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Exclusive Interview with DJ & Producer Pyramido from Cafe De Anatolia

By
Andry Bosk
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Multi-talented DJ & music producer Moe Fakharany aka Pyramido from Cafe De Anatolia, took some time to chat with us and told us more about what lies ahead for him in this exciting new year.

Check out the full interview below!

Tell us more about yourself & your music career?

I’m a passionate and dedicated music artist from the US. I’ve been producing and performing music for over 10 years. I specialize in Organic House, Afro House and Melodic Tech, and I pride myself in being able to create a unique blend of sounds and styles. I’ve performed at countless venues in the US and Middle East. I’ve also had the opportunity to collaborate with some of the biggest names in the music industry.

My musical career began as a result of my dedication to the craft. I started honing my skills and learning the ins and outs of creating music at a very young age. Over the years, I’ve worked hard to perfect my sound and become a respected artist in my genre. I’ve released several singles, and I’m currently working on an EP.

How would you describe your style of music?

I have a great love for music and I take great pride in the music that I create. I like to experiment with different sounds and styles in order to make something that is truly unique and special. I like to create something that is both catchy and engaging for listeners. I strive to create music that is meaningful and resonates with people.

Where do you find inspiration?

Inspiration can be found in many different places. It is all around us and can be drawn from the simplest of things. Nature can be a great source of inspiration. Watching the sun rise or set, spending time in the forest, or admiring the beauty of a waterfall can be great ways to gain some new perspective. Alternatively, spending time with friends and family can be a huge source of inspiration. Being around people we care about and trust can often help us to come up with new ideas and push us to take risks that we might not have considered before.

Art is also a great source of inspiration. Reading books, watching movies, visiting museums, and viewing art galleries can help to spark the imagination and open up our minds to new possibilities. Similarly, music can often be a great source of inspiration. Listening to a favorite artist or discovering a new genre can often ignite our passions and help us to think of things in new ways.

Describe how music is important to society.

Music is an essential part of many cultures and traditions. It can be used to tell stories, to celebrate, to mourn, and to express ourselves in ways that words cannot. It is an important part of our history, providing a window into the past and a way for us to better understand our ancestors and the ways in which they lived.

Music also plays an important role in society today. It can provide entertainment, help us relax, and even provide motivation. Music can be used to help set the mood, to bring people together, and to create a sense of belonging. It can be an important part of any gathering, from parties and concerts to religious services and political rallies.

What is the best time of the day to create?

My best time for creating music is in the evening. I find that this is the best time for me to focus and really get into the creative flow. There is something special about the evening that sets the stage for me to explore my own creativity. The darkness of the night provides an atmosphere that is calming and inviting. The energy that the evening brings helps me to relax my mind and focus on my music. It is at this time that I can truly lose myself in the music and find inspiration.

Who are your musical influences?

Music has been a huge influence in my life and there are many artists and performances that have impacted me over the years. Growing up, my parents were both avid music fans and exposed me to a variety of genres, including jazz, classical, and blues. As a kid, I loved singing along to the Beatles, Michael Jackson, and Queen.

Later on, I discovered the power of House music, with artists like Solomon, Marco Carola, and many more. Music has a way of connecting us all and has the power to bring us joy, comfort, and inspiration. Whether I’m playing an instrumental piece, writing a song, or just listening to my favorite tunes, I’m constantly reminded of the incredible influence that music has on our lives.

What is the most difficult thing about being a musician?

Being a musician is not an easy task. It requires a lot of practice, determination and hard work to become successful. The most difficult thing about being a musician is dealing with the pressures of the music industry. Musicians have to constantly strive to be at their best and stay ahead of their competition. They often have to face criticism and rejection from industry professionals, fans and other musicians.

Additionally, musicians have to deal with the financial aspect of their career. Making a living from music can be a challenge and requires a lot of creativity and dedication to make it work. Furthermore, the ever-changing music industry has made it even more difficult for musicians to stay current and relevant. The journey to becoming a successful musician is a long and challenging one, and it takes a lot of commitment, dedication and hard work to make it all the way.

What has been your biggest career highlight so far?

My biggest music career highlight so far has been performing at the renowned Madison Square Garden. It was an incredible experience and I was so proud to be standing on that stage. The atmosphere was electric, the crowd was enthusiastic and the energy was palpable. I was overwhelmed with emotion when I saw the large crowd that had come out to see me perform. It was one of the most memorable nights of my life.

I had worked hard to get to that moment and it felt amazing to finally be there. I had to pinch myself to make sure I was not dreaming. It was an incredible feeling to hear the crowd singing along with me to my songs. It was surreal to be able to perform in such a legendary venue and I was humbled by the experience.

Where do you find inspiration?

Music inspiration can be found anywhere; it just takes a bit of creativity to recognise opportunities. Being open to new experiences, embracing different cultures, and listening to different types of music can help spark ideas. Exploring the works of other artists, either through live performances or online, can help provide a new perspective and a source of inspiration.

Furthermore, the act of listening to music itself can be an inspiration. Whether it’s a song heard on the radio, or a playlist of old favourites, the sound of music has the power to transport us to a different place and evoke different emotions. Finally, day-to-day events, conversations, and even mundane activities can be a source of music inspiration. Paying attention to the small details of life can often inspire something new and unique. In conclusion, music inspiration can be found in the most unusual places, the only limit is your imagination.

What are your latest releases?

2 tracks (The End and Clinic) it will be released on April 13th.

What is your connection with Cafe De Anatolia?

