Tiesto: Full of life

REVIEWS: FALLS FESTIVAL 2007/2008

THE FALLS HEATWAVE

Feature: LOOP- MV Community Newspaper

The excited masses arrived with their camping gear wearing their trusty Dunlops and Havaianas on the grassy slopes of Lorne for a hot line up to match the weather forecast. With a sweltering heat wave for the duration of the festival, bikini and board short clad punters were advised to, ‘look after your mates, drink up the water and the talent’. The acts on offer were a mixed bag for everyone young and old. You could chose to groove with hot and sweaty beats in the big top, be lively in the wet and wild moshfest near the valley stage or just have a nap on the shady grass after your most refreshing beverage. Walking through the camping grounds, punters passed the time in-between sets with people watching and playing random backyard cricket. Falls Tip 101: To protect your windshield, park and set up camp away from the main road and not on a hill or you put yourself at risk of waiting a very long time for the RACV and/or demolishing the temporary home of a fellow punter.

Mother Nature blessed the daytime with beautiful sunshine and the talent kept the crowds chilled out and geared up with happy vibes leading up to sun set on all days. Punters grooved to Groove Armada on Saturday night and had a belated breakfast with comedy in the big top and SuperFunHappyBand and The Pipettes on the main stage. Lior , The Herd and The Waifs served chilled afternoon tea and Gotye, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Paul Kelly served the 3 course dinner soon after.  Most of the line up from the recent Chill Island Festival 2007, were all present, creating some very chilled vibes indeed. Hungry punters embraced the many food stands and as the sun set once more on the campsites, a mass of Aussie and international talent took over both sites well into the wee hours of the morning.

Loud and buzzing like a rock’n’roll siren were The Cops, waking up the sleepy crowd on the Monday lunchtime shift, closely followed by the melodic Angus and Julia Stone, Operator Please and Jose Gonzalez.  The heatwave had the punters lined up for the water tank experience and were entertained with witty remarks by comedian Adam Hills in the big top.

Having played The Falls previously Regurgitator kicked off the lead up to the Monday night set with a bang and their new single. They inspired some random fans to bring their floaters to nude up, get wet front and centre stage with their fellow punters. The Beautiful Girls inspired more good vibes and even included the crowd in their video shoot.

Turning up the heat for New Years Eve night on the main stage after the cool change, was Girl Talk, Kings of Leon and The Midnight Juggernauts. There were heartfelt declarations of love from Girltalk, an unexpected standout of the night when the crowd went nuts and some lucky few were invited on stage for the whole set to move to the beat like you never knew you could.

Falling asleep to the booming beats of the big top and then waking up on with a sleepy smile on New Years day, left punters feeling disorientated after a few too many but happy that they once again experienced the New Years camp out. First timers were also now initiated into the festival and saw The Falls in all its random goodness, including waking up in someone else’s tent. Bring on Falls 08!

IINTERVIEWS: DJ BeXta for ANZAC DAY SHOW

Spinning the decks for over a decade as Australia's No1 female DJ with the likes of established contemporaries such as Pee Wee Ferris and Brian Canham of Pseudo Echo, is the surprising Trance mix of Bexta. Listen to her sound and be captured. Just don't ask her to shuffle, ask her to turn it up with her new track, VIP featuring Ammi. The last time we caught up she was spinning disks at Future music. This time she was preparing for her Anzac Day mix.

The Aussie summer circuit has finished. What festivals do you aspire to play next?

I really enjoyed playing at Future as it was the first time I played at the venue- Sidney Myer music bowl.

How about overseas?

I'd love to at least go to Europe and I have not even been to Glastonbury at all.  The UK scene is pretty strong and there is one called Colours that I would be really keen to play at. I think that one is still in the UK.

How do you reckon the Australian scene compares to what's coming out of Europe?

I would say it’s different. We've got an interesting scene at the moment, there's a lot of Electro and House; it's massive. Where as at the other end of the spectrum, there's the hard style mix, which is quite strong here. Then there's this kind of little gap in the middle. The biggest DJ's in the world are Trance DJ's, such as Tiesto and those guys. There is not that much representation of that music here which is weird. However, I think it is changing at the moment though; it is shifting from Electro as the demand for Trance is getting stronger. You can hear the shift from the early 90's coming through.

What do you think is coming back through?

The uplifting Trance disappeared for a bit but I think some is coming through. Australia has always been into the harder style of the Trance spectrum and I think that there is a genuine interest in Trance again. It’s really exciting for all those people who hung around in Trance and great to see the interest picking up again. It is just cool!

10 years ago it was more House style with peaks of Trance in the background. What are you trying to do with your current tracks?

I've moved away from the harder beats of house and I have not played that for a few years, even though that was the main style I was known for. I'm more interested in the uplifting beats and melodic Trance style; anything from the Progressive to the Tech Trance. I love the vocal tracks but it can't be too girly or cheesy, it has to be well produced, good vocals but with really driving rhythms. I appreciate really good production. There is a lot of that around now and I think Armin is about to put out an album now. I've heard the first track and it was absolutely awesome. It’s almost like cool pop Trance!

