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Breaking writerâ€™s block: A producerâ€™s guide to sparking inspiration

Written by rhythm86 on October 9, 2023

Ask any artist what their least favorite part of their creative process is, and you may very well find an overarching pattern: the challenge of dealing with writerâ€™s block. Many music producers dread those two words â€“ or rather, what they entail. As a producer myself, I can speak from experience and empathize. I have gone […]

The post Breaking writer’s block: A producer’s guide to sparking inspiration appeared first on DJ TechTools.

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I-94 is a new mix series connecting Chicago & Detroit

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Helmed by VITIGRRL, I-94 dives deep to explore "the gritty, raw and undeniable connection" between the Chicago and Detroit underground electronic music scenes.

Electro Cherry - RISE mix vol 25

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Czboogie - Live in Paris Mix

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Media Mail rates increase again, for the second time in 2024

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Renegade Riddims: Chief Dubz

26 July 2024 - Shelley Dodds

Born in Washington D.C. and raised in Virginia, Matthew Lowery, better known as Chief Dubz, is a sub bass vinyl enthusiast and sound system aficionado now based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Matt has been honing his craft on the decks for nearly a decade, mixing a diverse array of genres including Hip Hop, Dub, Dubstep, Dub Techno, Halftime, Drum & Bass, and Jungle.

Influenced by early Hip Hop pioneers like Nas and Wu-Tang Clan, Dub legends such as Lee Scratch Perry and Jah Shaka, and Drum & Bass icons like Goldie, Calibre, Overlook, and Torn, Matt brings a deep understanding and appreciation for the roots and evolution of the music he spins. His live sets are a unique experience, featuring tracks you’ve likely never heard before, exclusive material, and rare small batch pressings.

If you get the chance to catch Chief Dubz live, expect to dive into a meditative journey of low-end frequencies and deep vibes. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the scene, his sets are sure to offer something special.

Come vibe out and get lost in the rhythms of Drum & Bass with Chief Dubz as he joins our Renegade Riddims series with a brand new deep, rolling mix! His mix features music from Forest Drive West, Quartz, Alibi, Shiken Hanzo, Type, Adred, Kasra and more!

Check out the mix below and download it for free here!

[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1881582096" params="color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]

Q&A:

Sum up this mix in 10 words…

A selection of deep DnB and Jungle for your ears.

What’s your personal favourite track on it?

I’m a huge fan of the deeper, more experimental side of DnB/Jungle. Some of my favorite labels are UVB-76, Samurai Music and Rupture. If I had to choose just one tune out of the mix, I’d pick Book of Soyga by Shiken Hanzo.

What’s the special ingredient in this mix?

Being a DJ who only spins vinyl, I’d say the special ingredient to this mix (and most of my mixes) is letting tracks breathe. A lot of these tracks get better and better as they progress forward, and that’s something I think is important when selecting and putting together a mix.

Tell us about your next EP…

When I first got really passionate about music I started off making beats on the Maschine by Native Instruments. That all changed when I was gifted my first record and turntable from my great friend Greg. Since then, I’ve been obsessed with vinyl and the feeling I get in the mix when 2 tracks become one. All of my WIP’s are up on SoundCloud if anyone is interested in checking them out, but I sadly do not produce anymore.

When was the last time you actually raved?

Last time I raved was the day before July 4th of this year… I saw Chris Inperspective from Inperspective Records on a Tuesday night in Raleigh NC at a little spot called Ruby Deluxe. DnB vibes were heavy all night.

And finally, do you have a special message for our readers?

If you’re truly passionate about something, go out and do it! Don’t let the thoughts or words of others deter you. Do what makes you happy!