There are 5 tracks connected me with Cafe de Anatolia (Sabrosa, Heaven, Wisdom, The End and Clinic).

Are you working on something new?

I’m always working on something new. I’ve committed to myself that every month I should sign new track So I’m working on 8 projects this year.

Where and when is your next performance?

I’m a resident in different clubs in Los Angeles and my next big gigs will be in Middle East (Egypt and Dubai).

What’s the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you?

I have been fortunate to have had many amazing musicians offer me advice throughout my career. One piece of advice that has always stuck with me was from a mentor of mine who said “Never stop learning and never stop creating”.

This advice has served me well over the years as I have continued to expand my knowledge and develop my craft. It has pushed me to take risks and to explore new ideas, even if it means stepping out of my comfort zone. By putting this advice into practice I have been able to find new inspiration and grow as an artist. With each new experience I am able to gain more insight into the world of music and develop my sound. This advice has been invaluable and has helped me to become the musician I am today.

What’s your process for dealing with performance anxiety?

Performance anxiety is a common concern for many people. I have developed a process for dealing with it that has been successful for me. The first step is to identify the source of the anxiety. Am I feeling anxious about the performance itself or am I worrying about what other people will think? Once I have identified the source, I can work on it. If I am feeling anxious about the performance itself, I make sure to practice and prepare as much as possible.

I also take deep breaths and consciously relax my body before the performance. If I am worrying about what other people will think, I remind myself that I am doing my best and that is enough. I focus on the process and my performance rather than the outcome. Lastly, I give myself grace and encourage myself that it is okay to make mistakes. This process has really helped me to manage my performance anxiety and I’m sure it can help others too.

How Covid19 changed the terms of the music industry?

The Covid19 pandemic has brought the music industry to a grinding halt. With the cancellation of live concerts, festivals, and other events, the industry has had to adapt to the new normal. Many record labels have had to close, leaving artists without a platform to share their music. Musicians have had to rely more on digital platforms to promote their music and engage with their fans. Streaming services have become even more popular as people look for ways to listen to new music from the comfort of their own homes.

As an artist, I have had to get creative with how I promote my music. Instead of touring, I’ve had to focus my efforts on online promotion and connecting with fans through social media platforms. I’ve also had to find new ways to make money, such as selling merchandise and offering online lessons. Although these changes have been difficult to adjust to, I’m thankful for the opportunities that the digital space has provided me.

The Covid19 pandemic has changed the terms of the music industry, but it has also opened up new opportunities for artists. Even though the industry has had to adapt to the new normal, artists have been able to find ways to remain creative and successful.

Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians?

If you have a passion for music, you should pursue it! Aspiring musicians have a lot of work to do in order to make it in the music industry. Firstly, you need to believe in yourself and your talent. You have to be sure that you have something special to offer and have the confidence to take on the challenge of becoming successful.

Secondly, practice, practice and practice some more! You need to be able to express yourself through your music and practice will help you to develop your skills and perfect your craft. Additionally, you should be networking and building relationships with other artists and industry professionals. Connecting with the right people can open up opportunities and help you get your music heard.

Finally, be patient and persistent. The music industry is a competitive field and it may take some time before you start seeing tangible results. Don’t give up and keep pushing forward with determination and passion. You never know when your music could be the next big hit!

Carl Cox brings his unforgettable Hybrid Set to three venues in the United States

By
Marco Di
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Carl Cox at Beon1x festival

One of the most iconic figures in electronic music, Carl Cox brings his unforgettable Hybrid Set to three of the most impressive open-air venues in the US this fall. Showcasing his incredible skill as a live performer, the techno legend will make his debut at Central Park and Red Rocks Amphitheatre, before making a glorious return to LA.

Globally renowned as one of the world’s foremost deck technicians, Cox is also a master of playing live using drum machines, synths and samplers. Launched in 2022, his already acclaimed Hybrid Set finds him creating new sounds, editing his own cuts, remixing classics, and creating brand new moods and grooves using an array of electronic music instruments right before your very eyes.

His DJ sets are legendary and at the other end of his performances are his full live electronic shows. This duality creates a real musical hybrid as he bends the two universes together, seamlessly fusing his multi-deck DJ mastery with his own produced music, all of which is done on the fly and in the moment, allowing Cox unfettered artistic freedom to react and diverge into whatever direction he wants instantaneously. No two shows are alike and that’s the point.

It’s the kind of jaw-dropping live performance that only someone with 40+ years of experience in the industry could pull off so effortlessly, and it is a great reminder of why Cox enjoys the revered status that he does; rather than churning out facsimile sets or legacy selections, he continues to push himself, his dancefloors and his art forward.

That was also the case last year with his first new artist album in ten years, ‘Electronic Generations‘, on which the Brit pushed himself out of his comfort zone once again. The 17-track album takes in all forms of techno from across his career – sweeping big room rollers, acid-laced ’90s bangers, heady and hypnotic wormholes, and maximal techno bounce – sounds that Cox artfully distills during his Hybrid Set shows.

The Hybrid Set US trifecta kicks off on the East Coast, in New York’s Central Park – one of the most famous urban parks in the world and the very lungs of the city – on Saturday, September 30. By performing in Central Park, Cox joins an impressive roster of superstars who have graced the park’s iconic stage, including Simon and Garfunkel, Diana Ross, Elton John, and Beyoncé.

