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Thomas Xavier Recaps Success Of Shows, Label and Personal Career With Album ‘Pharaoh’s Alchemist’

Pharaoh’s Alchemist, the avant-garde album of 2023, showcases Thomas Xavier at his artistic zenith. This isn’t just a collection of tunes; it’s a deep dive into Bass House, G-House, and Tech House. Songs like “Monsta” and “Be Like VR” are more than tracks; they’re statements. The former blends hip-hop and house seamlessly, while the ladder sets the stage for Xavier’s journey into dubstep, garnished with UK Grime vocals.

But who is Thomas Xavier? In the sprawling soundscape of contemporary music, certain moments are electrifying, signaling a transformative phase or the rise of an exceptional artist. Thomas embodies such a shift, particularly evident in the Midwest US’s bass-centric sounds.

For the followers of post-rave eras, his story might feel familiar. Over a short three years, he hasn’t just been another face in the crowd; he’s shared and curated spaces with giants like Ghastly, Nostalgix & Moksi, and SNBRN. His signature “Pharaoh’s Chamber” events further amplify his prominence — a mesmerizing blend of rhythm and story.

The year 2022 was pivotal. Thomas unveiled Pharaoh Phonix, not just another label but the very essence of his musical vision. Merging the allure of ancient sounds with modern house, this label quickly left its mark: 52 tracks, collaborations with 20 artists, and a phenomenal 3 million streams since its debut.

Now, as we navigate the latter part of 2023, one observation becomes clear: Thomas isn’t just adding to the house genre; he’s shaping its trajectory. Amid this ever-evolving dance of melodies, he emerges as a maestro, guiding the rhythm of the future.

Listen to the tracks below.

The reunion of Above & Beyond, Seven Lions & Opposite The Other arrives with ‘Over Now’

Above & Beyond

The reunion of Seven Lions, Above & Beyond, and Opposite The Other arrives with ‘Over Now,’ out now on Anjunabeats.

Melodic dubstep pioneer Seven Lions rapidly rose to prominence after winning a remix competition in 2011. His unique rework of Above & Beyond’s ‘You Got To Go’ (feat. Zoë Johnston) immediately grabbed the trio’s attention, sparking the beginning of a relationship that would span multiple collaborative performances between the two acts and an array of further Seven Lions remixes of Above & Beyond and Anjunabeats classics.

A vocal fan of Above & Beyond’s early works, Jeff’s (Seven Lions) own inimitable brand of high-octane, bass-saturated dance has always kept songwriting at its core. Some of Seven Lions’ most recognizable Anjunabeats tracks and remixes include his heavy-hitting remix 3LAU’s debut Anjunabeats smash, ‘Tokyo’ feat. XIRA, his melodic dubstep reimagining of Velvetine’s ‘The Great Divide,’ and his inimitable collaboration with Jason Ross and Paul MeanyHigher Love.’

“We’ve always loved Seven Lions. Jeff’s understanding of melody and songs is second to none”, explains Above & Beyond. “His remix of ‘On My Way To Heaven’ was incredible, so it was really only a matter of time before we’d make a record with him.”

In 2019, Above & Beyond, Seven Lions, and Opposite The Other made their collaborative debut with ‘See The End,’ which quickly became the #1 airplay record on the Mediabase Dance Chart and has racked up over 19M streams on Spotify alone to date.

In 2022, Seven Lions released his debut album ‘Beyond The Veil’ on his very own Ophelia Records, which has since amassed over 22M Spotify streams. He followed that up this year with his seismic ‘Journey III’ album tour, with stops at Los Angeles State Historic Park, The Greek Theatre at Berkeley, three shows at Avant Gardner (Brooklyn Mirage), Downtown Las Vegas Event Center, San Diego’s Rady Shell, and beyond, selling over 125K tickets in total.

Songwriter and vocalist Sam Burger releases music under the moniker ‘Opposite The Other‘. Opposite The Other has supported globally renowned acts like The Cure, Bastille, The Lumineers, and more, and teamed up with Seven Lions earlier this year on ‘Alive’.

