Episode: #037 | AOTW: ‘Radio’ Max Graham

Watch  me in the mix streaming live on WEDNESDAY @ 8PM Pacific. Log on to interact with me directly via chatroom on djrap.com/tv

Straight into it – the quick five…

Where do you come from and where do you live?

I was born in Singapore and am half Italian, quarter Irish and quarter Malaysian – quite a mix!

Style that best describes your sound?

I cross many genres,drum and bass to tech house to electronic smart pop

Favourite tune for 2010 so far?

I’m Ready [Tech Mix] out on Impropa talent In June.

Best gig for 2010 so far?

Dubai, the F1 racing show.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

What I am but an actor as well!!!!

Your real name is Charissa Saverio: how did you choose your stage name Dj Rap and why?

I was the first dj to play hip hop breaks under house instrumentals in ‘88 and when I drank too much I would sometimes rap and the nickname stuck…..lol.

Being voted number 1 female dj in the world at the Shejay Awards has only been one of your incredible achievements in your life. Who are other female djs you appreciate and why?

Mistress Barbara who is bad ass on 4 decks, Sandra collins for all she has achieved and generally all the girls because they have to work harder than most know to get where they are. They are AMAZING!

Congratulations for your work ‘Give It All Away’ on MoS America label: your track stayed in the Global Club Chart for 3 weeks in a row and it was number 1 in episode 10. But there is something more going on in the world of Dj Rap: when is your new artist album due? How would you describe it?

It came out May 11 a month before it was supposed to due to a glitch in the Apple comuter sytem,can you believe that???? Well it is currently 10 in the dance chart and we wait to see what happens with baited breath.

It is a song based album  written by myself  and some cool guest like the Matrix and Tyler the lead singer from Metasyn my side project (drum and bass band) and then with a band doing their bit and then produced electronically into what I call smart pop.

Your artist album ‘Learning Curve’ sold over 3 million copies worldwide: can we expect the same figures for your new album or even more?

It was 2 million but thanks for the wishful thinking!!!!

That depends on illegal downloading, if the fans like it,it is a very different world ! I just hope people to like it…

You were born in Singapore but you have lived all over the world. However now you are living in the beautiful and sunny Los Angeles: why did you choose to relocate there?

Because it is in the entertainment capital of the world and makes sense for me to be here and I love the weather, it is so pretty!!!! I have dreamt of living here since I was a little girl, I just knew I would be here one day. Next stop Spain, Barcelona maybe who knows?

You are a label owner, dj, producer, model and actress: apart from the first three, do you still do modelling and movies now?

I am going to auditions when the right ones come knocking and am open to all great opportunities,modelling not so much,I only did a tiny bit of that anyway for Calvin Klein on his dirty denim project which was fun as it was on giant billboards all over the world.

Propa Talent, Impropa Talent are your two labels: can you describe what sound are they?

Propa Talent is drum and bass and breaks/dubstep and Impropa talent is Tech house/progressive mainly.

Tell us more about the collaborations you did with BT: you appeared in two of his videos and you did some lyrics for him. You also did an amazing song with Erick Morillo some years ago. What other artists you worked with? Who was the artist you enjoyed working with the most?

I loved working with BT because he really is a genius and a sweet guy, but anyone you get to work with is a gift and I have performed  with David Bowie, Greenday, Cindy Lauper, Offspring and many many more…

You are now very busy working with your band and you were shooting a video clip some weeks ago: we at Global Soundsystem are very interested in this new project. Can you give us more information about this? We heard that the name of your band is ‘Metasyn’?

I wanted to start a band that encompasses all flavours of rock drum and bass and synthezise it. The result is Metasyn and you will hear us soon as we are are doing some pretty big remixes right now… watch out for Crystol method and LMAFO Metasyn remix……as some huge suprises coming your way. We are in reheasals at the moment and will go live next year.

On January 31st you did an incredible live gig via your website DJ Rap TV: basically everyone in the world could join your virtual online club and see you playing your set. Now this is what I call a revolutionary thing. How was the reaction of the virtual crowd? Are you planning to do other e-gigs soon?

I do a show every Wednesday (see below), I always do something different so watch because you don’t want to miss this! Sometimes I do an acoustic show, sometimes a vinyl trip down memory lane or a super new drum and bass show or house, last week I did breaks!

