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Above & Beyond release acoustic version of ‘Sahara Love’

Above & Beyond

The latest single to be taken from their forthcoming ‘Acoustic III’ album due for release in summer 2020, Above & Beyond, Zoë Johnston and long-time collaborator, producer Bob Bradley, today share a reimagined take on ‘Sahara Love’.

Revisiting an indie-leaning highlight from Above & Beyond‘s 2018 Billboard top three album, ‘Common Ground‘, ‘Sahara Love’ has always had a live band’s spirit, even within the original electronic production.

The acoustic arrangement champions this further, heavily influenced by the soulful sounds of the 60s.

Above & Beyond’s Acoustic III album is available to pre-order now from the Anjuna Music Store: HERE

Watch the official video, recorded at Alexandra Palace Theatre in London below.

You can also watch the bands live performance of ‘Flying By Candlelight’ featuring Marty
Longstaff below.

Exclusive interview with super-talented DJ, producer and label owner, Anna Tur

Anna Tur

She’s a native of Ibiza, an artist found in a profound connection with music since her early age, “the soul and blood of a pure DJ”, as she describes herself. Anna Tur, age 36, has been DJing for 10 years, producing and co-producing for a little over 2 years. Gral Manager at Ibiza Global Radio, owner of Illusion Music Label, Anna Tur loves to play house beats, groovy sounds leading you to a melodic techno. “I’m pure nerve”, she says.

11 years ago, Anna Tur discovered the famous Luciano, the artist who fascinated and inspired her to start DJing. In 2009, Ana had her first gig at Space Ibiza, as guest for Camilo Franco, who was the resident of the club back then. Space Ibiza won the award for “Best club in the world” at International Dance Music Awards 5 times, in 2005, 2006, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

The Spanish DJ flies all around the globe, from Andorra to Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Croatia, Germany, Greece, Israel to Mexico, Peru, USA, Russia, Romania, Swiss and UK, to do what she loves most – playing music. Driven by the motto “family first”, Anna finds inspiration in her family and one of her desires is “to leave a legacy and a mark as an artist from the island of IBIZA, who represented it all over the world with much love and respect”.

Anna Tur tries not to perform between Monday and Thursday and concentrates on her artistic side and her work at Radio from Thursday to Sunday. She splits her days very well, after a schedule made with the precision of a swiss clock, in order to get along and give her best everywhere – on stage, at Ibiza Global Radio, at her own label Illusion Music and at home. She also loves spending time in nature, the perfect place for her to escape, especially at the mini farm from her family’s house.

Anna Tur performing at UNTOLD festival

During our time with Anna Tur we had a conversation about life, music, inspiration, evolution of music industry and public, about work and vacations, family and friends.

Check out the full interview below!

1. You were born and grew up in Ibiza. What can you tell me about your childhood and teenage?

I am a native of Ibiza, I have spent almost all my life there except for a few years at the University of Barcelona studying for a degree in Advertising and PR.

My relationship with music comes from a very young age, my parents worked in the radio sector and I have always been listening to music of all kinds. My father founded Ibiza Global Radio and as a DJ I keep those references. He taught me to nourish myself musically and made me analyze different behaviors and situations. You see how even the great ones are just flesh and blood, and they also experience nerves and emotions on the radio.

2. When and what attracted you to music?

I´m managing Ibiza Global Radio for 15 years and I am 36 years old, my youth has been surrounded by music and all my life I have worked with and for music. Can you imagine all the situations I have encountered? I have learned a lot, I have also lived through some disappointments; I have learned to know that in this world there are very few friends we can really count on. Besides, it is a profession in which everyone wants to be number one.

The truth is that the education I have enjoyed with my family, my colleagues and my environment makes me happier. I’ve been djing for 10 years now and I’ve been producing and co-producing for a little over two years.

3. When did you know that you want to be a DJ?

I think it was a mix between Ibiza Global Radio and seeing Luciano, I have a very special admiration for him, in fact I started to play 11 years ago because I saw him in the cabin, that’s when I discovered him. The first Ushuaïa in Ibiza was a small beach club, a palapa between palms and Balinese beds, which in one of them removed the mattresses and became a cabin.

