The real Miami dancefloor Xfactor
Sydney, welcome back to DMC. We know that the WMC is more about profile and the party rather than business deals, is it the most important date on the dance calendar still?
“I think it’s very important to be clear, Miami Music week is the important one. I know WMC spans over 10 days this year but it starts on the 16th and I know there will not be as many peeople the first weekend than the second week. Ultra Music festival is the driving force now…and everything is now based around it. I think it’s still a very important week for dance music however.”
As thousands of next generation clubbers descend on the big events, do you feel the spirit of house music is being lost to a crowd looking for that instant anthem hit?
“Yes and no. I think there is a combination of both. The younger generation is listening to the anthems and the older house heads and techno heads are definitely keeping the spirit alive.”
Have you had to change your musical direction in the last year?
“I had to change my musical direction in 2010 when I moved to Miami. I was playing a more tech house soundmixed with proper progressive (like progressive from 4/5 years ago..not today’s progressive!). I also played Electro back in 2008, 2009…..but in 2010 I realized the US was much more commercial and I definitely conformed. I had to.”
Is Miami losing it’s trademark cool and sexy house music vibe?
“I have never seen this ‘cool and sexy house vibe’ in Miami. If there is a place where that has ever existed please let me know! The beach is commercial and big room clubs play todays progressive house. Downtown has more eclectic clubs like Electric Pickle, Grand Central and the Vagabond to name a few…and, of course, everyone knows about Space. Space is the underground sound…techno, tech house and even progressive.”
What are your thoughts on the Dennis Ferrer ‘Mansion’ Miami club story – he was basically kicked off the decks for not playing commercial enough…
Well, first of all, this is NOT the only club that kicks people off the decks. There are a few in South Beach and Vegas it happens all the time….as well as Hollywood. If you play a club that houses that kind of music…you have to expect it…unless you are Afrojack or Avicii. I am happy to be able to play progressive house as well as the underground stuff. i know when to play what sound. I really don’t have any comment about the Dennis Ferrer situation. He probably shouldn’t have been booked there.”
Great answer! With clubs and charts being dominated by dance music worldwide, shouldn’t we be rejoicing it’s success rather than being bitter with crossover?
“YES. If people dont like cheese…dont listen to it. It’s not going away…and I’d rather hear a big room dance anthem than some crappy gangster rap song or thrash metal. It’s just pop music with beats. There’s still lots of places in the US to listen to good house music everywhere. Go to Cielo NYC. You wont hear any of that crap there! Maybe this is the gateway into underground..I mean ..i really don’t see KIDS getting into eclectic underground stuff so lets just start them off on something simple and easy…and then ease them into the more cool sound. Thats my take on it. Why complain…we’ve waited this long for it to be recognized. it’s a start.”
The party you looking forward to the most?
“My party! THE 3rd annual BLU PARTY at Louis Nightclub in the Perry Hotel (the former Gansevoort). The line up includes Sydney Blu, John Dahlback, David Tort, EC Twins, Alex Kenji, MC Flipside, Gita, and more. Every year this party has been insane….this year I expect no less.”
What are your Buzz tracks for WMC 2012?
ADRIAN VILLAVERDE – ARTICUL8 – (BLU Music)
SYDNEY BLU – XFACTOR (Zenbi Recordings)
SYDNEY BLU & TRENT CANTRELLE – WORK THE BEAT (Funkfarm Records)
Have you noticed a big dip in industry folk not attending these last couple of years?
“No I find the heavy hitters all come. It’s just not so much a proper business conference for meetings and seminars…more of a party conference. It’s very important for industry people to be there..for shows and Ultra.”
What are your thoughts on the IMS in Ibiza? Will you be attending?
“I am hoping to attend. I think its great because it seems like a real conference. Obviously WMC is lacking in proper seminars now so it’s nice to see a proper conference in Ibiza clubland doing things right.”
ZENBI RECORDINGS is proud to announce XFACTOR, the latest release from the talented hit-maker SYDNEY BLU. Coming on the heels of impressive releases on Azuli, Spinnin, and her own Blu music label, in conjunction with her upcoming first appearance at Ultra Music Festival in Miami, XFACTOR is poised to make floors shake and feet move in spring of 2012. XFACTOR teases a house heart with an electro jolt, punctuated by a Malcolm X sample that cues the decks for a stream of driving, pumping synths that will replenish any dance floor with it’s own X-Factor. Taz sprinkles a little fire over the original version’s flame, serving up an even more aggressive contribution to an already explosive package. Taking where he leaves off, Funkefeller reaches into an Electro House bag of tricks that adds the final megawatt to one of the most energy-filled packages so far this year.
VIDEO:
http://youtu.be/vtTn_xJeGYY
BEATPORT:
http://www.beatport.com/label/zenbi-recordings/19176
