November 2013

The 2013 American Music Awards (AMA) kicked off with plenty of star power last night at the Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. 

Lady Gaga garnered attention with her red carpet entrance perched upon a white mechanical horse, while James Durbin was teaching the lyrics to his new single ‘Parachute’ to eager reporters.

Taking home the most awards was Taylor Swift, winning four trophies including Artist of the Year. She thanked her fans when receiving her award: “My lucky number is 13 and so far you guys have made 2013 the most magical year of my life. I cannot thank you enough.”

http://youtu.be/oij_Tl06hak
Rihanna received her first ever Icon Award after performing ‘Diamonds’, from her latest album ‘Unapologetic’. The award was presented to her by her mother, Monica Braithwaite after the audience was treated to a video montage showing her career highlights. Her mother said “I know the journey and your career has not always been an easy one, but tonight I applaud and admire you for being so strong and so positive and so humble and so focused. . . I’m so blessed to be part of this historic moment.” Rihanna replied “Thank you so much, I’ll start by saying just about 20 years ago is when I really started making your life a living hell with my ‘annoying little husky man voice,’ you’d call it. And I mean just disrupting the entire neighborhood. . . I annoyed every one of my neighbors.” She finished her acceptance speech by saying: “I can’t believe that at 25 years old I’m holding an Icon award!”

R.Kelly and Lady Gaga played out a presidential tryst in the Oval Office, strangely reminiscent of JFK and Marilyn Monroe, before singing their duet “Do What You Want” from ArtPop.

Justin Timberlake took to the stage armed with an acoustic guitar for his bluesy, rockish hit ‘Drink You Away’. He walked away with ‘Favourite Male Artist’ (Pop/Rock). It was great to see Justin win something at these awards after coming away empty handed from the MTV Europe Music Awards.

Ariana Grande stirred up a social media storm on Twitter with her performance of ‘Tattooed Heart’, as well as scoring the New Artist of the Year award, beating a formidable multi-genre slate of competition including Imagine Dragons and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis.

There were also great performances from Jennifer Lopez and Katy Perry. The entire event was hosted by latin Grammy award winning Pitbull. 

Stealing the show, as usual, was Miley Cyrus. Instead of a raunchy, controversial show, Cyrus ended the AMAs with a “cat-astrophic” performance – a giant kitten appeared on the screen behind her, lazily lip-syncing as she belted out her hit single ‘Wrecking Ball’.
http://youtu.be/9t9_ygb0LU8
Here are the winners of the 2013 American Music Awards:
Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift

Favorite Male Artist, Pop/Rock: Justin Timberlake
Favorite Female Artist, Soul/R&B: Rihanna

Favorite Album, Country: Taylor Swift, Red
Favorite Album, Rap/Hip-Hop: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, The Heist
Favorite Artist, Alternative Rock: Imagine Dragons
Favorite Artist, Latin: Marc Anthony
Favorite Album, Pop/Rock: One Direction, Take Me Home

New Artist of the Year, Presented By Kohl’s: Ariana Grande

AMA Icon Award: Rihanna
Favorite Male Artist, Soul/R&B: Justin Timberlake
Favorite Female Artist, Country: Taylor Swift

Single of the Year: Florida Georgia Line featuring Nelly, “Cruise”
Favorite Album, Soul/R&B: Justin Timberlake, The 20/20 Experience

Favorite Artist, Electronic Dance Music (EDM): Avicii
Favorite Artist, Rap/Hip-Hop: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Favorite Male Artist, Country: Luke Bryan
Favorite Band, Duo or Group, Pop/Rock: One Direction

Favorite Female Artist, Pop/Rock: Taylor Swift
Favorite Band, Duo or Group, Country: Lady Antebellum

Favorite Artist, Adult Contemporary: Maroon 5
Favorite Artist, Contemporary Inspirational: Matthew West

Top Soundtrack: Pitch Perfect

An interview with Gushi & Raffunk
by Sophie Gatward

Gushi & Raffunk is an Electronic Trip Hop duo formed in 2005 by Gushi from Argentina and Raffunk from Italy. They currently live and compose their music in Italy. She, who comes from the southern half of the world and he, who comes from the northern half… two hemispheres, two points, two souls making a unique world.