From there, Carl heads inland on Sunday, October 8, to Morrison, Colorado, and the utterly unique and breathtaking natural beauty of Red Rocks Ampitheatre. With its towering sandstone formations creating a natural acoustic environment, Red Rocks is renowned for its exceptional sound quality, making it a perfect venue to experience Carl‘s Hybrid Set.

And then it’s onto the West Coast for Hybrid Set at Naud Street, Los Angeles, on Saturday, October 21. On the outskirts of the vibrant Chinatown district, this industrial venue is home to the city’s best techno parties. Raw and gritty, with Amtrak trains rumbling alongside the space and graffiti art in view, Naud Street’s edgy and dynamic atmosphere makes it an ideal venue for Cox‘s electrifying show.

Here’s what Carl Cox had to say about his upcoming shows in the US:

“Taking my Hybrid Set to these iconic venues is going to be something very special and unique for me. My full Hybrid Set sees me perform my own electronic music live, fused with everything I bring to the dancefloor as a DJ so these are exciting spaces to do just that!”

With these three incredible shows at vastly different and distinctive venues, Cox continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in dance music to create indelible memories. The only question left is: where will you witness his Hybrid Set and be part of history in the making?

The BPM Festival announces surprise Easter Edition in Tamarindo, Costa Rica

By
Marco Di
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photo by Chris Lavado

Six weeks ago, The BPM Festival made its way back to its beloved home base, Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Returning after a multi-year hiatus, the sacred grounds of Tamarindo were met with the rapturous applause of its guests that spanned across 40 nationalities.

Following a teaser that was unveiled on the festival’s social media platforms, The BPM Festival has confirmed it will return to Tamarindo’s exquisite beaches for a surprise Easter Edition brimming with music, dance, and pure celebration.

After the resounding success of its return in January, BPM plans to keep the momentum going with a weekend that promises to be even more extraordinary. Taking place across the Easter holiday weekend, on April 6, 7, and 8, 2023, the Dreamcatcher stage within the jungle will transform into an intimate haven for music lovers.

BPM Costa Rica 2023 lineup Easter Edition

With each day bringing a unique vibe and energy, the BPM Festival Easter edition promises to be an incredible celebration of music and culture.

With a carefully curated lineup featuring performances from AJ Christou, Diplo, Jesse Calusso, Late Delivery, N.I.M, Miguelle, Rafa Barrios, Samu, Vanjee, and more, attendees can expect to immerse themselves in the rhythms and beats of the world’s most aesthetic festival.

The sophomore edition of The BPM Festival: Costa Rica was a resounding triumph, boasting an exceptional and diverse lineup that delivered unforgettable performances. Among notable highlights were the BPM debuts of Vintage Culture and Bora Uzer, whose sets left the crowd buzzing in a state of euphoria.

Additionally, the Dreamcatcher stage hosted a b2b2b sunrise takeover from Boogeyman, presenting an iconic performance that showcased the tremendous sound of the rising label. The festival’s venues were meticulously selected and curated, with Chiquita‘s serving as a standout location in the heart of downtown Tamarindo, offering complimentary admission to showcases such as MVSON and From the South.

Meanwhile, the renowned Canopy venue hosted classic BPM showcases, including This Is The End featuring Joseph Capriati, while fan favorites Bamboleo, Rawthentic, and Tamango served as the grand finale at BPM‘s Treehouse stage delivering a legendary 5-way b2b performance that lasted well beyond sunrise.

Taking place in one of the most luscious and exclusive spots in Costa Rica, the BPM familia are once again invited to come together once again to soak up the magical atmosphere of Tamarindo. With its breathtaking natural surroundings, sandy beaches, and tropical forest, The BPM Festival offers an unforgettable setting for the event’s return.

In tandem with the exciting announcement of the festival’s return to Tamarindo for the Easter edition, The BPM Festival is thrilled to reveal its long-term commitment to its beloved home of Costa Rica. With a vision for expansion slated for January 2024, the BPM brand continues to grow even bigger and more immersive than ever before.

As BPM continues to grow and evolve, they remain committed to curating unforgettable and inimitable experiences for attendees, while staying true to their roots and the community that has supported the BPM brand throughout the years. BPM remains confident that the expansion plans will not only elevate The BPM Festival to new heights but also bring even more economic and cultural benefits to Tamarindo and the surrounding areas.

2023 promises to be even bigger and better than before with a slew of BPM events slated for the year. The capacity for this special upcoming Easter edition is strictly limited and tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tickets available HERE!

Primavera Sound adds New Order, Sevdaliza, & Alison Goldfrapp to Barcelona & Madrid festivals

By
Metodi Gogovski
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photo by Eric Pamie

Following the brilliant synth trail left by New Order, who joined the line-up of Primavera Sound Barcelona – Madrid 2023 just a fortnight ago to play their catalogue of intergenerational anthems, Alison Goldfrapp and Sevdaliza are joining the festival on both sites.

The British diva will present her new solo adventure in the Parc del Fòrum and the Ciudad del Rock on both Thursdays, while the disruptive Iranian-Dutch artist will return to Primavera Sound on both Saturdays. Unfortunately, ANYMA and FKA twigs will not be able to perform at the Barcelona and Madrid editions due to changes of plans in their respective careers.

Alison Goldfrapp is indeed Alison from Goldfrapp. The Londoner will present her imminent first solo album at the festival after over twenty years at the helm of the duo she founded with Will Gregory, a key antecedent to understanding why Dua Lipa, Jessie Ware and Rina Sawayama make the songs that they do today. Sevdaliza, for her part, continues her eternal search for the avant-garde without shortcuts.

