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

After three reschedules, revelers will once again be able to gather under the Electric Sky for west coast festival juggernaut Insomniac’s 25th Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) October 22nd-24th. 

One of the greatest things about EDC is that there's something for everyone. Spread out over eight genre-rich stages, countless art cars, and side stages, the EDC line-up stratifies dance music representing artists from every possible corner of the culture. We've broken down some of the house acts that should be on your must-see list.




Claptone

Claptone has been active since 2012 and steadily gaining popularity since. I use the pronoun “they” not to be politically correct, but because until a couple of years ago, Claptone was believed to be one man. It turns out its two people. Both enigmatic artists don the iconic golden beak of the medieval plague doctor, black shirt, and white gloves. Which has often led me to think: What happens when they get picked up from the hotel or airport? Do they wear the getup the whole time? Looks aside, Claptone has consistently pumped out funky, chunky house and tech house for nearly a decade and has landed on the top 10's of some of the largest acts in the industry. 

Follow Claptone on Instagram | Spotify


Dom Dolla

Dominic Matheson—aka Australian DJ and producer Dom Dolla—has been busy over the last couple of years earning nominations and awards for his releases. His trademark sound can be heard on dance floor hits like "Take It," "Pump the Brakes," and 2019's Justin Martin sampling "San Frandisco." EDC is just one of the stops on his cross-country tour of the US, but his set at EDC on one of the largest stages CircuitGROUNDS is sure to be packed full of IDs. 


Follow Dom Dolla on Instagram | Spotify




J. Worra

J. Worra is the new kid on the block, but already making huge waves. Hailed as DJ Mag’s 2019 Breakthrough Music Producer of the Year she’s released on tastemaker labels such as Dirtybird, Club Sweat, Techne, Realm Records, and more. She's also become a sought-after remixer putting her spin on tracks by GRiZ, Gryffin, Gorgon City, Aluna George, Kaskade, and Deadmau5. She's a previously hidden treasure and you'll want to see this young master at work.

Follow J. Worra on Instagram | Spotify


Bijou

Bijou is recognized as one of the leaders of the G-house movement in America. By infusing the timeless styles of hip hop and classic house, BIJOU satisfies the craving for the thumping funk of house and the club-ready swag of hip hop. His production style is live enough for the underground and mean enough to hold down any main stage.

Follow Bijou on Instagram | Spotify


Oliver Heldens

Oliver Heldens is one of the very few performers who use their actual name. At the ripe old age of 26, he is regarded as a pioneer of future house, and one of the first to push it mainstream. Oliver Heldens burst onto the scene in 2013 (at age 18) with “Gecko.” It was picked up by none other than Tiësto, who later released it to Warner Brothers, and it peaked at #1 on the UK Top 40 charts. While most 18-year-olds are skipping school and drinking 40’s, Helden's was jet-setting and pumping out chart-topping hits. He has consistently released award-winning tracks and done remixes for Dua Lipa, The Chainsmokers, Katy Perry, Calvin Harris, David Guetta, and more.

Follow Oliver Heldens on Instagram | Spotify


Black V Neck

After making music together for years, Miami natives Ian and Julian decided to form Black V Neck in 2017. These titans of weird and wonky house hit the ground running after being signed to Shiba San’s label Basement Leak and subsequently to Dirtybird. This duo keeps their schedule fully booked throughout the year dropping bouncy tech house around the way. You will want to see why they are so in demand right now.

Follow Black V Neck on Instagram | Spotify




Cut Snake

Cut Snake has an interesting story. They started as two surfers from Australia who traveled the globe and became fixated on tech house. After working together for a while, they parted ways to go solo. Leigh Sedly kept the Cut Snake moniker, and Paul Fisher continued producing as Fisher (yes, THAT Fisher). Cut Snake is known for a massive stage presence at shows and destroying dancefloors.