They began their work together by producing revisited versions for ‘Amnesia Ibiza Chillout Sessions’. They found the chemistry to compose original tracks which eventually would become their first album.
Their latest productions record the releases of “Eyes”, “Travel EP”, “Sound Of You – The Remixes EP”, “Reflection” and “Deep House Flavours” – all works having been released by international labels.

Seeing these two perform live is a treat – their performances are fresh and intimate in lounge chill-out and deep house style. Their DJ sets are more up-tempo club style with live vocals enriching the experience. Aside from all this musical talent though– they are the nicest musicians you will ever have the pleasure to meet. It’s all about the love with Gushi and Raffunk. Love, in the deep, spiritual sense of the word. Love and music – what more could you want?

Gushi & Raffunk is an interesting name combo. Where do these names come from?
Gushi: Thanks for asking! The name Raffunk came out in 2003 and it is the combination of his real first name (Raffaele) and Funk. At that time, he was the lead guitarist of a band which made that genre of music, so the name Raffunk seemed to fit like a glove!
Raffunk: Gushi has a story of its own, as this is her nickname since she was a child. Then, we started to do some little research and discovered that Gu Shi means “Old Poetry” in Chinese language… isn’t this a beautiful coincidence?

Musically, you two are a couple. Are you a real couple also?
Let’s leave this one to your imagination… haha!

You both write and compose. What inspires you to start writing and creating a new song? Can you give us some insight into how the process unfolds.
Raffunk: Any visual stimulation or emotion can set the spark alight that starts the whole process of composition. Sometimes it’s a sound, a sample or a drum groove. Other times it can be nature’s sound, a book or a film… Something at the right place in the right moment that touches a specific part of me.
Gushi: For me it is the warm sunlight in my room, contrasting colours in nature, a good song that inspires me, the lives of others, my own urges… Sometimes, I take the guitar and start building a melody, other times I steal (ops! I meant borrow) Raffunk’s compositions and improvise melodies or write some lyrics.

Your songs have a calming effect with sweet relaxing melodies, especially in your album ”Eyes”. Can it be a real effort to create this type of sound when life around you is stressful?
Not at all. Music comes from the inside and reflects what you are, feel or desire…

What does a day in the life of Gushi & Raffunk look like?
Although we hate routine, we usually get up in the not-so-early morning and spend time on our own, doing personal stuff, studying, reading or doing everyday life chores. Whereas in the afternoon, we meet at the studio and start working on our musical productions until starvation reminds us that we have to get some fuel.

You do a lot of live performances; at what type of events or venues do you usually get asked to perform?
Well, the situation may vary from one venue to another but we love performing live in every single one. Big, small, comfy or not, the circumstances of the event don’t spoil our enthusiasm. We pay the same attention and devotion to the show and adapt our set according to that moment’s energy.

You’re both well-travelled, and have both lived in Italy for big chunks of your life. Would you say that is where you’re now settled for good?
Wouldn’t say so. You never know where choices can take you to and it doesn’t matter where you live in order to make music. We always choose to go after our musical opportunities.

Gushi, from a young age you were influenced by traditional Argentine folk music. What about you Raffunk? What were your musical influences as a youngster?
My first ever discovery was Neil Young, from whom I learnt to strum my first guitar chords. Then, The Beatles came who were followed by the fingerpicking ambassadors (Bruce Cockburn, Jorma Kaukonen) and of course, Blues also entered my life. I can’t leave out my Jazz era (John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins) that led into the first electronic bands. David Sylvian was definitely someone who made me change direction towards intimate and rarefied atmospheres.



Your careers seem to have been steadily growing. Were there any milestones during your life journey in getting to where you are now?
Certainly! The fact that Pete Tong, Carl Cox, Roger Sanchez and Tiësto have chosen some of our tracks (‘To Be Or Not To Be’ & ‘Be Mine’) for their compilations is a huge start! Then, Julian Lennon has crowned ‘End Of The Day’ Track of the Week in his section at Below Zero Beats. Also, ‘Travel’, ‘End of the Day’ & ‘Sound Of You’ were included in important compilations such as ‘Bar Lounge Classics’ (Sony BMG Germany), ‘Global Grooves 4 – Porsche Design’ (winner of the World Luxury Award 2012) and… to be continued!