So you like some pop infused vocals and the cool beats and synthesiser in the back.

Yeah, I always love playing the instrumentals of the harder versions as well and there is always some cool remixes of the more pop sounding tracks from those guys.

What do you look for in a vocalist when doing collaborations?

Well someone who's got a definite style about them. I think they need to have a lot of character in their voice and standout somehow, and have a real sense of themselves in terms of what they want and how they can contribute to the track. How they want to be represented is important. I did the 'VIP' track will Ammi; she has a great voice. She is really into her Pop music but still is influenced by the underground house and Trance. Ammi gave a more upfront pop vocal sound with her interest and my interest in the underground Trance sound. It was a nice compromise between the two of us.

You've done a lot of collaboration namely with Brian Canham of Pseudo Echo for your current release. Describe the mix session that led you to your new release:

 It started off with Ammi and I just working together for a while, on and off in the studio and then she came up with the VIP track idea and then I wrote a track around it. It changed about six times in the process which was interesting. When it was at a finished state we took it to Brian Canham, from Pseudo Echo, and we put our heads together to do the final production for the radio edit. It was fun working with him and doing different mixes. I got the pop influence from him and then after that we I gave it to Patrick Carrera who did a really cool Trance mix. I also did a harder Trance mix for my club sets and another one with a 80s new order influence. I love playing with the mixes and there is one for everyone. Brian does a lot of production for people in all styles. It is cool that people like him are still around.

It’s interesting that the people who were pioneering the dance sounds of the 80s are now producing. Do you see yourself producing later on?

Well that is why I started my label and it gives fresh Australian talent the chance to be heard beyond Australia. It is great to get the production out there. It is my first way of helping people. There seems to be quite a lack of an Australian presence in Trance, in our corner of the woods. I was hearing some really great tracks and they were real passionate about what they did, they just wanted to write the music. So I wanted to help and now they are doing really well. Patrick Carrera is signed to the label and every time he puts out a track it charts well locally and internationally. It such a buzz to be apart of that!

What was your first gig and how do you prepare?

I went live in Brisbane at a party called Adrenaline on Halloween and there were about 4000 people. I don't think I prepared! It was live so I knew what I was going to play but basically I brought up all my friends up on stage so I would not have to be standing up there alone. I wasn't nervous or anything as I had the support and it was a lot of fun. A big jump in the deep end I think!

What are you favourite venues you used to go to and have you played them now?

Well it’s annoying because a lot of those clubs are actually shut down now. The Site, in Brisbane is now a furniture store. The first club I ever experienced dance music and loved it was at The Tunnel, on the Gold Coast but now it's called, Bedroom. It has beds everywhere and it a bit different to the old Sunday nights of Tunnel. I just remember walking in and it was the first time I heard the beats, dance music and DJ's. Not Top 40 tracks at all. I think it changed my life hearing it and thinking, 'My gosh! What is this and how do I get involved?'

The very first songs that you would have heard, would you want to sample or mix them?

 I haven't sampled them yet. Back then I had no idea what was going on. I wasn't one of those people who knew tracks and trainspotted all the time. I knew what songs I liked but not who they were by. I would just record stuff off the radio if I wanted a listen. It is a good idea though, going back and maybe taking some of the first sounds you connected with and mixing it with what I’m into now. 

What are you listening to now?

In terms of dance I’m listening to a lot of Trance from the UK and Europe. One of my favourites is Armand. I have lists upon lists in my computer. Marcus Schulz was great at Futuremusic and he is my fav producer at the moment. The Chemical brothers were cool too but it is all a spectacle really and they have the budget to do whatever they like.

Out side of Dance, what else do you listen to?

I listen to everything but not R'n'B, Death Metal and Country and Western Some Classical stuff, some down tempo rock I’m into. I'm more of a sun and beach girl so death metal is not on. I prefer chill sessions and a lot of Aussie rock. It’s good to get different influences. I would get sick if dance music if that’s all I listened to. Also, I tend to break it down and start analysing it and I can't switch off. The more it is removed from the genre that I play then the less my brain works and I can relax.

What do you enjoy most at the end of a tour?

Just hanging out at home and catching up with everyone. I love the studio and never really turn my ears off or come off the road. It’s been a while between breaks. The longest one was about 2 months about 5 years ago. I find quick breaks help as I just need to keep mixing but also keep a balance or I find I get really restless. My next big stop is the UK and hopefully I can get some time to look around in-between sets.

Can you do the Melbourne shuffle dance moves or do you prefer to mix it up behind the decks?

I can shuffle for about 3 seconds and then one foot trips over the other. It is really not cool. (Laughs) I'm happy to stay behind the decks. I love watching it from behind the decks. It’s funny because in Brisbane and Sydney they have adapted it as well. There is a bit of cap spinning going on and they look like dancing toys at 3am. It's cool and I wish I could do it properly.