Reflecting on his writing of the track, Sam explains: “The initial lyrical idea for the song actually came to me near the end of the pandemic. Like many others, I was in a dark place for so many reasons. The truth hit me that no matter how good or bad a situation is, there will always be an ending. This song is about the hope that the light at the end of the tunnel will arrive sooner rather than later. Working with Above & Beyond and Seven Lions once again has been the biggest joy, and I’m super excited to see how this song resonates with people”.

Listen to the track below.

Paul van Dyk and Jordan Gill Unleash Electrifying Driving Techno Track ‘Voltage’

Paul Van Dyk

Renowned electronic music pioneer Paul van Dyk joins forces with rising star Jordan Gill to electrify the global dance music scene with their latest release, ‘Voltage.’

This dark and dynamic single is set to send shockwaves through the world of driving techno and progressive house as it combines a thumping rhythm with captivating techno elements that ignite the dancefloor.

In ‘Voltage,’ listeners can expect a sonic journey that channels the energy and intensity of electricity. The track crackles with the raw power of pulsating beats and mesmerizing synth lines, evoking the sensation of an electric current coursing through the body. The dark undertones of the production create an immersive atmosphere that draws listeners into its electrifying vortex.

Paul van Dyk, a true luminary in the electronic music industry, brings his decades of experience to the table, infusing ‘Voltage‘ with his signature sound and musical finesse. Jordan Gill, a rising star on the electronic music scene, complements this collaboration with his innovative approach and contemporary production techniques.

Voltage‘ is a testament to the artists’ mastery of their craft, showcasing their ability to fuse different styles seamlessly. The track’s intricate layers and carefully crafted sonic textures make it a standout addition to the VANDIT Alternative catalog.

Paul van Dyk shared his excitement about the collaboration, saying, “Working with Jordan Gill on ‘Voltage’ has been an electrifying experience in itself. We wanted to create a track that would shock and awe, delivering an unforgettable sonic journey for our fans.”

Jordan Gill added, “It’s an honor to collaborate with Paul van Dyk on this project. ‘Voltage’ represents a fusion of our musical worlds, and we can’t wait to see how it resonates with the audience.”

Voltage‘ by Paul van Dyk and Jordan Gill is now available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Beatport. This electrifying single is sure to energize dance floors worldwide, so be sure to tune in and experience the power for yourself.

Listen to the track below.

Ocaso Festival expands to five days and a stunning new location for 2024 edition

Costa Rica’s game changing and agenda setting Ocaso Festival is back for a seventh edition and will expand to five nights in 2024. From January 4-8th, this unmissable tropical getaway will take place at the all new location of The Bohemian Lagarto in Playa Lagarto, Guanacaste – a breathtaking beachfront location on the Pacific coast.

Mind Against, John Summit, Seth Troxler, Mano Le Tough, Sama’ Abdulhadi, Hannah Wants, Cassian, Tini Gessler, Adam Ten, Konstantin Sibold, Deer Jade, Mita Gami, Tony Y Not, Julya Karma, Zombies In Miami, Hunter/Game, 8Kays, and Brina Knauss are just some of the superstar artists set to perform at Ocaso Festival 2024.

Ocaso Festival is a socially conscious, environmentally friendly gathering for people who love music, nature and culture. It’s a place to soothe the soul, to enrich your life and to experience paradise-like locations with a world class soundtrack.

Ocaso 2024

The most idyllic gathering will have you spellbound by majestic sunsets, left in awe by the natural beauty of the jungle and a place to have your soul soothed by dancing around a sun-kissed landscape. The location is a 200-acre beachfront ranch with a state-of-the-art Funktion One sound system that offers overnight camping and beach side glamping. It is just 40km south of Tamarindo and 30km north of Nosara with shuttle buses from both as well as the local airport.

Guanacaste is a province in northwestern Costa Rica known for its beaches and biodiverse parkland. Santa Rosa National Park is a place where you can explore rare dry tropical forests, surfing sites and view over 250 bird species or walk on endless beaches, swim in calm waters, go on a diving trip or take up water sports.

There will be a wealth of pre- and post-parties that make the most of the stunning sunrises and sunsets and ensure non-stop musical fun and plenty of travel and cultural experiences in between. The festival is proud to be plastic free and hosts beach cleanups before and after the event in association with Tamarindo Clean Wave.

