issue 34 working_Layout 1 8/7/2013 11:43 AM Page 20
CIDER MAGAZINE
ISSUE 34
PG 20
WWW.CIDERMAG.COM
How the turn tables
Hey guys! This month I want to dive in by talking about something that generates a ton of buzz in the DJ world every year at this time: the DJ Mag top 100 DJ list. it means different things to different people, but to people who are actually *into* DJing, it’s more infamous than famous. The reasons for this are interesting to extrapolate. For super-stark contrast, after analyzing this somewhat dark issue in music scenes, I’ve got some of the happiest music I can think of to give to you to check out. The DJ Mag to 100 DJs list is famously a sham, and the top slots are split between who releases the most poppy hits that appeal to the mainstream readers, and who spends the most money buying fake votes. Every year there’s a TON of backlash about famously unskilled DJs charting way higher than the best DJs in the world, because of these two factors. In addition to this, many of the top DJs have actually been caught inflating their votes by hiring data entry people in India to vote for them. Every year this happens, and every year everyone’s still surprised and outraged. This year, a DJ named Gareth Emery has generated a lot of buzz by releasing an open request to not vote for him. He’s said that you have to buy about $100k n fake votes from India to do well on the list, so he’s decided this year to opt-out of the list and donate that money to charity. I think Emery's point is an interesting one both on the surface and in theory. Marketing and shady practices have really taken over all of our music scenes. Anyone who says “fuck this sytem, especially in a
creative way, I think is with STEGGA worthy of some attention. aka Justin Looper We need to encourage anyone who wants to do what they do without letting greed get in the way.
Anamanaguchi
On to happier things, I have for you another dance music genre that you didn’t know you loved. For you non-dance music fans, I’ve even got another artist to check out that’s a full band rather than a DJ/ producer. The genre is called Chiptunes, and the band is called Anamanaguchi. The genre is all about throwback sounds, specifically centered around 90’s video games. It’s full of 8-bit sounds, and is always energetic and dancy. It is genuinely some of the happiest music I can possibly think of. I’d describe it as music that you can’t frown to if you try. Anamanaguchi is a foyur-piece in Brooklyn with a guitarist, drummer, bassist, and Nintendo-player. Yes, that last one is true. Their sound is largely based around modifying old NES's so they can play them like synthesizers, so they can get that same exact sound for their melodies that we loved and grew up with. It ends up sounding really awesome. Their aesthetic reminds me very much of eighties and early-nineties cartoons. I definitely recommend checking them out. If you’re ever in a bad mood, give them a listen and I guarantee it’ll fix it. I recommend the track Helix Nebula. I post it frequently in social media with the caption “listen to this and fight pixelated dragons with me.”