Primavera Sound 2023 lineup Barcelona
Primavera Sound 2023 lineup Madrid

So, at her own pace, dedicating the necessary time to embellishing songs full of details, she has updated trip-hop and has managed to make new R&B sound really new on albums like Ison and Shabrang, exciting and challenging at the same time.

On the other hand, within the framework of Primavera a la Ciutat, Palm have cancelled their two concerts and Yves Tumor and Japanese Breakfast, already present in the main programme of the festival, will add new shows in venues: the former will play in Barcelona and Madrid on the 4th and 7th June respectively and the latter will play in Barcelona on the 4th June.

The line-up which already included over 150 names: Depeche Mode, Blur, Kendrick Lamar, Rosalía, Pet Shop Boys, St. Vincent, Calvin Harris, Le Tigre, Halsey, The Moldy Peaches and Caroline Polachek, amongst many others is therefore enriched. New reasons that anticipate that, for two consecutive weekends, Barcelona and Madrid will reflect the most exciting mirror image of contemporary music at Primavera Sound 2023.

Exclusive Interview with DJ & Producer D’AL SENIO from Cafe De Anatolia

By
Marco Di
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Alexandros Dimoulas better known as D’AL SENIO is making an impact in the electronic music scene lately. We had the chance to catch up with him and he was happy to answer all of our questions.

Check out the full interview below!

Tell us more about yourself & your music career?

I grew up in Athens Greece, where I started as an organic musician at a very young age playing guitar, saxophone, flute and performing with live bands, club DJs and theater acts in the capital and islands. There I was exposed, for the first time, to electronic dance music in Mykonos at the famous parties of Cavo Paradiso and I was inspired to start producing my own music mixing live instruments with electronic beats.

In Greece, there are a lot of traditional music idioms in each region and the Middle Eastern sounds are very prominent thing that nourished my childhood but there was a moment I wanted to go deeper into music and explore other cultures. After a short trip to Paris, I decided to move there as I was impressed with the variety of music and culture that is affluent in this region and ended up staying there for the next ten years.

During this period, I had the chance to study music with some upscale Ethnic/Jazz artists and gained exposure to even more African, Caribbean and North African music culture which is very prominent there. I played with all kinds of music ensembles (ethnic, reggae, afrobeat ,funk, jazz..) fashion and dance shows. At the same time I started to develop my sound as a producer, creating a hybrid electronic live project with saxophone, percussion and tribal fusion dance. This evolution led me to play in some of the most influential clubs/festivals in Paris, releasing records in several electronic genres and gave me the chance to perform around the world (France, Portugal, Thailand, Morocco, Cuba, Croatia..).

After a long experimentation period, I felt it was necessary to focus my energy into the Afro/Organic House sound as this was becoming a natural progression in expressing my own voice. My first releases had a very good impact, climbing fast onto the Top100 Afro House charts which was supported by respected DJs and radios worldwide, pushing me to continue even further.

I couldn’t think of a better place than Tulum for this kind of sound so naturally I followed my heart and moved there in start of my next journey. Immediately it felt like home as Tulum embraced my craft to where I am today.

How would you describe your style of music?

Ethnic Dance music for body & soul! My performances could be anything from sunset Organic House vibes to peak time Afro House and elegant Tech with me playing live flute on top.

Where do you find inspiration?

Everywhere! In nature, spirituality, philosophy, ancient rituals, friends, books,
food, everywhere!

Describe how music is important to society.

From ancient times, music brings people together and connects them with their higher self. In ancient Greece music was one of the basic subjects that was taught as they believed music imitates the movement of the soul.

What is the best time of the day to create?

I don’t have a particular time, it’s all about catching the moment whenever that comes.

Who are your musical influences?

My influences come from a wide range of World music, Reggae/Dub, Spiritual music, Blues Jazz and from the sound of Tulum & Burning Man .

I wouldn’t be where I am today without the inspiration from artists like: Bob Marley, Pink Floyd, Miles Davis, The Doors, Manu Dibango and Thievery Corporation to name a few.

What is the most difficult thing about being a musician?

Embracing uncertainty along with the highs and lows that comes when walking this path, it’s not always easy but yet very exciting!

What has been your biggest career highlight so far?

I spent the last couple of winter seasons in Tulum and the summer seasons touring the Greek islands where I had the chance to perform in very special venues. It’s hard to choose only one. I would say my performance at MIA Tulum as a club experience, my Live Sunset set at AZULIK Tulum and NOBU Santorini would probably be the ones.

What are your latest releases?

My latest releases are “Believe” released by Cafe De Anatolia and “Mirror of Your Soul” out on my label AktinA Records.

What is your connection with Cafe De Anatolia?

When I finished my latest track “Believe” I sent it directly to Cafe De Anatolia, feeling it was the perfect match. I love the ethnic vibe and high quality music of the label and I had them in my mind for quite some time for future releases.

Are you working on something new?

Yes. A lot of new music and collaborations are on the horizon and can’t wait to share this with everyone. I just finished my remix for TOSCA which will be released in the coming months.

Where and when is your next performance?

I’m currently in Tulum finishing some recordings and getting ready for my tour this summer in Europe .My next performance will be in Mexico with BELLS IN THE CITY in the coming weeks.

What’s the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you?

Be yourself and trust the process.

What’s your process for dealing with performance anxiety?

Trying to maintain as much of a healthy lifestyle and keeping my energy high.

Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians?

Believe!