It is a collective of people with a diversity of experiences, circumstances, and motivations who all come together around the simple idea that we all benefit from a clean and healthy environment, and place great value on that as well as health, respect and education issues. The growing community is focused on core actions of beach clean ups, working with partners to develop social projects and work on helping Tamarindo become a zero waste community.

This year there will be an upgraded backstage experience and expanded food and beverage service to make it the best event to date.

Festival-goers can look forward to a full five days of performances featuring DJs from across the world as well as some local favorites with many hours of dancing, positive community vibes and plenty of local connections to wonderful wildlife. Previously Ocaso has hosted legendary sets from the likes of Solomun, Dixon, Âme, Michael Bibi, Maceo Plex, Adriatique, Jamie Jones, Bob Moses, Damian Lazarus, and Guy Gerber. The countdown is now on to this most wonderfully organic and unforgettable escape.

Castor & Pollux are here to unleash their latest Mainstage production, ‘Walk Away’

The New York-based duo Castor & Pollux are here to unleash their latest Mainstage production, ‘Walk Away’. A collaboration with the Producer Ozgun, this new release from the dynamic duo promises to deliver high-octane energy and uplifting vibes as it gets ready to conquer dancefloors around the world.

Set for release via Hardwell’s Revealed Recordings, ‘Walk Away’ is another exciting track from the duo that further proves their impressive talents, cementing their prominent place on the Electronic Music scene.

Known for their powerful sound, Castor & Pollux have developed a hard-hitting production style that sees them impressing fans with Big Room and Techno tracks and inspiring listeners with their Progressive House productions.

As they quickly build momentum, the talented duo is making their mark on the Electronic Music scene with smash productions that consistently deliver high-quality soundscapes drenched in magnetic energy and electrifying vibrancy.

With such a dynamic and distinctive signature sound, it is no surprise that the duo has enjoyed support from top VIP names including Steve Aoki, W&W, and Nicky Romero, to name a few. As they keep taking the genre scene by storm, Castor & Pollux will no doubt continue to showcase their unwavering passion and enthusiastic determination that is sure to see their reputation and popularity soar even higher.

Walk Away’ opens with a growling synth, as emotive vocals and shuffling rhythmic elements enter to elevate the energy; a driving beat and powerful low end build the punchy soundscape, with pulsing synth leads bringing a hypnotic colour to the mix. As the momentum reaches its peak, the vocal-led breakdown builds the tension with energetic arpeggiators and intensifying sonic details; at the drop, the electrifying vibes return, leading the listener back into the high-octane auditory adventure that is sure to get any party started.

With a passion and commitment to curating mighty-sounding dancefloor anthems, Castor & Pollux have delivered another stellar track that will no doubt become a firm favorite amongst fans of the genre.

As they continue to carve their way to the top of the list of exciting Producers and DJs currently on the Electronic Music scene, the talented duo emerges as a powerful force whose striking talents and unstoppable drive mark them as an unmissable presence within Electronic Music.

Make sure to follow them across social media to stay up-to-date on their new releases and upcoming projects.

Listen to the track below.

Carola debuts on Tomorrowland Music with ‘Back To The Old School’

Brazilian talent Carola is unveiling her brand-new house anthem ‘Back To The Old School’, released on Tomorrowland Music! Have already released on some of electronic music’s most prestigious labels, the Brazilian dance music starlet now debuts on Tomorrowland’s imprint, making an instant impact with her highly atmospheric house sound.

Back To The Old School‘ is set to take listeners on a particularly captivating journey, featuring a mash of rough beats, prolonged builds and chunky basslines. Cementing her reputation as one of Brazil’s hottest names, Carola was the first female Brazilian artist to perform at Tomorrowland‘s Mainstage in July.

Back To The Old School‘ by Carola is part of a collection of specially curated festival releases by Tomorrowland Music leading up to Tomorrowland Brasil, celebrating the return of Tomorrowland to Brazil on October 12-14, 2023 by gathering some of the most prominent artists in electronic music on Tomorrowland‘s record imprint.

Speaking about the release Carola said: “‘Back To The Old School’ was created with the intention to show the public how mature my sound is making it. I’m working as a DJ for more than 10 years and as a music producer for 7 years, it’s nice to show everyone that is watching me build this dream so far that I’m totally able to create music outside my box. ‘Back To The Old School’ is this next step in my career and also a thing to remind me about my roots and why I entered this game.”

