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Meet DJ and Producer Nasca from Cafe De Anatolia

By
Metodi Gogovski
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Our team had the chance to catch up with the extremely talented DJ and producer Nasca to find out more about his music career.

Check out the full interview below!

Tell us more about yourself & your music career?

Hello my name is Nasca and I am a French electronic music producer. I grew up in Chile and I am now living in Paris. My first contact with electronic music was when i was around 11 when I discovered trance music. And I got into music production back in 2007 after playing on piano for several years.

At the beginning I was recording audio loops with my laptop microphone and then cycling them on Audacity…definitely not the most straightforward way to produce ! (and they will be released one day …)

I released my first track in 2017 on German label Traüm Schallplatten. After this release  I mostly produced tracks in the genre of melodic house & downtempo either published on records labels (Uzons, Traüm, Plaisirs Sonores, Kosa) or by myself.

The “Come With Me” EP is my first release on Cafe De Anatolia. Natalie is a seasoned vocalist, she worked with some big names (Husky, Purple Disco Machine, …) and I am so happy she was directly onboard with the project. For the remix I wanted someone with a different style and with a unique musical signature. I found both in Balancé’s music and he was in already! Also a big thanks to Nickarth and Monika Ilieva from Cafe De Anatolia for all the promo work they put into the release.

How Covid19 changed the terms of the music industry? How did affected you?

Today music industry relies mostly on live venues, so this virus was the worst vicious thing that could happen….Everything was shut down off so fast, revealing how ephemeral and fragile this industry actually is.

For what I observed in Paris, new comers and small players were given the chance to take the lead and stand out. It was some sort of big reset in the musical scene, an example of Schumpeterian creative destruction.

In my personal case, during the lockdown I finally found the time I needed to start working on my Ableton live performance. Also, togehter with my friends we started the Pic du Son, a DIY electronic music microfestival in France.

Are you working on something new? Where and when is your next performance?

In the studio, I am studying generative music (music that generate by itself) and trying to adapt the concept to be able to generate fully arranged songs. Ableton is the best tool for that because compared to other DAW it has a very mathematical approach of music production. Also there are plenty of third parties tools that expand its creative possibilities.

On the live performance side, I am finalizing my Ableton performance set up for 2023. I would like to move further into trance music so I need to readapt everything (set structure, creative blocks, MIDI etc). The more I spend time on it, the more I discover new tools and ideas, possibilities are endless ! So for me having a show deadline is crucial to commit to something and not going backwards….

Finally I also will be organizing the Pic du Son festival 2023. It will be our third edition and we want to stay very small. It is enough to be viable and we want to keep a friendly vibe.

Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians? 

1. You don’t need fancy hardware to start making music. For me I mostly used mouse & keyboard (learn all the shortcuts though) and a 25 note keyboard. Now, I also have an Ableton Push 2 and Midi Fighter Twister, they’re both very versatile machines.

2. Regularity, minimum 4 to 6 hours per week I would say.

3. Force yourself to release at a regular pace, or everything will stay on your hard drive forever.

4. You can do your own promo, do not rely mainly on the label (if there is one ).

Audio Obscura X SORA will bring Adriatique, Henrik Schwarz, Nadia Struiwigh, & NONOTAK to the Gashouder in Amsterdam

By
Marco Di
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Audio Obscura
Audio Obscura ADE ©Katja Rupp

Audio Obscura X SORA will bring superstar DJs and producers such as Adriatique, Henrik Schwarz, and Nadia Struiwigh, to the Gashouder in Amsterdam, taking visitors on a unique immersive audiovisual adventure on January 28th.

Immersive audiovisual art brand Unfold.art announces the details of a collaboration with Audio Obscura and Cultural District Westergas for the ‘rave’ element of its upcoming launch show SORA—coming to Amsterdam this January.

SORA is a breathtaking new kinetic light installation that is taking over the iconic Gashouder for a residency of exhibitions, live show performances and a rave in early 2023.

Headlining the rave event on January 28 are Adriatique: the formidable Swiss duo who have a long-running partnership with Audio Obscura, and who will work with SORA creators NONOTAK to deliver a breathtaking once-in-a-lifetime show.

