Mexico, a country that’s home to beautiful beaches, tacos and tequila also brings us the sounds of Gabriel Sordo. A member of Somnus Corp as well as partners in the newly founded digital label Discoteca Music, Gabriel is showing us he is definitely In Demand.
Gabriel’s passion for creating music really blossomed after meeting Jorge and Beto, who are his partners in Somnus Corp. Their productions have created a constantly growing and successful discography.
Most recently this includes their work with Kosmas Epsilon, a highpoint of their career which produced a smash hit that has been played for thousands of people by Sasha and Digweed on their latest tour. Other notable successes include two tracks which have been picked up by Nick Warren for his upcoming Global Underground compilation.
Read more about his incredible talent in my recent IM conversation with Gabriel:
For his In Demand set he has reached into the housier side of his techy tastes to bring us a fantastic set which continually builds in momentum towards the finish line. The mix includes one of Somnus Corp’s most recent productions so pay close attention to the 33 minute mark, that’s when the Somnus sound kicks in!
Last year we saw the release of a new label whose vision is to showcase the very best house music this genre has to offer. If you have been out of the loop for the past six months the label I’m taking about is Discoteca Music, which is a collective effort from Dana Bergquist, Tom Morgan, Somnos Corp., balErik and most recently Toronto’s very own Luke Fair.
This past conference was the first of what will hopefully be an annual WMC party for the Discoteca crew. Despite some problems with the venue we all had a great time chilling out on the patio while we looked at the sign on the corner that read “noise laws are strictly enforced!” (I vote that Miami abandon all laws during our annual pilgrimage to their sunny state).
I’m sure next year we’ll see an improvement in both venue and sound so we can hear what Discoteca can really deliver. Until then, to help you get better acquainted with Discoteca Music, you can watch my first on camera interview with Erik Molthe, Tom Morgan and Luke Fair and download balErik’s newest promo; it’s some funky goodness. Enjoy!
When you think of Montreal what do you think of? Do you think of the European feel that electrifies the streets of old Montreal? How about shopping or the patios in the summer? Or maybe you think of how damn cold it gets in the winter?! I think of all of those things but it’s always been the nightlife that has drawn me to the city.
I used to party in Montreal when I was still very new to this scene. Actually my first party ever was in an old warehouse in Laval. That night opened up my eyes to a scene that I can never turn back on now.
I haven’t been to Montreal in a few years but I still look back on those weekends as times that helped shape my love for this music. It was those weekends where I’d jump in the car with my friends for the six hour drive ‘cause we knew once we got there the party was going to be worth the ride. It’s those parties where the music pumped just a little harder and the clubs were just a little dirtier. That excited everyone I was with. The whole scene just felt a different compared to what was going on in Toronto.
As with every city that hosts a great nightlife, there are changes that take place. New faces appear, new DJ’s grace the decks and nightclubs come and go. But there is one place that has been able to endure all these changes, the world renowned Stereo nightclub. This is where Maher Daniel got his first big shot about two years ago.
After returning back to Montreal from Dubai to go to university, Maher quickly became involved in the scene. Having been taught the basics from his older brother back in Dubai, he used what he had learned to start DJing and producing. He created a mix that fell into the right hands and that’s when he was offered the chance to open up for one of the UK’s greatest DJs, Lee Burridge.
After that night things have only gotten better for Maher. He frequently opens and closes Stereo for top talents such as Desyn Masiello, Paolo Mojo and Harem Records’ Sultan.
Maher is the A & R for Harem Records where he often co-produces tracks with the production duo of Sultan and Ned Shepard. Their first production, Itajia Vibes, was released last year under Sick Watona and it has been a huge success.
As Maher’s tracks start to travel across borders so has his demand. Maher’s upcoming gigs include Nectar in Cancun Mexico and at Montreal’s Tribe Hyperclub where he will open for another UK great, Nic Fancuilli.
Before this mix I didn’t know who Maher was or what his music was like. After giving his In Demand a good few listens, I knew I loved his style! For this set he reaches into his ‘housier’ side to give us a compilation full of soft vocal tracks, edgy beats and looping baselines. It’s a mix that definitely grew on me the more I played it, so keep this one on repeat!
What does an artist have to do to create a unique image in this ever growing music scene that is becoming more and more saturated with DJ’s? This is a question that Paulo Malde thought about in 2004 after DJing for only 3 years… and the answer was to produce. If you want to be successful as a DJ these days, producing tracks is a must.
Paulo has come a long way in only the two years since he started producing. Under the name Electrobios, Paulo has created tracks that have been played by Desyn Massielo, Luke Fair, Jody Wisternoff and Add2Basket, just to name a few. With a constantly growing portfolio of tracks being signed and played by some of the world’s best DJ’s, it’s safe to say the name Electrobios is quickly becoming known worldwide.
I first became aware of Electrobios only six months ago when Paulo found me on Myspace. It wasn’t until I Iooked at his photos from the past WMC that I realized we had been at many of the same parties.