The genres of music that you work with have been recognized as electro-acoustic, chillout lounge, trip-hop, deep house, etc. They are all beautiful genres that interlink with one another. Have you ever considered creating music from a completely different genre?
Actually, we also compose music for documentaries which doesn’t mean anything about the genre… but sometimes our compositions do get another character, somewhere between acoustic and orchestral, as if they were dressed in other colours and fabrics.



You two are a well known duo. Do you ever see yourselves veering off into solo careers? If not, what does the future hold?
Our project GUSHI & RAFFUNK is a beautiful work, something we care about and put all our expectations, energy and strength into. However, this does not refrain us from separate collaborations or parallel projects with other artists, musicians and styles. We’re rather open to it.

If you could stand on a platform, and have the whole world’s attention, just for a minute. What would you say? What would be your message?
Since it would be quite impossible to hug them all, we’d say “Love to love… discover the love inside you and embrace it strongly”.

Released Albums and EPs
Deep House Flavours (Dy Mo Music 2013)
Reflection (White Island Recordings 2012)
Sound of You – The Remixes (LGM 2012)
Travel EP (LGM 2011)
Eyes (LGM 2011)

Here are Gushi & Raffunk’s Sunday Sessions

1. Gushi & Raffunk – Travel
“Travel” is definitely our favourite. It speaks about universal love, pure love that needs nothing but to be. As the fragment reads “…looking through your eyes I can feel everything…” We even wrote a little haiku poem in love’s honour! Hope you enjoy it 🙂

Travel out of love
Falling through the spaces
Embrace life and welcome changes

Travel in the essence of true love
Taste it, feel it, be it
Then, let it go…

2. Gushi & Raffunk – End Of The Day
Sometimes, at the end of the day, we find ourselves looking back into the past. Longing for home, a relationship, anything that makes us set off to a nostalgic yet magical trip through our experiences. It’s about immersing ourselves into the flow of memories, old treasures and new sensations.

3. Gushi & Raffunk – Sound of You
‘Sound of You’ represents our inner sound. It is that private space getting lovingly nourished with feelings and perfumes of life. SOY (title abbreviation which in Spanish means ‘I am’) is the intimate point where everything is brought into life. Our essence…

Facebook: facebook.com/gushiraffunkmusic
Twitter: twitter.com/gushiraffunk
YouTube: youtube.com/gushiraffunk
Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/gushiraffunk
Beatport: beatport.com/artist/gushi-and-raffunk/242691/tracks
Website: gushiraffunk.com
Bookings: info@gushiraffunk.com

The multi-platinum selling diva that is Lady Gaga is again in the headlines. Her new album ‘ARTPOP’ was released on November 11 and reviews have been raving – bad and good. Gaga herself has let fans know this is her first ‘real album’ and is about a phoenix rising from the ashes.

Perhaps the reference to the phoenix has something to do with her struggle with smoking pot. In a recent interview with The Sun she said that she is the “soberest” she has been in 5 years, admitting a brain-numbing cycle of “smoke, sing, sleep”. Now no longer smoking 15 joints a day, Gaga feels reborn? This new album though, does signal a return to the spotlight after Gaga was forced to keep things quiet whilst recovering from hip surgery.

Gaga gave a live performance on Monday night at the Brooklyn docks in New York to launch the release of this third album, Artpop, launched in collaboration with artist Jeff Koons. The audience was a hand picked collection of crazy fans and some were almost as outrageous as Gaga herself – men in drag, fishnets everywhere, stilettos and glitter and everyone dancing like crazy.

Gaga didn’t disappoint her fans with her live performance. She even took off in a Volantis – a concept flying machine and was propelled through the air for a few minutes in knee-high sparkly boots and a black leotard.

Gaga stated “the point of ARTPOP is that art and pop can have an exchange”. She also said at the launch party “I think that anytime you have a voice in the world and you’re a public figure if you have the potential to start a revolution I feel it is your duty to do so.”

Gaga speaks to her fans at the launch party

Gaga performs ‘Artpop’ at the launch party

After listening to the entire album, it seems to be about everything and anything… random and wacky, current and old fashioned… with song themes yo-yoing from sex to ambition, fans to love, freedom and Aphrodite’s.



As a whole, the album is quite bizarre and seems to really veer off into GaGa land, but there are some upbeat collaborations with artists such as R. Kelly, Twista and T.I which seem to normalize the unleashed madness which is Lady GaGa. Of course the well known ”Applause” being the most popular track and the only song with a music video so far, already played millions of times online.




