“IT’S a great time to be a DJ,” say Myon & Shane 54
in answer to whether 2013 has been a good year for
them. The mash-up-loving melodic trance duo have
every reason to feel positive, particularly with the
launch of their new label, Ride Recordings, which
has been a big focus point. “Launching our label
was very important to us, as we wanted to have
total control over what we were releasing,” say the
duo. “Now we set the release schedules and put out
material that really excites us.”
As well as the launch of the label — which has
already notched up an impressive ?ve releases
— Myon and Shane have worked on several
collaborations and big remix projects this year,
including their chunky electro take on Stafford
Brothers’ collaborative track with Lil’ Wayne and
Christina Milian, ‘Hello’.
Looking at the big picture, the duo are once again
optimistic about how 2013 has played out for them.
“Dance music is popular everywhere,” they say,
“and we’re one of the lucky few to travel and play
all over the world. Best of all, we added a lot more
fans. We love every one of them.” TRISTAN PARKER
Have DJs’ fees got out of hand? “If a DJ attracts huge
crowds and brings in a ton of money for promoters and
venues, it only seems fair the DJ should get a proper share
of that.” Has dance music become the new pop? “Maybe,
depending on what ‘pop’ means. It’s de?nitely more
popular.” If you could be any animal what would you
be? “Dolphins. They work well together and everybody loves
them.” Should DJs do ‘heart hands’? “Why not?” Do DJs
have a duty to speak out about drugs? “They should if
they feel the need for it.” What would be on your fantasy
rider? “The perfect crowd, every time, AND Jessica Alba.”
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MYON & SHANE 54
From: Hungary. Style: “House/trance.” Best known for: “Mash-ups,
International Departures radio show.” Tune of 2013: “‘Strangers’ (Our
collaboration with Seven Lions and Tove Lo).” Breakthrough DJ/producer of
2013: “Maor Levi.”
FOLLOWING extensive international tours on the
back of the swathe of hits that came from their late
2011 ‘Wake Your Mind’ album, German trance veterans
Cosmic Gate returned this year with new singles
‘Storm Chaser’, ‘Crushed’ and ‘So Get Up’. Nic Chagall
and Bossi told DJ Mag it’s a matter of balancing
their signature trance sound with the desire to move
forward.
“It’s different styles all over again, but always with our
signature that people can recognize. We don’t want to
be predictable, we’d get bored doing the same things
in a studio over and over.”
‘So Get Up’ was the ?rst single on their new Wake
Your Mind label, and it caps off what’s otherwise been
a massive year of touring that’s seen them hosting
festival stages in Australia, joining A State of Trance
in Ibiza as residents, as well as staging several “Wake
Your Mind in Concert” events, featuring guest vocalists
to compliment the Cosmic Gate experience.
While the pair are supportive of the trance scene’s
recent push towards old school sounds, they
maintain it won’t have a massive impact on their next
album, that they’re currently working on. “We’ve
been there already, and it wouldn’t feel right for
us to go back to where it all started. We prefer to
develop our sound by combining different styles
to create something new.” ANGUS PATERSON
Have DJs’ fees got out of hand? “Indeed, the amount being paid to certain DJs is really high
compared to recent years, but at the end of the day, the market is regulating the price.” Has dance
music become the new pop? “We think it has. As dance lovers we all should stay positive about
it. After all, it’s better than only hip-hop or rock on the radio, right?” If you could be any animal
what would you be? “Little mice, so we can spy on what the results of this year’s Top 100 poll will
be!” Should DJs do ‘heart hands’? “Should DJs use a microphone? Should they dance? Should
they use a laptop? In the end it’s up to the DJ to decide what’s right, and the audience decides
by showing up to the gigs.” Do DJs have a duty to speak out about drugs? “We de?nitely
think we have a responsibility to show EDM and drugs do not necessarily belong together. On
the other hand, people are responsible for their own life and choices.” What would be on your
fantasy rider? “We’d really like our existing rider served up by Miley Cyrus and Kim Kardashian.”
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COSMIC GATE
From: Germany. Style: “Cosmic Gate.” Best known
for: “‘Wake Your Mind’.” Tune of 2013: “Mat Zo
‘Pyramid Scheme’.” Breakthrough DJ/producer of
2013: “Andrew Bayer.”
djmag.com
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