AFTER entering the Top 100 in 2008, Sean Tyas is now approaching a decade as a producer. He’s been among the trance scene’s most solid DJ/producers for several years now, although he counts 2012 as a particularly inspirational year. “Probably the best phrase would be ‘a newfound satisfaction’,” Tyas says. “Not only from gigs and what not, but I’ve been learning so much by experimentation and trying new things in the studio, I tend to leave every day a whole lot more satisfied than I have in such a long time.”
With several singles released under his Naes alias, that have seen Tyas exploring the boundaries between trance and house, it’s been a development that has been reflected across the scene as a whole in 2012; the year that trance found its ‘groove’.
Style: “Trance.” Best known for: “‘Lift’.” Tune of 2012: “Far Too Loud ‘Firestorm’.” Breakthrough DJ/producer of 2012: “Zedd.”
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“2012 was the year of ‘trance’s reluctant growth spurt’,” he confirms. “This year has seen a jump in maturity that it’s not even come close to in recent years. The producers, the fans, and the DJs have all taken leaps forward... I’ve really enjoyed seeing tracks become a whole lot ‘sexier’, by having that little bit of groove.”
Earlier in his career, the US-born Tyas made the move to Switzerland to enjoy the fruits of the European scene. The broader popularity of dance music in the US has obviously changed since then, though Tyas says his own warm relationship with his home country remains the same. “It’s still, and always will be, one of my favourite places to go, because of both the crowds, and my personal comfort level over there. I don’t think that’s changed since I first moved to Europe.” ANGUS PATERSON
If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be? “Flight.” Should you play to the crowd or for yourself? “Yourself first, but keep the crowd moving!” What does EDM mean to you? “The cut- ting edge of using technology to make music.” Should celebrities be DJs? “Doesn’t matter, let them look the fool.” Have you ever been thrown off the decks? “Nope.” Are you a DJ if you don’t beat match? “Are you a producer if you don’t engineer?” Where’s the next dance music capital? “Looking like Vegas.”
94 61 70 BOB SINCLAR
BOB Sinclar: probably the Top 100’s first- ever tap-dancing DJ. “I took six weeks of tap-dancing lessons, five times a week,” he explains. “No other DJ would take that risk, because maybe they would be afraid to be a little ridiculous.” Having displayed his skills in the video for current single, ‘Groupie’, (three million views and counting), Bob puts his enduring success as a DJ and producer down to this creative risk-taking. “People love that kind of imagination because it’s different,” he says.
Style: “The Bob Sinclar style!” Best known for: “My abs.” Tune of 2012: “My new single ‘Groupie’.” Breakthrough DJ/producer of 2012: “Michael Calfan.”
2012 also saw his ‘Disco Crash’ album released and another summer spent as part of Ibiza’s DJing elite. “I played at Pacha this summer and it’s the highlight of the year for me,” he says. “Only the best DJs play there, so it’s very important for me to continue to produce my music and take care of my image so that I’m always requested for this club.” And if that involves learning to tap- dance, so be it. IAN ROULLIER
If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be? “To fly.” Should you play to the crowd or for yourself? “I need an audience to play. But I prefer a 600 to 700-ca- pacity club and a good soundsystem where I can play the music I want to.” What does EDM mean to you? “The Americans created dance music, then they said ‘No more’. The same with disco. We have one or two more years and maybe they’re going to say that again about electronic dance music.” Should celebrities be DJs? “Everybody can be a DJ, but not everybody will be booked to play at Pacha in front of a real crowd.” Have you ever been thrown off the decks? “No.” Are you a DJ if you don’t beat match? “I still DJ with CDs and love to be able to improvise. I’ve seen DJs playing with their mix done already. At least do something creative.” Where’s the next dance music capital? “Bra- zil. For me there is a triangle between São Paulo, Florianópolis and Rio de Janeiro.”