OWSLA Drops Spring 2015 Compilation with Skrillex, Valentino Khan, & More

By: Matthew Meadow

Just as it’s announced that Dim Mak will turn their popular compilation series into a bi-weekly free download imprint, and just a day after Snails dropped his SNAILEDIT! Mix Vol. 2, OWSLA comes out and announces a spring compilation. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that all of these cogs are turning in the same direction … if you catch my meaning.

Brushing off the conspiracy theories, there’s a lot to be said about the tracklist here. The compilation will feature Skrillex’s “Bad Man” remix and Snails’ collab with Big Gigantic, “Funk With Me,” both of which were featured on Snails’ mix yesterday. The full tracklist features Torro Torro, Alex Metric, Vindata, WIWEK, Getter and more.

As a way to whet your palate, Valentino Khan’s track “Deep Down Low” is available to stream now. It follows the style of house music that is currently sweeping the nation, or at least Southern California. Artists like Ghastly, Jauz, Goldplate, WKND, and Kayliox have all released extremely similar tunes with nearly identical progression, arrangement and synths. It’s all the rage right now.

Even Skrillex’s “Bad Man” remix sounds nearly identical to his and Trollphace’s remix of “Burial.” I’m still excited for the compilation itself, but at this point, I’m not expecting anything new or original to come out of it.

Pre-order it here.

Tracklist:

Jack Ü, Skrillex & Diplo – Take Ü There (feat. Kiesza) [Awe Remix]
Vindata – Continuum
Valentino Khan – Deep Down Low
Ragga Twins – Bad Man (Skrillex Remix)
Torro Torro – Make a Move
Snails – Funk With Me (feat. Big Gigantic)
Alex Metric – Cahuenga
Wiwek – Bang Bang Theory (Instrumental Mix)
Getter – Head Splitter
Jack Beats – One Love
Boombox Cartel & Jackal – Jamba
David Heartbreak – House Party
AC Slater – Booty Free (feat. Dell Harris)

Molly As A Prescription, The Founder Of DanceSafe Says It Needs To Happen

By: Lucas Sachs

The recent IndieGogo campaign for “MDMA: The Movie” has brought a lot of light to the debate over the ubiquitous party drug, Molly.

Dancesafe is the driving force behind this film, and the founder Emanuel Sferios believes that MDMA should be legalized as a prescription drug for its potential therapeutic use as in psychotherapy. In a sit-down with Reality Sandwich he outlined a few key benefits of MDMA legalization, which can be found below.

Whether you agree with these supposed benefits or not, one thing remains: MDMA is a dangerous, illegal narcotic that should never be perceived as safe.

“Here are 5 things that will happen when MDMA becomes legal:

1. PTSD sufferers will achieve drastic, long-term healing.
2. Psycho-therapeutic practices will be enhanced by MDMA
3. Safe, high quality MDMA becomes the standard.
4. There will be fewer tragic accidents.
5. The stigma from illegal use will be lifted.

“

Dim Mak Relaunches “New Noise” As A Free Music Discovery Imprint

By: Matthew Meadow

Everyone wants everything for free these days. Apps are free. Programs are free. Music is free. Or at least, some of it is.

There are already many platforms and imprints that are dedicated to “free.” Nest HQ and PLM come to mind. But now, Dim Mak is getting in on the game.

Their New Noise imprint has been active over the last five years, releasing annual compilations filled with only the best of the label’s yearly output. Today, New Noise is migrating to a bi-weekly, free-download model based on singles as opposed to compilations.

To kick everything off is LA-based Ghastly with his new tune “Every Night.”

Weaving together thumping bass-kicks and high-pitched vocal samples with his own spin on the signature low-end bounce breakdowns that have quickly infiltrated America’s future bass scene, Ghastly’s “Every Night” exemplifies New Noise’s mission of bringing innovative sounds to music’s forefront.

Get your free download here.

Armin van Buuren Headlines Preakness Infield Fest

By: Paulina Pachel

This year’s 140th Preakness Stakes will once again be accompanied by the Infield Music Festival.

No longer strictly a horse race, Preakness has also hosted a music festival right next door since 2010. The hype is currently building as Grammy-nominated producer Armin van Buuren is set to headline the concert March 16th at the Pimlico Race Course. (Interestingly enough, this is also the location for the inaugural Moonrise Festival held in August.)

Armin will be accompanied by Childish Gambino, also a renowned Grammy nominee for Best Rap Album and Best Rap Performance, on the headlining stage. Pimlico is sure to attract a bountiful crowd of EDM enthusiasts and Maryland Jockey Club officials hope to have yet another successful outcome. Last year’s festival brought in over 123,469 attendees, considerably a record. The remaining artists are yet to be announced, but with a promising headliner such as Armin van Buuren, expectations are soaring high.