Joyhauser Announce Debut Album ‘In Memoro’ With New Track ‘Wasted’

By
Marco Di
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One of the fastest rising acts on the international electronic music circuit, Belgian duo Joyhauser have enjoyed a fast-track to global acclaim subsequent to their 2017 inception, leading the resurgence of timeless European techno and breeding it with contemporary sensibilities.

With countless hit records to their name, the duo now announces the forthcoming arrival of their debut album, In Memoro, due for worldwide release in June 2023. To mark the announcement, we’re treated to the album’s lead single, Wasted – the first of twelve stirring productions – out now on Terminal M.

Multifaceted in their approach and unyielding commitment to the scene, Joyhauser’s back catalogue is a rich tapestry of opuses that shows great appreciation for the cardinal cuts of techno’s storied history. Following the colossal success of their last Terminal M offering (Crawler EP), it is only fitting that the pair return to their staple home for the biggest release of their career to date.

A beautifully crafted record featuring twelve original productions, In Memoro has been three years in the making and marks the beginning of a new chapter for Joyhauser, as they prepare to enter into the upper echelons of dance music. Their first full length studio album to date, In Memoro will be available to stream and purchase worldwide from all major DSP’s on June 23rd.

The album’s first single, Wasted, is a masterclass in high-impact techno, serving twisted synths and an oscillating atmosphere that’s dictated by the ebb and flow of its hard-hitting percussion. Forming the perfect dichotomy between palpitating drum patterns and heady vocal chops, Joyhauser have cultivated a rapturous underground track that’s rife with apex moments.

The culmination of friendship formed in 2004, Joyhauser represents the combined talents of Joris Cielen and Stijn Vanspauwen. With an insatiable appetite for knowledge and growth at the epicentre of their flourishing career, dance music’s impetuous progression is a welcomed challenge for the pair.

Presenting a maturity well beyond their years in both their production efforts and track selection, the outfit have become firm favourites for the modern audience and yet still present as an untapped act with the scope to enter into the top rankings of our beloved genre.

Listen to the track below.

Glitterbox reveals lineup for Hï Ibiza 2023 summer residency

By
Marco Di
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In May, Glitterbox makes its return to Ibiza super-club Hï Ibiza for its sixth season, securing its spot as one of the club’s longest-running and best-loved residencies. The line-up reveal demonstrates Glitterbox’s unrivalled pull for talent to the island and brings along the night’s iconic performers to dominate Sunday nights for a mighty 22 weeks.

Cementing its status as the island’s most inclusive dancefloor, Glitterbox‘s return welcomes a whole host of fresh faces for 2023 including debuts from the legendary DJ Jazzy Jeff, Benji B, Colleen Cosmo Murphy, SG Lewis, and the infectiously energetic duo Illustrious Blacks.

Powering Hï Ibiza‘s dancefloors from Sunday 7th May, returning headliners will include GRAMMY-award winners Honey Dijon and Purple Disco Machine, Detroit duo Floorplan, Ash Lauryn, Moodymann, Natasha Diggs, Dan Shake, Jamie 3:26, Masters at Work, Glitterbox Radio host Melvo Baptiste and many more.

Glitterbox Hi Ibiza 2023 lineup

“We cannot wait to start our season at Hï Ibiza for another unforgettable summer. Glitterbox’s weekly residency on Sundays will continue to bring the vibrant energy and eclectic music along with some of the biggest DJ’s that has made us a staple on the island. This year promises to be bigger than ever and we can’t wait to welcome you back to the dancefloor.” – George Pritchard, Director of Events and Talent, Defected

Bringing with it a brand-new bold aesthetic for 2023, the label has commissioned renowned artist Haris Nukem to deliver a series of stunning visuals that showcase the label’s iconic performers front and centre. A true embodiment of Glitterbox with its vibrancy and ode to self-expression, this year’s visuals showcase Nukem’s unique hand-painted design, set to come to life on Hï Ibiza‘s dancefloor. Introducing a fresh take on the ever-present Glitterbox slogans, this season will introduce ‘The Love is Real‘, ‘Dance Forever‘ and ‘Feel The Music‘, to convey the party’s unmistakable values and uplifting spirit.

“We’re super happy to welcome back Glitterbox to their summer home at Hï Ibiza! Sundays at Hï Ibiza are always one of the most colourful, flamboyant and fun parties on the island, so we can’t wait for the Glittterbox team and their incredible DJs and dancers to bring another summer-long celebration of disco and house music to the World’s #1 Club” said Yann Pissenem, Founder and CEO of Hï Ibiza.

Providing the ultimate backdrop to the party’s world-class offering, the multi-award-winning Hï Ibiza will once again host party-goers celebrating the joys of music and escapism on the dancefloor. Glitterbox has had a home at Hï Ibiza since the club’s inaugural year in 2017.

Ever since, with the club earning the #1 DJ Mag Top 100 Clubs spot in 2022, the pairing has been celebrated for its impressive musical curation and spectacular production, with crowds returning year on year to immerse themselves in the theatrical party atmosphere, soundtracked by the label’s authoritative mix of party-starting nu disco, vocal house and classic anthems.

Uniting generations of music-lovers and disco devotees, Sundays at Hï Ibiza will continue to be the must-experience party for clubbers on the island, with its unbeatable energy and exuberance set to create more unforgettable moments this summer.

Tickets available HERE!

Interview with multi-talented DJ and Producer Desert Raven from Cafe De Anatolia

By
Alex Gelevski
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We had the opportunity to catch up with the multi-talented DJ and producer Desert Raven to find out more about his music career.

