Death of Dance Radio!
By Mike Schirtzer
“You pay for Radio”?, my Swedish friend says to me in the café overlooking a snowy Stockholm, and I explained that in the United Sates we have the option of having over 170 channels with the purchase of a satellite receiver and a $13 monthly subscription, same as people pay for TV. I than went on to tell my friend the only way to listen to trance, electro, or deep house on the radio is through my pay service. He thinks I’m crazy and I’ll explain that later.
XM Satellite Radio and Sirius are the two companies that offer this service is the USA and Canada, and now want to merge. Both broadcast their own dance channels and do not share programming, although the content is very similar. Each one has a: mainstream/commercial, trance/progressive, house, and chill channel. Sirius also carries BBC’s Radio 1 which is home to many shows devoted to electronic music. Both companies carry DJ exclusive shows: XM offers Armin Van Buuren’s “A State of Trance” and Junior Vasquez’s house show, where as Sirius carries programs by Paul Van Dyk and Paul Oakenfold.
For years, dance fans such as me could only expect to hear Madonna or a mix of Coldplay on our local commercial radio station. In most major cities on Saturday night at 11:00pm the stations would play true electronic dance music and shows with famous DJ’s, but most of us would already be out at the club or sleeping. Stations that brand themselves as “dance” might occasionally play a hit by Dirty Vegas or a vocal track by Tiesto, but that’s as deep as it gets.
With the pending merger of these pay radio services, what will this mean for dance music fans who subscribe? These companies do not releases ratings, so we will never know how popular the electronic stations are, we can definitely expect that the stations will be combined. It could be a good thing since now the one service can carry all the shows that have been split between the two, but realistically costs will have to be cut, as with all mergers, and that will mean less content for the paying customer.
I know, by this point you are telling me radio is old fashioned, it’s ridiculous to pay for it, as my Swedish friend told me. He thinks I’m nuts because of all the other options; internet radio stations such as DI.FM, pod-casts by famous artists such as Roger Sanchez and sites like this one, and mp-3 players where I can make my own play list, has done away with need for traditional radio. I still enjoy the unpredictability of radio, hearing a new song or a DJ say what’s hot is the fun part of being a music fan.
XM and Sirius have provided a place for true electronic dance music fans to go and hear the latest tracks, and the classic hits, and not have to rely on my local station to provide us with one house song a week. This maybe coming to an end or it maybe beneficial we may not know until next Christmas, but until then I will continue to pay for my radio.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Miami Will Be Ultra Hot
Miami Will Be Ultra Hot
By Mike Schirtzer
Winter Music Conference (WMC) is fast approaching, and the closest thing that America has to Ibiza will be even better this year. What keeps regulars like me coming back year after year, and new faces sacrificing their first born to get the money they need for a chance to party in South Beach, always something new and cutting edge is on the horizon for WMC.
Ultra Music Festival, the annual main attraction during the conference has reinvented itself this year. It will now be a two day event, and one of the headliners will be The Cure, who are no strangers to having the top spot, but not on a dance music lineup. Ultra has also brought in some new talent this year; Sander Van Doorn who has been burning up the trance scene will be on the main stage, along with Fedde Le Grand a new star in house music.
Some European promoters such as Defected and BBC’s Radio One are no longer involved in the week long activities, but bigger and better promoters have taken their place. Madeevents, Wetgrooves, and Club Space will all be presenting some unbelievable talent this year. Juicy Music will be presenting their annual Robbie Rivera and Friends party which will be bigger and longer this year. What makes them cutting edge is that they no longer just give you a night of one genre, their lineups have trance, techno, and house: new and older DJ’s alike. Fans of some, fans of all, and people who just want to dance their good looking asses off to anything, mix and mingle together, which gives Miami some of the best crowds in North America.
Like everything in the States, money is the driving force, and that’s a good thing. The newer venues such as Twilo, Nocturnal, and Cameo (a refurbished Crobar), of course want you to come their club so they hook up with the best promoters that offer the greatest lineups. The fierce competition has only strengthened the parties, the ones during the day at Nikki Beach, Opium, and poolside events at top hotels such as The Shelbourne, rival many top festivals in Europe.
Yes this is an expensive trip, but for our European friends the exchange rate has turned so much in their favor that the price has actually decreased. As for everyone else, where else, other than Ibiza, will you be able to party 24/7, in a tropical setting, with great looking people, and the top DJ’s in the world, so go ahead and sell your house and come with me to South Beach for another year of sleep deprivation!
By Mike Schirtzer
Winter Music Conference (WMC) is fast approaching, and the closest thing that America has to Ibiza will be even better this year. What keeps regulars like me coming back year after year, and new faces sacrificing their first born to get the money they need for a chance to party in South Beach, always something new and cutting edge is on the horizon for WMC.
Ultra Music Festival, the annual main attraction during the conference has reinvented itself this year. It will now be a two day event, and one of the headliners will be The Cure, who are no strangers to having the top spot, but not on a dance music lineup. Ultra has also brought in some new talent this year; Sander Van Doorn who has been burning up the trance scene will be on the main stage, along with Fedde Le Grand a new star in house music.
Some European promoters such as Defected and BBC’s Radio One are no longer involved in the week long activities, but bigger and better promoters have taken their place. Madeevents, Wetgrooves, and Club Space will all be presenting some unbelievable talent this year. Juicy Music will be presenting their annual Robbie Rivera and Friends party which will be bigger and longer this year. What makes them cutting edge is that they no longer just give you a night of one genre, their lineups have trance, techno, and house: new and older DJ’s alike. Fans of some, fans of all, and people who just want to dance their good looking asses off to anything, mix and mingle together, which gives Miami some of the best crowds in North America.
Like everything in the States, money is the driving force, and that’s a good thing. The newer venues such as Twilo, Nocturnal, and Cameo (a refurbished Crobar), of course want you to come their club so they hook up with the best promoters that offer the greatest lineups. The fierce competition has only strengthened the parties, the ones during the day at Nikki Beach, Opium, and poolside events at top hotels such as The Shelbourne, rival many top festivals in Europe.
Yes this is an expensive trip, but for our European friends the exchange rate has turned so much in their favor that the price has actually decreased. As for everyone else, where else, other than Ibiza, will you be able to party 24/7, in a tropical setting, with great looking people, and the top DJ’s in the world, so go ahead and sell your house and come with me to South Beach for another year of sleep deprivation!
PVD REVIEW
PVD Hits NYC
By Mike Schirtzer
http://www.ibiza-voice.com/news/news.php?id=1011
New York, February 16th 2007- When the #1 DJ in the world comes to the biggest city in the world, a special night is expected, and it was that and more. Crobar, the venue that is currently undergoing name and management changes, hosted the night, and experienced a few of it’s own problems, but the music and vibe was right on point.
Steve Porter, who is famous in his own right for his PorterHouse CD’s and parties, opened up the night with a 3 hour set. Although it seemed strange to see the pairing of such different styles, Porter and his eclectic mix of funky and hard house, opening up for arguably the most famous trance DJ, it actually worked. Porter did a great job of setting the stage for an epic night; he started with some smooth house and built the crowd up with some banging beats. Porter, who is no stranger to headlining his own events here in New York, proved once again dance music fans just want some great tunes, no matter what genre it falls into.
Paul Van Dyke, who is now in his second year of being voted the top DJ, according to MixMag, played a set that was flawless from beginning to end. He seemed to go back to his trance roots, some of his sets of late has been more electro and progressive, probably a result of a lot of the music he’s spinning on his radio shows; Soundgarden @ Radio Fritz in Europe and Vonyc Sessions here in the states. This night was filled with old trance hits from Fred Baker, Nu-NRG, and the highlight of the night for many, as seen by the crowd’s reaction, Way Out West-Mindcircus. He also played a new song that is starting to appear in many trance sets, Filo & Peri- The Anthem, they also happen to be on PVD’s Vandit label, but none the less the song is starting to find some poularity.
When Tiesto and Armin Van Buuren emerged on the scene, they were famous not only for their spinning and productions, but also by the way they played along to the crowd, jumping and smiling, looking really happy to be there. The criticism of PVD was that he was too “robotic”, just concentrating on his computer set up. Well, things have changed, PVD seems to be enjoying his reign on top, and is not afraid to show his emotions. He was dancing and clapping along with the crowd, his ability to interact with the fans has definitely become one of his strong points.