Working in synergy with each other, the two parties will create a long, hypnotizing and exhilarating set where the light art installation will be just as important as the sounds played by the talented house & techno act. Prepare to witness something you have never seen before on the cutting-edge of music and art.

Unfold.art’s aim is to make immersive art accessible for everyone, presenting large-scale experiences in collaboration with today’s most innovative artists from the worlds of new art, media, technology and sound. These breathtaking projects will be toured through black box locations across the world, and each will be experienced in three formats: as exhibitions, live shows and a rave.

These different setups enable the art to become accessible for a global and universal audience; from young children to their grandparents from live music enthusiasts to art critics and from yogis to clubbers.

Anyone who witnessed Peggy Gou’s incredible set at the previous collab between Audio Obscura and Westergas in early 2020, the forerunner to Unfold.art, will know that this is a show that is simply not to be missed. It will push the boundaries of what we know as an electronic music event like you have never seen and experienced before.

Pre-registration for Audio Obscura X SORA starts today, regular tickets go on sale December 8th via Audio Obscura’s official website.

Kappa Futur Festival confirms it will be returning in 2023

By
Metodi Gogovski
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Kappa Futur

Italy’s iconic Kappa Futur Festival confirms it will be returning in 2023 for its 10th edition.

Following this summer’s sell out festival (over 85,000 tickets sold), which for the first time extended from two to three days, the award-winning event will be back on 30th June at Torino‘s Parco Dora for another three days of celebrations. And there’s lots to celebrate… The 2023 festival will mark their 10th anniversary edition – an incredible milestone for any festival and testament to how popular Kappa Futur Festival has become and how it has managed to sustain its reputation as one of the world’s best music festivals.

The 10th edition will be their most ambitious event yet with top class production, an un-beatable line up and lots of special celebrations for the 10th birthday – more details coming soon.

The first wave of line-up will be released early in the New Year, but expect some of the biggest and best names in electronic music. Plus returning for 2023, the acclaimed Art & Techno experience along with other irresistible VIP + Hotel packages. All to be confirmed over the coming months. But for now guarantee your part in electronic music history and grab your 10th anniversary ticket whilst they last!

Early bird tickets are available from 30th November until January 16th at a 50% discount for weekend tickets. Visit the link.

Exclusive Interview with Tensteps where he shares some of his very own music production tips

By
Alex Gelevski
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With some years in the Electronic Dance music world, Tensteps has already made a name for himself with his impressive repertoire, as well as, his remarkable skills as a producer and live performer. With collaborations with VIP names like Andrew Rayel and Standerwick. His outstanding signature style and sound that blends elements from Trance, Progressive, Melodic Bass or Psytrance is surely inimitable.

Now, we invited Tensteps to share some of his very own music production tips.

Hello Tensteps, how are you?

Doing great but pretty tired. Just got home today from Dreamstate SoCal, it was an amazing but exhausting weekend, Haha.

What set of gear do you think is ideal for setting up a home studio?

Bare essentials would be, a decent pair of monitors (I used the Tannoy 501a Reveals for a long time, I think they’re discontinued but there’s a newer model at the same price point) and a good 1 or 2 channel interface (I highly recommend Audient interfaces – great prices for very high-quality sound). Then, I would recommend just spending a little money on acoustic treatment for your room, that will make a ton of difference to what you hear as you’re mixing.

Which DAW would you recommend to someone starting their music production journey?

I’m a big proponent of Logic if you’re on a Mac, which is what I use. Ableton would be my recommendation if you’re on a PC.

Which plugins and effects would you say are essential for music production?

The reality is, most DAWs these days come with a stock set of plugins that are quite good. I still use the stock Logic compressor all the time, even though I have tons of third-party compressors. But if I was to recommend some good third-party stuff, I use the Fabfilter suite constantly, especially Pro Q 3 for EQing. Also a big fan of both the ArtsAcoustic reverb and the ValhallaRoom verb as well. For delay, my go-to is Soundtoys’ Echoboy.

What would you say is the best starting point for producing a track?