There I have lived one of my best experiences of life musically speaking, a very interesting trip, but I don’t take anything, so I talk to you from the point of view of my feelings, not from a high. The truth is that he made me freak out and I said I wanted to do the same as him. What rhythm, how he moved in the cabin, what strength, what music, and from that time I began to mess around with the pots and pans and set up a clandestine cabin at home with some very old equipment left over from the radio. That’s how I started to record records and play music to this day.

4. How was your first gig?

Of course, how could I ever forget? It was at Space Ibiza in 2009, as a guest of Camilo Franco, who was a resident back then. At the beginning of the season he had his own night called One Night With, and I was invited a couple of times. It’s been an addiction since then. I also remember the first DJ who came to my debut to support me and be with me was Cristian Varela, so thanks Cristian!

5. Who inspires you?

My family and the 80´s and 90´s rock-pop…

6. How do you feel when you are on stage?

I love it, especially the moment before we start, I feel so much responsibility.
I’m trying to get everything out of me. I watch them and put in what I’d want to hear if I was on the other side. Within my tech essence I try to adapt to the space: festival, big club, small club, beach club…; each space requires a sound and you have to know how to work it.

7. What do you think about female DJ’s? How it is to be in an industry dominated by men?

I always say that everything depends on your education, preparation, character, respect to others… not exactly if you are a man or a woman. I really prefer to be involved around men. They are more simple… I started this career when women were minority so I really can not say that anyone didn´t respect me for being a woman.

8. How hard it is for women to succeed in a “man’s world”?

I think genre is not important for a success. Its a mixure between hard work, more hard work, the moment, the people who trust you and continuing with hard work.

9. How was the scene when you started playing and how it is now?

I have the feeling that when I started there was more spontaneity and freedom in the industry, now it is much more professional. Everything changes fast.

Well, the truth is that the very evolution of human beings, their tastes, priorities and preferences vary over time and generations. New styles are born, others that seemed to be left behind are reborn, new trends. The key to everything in my opinion is to adapt to each moment. Living together, being very professional, having clear ideas, investing time and money well planned.

10. What about the public?

The digital age, the professionalism of the industry, the venues… has completely changed the public, the way of acting and behaving. But I can’t complain about the audience, which is usually very warm and eager to have fun and dance. Romania is an example of people who know how to have fun.

11. How would you describe yourself? As a human being, as a woman, as an artist and entrepreneur.

I describe myself as a cheerful, sincere person, grateful for everything that comes my way i i am a friend of my friends, a very perfectionist and constant person. I work as a DJ and i manage Ibiza Global Radio. The subject of DJing and general management within Ibiza Global Radio has changed and has been in constant evolution over the last two years.

Until that moment, DJ’s work was done sporadically, more in other countries in Europe than in Spain (except Ibiza, of course), but in the last two years the artistic part has grown a lot in terms of the request for events and the fact of being able to do performances, and there is no trick to it, it is simply to take care of yourself, lead a healthy life and have a super clear mind, as well as to find your hobbies, the things that make you disconnect in your free time, which in my case is a very rare thing. I take the opportunity to sleep and rest as much as I can, and then I combine the management part of Ibiza Global Radio and the artistic part with nature.

At my family’s house there is a mini farm and whenever I can I go there to feed the goats or the chickens, and it’s something that for me, beyond sport or meditation or pilates, works very well. Also, I try not to perform between Monday and Thursday. From Thursday onwards I concentrate on the artistic part, from Thursday to Sunday, and the rest of the week I am totally focused on Ibiza Global Radio. When someone comes to talk to me, I’m not a DJ, and if they talk to me about the artistic side, I try to divert the subject elsewhere. This is the only way I can get along.

12. How did you decide to make your own Ibiza-based label? And how is it going now?

The seal is a product of the demands of the market itself. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do but maybe I anticipated it for the reason I’m telling you. I’m always surrounded by good collaborators and professionals, like Davina, Toni Moreno, Izan Hesse… I’m not a producer, nor have I pretended to be one. I’m the soul and blood of a pure DJ.

I like to make my audience enjoy myself with the selection of pieces by professionals who dedicate many hours and efforts to production. It’s a subject I have pending with my friend Javi Ferrer from Métrica Studios. But it’s difficult for me to sit for more than two hours in a chair, I’m pure nerve.

13. You are an artist, DJ & producer, Gral Manager at Ibiza Global Radio, owner of Illusion Music label. How would you describe your road until here?

A crazy trip with very hard work on my back.