TRACKLIST:
1. Aura
2. Venus
3. G.U.Y. (Girl Under You)
4. Sexxx Dreams
5. Jewels & Drugs (featuring T.I., Too $hort & Twista) [Explicit]
6. MANiCURE
7. Do What You Want (featuring R. Kelly) [Explicit]
8. ARTPOP
9. Swine
10. Donatella
11. Fashion!
12. Mary Jane Holland
13. Dope
14. Gypsy
15. Applause


Gaga performs ‘Applause’ at the launch party

Once again Miley Cyrus managed to cause uproar at the MTV Europe Music Awards held yesterday evening at Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome.
If twerking on a latex covered dwarf, called ‘Little Britney’ wasn’t strange enough, she decided to shock spectators by lighting up a doobie onstage after receiving her award for Best Video. Oh well, I guess it was Amsterdam…
Miley was not the only one eager to show off her sexy moves, the shows’ Host Redfoo from LMFAO couldn’t get out of his suit quick enough to reveal what we can only assume is his favourite pair of sparkly speedos…

All the other performances were equally as dramatic, with Katy Perry singing suspended in mid-air and Robin Thicke continuing his controversial style whilst trying to cram as many half naked ladies onto the stage as possible.

Eminem, though was the real star of the show, taking home 3 awards, two for Global Icon and one for Best Hip Hop…all this on the same day as he was celebrating his seventh consecutive chart-topping UK album!

Here’s who won what:

Best UK & Ireland Act
Nominated: Calvin Harris, One Direction, Olly Murs, Ellie Goulding, Rudimental
Winner: One Direction

Global Icon Award
Winner: Eminem

Best Look
Nominated: Justin Timberlake, Harry Styles, Rihanna, Rita Ora, Lady Gaga
Winner: Harry Styles

Biggest Fans
Nominated: Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Tokio Hotel, 30 Seconds to Mars, One Direction
Winner: Tokio Hotel

Best Song
Nominated: Daft Punk, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Bruno Mars, Rihanna, Robin Thicke
Winner: “Locked Out Of Heaven”, Bruno Mars

Best Hip-Hop
Nominated: Eminem, Drake, Jay Z, Kanye West, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Winner: Eminem

Best Alternative
Nominated: Arctic Monkeys, Fall Out Boy, Paramore, 30 Seconds To Mars, Franz Ferdinand
Winner: 30 Seconds To Mars

Best Female
Nominated: Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift
Winner: Katy Perry

Best New Act
Nominated: Icona Pop, Bastille, Imagine Dragons, Rudimental, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Winner: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Best Rock
Nominated: Black Sabbath, Green Day, The Killers, Queens of the Stone Age, Kings of Leon
Winner: Green Day

Best Electronic
Nominated: Afrojack, Calvin Harris, Avicii, Daft Punk, Skrillex
Winner: Avicii

Best Male
Nominated: Jay Z, Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars, Eminem, Justin Bieber
Winner: Justin Bieber

Worldwide Act
Nominated: Justin Bieber, Fresno, Exo, Lena, Chris Lee, Marco Mengoni, One Direction, Cody Simpson, Bednarek, Ahmed Soultan
Winner: Chris Lee

Best Pop
Nominated: Katy Perry, One Direction, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift
Winner: One Direction

Best Live
Nominated: P!nk, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Green Day, Justin Timberlake
Winner: Beyoncé

Best World Stage
Nominated: Alicia Keys, The Black Keys, Fun, Garbage, Green Day, Jason Mraz, Jessie J, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Linkin Park No Doubt, Paramore, Rita Ora, Robin Thicke, Snoop Dogg/Lion, The Killers
Winner: Linkin Park

Best Video
Nominated: Lady Gaga, Robin Thicke, 30 Seconds to Mars, Miley Cyrus, Justin Timberlake
Winner: “Wrecking Ball”, Miley Cyrus

Best Push
Nominated: A$AP Rocky, Twenty One Pilots, Rudimental, Tom Odell, Karmin, Imagine Dragons, Bastille, Austin Mahone, Bridgit Mendler, Icona Pop, Iggy Azalea
Winner: Austin Mahone

Artist On The Rise
Nominated: Cher Lloyd, Cody Simpson, Austin Mahone, Lorde, Bridget Mendler, Ariana Grande
Winner: Austin Mahone

If you’re the type that likes to party, then we know you’ve been to a few night clubs in your time, but have you been to the biggest, best or most luxurious? They may be scattered across different countries and continents, but what they all have in common is a great combination of decor, DJs, atmosphere and unbeatable cocktails.

