Interview w/ The Chainsmokers Amsterdam & EDM Planar Magnetic Headphones: Audeze
Fashion Spread: Threaded Vibes
THE
ZOMBIEKIDS
Amsterdam, NLD 2014
www.NoisePorn.com
Noiseporn.com AMSTR, NLD
Table of Contents
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07
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AUDEZE HEADPHONES Take a look inside the innovative planar magnetic headphones
AMSTERDAM You think you know, but you have no idea
THE CHAINSMOKERS The duo behind that one song
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SANDER KLEINENBERG Meet one of the biggest names in EDM’s underground
FASHION SPREAD Presented by Threaded Vibes
The Zombie Kids
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ARTISTS UNZIPPED Our favorite emerging artists
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Chelsea Perry
EDITORIAL
Writers: Meredith Connelly, Brian Romero, Xavier Vega
FEATURES
Writers: Brittany Dawson, Brock Seng
FASHION
Editor-at-Large: Courtney Walker Creative Director: Elayna Bachman Style Director: Hayley Mitchell
ART
Art Director & Designer: Adam Bentley Contributing Designer: Lorenzo de la Cantera Photography: Fred Love
PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER Jorge Brea
ADVERTISING
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AUDEZE: Planar Magnetic Headphones The revolutionary headphones that are changing the industry, and the man behind them.
By Jorge Brea
It’s a hot summer day in Los Angeles, and just like every other day, Audeze CEO Alex Rosson is a busy man. Not only is he currently at the helm of what I consider to be the best headphone brand in the industry, but he’s also knee-deep in expanding the company to new headquarters that will see their production rise and bring the world more fascinating headphone products. Over the past couple of years, Rosson has grown Audeze into one of the most respected and sought after companies in the
industry with incredible support from some of the industry’s biggest and most talented musicians, including Noisia, A.R. Rahman, Dada Life and many others, all of whom say they have, at the very least, thrown away their other “stylish” headphones in favor of Audeze headphones. And although they come with a steep price tag (ranging from $995$1,945), these headphones are as astounding as Rosson is hard-working, insightful and generous. Not to mention, he has one hell of a team behind him—paving the way to make Audeze a household name. I was fortunate enough to have a sit-down with Rosson to learn more about where he came from and where he’s headed as he continues to grow Audeze.
So, tell our readers a little bit about your background in the music industry. What is some of your musical history?
selections. Once the session was over I implemented the changes, teaching me a lot about attention to detail. Since then I’ve been a professional drummer, DJ, record producer, recording engineer, record label owner and mastering engineer for film and music. I also helped found one of the first Internet radio shows, Databass–whose archives are being prepped for re-releases soon–and I’ve been fortunate to work with artists such as Felix Da Housecat, Uberzone, Peiter K and many others. One of the highlights of my drumming career was playing Ultra Music Festival with Uberzone. I’ve been very lucky to have such a diverse and broad musical background. These many experiences have allowed me to make Audeze a more well-rounded company. Music is my life and it’s guided me in my mission to provide the best possible listening experience. What led you to found Audeze, and with the headphone market
AR: First off, thanks for being interested in what Audeze is doing. My music history is fairly long so I’ll give you the short version. I started playing the drums at 12, then attended the Hamilton Music Academy in Los Angeles to learn music theory and discipline. At 13, my older brother took me to my first rave, and right afterward I taught myself to DJ. After a year of college I knew I was wasting time and needed to get inside a recording studio, so I joined the team at LA Studios. After about an hour on the job I was sent into my first session to record Demi Moore. Almost immediately, I became an assistant engineer and note-taker working on Disney cartoons and DreamWorks features.
growing substantially over
The first week at LA Studios I was put on the console next to Katzenberg and our engineer, and this is where my training really began. I listened for voice crackle, nasal blockage and a word from one take that might be suitable for another, and then noted the director’s
AR: Absolutely, we’re always working on new products, but right now we’re focused on perfecting our existing collection.
the years, what makes Audeze different from other companies?
AR: Sheer motivation combined with a passion for music, technology and working with a great team. We handcraft every headphone with the most advanced processes and materials, using the most advanced techniques in planar magnetic transducer technology. We’re very serious about providing an experience that you just can’t find with other headphones when it comes to technology and customer service. Will Audeze expand into other products?
7
Audeze was recently presented as an item on what we consider to be one of the greatest shows ever, The Price Is Right. How did that come about?
AR: They called us! It was great fun to see our LCD-3s on the show, and social media loved it. Rahman, Amon Tobin, Dada Life and many others are massive fans of your products. Any high
LCD-3
profile non-musicians that are Audeze fans?
AR: Yes, I’ve been lucky enough to become friends with many, but I prefer to be discreet about their names. The company focuses heavily on events and conferences. From a business standpoint, do you feel it’s bringing a better return on investment than, say, advertisements or commercials?
LCD-XC
AR: Since we aren’t really a lifestyle brand, we have to encourage people to hear our products and the physical, visceral experience of listening to music we provide. They don’t know what they’re missing until they’re under a pair of our headphones hearing songs they’ve heard 100 times before. They always react the same way: “I never heard that until now!” That’s exactly what we’re after, removing the boundaries between the artists and the listener. Do you believe that the general
LCD-X
consumer base will become more interested in quality headphones, or is that strictly for audio professionals?