14. What is your motto in life?

Family first.

15. What are your future plans?

I would like to leave a legacy and a mark as an artist from the island of IBIZA who represented it all over the world with much love and respect. It is not easy to have opportunities being an “Ibiza resident” sometimes even a disadvantage to make an international leap. A very few artists from Ibiza play on our island, its a real shame but it seems that outside is always better.

16. You played at the best clubs and festivals all over the planet. We had the chance to see you in Romania at UNTOLD festival. What do you think about UNTOLD festival?

I have repeated it in many interviews this year, UNTOLD for me was possibly the best experience of 2019. The Galaxy Stage is a true marvel, what professionalism, what a crowd an amazing sound and production… I was totally in love! I hope to come back this 2020!

Anna Tur at UNTOLD 2019

Her set from UNTOLD festival can be enjoyed below!

Defected regular OFFAIAH returns to the imprint with ‘Private Show’

OFFAIAH

Defected regular OFFAIAH returns to the imprint with ‘Private Show’, his latest dose of expansive, club-focused house, after storming hits ‘Soldier’, ‘Work It Out’ and ‘Push Pull’ ignited dancefloors across the globe.

Kicking off with his Re-Edit, where a deep wandering bassline, swelling pads and tension building drops provide a groove-led backdrop to the seductive vocal. Up next, NYC’s Moon Rocket steps up to remix, taking a stripped-back approach with industrial synth stabs and ambient breaks, married with a deepened vocal.

Finally, OFFAIAH‘s original version rounds off the release, where we see the producer flexing his musical muscles by exploring new sounds and tech-leaning influences, producing a cut undoubtedly destined for main room raving.

Doing what he does best, ‘Private Show‘ really shows how OFFAIAH has been honing his production abilities, as he provides a range of stellar mixes that cater for a range of dancefloor dispositions.

Monolink releases his first single ‘Sinner’ from his forthcoming sophomore album

Monolink

Following the internationally celebrated release of his debut long player Amniotic in 2018, and the critically acclaimed Deluxe Version which dropped at the end of 2019, esteemed German producer and multi-instrumentalist Steffen Linck – a.k.a. Monolink – now has his eyes firmly set on the next chapter of his already illustrious career as he unveils his first huge single of the new decade, Sinner.

Out now via Embassy One, Sinner is another exquisite slice of vocal-led melodic techno from the German singer-songwriter and is the first single to be taken from his forthcoming sophomore album, which will be released later this year.

Speaking about the release of Sinner and his forthcoming second album, Monolink commented:

“I’m very excited to finally unveil some new music. My second album is going to be released towards the end of the year but there will be a bunch of singles coming out in the meantime. With the first single ‘Sinner’ I wanted to explore a darker side of me, writing a fictional goodbye letter to a world that’s not worth living in anymore. On the musical side, it’s got a driving beat and is hopefully gonna make people dance to turn it into something positive”.

The release of Sinner comes ahead of Monolink’s upcoming Spring 2020 Tour, which will see the Berlin-based talent take on a number of live shows across North America and Mexico in just six weeks*.

Kicking off at The Midway in San Francisco on April 10, Steffen will then perform over a dozen headline shows at some of the most prestigious venues across the continent, including City Hall Chicago, Kings Hall Brooklyn, Spin San Diego, and Sound Los Angeles. Joining RÜFUS DU SOL at the Pepsi Centre in Mexico City for the penultimate stop, Steffen will finally conclude the tour with a huge headline show at Corona Capital in Guadalajara.

*Due to the on-going situation around the international outbreak of COVID-19, some of these events may be subject to change. For real-time updates, stay tuned to mono.link and his official social media channels.

Listen to the track here.

VASSY & ONEDUO team up for a brand new single ‘Blink’

VASSY

Multi platinum-selling artist VASSY releases ‘Blink,’ her latest big room high energy single produced by NYC DJ/producer’s duo ONE DUO, just in time for festival season.

2020 marks 10 years since her debut release ‘History’ via Ultra Records, and history she has made with her global #1 hits topping the charts, she has positioned herself as one of Dance Music’s most prominent authentic artists.