We have used 3 criteria to compile this list: What does it look/feel like? What’s the music like? How hot is the vibe?

1. Pacha – Ibiza, Spain
Capacity: 3.000
Consisting of five different rooms and featuring a variety of music, there’s something for everyone at Pacha! The R&B hip-hop Global Room, which was the first main room back in 1973, the Funky Room for an array of 80s and 90s disco beats, the new Main Room for house and techno, the downstairs which features Sweet Pacha for retro pop, and then up on the Roof Terrace it’s a place for lounge and chillout.
Although party goers flock to Pacha for the fantastic cocktails and aforementioned set up, nothing tops the resident DJs that really give the place its massive reputation. Bob Sinclair, David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia and Goldfish are just some of the sought-after artists making the place what it’s turned out to be: a party heaven.
http://www.pacha.com/es/

2. Ministry of Sound – London, England
Capacity: 2.000
Revolving around the ingenuity of music and dance together, it features a sprung floor which enables you to dance for hours without tiring and a specially-built roof to contain the sound. It was London’s first club devoted to the American house music, therefore a landmark in history. Among the famous artists that play there are: Calvin Harris, Mark Knight, Fedde Le Grand, Eric Prydz, Laidback Luke and so many more.
You know a club takes its music seriously when it has its very own record label and radio station. With its unbeatable sound system, incredible strobe lights and distinguished design, it has made itself out to be one of the best international nightclubs of all time.
www.ministryofsound.com/club

3. The Bank – Las Vegas, United States
Capacity: 1.000
Complete and utter luxury would be a good way to describe this gorgeous club. Located inside the Bellagio Hotel and Casino at the heart of the world famous Strip, the Bank is seen as the jewel in the crown of Las Vegas nightlife. Upon entering you pass 500 bottles of Cristal Champagne hanging from the ceiling, and it’s glass-encased dance floor just adds to the jaw-dropping experience. This distinguished club offers only the best in packages when it comes to group events. They can arrange almost everything and anything to sculpt your party into a serious VIP affair.
www.thebanklasvegas.com

4. Zouk – Singapore
Capacity: 1.500
Said to be a ”national phenomenon”, this is one of the oldest and most popular nightclubs in Singapore.The club is named after the French Creole word for ‘party’ and the parties here define the word ‘crazy’!
Featuring four interconnected clubs within the complex: Zouk, Velvet, Ungerground, Phuture and Wine Bar. Mimicking the great idea of Pacha of having different clubs within one club. Wine Bar is the most recent addition and features a contemporary design and relaxed setting. The club’s logo has remained unchanged since its birth, “The Zouk logo uses pseudo Arabic script because of the origin of the word ‘souk’,” explained Zouk’s Head of Marketing and Events, Timothy Chia. “The logo is a mixture of the sun, the all seeing eye and the sea.” It’s slogan has become a kind of mantra: One World, One Music, One Tribe, One Dance.
www.zoukclub.com

5. Green Valley – Camboriu, Brazil
Capacity: 4.000
The combination of exotic women, the incredible location, and renowned artist Armin Van Buuren self proclaiming it to be ”the best nightclub in the world”, how could it not make our list of top nightclubs worldwide? It’s certainly the best open air dance space you will ever witness. In a story published in 2012 in Forbes magazine about the ascent of electronic music in Brazil, the city of Camboriu was presented as “the captial of e-music” – due mainly to the presence of Green Valley and another club, Warung. Green Valley draws the superstars of the DJ world to play in it’s breath-taking location.
http://www.greenvalley.art.br


6. LIV – Miami
Capacity: 900
This nightclub seems to be home of hip hop artist celebrities and Hollywood A-listers. There’s no surprise there, as this really is the place to be if you’re in Miami and in search of a truly exclusive night life experience. The high-energy vibe and awesome layout keep people coming back for more. You can be a VIP in one of the skyboxes and have a birds-eye view of the most beautiful people in Miami. These parties will last all night long, and the hangover will be worth it!
http://www.livnightclub.com/