TRACKLIST:

Type – SK85

Eusebeia – Snakes & Ladders

Adred ft. Cory James – Chelae

Anile – Koi Attack

Torn – Grief

Karsa ft. Slay – City of Rain

Alibi – Dismissed

Holsten & Overlook – All Talk

Sully & Salo – Nights (Vocal Mix)

Forest Drive West – Terminus

Homemade Weapons & Red Army – Sleep Terror

Dj Draai – Zwaarden

Shiken Hanzo – 5th Dimension

The Untouchables – Electric Wizard

Shiken Hanzo – Book of Soyga

Last Life – The Worst Awakening

Clarity ft. T Man – Hell’s Gate

Quartz – Black Decay

Overlook – Who Is This Who Is Coming

DB1 – B2

The post Renegade Riddims: Chief Dubz appeared first on Data Transmission.

Sidney Charles’ latest EP “Reso Riddim” drops on his Heavy House Society

26 July 2024 - Grahame Farmer

Feel the infectious beats and raw energy of Sidney Charles‘ latest EP, “Reso Riddim”, which is dropping on his very own Heavy House Society imprint. Renowned for his distinct take on house music, Sidney Charles delivers a powerhouse two tracker that embodies his signature sound and energy for the dancefloor.

As a DJ and producer, Sidney Charles has carved out a unique niche in the electronic music scene with what fans affectionately refer to as “The Sidney Sound.” This signature style is built on heavy low ends, chunky drums, and cavernous low frequencies that connect directly with the body. With tracks like “House Lessons” and “Warehouse Romance,” and more recent “Space Bass” and “No Way Out,” Sidney established himself as a force to be reckoned with, showcasing his affinity for rough, dirty sounds with a modern twist.

“Reso Riddim” kicks off with the title track, a driving and edgy peak time weapon that boasts a stripped-back groove and an infectious bassline. Breakbeat elements add depth and dimension in the break, creating a track that is guaranteed to get the dancefloor moving and jumping. With its pulsating energy and relentless rhythm, “Reso Riddim” sets a strong tone for the EP’s journey.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDwPMNtyR1c?feature=oembed&w=1140&h=641]

On “Rawline 98,” Sidney Charles channels the spirit of the ’90s with pumpin’ jackin’ beats, garage-inspired chords, and an old-school bassline that harkens back to the golden era of house music. The track exudes a bouncing energy and infectious swing that transports clubbers to a bygone era while keeping the dancefloor firmly rooted in the present.

Last but not least is “Charles List” with its smooth, yet punching energy this delivers a powerful track for the floor, whilst Sidney Charles layers some clever vocal cuts to really give this one its own identity which completes this very strong EP perfectly.

The “Reso Riddim EP,” is also available on Vinyl which will include an extra track “Objection” for those who love the feel of wax both in their hands and on the decks.

We premiere ‘Rawline 98’ on Data Transmission, check it out here and grab it on Beatport.

[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1881572730" params="color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] Data Transmission · Sidney Charles – Rawline 98 [Heavy House Society]

The post Sidney Charles’ latest EP “Reso Riddim” drops on his Heavy House Society appeared first on Data Transmission.

My Studio: Rooléh [South Records, Cécille, Moxy Muzik]

26 July 2024 - Data Transmission Staff

Ruud Koole, known as Rooléh, is an Amsterdam-based house DJ/producer who began making music in early 2020. In April 2021, he joined the Masters NL talent program, mentored by artists like Michel de Hey, Franky Rizardo, and Anil Aras.

Gaining recognition, Rooléh has released music on labels such as Cecille, Airtime, Moxy Muzik, and Lacuna, with his high-energy, sample-based house music, influenced by genres like Hip-hop, Soul, and Disco, being played by top artists. He also runs VOID Events, which started in his hometown with a friend and has since expanded to Amsterdam.

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A post shared by Rooléh (@roolehmusic)

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While releasing what may just be one of the biggest records of the year, ‘Daylight’, which sits as the title cut of his latest EP on George Smeddles’ South Records imprint and comes equipped with remixes from fellow A’Dam native Toman and legendary Spanish House stalwart Tuccillo, we invited Rooléh to give us a behind the scenes look at where the magic happens in this exclusive My Studio feature.