Wherever it comes most naturally to you! Some people start with the main melody, some people think more chronologically and start with the intro. All depends on how your brain works. I don’t have a set method myself, just depends what idea I have first.

What are your thoughts on sampling? Do you do it? How do you think anyone can make the most out of a sample?

When done well, sampling is a great creative tool, but it shouldn’t be solely relied upon for the success of your track. I get frustrated when I hear a track that just relied on a recognizable vocal sample to get people to be interested and then it’s clear that the rest of the production was lazy because the producer assumed that sample would do the heavy lifting for them.

How do you know when a track is ready?

When I realize that the small tweaks I’m making are no longer affecting the quality of the song.

Are there any recommendations of books, YouTube channels, tutorials, or websites where beginners can learn from?

I learned everything I know from experimentation and YouTube channels for the most part. Most of those YouTube channels are defunct now unfortunately, this was like 10 years ago. There’s a course (several actually) from Rick Snoman at his website dancemusicproduction.com that’s really good, I took the uplifting Trance one a few years ago just to pick up a few new things and it taught me so much about sound design and some little things I’d been missing.

What’s the most important thing to keep in mind while producing music?

The song is in service of its audience, but it’s also in service of you. Make the music you want to hear, and then find the other people out there who would enjoy it too.

What’s the best thing to do when struggling to find inspiration?

The two schools of thought on this are “take a break and come back when you’re inspired” and “push through it and create anyway”. I personally can’t work on music if I’m not feeling it, so I’ll go play video games or get something to eat or watch some TV or even handle emails and other business stuff, and come back to Logic when I’m ready. That might lead to endless procrastination for some people, but it works for me.

Franky Wah releases This Is SHÈN. A new mixtape of 27 unreleased tracks

By
Marco Di
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Franky Wah

Franky Wah releases This Is SHÈN. A new mixtape of 27 unreleased tracks from one of the most exciting talents in dance music today, This Is SHÈN is out now via Franky’s own label, SHÈN Recordings.

Dropping today with latest single The Otherside – Franky‘s new collaboration with New Zealand artist Robinson, who is known for her dreamy blend of hypnotic pop vocals, This Is SHÈN is a 27-track vault of previously unreleased music which has been extensively played out in Franky‘s sets all year.

The full mixtape epitomises SHÈN Recordings, featuring collaborations with vocalists Robinson, Luisant and Lunar June, along with seeing Franky team up with dance music visionary Sasha on I’ll Never Change (SHÈN Edit). Each track showcases Franky‘s eclectic style from house, techno and the melodic elements which swiftly have become his trademark, meticulously crafted for late night and early morning dance floors.

Franky Wah This Is SHÈN

Following the announcement of the mixtape last month, This Is SHÈN has continued to garner support from Franky‘s industry peers, with the tracks becoming regular fixtures on BBC Radio 1. Highlighted by Pete Tong awarding the previously released single Formulate his ‘Essential New Tune’, This Is SHÈN is Franky‘s most career-defining body of work to date.

“This mixtape was a project that initially started out as 8 tracks. Through multiple rounds of revisions, 8 tracks then turned into 27 as I had so much music that I was sitting on. I’ve been playing most of these records in my sets for a while now and seeing the reaction to them, it was clear that they needed to see the light of day. I think this mixtape is definitely one for the fans and a way for me to give back the records that they’ve stayed until the early hours of the morning at my shows for.” – Franky Wah

Following today’s full release of This Is SHÈN, Franky will be embarking on his final headline tour of 2022 across the U.S this December.

Watch Franky debut a live mix of This Is SHÈN in its entirety within a full cinematic video below:

Kala, the original Albanian festival returns for 2023

By
Andry Bosk
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In 2018, Kala swept the European festival circuit by offering a dreamy blend of beach vacation and music festival, earning it a reputation as the new dance paradise and elevating Albania as a festival hotspot without a tent in sight.

By delivering a full week of top-notch music, blissful beach days, and a cosy festival atmosphere on the sun-drenched beaches of the Albanian Riviera, Kala, now returns for its 4th event taking place from 31st – 7th June.