7. Cielo – New York City, United States
Capacity: 350
Located in New York City’s Meatpacking District, this legendary nightclub is outright loved and adored by the locals. It runs on pure underground dance music and the people who can’t get enough of it. The intimate space makes for a ”back to basics” feel that is said to have a womb-like, sonic warmth. Cielo is the brainchild of co-owner Nicolas Matar who’s experience comes form being a DJ for more than 20 years – known mainly for his residency in Pacha, Ibiza. The clubs ‘Funktion One’ British-designed sound system is like no other, it’s all about the music and dancing at Cielo – their motto is “Dance.Here.Now”. Their website says “Cielo is a haven for mature individuals seeking intelligent nightlife with neither the hassles of large clubs nor the elitism of upscale lounges with too many VIP rooms.” See you on the dancefloor then.
http://www.cieloclub.com/



8. The Viper Room – California, United States
Capacity: 250
Once co-owned by actor, Johnny Depp, The Viper Rooms’ musical stage was a playground for some big legends back when it first opened in 1993. Johnny and his band often took the stage, joined on occasion by Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Steve (Sex Pistols). Following them was Bruce Springstein, performing impromptu concerts and then there was Johnny Cash, who was introduced to the stage by Depp himself with the words ”Ladies and gentlemen, I can’t believe I get to say this: Johnny Cash!”
Since then it has remained the hang out for the biggest names in Hollywood, and to this day a humbling supporter of local music. Regulars have included Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Marie Presley, Angelina Jolie and Leonardo DiCaprio.
It’s intimate interior makes for a great place to get together and enjoy up and coming artists who perform there regularly. However, things at the Viper Room have not always been peachy… with Tommy Lee charged with battery and River Phoenix dying of an overdose on a Halloween party, that’s just some of the tragic scandals that have occurred within it’s dark walls. But don’t let that put you off – it’s a must-do visit if you are in LA – check the website to see who’s performing.
http://www.viperroom.com/

9.) Cavo Paradiso – Mykonos, Greece
Capacity: 3.000
With an address like Paradise Beach, you know you’re on the right track. This enchanting club was built on a dramatic clifftop overlooking the Aegean Sea. The architecture stays true to the beautiful surrounding nature and many would agree the interior design gives the impression of being in a grand, luxurious aquarium. With a massive pool as the centerfold, and a seriously endless list of fantastic DJs that have played there and been back to play again, you can imagine why thousands of people cram themselves in for a rave night after night. It’s an experience everyone should have under their belt!
http://www.cavoparadiso.gr/

10.) Womb – Tokyo, Japan
Capacity: 1.000
This place has a heartbeat sounding of techno, electro and drum & bass – Tokyo style! It’s sound system has rave reviews, with digital frequencies in such high quality it has been causing many-a-eargasm. The four-floor glitzy club heaven features many overseas artists for events, but mainly keeps it local with a long list of talented Japanese DJs, some already in the midst of it all, and others still trying to get a foothold in the competitive field. Womb takes it parties to another level of quality commotion, with one of it’s most famous being the ‘Womb Adventure’ festival, hosted every year and attracting up to 10,000 people every edition!
http://www.womb.co.jp/

We meet with the young and very talented Lodewijk Fluttert – the Psychology undergraduate student turned deep house DJ/producer, Bakermat – whose harmonious alloy of natural talent, fruitful procrastination and social networking, has served as a catalyst to get him to the big leagues.

In the short space of a year, his melodic happy-go-lucky sounds and positive messages, have filled the souls of his listeners, and, like a chemical reaction, have taken him to a transcendental level. Following the release of his first EP Vandaag & Zomer, Bakermat has reached number 1 in Holland, France, Luxemburg, Belgium and Switzerland.

His beautifully sampled soul-infused tracks are the ideal match for a sunset party on a white sandy beach. As night falls, the moon begins to shine, and the music starts to play, a little bit of magic “Fluttert’s” in the air. With a humble and gracious tenor, Bakermat opens up to tell us what it’s like to have seen his life take a breathtaking and unexpected turn…

How did you manage to get so many followers in such a short period of time?
It happened pretty randomly actually. I never really did a big promo campaign or anything. I think the main reason for the quick growth is the music. It’s a new kind of sound that the current generation digs.

