A gossip column where
you can find out which DJ
has been snogging who,
and who was too wasted
to get on the decks last
month….No not that. But
seriously I’d like to find
Australian Dance Music
news put into an
international context as
well domestic context
with honest opinion
pieces and a dedicated
production section.
Current event listings,
interviews, equipment
reviews, event reviews,
schlock DJ comps,
investigative articles about
various DJ crews and
emerging music styles
I‘m not sure who
would be the most
DJ Rock Like This
respected person across
the industry, but I know
who I respect the most in the Australian industry, and
it’s Nick Thayer. He is easily the most successful musical
export, playing internationally on a regular basis and
with a huge catalogue of releases.
Dan Deviant
Mark Pritchard will have a few new tricks up his sleeve
next year.
HugH
Foster
The MeT/GPO
Gig reviews, information on artists touring
Australia, and a closer look at venues in here.
I’d like more info on new music and
emerging artists. Also an Australia-wide DJ
Mag Poll.
There’s more than one. Tommy Trash from a producer/DJ perspective consistently produces chart topping records, and sells
out main arena shows. Richie McNeill from a festival perspective: he has created Australia’s largest most profitable music festival,
and all of his tours are first class. And Mike Toner from a touring perspective: Mike has transformed a small boutique agency
(thickasthieves) into an industry leader. Everyone who tours with him has had nothing but praise for him, and in my opinion
he is the best agent to work with in Australia.
There are definitely a few on my radar but acts that are already showing serious growth are Touch Sensitive, Wave Racer, Hayden
James on the House/electronic tip. Mainroom/EDM artists like Joel Fletcher, Samual James, and Uberjakd will be huge in 2014.
I think Aston Shuffle will be catapulted back into the lime light when their new album drops. But my red hot tip is a young
producer based in Brisbane called Jordan Burns, I think this guy has massive potential and a big future ahead of him.
I would like to see interviews from DJ’s, promoters, and producers. Also reviews and advertising related to Club
events around Australia. Also more interviews from International DJ’s who come to perform in Australia.
I think the most respected person in the Australian Electronic music scene is Normy Diamond of website www.
waltondiamondfriendman.com. He is someone that deserves recognition for all the hard work that he puts in
for the Artists he books for major events like Earthcore, and one off parties in and around Australia. Normy is
probably the hardest working individual in the Australian Electronic Music scene, for booking top Artists for
events Australia-wide. He also is opening the doors for many of the local DJ’s to work with and support the
international talent that comes to Australia.
Dylan
Griffin
SubSonic MuSic/Au undeground
This is a tough one, as there are a lot of well respected
people in the scene. I would say it’s not a single person as
such but a few; and I would say it would be Future Classic
in Sydney. They have garnered a lot of respect over the
years with their events - like their heavy involvement in the
internationally known and city wide, multi-week events.
These include Sydney Festival & Vivid Live as well as
extensive touring of International and Australian acts.
And of course through their record label bringing us
artists like Flume and thus helping shine more of a light on
the domestic scene as a whole.
In the scenes I know well, which is mainly the 4/4, Techno
& House scenes I would say Jamie Stevens. He has been
at the forefront before obviously with being involved in
Infusion. But it’s only been in the last 12 months, I believe,
that his solo stuff has got a real defined personal sound
and been put on centre stage with releases on MicroCastle,
Bedrock and collaborations with John Digweed; etc. I
think he will go from strength to strength in 2014.
I am well aware DJ Mag goes beyond just the Top 100 DJ Poll which I think many people think is the
primary focus for the magazine. It’s just a popularity contest, and DJ Mag represents these
results. Personally, and for a lot of people I know , it doesn’t really mean much, where DJ Mag Australia
can really make an impact is to primarily focus on the Australian scene with journalistic integrity, without
any bias, and maintaining an independence from what they cover. I would also like to see them provide
a forum for public criticism and debate as well as comprehensive and divergent content.
Ed HalE
Chameleon ReCoRdings
Jamie Stevens - a bit of a techno
legend here in Melbourne. Probably
the nicest guy you’ll ever meet. He
has worked with some of the most
respected labels and producers
across the globe. Check out his
music and you’ll understand why.
Steve Ward - This guy is writing HUGE
tracks and is a true innovator.
Australian techno in 2014 will
definitely be riding on his coat-tails.
Keep your eye on Chameleon
Recordings in 2014.
034 djmag.com.au
FunF Touring
That’s a really tough question. I can’t speak on behalf of the Australian electronic music industry
so I will speak for myself. I have a lot of respect for guys like Phil K, Kevin Karlberg, Simon Caldwell,
Mike Callander, Steve Ficai, Ozzie L.A., Murat Kilic. The list goes on.
Tornado Wallace will be the one artist that comes to mind.
No matter the content, I’d like to find DJ Mag Australia in an airport! You can’t find any credible
music mags in any Aussie airport. Give us something to read because the only time I do actually
read is the 15 minute window from when the cabin door closes to when the seat belt sign is
turned off.
Tough question and not sure if it could be narrowed down to one person in particular. To be
diplomatic, we have an amazing and close knit industry here in Australia, more of a ‘family’
in certain ways compared to other countries. Personally, I’ve been guided and mentored
through my career by some amazing and talented artists who always remained grounded and
supportive of the new generation of talent. I think it’s important not to alienate yourself from
the new schoolers and new genres and fads, but embrace it. This is the kind of respect that
was given to me earlier in my career and I try to carry that forward.