The festival schedule is made to allow for days to party, unwind, and explore the amazing surroundings. Kala offers something for everyone, from action-packed holiday fun to unusual extended sets by favourite DJs, to sun-soaked beach days and icy cocktails.

All tickets include accommodation, which ranges from cosy beach huts to fancy 5* hotels, all at affordable prices. Tickets for a 7-day stay that includes lodging and a festival wristband start at a very affordable £269 / 310€ per person at the current tier. The next round of tickets will be released on Tuesday 29th November for those who sign up to the ticket waiting list, Information is available HERE.

With a schedule of boat excursions, wellness workshops, and enjoyable holiday activities, Kala will once again provide plenty of action away from the dancefloor to complement the pleasantly unhurried musical offering.

Juan Lopez, Marketing Manager of Kala says:

“In a fast-changing festival landscape, Kala offers a new way of experiencing a summer festival, pairing a beach holiday at an exciting offbeat destination, an intimate and friendly festival atmosphere, and a curation that sets it apart from its peers with a healthy amount of live music, extended 5h sets by the headline DJs, and an eclectic yet coherent selection of talent across decades and genres.”

Emphasizing quality over quantity, the top DJs on the bill are invited to play extended sets, with Hunee & Antal and Moxie & Leon Vynehall filling two out of the five all-night slots. Other top-rated sectors booked to play at Kala‘s beachside stages include Marcellus Pittman, CC:DISCO!, Prins Thomas, Paula Tape, Yu Su, Secretsundaze, and Maurice Fulton who will bring their signature eclectic selections, while the likes of Lena Willikens, Vladimir Ivkovic and Ciel will cover harder sounds.

Rounding off the bill, Brian Not Brian, Jan Schulte, Jamie Tiller, John Gómez, Lauren Hansom, and Nick The Record will soundtrack the iconic Gjipe stage, situated at the end of an impressive canyon only accessible by boat.

Wellness plays a big role at Kala with yoga sessions, meditation, gong baths, and beach massages available to calm the mind and ease sore muscles from dancing. For those who would rather enjoy the festival site’s crystal-clear waters, kayaking, pedal boats, paddle boarding, and snorkelling will also be an option.

A wide selection of onsite restaurants and bars will be keeping festival goers fuelled throughout the week, offering a range of delicious Mediterranean food, including plenty of mouthwatering locally sourced vegetables and fresh seafood.

All tickets include accommodation and a festival wristband. There is a wide range of options available, from exotic beach huts to fancy 5* hotels, and most are within walking distance from the festival site. Having a comfy bed to rest in is one of the aspects that makes Kala different from other festival experiences.

TR3AL is set to debut his new radio show Holy Rave on iHeartRADIO

By
Metodi Gogovski
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Multi-talented EDM DJ and producer TR3AL can now add radio host to his list of achievements. He is set to debut his brand new radio show “Holy Rave” this Friday December 2nd on iHeartRADIO. The show will be airing every Friday night at 9pm pst.

We caught up with TR3AL to ask him about his new show. Here’s what he had to say:

1. How does it feel to have your own show?

I can tell you that I am very excited to have my own show. It’s a dream come true and goes to show you hard work and persistence pays off.

2. How did you come up with the name of the show?

I was trying to be unique when coming up with a name for my show. I actually had about 20 names but Holy Rave was the name I really liked.

3. Could you outline your hosting style?

I don’t really have a hosting style since this is my first time hosting my own show but what I can tell you is that my show is going to have pure energy so I encourage everyone to tune in and feel the energy.

4. Are you comfortable talking to people on the radio without seeing them?

I am very comfortable talking to people on the radio without seeing them. I’ve done a lot of public speaking in my career and feel confident about being able to connect with an audience even when I can’t see them.

5. What are some of your favorite radio shows and why?

I really love Big Boy’s Neighborhood because I find the topics they cover to be very interesting. I also like how they have different segments on each show so there are always new things to learn. Another favorite of mine is the prank calls. They are hilarious.

6. What has been your biggest accomplishment in your career thus far?

My biggest accomplishment was signing on with international talent agency MN2S. That was a very big accomplishment for my career and it has helped me land some bigger gigs.