AR: Absolutely, higher quality is for everyone; once experienced it’s hard to go back. I’m here to promote quality in music and cinema. My mission is to allow artists to express themselves more precisely and accurately with a greater and more meaningful connection to the music. We strive for a visceral, lifelike and emotional balance. 8
LCD-2
With Audeze being a niche and
Apple is rumored to be doing
high-quality brand, do you
away with the headphone jack
ever see the company expanding
with the intention of using the
into a line for the general
lightning connector for high-
consuming public?
definition audio.
AR: Oh, yes. Let’s say, we’re doing everything possible to offer the experience provided by our headphones to a larger consumer base.
AR: We support any technology that pushes the boundaries and allows consumers access to higher quality audio. Removing the headphone jack will deliver high-resolution audio output from a DAC with specialized cable, which will greatly enhance enjoyment.
Many people listen to music via streaming platforms such as Spotify, Beats, etc. What would you say would be the best streaming platform for Audeze headphones?
AR: I use Spotify and Wimp. With Spotify, I’m loyal to the brand and their catalog. I believe in Daniel Ek’s vision and it’s the easiest way for anyone to stream music today. Wimp is like the Audeze of streaming audio! Their lossless content delivers the absolute highest-quality audio. We've supported Wimp for years because of our similar missions to provide a superior listening experience.
Jorge Brea is the founder and President of Symphonic Distribution. Symphonic digitally distributes thousands of record labels and artists and provides additional services such as mastering, marketing, YouTube monetization, neighboring rights, Publishing Administration, Sync Licensing and much more. NoisePorn is a subsidiary of Symphonic Distribution.
www.AUDEZE.com
#AMPDSTERDAM A LOOK INSIDE THE CITY THAT REMAINS THE
BREEDING GROUND FOR INNOVATION AND COLLABORATION IN A GENRE THAT’S SLOWLY TAKING OVER THE WORLD. By Meredith Connelly
Amsterdam: home of the windmills, wooden clogs, sex, weed and about a thousand other stereotypical, clichéd images of what it means to live in the city. Look in the right places and, yes, chances are you will find the occasional windmill dotting the rolling countryside, the appropriately-zoned call girl, the odd joint; you might even come across a pair of clogs in some godforsaken souvenir stand wedged firmly between the magazines and overpriced gum. But, as is typically the case where touristic stereotypes are concerned, the images and ideas placed in our heads by other foreigners, the media or just plain random invention often fail utterly to seize onto the true essence of a city, a country, a people. It takes a collection of synthesized thoughts from the right people in order to formulate the first impression of a constantly evolving entity like a large, cosmopolitan city. After gathering the proverbial dirt on Amsterdam from some conscientious world travelers and sifting through metaphorical piles of those damn clogs, its pulsating electronic community takes center stage. Europe is EDM’s playground. Lacking the long-established standouts of genres such as rock, hip-hop and pop that have traditionally been reserved to English-speaking nations, other European countries have become incredibly productive musical petri
dishes, pumping out amazing artists from experimental genres that, for the most part, take a back seat to the giants of mainstream and even independent music in the U.K. and the U.S., among others. One of the bizarre creations to emerge from this exceptional breeding ground of innovation is the monster of electronica. Meshing itself perfectly with the bar and club culture of Amsterdam, the city has become a veritable hive of techno, dubstep, house and trance; the home of a thriving underground electronic music scene. Perhaps underground is not the right adjective to throw around, as contrary to the state of affairs vis-avis EDM in the U.S., electronic music is anything but on the down low. Comparatively, if the fan base of EDM in the United States could be classified as a small army, that of Europe is an overwhelming, all-consuming force. In other words, the European technoheads are many, they’re dedicated and they’re highly organized. Conduct a random poll in Times Square asking passersby if they jam to Hardwell, and most people will have no idea whether it is a musical artist or the name of an obscure tire company. In fact, when this same survey was actually conducted— Hardwell in tow in the streets of New York—even those who did profess to recognize and love his music had no idea that he was standing right next 11
to them during the interview. Pull the same stunt with a European audience and those who don’t recognize a DJ or producer immediately or listen to his/her music will most likely still know his/her name. Why, you ask? Chock it up to another facet of EDM’s popularity abroad: The propensity of many Europeans to value artists over celebrities. Now, that's not to say that the tentacles of pseudo-stardom a la Kim Kardashian have not wheedled their way into the Netherlands and its neighbors, but they do have a surprisingly weaker grip than the giant, greedy tentacles of American nonsense-stars; nobodies with zero talent and even less discernible intelligence who have somehow managed to worm their way into the spotlight. Politicians, painters, photographers, writers and fashion designers are, more often than not, the people being followed on a large scale, if not by magazines and newspapers then at least by the general public. Just take a look at the impressive international lineup for Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) 2014 and the almost overwhelming number of established artists and burgeoning new talent—over 2,000 just in case you were curious—who will be performing throughout the duration of what may be the world’s biggest electronic rager, and the absolute love for EDM shines more brightly than a half-dozen light-up pacifiers jangling in your face. The lineup for ADE this year and in years prior, which features artists from all conceivable corners of the globe, points to yet another facet of EDM in Amsterdam: its cosmopolitan nature. One of the things many foreign visitors to the city pick up on is its simultaneously distinctive yet nostalgic appeal, a trait that makes for the perfect place to host a worldwide event like ADE.