Watch  me in the mix streaming live on WEDNESDAY @ 8PM Pacific. Log on to interact with me directly via chatroom on djrap.com/tv

The all important Producer’s picks…

What software do you use to produce?

Logic

Favourite plug in?

Massive

Favourite Synth?

Circle all that goes with that…

If you had to give away one secret what would it be?

I practice you should too.  It takes work to seem effortless.

What was your favourite track to produce?

I am in love with tech house.

Tell us something no one knows about Dj Rap!

I am soft as sand with broken corners.

Matt Darey has been one of the pioneers of the global dance scene, being a major influence on today’s world class DJ’s. Constantly touring the globe, Matt is respected as a leading DJ in the scene bringing a truly international and multi genre flavor to his sets. His highly acclaimed Nocturnal radio show is considered one of the world’s biggest specialist dance shows, weekly broadcasted on 130 stations worldwide, where Matt showcases his own unique “Nocturnal” blend of electro, progressive house, breaks and trance. His excellent taste in music during his Nocturnal radio shows has now been captured on a double mixed CD, available now on Black Hole Recordings.

Matt Darey started his musical career back in 1992 when he released his own independent record, followed by signing his first major album deal with Warner Brothers and Sire Records in NYC. Throughout his 18 year career of producing and writing house, trance, breaks and progressive, Matt has sold an astonishing two million albums and singles with numerous top 10 and top 20 chart hits.

A chameleon of sound, Matt has produced a variety of releases from breaks to house to trance and progressive, still having a major influence on many of today’s top DJ’s like Paul Oakenfold, Tiesto, Armin van Buuren, Paul van Dyk, Above & Beyond and many more.

Nocturnal is a two disc Matt Darey trademark overview of his exquisite choice of tracks, as weekly broadcasted on air and through the world wide web. Regardless of the fact this compilation harbors an overall trance flavor, don’t expect these two discs to contain big room madness and massively built snare-based break downs. During these 23 tracks, it’s unreservedly about the creation of a heavenly musical atmosphere joined with a tremendous doses of epic-ness in a sophisticated way. All tracks are flawlessly blended – somewhat of a given considering Matt’s mixing expertise – presented in its entire glory without cutting corners or unnecessary editing.

Matt Darey provides Nocturnal with a string of his own exclusive material, either under Matt Darey or his Urban Astronauts guise, accompanied with a selection of tracks from his peers taken from amongst others his own imprint Nocturnal Global. The majority of the tracks featured on Nocturnal is vocal based, making this double CD not just any middle of the road bundle of trance tracks but a well thought constructed album, dominated by individual songs in their own right.

Matt Darey – Nocturnal is the perfect summer soundtrack for a magical beachside sunset, a long drive home during sunrise after a steaming club night, or any given moment which requires soothing the mind.

French electronic music artist extraordinaire Mr. Sam (Samuel Paquet) refuses to let himself be directed into one particular musical direction, as already proved by his extensive discography. His worldly known Opus compilations series – Opus Tertio was his most recent offering – can be described as his DJ trademark as what one may expect when Mr. Sam is on the decks, but what’s the story with Mr. Sam “Le Créateur”? The answer is hidden in the release of his fantastic new artist album Pop Model.

Mr. Sam approached the process of creating the individual album tracks with the utmost care, constantly experimenting, reinventing, shaping and molding his sound to perfection. Sam likes to compare this process with the working habits of a fashion couturier, always in search of new inspirations, fabrics and materials, operating as a producer who sets the trends without following the current musical paths. During the creation of Pop Model, Sam took somewhat of a risk by producing it in such a diverse manner but taking risks is Sam’s game which he mastered to perfection.

So why the name “Pop Model” for an artist album? According to Mr. Sam, the title is a word play on “Top Model” (Sam likes his women fancy) but at the same time, on “Model of Pop”, a more suitable description for the French mastermind characterizing his affection for pop music. Since day and age, Mr. Sam likes to flirt with poppy sounds in his productions which reflects his childhood influences, listening to and absorbing synth pop music by his role models Depeche Mode while growing up in the eighties.

As Mr. Sam explains: “Music doesn’t change, it evolves. The pop music of today no longer fulfills the same criteria as to which we listened 10 or 15 years ago. The pop music of today is mostly dance orientated, the biggest stars devote themselves to it. That’s why I speak of a “new model of pop music”. It’s on this idea that I have based all the work in my new album”.

No less than 21 tracks are to be found on Pop Model with a versatility rarely to be found on artist albums nowadays, incorporating classical pieces, ethnic influences, rocking electro, old school based productions, techno, vocal trance, chill out tracks and yes… pop music. Each individual song shows Sam’s passion for a wide range in music and may very well be labeled as true masterpieces.

Sam was fortunate to work with some of the finest artists: Scottish craftsman Andy Duguid co-produced with Sam on numerous occasions and added his grungy electro flavors, vocalists Amanda Wilson, Tiff Lacey, Kirsty Hawkshaw and Esmaye provided the album with their vocal abilities, American visionary producer BT joined Sam in producing The Great Opus, and even eighties icon Pat Benatar has her part in Pop Model by allowing Sam to use an excerpt of her chart single Invincible, to be released as Mr. Sam’s brand new single accompanied with a stunning video.

Next to Sam´s freshly produced songs, one of his biggest hits to date Cygnes – a collaboration with clAud9 and already considered a trance classic – features on Pop Model and Sam’s respect for old school house emerges in tracks like Ing Ong (using Quadrophonia – Quadrophonia), Dominator (based on the Human Resource classic) and Anasthasia (containing elements of T99’s immortal early nineties single). Sam’s remix treatment for Deadmau5’s gem Clockwork puts the icing on the cake and closes off the album as a bonus track. All and all an impressive hall of fame of artists, complementing the Pop Model album as a whole.

As the Eastern European dance scene has exploded into the worldwide arena, so have their leading lights. Polish star, Krzysztof Pretkiewicz, aka Nitrous Oxide, made his debut on Above & Beyond’s Anjunabeats label back in 2006 with ‘North Pole/Frozen’, the track having caught the ears of the UK’s biggest DJs who subsequently snapped it up for their acclaimed trance imprint.

In the intervening years, Nitrous Oxide has come to further international attention, with support from Tiesto, Armin van Buuren, Paul van Dyk, Ferry Corsten, Markus Schulz, and many more, for tracks including ‘Magenta’, ‘Red Moon Slide’, and ‘Cornflake’. Kryzstof has appeared on many leading compilations including Trance Nation and Anjunabeats Volumes 4 to 7 mixed by Above & Beyond, Cream Ibiza mixed by Paul van Dyk and A State Of Trance mixed by Armin Van Buuren, whetting the trance community’s appetite for his distinctive, euphoric take on the genre.

‘Dreamcatcher’ is the full-length album the forums have anticipated, bristling with the type of energy, musicality, and deft production touches he’s become renowned for. With increasing progressive and electro elements evident in his music, the album brings together some of his previous highlights (‘North Pole’ / ’Frozen’ in an exclusive 2010 edit), alongside a wide range of new tracks that move from full vocals (‘Follow You Feat. Aneym’ and “Far Away”, lyrics co-written by Justine Suissa from OceanLab) to techier bombs (‘Mirror’s Edge’ / ’Dreamcatcher’), epic instrumentals (‘Muriwai’), and tranquil, beatless moments (‘Alderaan’ / ’Amnesia (Chill Out mix)’.

Above & Beyond’s Tony McGuinness: “Krzysztof is one of the new Anjunabeats superstars: he is a great producer who consistently makes huge anthems for the label and his album really shows the depth and breadth of his talent.”

Some people won’t be pinned down. Just when you think you got them comfortably pigeon-holed into one area of your music collection, they spin their creativity on its head and send your iTunes playlists into a frenzy of confusion. Is it EDM? Is it Rock? Is it Emo/Trance/Poptronica? How do you put all of that together and still come up with something that simply blows you away with every note: meet JES.

This chart-topping and award-winning New York native is the voice for countless Superstar Dance producers, she’s propelled hit songs with Tiësto, Armin Van Buuren, BT, Gabriel & Dresden, among many others. JES has topped numerous charts worldwide and has earned two honors on Billboards famed Decade End Charts including the #4 Dance Airplay song of the decade. Now JES will bring the weight of the world to a standstill on March 15th 2010, when she releases her third album HIGH GLOW with Black Hole Recordings and Ultra Records. JES sure knows how to grab your attention. One of her first releases, the now legendary “As The Rush Comes” by Motorcycle, (A testament to both her songwriting and vocal abilities), quickly catapulted her into the global spotlight of the world’s dance music scene going to #1 in countless countries and winning her several awards including the International Dance Music Award at the world famous WMC conference. “As The Rush Comes” ended up as the #4 most played dance song of the decade on Billboards 2000-2010 charts.

JESʼ first solo album DISCONNECT produced 3 hit singles “Ghost”, “Heaven” and the #1 chart hit “Imagination” -Billboard Dance Airplay wk of 1/19/09 (also posted on both Year End 2009 at #6 and Decade 2000-2010 charts at #46). Proving again she’s always the exception and never the rule. JES has smashed the one hit wonder clause that claims most of dance music’s acts, blowing up with an unprecedented solo career that has taken her to every continent on the face of the planet, seen her collaborate with the crème de la creme of the worlds DJ’s and taken her to the top of any chart that matters.

Staying safely within the limited confines of the usual four on the floor dance sound would seem like the sensible career path for this songwriting powerhouse. But as her 2006 solo debut album “Disconnect” proved, JES knows how to break the rules for all the right reasons. The latest chapter in this American pioneer’s sonic adventures will shatter all your preconceptions of where EDM starts and stops into tiny pieces.

JES’ new album HIGH GLOW opens with a modern classic. “Awaken” brings together stadium guitar riffs and anthemic synths placed over a rocked dance beat that drives one of the most infectious songs of the new millennium. “Closer” rises up with a punchy bass line and quirky melodic vocals. JES then flips the switch and drops a mid-tempo electro revolution with “Fame”, her sensual vocals drifting over pulsating synth textures to an impressive angular electro pop hook. Twisted between the urban simplicity of “Halfway Gone” and the guitar laden beauty of the title ballad “High Glow” lays the first single “Lovesong”, an uptempo tour de force of rock-tinged electronica. Unfolding around a truly breathtaking vocal, JES reinvents The Cure’s 80’s classic for a whole new generation. In the alt rock of “Do You Love Me” JES has all the angst and tension of a loaded gun. The Hip Hop influenced beats of “Where You Are” give way to an emo rock chorus that can’t be forgotten. In “Unleash the Beat”, synth rock drives relentlessly and “See Through” kicks and bucks like an electronic rodeo fiend. Reaching further into HIGH GLOW JES delivers stunning ballads like “All Night” and up-tempo genre bending electronica such as “Same Mistake”, with equal measures of sincerity and a raw talent. JES is an artist that not only means it, but makes you fully feel and believe it with every breath. HIGH GLOW marks a bright transition for JES, elevating her to new heights of accessibility. This passionate collection of songs lives up to its title creating an ultimately uplifting feeling of hope and new beginnings that only a true shining star can bring.

JES’ unbelievable talent for communication is nowhere more evident than in her mesmerizing live shows. Holding the audience in the palm of her hand and protected only by her now infamous shield tattoo she breaks the barrier between the artist and audience, sometimes disappearing into the rows of adoring fans that try to pull her in. Where DJ’s rely on strobe lights and deafening volumes, JES captures the hearts and imagination of the audience with a whisper of her sultry, deeply sexy voice. Whether in a dance arena, on acoustic guitar or playing festivals with her band, JES’ intense personal energy reaches out to each and every fan, making you understand instantly what it means to feel loved.

JES’ musical output is truly staggering. Starting with the cult track “Starchildren” with Guardians of the Earth to featured tracks on Paul Oakenfold’s “Creamfields” compilation, her discography features JES working with some of the biggest and brightest talent in the production worl. JES has been a regular lead artist on Superstar DJ Tiësto’s best-selling “In Search of Sunrise” series and on the hit track “Everything” for his “Elements of Life” artist album. In 2008 she released a Chillout remix album “INTO THE DAWN” (Black Hole Recordings / Ultra Records) as the flipside to her “Disconnect” album. JES also generously supports the Dance 4 Life charity and donated the song “Lost In The Sound” for their 2008 fundraiser album.

Tour performances all over the world, for every major club brand and international TV shows including the highly prestigious UK Hits show “Top of The Pops” (alongside Beyonce and Maroon 5). From JES’ integral role on Tiësto’s record breaking Elements of Life Tour which earned her the fans title of “the voice of Tiësto”, to a theme she wrote for Coca-Cola called “Be It All” and a series of concerts at the Beijing Olympics, JES has spread her message of diversity globally and across all genres.

Never one to stand still, JES started her own label Planetjes_Digital with the US release of “My Love,” an irresistible summer 2009 collaboration with Airscape that landed the #10 spot on AOLʼs year end dance genre chart and top spots on the adult and hit genre on Clear Channelʼs I-heart Radio.