When he later proposed that we do an interview together, I was certainly flattered. I gave a listen to his promo mix and instantly thought this is someone that I would like to hear more from. Plus, I’m always open for a chat with someone who can make such amazing music!
Buenos Aires, Argentina is where Paulo Malde calls home. Whenever I hear a DJ is from ‘Argentina’ I instantly think of the energetic funky house that has kept me so interested in the talent from this South American party land over the past few years.
Paulo is definitely in this category. His tracks are so smooth that the highs and lows keep pulling you in and out, always leaving you wanting more.
This In Demand not only has two fantastic productions from Electrobios but he has crafted it in such a way that I keep listening again and again, trying to catch all the layers that flow throughout the mix. Prepare to be thrust into a time warp because this two hour set, will go by in 2 seconds!
For anyone who thinks trance is the only electronic music style coming out of Holland, they are so wrong! Although a few Dutch trance DJs are still incredibly famous for drawing massive crowds, what’s really going on in the nightclubs of Amsterdam is a sound very different.
It can be dark and techy, or it can be fun, funky and very fresh. The latter is the sound that is gracing the decks of one of our favorites, DJ Fountain, who I had the pleasure of interviewing for this latest installment of In Demand.
With a strong passion for every aspect of the music industry, DJ Fountain is creating his life’s work in ways that many only dream of. While continuing to DJ at some of Amsterdam’s best clubs, he also spends a lot of time producing music and working at his booking agency ‘Epiqurus.’ If you’ve ever had a passion, but didn’t follow through with it, DJ Fountain is a perfect example that you can make anything happen, if only you really try!
I met Jerone Fontein (DJ Fountain) last March at the Winter Music Conference in Miami. Being that we enjoy the same brand of house, we spent most of the week together traveling to the different events. One such traveling experience included Jerone and his Epiqurus partner Roger in the trunk of a jeep. It was a ride that I will always laugh at, but it was also when I first heard a sample of Fountain’s high quality production. The track was absolutely beautiful, one that always makes you smile.
The set that you are about to hear will do just that. Fountain put a lot of thought into each track he’s selected. A sexy smooth intro leads us into a very funky groove, laced with euphoria. I know this is a mix which you will play again and again and again, enjoy!
Last March was my first WMC experience and definitely not my last. One of the events I attended during our jam packed week was a Varsity All Stars party at the Clinton Hotel. This is where I met Naveen G. I had a great time talking to Naveen and afterwards he gave me his WMC promo. After giving it just one listen I discovered that Naveen has a style that is all his own. I knew immediately that Naveen would be a perfect In Demand choice.
This has been a big year for Naveen. He joined the Varsity All Stars team and became a member of Feedback Bookings and he also continues to do his weekly radio show ‘Darker Shades’ on Proton Radio. To top it off he is putting in long hours at the Harlem Hospital in NY where he is doing his residency in radiology. A DJ, a producer, and a MD…he is quite an impressive guy all round!
Naveen has no boundaries in his music. He likes to incorporate all genres of electronic music into his mixes. In his four-hour In Demand mix Naveen takes you on a smoothly mixed journey from a more housey beat (which is fitting for an early evening warm up), into a much darker, trippy mish mash of house infused with electro, minimal, tech-house and just pure dirty beats (of course suited for a dark dingy dance floor around 6am where you can find Naveen on any given Saturday).
The journey for me felt like I was being lead down a dimly lit corridor until I ended up in total darkness…scary, no, exciting, yes! No matter what your preferred style is, this mix has a little bit of everything for everyone. I thoroughly enjoyed my travels down the Naveen G mind tunnel; have a listen and let us know if you did as well!
When I look back at all the places I have traveled I’m always reminded that Toronto has one of the best scenes in the world for electronic dance music. The T.O. scene is kept alive because of people who are passionate about the music, including DJs like Isaac S, who is continuing to champion a solid, steady Progressive House sound with this latest In Demand exclusive.
I first heard of Isaac S six years ago when I was attending the University of Waterloo. During that time I worked at a restaurant beside the Revolution nightclub, where Isaac held a five year residency. During my late-night breaks I would sneak out to the venue’s House space, the Purple Room to catch some of Isaac’s high energy sets.
Since that time Isaac has kept himself very busy both as a DJ and in the production side of EDM. DJing Isaac has spun at many of Toronto’s most well know and beloved clubs such as System Soundbar, Roxy Blu, Element, The Docks and the Guverment. He’s also been booked for some of the city’s most high profiled one-offs including the world renowned Fashion Cares benefit.
On the production side, Isaac has released several tracks and remixes both internationally and domestically and has recently established his own label, “Dirty Deluxe Records” with his new production partner Jeff Hurst aka J-Groove. His production is such high quality he’s had tracks featured on John Digweed’s Kiss 100 UK based radio show.
