conference reviews
Photos: Mike Breeuwer and Aico Lind
Reviews: Eric van den Bogaard and Michael Oudman
day one
Living in a cloud of sound
The public part of the Music & Bits program officially kicks of with a nice chat between two people who dedicated their lives to music and technology. Eric Wahlforss (Soundcloud) makes himself comfortable, with Rotterdam's own Mr Jochem Paap, stagename Speedy J, sitting next to him. Eric once was part of the Sonar Kollektiv crew, producing the deepest of dance music. Jochem: "Usually I'm used to people jumping up and down, but now you are supposed to remain seated. We are going to chat about music and technology, and hopefully come up with interesting things."
DJ Isis' manager Nana Lodewijkx is concerned: "How is putting up dj mixes allowed?" Jochem counters: "Technology offers many opportunities. I rather make use of them than prosecute people who are abusing it." Well, there you go... Would that be this years mantra? We will keep you posted!
day one
RJDJ: your music in a whole new light
Technology offers massive possibilities for producing, sharing, experiencing and consuming music. There's many people around ranging from musicians (who are by definition not good with computers according to Echonest's Brian Whitman) and dorks (who produce crappy music, says Whitman). But whoever you are; if you want you can be part of 'the scene', even if you're 'just' a consumer. The RJDJ software uses the power of the new generation personal music players like iPhone and iPod Touch to create mind blowing hearing sensations.
We are living in the digital age, did you know? Technology becomes more and more available and portable. We want to be able to manipulate everything to the fullest. "RJDJ manipulates sound around you, creating an ambient soundtrack of the things happening around you: reactive music," according to Andie Nordgren. "The environment affects the music in real time."
Imagine creating you're own trippy ambient environment, it's a very different way off adding some spice to your tunes. Andie and Martin Roth (RDJ) hook up the iPhone to the system to involve the crowd with the RJDJ trip. "But it works best when you use your headphones." We've checked the app while walking through the Felix Meritis, and we must say: it does add a lot to the experience. Everyone looks different, because of the context that the sound adds. It's interesting, we like it!
day one
Scrobblin’ around with Last.fm
Last.fm was one of the first to make a community like platform for music lovers. And guess what, they’re still around. And maybe it comes as a surprise, but the only one that’s left since the beginning is Matthew Ogle, who yesterday was in Amsterdam for the first time. “Think of me as that wise old grandpa” he said. Being around the internet for seven years felt like seven big-dog years, meaning it felt like 56 years. Well done Matt!
Unlike many people think, Last.fm is a London based company – facing Chart Lane as a trivia. It started out of two companies doing almost the same thing, at almost the same time. “We now feature a crowdsourced music recommendation” according to Ogle. Meaning that there is a constant feedback loop of music being listened to. “Last.fm is a connective tissue for your online musical life”. The scrobbler – a program that gets it’s info through other programs – sends the artists and tracktitles to a database, which recommends tracks that other people listened to, who in the first place listened to the same track you listened to. There are 711 tracks scrobbled per second, so it’s huge.
When Last.fm decided to quit the free radio stream, and charge a little fee for it, people went berserk, calling Last.fm all kinds of names. When the next change came – a pause in the stream when the user shows no activity for a while – Last.fm decided to change the plan, and explain to the users why the change is going to be made. In this case the price of the rights of the tracks being streamed. The public accepted the change very well, and there even started a running gag featuring Vic the Inactivity Bear. “Making acknowledgement makes that changes are better accepted.”
day one
ADE opening: coziness
day two
To App or not to App
Listening to music is so last season. It's about experiencing music now, and everything should be portable and interactive. To App or not to App is all about how the music business, especially artists can benefit from mobile software. Richard Skaiffe (New State Entertainment): "Apps are becoming more important as a communication strategy for artists. The trick is to make the lively and vibrant so people reengage with the app you put out." Guess we're no in Kansas anymore, although Iwan de Kuiper (Black Hole Recordings) thinks we shouldn't take it too far: "Will dj's be performing with just an iPhone in their hands in the near future? I don't know, to be honest I hope not. But I'm from the vinyl age. Ah well, don't get me started there, haha!" Brian Transeau, the man with the best haircut in the room, is heavily involved with apps as an artist and from the point of view of a developer. To him, the sky (at least the mobile wireless network) is the limit: "This is a very exciting new thing for artists. We've released a remix app with just one song in it, and sold 40.000 of it in the first view weeks after the release!" His experience with apps also learns that it's a great way to strengthen your relationship with local fan bases: "Via analytics, it's amazing to see that there's an app sales peak when I play somewhere."