Listen to the track below.

Tomorrowland is holding an exclusive avant premiere of the official 2023 aftermovie

In July 2023, Tomorrowland celebrated its legendary 17th edition with 400.000 souls from over 200 nations gathering during two weekends of magic.

Following last year’s success, Tomorrowland is again holding an exclusive avant premiere of the highly anticipated 2023 ‘Adscendo‘ aftermovie, which will take place on Friday October 20 during Amsterdam Dance Event in the iconic Royal Theater Tuschinski in the heart of Amsterdam.

Specially organized during the most influential gathering for global electronic music, spectators will be treated to a unique experience in what many have described as the most beautiful cinema in the world, being the very first ones to relive the most magical moments of the festival’s 17th edition.

Tomorrowland 2023 Aftermovie

People can choose between different screening times (13:00, 15:30, 18:00) and be the first ones in the world to discover the mesmerizing recap of this year’s legendary 17th edition, which revolved around the theme ‘Adscendo‘ and saw unforgettable performances from more than 750 of the planet’s finest electronic artists.

Located in the center of Amsterdam, the astonishing Royal Theater Tuschinski hails from the 1920s and features a mixture of architectural styles, providing the perfect backdrop for the grand reveal of the official 2023 aftermovie, as well as the touching ‘We Are Tomorrow‘ documentary about the global community that defines Tomorrowland. Tickets cost €9, all proceeds go directly to the Tomorrowland Foundation.

Worldwide reservations for the special screening are now open HERE!

Martin Garrix collaborates with Lloyiso to unleash uplifting pop anthem ”Real Love”

The wait is finally over. Renowned music producer and DJ, Martin Garrix, returns with a sensational pop track titled ”Real Love”.

In a remarkable collaboration, Garrix teams up with the rising star and gifted singer-songwriter, Lloyiso, hailing all the way from South Africa, to create a mesmerizing musical experience that will resonate with audiences worldwide.

Stumbling across one of Lloyiso‘s covers online, Garrix was instantly captivated by his voice and reached out to the young artist. The two finally met up in New York City a couple of months ago, where they joined forces in the recording studio to craft ‘Real Love‘.

Here’s what Martin Garrix had to say about the release:

”I first came across Lloyiso when I saw one of his covers online and was immediately blown away by his amazing voice. It took quite sometime for us to finally meet in person, but we clicked instantly, both on a personal and creative level. Our studio sessions have been amazing, and I’m super excited to share the first outcome of those sessions with everyone.”

Lloyiso added: ”When Martin & I first met, we immediately became friends. We went out all night in New York listening to live music, going to bars. A few days later we hit the studio together and recorded 3 songs in one session – it was mental. I can’t wait for the fans to hear everything we’ve worked on, starting with “Real Love.”

The track exudes a refreshing, groovy sound. Infused with soulful vocals by Lloyiso, ‘Real Love‘ effortlessly weaves an emotional tapestry that explores the theme of embracing genuine affection. Meanwhile the heartfelt lyrics speak of the courage to finally open up to real love.

Martin Garrix, recognized as one of the most influential DJs and producers of our time, expertly blends his signature electronic production with Lloyiso‘s enchanting vocals. The synergy between their musical styles results in a spellbinding combination that guarantees to resonate with both dance music enthusiasts and pop aficionados alike.

Listen to the track below.

Dark Heart returns to Tomorrowland Music with ‘Dust’

Hollywood talent agent turned gift producer and DJ Dark Heart is revealing his soaring new single ‘Dust’, released on Tomorrowland Music!

The dynamic producer continues to experiment and evolve with each new release, now delivering an energizing anthem with an insistent driving beat, restless energy and a spine-tingling drop that combine into a well-executed dancefloor cut.

With the release of ‘Dust‘, Dark Heart is returning to Tomorrowland‘s imprint for his second release following ‘Where U Are‘ in 2022. Continuing to make waves around the world, ‘Dust‘ showcases what exciting things are to come from Dark Heart!