Johnna, a university student from Mississippi living in Paris for a semester was struck by the architecture of the city; a curious juxtaposition of old and new, odd at times, but still visually striking. “It was totally different from any city I had visited before,” she said. Katherine, an American student whose family is originally from China, was fascinated by the number of foreign visitors mixing with natives, and was also surprised by the feeling of nostalgia in a city so unlike her hometown of Santa Barbara, Calif. “There were so many tourists milling about, but something about the attitude of the people in the city—the fact that everyone took bikes, the general atmosphere—it reminded me of home, and I loved that,” Katherine said. Perhaps this is another reason EDM has reached popularity of such wide-reaching proportions in the Netherlands and the E.U. EDM, as a subculture and a musical genre unites, rather than divides. On a continent as regionally diverse as Europe, the appeal of a music which encourages dancing and good feelings, often without language, is easy to comprehend. Without shared regional culture or even a shared language, people from across Europe and the globe can enjoy the same music, a style born in dark, uninhibited nightclubs and thumping bars.
It is a genre whose fans are famously even-tempered and passionate about their favorite artists without being aggressive, as opposed to the combative, almost competitive nature of many rock or hip-hop fans—fans whom often vie against each other in mosh pits and, in general, compete to see who wins top honors for biggest fan, or perhaps the legendary crown of hipster-dom. Blame it on drugs if you will, but anyone who has ever been to an EDM event, be it a small show or a big-time festival, will tell you that what really gets you high are the good feelings, the indescribable Zen that comes from having one or a collection of your favorite artists take you to another place with their music in the company of 5,000 odd friends you have yet to meet in the crowd. Like the winding canals that connect Amsterdam, EDM serves as the underlying nervous system of the city, bringing people together and intertwining into a glorious, tangled web that only the dedicated immerse themselves in. The city dares to do what others dare not—shed light on the dark corners, the back alleys; to bring the taboo and the clandestine into the mainstream, into the now. The major dance music events that continue to take place in Amsterdam serve as a reminder that EDM is thriving in one of its most natural habitats, and remains one of the best not-so-well-kept secrets the city has to offer. Aren’t those the best kind?
IT WAS TOTALLY DIFFERENT FROM ANY CITY I HAD VISITED BEFORE 13
Edgar Kerri & Cumhur Jay a.k.a. The Zombie Kids
THE ZOMBIE KIDS By Chelsea Perry
o put it lightly, Edgar Kerri and Cumhur Jay have been busy. In just two years, the powerhouse duo behind The Zombie Kids have managed to release their self-titled debut album on Universal Music, claim an MTV Europe Music Award for Best Spanish Act, snag a nomination for Rolling Stone’s Best Emerging Artist and collaborate with one of the biggest names in hip-hop, Waka Flocka Flame.
Hailing from Barcelona, the Spanish EDM maestros launched their very first record label, Zombie Musik, last December, which has already garnered an impressive roster. In addition, The Zombie Kids own a popular Madrid club, have a T-shirt line and even own a restaurant. Needless to say, making electrifying music is just one of many facets these “kids” posses, and they’re just getting started.
You two have accomplished a lot in the last two years. After you released your debut album, you won the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Spanish Act. What was that like? JAY: Take the best orgasm you've ever had, multiply it by a billion, and you're still nowhere near it. Imagine a warm wave washing over your body that eliminates any feelings of sorrow, regret, anger, stress or guilt. Imagine all those bad feelings being washed away as you feel the warmth running through your veins. Honestly, I can't even put it into words. To put it simple: NO ONE SHOULD FEEL THAT GOOD. (Quote form Transpotting.) EDGAR: It was pretty awesome and unexpected. It was the first time we were nominated and we were pleasantly surprised when they gave it to us. Not many artists have that. We're so thankful.
How has your music progressed since then? Our music is progressing all the time. It would be boring if we did the same shit all time. Of course we’ve got our own style and our own sound, but in my own opinion, electronic music is constantly progressing; just like fashion where there are new collections every six months.
Why did you guys decide to start your own label, Zombie Musik? Did one of you spearhead this idea, or was it something you both had talked about doing previously? JAY: We always wanted to have our label from the beginning. It gives us the freedom to publish and release anything we like instead of getting stuck on other labels’ decisions and administrations. EDGAR: But it was something very natural. We wanted to share music in a fast way, you know, a sign of the times, and that's something you can't do if you don't have total control. So we decided to create a platform to release our own stuff and also to support great young talents whose music we dig. 16
What is the EDM scene like in Spain? JAY: In my opinion, it sucks. Here, EDM has turned into a musical cancer, killing the quality and soul of music.
Is that why you decided to open up your own club together, the Zombie Club? JAY: We started with Zombie Club in 2009, but we stop promoting it for now. The nightlife in Madrid was so boring, so we came up with an idea that kids can have fun during the week without any preoccupation; like living the last night of their lives. The idea we so simple: Have Fun and break the rules. Over time, many big-name DJs like Hardwell, Diplo, Brodinski and Skrillex played in our club in Madrid. We can say it’s the best club in all of Madrid.
Tell us about some other business ventures you have together. JAY. We had a vintage clothing store, a creative design Studio called Zombie Studio and a burger place Zombie Burger, all in Madrid. EDGAR: We also have a T-shirt line available on our website. Actually, that's how everything started! We designed some T-shirts and started to do parties to promote them and so on. Even though our music career is getting bigger and bigger, we still want to remain focused on fashion and other creative paths.
