Online music marketplace Beatport has had a rough go of things in recent years. Between severe mismanagement at the hands of SFX Entertainment and obstacles preventing the download store from finding new owners following the conglomerate's recent bankruptcy filing, there's no easy fix for its current state of affairs - although its former CEO has a few ideas.
The meteoric rise of electronic music over the past several years has largely run parallel to the proliferation of music streaming services - of which Spotify is king of the mountain. The ink has dried on an agreement with NYC tech firm Dubset that will further ingrain the brand into electronic music culture by expanding its platform to enable users to legally upload and stream DJ mixes.
With the 2016 festival season almost in full swing, releasing the right track is all a producer needs to capitalize on the fervor of electronic music fans. Quintino received some major support for his R3hab collaboration in March, and he's followed it up by joining forces with L.A. trio Cheat Codes on the main stage-ready "Can't Fight It."
Kap Slap built his career on mashing up and remixing top 40 with EDM, but his new release takes the form of a more traditional single. "Felt This Good" featuring Chicago-based singer songwriter M. Bronx is his first original track of 2016, and while his trademark sound is still evident it makes for something of a departure.
Progressive house trio Swanky Tunes' latest releases make them come across as out of touch. After collaborating with yesteryear superstars Far East Movement last month they've teamed up with fellow Russians Going Deeper on the aptly titled "Drownin'," whose melodies might have turned more heads if they'd put it out last year.
The recent global success of Australian electronic music acts like Flume and Chet Faker has provided a platform by which others can reach wider audiences, and Ta-Ku and Wafia appear to be next in line. The Perth-based DJ/producer and Brisbane-based vocalist have delivered the first single from their upcoming (m)edian EP titled "Meet In The Middle."
Over a month has passed since Dirtybird Records' chief export Justin Martin released his sophomore album Hello Clouds, and dance music tastemakers are still singing its praises. It's even resonated with the sophisticated tastes of those across the pond, as BBC Radio 1 enlisted the San Fransisco DJ/producer for an installment of their After Hours Mix series.
Norwegian tropical house superstar Kygo has unveiled music videos for the songs "I'm in Love" and "Raging" from his debut album, Cloud Nine, this week, and like those of Disclosure and Steve Angello's recent albums, they appear to tell an overarching story.
Only in this day and age would a politician hatch the idea to win over a segment of a city's population by appealing to its techno enthusiasts. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has declared May 23rd-30th Detroit Techno Week just in time for the 2016 edition of Movement Detroit, complete with a certificate of recognition and everything.
Esteemed SoCal rave promoters HARD have really committed to their comedic promotional tactics this year, as evidenced by the camping trailer for this year's edition of HARD Summer. They first hinted at their "#RIPTHEINTERNET" theme before revealing the event's official 2016 trailer, and the latest upload to their YouTube account extends the gimmick even further.