Crobar, which will soon be known as Studio Mezmor, since they and Crobar Miami (to be known as Cameo), will no longer be affiliated with the original in Chicago, should change more than just it’s name. When you are supposed to be one of the top “super-clubs” in New York City, hosting top talent of the electronic dance music world, your sound and lighting systems have to equal that talent, and they do not. Studio and Pacha NYC are not only competing for local crowds, but also for visitors for other North American cities and international tourist as well. Studio’s lighting was elementary at best, and the sound system is at times too low, sometime seems as though it does not even offer the full range of bass that is necessary for a top flight venue. New York clubs have to raise their levels to that of their UK and Ibiza counterparts by not only focusing on the
DJ’s, but also on the equipment, so the fans can get the full affect they of what they deserve and paid for.
Overall it was a great night for trance and house fans who wanted to warm up on what a chilly winter’s night in the Big Apple. PVD once again showed why he is loved world-wide and Porter gave us a set that displayed why his popularity is on the rise too.
By Mike Schirtzer
http://www.ibiza-voice.com/news/news.php?id=1011
New York, February 16th 2007- When the #1 DJ in the world comes to the biggest city in the world, a special night is expected, and it was that and more. Crobar, the venue that is currently undergoing name and management changes, hosted the night, and experienced a few of it’s own problems, but the music and vibe was right on point.
Steve Porter, who is famous in his own right for his PorterHouse CD’s and parties, opened up the night with a 3 hour set. Although it seemed strange to see the pairing of such different styles, Porter and his eclectic mix of funky and hard house, opening up for arguably the most famous trance DJ, it actually worked. Porter did a great job of setting the stage for an epic night; he started with some smooth house and built the crowd up with some banging beats. Porter, who is no stranger to headlining his own events here in New York, proved once again dance music fans just want some great tunes, no matter what genre it falls into.
Paul Van Dyke, who is now in his second year of being voted the top DJ, according to MixMag, played a set that was flawless from beginning to end. He seemed to go back to his trance roots, some of his sets of late has been more electro and progressive, probably a result of a lot of the music he’s spinning on his radio shows; Soundgarden @ Radio Fritz in Europe and Vonyc Sessions here in the states. This night was filled with old trance hits from Fred Baker, Nu-NRG, and the highlight of the night for many, as seen by the crowd’s reaction, Way Out West-Mindcircus. He also played a new song that is starting to appear in many trance sets, Filo & Peri- The Anthem, they also happen to be on PVD’s Vandit label, but none the less the song is starting to find some poularity.
When Tiesto and Armin Van Buuren emerged on the scene, they were famous not only for their spinning and productions, but also by the way they played along to the crowd, jumping and smiling, looking really happy to be there. The criticism of PVD was that he was too “robotic”, just concentrating on his computer set up. Well, things have changed, PVD seems to be enjoying his reign on top, and is not afraid to show his emotions. He was dancing and clapping along with the crowd, his ability to interact with the fans has definitely become one of his strong points.
Crobar, which will soon be known as Studio Mezmor, since they and Crobar Miami (to be known as Cameo), will no longer be affiliated with the original in Chicago, should change more than just it’s name. When you are supposed to be one of the top “super-clubs” in New York City, hosting top talent of the electronic dance music world, your sound and lighting systems have to equal that talent, and they do not. Studio and Pacha NYC are not only competing for local crowds, but also for visitors for other North American cities and international tourist as well. Studio’s lighting was elementary at best, and the sound system is at times too low, sometime seems as though it does not even offer the full range of bass that is necessary for a top flight venue. New York clubs have to raise their levels to that of their UK and Ibiza counterparts by not only focusing on the
DJ’s, but also on the equipment, so the fans can get the full affect they of what they deserve and paid for.
Overall it was a great night for trance and house fans who wanted to warm up on what a chilly winter’s night in the Big Apple. PVD once again showed why he is loved world-wide and Porter gave us a set that displayed why his popularity is on the rise too.
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