7. What do you wish you had known when you started out?

Time management. Music requires a lot of time. When I first started I was all over the place. I believe with music you have to learn as you go and you have to fail before you can succeed.

8. What’s the most common reason for people failing or giving up?

I think people who don’t have discipline are the ones who give up and quit. People have to realize nothing in life comes easy and everything requires hard work and dedication. Some of the most successful people in the world failed many times before they became successful.

Exclusive Interview with super-talented DJ and producer ORKIDZ from Cafe De Anatolia

By
Alex Gelevski
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ORKIDZ (Issam J) is a multi-instrumentalist, producer and DJ. His music is a reflection of his multiculturalism and his life experiences as a biologist, traveler and collector of traditional and folklore music from around the world.

His style combines ethnic, melodic and organic elements with deep electronic sounds covering genres such as organic House, downtempo, dub, afro house, deep and melodic house and more.

He has performed as a DJ and as a live electronic act playing instruments such as guitar, oud, dan sen and other traditional instruments and has released music on world-renowned record labels such as Cafe De Anatolia, Sol Selectas, Cosmic Awakenings, Lump Records, Shango Records and more. His music is in perpetual evolution as he strives to take listeners on new and exciting musical and spiritual journeys.

Check out the full interview below!

Tell us more about yourself and your music career

I am Moroccan/American currently based in Portugal. I have a phD in Biology and have worked as a researcher and lecturer in environmental and molecular biology. I have also always been passionate about music and pursued it in parallel to my day jobs. I started playing the guitar at 14 years old and have been learning different instruments over the years like the bass, oud, buzuki, mandolin, Moroccan Outar and a few south-east Asian instruments more recently. I started making electronic music in California and got involved in the NorCal Bass music scene and have slowly built my own sound from there.

How would you describe your style of music?

My music combines electronic sounds with traditional/tribal musical elements from different parts of the world.

Where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration in my Moroccan/ African roots and the beautiful cultures I discover through my travels and research. I also find inspiration in my love for nature and the environment.

Who are your musical influences?

My musical influences vary quite a bit, the main ingredient is drawn from traditional and folk music from around the world but I am also influenced by electronic music artists like Stimming, Bonobo, Aphex twin, Nu, and many more. Outside electronic music, I draw a lot of inspiration from groovy organic music from different parts of the world, particularly from the 1970’s, artists such as James Brown, Fela Kuti, Mulatu Astatke, Fruko, Afrosound, Joao Gilberto and many more.

What are your latest releases?

My track “Ido” from a 4-track tribal/afro house EP of the same title drops in December on trndmsk, along with “Cumbia Loca” EP with my good friends at Cafe De Anatolia. I also have a few EPs coming in the next month and couple of singles dropping before the end of the year, with more music in early 2023.

I had previously released two EP’s with Cafe de Anatolia titled “Sari” and “The Shepherd” and established a great relationship with them. “Cumbia Loca” is a three track EP with a South-American flavor. I am very excited to be able to work with Cafe De Anatolia on this release.

Where and when is your next performance?

I just recently moved to Portugal and I am currently planning shows in different parts of the country. I also have exciting tours planned for the year 2023.

Exclusive Interview with multi-talented producer and DJ Kardano

By
Marco Di
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Music producer and DJ Kardano, is a rising talent aiming high at conquering dancefloors all over the world. His unique style and sound that blends a high-energy and laid-back groove has found its space through his performances across Canada.

With hard-hitting releases and powerful productions ready to be released, we asked Kardano to tell us more about his special tips and tricks regarding his music production process. This is what he said.

Hello Kardano, how are you doing?

Awesome! Got back from the gym, having a day in the studio with my kids. Business as usual or fun for others.

What set of gear is a good recommendation for setting up a home studio?

Everything if you’re not on a budget and have the room, but I only say this because I’m kind of a gear-head. But if you’re just starting out, I would say a good audio interface with nice monitors, a DAW that you are comfortable with, which gives you industry standard audio files and some sound treatment for your room.

Which part of a track would you say is best to start with?