Follow Cut Snake on Instagram | Spotify

	

Duke Dumont

Okay, so Duke Dumont may be a household name with multiple Grammy Award nominations, but that doesn't mean he should be overlooked. He was mentored by former Major Lazer member Switch and came up writing remixes for pop stars. However the release of mammoth house stompers like "Need U(100%)" and "Won't Look Back" solidified his place as a bonafide star. His sets are a solid mix of big room beats, heart-stopping vocals, and bouncy basslines for a perfect combination fitting for one of the world’s largest stages.

Follow Duke Dumont on Instagram | Spotify


Lee Foss

Lee Foss brings a special blend of tech house, synth-heavy techno, and deep house. He has an astute ability to transition seamlessly between sub-genres raising and lowering the energy of the dancefloor as needed. He's proved his curation skills are expert level as well, the incredible catalog he's built at his label Repopulate Mars includes work from John Summit, Shiba San, CID, Martin Ikin, Dillon Nathaniel, and Cloonee. Lee Foss is a true tastemaker. 

Follow Lee Foss on Instagram | Spotify


VNSSA

VNSSA is another Dirtybird standout who has steadily carved a name for herself over the last couple of years. Her live sets cover all genres of house and techno, although don’t be surprised to hear some classic disco or booty breaks. VNSSA is a dynamic and wide-ranging producer who's unafraid to experiment and get a little weird. All in the service of rocking dancefloors. 

Follow VNSSA on Instagram | Spotify

















Add These 10 House Artists to your EDC Vegas Schedule

Time Warp, the iconic German festival, has just announed the by-day lineup for its US edition. The highly anticipated return to the States will feature the intense production that the brand is known for as well as a lineup that represents the breadth and diversity of underground house and techno. Spread out across two floors, this year's event will take place in a brand-new venue on November 19th and 20th.

Friday's lineup is all about back-to-back sets. The magic that happens when two artists get together on stage is undeniable. And these b2b sets are a unique opportunity to catch DJs lead you on a journey together, as the intense visual show heightens the experience beyond what you can imagine. Jamie Jones and Seth Troxler revive their b2b experience alongside a rare set bringing together two titans, Ricardo Villalobos and Craig Richards.

Saturday will be dominated by live performances from KiNK, Reinier Zonneveld, and hardware kingpin Stephen Bodzin. The DJ set lineup is just as intense with performances from Adriatique, Paula Temple, Nina Kraviz, and one of Time Warp's original residents Richie Hawtin.

Tickets for Time Warp US are still available but expected to sell out.

Time Warp US Lineup by Day has Arrived

You don’t have to travel to Europe for the ultimate house and techno experience in the United States, but you might have to go to New York City for Cityfox. The Zurich bred company moved to Brooklyn in 2012, finding its home at Avant Gardner. This October 29 and 30, Cityfox returns to Avant Gardner for its first multi-day event to celebrate Halloween!

As usual, the lineup is stacked with over 30 names you’ll recognize: Hot Since 82, Vintage Culture, Nora En Pure, and Lee Burridge are just some of the few names that we’re hyped to see. Not only will there be the quintessential DJ sets, you can also expect live performances from Justin Marchacos, Recondite, Tim Englehardt, and WhoMadeWho.

If you haven’t been to Avant Gardner yet, it’s a venue you can’t pass up going to. In 2019, it was nominated as Best Club’ in the 2019 International Dance Music Awards. Aside from being one of the largest—80,000 square feet, to be exact—music hotspots with the largest global talent, you can always expect an immersive experience that takes you into another world. AG hosts 4 venues in one: Brooklyn Mirage, Great Hall, King’s Hall, and Lost Circus—all will be open for this year’s Cityfox.

Prepare yourself for two days and four stages full of music, food (vegan and gluten-free options, too!), and visuals so good you’ll be thinking about it until next Cityfox Halloween. And while you’ll be in the city that never sleeps, you will be able to rest. The event will have lounges you can kick back in if you’re tired from hours of dancing and going from room to room, taking in everything Cityfox has to offer.