Dark Heart – Dust

Here’s what Dark Heart had to say about his brand new release:

“In the beginning of 2023 I was recovering from a major surgery and I hadn’t been in the studio for several weeks. I was trying to ease my way back into producing and not put too much pressure on myself, so I started messing around with piano ideas – this is what led me to the piano riff that you hear in ‘Dust’. I knew immediately that I had something, so I took the riff and expanded on it and I think that the simplicity shines through in the final result.

It’s truly an honor to be releasing with Tomorrowland Music again, they’ve completely understood my vision as an artist and I’m thrilled to continue building with them. I created this song at a very difficult moment in my life, it has a lot of emotional meaning for me and I can’t think of a better home for it.”

Listen to the track below.

DJ SAMMY, Jess Taggart & Micky Modelle join forces for “Have You Ever Seen The Rain”

Dance music icon DJ Sammy, who during a three-decade-plus long career has sold more than 20 million records is set to launch the next great house music vocal classic “Have You Ever Seen The Rain”. The Platinum Award-winning, DJ Mag Top 100 artist, has enlisted the incredible vocal talents of London-based singer Jess Taggart, as well as the chart-topping skills of Irish DJ Micky Modelle.

London-born vocalist Jess Taggart with her unique, ethereal, and elegant voice is primed and ready to make her mark on the music industry. Inspired in part by R&B, indie, and pop icons, Jess has spent years evolving her versatile voice, to become more than just a vocalist, she is a truly talented singer with a distinctive sound, that allows her to tell stories, and convey an emotional connection to reach out and bond with her current and future audience.

Following on from her mega-collab with hardstyle producer Sick Legend on his track “Remember Hardstyle”, Jess is now working together with one of the most iconic dance music figures and DJs of all time, the unmistakable DJ Sammy.

There’s no sound quite like the sound of a Micky Modelle track, considered one of Ireland’s best DJs and producers, he has earned the “Best Irish DJ” award on four separate occasions, has achieved eight platinum albums, and is the best-selling DJ in his country. Many of the incredibly talented DJ’s productions and tracks have been licensed and used in hundreds of compilation albums worldwide.

To date, Modelle has amassed around 850 official releases on iTunes. In 2018 he was honoured in the Belfast Hall of Fame and was the only DJ in history to be included as part of the Oh Yeah Music Hall of Fame. It’s also hard to forget 2007’s UK and European smash hit, “Dancing in the Dark” together with Belgian singer Jessy, which still cracks a whip when played across airwaves today. With a string of top 40 hits under his belt, Micky Modelle continues to play to massive event and festival crowds in the UK and across Europe. And now, the Irish superstar DJ has teamed up for his first collaboration with house music legend DJ Sammy.

Recognized as one of the most influential DJs of all time, and responsible for two of the most instantaneously recognizable dance tracks of all time: Heaven and Boys of SummerDJ Sammy continues to create amazing, emotionally resonant music and loves collaborating with the most talented vocal artists in the industry. From his studio base in Mallorca, DJ Sammy continues to release tracks that reshape the Balearic house and dance anthem industry. “Have You Ever Seen The Rain” is the impressive and undeniable truth of the house music icon’s inexhaustible musical creativity.

One of the most iconic DJs and producers worldwide, DJ Sammy has sold more than 20 million records and has been the recipient of countless awards. The Mallorcan global superstar is without a doubt one of the most successful electronic music artists of all time.

His worldwide breakthrough arrived in 2001 with “Heaven”. The track sold more than 2 million records across Europe and Australia and landed at number 2 in the United States – US HOT 100 billboards, before hitting the number 1 spot in the influential UK charts in 2002. Follow up track “The Boys of Summer” rocketed up to number 2 in the British charts. In addition to the incredible chart positions, TV appearances and worldwide awards, DJ Sammy was also recognised for his DJ excellence after charting in the internationally renowned DJ Mag Top 100 rankings (2005 #92, 2006 #61).

Appearances at the world’s biggest festivals, and also countless club nights around the world helped Sammy to discover his distinctive sound. Residencies in the world famous BCM Planet Dance Magaluf (#6 in the top 100 club ranking of DJ Mag UK), Es Paradis Ibiza and Privilege in Ibiza followed. His radio show MyClubroom was voted most popular radio show by DJ Mag Spain.

Listen to the track below.

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