VASSY prides herself in staying true to her craft as a singer-songwriter throughout the years, and not transitioning behind the decks as a DJ. Throughout this decade, she’s collaborated with dance music superstars such as Tiesto, Afrojack, David Guetta, to name a few, accumulated over 2 billion streams to her name, performed and headlined major festivals all over the world, and had her writing skills and voice featured on several international TV Campaigns and film trailers including Disney’s Oscar winning blockbuster Frozen… What can we expect from VASSY in the next 10 years?

Here’s what VASSY had to say about her brand new production:

“2020 marks my 10 year anniversary in doing music. It has been an incredible journey and blessing to follow my passion, to leave my beloved Australia and pursue the American Dream…

It has not been the easiest ride but certainly most rewarding as the fans have been supportive, loving and accepting. I cannot thank them enough….expect to hear new music from me this year. Blink which I worked on with OneDuo who bring such a young fresh dynamic sound to the production, I’m excited to see how the fans react……this release is just the first of many more to follow this year.

Listen to the track below!

Claptone & Mylo release ‘Drop The Pressure’

Enigmatic DJ and producer ​Claptone has linked up with ​Mylo to ​’Drop The Pressure’​ – setting the tone for a long hot 2020 summer.

​’Drop The Pressure’ follows ​Claptone​’s hit remix of Michael Kiwanuka​‘s ​’You Ain’t The Problem’ ​in November and his remix of ​Mark Ronson‘s ‘Don’t Leave Me Lonely’ ​the month before.

I’ve always had a weak spot for music that has a real physical impact – when you put it on, it urges you to move,” Claptone explains. “Dare I say that ‚Drop The Pressure’ is a perfect example of a house track that you simply can’t resist: too funky not to trigger a physical reaction.”

He continues: ​”I’m not only talking about the obvious workout or gym motivator – no, ‘Drop The Pressure’ is far more powerful than that. While in the library or at a funeral, I felt my blood swirling and my spine tingling – I must dance to this! The uncontrollable sensation! I know you know that feeling too.”

Claptone Drop the Pressure

The release of ‘Drop The Pressure‘ follows the announcement of Claptone‘s return to Pacha Ibiza this summer with his ‘The Masquerade‘ residency on the coveted Saturday night slot.

After a massively well-received first season, which welcomed MK, Diplo, Purple Disco Machine, Duke Dumont, Kerri Chandler, Basement Jaxx and many more to the idyllic shores of the White Isle for a string of majestic parties, Claptone brings his spellbinding event concept, back to Pacha Ibiza for a second season this summer commencing on May 23rd, with the weekly run of parties – now on Saturday night.

Originating in 2016, Claptone took his unique ‘The Masquerade‘ show to select cities and venues around the globe, from The Brooklyn Mirage in New York to Electric Brixton in London, from Estadio Geba in Buenos Aires, which was the biggest show to date with more than 17.000 people, to Burnley Circus Park in Melbourne, from Club Space in Miami to his own arena at Belgium’s iconic Tomorrowland and many more cities including Montréal, Lima, Amsterdam, Los Angeles just to name a few.

Best known for his remix work, including his modern-classic version of ​Gregory Porter‘s ‘Liquid Spirit‘​, after releasing ​’Fantast‘​, his second studio album last year, the Venetian mask-donning producer’s uplifting and vocal-heavy style of house has gone on to rack up millions of plays on ​YouTube​, with his ​Spotify currently enjoying ​2 million monthly listeners​.

Listen to the track below!

Solardo and Eli Brown reunite for a brand new track ‘My Life’

Solardo

Solardo and ​Eli Brown have again joined forces for dancefloor-rocking new single ​’My Life’​, out ​now​ via Ultra Music​.

A progressive house smash laced with a soaring vocal, ​’My Life‘ ​is the kind of track that’s destined to take both charts and dancefloors by storm. It marks the follow up to ​’XTC‘​, a single that went down as one of ​the songs of summer 2019, amassing ​17 million streams on Spotify alone and receiving support from the likes of ​CamelPhat​, Denis Sulta​, Carl Cox​, ​Calvin Harris​, David Guetta​, ​Richy Ahmed ​and Nic Fanciulli​.

The release coincides with Solardo​‘s seven-date US tour, while both ​Solardo and ​Brown will perform at Printworks London as part of ​Green Velvet​’s ​La La Land ​takeover. They will also perform together at Austria’s ​Snowbombing​ (13th April) and Ireland’s​ Life Festival​ (22nd May).