Isaac started DJing during the early Toronto rave scene when he was 18 and now 13 years later I think it’s safe to say Isaac is a veteran! Within seconds I knew this exclusive In Demand mix was going to be a great one. Right from the intro beat I wanted to clap my hands… you`ll hear what I mean. So turn up the volume because what you’re about to hear is full of chunky build ups and killer vocal tracks; it definitely has a big club feel!
Carrying on with the In Demand tradition I survived a Japanese typhoon to sit on my porch and find a wireless connection so that Isaac and I could have a chat. What came out of it is really very entertaining…
My introduction to Tom Morgan happened not too long ago when I logged onto my MySpace account and was pleasantly surprised to find that he had requested me as a friend. I didn’t know Tom or his music but I had heard his name on a few occasions so I knew I needed to find out who this guy was with the crazy Scottish accent. I downloaded Tom’s most recent mix and instantly knew he was someone I wanted to learn more about.
Tom bought his first set of decks at the age of fourteen and seven years later he is still one of the youngest, yet hardest working DJs out there. His dedication to the search for only the highest quality music and his obvious ability to mix it caught the attention of Desyn Masiello who coined Tom “a DJ who’ll break through” in the 2006 DJ Mag poll.
Tom assumes the role of A&R for Desyn’s label, Alternative Route. For those of you who don’t know what an A&R is - as I didn’t until recently - it’s a job that entails seeking out tracks that would be a good fit for the label, as well as listening to any demos that are sent to the label for possible signing.
His keen ear for the highest quality House music has constantly pushed Tom Morgan to new levels. His most recent achievement being the release of his own label Discoteca, which was founded by Tom and three other Feedback Bookings talents, Dana Bergquist, Erik Molthe (BalErik) and Somnus Corp.
Stockholm’s Dana Bergquist is creating his own “Dana House” style, a fusion of funk, electro, techno and ultrafresh disco.
House and Techno enthuisiet BalErik, whose name comes from the word Balearic i.e. Balearic Islands, hails from Oslo, Norway. Desyn labeled BalErik “a DJ to watch out for” in the 2005 DJ Mag poll. Erik is also an A&R for Alternative Route alongside Tom.
Somnus Corp. comprised of Gabriel Sordo, Jorge Lopez and Beto Rodriguez of Mexico completes the Discoteca crew. This trio, best known for their mix “Black Love Magic” brings a darker, minimal Tribal House influence to Discoteca.
With this range in talent and taste, the Discoteca collective is sure to give us some dance floor bombs! You will soon be able to check them out online at discotecamusic.com.
And after weeks of searching for the perfect tracks, Tom has mixed us an exclusive set of the freshest House available today. Every time I hear a new mix of Tom’s I get so excited because I know he’s put a lot of thought into it and it always comes out sounding so smooth. This set is no different, enjoy!!
I heard Holosound for the first time just last year. I popped their live set from The Egg in London into my car and immediately I felt like I was hearing something new, something that definitely had me curious as to what was to come next.
They had my head bopping the whole way into work with their sexy, dirty, tech house sounds … and it was only 9am! Ever since that day I’ve kept my ears open to everything Holosound has created.
Alex Fish and Noah Becker, met on the beaches of Miami during WMC 2003 and have been working hard ever since to get their trademark “ILLectro” sound recognized globally. The following conversation / interview will give you a sneak peak into who Holosound are and what they’re into.
I had such a great time chatting with these guys. I could have gone on for hours but at some point we had to call it a night. Alex and Noah truley love what they do and are so eager to share their craft with anyone who is willing to listen.
So get your ears ready for a killer set Holosound has put together just for us! This mix has everything from dark tech and funky beats to melodic vocals; it’s guaranteed to put you in groove from start to finish!
Gabriel’s passion for creating music really blossomed after meeting Jorge and Beto, who are his partners in Somnus Corp. Their productions have created a constantly growing and successful discography.
Last year we saw the release of a new label whose vision is to showcase the very best house music this genre has to offer. If you have been out of the loop for the past six months the label I’m taking about is 
I used to party in Montreal when I was still very new to this scene. Actually my first party ever was in an old warehouse in Laval. That night opened up my eyes to a scene that I can never turn back on now.
Paulo has come a long way in only the two years since he started producing. Under the name 
It can be dark and techy, or it can be fun, funky and very fresh. The latter is the sound that is gracing the decks of one of our favorites, 
This has been a big year for Naveen. He joined the Varsity All Stars team and became a member of 
I first heard of Isaac S six years ago when I was attending the University of Waterloo. During that time I worked at a restaurant beside the Revolution nightclub, where Isaac held a five year residency. During my late-night breaks I would sneak out to the venue’s House space, the Purple Room to catch some of Isaac’s high energy sets.
My introduction to 
And after weeks of searching for the perfect tracks, Tom has mixed us an exclusive set of the freshest House available today. Every time I hear a new mix of Tom’s I get so excited because I know he’s put a lot of thought into it and it always comes out sounding so smooth. This set is no different, enjoy!!
I heard 