Check out the full interview below!

Tell us more about yourself & your music career?

1. A little bit about me: I am a nomad in many ways, and I love to travel. I have called Denver, Colorado, USA home for the last 18 years. I lived in several countries as a boy, including USA, Italy, Turkey, Greece, Iran, and Portugal. My parents met in Italy and married in Sicily. I was born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. My brother was born in Isfahan, Iran, and my sister was born in Santa Cruz, California, USA. I later travelled on my own when I became old enough to several countries, and I lived in New Zealand during that time. I’ve lived in many states in the United States.

I am a family man, with a wife and three boys. I also have a career in logistics. Along with music, I enjoy woodwork (furniture making and carpentry), camping, hiking, fishing, wilderness survival, gardening, farming, raising animals, and more. I hope to have my own farm one day, with sheep, goats, cows, chickens, various crops, and an orchard with olive trees, lemons, and oranges. Being in nature helps me be whole, to stay healthy, and to grow spiritually.

2. A little bit about my music background and career: I was always around music as a boy. My father played guitar, and my parents listened to really good jazz, soul, funk, R&B, rock, disco, electronica, classical, and many ethnic sounds from around the world. When I was a boy, the electronica of the late 70’s and 80’s fascinated me and set me on my path to become the musician I am today.

Some of my big influences were from the great artists such as Tangerine Dream, Kraftwerk, Giorgio Moroder, Vangelis, Hans Zimmer, Herbie Hancock, Stan Getz, Jaco Pastorious, Frank Zappa, Bob Marley, Led Zeppelin, Parliament Funkadelic, Dire Straits, Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, Yes, Rush, Dream Theater, Jimi Hendrix, Gnawa Diffusion, Ali Farke Toure, Boban Markovic, various other traditional ethnic musicians from various cultures, and others from various genres who combined incredible sound, experimentation, innovation, with great thematic storytelling. All this set the stage for the way I approached modern electronic music.

In the 90’s, I went to a lot of live jam band concerts and festivals, and then also to raves, festivals, underground house parties, where great house music, techno, progressive house, and psytrance were being played. Also during this time I was listening to great ambient, psybient, downtempo music from Carbon Based Lifeforms, Boards of Canada, Aphex Twin, Shpongle, OTT, and others.

In 1993, I bought my first instrument, a $50 Squire Pbass (Fender knockoff) at a flea market and also traded a pack of cigarettes for my first acoustic guitar. I still have both of these instruments. I took some guitar and piano lessons as a kid and young man, but unfortunately did not stick with the lessons. However, I began to teach myself some music theory and also started playing keyboards and modular synthesizers in the mid 2000’s.

In 2009 and 2010, I started DJ’ing parties with friends and also for ethnic community festivals and weddings. It was then that I started playing with truly organic and ethnic traditional music sounds, and this is when organic house, downtempo, slowtech, desert house, and Burning Man began to really get momentum.

Behrouz of Do Not Sit On The Furniture was a big part of bringing “desert house” to the scene. I was in love with it the sound that brought me to my childhood years. OTT’s remix of Shpongle’s “Around The World In A Tea Daze” and OTT’s “Smoked Glass & Mirrors” were massive inspiration for my sound.

In addition, there were others. Lee Burridge and Matthew Dekay released “Lost In A Moment” on Innervisions. Solee released “Pink Panther” on Parquet Records. Dee Montero’s “Halcyon” on Diynamic and his “Mandala (Chant Remix)” on Tale & Tone. Tebra’s “Zov” and “Rod” were big revelations for me, in that Tebra also shares a big psytrance/psychill background with me. All these and others from Satori, Viken Armen, Hraach, Zuma Dionys, Goldcap, Sabo, Sangeet, Lost Desert, Amine K, Iorie, and others sent me down the big rabbit hole of my own sound, which I share more about in the next section.

From the early 2010’s I started DJ’ing local Burning Man tribe parties and started doing live streams on Twitch. I would occasionally play a special event at a Denver bar here and there. My last one was opening for JaiHo production’s Desi Rave at The Local in Denver in Novemeber. I played a great downtempo, slowtech, organic house set with lots of super spiritual and Indian ethnic sounds. I definitely love playing in both outdoor venues, outdoor parties, and more intimate, organic indoor venues. I think having an “underground” approach to music is the only way for me.

Since 2016, I have been seriously producing and improving my skills, vision, and focus every day. I feel that I am really hitting my stride now. Even if it is later in life, compared to some of the really big names, it is such a blessing. I am creating the best music of my life now and performing at a higher level each new event. You will see much, much more in upcoming months and years. I look forward to sharing all of these sounds and moments with you!

How would you describe your style of music?

I seek to create soundscapes with depth and layering of emotion, with extended build-ups and climaxes. I work with music that is primarily longer form and believe that, like our own deeper feelings, good, deep music takes time to surface. As a storyteller, I embrace the epic storytelling tradition, so my music feels epic in scope and very much like a story.

I seek the mystical groove in all sounds. My signature style has grown and matured into an organic, ethnic, psychedelic, trippy sound, with an ancient feel, evoking a mystical vision experience. I still seek to explore new soundscapes where possible. I am a versatile artist. I have released songs in several genres, from organic house to downtempo to slowtech to psybient to progressive house to melodic techno.  Overall, I seek to bring the audience close, making even larger events feel like an intimate party among close friends and family, where trust, love, and freedom of spirit are paramount.