Solardo Eli Brown My Life

2019 was Eli Brown​’s most prolific year yet, with a flurry of tracks and remixes released on the likes of Lee Foss’ Repopulate Mars​, ​Solardo’s Solä​, ​Adam Beyer’s Truesoul ​and ​Alan Fitzpatrick’s We Are The Brave​. Collaborating with some of the biggest names in the underground, including ​Foss​, ​Anabel Englund​, ​Sonny Fodera and ​Skream​, the revered producer has quickly built a reputation as an artist synonymous with a killer bassline.

Another killer collaborative release from ​Solardo and ​Eli Brown​, it’s clear that ​’My Life‘ is a track that possesses all the attributes necessary to blow up just as big as ​’XTC‘​.

Listen to the track below.

Boris Brejcha returns with his high-energy 3-track EP “Violet Pill”

Boris Brejcha

Internationally acclaimed DJ and producer Boris Brejcha returns with his invigorating 3-track EP Violet Pill, out now via Ultra Music.

Marking his first release following January’s Space Diver LP, Violet Pill sees the German artist incorporate dark techno tones, striking build-ups, and progressive elements for a transcendent listening experience.

Opening with the high-octane soundscapes on ‘Babamba‘, Brejcha immediately pulls audiences in before taking a more ambient turn with the four-on-the-floor track ‘On His Way‘. The EP then makes a sonic shift with the title track ‘Violet Pill‘, a melodic roller featuring pitched down vocals and a driving bassline.

Following his meteoric rise to success, Boris Brejcha continues to take his self-coined ‘High-Tech Minimal’ sound across the globe, effortlessly fusing techno, electro, and trance with every release. One of the most celebrated producers of the moment, Brejcha has become a fan favorite with standout performances including his set at Grand Palais in Paris for Cercle, which has racked up over 12 million YouTube views to date.

With major headline slots at Movement Detroit, EDC Las Vegas, OFFSonar, EXIT Festival, and more to be announced, 2020 is shaping up to be Brejcha’s biggest year yet.

Boris Brejcha‘s Violet Pill EP is now available worldwide on all streaming platforms.

Listen to the EP here.

Charlotte de Witte will perform a special ‘Lockdown Session’ through an exclusive livestream

Charlotte de Witte

Corona has the world in its grip. COVID-19 affects our day-to-day activity and it now also reached the entertainment business.

Clubs have to close their doors for an uncertain amount of time and several festivals are being called off. For the people who are stuck at home, Belgian club Kompass came up with a solution called Lockdown Session. They will host a Livestream to bring the music right to your living room, under the motto: we don’t need a club to party, the club will come to you.

None other than Charlotte de Witte will take the stage during this special Livestream, brought to you from the desolate club. Being one of the most in-demand artists in the electronic music scene, she cuts an imposing figure behind the decks and her spellbinding sets blend everything from distorted acidic licks to dark trance melody to nods to electro. She’s also the owner of KNTXT, her fast-rising label which has featured major artists such as Chris Liebing and Monoloc.

Charlotte De Witte Lockdown Sessions

De Witte will be accompanied by Kompass resident Massimo Mephisto and rising talent One Track Brain. A very special guest will be announced soon. Make sure to tune in for this proper club night from afar, you don’t want to miss this one!

After all, in times of despair and isolation, it’s important to not let the rave die.

EVENT INFO
Time: 19.00 – 03.00
See the event here
See livestream here

Mind Against return to Afterlife with their brand new EP “Walking Away”

Afterlife AL035 Mind Against

Mind Against, the Italian-born, Berlin-based duo of Alessandro and Federico Fognini are back on Tale Of Us’ world renowned label Afterlife with two emotive, dancefloor masterpieces.

Walking Away’, featuring the deeply-affecting vocals of Port St. Willow, centers around uplifting harmonic elements and a resonant drum pattern. It strikes that special balance of light and dark which makes Mind Against’s tracks uniquely cathartic.

Bloom’ is a more melancholy, downtempo interpretation of their vision. The percussion is restrained and sits deep below atmospheric pads and piano chords, eventually arriving at a gradual and subtle peak.

Mind Against
Mind Against

Mind Against reach euphoric heights once again, though this time by a patient and reflective path.

Mind Against – Walking Away (AL035)
A Walking Away
B Bloom

Listen to the EP below.

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