What do you think it is that makes the two of you work so well together? It’s got to be extremely challenging to do business together in so many different industries. JAY: I think we cover our backs well. We are focused on the music industry right now, trying to learn the mechanism as quick as possible. We are talking about a business where there are no rules or directions to follow. You should be awake all time and it's good to have a partner, so you can go for vacations and know that your colleague is going to look after the business as well as you do. :)
EDGAR: I don’t think it’s that difficult. We get along very well and we can discuss everything. I think that is pretty much the secret. And about this business, I'm in agreement with Jay. It is very challenging and we need to be so awake and constantly updated. But when you do what you love, it becomes easier.
Where are some of your favorite places in the world to tour? JAY: Well, we’ve never played in the States, but Argentina and China are my favorite places. The Public is so damn crazy in Argentina! EDGAR: South America was awesome! I remember perfectly when we jumped into the stage and saw all these people cheering us on to start. Was so huge!!
You worked with Waka Flocka Flame back in July on “Broke.” How did that collaboration begin? Any plans to work together again in the future? We met Waka Flocka in one of our shows in Barcelona. He is a cool guy and we connected quickly. It was a bit strange for us at the beginning, collaborating with a really big-name hip-hop star. We were like, OK, OK, this is happening. In the future? The only thing I can tell you is that we recorded some more stuff... ;)
I’m sure you guys have a lot in store for the future.What are you most excited for? JAY: There are a lot of thing going on... Let’s keep it secret.
www.THEZOMBIEKIDS.es
EDGAR: Yes, lets keep it in secret! We won't disappoint our supporters.
THE CHAINSMOKERS When 2014 began, Alex Pall, 28, and Drew Taggart, 25, were just like many other 20-something aspiring producers. Producing music together under the name The Chainsmokers since 2012, the New York duo was slowly building a loyal fan base by putting out impressive original mixes and countless remixes. Then “#SELFIE” happened, and the rest is history. Now, less than a year later, The Chainsmokers are one of the biggest names in dance music, and they don’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. In May, they signed record deals with Sony/ATV and Republic Records, having thought to be worth at least $1 million each.
What seems to be most surprising about The Chainsmokers, however, isn’t how big they blew up in such a short period of time–with their jokester personalities and obvious knack for creating catchy tunes, success for them was imminent for–it’s how down-to-earth they’ve remained, to their fans and to the press. This year has undoubtedly been a whirlwind for The Chainsmokers, and while many artists find themselves competing with other artists for the spotlight, Alex and Drew are left competing with themselves.
THEY’RE EVERYWHERE, WHETHER YOU LOVE THEM OR JUST LOVE TO HATE THEM.
By Chelsea Perry
First off, tell us a little bit about Alex and Drew. Have both of you always been interested in making music?
How do you find a good balance with each other? Do you ever have any disagreements with the music you make?
Alex: Yes and no. I have always been involved in music in my life in different ways, but I didn’t necessarily believe it would be in the capacity it is now. I grew up wanting to be an NBA player, then an art dealer, and music was always a hobby. Then my hobby started kicking the ass of my other ambitions.
The balance we have is essential to our success. We recognize each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and our balance of that really allows us to work so well together. On top of that, we share similar values and ideals/ethics about our work, which allows us to really see eye to eye on a lot of things. Of course we have disagreements and don’t always see eye to eye, but we respect each other very much and never let an ego get in the way of communication. That’s probably the most essential part. Once you let your ego best you, it’s over before you even know it. It’s funny; the more time we spend together, the more we become alike. It’s strange how similar we are now after 20 months.
Drew: Yes, I have been make music since I was a baby. It wasn’t always dance music obviously but I can play everything. My mom was very cool about me being loud in the house. I didn’t start producing though until after a trip to Argentina when I was 15. How did you two meet, and why did you decide to join forces to become The Chainsmokers? We both met through a mutual friend who was interning at the management company we are with now. He was working with us on independent projects and understood both of our situations and thought it would be smart if we met. When we hit it off, we saw the advantages of teaming up. We had a similar vision and were both very ambitious so we thought we would give it a shot together.
What were you guys were doing two years ago, before you became The Chainsmokers? And what are you doing now? A: I was working at an art gallery in Chelsea, N.Y. as an associate, answering phones, doing administrative work and trying my best to sell incredibly expensive art. Oh, and I was partying a lot… D: I was in school at Syracuse in the music school and interning at Interscope, which is where I started doing some in-house production. Oh, and also partying a lot… Shouts Sigma Chi!
