ARTISTS LIGHT UP NEW YORK CITY THE VOLUME 10 RELEASE PARTY
There’s something about the number “10” that makes it far superior than the preceding digit “nine” and the following numeral “11.” Anjunabeats started out as just a label, but has since become a quintessential international trance community. Since the start of the new millennium, the highly infl uential record label, run by one of the greatest trance acts in history, Above & Beyond’s Tony McGuiness, Jonathan “Jono” Grant and Paavo Siljamaki, Anjunabeats has tingled the eardrums and touched the hearts of thousands around the globe. Spinning the best in modern trance, progressive trance and big room beats, the label is about to put out the 10th edition of its renowned label showcase in March, as the compilation ventures into the next decade of existence.
“We started Anjunabeats as an insurance policy in some ways (for the more underground tracks we couldn’t sign on and as a home for our friend’s tracks) and we started a forum to talk directly to our fans,” says A&B. “Little did we know those two things would become so important”. The British record label is indeed a force to be reckoned with. Throughout the past 12 years, thousands have come and gone, but Anjunabeats has consistently proven itself to be one of the most prodigious labels in trance… hell, music in general, to date. The label is responsible for nurturing a wide range of prolifi c talents such as Mat Zo, Arty, Dusky, and Andrew Bayer.
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Though Above & Beyond is a threesome, it is rare to see them perform as a trio rather than a duo. I was lucky enough to chat with A&B’s Jono and Tony at the launch party of their 10th anniversary compilation about how their label has changed music, and more importantly, changed lives.
Naturally, to celebrate everything Anjuna stands for, label bosses chose New York City’s famed Roseland Ballroom to host the offi cial launch of their newest compilation. “New York has always been a great place for us to play and Roseland holds some brilliant memories for us.” While there have been so many memorable performances, both Jono and Tony agreed that playing Electric Zoo’s main stage in NYC this past year stood out as monumental. “There was a half an hour gap before we went on and people didn’t go anywhere,” says Tony. “At a festival, when there are loads of other acts on, you normally expect a little bit of leave but there were people as far as the eye could see. It was a very, very special moment.”
“I remember the fi rst time I saw posters of us up in New York; it was one of the most exciting days of my life. I mean this place, this city, is possibly the most famous city in the world, and I think for us to be successful here, means a lot,” Tony remarks on how New York has become a signifi cant place for A&B to play.
The celebratory affair, held on February 16th, sold out in less than three hours, several months in advance. The infamous trio brought along Andrew Bayer, Norin & Rad, and Beckwith to highlight their diverse, talented label family. “People like him, well, they don’t come along very often, let’s put it that way,” says Jono in regards to Andrew Bayer. “His music has so much detail and so much beauty. I think in dance music especially, a lot of people are more concerned with keeping the fl oor moving. Andrew’s music really comes from the heart and it shows. So of course we are going to have him play on our night if we can.”
After Andrew Bayar’s performance, I was able to catch up with him and get his thoughts about this historic event. Fresh out of the booth, it was undeniable that Andrew was on cloud nine; which made it easy to see why he is such a well respected and loved member of the Anjunabeats family.
You have so much energy when you perform.
It’s hard when you are just one person DJing. You don’t have someone that is hyping up the crowd, so it is hard to work the equipment and also be the cheerleader. I try really hard so I’m usually covered in sweat by the time I’m done. It’s gross.
Well we were talking with Jono and Tony before and they were just raving about you.