My personal approach to composition and production is to infuse deeper, more ambient sounds into all he does, to evoke nature and dreams. I believe ethnic, traditional instruments should be used as much as possible and that they can work beautifully with well-crafted electronic sounds. A bass player at heart, I seek to create rhythm and harmony that penetrates to the heart and brings the heart of the listener and dancer to a level of energy in sync with, as mentioned earlier, deep feelings.

I seek to find and bring the listener to a place of natural, spiritual illumination, where the listener encounters healing, encouragement, and divine purpose. I seek to unite people organically with truly organic sound and authentic human spirit and soul. Music comes from God, and it is truth, live, love…an eternal, timeless miracle that comes into our world through inspired musicians who carry the sound, message, and transformative experience as humble, imperfect, broken vessels, letting the mighty power of life radiate and burn through the music.

Where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration in many things: nature, relationships with my tribe (family, friends, and acquaintances in the music community), my life experiences (especially through suffering, which yields so much life, beauty, redemption, love, truth, peace, if one let’s it), history, various cultures, and noteworthy current events in the world immediately me and far away.

Probably as important as any of that is the master, mature musicians who are great storytellers. They do much more than simply make good music. They tell stories with power, which transform people to the core. There are many such musicians whom no one has ever heard about because they are not invested in the industry of modern music. They are the old path. Tribal ceremonies, family gatherings, local pubs and halls, street corners, and just spending time with friends. This is the root of where I come from and receive so much inspiration.

Describe how music is important to society.

As I said above, music is a part of the oral storytelling tradition and many religions. It is spiritual. It holds life, love, truth, healing, illumination, revelation, vision, prophecy, inspiration, edification, tribal and culture identity, meaning and purpose to our lives, and more. It has the power to transform human lives each and every time.

Musicians, in my opinion, should keep this as their motivation for making music. Yes, it’s nice to have a career as a musician, but it’s far more important to serve and heal and encourage and illumination mankind through passionate, loving, truthful approach to expressing music. My entire being is one with my sound now, and I will never look back. This is the path.

What is the best time to create?

My best time of day to create is absolutely in the morning. I rise in my spirit with the sun. It’s a very clear, clean, inspired, and powerful time of day for me to create.

What is the most difficult thing about being a musician?

For me, the most difficult thing about being a musician is more practical, in that I have a family of my own to provide for and have a second career logistics, in which I work many hours every other week. It is hard for me to travel often to perform. I have more limited time over the course of each month to create in the studio.

So, after taking care of my family and other work obligations, I have to put an intense amount of work in less time. I admire other artists who can do music 24/7, but I am not jealous. I love my path in life, and it gives me so much inspiration and energy and motivation to create music with all my heart, since time is at such a premium for me. Nothing less than 100% for me. It’s the only way.

What has been your biggest career highlight so far? 

My biggest career highlight so far has been two things:

1. I was playing the Desi Rave event in Denver, when a middle-aged woman of Indian background came up to me and said, “I absolutely love the traditional and spiritual sounds you played tonight. They brough me back home to my life in India and really made my heart soar. There are not too many people like you, so please keep doing what you’re doing. It is amazing, and I really appreciate what you did tonight.” This meant the world to me. It was one of the greatest compliments and honors I’ve ever received in my life.

2. I am in a very hot phase of a lot of releasing a lot of great EP’s on great labels, such as Cafe De Anatolia, Kosa, trndmsk, Tibetania, Fruity Alfred, and more. I am targeting releases this year for Cafe De Anatolia, Kosa, Cosmic Awakenings, Sol Selectas, Baikal Nomads, Spiritual Nomad, and more. Stay tuned!

Are you working on something new?

Upcoming collaborations, in addition to the artists mentioned before here, also includes work with SoulPacifica and eXtreme 4 again.  

I am working on taking my Odyssey podcast, which I started two years ago with my dear friend Dirlasion from Greece and turn it into parties around the world, for my Odyssey family. In addition, I am starting a new organic/downtempo/psychill podcast called Primordial. I hope all this can find good success and support with my tribe around the world: those whom I know, and those whom I will meet in the future.

What are your latest releases? 

Hokkaido EP – trndmsk – January 2023

What is your connection with Cafe De Anatolia? 

My connection with Cafe De Anatolia is through the scene in general and through my releases with them. I released my Surb Ughin EP and released my remix of “Sovngarde” for Veytik and Stephane Salerno on CDA. I have several friends who have recently released with CDA. I’ve recently gotten to know Nickarth and the rest Cafe De Anatolia family as well. It is a pleasure for me to have the support of such an incredible label and its global community. I love working with them, and it really feels like we share much of the same vision for music.

Are you working on something new?

I am working on several great projects, both solo and with other artists, such as Veytik, Audaks, Umannto, Eternal Moment, VadimoooV, Stephane Salerno, MI.LA, Purple Tape, Maris, DJ Ismailovic, The Mystic, Alfredo Botta, Sadam Seguya, ExitOnli, Rokeya, and Ahyoka.

Where and when is your next performance?

Currently, for my next performance, I am working on playing a big night at Beacon in Denver sometime in Spring. Most of my touring in 2023 will be in North America, especially USA. I hope to play many quality events in Denver, Colorado, USA, to help build the music community hear that my sound works well with. I look forward to travelling to more countries to perform as a musician, and hope to tour Greece, North Macedonia, and Turkey in 2024.

What’s the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you?

One of the best pieces of advice ever was when I was starting to DJ more parties and starting producing: “Be yourself always in the sound and remember that it’s better to have 1000 fiercely loyal supporters around the world who are like family and your tribe than 1 million “fans” who don’t really care about your true mission and who you are.” This has served me well every single day since.