Get your tickets here and check out the full lineup below!

Headline image: DJ Hell at CityFox Halloween 2019 | Photo Credit: Alive Coverage

Cityfox Takes Over Brooklyn For Halloween Weekend

Europe’s ever-changing rules on indoor events have been hard to keep up with, but when the news broke that Berghain would be reopening its doors on October 2, everyone was excited to see things return to the new normal. Clubs around each country were opening and closing when spikes of the newer COVID-19 variants, but Berghain hadn’t been active since the first global shutdown in March 2020.

Berlin began letting people in once again back in September, and while lines outside of these exclusive clubs aren't out of the ordinary, New York Times reported that the wait would sometimes be hours. 21-year-old Joe Friedrich told the publication, “It’s like waiting in line to ride a roller coaster.”

Long waits and swift denials of entry have long been the norm at the famous Berlin institution. 

We took to social media to see what people were saying about how it went this weekend. Unshockingly, people waited around six to seven hours to try to get into Berghain. 

Twitter user Gonçcalo Trindale says, “Someone at work waited seven hours, from midnight till 7am, to get into Berghain this weekend. Someone else also waited seven hours, DIDN'T get in, so he went home, had a nap, went back, waited three more hours, and then got in. The DEDICATION!!!!”




Here’s what other people are saying:

Maybe this weekend will be easier, but probably not. Until then, you can catch us on Berghain Trainer, the interactive game that emulates a bouncer who analyzes your body language and responses to see if you can get in.










Long Lines at Berghain Have Returned

UK-based mobile ticketing app DICE has just made a huge move. Five days ago, Tech Crunch reported that the company raised $122 million in Series C funding from SoftBank Vision Fund 2, after being valued at $400 million for its innovative discovery and ticketing platform. 

Yanni Pipilis of SoftBank Investment Advisers said, “We believe DICE’s technology has the capability to transform the future of live entertainment.”

Now, days later, it has been confirmed to Resident Advisor, that the app has acquired the legendary Boiler Room.

"My experience when talking to Phil [Hutcheon, founder and CEO of DICE] was inspiring and he immediately recognised how important Boiler Room is, and how much potential we have. I believe deeply that the best way for Boiler Room to evolve is by partnering with a company that values what we are today, and provides the tools we need to grow into the future—we play to our strengths and they to theirs. DICE's belief in 'powering' us but allowing Boiler Room to remain our own independent entity, all of this will enable us to move into a new era and be the best version of ourselves."

-Blaise Belville, Founder of Boiler Room | Press Release

The press release also says that it believes the partnership will, “drive additional revenue to artists, rights holders, collectives, festivals, and clubs.”

Boiler Room has been a leading platform in showcasing top global talent in dance music since 2010. The London-based online broadcasting company has expanded internationally, garnering over 3.5 billion minutes of music by 2015, according to The Guardian. With DICE’s acquisition, it’ll be interesting to see what changes will be made.

This story was first reported by Resident Advisor.

DICE Acquires Boiler Room After Securing $122M Investment

It's hard to argue the impact that Daft Punk had on the modern music landscape. From festival production to the numerous producers they've inspired, Daft Punk's contributions to the culture are innumerable. Veteran music journalist Gabriel Szatan will detail these contributions in a new book set for release in 2023 titled After Daft: How Daft Punk Rewired the 21st Century. The Bookseller announced the publishing deal with John Murray Press on September 22.

The book will draw from a yet-to-be-announced parade of more than 100 contributors to create a narrative of how the French duo has changed the face of modern music time and time again since their career began in 1993. 

The blurb for the book reads, “Following their split earlier in 2021, After Daft will be the most thorough attempt yet to capture Daft Punk’s unique position within the musical landscape. The Parisian duo’s success had profound effects on the sound of pop, the look of the modern concert industry and the acceptance of DJing as a creative artform. As such, After Daft will exceed the remit of a conventional biography by documenting the past three decades of music and culture at large."



