AFTER smashing into the DJ Mag Top 100 in 2010, Psyko Punkz now look to be a regular fixture in the poll, as the global appetite for Dutch hard dance — and Psyko Punkz’s jagged, heads-down, fist-pumping take on it — increases.
2012 has seen the duo shift from the new act to watch in hard dance to in-demand key players of the scene, as evidenced by their tour schedule. “We got booked for all the big main stages, like Hard Bass, Defqon.1 Australia and Holland, Reverze, Bassleader… We had our best year so far,” they say.
And with all the touring, Psyko Punkz have been spreading the hard-hitting hard dance vibe wherever they go, “showing
tyle: “Hard dance.” Best known for: “Catchy vocals in
hard dance.” Tune of 2012: “Headhunterz ‘The Power Of Music’.” Breakthrough DJ/producer of 2012: “Code Black.”
the world what HEDM [Hard electronic dance music] is all about.”
With a rammed European tour diary, there were naturally many live highlights, “but the Defqon.1 festival parties in both Holland and Australia were, for sure, one of the greatest”, say the duo.
And as well as the Defqon.1 appearances (essential dates on the hard dance calendar), the duo released their ‘Psyko Foundation’ EP, a heady mix of unforgiving beats and bass, and euphoric melodies, and an encouraging sign that Psyko Punkz — rather than slowing down — are charging full throttle into the hard dance arena. TRISTAN PARKER
If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be? “To bring EDM to the whole world.” Should you play to the crowd or for yourself? “To the crowd, because we love the energy.” What does EDM mean to you? “It means the world, it is our life.” Should celebrities be DJs? “Nowadays the whole DJ scene has changed because they are all producers. We don’t think that celebrities have time to produce tracks. So, NO!” Have you ever been thrown off the decks? “Never.” Are you a DJ if you don’t beat match? “Yes, a DJ plays records, with or without beat matching. It’s a sad thing, but the whole beat match- ing thing will fade away, because technology takes over.” Where’s the next dance music capital? “Pluto!”
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SHOGUN
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Style: “Trance.” Best known for: “‘Skyfire’.” Tune of 2012: “Space Rockerz & Tania Zygar ‘Puzzle Piece’.” Breakthrough DJ/producer of 2012: “Omnia.”
AMERICAN-BORN Taiwanese DJ/ producer Andrew Chen, aka Shogun, first made his name warming up for DJs like Tiësto and Paul Oakenfold when he was resident at Ministry Of Sound in Taipei. He started producing, and had trance tracks picked up by the likes of Egyptian pairing Aly & Fila, Armin’s Armada label and then Paul van Dyk’s Vandit label and radio show. “These last 12 months have been a wild ride,” the newcomer to the Top 100 DJs list tells DJ Mag. “Some highlights were my gigs at A State Of Trance 550 in
LA, the Ultra Music Festival in Buenos Aires, and doing back-to-back nights at Zouk in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. “I also shot a music video live at EDC Las Vegas, debuted at Privilege in Ibiza, and put out a lot of remixes and originals which I’m really happy with. It’s been a great year!” CARL LOBEN
If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be? “Teleportation, so I can get to my next destination with just a snap of the finger!” Should you play to the crowd or for yourself? “I play for myself AND the crowd.” What does EDM mean to you? “EDM is a culture, style and art all together. It’s the perfect mixture of what makes music great.” Should celebrities be DJs? “If they genuinely care about the music and have the talent to read a crowd, then sure.” Have you ever been thrown off the decks? “Not yet, knock on wood...” Are you a DJ if you don’t beat match? “Yes, because track selection is more important than beat matching. A lot of programs auto beat match now, so it’s not that big a deal compared to the vinyl days. For me, track selection is essential, and beat matching is just the icing on the cake.” Where’s the next dance music capital? “Buenos Aires, Argentina.”