How long have you been in your current studio space/setup?

I’ve got a bedroom studio where I’ve been producing right from the beginning which was 4 years ago.

What elements in your studio help inspire you to write new music?

In my studio I like to play around with my Ableton Push. I’ll load up a sample, put in in slice mode and start hammering the touchpad on the Push until I hear something nice.

What elements of your latest EP, ‘Daylight,’ stand out most from a production perspective? Are there any things that make it specifically unique compared to past productions?

If I had to describe the sound of my productions at the moment it would be exactly the way that Daylight track is made. It’s very repetitive, doesn’t have that many elements and it’s all sample-based. While the sound of the track is the same as I produce now, It still stands out from my other productions because it’s so euphoric and truly a one-of-a-kind piece. I haven’t made anything similar to it and I don’t think I ever will.

What’s your favourite piece of hardware/software used regularly in your studio?

As I said before, I really like to use the Ableton Push. I also work completely inside the box, so there isn’t any other hardware I use besides the Push and a MIDI keyboard.

What’s your favourite track you’ve written so far in your current studio?

Daylight is definitely one of my favorites, but I’ve recently build a track with my own voice called “Some Time” which I really like. There’s something unique when it’s your own voice on a track and it makes it 100% original. It’s still unsigned and I’m keeping it very tight, but I think this will be one of my next big tracks for 2025.

What are some absolute must-haves for any good studio?

A good laptop that can handle big projects and an Ableton Push… I keep saying it. Good speakers and sound treatment are also very important to me.

What advice can you give aspiring artists who don’t have access to a studio or equipment or want to set up their first space for producing music?

Don’t start buying all sorts of gear because you think you need it in order to sound good. I bought a TB-3 and a TR-8, thinking I was going to produce a lot of tracks with them. The truth is, I haven’t made a single track with them. I work inside the box and don’t need any gear to make the tracks that I want to make. So think about if you’re going inside or outside the box before buying anything.

If you could change one thing about your studio, what would it be and why?

My room is too small to have a proper sound treatment, so I’d like to have a bigger room so I can really make it sound good.

Rooléh’s ‘Daylight’ EP (including Toman & Tuccillo Remixes) is available to download/stream via South Records on all major platforms here.

The post My Studio: Rooléh [South Records, Cécille, Moxy Muzik] appeared first on Data Transmission.

Juliet Fox steps up on EXIT Soundscape with new single ‘Outta Ya Mind’

26 July 2024 - Grahame Farmer

Continuing her unstoppable momentum this year, Australian-born, London-based producer and DJ Juliet Fox releases her newest record, ‘Outta Ya Mind’. It comes out via EXIT Soundscapes – the label of the acclaimed Serbian festival EXIT.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hp7akz46k08?feature=oembed&w=1140&h=641]

Following a recent remix for renowned Dutch label Armada Music, ‘Outta Ya Mind’ further highlights Juliet’s explosive talent in the studio. A pure dance floor damager, the new release is a no-frills techno club record that draws inspiration from a bygone trance era, a hallmark evident in her productions of late.

We premiere ‘Outta Ya Mind’ on NUDE Techno, check it out here and grab it on Beatport.

[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1881456843" params="color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] NUDE · Juliet Fox – Outta Ya Mind [EXIT]

The post Juliet Fox steps up on EXIT Soundscape with new single ‘Outta Ya Mind’ appeared first on Data Transmission.

Amelie Lens unveils some Big Tracks with the Fifth Edition of EXHALE’S coveted VA Series

26 July 2024 - Grahame Farmer

It’s almost impossible to believe that a label with so much international notoriety is still within its first ten releases. Still, Belgian Techno protagonist Amelie Lens’ EXHALE imprint is set to make even more noise with its ninth release, set for release on the 26th July. Having already played host to a wave of incredible music from the likes of TRYM, ACOR, Joey Risdon, 999999999, AIROD and several others, including Amelie herself.

