anthem for the new school with elements of glitch and stadium and just enough pop for possible crossover. Luciana follows her singing muse (like recent releases “Something For the Weekend” and “Calling All the Lovers”), moving further away from the talk/rap vibe of many of her past hits. The lyrics about the new generation of clubbers and everyone being beautiful could go a bit cheesy, but Luciana’s sweet and sultry voice gives it an edge. The “Oh Oh oh” chant recalling the classic “Self Control” by Laura Branigan is a nice touch as well. While this song may not be the one that makes Popeska a massive superstar, it will definitely increase his audience as more people discover his production talents- making him one to watch for 2013.

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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