Szatan is uniquely positioned to take this on, as he grew up with Daft Punk as a constant part of popular culture. For Millenials, they loom large as cultural icons akin to David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, or Prince in how they galvanized and inspired a generation. 

He said, "Beyond simply making joyous records, there are countless compelling sub-narratives which flow in and out of their career. Who were the teachers to whom the duo owe their sound? What enabled the Alive 2006-07 tour to crack America’s resistance to rave culture? And how did Daft Punk retain anonymity at a time when the internet erased privacy for everyone else? I’m excited to bring it all to light — as well as making the case for how, over 28 years, music really did sound better with them.”  

The London-based writer is well known for his work for Boiler Room, Red Bull Music Academy, DJMag, and Resident Advisor. You can follow him on Twitter

New Daft Punk Book Will Detail Their Impact on Modern Music Landscape

Superstruct Entertainment, the UK-based festival group behind events like elrow, Hideout, and Parookaville has purchased Dutch festival group ID&T. Known for festivals like Awakenings, Mysteryland, Sensation, and over 80 other nightlife brands ID&T operates many of the largest dance music festivals in the world.

Superstruct is owned by private equity firm Providence Equity Partners. The US-based firm specializes in media, communications, education, and software. They hold partnerships and deals with other key players in the music industry like Warner Music Group and pro-audio retailer Sweetwater. Superstruct purchased ID&T from Axar Capital for somewhere between $150M and $200M, according to Netherlands-based financial publication Het Financieele Dagblad.

Superstruct is helmed by James Barton, founder of the iconic Manchester superclub Cream and the Creamfields festival. He is also the former President of Electronic Music at Live Nation. His background in event production stretches back over 30 years. The Superstruct umbrella now stretches across the world and includes Wacken Open Air and a majority stake in Sónar.

With the global festival market in one of its most uncertain years in history, this purchase does come with some risk. The news comes on the heels of Live Nation's purchase of Latin America's biggest concert promoter OCESA Entrtenumiento for nearly $450M. The last time we witnessed a consolidation of this level in dance music was when SFX bought ID&T and dance music retailer Beatport in 2013. Those deals ended in a debt-for-equity swap that allowed SFX to wipe $300M in debt from its books. Despite the current climate, dance music is more popular than ever, and the long-term future of festivals does look promising. 

Dutch Festival Group ID&T Sells to Superstruct Entertainment 

The summer is ending strong in Paradise. Heavy-hitter house producer Jamie Jones brings his popular Paradise event series to New York City on September 25 to world-renowned Avant Gardner to showcase the best in house and techno. Get ready to escape, because you’ll feel like you’re on vacation in Ibiza for one of the best nights of dance music of the whole year.

“People often ask me why I called the party ‘Paradise,’ you know it’s kind of an obvious name in many ways, but to me it was because what I thought was lacking in Ibiza was what I always had in my mind that the Paradise Garage was - a crowd of musical minded adults who were dancing the night away with amazing colours all around them and just a real feeling of creativity and musical energy. So the name Paradise came from that idea.” 

- Jamie Jones

The event will bring us Opus 1’s US debut. The collaborative project between Jamie Jones and London-based Kate Simko is making its way to the Brooklyn stage for a cinematic, orchestral live performance early on in the night, so make sure to plan ahead and be there on time. 

Other names on the lineup include head of One Tribe NYC Amémé, Purveyor Underground label-head Demuir, Chicago house legend DJ Deeon, and more! But it doesn’t stop at music. New York’s iconic nightlife personality Ladyfag will also be doing their own takeover, featuring Boo Lean, Five, Michael Magnan, and Ruby Fox.

The last time New York City saw Paradise was 2017. So we’re excited for its long-awaited return after 4 years. Check out the lineup below and make sure to grab your tickets here before they sell out. And if you see us there, make sure to say hi!