Following a spate of well-received singles from Amelie and the latest offering from fellow Antwerp native BYØRN, EXHALE prepares itself for an impressive fifth VA, featuring 14 selected cuts from 16 artists in total. A slew of internationally recognised names and rising new-age talent, welcoming back some familiar faces alongside some debutants, including two collaboration tracks.

Led by Amelie Lens’ ‘Underneath The Strobelights’, featuring her trademark vocals she paves the way for EXHALE VA005. Fellow Antwerp local NOVAH debuts on the label, after her notable b2b sets with BYØRN of late, her track ‘Inner Odyssey’ is followed by VENTUR, a producer from The North West of the UK who’s affiliated with Teletech and Verknipt with ‘Let It Kick’ – a fast pace beat, and galloping bassline alongside catchy vocals make this his debut on EXHALE.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5w7oK5qtVtc?feature=oembed&w=1140&h=641]

Young Irishman Luciid, also making his first appearance with ‘Era Of Us’. BYØRN is back with another massive offering in ‘Our Destiny’, followed by SWART, who also returns with ‘Extazy’ a hard-hitting pacy vocal peak timer.

Teletech resident Alex Farell makes his debut alongside Farrago, in their first collab together on ‘All Systems Go’, with its spoken vocals and pummelling bass, before French producer ARDL at just 21 debuts with ‘Hyperactive’, with his focus on raw-sounding techno.

Another duo of back-to-back debuts sees the elusive FLKN drop ‘Rumble’, influenced by 303 sounds, he makes things dark and distorted. UK-based Aaron Hibell with the vampiric ‘1999’, its bouncy fast bass it makes it the grooviest techno track of the VA.

Berliner Afem Syko’s known for his unpredictable, vibrant sets offers his track ‘Slingshot’, backed up by returning American powerhouse and Terra Novae label founder Chemtrailz who become loved for his trance-inducing techno hybrid sound, teams up alongside Hani with their track ‘Goddessblood’. Italy’s Rian Wood comes in hot with their penultimate cut ‘Anima’, as he expresses his passion for music through hard techno, neo-rave and old-school influences.

Closing off the colossal VA is French talent, La Kajofol who recently released on ARTCORE. She seals the release with the irresistibly signature ‘Black Rhapsody’. Her music brings a unique style of her own which she calls ‘Mystical Techno’, infusing hypnotism into psytrance and techno with her eerie vocals.

Championing the diversity of the modern-day techno paradigm, EXHALE’s latest VA dips its toe into a myriad of genres, with nods to psytrance, breakbeat, hardstyle, classical and even drum & bass across thirteen freakishly heavy dancefloor-primed stompers. It’s everything you’d want from a release that showcases artistry in its simplest form.

On first listen, EXHALE VA005 has all the makings to be one of this summer’s biggest releases.

We premiere “Chemtrailz Ft. Hani – Goddess Blood” on NUDE Techno, check it out here and grab it on Beatport.

[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1881441324" params="color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] NUDE · Chemtrailz Ft. Hani – Goddess Blood [EXHALE]

The post Amelie Lens unveils some Big Tracks with the Fifth Edition of EXHALE’S coveted VA Series appeared first on Data Transmission.

