DMb | Dance Music blog & Podcast

When asked to single out one artist who made an immense impact in the year 2011, it was no question for me. First name that popped to mind was the young & dynamic, Arty. While although Arty got the ball rolling in late 2009, he didn’t truly obtain his star power until Armin released one of his singles on his ASOT radio shows in 2010. Soon after, Arty was signed to the Anjunabeats label and has been on an express train to the top ever since!

Over the course of one year, Arty has made ridiculous waves among the trance/electro community. His fusion sound is certainly a hit on dance floors world-wide. I was first introduced to this Russian producer’s music when I heard his masterpiece rework of Ferry’s Punk. This may have single-handedly opened all doors for this young artist. His collaboration with Mat Zo on Rebound, also made its debut in April of 2011, and soon after, us EDM fanatics were blessed with Around the World. Most recently, his track Kate boasts a friendly, feel good disposition with clean beats & subtle progressions to get your feet moving.

Arty’s tracks have a distinct sound, combined with a quirky blend of music styles and he makes it apparent that he is not afraid to experiment with various techniques. As a live performer, Arty possesses energy behind the decks that can’t be surpassed. One of his first unveilings was when he rocked the main floor in Den Bosch during Armin’s ASOT 500 celebration. Aside from his amazing music, his animated faces and crowd interaction is a sure seller!

I must congratulate Arty for breaking into this scene like a bulldozer! From what we’ve already witnesses from this young lad, he definitely holds this title…and holds it strong! He mirrors a true artist experimenting with hearty sounds and effortlessly blending electro, trance, & house gracefully, proving how different genres can coexist.

Check out Arty’s full discology and give your ears a brilliant listen. This is only the beginning, as Arty has confirmed more collaborations to come with big-name artists. It’s safe to assume we can expect more original and edgy productions in 2012!

Written by Deb Graynor

Today, Monday Dec 4th, is the last day of voting for the Lights – Siberia remix contest and our own djNth has a couple of tracks in the running. Voting ends at 5pm PST. Get your votes in now.

http://www.indabamusic.com/opportunities/lights-siberia-remix-contest/submissions/83315
“This one came together very quickly, I initially downloaded this vocal first becuase I liked this song the best out of all of the Lights tracks in the remix competition but I found it wasn’t working out with my clubby Trance track I was writing so I set it aside and did the Banner remix instead. Came back to this later and checked to see how it fit with the Breaks track I had originally intended to use in the Toes remix and I liked the feel of it. I think it turned out pretty good for getting pieced together last minute and keeping me up all night long trying to make the deadline.”

http://www.indabamusic.com/opportunities/lights-banner-remix-contest/submissions/82201
“This is my nu-school Cybertrance remix. Inspired by AVICII and the portamento synths of the Cybertrance sound of yesteryear. :) I feel like this song could finish in the top 20 just because it is pretty different from the rest of the remixes. Most people did faster Dubstep type remixes because the original track is around 75 or 150 BMP range, but check it out and send me a vote.”

Last night, during his radio show, Armin van Buuren revealed 5 extra events of the A State of Trance 550 celebration. Next to events in Belgrade, Moscow and Kiev, the 550th episode of the show will also be celebrated in Los Angeles and Miami. The grand finale will take place in Den Bosch on March 31st, 2012. Divided over 4 weeks and taking place on 2 different continents, ASOT 550 will be the biggest show the popular DJ has ever done.

A State of Trance 550 kicks off on March 3rd in Serbia’s Belgrade, to move to Russia’s capital Moscow only 4 days later on March 7th. Ukrainian dance lovers will be dancing in Kiev on March 10th. This time, Armin lands his ASOT show twice in the US. On March 17th, as part of the Beyond Wonderland festival in Los Angeles and in Miami on March 25th. On March 31st, the biggest and final edition of ASOT 550 takes place in the Brabanthallen of Den Bosch, The Netherlands. Armin announced the full line-up for the Dutch edition of A State of Trance 550 last night, which can now be found via www.astateoftrance.com.

Armin:“Like last year, I wanted to lay it on again, so that ASOT 550 turns into a real worldwide happening. I’m very much looking forward to share this milestone with all listeners, visitors and DJ’s!”

Next to these 6 events, Armin and his team are also looking into the possibilities of an exclusive pre-party on the first of March 2012. The full line-up of all events, as well as the winner of the wildcard for the A State of Trance 550 Theme contest will be announced next week, on December 8th. After that, the voting poll for the contest opens and people are able to vote for their favourite track to be the official anthem of ASOT 550.