Connect with Jamie Jones:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Connect with Paradise:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Jamie Jones Brings Paradise to New York City

Time Warp is an institution in the techno community. The destination festival is lauded for its immersive production and incredible musical programming. Today in partnership with their New York partner Teksupport, they announced the lineup for their return to New York. The highly anticipated event will take place November 19-20 after a forced two-year hiatus. Teksupport had lined up a brand new Brooklyn location to host the two-day marathon of top-tier techno talent and audiovisual delights.

The lineup includes an array of Time Warp mainstays. Dance music luminary and innovator Richie Hawtin will once again take on headlining duties. A position he has held down since Time Warp’s 1995 debut in Manheim, Germany. Beloved veteran DJ Ricardo Villalobos will make a rare stateside appearance going b2b with Tyrant co-conspirator and longtime collaborator Craig Richards.

Innervisions co-founders Âme, have entranced the stage since 2007. They will join fellow Berliners Pan Pot, Ben Klock, and Marcel Dettman for the iconic NYC event. Political activist, label head, and outspoken industry figure Seth Troxler will also return to the Time Warp stage for a special b2b set with a yet to be announced special guest.

Rounding out the techno lineup is a finely curated list of industry stalwarts diverse in sound. Afterlife’s Adratique, hardware maestro Stephen Bodzin, and industrial specialists Paula Temple and Kobosil will bring their distinct sounds to the stage. Global superstar Nina Kraviz will electrify the brand new Brooklyn warehouse space with her infectious enthusiasm and high energy beats. And both KiNK and Reinea Zonneveld will bring the heat on the live side.

As is the custom for all of Time Warp’s international showings, they will pay respect to the host city with a lineup of local heroes. DESNA, Avision, Shahar, mink, and O.BEE will represent the home team.

Teksupport has been Time Warps New York's partner since its debut there in 2014. Their ability to transform unique spaces into audiovisual wonderlands featuring top-tier talent is well tested. They’ve become one of NYC’s leading promoters based on their uncompromising goals of producing at the highest level and bridging the gap between the US and European communities. They are entrusted with the vision of other global brands like Circoloco. In 2021 alone, they’ve hosted Dj Tennis, The Martinez Brothers, Sven Vath, Guy Gerber, and Dixon. And have helped reassert New York’s role as a dominating force in underground music.  

Time Warp returns to New York November 19-20, 2021. Sign up for ticket updates at their website.




FULL LINEUP:

AVISION

ADRIATIQUE

ÂME

BEN KLOCK b2b MARCEL DETTMANN

DESNA

KiNK (LIVE)

KOBOSIL

MINK b2b O.BEE

NINA KRAVIZ

PAN-POT

PAULA TEMPLE

REINIER ZONNEVELD (LIVE)

RICARDO VILLALOBOS b2b CRAIG RICHARDS

RICHIE HAWTIN

SETH TROXLER b2b SPECIAL GUEST

SHAHAR

STEPHAN BODZIN (LIVE)

Time Warp New York Announces Lineup For 2021

On Wednesday, August 25 Canadian producer, Felix Cartal divulged his plans for a special project to be released on September 1st. Expensive Sounds From Nice People: A Streaming Festival, his first Twitch festival, features sets from renowned DJs Dr. Fresch, LŪN, Hotel Garuda, Subset, and QRTR. The festival is named for his album Expensive Sound For Nice People released earlier this year. 

The Juno Award winner had a landmark year. He used his weekly streams through quarantine to promote his album that premiered to rave reviews receiving tens of millions of streams.

Cartal chose to partner with The Ally Coalition, (TAC) a lifeline of direct support for LBGTQ+ youth programs. Any donations collected during the event will be donated to TAC.

Founded in 2013 by Bleachers front-man Jack Antonoff and his wife Rachel Antonoff, The Ally Coalition provides meaningful support to LGBTQ+ youth through social media campaigns, collaborative partnerships, and live events. Music has always been a vector for social justice. 

