A luminescent rework for a sobering single






Since his 2011 breakout performance at Fusion Festival, Jan Blomqvist has been unshakable. His works prove timeless as 2016’s “Back In The Taxi” catches the interest of One Tribe captain AMÉMÉ for a 2022 remix flowing with futuristic vigor. AMÉMÉ has accrued a reputation for imbuing his work with the energy of his West African heritage, an ability he fully displays here.


Blomqvist’s original thrives on a haunting energy of distorted drones and strategically minimal percussion. AMÉMÉ first fortifies the entire rhythm section with a variety of organic instruments. This accentuated pattern provides a hardy foundation for the leading synth line to elevate this track into a laser-focused melodic power. The spine-tingling drones live on in the breakdown, bridging the gap between one generation and the next—giving an immersive experience that feels both familiar and fresh.



This new reimagining comes courtesy of the ever-prevalent Armada Records. It was AMÉMÉ’s first release with the Dutch label but not his last. This “Midnight Remix” was accompanied by a more percussion-focused AMÉMÉ rework, and two months later, he released the indomitable “Balafonerra” with the Armada team. The One Tribe founder has been on a tear in 2022, releasing three EPs and a host of singles and remixes.



For decades, Jan Blomqvist has been a multifaceted force in the European music scene. The ’90s saw Blomqvist perform punk, hardcore, Britpop, and rock & roll. As modern music evolved to include increasing amounts of experimentation with electronic instruments, Jan’s interest evolved with it. In university, he immersed himself in Berlin’s techno scene and the art of DJing. He eventually bridged the gap between band leader and DJ and perfected the concert techno sound bringing the stage presence of rock n roll to the dance floor of the clubs.







AMÉMÉ Flips Jan Blomqvist’s 'Back In The Taxi' Into A Neon Midnight Mix

On Saturday, October 23 Gray Area takes over Diplo’s Revolution on Sirius XM to host an eight-hour journey into the many realms of house and techno. The show pops off at 12 noon ET and thumps until 8 PM. OCHO features eight distinctive talents from the many reaches of house and techno including Luciano, Diplo, Blackchild, Tini Gessler, Vintage Culture, Will Clarke, Chelina Manuhutu, and AMÉMÉ.

OCHO marks the first time Gray Area will dive into the world of broadcasting. It exemplifies Gray Area's mission to unite the international house music community connecting the lines between its rich sub-cultures.

“Sirius XM plays an integral role in building the house music community in North America – which happens to also be Gray Area’s mission – by programming this genre of dance music on Diplo’s Revolution. We are very proud to collaborate on Ocho, a program featuring 8 hours of non-stop exclusive sets representing different sub-genres of house music played by both rising and established international artists, and look forward to other collaborative projects with our friends at Sirius XM to spread the love of house music across North America. Let there be MORE house!” says Michael Julian, founder of Seers – the dynamic venture behind Gray Area and other projects in the world of electronic music and live events.

Joey Sutera, Head of Live Entertainment adds, “We are committed to unifying house music culture around the world.”

Ocho airs on SiriusXM on Saturday, October 23, 2021. Listen here.



The Acts

Diplo

Leading the charge is global music icon, ferocious underground champion, and colorful personality Diplo. The ubiquitous and influential producer has touched every genre of music in his well-documented career. Diplo brings an expert level of curation and an encyclopedic knowledge of the culture of dance music to every set.

Luciano

Chilean-born, minimal techno kingpin Luciano has long been one of the genre’s most influential figures. His enchanting sets are informed by his Latin American heritage and always enliven the spirit.

Blackchild

Rising Italian DJ and producer Blackchild’s releases on Solid Grooves and Hot Creations have are supported by Fisher, Todd Terry, Marco Corolla, and Kenny Dope. He expertly blends the sticky funk of classic house with the low-end thump of tech house.

Tini Gessler

Relative newcomer Tini Gessler has made a sharp impact on the Spanish scene with her pumping deep tech house. She's earned vital residencies with Pacha Barcelona and Elrow. And she's flexed the legendary systems of Space and Pacha in Ibiza. Over the last year, she’s firmly asserted herself as a sought-after producer dropping records with the likes of Toolroom, Cr2, and Desert Hearts.

Vintage Culture

Vintage Culture has catapulted himself into the hearts of millions in recent years with a sound that brilliantly straddles the line between underground and mainstream. The Brazillian artist’s music has dominated dancefloors and radio with hits like “Slow Down,” “In The Dark,” and his remix with John Summit of Sofi Tukker’s “Drinkee” all streaming in the millions.



Will Clarke

Will Clarke’s move from Dirtybird Player to techno titan was a natural progression for the veteran English producer and DJ. His taste-making label All We Have Is Now bridges the gap between the nostalgia of the old-school and the intensity and weight of the new.

Chelina Manuhutu

Dutch-born Chelina Manuhutu brings with her the influence of a musical family. Her father was part of the Latin funk band Massada. Her chunky tech-house is full of stuttering percussion, brilliantly funky basslines, and the bubbling effervescence of a summer-time pool party.



AMÉMÉ 

West African-born AMÉMÉ transports his cultural heritage into all that he does. The leader of One Tribe, a global dance community, seamlessly blends compelling melody, sultry soul, and the driving rhythms of his homeland.



You can tune in to OCHO on SiriusXM here. For updates on set times, follow Gray Area on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Gray Area Partners With Diplo's Revolution for OCHO

Charged with an instinctive boldness, initiative, and devotion, West African native, AMÉMÉ has showcased exceptional style and unique talent in his music career. Born in Benin, AMÉMÉ is greatly influenced by his cultural roots in his sound and production decisions. Being an expert in Afro electronic music, means that fans of AMÉMÉ can expect grand waves of tribal drums and divine vocals layered on a base of modern deep house and techno. Initially, releasing his work on his own imprint, One Tribe, eventually led to the opportunity for AMÉMÉ to link with Black Coffee, a supporter of AMÉMÉ’s since 2019. With such a prominent force advocating for his creations, it was certain that AMÉMÉ’s talent would breach the attention of others in the industry. He has now released music under Blon:Ish’s label, Abracadabra, has been taken abroad to tour with MoBlack, and has been signed to Watergate Records. Most recently, he was brought on to a project to remix Omah Lay’s song “Understand” for Sire Records. AMÉMÉ has also established his ability as a selector DJing around the globe. From Ibiza to Miami, Berlin to New York, Paris to Mykonos, his ancestral rhythms, rich vocals, and lively melodies light up every stage he plays. His energetic performance style pairs extremely well with his euphoric selections, and as a result packs the dance floor.

AMÉMÉ’s visionary skills and enduring dedication have been the cause for the insatiable growth of his musical endeavors and his label, One Tribe. His rise in electronic music has been remarkable, driven by his sophisticated and unprecedented methods. His perspective and push are evidence that he will continue to drop music for people around the world for years to come, ultimately bringing communities together and reminding every one of us that we are all a part of One Tribe.

AMÉMÉ

Austin Miller

Alexander Dias