What’s your process for dealing with performance anxiety?

To close my eyes, breathe, and remember that God made me, has a plan for me, that I love life and love mankind, that this moment was meant to be for us together as family, for healing, joy, love, peace, inspiration, encouragement, new memories, and everything else good. There is NO reason to be worried about anything. Everything that is meant to be will be, and I can help that happen by having faith and giving peace to my heart and to others.

How Covid19 changed the terms of the music industry? 

It did two things primarily, in my point of view:

1. It really hurt the music industry by killing many, many live event opportunities (which is where we truly must take music). Listening through headphones or watching on a computer is not how music was really meant to be played since the beginning. It hurt many professional musician’s careers and demoralized and depressed many, damaging many lives. It killed freedom and connection with each other.

2. It drove many into the studio to produce more, which, in one way is amazing, since so much powerful music has come out of this. However, this also saturated the market with music and artists, from the labels and release perspective. If you want competition, well you really have it now. I’m not worried, though. I have faith in my path and mission, and I believe in my sound and what I bring to the world with my music.

Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians? 

I would say the exact same thing as was told to me above: “Be yourself always in the sound and remember that it’s better to have 1000 fiercely loyal supporters around the world who are like family and your tribe than 1 million “fans” who don’t really care about your true mission and who you are.”

Reinier Zonneveld and Kiki Solvej join forces on new EP “Keine Liebe, Kein Rave”

By
Marco Di
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Reinier Zonneveld & Kiki Solvej join forces for a brand new EP “Keine Liebe, Kein Rave” out now on Filth on Acid, just for your listening pleasure!

Kiki Solvej is a German DJ, producer and vocalist with a lifelong connection to music. She has performed on mega stages like Tomorrowland and debuted on this label late last year. Reinier Zonneveld is on a fine run of form having revitalised hard techno and acid over the last couple of years with his faithless label, DJ sets and unique live shows.

Here’s what Kiki had to say about it:

“Keine Liebe, Kein Rave’ is about the love you feel, when you are – let’s say it like this (laughs) a ‘real raver’. Without true emotions there is no real rave. And this is always something that Reinier and I have in common so much. Our love for each other, our love for the music, the scene, the rave. This is why we’re here.”

Reinier Zonneveld adds:

“What we tried to pack into this so special track is what being at a rave is giving us: feeling the extreme, the lightness, the powerful, the hedonism (in a good way), the realness and most of all the connection to other people. Having the connection to each other while touring the world, making music together and sharing our passion and then also being connected to so many other people is what feeds us every day new energy.”

‘Keine Liebe, Kein Rave‘ kicks off with rock solid drums and a machine beat that will lock in the crowd then blow its mind with mind alterings synths that fizz with real energy. Dark vocal loops add more intensity to this funky banger. Royal then brings the laser lit rave sounds with flashes of acid and bright synths over quick techno beats.

This is another triumph from this label. Listen to the tracks below.

Bedouin unveil new track “Aliens”

By
Marco Di
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On the heels of “Voices In My Head,” Bedouin returns with the next taste of their debut album, Temple of Dreams. Looking toward the proverbial stars, the just-released “Aliens” is a celestial club cut that blends surreal lyrical imagery into a hypnotic mixture of pulsating percussive kicks and spacey synths.

As intricate and intentional as it is catchy, the single is a prime teaser of what to expect from Temple of Dreams via Bedouin‘s own label Human By Default. “Aliens” comes alongside a surreal music video directed by Christian Lamb (John Mayer, OneRepublic) that tracks the movements of a masked figure from childhood to adulthood.

As the protagonist blankly spectates on a world with arguing parents and packed clubs, the visuals — at times tragic and other times blissful — are as mystifying as the music. In collaboration with Lamb, the duo of Bedouin add another fascinating dimension to their work.

Bedouin Aliens

Between Bedouin‘s Tamer Malki and Rami Abousabe, the gestation of their new track began when Rami wrote a personal poem and Tamer built lead elements around those words, effortlessly evolving into traditional lyrics and electronic catharsis. While “Aliens” might have extraterrestrial connotations via its title, Rami explains, “The song is about living in the moment.

It’s quite often that can lead into being quite misunderstood. It’s something that’s very important for my life. Waiting for happiness to come in the future…for me seemed really sad.” It’s the kind of deep, emotional insight that’s coming to define Bedouin‘s road toward Temple of Dreams.

The musicians, singer-songwriters, and producers in Bedouin have spent the better part of a decade fine-tuning their sound, which draws as much from their Middle Eastern heritage as it does their world travels as DJs playing iconic venues across the globe. Malki explains the forthcoming Temple of Dreams looks to “experiment and push the boundaries.” It differs from their previous work, as the album is intended to be a deep listening experience for the fans, rather than a slew of club cuts.

The multi-talented artists sought to create a timeless sound in Temple of Dreams. Malki outlines that the album lies between “what we play on stages around the world and what we’re capable of writing and producing as musicians and producers. We wanted to exceed expectations and present something that you might think or feel you’ve heard before, yet it’s something completely new—not what might be expected from us.”

As they prepare to embark on their long-awaited debut album release and their beloved Saga residency at top Ibiza club Pacha, Bedouin offers up an elevated take on electronic music with “Aliens.” Expect more to come from a duo at the height of their creative capabilities as they work toward Temple of Dreams.

Listen to the track below.

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