I like to start with the bass line then build the chords sometimes, or I used chord generators from Union Audio, but a lot of the time it’s bass lines and everything flows together after.

What’s your take on samples? How do you think you can make the most out of a sample?

Samples are cool, but I feel you always run into problems with labels, when they’re not in touch with a major label to clear the sample. I’ve kind of stayed away from them and either do covers which make it a little easier for a label to clear and put out. I know there is site that gives you the clearance on sample but you’re limited what everyone is using, so it’s best to stay original, less work when it comes to putting your music out.

Which plugins and effects are your favorites?

Fab Filter EQ is an awesome tool, UAD Plug-ins analog EQ to warm things up, many different reverbs and delays since they are like the salt and pepper on mixing. For me and UAD’s Unison Pre-Amp when working with vocalists and using my Electro spit, Unison Audios Midi Wizard and Drum Monkey, Bass room and Mix room, Melodyne, some iZotope plugins and many other plug-ins to taste.

How do you know when a track is finished?

I do my mix down when I’ve finished all my loops, then add the ear candy after which is easy to mix, then check the mix in the car and if it works in the car, it usually works in a lot of places. My songs usually consist of a kick, clap, hat, percussion, a couple of drum loops with hi-pass filters to help with the swing of the drums; bass, keyboard or synth with chords and melody, I generally like to move on when I have something, even if I kind of hate song which I end up liking when it’s a finished product. You almost have to be like an ensemble in Dance music to keep up, which is a sad reality.

What, in your opinion, is the most important thing to keep in mind when producing music?

If you love doing it you will keep doing it, try not to sound like everyone else or follow trends which is really hard, but at least try. I fall into this trap sometimes, we are all human, right?

Are there any YouTube videos, books, courses or blogs you’d recommend to someone starting out their music production journey?

Future Music YouTube channel is really awesome to watch, it helped me a lot when I started out and I still watch it once in a while, also Tom Frampton’s channel.

Do you have any special advice for music production beginners?

Have fun and love the music that you’re making because it’s going to suck sometimes, just finish your project and show it to friends and family, they might lie to you and say it’s good but it’s always good to find a friend with music production experience to give you feedback, but if you’re doing this to feed some part of your ego, you’re doing it for the wrong reason.

How do you keep yourself inspired?

Going to the gym trying to stay healthy, finding cool music before a DJ gig and getting a good night’s sleep.

Vinny Vibe introduces his latest banger ‘Let It Go’ in collaboration with Ferris

By
Marco Di
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Vinny Vibe is a force to be reckoned with. The talented DJ and music producer introduces his latest banger ‘Let It Go’ in collaboration with Ferris, via KESS Records.

Vinny Vibe is no stranger to the charts, having reached the number one spot on Miami Dance radio, with his original track ‘Seven Seas’, his popular remixes have earned him top spots on major charts, like his remix of Bad Bunny and Jay Cortez hit ‘Dakota’ which hit the #1 in North America on iHearts Remix Top 30 countdown with Hollywood Hamilton.

Vinny Vibe’s success shows no signs of slowing down, releasing fresh hits back-to-back, that showcase his unparalleled style and sound, while curating the best mixes for his weekly radio show ‘Good Vibes’, which airs during the Friday morning drive time on Pitbull’s Globalization, on Sirius XM Ch 13, reaching a large audience eager to enjoy his skillful and tasteful style.

Vinny Vibe Let it Go

This time, Vinny Vibe teamed up with talented singer-songwriter and music producer Ferris to produce this new hard-hitting single.

‘Let It Go’ features a signature Dance synth progression, a catchy vocal melody, an energetic beat that serves as the backbone of this impressive record. Playful vocal chops, dark pads and sonic elements add dynamism to the track. The urgent risers make way for intense drops that release the party, supported by a bouncy and robust bass line. Interesting vocal processing gives the track a refreshing and uplifting vibe.

This is certainly a powerful and energizing track that assures a stimulating listening experience as well as an unbeatable and electrifying party vibe.

Don’t forget to follow Vinny Vibe as he continues to make his way to the top of the list of artists to follow.

Listen to the track below.

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