To what extent do you think that social networking is vital to the success of an artist?
I think it’s really important. I created a career out of it. I started with nothing, didn’t even know what a label was. I just put my tracks on SoundCloud and through the power of sharing it went viral. Communication via Facebook and Twitter is a very easy way to connect with your fans. Media is really useful in spreading new music to people that wouldn’t normally listen to your kind of music.

How did you and Koodbloe get together?
I signed with Koodbloe last year. They saw my big growth on the Internet and contacted me. I really didn’t know what to do with all the booking requests that I got in my mailbox, so they helped me with it. Eventually, I signed for a full management contract with them. They are one of the best things that happened to me.

Your first EP releases, “Vandaag” and “Zomer”, were at Delicious Records, a French label. You’ve developed a strong relationship with the French… What’s the story behind that?
I really don’t know. (Haha!). I think my specific sound is exactly what the French like. It’s very melodic and contains a lot of classical instruments. I can’t really find another reason actually!

How does it feel to have seen your EP reach the iTunes electronic music top 10 in Europe, becoming no1 in Holland, France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland?
It’s really crazy to see that. I still can’t really believe it’s that popular. I made the tracks in my student room, with no idea what I was doing whatsoever. I made them for myself because I was bored of cleaning up my room. My roommates came in and told me to put them online. One thing led to another and now I’m suddenly in the charts! It’s a weird, but beautiful feeling.

What inspired you to incorporate Martin Luther King’s powerful “I have a dream” speech in your track “Vandaag”?
I think it’s the best speech ever written and narrated. The speech is music itself. I thought it would be nice to ‘remix’ it and so, I started the track “Vandaag” from scratch, with only the speech to draw inspiration from. I made the chords and built stuff up around it. Martin Luther King remains one of the best speechmakers ever.

How did you first come about fusing jazz and blues elements to your deep house beats?
I always loved jazz, blues and soul. They are my great inspirations. I have almost 200.000 jazz/blues/soul records in my collection. I started collecting them when I was 13, and I’ve never stopped collecting them. At a certain point (I guess when I turned 16) I started listening to electronic music too. The idea of fusing the two emerged when I was studying in my room. I had a deep house track playing in the background, and suddenly I realized the genres were a good match.

Do you play any of the instruments featured on your tracks yourself? How do you come up with such catchy “feel-good” instrumental riffs?
I play the piano, and I used to play the saxophone. But in my tracks I use a lot of samples. I cut them up into a certain sequence that I like, or I just use the original ones. I think sampling is an art of it’s own. You have to find or create that perfect riff out of a bunch of samples or tracks, and have to come up with a good chord progression that fits.

What do you prefer – the creative process behind the music or the live interaction with the crowd?
I like being in the studio better than performing, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like performing. Performing can give me goose bumps and can make me really happy if I have a great crowd. But there’s nothing that can beat the feeling of being in the studio and coming up with a musical idea. That moment, the moment when you finally have it just the way you like it, it’s magic.

What do you think is the biggest element that contributed to your success?
Having a new sound – I wanted to create a fresh, specific and unique sound. I think that’s the only way to gather a great amount of loyal fans. It’s the basic element to being a musician/producer/DJ.

You have some upcoming shows alongside Goldfish. How does it feel to play with such talented artists?
The guys from Goldfish are still my big example. They have massive tunes and are one of the best live acts I know. I’m honoured to be on the same stage with them, and I try to learn a lot from them. They have been in the business a lot longer than I have, so they can teach me a few things. (Haha!). I’ve played with them a couple of times and we’ve become friends, so it’s always fun to have gigs with them.

It’s only the beginning for you… What has been the most exciting moment so far?
I’ve had too many to just pick one! I’ve been on stages playing for more than 50,000 people; I’ve played in countries I never thought I would visit in my life. It feels like it’s all just one big dream and I could wake up at any moment and find myself back in my messy student room.

Who are you working with on your album at the moment? Will there be any surprises?
Well, I’m currently experimenting with a lot of new instruments like guitars and violins. I’ve also really dug into old American folk music, soul and blues. I try to draw inspiration from these genres and I sometimes use samples from some of these old songs in my new tracks. There will definitely be some surprises. One track I just finished doesn’t contain a beat…

Bakermat’s artful use of suspense and intrigue, with an element of surprise, always leaves us wanting more. One thing is for sure – Bakermat won’t be waking up from his dream anytime soon.

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Booking & Management Worldwide: thierry@koodbloe.com

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