PAN cancels Berghain party amid boycott pressure

26 July 2024

The label and collective had orginally been set to takeover the Berlin venue on August 2

SHERELLE, D Double E and Skream & Benga confirmed for Boomtown 2024

26 July 2024

With this year's theme set to be "Revolution of Imagination," Boomtown will welcome over 450 artists to Winchester next month

Nia Archives becomes first jungle artist to earn Mercury Prize nomination in 26 years

26 July 2024

'Silence is Loud' is the first album from the genre to be included in the prestigious prize's shortlist since Roni Size's 'New Form' took home the award in 1997

Experimental music producer Sd Laika has died

26 July 2024

The critically acclaimed Tri Angle Records producer passed away in 2023, a member of his family has confirmed

NTIA calls on Hackney Council to save Boxpark Shoreditch from closure

26 July 2024

Boxpark has been asked to close after almost 13 years due to development in the area

Trainspotting With Steve Hart

26 July 2024 - Martin Madigan

South Australian DJ and producer Steve Hart is known for producing all shades of house music during his musical career spanning a couple of decades, Steve’s productions and remixes have landed on labels such as Vicious, LW Recordings, Central Station, Poolside, and 405 Recordings, among others. In recent years, he’s had several successful releases on his own label Shoosh Records, including ‘That Funky Jazz’, ‘Arms Of Mine’, ‘You Take Me’ and ‘Do It Again’. As he teams up with Clio […]

The post Trainspotting With Steve Hart appeared first on DMC World Magazine.

Back To Mine With Laurent Wolf

25 July 2024 - Martin Madigan

Parisian native, now Californian resident, Laurent Wolf is one of France’s most booked DJ’s in the world alongside the likes of Bob Sinclar and David Guetta. Boasting a career for several decades, he was the original resident at Paris’ legendary club, The Queen, for 10 years back in the early 90’s, before becoming an international DJ success and consistently touring the globe. As a producer, Laurent is well known for his global hits such as ‘Saxo’, ‘Calinda’, ‘Sunshine Paradise’, ‘Another […]

The post Back To Mine With Laurent Wolf appeared first on DMC World Magazine.

Back to Mine With Baby Weight

25 July 2024 - Martin Madigan

Baby Weight, aka Cara Eser, hails from Washington, D.C. and has burst through with a distinctive style of dance music that is rich in melody and designed for the party. She has served up albums and EPs that climbed high in the Beatport charts and picked up support from peers like The Blessed Madonna and Claptone. There is great emotional integrity in her music and she is in the middle of a busy run of gigs that take her from […]

The post Back to Mine With Baby Weight appeared first on DMC World Magazine.

Back To Mine With Cash Only

22 July 2024 - Martin Madigan

Cash Only has swiftly carved out a reputation as a versatile producer on the house scene, blending driving house rhythms with afro-inspired elements and a nod to his UK Garage and Jungle roots dating back to 1996. His rapid ascent in the studio has seen him sign tracks to acclaimed labels such as Nervous, Dvine Sounds, Upcycle, and Stashed, with multiple top ten and top twenty placements on download stores. His skills extend beyond the studio, with a packed DJ […]

The post Back To Mine With Cash Only appeared first on DMC World Magazine.

Slowz

20 July 2024 - Dan Prince

A stunning new debut album ‘The ‘Digital Love‘ from talented French artist Slowz is upon us, brimming with future soul and moody pop-tronica; sensibilities that he has proudly championed since his inception in 2013. The producer and songwriter has ushered an impressively wide spectrum of projects over the last decade, including for the likes of Sia, Laura Mvula, Lizzo, SOFI TUKKER & Amadou Mariam, Idina Menzel, nelick, Macy Gray, Mystery Skulls, Jody Watley, Nowadays Black Label, The Red Hot Organization, […]

The post Slowz appeared first on DMC World Magazine.

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Breaking writerâ€™s block: A producerâ€™s guide to sparking inspiration

Written by rhythm86 on October 9, 2023

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Current track

Title

Artist

Current show

Live Stream

12:00 am 8:00 pm

Upcoming show

Urbana With David Penn

8:00 pm 9:00 pm

Current show

Live Stream

12:00 am 8:00 pm

Upcoming show

Urbana With David Penn

8:00 pm 9:00 pm

Breaking writerâ€™s block: A producerâ€™s guide to sparking inspiration

Written by rhythm86 on October 9, 2023

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rhythm86

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