You can purchase Infield tickets here til April. Additional packages include tickets with souvenir items. Prices will increase starting May, so don’t miss your opportunity to be a part of Peakness. Visit the festival’s main page for more information.

Take a look at last year’s festivities and a teaser for this year.

Exclusive: Bionik Previews New Album with Special Edit of ‘Helikopter’ [Free Download]

By: Matthew Wolfe

You may not have heard of Bionik, but we can guarantee you’ve heard his creations. The Minneapolis-based beat hustler  has engineered and produced albums for the likes of Far East Movement, Kool Keith, Slug (of Atmosphere), Baby Bash, and many more; yeah, dude’s a straight up undercover legend. And now, he’s turning his attention to the realm of hyphy, bass-driven dance music.

His goal was to create an album with both next level production and massive crowd appeal and Bionik did just that. Sonik Boom is eleven tracks of pure dance floor bliss, with stylistic elements from across the musical spectrum. The full album will be available on March 10th, courtesy of Party Time Society, but we’ve got an extra special preview for you to fill your ears with today: an extended edit of the single track, ‘Helikopter’, crafted exclusively for You!

Featuring vocals from Griffen, the tune is a perfect blend of dancehall & futuristic trap music. The build-ups and drops reign supreme with Bionik and he pulled no punches here; even Major Lazer would be proud of this one. Check it out after the jump and keep your eyes peeled for the full release of Sonik Boom!

https://soundcloud.com/stefonbioniktaylor/helikopter-feat-griffen-youredm-mix

Vegas’ Hakkasan Nightclub Reveals Memorial Day & EDC Weekend Lineups

By: Peter Rubenstein

With Memorial Day weekend and EDC quickly approaching, all of the big-name Las Vegas venues will soon be releasing their according line ups. With the enormous influx of partiers and concert-goers during these weekends, clubs like Hakkasan can expect quite a crowd. To satisfy these attendees, this year’s line ups at MGM Grand’s Hakkasan Nightclub are stacked to the brim with some of the biggest names in dance music.

On Memorial Day Weekend, fans can look forward to seeing Hakkasan’s most celebrated residents Tiësto and Calvin Harris return to the stage again alongside Hardwell and Steve Aoki. Then in June during EDC, Above and Beyond will join Tiësto, Hardwell, and Calvin, as well as Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike.

Make sure to check out the announcement video below to get a taste of the excitement in store for this summer.Their complete line ups for May and June can be found here.

Rain Man Shares His Personal Spotify Playlist

By: Timmy Kusnierek

After months of drama between former Krewella producer Kris Trindl and the Yousaf sisters, Rain Man is breaking into his own once more at the Buygore Miami Music Week Pool Party. Ahead of the show, he’s released an acutely relevant playlist on Spotify titled “Rain Man Inspiration Tunes,” featuring tracks from The Faint, Slipknot, and The Prodigy.

Clearly pointed at recent events, the playlist offers a peek into the influence behind the imaginative sounds prominent in Rain Man’s soundcloud teasers and his side project Hunter Square.

Diplo Releases Alternate Version Of Ty$ Collab “Stand For”

By: Sydney Sedalis

The busiest man in EDM has been extra busy this week: the surprise release of the highly anticipated Jack U EP, a Major Lazer single release, his epic 24-hour Jack U DJ set that was so crazy the cops had to bust it up early, and now Diplo is dropping a hot remix of his own track with Ty Dolla Sign and it is only Tuesday.

Dubbed an “alternate demo” you can tell this version was given heavy consideration by Diplo to be original:

Love this song I did with Ty so much I thought I’d share this alternate version I had.

Kygo Teases New Live Stage Design & New Track

By: Lucas Sachs

Kygo has just unveiled a new trailer on Facebook that appears to tease the Kygo live performance experience and a new stage design alongside a brief preview of a new track that, strangely enough, has apparent folk influences. Featuring a strong male vocal with a very unique lilt it seems that the young Norwegian is blending genres and toeing boundaries once again.

It is very exciting for EDM that Kygo is standing as the face of Tropical, especially with his incorporation of live performances to keep the more mellow-vibe interesting at big, traditionally high-energy events.

Ultra Official Lineup For Phase 1 and Phase 2

Since Ultra 2015 in Miami is less than one month away I think it is time to recap on the official lineup given for Phase 1 and Phase 2: