World-class house label Defected Records is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Carl Loben corners CEO Wez Saunders for some insights about its inner workings, and asks a selection of associated artists what the secret is to the brand’s lasting success Almost a quarter of a century ago, DJ Mag popped over to Defected [...]
The legendary DJ/producer has teamed up with UK artist Mark Vessey for a new photography project Carl Cox has selected his “all-time absolute superstar" records from his and his late father’s collection of over 150,000 vinyl. He has selected the records as part of a forthcoming collection with visual artist Mark Vessey, who is best known [...]
"I hope the visitors discover what liberation sounds like" Honey Dijon is curating a jukebox installation for the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center in Manhattan. Part of a new exhibition marking the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion, the installation recreates the original jukebox and music playing at the now-iconic Stonewall Inn gay bar [...]
Released on 21st June 1999, The Chemical Brothers’ third album harnessed the enormity of trance, the ecstasy of acid house, and the vibrancy of psychedelia to become their boldest statement, and a mirror to the hedonistic mood of the UK at that time. Here, with the help of the duo’s Tom Rowlands, Ben Cardew [...]
New legislation finally ends all restrictions that prevented dancing in entertainment establishments New York's City Council has approved a new piece of legislation that supports the growth and expansion of nightlife businesses. Called the City of Yes for Economic Opportunity, the bill was passed on June 6th. It removes 1960s-era zoning codes that [...]
Today we’re announcing a dedicated program that will enable DJs to stream the vast majority of popular music in a new DJ Category. This is made possible by a first-of-its-kind partnership with hundreds of companies, including all of the major labels–Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, Sony Music and a large number of independent labels [...]
AKA The Ride Committee We lost our dear friend and brother, Louie Balo Guzman, this past week. As we struggle to come to terms with this unfathomable loss, we are remembering Balo with a reprint of an article that first appeared in DJ Mag in September 2013 which gives some insight into the [...]
Released on 25th May 1984, ‘Smalltown Boy’ launched the gay synth-pop band Bronski Beat into the charts and onto dancefloors with its glorious synths, hi-NRG production and Jimmy Somerville’s soaring falsetto, which sang a story of rejection, pain and escape. Here, with the help of musicians, its iconic video's director and others, Bailey Slater [...]
"It's almost like being in a House Music Hall of Fame." Marshall Jefferson is the latest artist to receive a Defected Records 'House Masters' compilation. Out on 29th May, the Chicago house pioneer will release a 40-track retrospective that will highlight Jefferson's solo hits, production credits, remixes, and underground favourites from his 50 year [...]
The museum showcases both visual art and music from “prominent Italian artists” Italy’s “first-ever" disco museum is set to open in Riccione this month, Museo Discoteca (MUDI). The museum sits inside Riccione’s famous pyramid-shaped music venue, Cocoricò, and is due welcome visitors for the first time this Sunday (May 19). MUDI will showcase both visual art [...]