Danny T
Sweat It Out
So many young guns coming out of the woodworks this year, kids are becoming so tech-savvy at such a young age and it’s giving
birth to some amazing talent! I’m really into Motez who is gaining some major global heat already this year. I think he will fly the
flag proudly representing house music for Australia. Hatch is another name infiltrating my play lists. He’s done some amazing
unofficial remixes from house to electronica that are going viral. 2014 will be big for Rufus, after the release of their debut album
Atlas followed by a sold out national tour, next year will easily be a big one for those boys... ridiculously talented.
INDUSTRY
Informative news about the real
movers and **shakers** at the
forefront of Aussie electronic music.
Darius
Bassiray
Jamie
StevenS
I would like to see stories about how
to use left-over rice in interesting
ways, real-life stories of DJs and their
pets and the ever-changing fashion
trends in the outer-suburbs clubs.
This is a very tough question to answer because the talent in the Australian dance scene is probably the most
competitive and diverse in the entire world. There isn’t one artist I can single out, but I do have to say keep an
eye out for the “Local Heroes” from Walton Diamond Friedman, Talent Roster.
Many of these talented individuals are signed to some of the best underground labels in the world. They have
mastered production as well as DJing. Many of them support international DJ’s on a regular basis, and headline
at major festivals around Australia. These guys are diverse in their styles of music, and on top of their game ;).
Interviews and write-ups on up and coming artists,
labels and parties in Australia.
Jason Donovan and Molly Meldrum.
If it wasn’t for them, there would be
no acid house culture in this country.
I’ve been sent a few demos from some
guys but I can’t remember their names.
Most of them are on the ancient
Tibetan horns vibe mixed in with traffic
samples, and over-driven drum
machines. It’s pretty amazing stuff and
definitely artists of the future.
Kid
Kenobi
DANKO
Jade
PoPPet
Terrorbang
Jamie Stevens (Infusion). Not only is he one of the
kindest people you could ever meet, he has had a
huge influence on the Australian electronic music
scene since the 90’s. And his production is widely
recognised across the world by artists such as
Hernan Cattaneo, Sasha and John Digweed. Oh and
Kasey Taylor! Legend!!
(Michael) Muska for sure. With the success of NYD
festival, Let Them Eat Cake, top notch event
management and promotions for various events
throughout Melbourne and his freshly launched
promotions/events company, LMS (Like Minded
Souls)- Muska takes the cake for some of the
freshest production coming out of Melbourne. Not
to mention Thankyou City, Jade May and
MoodMachine!!!... Can I choose 4? :)
I’d like to see loads of
Australian artists being
featured rather than loads of
international artists being
marketed to Australians. Also
some independent thought.
It’s very easy to just go with
what’s ‘trending’ but it would de awesome to see the mag not just rep what is ‘cool’ but also
showcase artists we’ve never heard of as well as those that go under the radar.
I don’t think there is one. Dance music to me is a movement and community and all stand out
figures have played vital roles within that movement. Personally I’ve always been more interested
in musical ‘movements’ than individuals and for me most ‘stars’ or ‘leaders’ are just pin ups for
larger movements anyway (regardless of how talented they are). We’re all interconnected in some way!
As before I’m more interested in where the music itself will go as opposed to ‘who’ will be at the forefront. And that’s not an easy to question
to answer! After almost 20 years of DJing and 5 years of running a record label electronic music and the direction it takes still surprises me.
I’m looking forward to the ride though, wherever it goes!
Jerry Poon
I’d like to see the
coverage of a wider
perspective of music
that covers not the
typical range but the
actual underbelly
which is consistent
and prolific in its
range and quality.
The OperaTives
This is a tough question but I have to give it up to guys like
Chad from Future Classic, James from Niche, Saran from
Horizons, Simon from Totem. They have stepped up in
their positions of being avid tour and music management
practitioners in a highly skilled and professional sense.
Then there are the Venue owners who consistently put in
the hard yards to make their spaces available and in
pristine condition. And I won’t put any musicians on the
pedestal; never hear the end of it. Heh. No in all
seriousness, there are too many people I respect to list
them individually. I believe the Australian Electronic
Music Industry is the way it is because of these individuals
who have persevered, respected their art and developed
possibly one of the most vibrant music scenes there is in
the world today.
Silent Jay, check them out at;
theoperatives.com.au/artist/silentjay1
I would like to see a quarterly spotlight on females in variety of roles within this industry like: DJ/producers, visual artists, management (venue/
artist), promoters; ect. We don’t nearly push female artists enough. But maybe DJ Mag could be the exception. Once you do it, everyone will
follow. Yay!!!
That’s easy for me. Richie Rich (Hardware/Totem Industries). Richie gave me my first break in the industry. I worked as his P.A. many, many years
ago. Then I moved on to set up my own dance promotions business. Richie put Melbourne on the map as the techno capital of Australia, if not
the southern hemisphere. Bringing out the likes of Derrick May, LSG, Sven Vath and loads more. Putting on amazing, massive warehouse parties
right in the heart of Melbourne city on the docks. His parties are legendary. He runs Stereosonic now, which is one of the fastest growing dance
music festivals in Australia. He is the man. To me, anyway.
Flume of course is killing it at the moment. Hopefully that momen tum will keep up for 2014. I’m feeling a Grammy. One person to watch though
is Ok Sure aka Kaysh. She’s worked with the likes of Deadmau5 and Flume, before they were well... big. She’s got the goods. Her production
work is spot on; the look and feel of her music is developing, and has been for years. Her music has been developing into a full blown, grown
up eccentric soundscape that’s well beyond her years.
Lani G
djmag.com.au 035