Prior to January, a lot of people didn’t know who Drew Taggart and Alex Pall were. Fast forward to now, and you have a bigger fan base than most aspiring musicians only ever dream of having–even Baby Boomers know your name. It’s rare to see an artist—especially in EDM—explode as fast as the two of you have. Did you expect to get a lot of attention after releasing “#SELFIE”? No way we could have ever truly anticipated the effect “#SELFIE” would have on our careers, but we did know we had a really entertaining song and everyone who heard it got a kick out of it. We obviously hoped for the world, but like we said, we had no clue. We were so naïve as well about what we thought we knew about the world of music, both musically and creatively. Our lives are the same in many ways, we are still the same ol’ dudes who love to party and are stubborn as fuck, but we aren’t just remix artists who a select few know about now, and there have definitely been growing pains in regards to that, but every second has been a dream come true. Do you think your sense of humor has helped you get to where you are today? We are who we are, through and through– no BS. We cannot stand the idea of letting someone else dictate who we are. That doesn’t mean we are changing or making mistakes and so forth, but we do what we do because it’s what we want to do. We know that’s a more general answer than our sense of humor, but we are self-deprecating jokesters, so that’s part of our brand and will always be unless suddenly we get really serious. We don’t think it’s solely our sense of humor that got us here; it’s just one part of it all. Humor can never hurt though. Who doesn’t love a good laugh? I think it’s pretty safe to assume “#SELFIE” put you on the map, but something a lot of people fail to recognize is that you had been releasing non-satirical original mixes and remixes way before then, and continue to do so now. Is it frustrating dealing with people who judge you based solely on that song, or have you become immune to it?
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It is what it is. Dealing with that was a challenge at first, of course, but you can’t expect everyone to know what we are about or where we came from. Even we have been those same people for other artists. Of course we would love people to know that we have a great back catalogue of music, but we haven’t figured out a way to make that happen. We just want to keep making music and hopefully those people catch on and can enjoy us for more than “#SELFIE,”or nah? It’s inevitable that the bigger you get, the more criticism you’re going to receive, and you guys have been pretty outspoken when it comes to responding to haters. How do you deal with the negativity? That was definitely one of the pieces of our growing pains. We never enjoyed negative comments. Even before “#SELFIE” we got them at times, but obviously they increased a great deal after “#SELFIE.” We expected it though; the song is fucking annoying as hell, especially after the joke wares off. With that in mind though, it’s been a learning curve. First you want to address haters, but the real key is just to be aware of it, but don’t pay any attention to it. Now, it really just makes us want to work harder. For now, if you talk shit, you get blocked. We like positivity! I remember talking to you guys back in February right after “#SELFIE” was released, and even though you’ve gotten so much attention and have grown exponentially since then, you never fail to still personally respond to emails (a rarity in this business) and engage with your fans. How have you guys managed to remain so humble? It’s not about remaining humble, it’s just who we are. We are proud that people like that about us, but it’s not a challenge beyond finding time to respond to everyone we can. We are just two simple guys who like a good time, and we try and give the same respect and attention to people that we expect to get it back from.
What’s your creative process like, and how do you choose the songs you remix? That just depends. We only remix songs we love–that’s the simple answer. But beyond that, we just try and think about what we hope to accomplish with it emotionally. Usually it takes us about a day to accomplish a song. Obviously we go back in and do lots of little details and tweaking, but our best stuff materializes usually in one session. What do you guys hope to accomplish in the next couple of years, with your music and beyond?
as we can musically and just enjoy as much of each day as we can. Questions like this trip us up because we want it all: the Grammys, the family, the boats, the hoes, for our parents and siblings to be proud, to have more followers than Bieber… Who’s your #WCW? A: Bryana Holly x 1,000,000 D: Cara Delevingne One final question: Are you really chain smokers? Nope, smoking will kill you.
This is such a journey. It’s hard to answer that. We just want to continue to grow into the type of people we want to be. It’s just about life. We want to have great experiences, we want to share them with friends, we want stability, we want to accomplish as much
www.THECHAINSMOKERS.com
Sander Kleinenberg Meet Sander Kleinenberg, the Dutch DJ/DVJ/producer whom you definitely want to know more about. By Chelsea Perry
When Sander Kleinenberg started DJing at the age of 15 in 1987, he probably didn’t realize what his stint at local bars would eventually turn into. Fifteen years and countless residencies and tours later, the Dutch DVJ/producer is highly regarded as one of house music’s biggest innovators, paving the way for future progressive house artists with his acclaimed 1999 release of “My Lexicon.” Although he’s produced several top-tier dance tracks like the aforementioned “My Lexicon,” “The Fruit” and “This Is Miami,” his passion has always been DJing. But what has separated Kleinenberg from many other DJs is his ability to turn it into an art form, turning his sets into a visually stimulating experience. He continually embraces new technology, which has led him to become renowned in his DVJing concepts. In a world where the same tired beat permeates through the dance music scene, Kleinenberg is a breath of fresh
air. He’s relentless in his stay-true-toyourself attitude, never once straying away from that mentality. His fervor for always putting creativity before hype has undoubtedly helped make Kleinenberg one of the biggest players in underground dance music today—in his hometown of Amsterdam and beyond. You have been well-versed in the scene of dance music for almost two decades. How has the industry changed in all those years? Do you think these changes are good or bad? SK: The industry has grown substantially, and this has obviously brought change to the nature of our scene. It has lost its innocence to a certain degree, because money and power are funny things. Seeing a new generation reaping the fruits of the hard labor of the previous generation is hard to swallow for some people. Luckily I’m too busy reinventing what I do every day