Looking at the crowd, it seems on or two business ideas pop up on the spot, apps are exciting indeed! And we ain't seen nothing yet, says Iwan: "It's very interesting to see how the iTunes app store will level out with the iTunes music store. We are convinced that in the end the app store will outgrow the music store. We want to be on the forefront there." Jurgen Thysmans from Nokia Benelux is facing quite a battle with his iPhone competitors, but he's definitely up for it: "The platform choice depends on where you play your home games, iPhone would be the way to go in the States, but we dominate Finland." He does show proper respect for the enemy on the app battlefield: "The guys at Apple have done a great job, which is something that we as market leaders in the mobile space can not deny." Tong in cheek? Sure, but with this remark he also underlines that the app business is very serious, a geek jungle for mobile sexiness, one could say...
day two
Behind the Scenes of the DJ Scene
It’s important to profile yourself, for example the by the label you’re with. “Some of the dj’s in my roster only got bookings because they were connected to Ed Banger records” Martje Kremers explains. Also the role of internet should be kept in mind by a dj. “A dj should talk to his fans on internet. There’s a whole new fanbase that’s active online.” And it’s important to answer through your own social networks. “People will tell the difference if you got someone else doing it for you” Nick Warren says. “Most dj’s are terrible spellers.” Eamon Forde concludes “The inability to spell is the way to sell”
day two
The Artist Debate
Even 13 year old girls can play with cd's
One of the great things of this event is that it unites every dance music style around. The most amazing example came up during the Artist Debate in Panel Room 1. When trance giant Armin van Buuren stated that dj'ing is about the cook, not the kitchen, Detroit techno native DJ Bone took a few seconds and said: "Man, I never expected to agree with you on anything!"
The group of artists on the small stage was of varied plumage. Next to Armin and Bone, Joris Voorn, Chris Liebing, and Henrik Schwarz were invited to share their views on what being an artist is all about nowadays.
When asked what they wanted to become growing up, Armin said he still doesn't know, Joris wanted to be an architect and Henrik used to be into graphic design, but he had to let it go because his career in music really took off after his first release. "Before that I never thought anyone would like my music, thought I was just making weird stuff." Apart from marketing, vinyl vs Traktor dj'ing, and how to take care of the business side of things, combining family life with night life came up. According to Bone, it's hard but possible, and fellow family man Chris agrees. Bone: "My daughter kept barging into the studio which caused some distraction, but the solution was simple: I let her produce. She is 13 years old now, and has a record out. She's dj'ing too, with cd's. Kind of my way to prove a point: even 13 year old girls can be digital dj's..."
day two
New Kids on the Block
day two
6 th. Annual ADE Network Bash
day three
15 years in 15 records
The Tracklist:
1994: E-Klektic– Maracana Madness
The track was made during the ’94 worldcup, featuring a famous Brazilian football commentator Edmo Zarife. The whole track actually is a complete rip off. When we re-released the track, with remixes from all our artists, the Zarife called us, yelling in the phone. He was glad we used it, he only wanted us to put his name on the cover. And we did.
1995: Ceasefire - Trickshot
This track really was synonimous for the Wall of Sound sound at that time. Al Pacino hasn’t called me yet. We went to Ibiza with the Ceasefire guys, and Derek Dahlarge never came back. Some people in the room will probably know a Dahlarge story. Well I do. I superglued a dildo onto his head when he fell asleep at the beach for one time. When he woke up, he didn’t notice it was still on his head.
1996: Mekon – Welcome to Tackletown
It sounds like it should be released last week, and not in 1996. It sounds more relevant now than ever.
1997:Propellerheads – History Repeating
Anyone remember this one? I see a few nods. Their live setup is amazing Two sets of decks, a Hammond organ and a drum kit. The vocals were originally done by Alex, but I called Shirley Basseys manager to ask if she wanted to do it. I don’t know what he was thinking. So we made an appointment and we were all fearing her not showing up. But she did. It was the most surrealistic thing. Oh, and just between me and you, we’re doing a reissue of Decksanddrumsandrock‘nroll and they Propellerheads re going to play live with a band in the beginning of next year.
1998: Zoot Woman – It’s Automatic
The Zoot Woman guys were just to blokes coming right out of school, to play their first single lafe to me.
1999: The Wiseguys – Ooh la la
Re-released in 1999. The wiseguy’s first record was 100% samples. Which really was good fun clearing. It was Wall of Sound’s biggest selling record.
2000: Shawn Lee - Happiness (Ashley Beedle bossanove west coast remix)
The hit that wasn’t a hit. The most Balearic moment of the label, and my favorite track to release. Kleinenberg adds: It should be redone this year!
Right now the pace goes up a little. Mark Jones is getting in a little time squeeze.
2001 : Mekon ft. Marc Almond – Please stay (Royksopp remix)
One of the things we’re doing is to work with vocalists on a way to get them a platform to do things they won’t do in their own projects. And it works well! Royksopp just started at this moment.
2002: Royksopp – Eple
The guys made this first album on their room in this little mountain village Bergen.
Kleinenberg: Bergen is the rainiest place in the world. Royksopp reinvented the scene with the clean sound. It has changed my life.
