Style: “Progressive house/progressive trance.” Best known for: “Big room sounds, emotional melodies ‘n’ stuff.” Tune of 2012: “Rudimental feat John Newman ‘Feel The Love’.” Breakthrough DJ/producer of 2012: “Porter Robinson.”
ARTY
“I did a lot of shows around the world in both Americas, Asia and Europe,” beams Russian firebrand Arty, quantifying the highlights of his 2012 so far. “The Identity festival tour in the USA and Canada during July and August was outstanding, and I did more than 15 shows.”
On top of this, Arty also records his own weekly radio show called We Are Together on American satellite station Sirius XM, and had big hits in the form of ‘Trio’ with Russian friends Matisse & Sadko, plus a single on the influential Anjunabeats, ‘Open Space’. As well as this, he had the honour of producing alongside trance legend Paul van Dyk on two tracks from the Dutchman’s album, remixed breakthrough star Zedd and collaborated with more legends in the form of BT and Nadia Ali on ‘Must Be The Love’. Style-wise, given the number of shows he has played and seen, countries he’s visited
and artists he’s worked with in 2012, it’s no wonder Arty has evolved this year. “I changed a little bit compared with last year,” he admits, “combining progressive, trance and house music in my own way, maybe with slower tempos, but always with melodies, emotions and good vibes.” Key to Arty’s artistic development has been the close relationship struck up with Anjunabeats, which the young gun prizes highly. “They are like family for me. It was my first big trance label in terms of not just making remixes, but releasing your own singles. They aren’t scared to take a risk.”
Apart from a new single in the form of ‘Together We Are’, Arty has plenty on the horizon. ”I just signed new tracks for Anjunabeats and Ministry Of Sound. There are also a couple of big collaborations that I’m working on. I keep myself busy as much as I can. “ KRISTAN J CARYL
If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be? “The ability to fly like Superman — it would make DJ life and travel so much easier! I’d never have jetlag again.“ Should you play to the crowd or for yourself? “You should find the right bal- ance, so that by the end of the night the crowd is happy and you’re happy as well.” What does EDM mean to you? “Lifestyle. For me of course it’s pretty much every single hour that I’m conscious.” Should celebrities be DJs? “They should focus on their own things and do what they do best... and it’s definitely not DJing.” Have you ever been thrown off the decks? “Thank God, no. I would be so embarrassed if that happened.” Where’s the next dance music capital? “It’s time for Las Vegas.”
Style: “Hard dance.” Best known for: “’Gimme Love’.” Tune of 2012: “Noisecontrollers ‘So High’.” Breakthrough DJ/producer of 2012: “Atmozfears.”
NOISECONTROLLERS have perhaps got the most descriptive name with regards to what a DJ does in the whole of the Top 100 DJs chart. Literally referring to the controlling of the noise at a venue, the noise in question when it comes to this Dutch duo is boshing hard dance beats. “We always play for the joy of our crowds, but at the same time we never compromise our own vision and taste,” they tell DJ Mag. Arjan Terpstra and Bas Oskam started their Noisecontrollers project in the mid- noughties. Arjan originally made hip-hop, while Bas was from the hard trance scene
— when they combined, their accessible- yet-pummeling hardstyle sound immediately won them plaudits in Europe, and they haven’t really looked back. “Besides playing all around the world at the best parties, what have been the highlights of the last 12 months for us?” they chirp. “Our own solo concert Xqlusive Noisecontrollers that was powered by Q-dance, and our performance at EDC in Las Vegas were both absolute highlights. Music-wise, the release of our album ‘E=NC2’ was a blast!” CARL LOBEN
If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be? “We would love to have a wireless connec- tion between our minds and the computer, it would save a lot of time.” Should you play to the crowd or for yourself? “This should not be a dilemma, as combining both aspects is perfectly possible.” What does EDM mean to you? “Electronic dance and the harder styles are gaining popularity with the mainstream audience. It is our greatest passion and above all, it’s the music of the future.” Should celebrities be DJs? “If a celebrity is passionate about music and DJing, then there is no reason why he/she shouldn’t be a DJ. The other way around sounds much more legit, though. Of course, great DJs should be celebri- ties!” Have you ever been thrown off the decks? “Thank God, no!” Are you a DJ if you don’t beat match? “Beat matching is one of the basic skills of mixing. But being a DJ is much more than just mixing records. If you can’t beat match, DJing is not the job for you.” Where’s the next dance music capi- tal? “Dance music isn’t located in one place anymore. It is a worldwide feeling and movement nowadays.”