and just keep on truckin’ for the most part. Change is what I love most about this music anyway. Do you think it’s harder for DJs to be heard today? SK: You have to want it. If you have talent and are willing to sacrifice a part of your life, you will be heard. What would you consider to be your greatest achievement in your life thus far, music related or beyond? SK: My greatest achievement is definitely being able to reinvent what I do without compromising my integrity. Out of the 10 albums you’ve released, which, if any, is your favorite and why? SK: I really loved the first Everybody album. I was very frustrated with progressive house at that time, because it had become so technical and so humorless. This mix was my antidote for all that. Until then, I had to fight for the changes I made sound-wise, because so many critics thought I had lost my edge when I left that sound behind, but listening to that album now and seeing how the scene has developed since, I’m very happy I had the balls. Has the massive EDM scene in Amsterdam been any kind of inspiration for you and your music? SK: Everything inspires me, so I guess, yes. The way I arrange now is definitely different from how I did it 10 years ago. There is more urgency in my music, and I get to the point quicker. 25
Hindsight is 20/20. Looking back, is there anything you wish you had done differently in your career? SK: I tried really hard to convince a few American A&Rs back in 2006 and 2007 to let me work with a few of the people I remixed back then. I wanted to try and get people like Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake in the studio with me. I sometimes wonder if that was a smart decision. I think I should have focused a bit more on my own sound and less on the people around me. I’ve learned that when a door is closed it’s sometimes better to move on and build your own doors. Where has been your favorite place to tour thus far? Anywhere you haven’t toured yet that you wish to? SK: My favorite gig is always the one I will be playing next. It keeps me on my toes. You’ve differed from a lot of DJs in that you continue to remain true to your music, and you’ve never done anything to jeopardize your music in order to make it into the mainstream. You recently tweeted: “they want you to stick to the norm. they want you to do
www. Sander Kleinenberg .com
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what’s safe. If not they wanna bring you down until you break. don’t break. ever.” Who are you referring to when you say “they”? And how do you find that balance between staying true to your music and your fans, but still manage to remain a prominent figure in EDM? SK: I think “they” are the by-standers. The ones that play it safe and the ones that do this not to push something forward, but to make money out of a proven formula. What is your biggest piece of advice for young DJs and producers looking to break into the scene? SK: Forever trust in who you are, because nothing else matters. And yes, I just quoted Metallica.
"Non Stop Spring� Headpiece by Featherheart Designs Bracelets by Jewels By Dunn Tassel Necklace by Jewels By Dunn Nippies by Bristols 6 Iridescent Jacket by E Marie
Leave it to the Threaded Vibes team to dream up some of the fiercest festival looks for this fall.
Creative Director: Elayna Bachman Photography: Fred Love Stylist: Hayley Mitchell Model: Kortnye Hurst Hair: Niccole Swan Make-Up: Elayna Bachman
Silk Feathered Headpiece by Roxana Lynch Sequin Jacket by Maje Sunglasses from Alessandra Gold Layered Amethyst Necklaces by Jewels By Dunn Leather Gaucho Pants by Alessandra Gold
Top by Alessandra Gold Necklace by Jewels By Dunn Boots by MiuMiu Ankle Boot Bracelet by Roxana Lynch
“Lady Liberty” Headband by Roxana Lynch Handbag by Alexander Wang Nippies by Bristols 6 Denim Jacket by Alessandra Gold “Show The World” Mesh Skirt by E Marie
ARTISTS: UNZIPPED
SAVOY This morning I woke up and the first song I put on was: “What Is and What Should Be” by Led Zeppelin Best track recently released: “Ten Freak Hoes” by 100s
London Elektricity This morning I woke up and the first song I put on was: “Keys Are in My Hands” by The Erised Best track recently released: “Triangles” by Logistics
Our favorite original track of our own: “So Bad”
My favorite original track of my own: “Fast Soul Music”
We're most influenced artistically by: Daft Punk
I'm most influenced artistically by: Arvo Part
In our rider you'll find: Hendrick’s Gin, Stacy's Pita Chips
In my rider you'll find: Grapefruits
We spend on average 30-40 hours creating and perfecting any original track. When we're not listening to music, making music, or performing, you can find us: Rock climbing, golfing, drinking, eating tacos Best piece of advice you have for young artists: Work really hard, try to find a mentor, compare your tracks to other peoples and try to find your own sound.
I spend on average far too many (often wasted) hours creating and perfecting any original track. When I'm not listening to music, making music, or performing, you can find me: On my bicycle Best piece of advice you have for young artists: Work until you drop. Who wants to live forever?
Savoy
GETTING TO KNOW SOME OF MUSIC’S
GREATEST UP-AND-COMING ACTS
METRIK
CAMO & KROOKED
This morning I woke up and the first song I put on was: “Says” by Nils Frahm
This morning I woke up and the first song I put on was: “Know You” by Bonobo
Best track recently released: “Satisfy” by Nero
Best track recently released: “Slug Leopard” by Noisia
My favorite original track of my own: “Freefall” feat. Reija Lee
Our favorite original track of our own: "All Night"
I'm most influenced artistically by: Electronic music as a whole is a huge influence, particularly dance music. I have a very eclectic taste and tend to soak up influences like a sponge. The beauty of drum & bass (and what makes it different from other electronic genres, in my opinion) is the potential to inject so many different styles and structures, so in that way it suits my broad musical approach. Film is also a constant source of inspiration.
We're most influenced artistically by: Stephan Bodzin, Nicolas Jaar, Trentemöller
In my rider you'll find: Very basic. Just water, beer and the essentials required to perform!
Best piece of advice you have for young artists: Be patient and try to evolve your own sound, rather than copying the most recent trend.
I spend on average days to months creating and perfecting any original track.
In our rider you'll find: 10 beers, vodka, water We spend on average 130 hours creating and perfecting any original track. When we're not listening to music, making music, or performing, you can find us: Thinking about music.
When I'm not listening to music, making music, or performing, you can find me: In the gym, in the city or on the sofa! Best piece of advice you have for young artists: I would recommend getting into the habit of finishing tracks. Whether or not you are convinced they are your greatest work, invest energy in making them be as good as they can be. Completing tracks in this way will give you confidence and a well-rounded understanding of how music works. You will discover that you get better track by track and as you accumulate a pool of music. As a DJ, it is important to be distinctive. In a time where there is less emphasis on the technical merit of DJing, it's essential to put time into carefully selecting your music and making your DJ sets stand out to become a true reflection of your artistic output. 35
ARTISTS: UNZIPPED
KEYS N KRATES This morning I woke up and the first song I put on was: [Matisse] I don’t listen to music when I wake up. I usually just take off the ocean waves playlist from Songza I fall asleep to each night [Jr Flo] The tropical beach vacation play list on Songza [Tune] “The Power of Love” by Huey Lewis Best track recently released: [M] “Rosario” by S-Type [Jr] “HyperParadise” by Hermitutde and its remixes [T] “Bustamove” by Zeds Dead Our favorite original track of our own: “Dreamyness,” “Dum Dee Dum,” “Are We Faded” We're most influenced artistically by: [M] Four-way tie between Curtis Mayfield, Outkast, Roger Troutman and Babyface [Jr] The Bomb Squad, Jay Dee (Dilla), A Tribe Called Quest, Kanye West, Just Blaze, so many influences [T] Air conditioning in the studio In our rider you'll find: [M] Zig zags [Jr] a towel, some water and a beer for after the set [T] clean socks We spend on average a lot of damn hours creating and perfecting any original track.
BRONK This morning I woke up and the first song I put on was: “The Cure and the Cause” (Dannis Ferrer Remix) by Fish Go Deep & Tracy K Best track recently released: “New Scene” feat. Ofelia (Lucky Date & Felix Cartal Remix) by Felix Cartal My favorite original track of my own: “Mugshot” I'm most influenced artistically by: I’m influenced by a lot of artists, but I think the first one who inspired me has to be Axwell. In my rider you'll find: A lot of technical bullshit and vodka. I spend on average 24 hours creating and perfecting any original track. When I'm not listening to music, making music or performing, you can find me: Making my own sushi at home. Best piece of advice you have for young artists: Stay true to yourself.
When we're not listening to music, making music, or performing, you can find us: [M] In the club, bottle full of bub. Look mami, I got the X if you… wait, that’s a 50 Cent song. Probably just re-watching old WWE matches and watching food documentaries. [Jr] Just hangin’ out like Main Source. [T] Playing squash or drinking. Best piece of advice you have for young artists: [M] Don’t be a dick to those working for and with you [Jr] Don’t be a wiener [T] Be nice *Keys N Krates’ latest single “Are We Faded” is out now! Catch them on their Gladiator tour with THUGLI, happening now through November 36
Keys N Krates
GETTING TO KNOW SOME OF MUSIC’S
GREATEST UP-AND-COMING ACTS
THE PARTYSQUAD
ADRIAN LUX
This morning I woke up and the first song I put on was: “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” by Ron Ayers
This morning I woke up and the first song I put on was: “Origins” by Pryda
Best track recently released: The track we did with La Roux
Best track recently released: “Factures” by Jeremy Olander
Our favorite original track of our own: "Oh my" with the homie Boaz van de Beatz
My favorite original track of my own: “Lauren Conrad”
We're most influenced artistically by: The passion of the entire Dungeon Family including Cee Lo, Goodie Mob and OutKast!
I'm most influenced artistically by: Jim Morrison
In our rider you'll find: Respect, a high-five from the soundman and Indonesian Kretek cigarettes. We spend on average one day creating and perfecting any original track. When we're not listening to music, making music, or performing, you can find us: In Downtown Amsterdam driving on my little Gilera Citta and just hangin’ out.
In my rider you'll find: Doritos and M&M's I spend on average way too many hours creating and perfecting any original track. When I'm not listening to music, making music, or performing, you can find me: Watching It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Best piece of advice you have for young artists: Stick to what you believe in and don’t be an asshole.
Best piece of advice you have for young artists: Cliche but so true; just follow your own path and just keep pushing until the world listens.
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ARTISTS: UNZIPPED
Black Sun Empire This morning I woke up and the first song I put on was: The radio, it happened to be a Phil Collins song. Not bad, but if I would have put something on it would have been DJ Koze’s “Amygdala” LP; perfect for waking up. Best track recently released: Noisia’s Purpose EP, especially “Oh-Oh” and “Running Blind.” Incredible stuff. Our favorite original track of our own: “Arrakis” We're most influenced artistically by: In the past: Ed Rush & Optical, Konflict, Bad Company, The Future Sound of London and The Orb. Now: Moderat, The Knife, The xx, James Holden, Kölsch, etc. In our rider you'll find: Tech rider says CDJ-2000s, normal rider says some beers and waters. That’s about it. We spend on average (we don’t count) 30-40 hours creating and perfecting any original track. When I'm not listening to music, making music, or performing, you can find me: Playing and taking care of my 1-year-old kid. He is the best. :D Best piece of advice you have for young artists: Work hard to be the best in a little niche, surround yourself with talented and trustworthy people. The rest is easy!
Alicia Madison This morning I woke up and the first song I put on was: "All Of Me" (Tiesto remix) by John Legend Best track recently released: "How You Love Me" feat. Bright Lights by 3lau My favorite original track of my own: "Silence" with Starkillers I'm most influenced artistically by: Vocally, I've always been influenced by Christina Aguilera, Amy Lee and Alanis Morsette. Most recently, I really enjoy the songwriting style of Bright Lights. In my rider you'll find: Green tea and peanut M&M’s I spend on average 3-4 days creating and perfecting any original track. When I'm not listening to music, making music, or performing, you can find me: At the gym or eating some pizza. Best piece of advice you have for young artists: Work hard and never give up on your dreams.
GETTING TO KNOW SOME OF MUSIC’S
GREATEST UP-AND-COMING ACTS
SOUL PUNCHERZ This morning we woke up and the first song we put on was: "To Catch A Theif" by Lovage and "Childhood Dreams” by D.A.Z.E Best Track Recently Released: "Love, Sex, And Fancy Things” by The Floozies Our Favorite original track of our own: "Audio Pulse” We are most influenced musically by: Beardyman, Fred Falke, Colette, Samantha James, Far Too Loud, Phoenix, Cyberpunkers, Toxic Avenger, DJ Dan, Rhythm Masters, Kill Paris, The Beatles, Sublime and Smashing Pumpkins, to name some! In our rider you will find: Industry standard Pioneer CDJs and mixer, one technique turntable, bottles of water, private area to relax before the show, hotel, paid travel expense and proper compensation for DJ set! We spend on average 20 hours creating and perfecting any original track. When I'm not listening to music, making music, or performing, you can find me: At the beach. Best piece of advice you have for young artists: Get to know your equipment. If you get knocked down keep getting back up and stay humble.
Futuristic Polar Bears This morning I woke up and the first song I put on was: Our new collaboration with Sandro Silva as it was the first thing I looked at when I opened my emails this morning. :) Best track recently released: “Big Momma’s House” by Kryder & Tom Staar Our favorite original track of our own: “Back To Earth” We're most influenced artistically by: Dash Berlin. His chord patterns and structures are amazing. In our rider you'll find: Jamba Juice (Country permitting). We spend on average 100/200 hours creating and perfecting any original track. When we're not listening to music, making music, or performing, you can find us: Probably watching the football! Best piece of advice you have for young artists: Never give up on your dreams.
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ARTISTS: UNZIPPED
COYU This morning I woke up and the first song I put on was: No music for this morning, I'm in the beach listening the waves of the sea. :) Best track recently released: “Turn Around” (Ame Remix) by Sailor & I
CMC$ This morning I woke up and the first song I put on was: “Without U” by Spooky Black Best track recently released: “Chimes” by Hudson Mohawke
My favorite original track of my own: “Balls”
My favorite original track of my own: “Hypo” feat. Lucid with Sin City Status
I'm most influenced artistically by: Anyone who releases quality stuff
I'm most influenced artistically by: Diplo, Flume and Hucci
.In my rider you'll find: Beer
In my rider you'll find: Red Bull energy drink, a towel and microphone!
I spend on average 10 hours creating and perfecting any original track. When I'm not listening to music, making music, or performing, you can find me: Life without music? What's that? Best piece of advice you have for young artists: Work, work and more work, then work and work and work and more work.
I spend on average 24 hours creating and perfecting any original track. When I'm not listening to music, making music, or performing, you can find me: Watching movies, playing video games or hanging out with friends. Best piece of advice you have for young artists: Be different and unique!
Coyu
GETTING TO KNOW SOME OF MUSIC’S
GREATEST UP-AND-COMING ACTS
Fabrício Peçanha This morning I woke up and the first song I put on was: “Baby I'm Yours” by Breakbot and Irfane Best track recently released: Fabricio Peçanha – “Panic Attack” (King Street Records) My favorite original track of my own: “The Walk” I'm most influenced artistically by: Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk
MAKO This morning I woke up and the first song I put on was: [Logan] "Goodbye to a World" by Porter Robinson [Alex] The track we were working on the night before. Best track recently released: [L] "Sad Machine" by Porter Robinson [A] Yeah, Porter Robinson and also the new Steve Angello
In my rider you'll find: Good sound system
Our favorite original track of our own: [L] An unreleased track called "Lost in the Fire" [A] It’s like your children! Can’t pick favorites.
I spend on average sometimes days creating and perfecting any original track.
We're most influenced artistically by: [L] Radiohead and Daft Punk [A] Gustav Mahler, John Powell and SHM
When I'm not listening to music, making music, or performing, you can find me: Enjoying my family.
In our rider you'll find: [L] Ha, nothing too fun; liquor, 5-Hour Energy and a veggie plate, of course (just to make sure we are somewhat healthy) [A] Mosquitos (just a couple though)
Best piece of advice you have for young artists: To play what you love!
We spend on average from one month to two years creating and perfecting any original track. When I'm not listening to music, making music, or performing, you can find me: [L] Miniature golfing [A] I can’t… I don’t… understand. Best piece of advice you have for young artists: [L] Keep working at it. It’s a long, long road. But if you believe in the music and there's heart behind it, it will find the right outlets. [A] Be very motivated to find your voice and don't stop creating for a moment until a crowd starts to form around you to watch.
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