According to TAC, LGBTQ+ youth are far more likely to be victims of depression, violence, bullying, and suicide. Last year, over 30 states tried to pass anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. TAC encourages allies to fight injustice and use music to mobilize the masses.

Because The Ally Coalition holds such a unique connection to the music industry, the artists who partner with the organization are able to use their expansive platforms to raise awareness of the adversities facing the LGBTQ+ population on a wider scale and activate their fan bases to fully engage with these issues in fruitful and effectual ways.

The partnership hits close to home for queer Brooklyn-based producer QRTR. She shared her thoughts with Grey Area on Cartal’s festival partnership with TAC.

“As a queer person myself, it's extremely refreshing to see such big names support LGBTQ+ youth via the The Ally Coalition,” she said. “I know this sort of thing would have been unheard of just a few years ago, so it's really heartwarming to see it happening now. It's a great indicator of the way dance music is pushing forward by amplifying and supporting the same types of marginalized people that built the foundations of dance music culture as we know it.” 

The New York-based producer will be headlining the festival next Wednesday with fellow house artists, LŪN, Dr Fresch, Hotel Garuda, Subset and Wh0.

“It feels really special to know I get to be part of this to not only represent, but also support the queer community simultaneously. Much respect to Felix for putting this together, I can't wait for folks to tune in!”

Expensive Sounds From Nice People streams September 1st, 2021 on Twitch







Felix Cartal’s Streaming Festival Supports LGBTQ Advocacy Group The Ally Coalition

Frankie Knuckles is considered the godfather of house music. His seminal DJ sets at Chicago’s Warehouse gave birth to house music culture. And he was shining example of black and LGBTQ excellence. Tracks like “Your Love,” and “The Whistle Song” still reverberate from the speakers of clubs and festivals. They stand as a testament to the timeless quality of his work. DJ International, one of Chicago’s longest-running house music labels, unearthed an unreleased Frankie Knuckles tune. “I Want The Love Of My Own.” It will be released this year to commemorate the 35th anniversary of his first release, “You Can’t Hide.” 

DJ International found “I Want The Love Of My Own” on an old reel-to-reel tape deep in their vaults. The previously unheard and unreleased song was restored and remastered by long-time Knuckles collaborator and friend Eric Kupper. The pair worked together from the early days of Knuckles career.

The news of the release comes on the anniversary of Knuckles death on August 25th. Declared Frankie Knuckles Day by President (and former Illinois senator) Barack Obama. The day celebrates the massive contribution Knuckles made to music culture and Chicago's history. 

The relevance of this release can’t be understated. After over 30-years, dance music has grown to be a global phenomenon. Its positivity and power reach every corner of the globe. And after decades of largely being ignored by audiences in the US (where it began), house music is recognized as a legitimate and necessary art form. Knuckles stands as a pioneer and role model in the Black and LGBTQ communities. He was openly gay in an age where that was unheard of for someone of his stature. And he created a safe space for the marginalized to feel comfortable and at home with their identities.



“I Want The Love Of My Own” may be a lasting testament to his activist spirit. DJ International says, “It is also rumoured to be performed by two men juxtaposing intertwining question and answer male vocals, toying with sexuality itself.”

The release will support the Frankie Knuckles Foundation, the non-profit that carries on his tireless advocacy work. The 501c3 organization focuses on music in schools, LGBTQ youth homelessness, AIDS research and prevention, and diabetes research and prevention. The foundation also supports the Brave Space Alliance, the first Black and trans-led LGBT+ center to provide social services to the LGBTQ+ community of Chicago.

For more information on the release sign up for updates here.

Previously Unreleased Frankie Knuckles Music Has Been Unearthed

Trans DJ, producer, and advocate Honey Dijon launched a Creator Collab on Etsy celebrating queer culture. The 20 piece collection includes printed scarves, earrings, statement piece homeware, and playing cards created by women of color and queer artists.