2003: skipped
2004: Two Culture Clash
I’ve always wanted to do a project to put all the electronic artists from the world, put them in a studio in Jamaica with the world’s best vocalists to record an album. Two Culture Clash is the result. And basically Diplo and
2005: Les Rhytmes Digitales – Darkdancer
We re-released it because it appeared in a Citroën commercial, and it became a top 10 hit.
Let’s tell you a funny story about the name Jacques Lu Cont. I was in Paris and was listening to some music in a bar, and I asked the bartender what it was. And he would say “it is this little kid that lives with his father in an insane asylum, and he is called Jacques lu Cont” Which means Jack the Cunt.
2006: The Infadels – can’t get enough
They entered in a competition I’ve set up, and I thought they were pretty good.
2007: Reverend and the makers – Silence is talking.
At this moment the programme leader tells Mark to hurry up a bit.
2008: Grace Jones – William’s blood (Aeroplane Remix)
Grace wouldn’t be happy if she’d know you push her. I’ll tell her by the way. There was always a rumor of a new album coming. And this one day her label called to ask if we wanted to bring it out. At first I thought it was some kind of joke, by one of my friends. But it wasn’t. She is without doubt one of the most inspiring artists in the world. Even here live show is inspiring and astonishing.
day three
The world according to Richie Hawtin
Another current theme for Richie is online collaborations: "I'm looking for ways to create music in real time, working with people from all over the world where ever I am. There so much I want to do, but I lack time to do it all. So when possibilities open up to do things more effectively, I'm interested."
And of course, Richie is looking for a manner to take it all one step further: "Wouldn't it be great if you could hook up to a live stream from a studio somewhere, and use it in your set? Like when I would be touring with Gaiser, but he needs a few weeks to work on stuff but could still feed me with new music in real time?" Yes, this may be a bit out there, but on the other hand: we need forward thinkers like Richie to take it all to another level. Who knows what clubbing will look like a few years from now? Maybe we can download a drink, and upload the fluids you want to get rid off with your hot Second Live 3D projected date standing next to you? Who knows?
day three
DJ Hero: A Journey from Vinyl to Console
Yes guys, it's official. 'We' have our very own game now! This will take bedroom dj'ing to another level, and the great thing is you don't even need to leave your room to reach it. With DJ Hero, you can become your all time favourite dj, and play for sold out crowds all over the world! And it's cool, really. Of course it's about the game first, dj'ing second, you should keep that in mind. But it's one of the few games that is actually cool to look at, and to listen to with a group of people while hanging back on a rainy Friday night. A team of great producers has spent long hours preparing playable mash-ups by some of the biggest tunes across all genres. Sergio Pimentel (DJ / Guitar Hero): "The music needed to be hooky, a track going uhm-tss-uhm-tss-uhm-tss for eight minutes is not suitable." Well, believe us; if you have reached a decent level, the music is everything but boring, without it making you too nervous.
Daniel Neil at Freestyle Games did not take any chances there: "We started with the mixes we made ourselves. We have an in-house scratch dj, some electronic music producers, a drum and bass guy, and some guys from the mash-up scene who we taught to up their production level, for instance working with software that's not fee." And then there was the bunch of big name dj's and producers who were involved in cooking up the mixes: "The process with the celebrity dj's was quite different, it was imperative to keep their musical voice in tact. But it needed to work in the game as well. The celebrity mixes now each have their own style, you can feel that when you're playing the game." Well that should add a lot of flavour, right? But like one famous philosopher once said: "Writing about music is like dancing about architecture," and we guess that also apply to game journalism. So don't hesitate, try out the console downstairs and see for yourself!
day three
Bring me solutions!
Main focus of the rest of the hour went out to distribution and music being a free marketing tool for other musical experiences. Ilario Drago explains that music is not only a record, but a complete set of entertainment. On which Ronny Krieger adds that music can’t always be a free giveaway. “Some music being put out on record, can’t be played in a live setting. It is too difficult. I would find it sad if that means that those bands stop to exist.” It’s a shame there weren’t more label owners. Finding practical solutions for real life problems wasn’t going to work out.
One last usable tip from the complete panel: when you have a smaller label,don’t do your own distribution. Both online and offline. Get a third party to arrange things: it will take too much of your precious time, while they are often specialized in arranging that kind of stuff for you. They already have the contacts and the ways of getting around.
day four
Inspiration vs. Technology!
To talk about this topic there were five guests, namely Dan Tate of Pioneer, Melon, Matt Edwards (Radio Slave) and the guys from Slam. The consensus is that all of them got inspired by life. Matt Edwards: “I get inspired by listening to a lot of music. Taking a lot of things from life, like art. I don’t care about technology, only on life. I don’t buy a lot of new gizmo’s to make music. I use an old computer, but also some analog stuff.” It also seems that dj’s like to keep it simple. “The more technology there is to use, the more confused I get” says Dan Tate. And Melon agrees. “The more options you have, the more you limit yourself, because you can’t find the functions.” But this is a somewhat older – more nostalgic – group of people. Dan Tate expects the younger to adapt easier to new technologies.