TOURDATES ASOT 550, March 2012: 3rd March A STATE OF TRANCE 550 – Belgrade, Serbia 7th March A STATE OF TRANCE 550 – Moscow, Russia 10th March A STATE OF TRANCE 550 – Kiev, Ukraine 17th March A STATE OF TRANCE 550 – Los Angeles, USA (as part of Beyond Wonderland) 25th March A STATE OF TRANCE 550 – Miami, USA 31st March A STATE OF TRANCE 550 – Den Bosch, The Netherlands For more info and tickets, as well as the full line-up of the Dutch ASOT 550 show, check www.astateoftrance.com.

Also all producers send in your original tracks by December 8th for a chance to be the ASOT 550 Anthem. http://www.astateoftrance.com/anthemcontest/

I honestly didn’t see it coming. David Guetta? I figured he would have topped out at number 2 but I guess working with lots of commercial rap/r&b/pop singers will get you more votes. I hope this doesn’t start a bigger trend of more commercial music that we already have in our massively expanding dance music scene. Well congrats to David Guetta and cheers to Armin van Buuren for a great run!

Some notable movers: AVICII (up 33), Swedish House Mafia (up 13), Skrillex (debut at #19!), Arty (up 53), Martin Solveig (up 26), Calvin Harris (up 60), Noisecontrollers (up 55), W&W (up 36), Pete tha Zouk (up 44), Dada Life (up 38), Steve Aoki (debut at #42), Lange (down 29), Joachim Garraud (down 32), Simon Patterson (down 48), Felguk (debut at #87), James Zabiela (down 45), and Marcel Woods (down 32).

The top 100 DJ’s of 2011:

01. David Guetta (up 1)
02. Armin van Buuren (down 1)
03. Tiësto (non-mover)
04. Deadmau5 (non-mover)
05. Above & Beyond (non-mover)
06. Avicii (up 33)
07. Afrojack (up 12)
08. Dash Berlin (up 7 )
09. Markus Schulz (down 1)
10. Swedish House Mafia (up 13)
11. Paul van Dyk (down 5)
12. Axwell (down 2)
13. Gareth Emery (down 6)
14. Fedde Le Grand (up 5)
15. ATB (down 4)
16. Sander van Doorn (down 4)
17. Headhunterz (up 17)
18. Ferry Corsten (down 9)
19. Skrillex (BEST new entry)
20. Laidback Luke (down 3)
21. Infected Mushroom (down 8 )
22. Aly & Fila (down 2)
23. Steve Angello (down 9)
24. Hardwell (new entry)
25. Arty (up 53)
26. Sebastian Ingrosso (down 10)
27. Benny Benassi (down 1)
28. Daft Punk (up 16)
29. Martin Solveig (up 26)
30. Kaskade (up 5)
31. Carl Cox (down 9)
32. Chuckie (up 5)
33. Bob Sinclar (up 5)
34. Calvin Harris (up 60)
35. Noisecontrollers (up 55)
36. W&W (up 36)
37. Pete tha Zouk (up 44)
38. Dada Life (up 38)
39. Angerfist (new entry)
40. D Block & S Te Fan (up 33)
41. Coone (new entry)
42. Steve Aoki (new entry)
43. Cosmic Gate (down 19)
44. Bobina (down 19)
45. Richie Hawtin (down 14)
46. Eric Prydz (down 16)
47. Zatox (new entry)
48. tyDi (up 8 )
49. Orjan Nilsen (new entry)
50. Andy Moor (down 18) (more…)

Record your own version of AVICII – Levels (street performance, children’s choir, flash mob etc) and upload to YouTube. Winners get to be a part of the official video for Levels. Contest ends November 1, 2011 so get moving.

Check out the full Info and Rules here.

United States Trance Movement in conjunction with LANGE RECORDINGS are giving away 2x signed Lange – Remixed Albums For your chance to win, just answer the question below and send in your answer, with full address details including country of residence, to contests@usatrancemovement.com. Please make the subject of your email: Lange Remixed What is the name of Lange’s Label? Winner will be chosen at rand

For Beatport’s next remix contest, we take things higher – Above & Beyond, to be precise. The Anjunabeats founders are offering up the parts to their song, “You Got To Go,” featured on their recent album Group Therapy. Featuring the voice of Zoë Johnston, it’s an uplifting anthem that showcases the group’s unfailingly transcendent touch, and it ought to offer a wealth of inspiration for remixer

Here’s your chance to remix one of the Thrillseekers’ biggest releases to date. Featuring the astonishing vocals of Fisher, and chosen by Above & Beyond as their favourite track of 2008, the track in question is, of course, The Last Time. What kind of mix is Steve looking for? Well, he’s leaving that up to you! Be as creative as you like. The winning mix, chosen by Steve, will be featured on t