The collection references cultural footnotes from the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. The period of collective change within marginalized communities gave birth to the modern LGBTQ rights movement. The struggle of queer folks throughout this period was also the impetus for disco and dance music culture.

"What really draws me to that is when fashion and art reflect that social change, in the end, you have marginalized people creating their own music and culture,” she told Billboard. "I mean, two generations ago, we lost so many of the most highly creative people and the audience that appreciated these high art forms. So I try to investigate these times, not in a nostalgic way, but in a critical way, saying, 'How can we still celebrate these people in a modern way, and celebrate our culture in a modern way?'"

She intended to spark joy with each design. A noble mission in a time when happiness is in short order. Conversation-worthy pieces like the sculptural vessels from Hannah Simpson Studio pop with texture and vibrant, eye-catching color. The handmade vases are based on an iconic vogue dance move.

Dijon isn't comfortable paying lip service to activism for her people. She felt it was necessary to engage and support creators in an actionable way.

“As a trans woman of color, I think we need to start owning our narrative and celebrating ourselves and our creativity,” she says in a blog post for the Etsy collection. “All of my work is based on the experiences, the narratives, and the history of queer people of color, and it’s very important to keep that conversation alive.”

Check out the full collection here. 

Honey Dijon's Etsy Collection is a Celebration of Queer Culture

Gaston Steenkist, aka Dobre, of Chocolate Puma, announced his retirement from touring. The Dutch DJ and production duo have worked together for three decades. Their career is marked by dance floor destroying records like “Scrub The Ground” with DJ Fun and Tommie Sunshine and “Rebels On The Run” featuring Grace Tither.

“A lot has happened in my personal life since the beginning of this pandemic, both sad and beautiful things.” Steenkist said in his statement posted to the Chocolate Puma Twitter page. 

“I feel very privileged that I was given the opportunity to travel the world and play for you guys. I feel very grateful and humbled that so many of you enjoyed our music. But in the end I felt the crazy tour life has taken a heavy toll on me, both mentally and physically. I have realized that being at home with my loved ones and being in a more quiet and structured environment made me a happier and healthier person.”

René ter Horst will continue to tour under the Chocolate Puma name. Steenkist will remain part of the duo in the studio. “Rene can’t wait to DJ again, to play our music and to represent Chocolate Puma on stages around the world, “ he said about his longtime partner and good friend.

He said he looks forward to more time writing music, diving deeper into new productions techniques and spending time with his family, something he has grown to appreciate more over the last year and a half with no dance floors. The pandemic has undoubtedly made many artists reevaluate what it means to spend more time on the road. With a touring schedule that requires many to spend 52 weekends of the year away from home, the last year offered time to reassess what’s truly important to them. And to get grounded with their mental health.

Steenkist’s bubbling energy will be missed, but he wants fans to understand that this only means that Chocolate Puma will live on and continue to level up.




Gaston Steenkist of Chocolate Puma Announces End of Touring Career

The dance music community today mourned the loss of two of its pioneers. Chicago house legend Paul Johnson passed away this morning at age 50 from complications related to COVID-19. And First Lady of Detroit K-Hand, aka Kelli Hand, passed away yesterday at age 56, the cause of death was unknown at the time of publication.

Both artists were powerful voices in dance music history. Born and raised in Chicago Paul Johnson began his career in the early 90s. He’s released music on renowned labels like Dance Mania, Cajual, and Relief. His seminal 1999 hit “Get Get Down” topped the dance charts in the US, UK, Netherlands, France, Greece, Belgium, and Canada. Its bubbly refrain can still be heard on dance floors over two decades later.



He also co-founded the Chicago label Dust Traxx with Radek Hawryszckuk in 1997 and released music from Gene Hunt, Glenn Underground, and Roberto Armani.

In 1987 Johnson was left paralyzed from the waist down after being shot. He DJed from a wheelchair for the rest of his career. He was also a double amputee. He lost his left leg in 2003, and then his right in 2010 after a devastating car accident.

