September 11, 2013

Steve Aoki, Chris Lake & Tujamo | Boneless Remix EP

Well America, summer has come and gone yet again, which is hard to believe when the temperature gage in my car flashed 95 degrees two days in a row. According to our calendar (iCal), we have officially entered a new season. But is that really a bad thing? The beginning of Fall in Chicago represents a few key components: football on the weekends, jeans all day er’ day, Halloween, and arguably the best month for live EDM shows, October.

Speaking of EDM, Steve Aoki just released a remix EP of his summer jam, ‘Boneless‘. The first track comes from master producers and fellow Dim Mak members, Keys N Krates. The trio has been busy in 2013, already releasing their popular trap single, ‘Treat Me Right‘, as well as gearing up for their new EP, Solow.

The second remix provides a completely different take on the original. Ookay has only produced music for a year, but this talented DJ/producer has gained notoriety because of the energy he brings to his live sets. While already accumulating an impressive SoundCloud following as well as associating himself with names like Borgore, Flosstradamus, and Showtek, it seems like Ookay has his head screwed on straight.

Keep it up son, and maybe we’ll get you one of these.

(Old man puts out hand to show high school football state championship ring.)

(Ookay looks down at the ring, looks back up, and walks away.)

August 20, 2013

Fall Under the Spell of Felix Cartal [Artist Spotlight]

by ragerstaff EDM, Happy • Tags: Dim Mak Records, Diplo, DJ Mag Top 100, EDM Blogs, Felix Cartal, Koko Laroo, MSTRKRFT, Past Present Felix, Steve Aoki, Tiesto, Zedd

Let’s face it. In a digital age where everyone seems to be hopping on the EDM train, there has been an over-saturation of DJs (and I use that term loosely) pumping out tracks in the mere hopes of making it on DJ Mag’s Top 100. It takes a certain set of skills, originality, and above all, persistence to capture attention within an ever-growing pool of production where it’s as easy to release a track as it is to hit send on a computer screen.

Enter Felix Cartal. Dude is the definition of the trifecta of the aforementioned qualities of having skills, originality, and persistence. While he does have a strong following in numbers and often sparks the, “Oh yeah, I think I’ve heard of him!” response, it’s mind-blowing as to why he has not gained even more notoriety in the EDM world. The Vancouver native and Dim Mak Records poster child (aside from Steve Aoki himself) has been a consistent producer and remixer since he began releasing tracks in 2007. After opening for MSTRKRFT on their Fist of God Tour and subsequently signing with Dim Mak in 2009, Felix Cartal soon started gaining the attention of major artists like Zedd, Tiesto, and Diplo.

Right on the heels of his August 6^th release of his EP Past Present Felix, Dim Mak has recently released a compilation of remixes to the EP’s fan-favorite track ‘Young Love’. His original four track EP, offers yet another example of the multifaceted, dance-driven productions Cartal continues to provide his fans. ‘Young Love’, featuring the vocal stylings of Koko LaRoo, captures the catchy, dance-pop sound synonymous with Felix Cartal as a producer. ‘After Dark’ (also featuring Koko LaRoo) can best be described as the counterpart to ‘Young Love’, showcasing his range with a slightly more down-tempo, sexy sound.

Want more Felix? Check out Burns’ take on “Young Love” on the new remix compilation that turns the summer anthem-esque song into a drum-and-bass-laden, gritty chop. Also, Felix Cartal’s weekly mix, Weekend Workout on Tiesto’s Club Life Radio on Sirius XM, shows his ability to compose a set without a weakest link.

On top of that, his hair is so good it has its own Twitter account.

August 7, 2013

Qulinez is BACK! ‘Drop it’ [Preview] [Dim Mak Records]

by Adam Crayfizz EDM, Happy • Tags: A Heavy Abacus, Adam Crayfizz, Dim Mak Records, Drop It, EDM, EDM Blogs, Electro House, Qulinez, Rager Onions, Troll

Rager Onions first came across Swedish tag team Alexander Lager and Johannes Gustafsson, AKA Qulinez, last year when they released the heavy hitting masterpiece, ‘Troll‘. Sweeping the crew right off our feet, the track was one of the most exhilarating songs we had heard in a long time. Their ability to intertwine multiple styles of music seamlessly into one track immediately earned it a spot as one of our top songs of all time.

We’re not kidding, this track was special.

Despite the unfamiliar name and lack of songs in their arsenal, we were convinced the two childhood friends from Varberg, Sweden were going to do big things for EDM. If it weren’t for their newest release ‘Drop It‘, we’d call them a one hit wonder. Continuing right where they left off, Dim Mak Records released a nearly two minute teaser of their latest work. With a totally different style than both ‘Troll‘ and their previous release ‘Heavy Abacus‘, Qulinez’s flavorful sound still contains that signature grinding style we’ve grown to love.

Enjoy the preview as well as the two previously mentioned songs; we will be sure to release the full track as soon as we get our hands on it.