Along with her own upcoming Album release JES has even found time to collaborate with Electronica genius BT appearing on two tracks “Every Other Way” and “The Light In Things” for his new album “These Hopeful Machines” (Black Hole / Nettwerk)

We’d once again like to say meet JES… But we’re guessing you already have.

Approaching ten years in the production and DJing business, it is safe to say Lange knows his way around the studio and has developed a natural connection with the dancefloor. Many know him best as the genius responsible for some of the most timeless classics of the ‘golden age’ of trance around the turn of the millennium. However, you don’t survive for a decade in this game without adapting, and Lange has done exactly that in recent years, forging a new style for himself and adding a razor-sharp cutting edge to his sound.

The album is called ‘BETTER LATE THAN NEVER’ and is a Double Album featuring One CD of new material and a 2nd Disc full of Classic Lange releases and remixes; such as ‘Drifting Away’, ‘Happiness Happening’, and ‘Another You, Another Me’. Taking influence from many genres but with ‘Trance’ firmly at it’s heart, the Album draws on Lange’s desire and ability to innovate. The long-awaited album will be both an indication of where he is now and a reflection of his past achievements, defining yet another chapter in his extraordinary career.

Sharam is one half of the Grammy award-winning DJ/production duo and one of the world’s top DJ’s, Deep Dish, one of the most successful US dance duos in history.

His latest release “Get Wild” is a testament to his philosophy. From tech-house, techno, electro, through to psychedelic, acid house and rock/dance hybrids “Get Wild” has it all, and in spades. Sticking to his mantra that there should be no divisions within dance music, this double disc album of new material includes collaborations with Daniel Bedingfield, Kid Cudi, Tommy Lee, and more.

The two brothers, Pavel & Vitaliy, formed Moonbeam in 2003 in Nizhny Novgorod (Russia).

2005, they launched their own label – Moonbeam Digital. The label saw them collaborate with some renowned producers such as Jeff Bennett, Joshua Collins, Stephan Hinz, LeRon & Yves Eaux, Clubbervision and others.

From here the brothers continued to prove their talent in a board spectrum of sounds through numerous vinyl and digital releases.

With style ranging from deep minimal, big room atmospheric techno and beyond the future look promising for the Russia Dou.

In 2007 Moonbeam signed up to a respected German label Traum Schallplatten,

On Traum they have released 4 records, including ‘Eclipse EP’, ‘Spring Story EP’ and remixes of ‘Minilogue – Seconds’, and ‘Extrawelt – Doch Doch’ which received wide support form many top DJs.

In a short time Moonbeam got contracts with top labels like Black Hole Recordings, Be Yourself Music, Kickin Music and Proton Music. In summer of 2007 Tiesto licensed track “See the Difference Inside” for his legendary compilation “In Search of Sunrise 6 Ibiza.

Continuing their celebrated impression in the electronic scene was their first release for 2008, the remix of Perfect Strangers – ’ Ode Ao Sol’ on BEEF records which reached #2 on Beatport minimal best selling chart.

Moonbeam continues to cooperate with labels Traum Schallplatten and Black Hole gaining success with notable releases on compilations Traum 100,

Tiesto – In Search of Sunrise 7, Mr Sam – Opus Secundo, and Marcus Schulz – Amsterdam 08.

Representing for the Russian massive, trance jock DJ Feel has a passion for mixing it up. And when we say mixing it up, we’re talking about a whole blinking classical orchestra that he used in the production of his current album, ‘Feel – The Concert’.

Feel, aka Philip Belikov, explains: “The main idea is to connect classical sound and electronic dance music. That’s why I have recorded nine of the tracks from this album with a classical orchestra. Actually, I don’t remember any artists that have released an album in such a format.”

It’s an idea he wants to nurture and improve upon and he has plans to release a remix version of ‘The Concert’ in the new year.

Feel’s schedule is as hectic as ever, with DJ duties high on his list to “keep in touch with my fans” and his sights set on crafting a whole new event brand with Radio Record.

“It will be one of the biggest trance events in Russia. It will have its own bright concept and will feature popular Russian and foreign artists.”

Along with dabbling in some TV work – Feel appeared on Russia’s popular series about contemporary club life, ‘Club’, on MTV this year – Philip plans to up the ante with single releases and his famed radio work.

-DJmag