Despite his disability, he continued to tour, DJ, and produce. He passed after a battle with COVID-19 left him hospitalized for several weeks.

K-Hand was born and raised in the birthplace of techno, Detroit. She regularly traveled to New York in the 80s to attend parties at Paradise Garage to soak up the emerging sounds of house music. She eventually bought her own turntables and production equipment. She founded Acacia Records and released her debut EP Think About It in 1990. Her amalgamation of jackin’ house and thumping techno took her around the world. She started touring Europe in the earliest days of the dance music movement and continued to release music until last year.

The dance music community exploded with messages of respect and mourning for the passing of these two legendary figures.

Tommie Sunshine said, “Paul was an inspiration to all whoever had the joy of hearing him DJ & his production influenced absolutely everyone including being the very first person named in Daft Punk’s Teachers. This was a man who live in a wheelchair due to a chooting accident which took on eleg & an auto accident in 2010 that took the other one. He was a fighter who radiated joy in his music, on the decks playing Gospel House like no other & always had a smile on his face.”


Dance Music Mourns the Loss of Paul Johnson and K-HAND

Last Friday, July 30th Mixmag HQ hosted its first Lab LDN in over a year. And what a way to open up the greatest office party in the world than with the legendary Sasha on the decks. The live mix series has been on hiatus since the start of the pandemic, but as restrictions loosen in the UK, the Lab opened back up for this masterclass in DJing from one of dance music's most lauded artists.

Sasha just released a new compilation titled "LUZoSCURA" that brings together his favorite sounds of dance music techno, ambient, breaks, and electronica. He's enlisted the talents of a laundry list of notable and up-and-coming artists on the boundary-breaking project including QRTR, Franky Wah, MJ Cole, DJ P, and BAILE.

It's not often you get such an up-close view into how Sasha works the decks. As he loops, cuts, samples, builds, and breaks it down you're reminded why his career as a DJ and producer has endured for more than 25 years. 

His label Last Nigth On Earth will soon mark its 10th anniversary of genre-bending releases. Among its illustrious artists are Cristoph, Audiojack, Ejeca, Jeremy Olander, Max Cooper, and Timo Maas. 

Sasha embarks on a world tour with stops in Miami at Space on September 18th and New York at the Brooklyn Mirage on September 24th. His next EP is due out on August 20th. 

Mixmag's The Lab LDN Returns With Sasha

The reigning queen of Italian techno, Deborah De Luca will rock a hometown stream on July 5th, 2021. In partnership with Beatport, she will DJ from the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples, Italy. The event will stream via her Facebook page. Located only a stone’s throw from where she was born in Le Vele, Scampia, this is sure to be a passionate set for the Italian DJ and producer.

De Luca’s hard-hitting techno reverberating through the massive 54,000 seat stadium will undoubtedly be a sight to behold. The stadium is the third-largest in Italy. And it holds a special place in De Luca’s heart as it’s where her home-turf team Società Sportiva Calcio Napoli, affectionately known as Napoli plays.

De Luca hasn’t slowed down one bit over the last year, despite COVID eviscerating the dance music industry. In 2020 she released her acclaimed album “She Sleeps” to rave reviews from the techno world. She also continued to release singles and EPs at a breakneck rate on her Solamente imprint. 

This isn’t the first stream for De Luca from her beloved Naples. Back in 2020, she streamed from atop Vele De Scampia. The housing project where she was born and spent her early youth. It was made famous in the critically acclaimed crime drama Gomorrah. De Luca’s stream was meant to shed her suburb in a more positive light and showcase the urban beauty as a gorgeous backdrop to her heart-stopping beats.

The live stream event may further prove that returning to the dance floor won't stop the streaming game. Utilizing fantastic vistas and well-known locales for streaming events is a trend that allows artists to highlight their favorite places to audiences that may never get a chance to experience them. And for De Luca it lets her share her pride in her home.

Tune in to the stream live via Facebook on Monday, July 5, 2021, at 11:45 AM.

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