Have you had any funny club or weird fan experiences?

Oh yeah! Plenty of weird ones and some very enthusiastic people! (Laughs) Generally people are pretty cool. I have had some people at the Big Day Out throw underwear at me along with shouting out their cheeky compliments. It was so funny, as you don't expect that. I've also been given pet rocks. Mostly it is just notes and things, which is kind of cool. I like to keep in touch with people via my websites and get feedback too.

CATCH BEXTA AT THE VIPER ROOM THIS ANZAC DAY.

Visit www.mixologydigital.com for release info.

*Featured in LOOP- MV Community Newspaper

FUTURE MUSIC INTERVIEWS: Datarock

Confessing their love for Australia and scaling new frontiers in red jumpsuits is all in a days work for Datarock. I caught up with one half of the Electronica funk duo, Rock Steady Freddy while he was being transported by bus over various country boarders on the leg of the Europe tour. 

You do a lot of travel for your music. What are you looking at now Freddy?

About 7 hours ago we drove up from Milan and I'd say we are in Germany or Austria. I'm just looking at snow covered alpine trees, power lines and we got a few cows. Cows and power lines is interesting for 7 hours. They are producing radio active milk.

So you drink that and it keeps you up all night?

Yes, its the stuff that will make you strong and limber! We will be the super men of Datarock coming to Australia.

Are you pumped to come down and see your Aussie fans in Australia ?

I definitely am man, its going to be f**king great. We love Australia but America is so much closer, so we did 5 tours in the USA during 2007. It’s a shame Australia is so far, otherwise we would come visit more often. I love the fact that the Aussie fans drink a lot, they know how to party and have fun and know our songs- what more could we ask for.  Never in my wildest dreams, did I expect the reception to be as crazy as it is. We appreciate the support. As an example, we played at the Meredith Music Festival, and we had to have the police present when we played our songs. We really look forward to coming back to play at Futuremusic.

What are you planning for us at the future music festival?

This time we are going to play a lot of material from what is going to be the next album. It's like, 'finally we got around to writing new material'. Right now we are recording a new album and are just testing the crowds to get a reaction. We have been more or less on the road non-stop. Its not finished yet  but it will be a killer! We will be releasing singles from the album during 2008 while we work on the final cut of the album. Keep your ears peeled toward the end of 2008 for the new album.

What is the major scene in Europe at the moment ?

There's a lot of exciting stuff happening in Europe now; like what's happening in France and Germany is pretty insane, they are starting to come up with some really good sounds. For instance bands such “Boys Noise”. We just did a DJ set in Paris, its really insane these days, both the Banger label and the Fixed Institute label are coming up with some pretty sick material, so be on the lookout definitely.

Can we expect to see you dressed to impress with the infamous red tracksuits this time round ?

Yes we will be sporting the red tracksuits again, even though we have been pretty close to dying onstage. The weather in Scandinavia is very different to Australia so it will be a challenge. It’s so hot down under that it’s a liability to wear those tracksuits on stage. Fortunately its a two piece jumpsuit but if it were a one piece, we wouldn't be obese and we would need spandex.

Future Music Festival is going to be held at Sydney Myer Music Bowl. You do realise there will be thousands of fans and the local bats watching your set too.

Really...how crazy? Well the first time we toured Australia we were on a rooftop party, and thought we were looking at some pretty gigantic birds flying above us at night, but at a closer look it was fucking bats. The wingspan of these f**king things are huge- I couldn’t believe it. They don’t have any natural enemies; you should import some sort of animal to get rid of them. Perhaps a new kind of mutated rabbit to eat them so I can play the set without freaking out. I think thats the next Datarock song, "Bloody Thirsty Rabbit".

I guess that is pretty intimidating. The koala's down here can be pretty crazy too.

Are there any must do things when you come down to Australia?

What we really would like to do, we won't have time to do which is go into the country and do a non music related outback encounter. We just go from city to city and then we have to leave Australia to do some city somewhere else. I wish we had some time to explore. We have been to the Gold Coast and to the ocean though.

In your mind, what is the craziest stunt you have ever done on stage?

OK, i'll give you 'ever' and raid the X files. Its actually from an Australian tour. A couple of years ago when we did the Good Vibrations tour and met this great guy who was the drummer from a Cuban band,  and we asked him to play with us for a couple of songs. He agreed and we explained the songs, that it was different live on stage compared to the album. Without any rehearsals Adrian improvised 5 songs for us in front of a huge crowd; he did it flawlessly. Its not exactly crazy but we took a risk with someone we just met that tour.  We were totally impressed so we took him on tour with us then and there and he ended up doing hundred's of shows with us all over the world after that. So the craziness worked out well.

Is there anything that you want the Aussie music fans to bring to your shows?

I'd love to see the crowds wearing as many red clothes to pay us homage. Please bring the red jumpsuits to make us feel welcome and it will look great for the photos. Put the word out. Anything red!

 myspace.com/datarock