Special Edition
C AT D E A L E R S THE REASONS WHY THE BRAZILIAN DUO CONQUERED THE WORLD.
R3HAB
FOCUS AND PASSION
TRIP TO BRAZIL
A DANCE MUSIC JOURNEY
KSHMR
MAKING THE WORLD PROUD
GREEN VALLEY DESERVEDLY #1
Brazilian artists talk ADE, Mark Ursa talks Ibiza, Experts analyse the Brazilian scene, DJs recommend DJs & more…
DJ Mag Brasil Avenida Embaixador Abelardo Bueno 600, Bloco Indic, Sala 303 Barra da Tijuca Rio de Janeiro, RJ
LATINOAMERICA Project leader: BAN International director: Nicolas Barlaro Internarional editor: Hernan Pandelo - hernanp@djmagla.com
Here we are participating in one more ADE edition with smiles on our faces, for we are once again telling you a little bit of what’s going on in Brazil’s electronic music culture, besides a few international highlights, during the biggest dance music conference in the world. Although the number of pages this time does not completely portray the growth that the whole productive spectrum in our scene has had for the past 5 years, we’re trying to show why “Brazilian hotness” right now does not refer only to the beaches and to the people anymore, but also to the music. We thank our team and our readers for this incredible opportunity. Enjoy!
BRASIL DIRETORIA Publisher: Rodrigo Vieira - rodrigovieira@djmagbr.com Operational director and events: Kryssiam Lauria - kryssiam@djmagbr.com Marketing director and business development: Raphael Caracas - raphaelcaracas@djmagbr.com EDITORIAL Editor: Rodrigo Airaf - rodrigoairaf@djmagbr.com Editorial assistant: Pollyanna Assumpção MARKETING Ana Cavalcante - analuiza@djmagbr.com
RODRIGO AIRAF LAW MSDA Advogados ARTE Art Director: Alejandro Ramos - aleramos@djmagla.com Layout: Sergio Aguirre International correspondent: Rodrigo Barreto / Rod B. (United States) Hugo Ribeiro (Porto, Portugal)
CONTENT
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FEATURES 08 BACKSTAGE
Professionals debate: how to make it in Brazil?
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Conquering Brazil and beyond
CAT DEALERS
10 TRIP TO BRAZIL
A dance music journey
14 THE WORLD BY DJS
Mark Ursa gives tips about Ibiza
16 R3HAB
Music at heart
18 AMSTERDAM DANCE EVENT
Brazilian artists pick their desired parties
20 KSHMR
Respect and competence
26 BEATDROPS
A musical domino effect
28 GREEN VALLEY
5 items to explain their legacy
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28 djmagbr.com
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BACKSTAGE
The opinion of professionals from the Brazilian scene
THIS EDITION’S THEME:
DANCE MUSIC IN BRAZIL FOR ARTISTS AND EVENTS Words: RODRIGO AIRAF
BRUNA CALEGARI conceptual clubs, such as Warung Beach Club. Major events like Kaballah, Tribaltech, among others, have in national names like Vintage Culture, Gabe, Dashdot and Devochka their big ticket sellers. International artists became rarer due to the dollar and became positioning items. It’s easier to see medium-weight names doing short three or four-date tours at clubs and parties that share the same style. Parties are popping up and changing their style all the time. It’s hard to keep up with the hype - you have to be very connected or know a good manager to guide you! If a foreign event wants to catch the Brazilian audience’s attention, what should be done?
Creative Director at Festival Subtropikal, curator at Brazil Music Conference, editor of the BRMC Yearbook and CEO at Hot Content
How do you see the dance music events scene in Brazil nowadays? What are the most evident particularities? The Brazilian industry is much more plural, for sure! If in the past some heavyweight headliners could be a smash hit in every region (such as David Guetta, Solomun and Fatboy Slim), now the market has become more specific. For example, names like Kolombo can take more than 5,000 people to previously
First, be real. Among so many who came to Brazil, Dekmantel was one of the events that truly connected with the public and the artistic class in São Paulo - no wonder it provoked controversy when it did not announce any São Paulo artists in the Dutch edition, at the time of the exchange. The love affair ended badly - we are passionate. Winning the public on the surface sounds easy, but the Latin heart is more complex than you might think. Love and hate are very close to each other. So I would not indicate for any event to “win over” the audience, but to think strategically very hard, to be clear about its concept, to ally itself with good peers and to bitter without complaint about the early years. Because we are tired of seeing events coming here and dying after the “2-year-old syndrome”: from Sónar to Tomorrowland to Dekmantel itself. It’s not easy to do an event in Brazil, but those who settle in have a good chance of having an interesting market to explore. As we like to say: Brazil is not for beginners.
MAURICIO SOARES How do you see the dance music events scene in Brazil nowadays? What are the most evident particularities? I see the market today in a context of maturity. The supply-demand relationship is healthier than it has been in the recent past and I have not seen many floods of free tickets. However, there is still little differentiation in terms of formats and aesthetics - which also means that there are still great opportunities to be explored. Overall, I think there is still a lot to evolve in the creative part of events, but it also depends on the development of the value chain as a whole. With reference to recent episodes, it is also time for event organizers to be more aware than ever of the issue of illicit drugs and all the problems arising from their abuse. It is possible to observe that there is a tendency towards greater conservatism underway, with broad support from a large part of the population, and this is reflected both in the police performance and in the way the press addresses certain issues. If a foreign event wants to catch the Brazilian audience’s attention, what should be done? The first step is to seek to know your audience segment in Brazil. The preferences and behavioral characteristics of the same demographic group vary considerably from country to country and not recognizing this can lead to fatal mistakes. It is then recommended to adopt a governance model that offers the local organizer a good degree of decision-making autonomy, provided that 8
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Founding partner at Alma Music Group, founding partner at ARCA, owner of the strategic consulting agency Mauhaus, managing partner at M-S Live
the essential characteristics of the brand and the dynamics of the event are preserved. Micro-management is a poison to team relationships and undermines process efficiency. We must also tropicalize communication and the value proposition. This means communicating in Portuguese as far as possible, making the public understand, and adjusting things like food and beverage menu, lineup and ticket selling strategy for local taste and behavior.
BACKSTAGE FELIPPE SENNE Therefore, a particularity that is beginning to be noticed is that this island is beginning to attract the attention of international artists, promoters and record companies, wanting to be part of the “brazilian bass” movement, including signing artists in major labels like Spinnin’ and Armada, as well as creating playlists with the Brazilian sound. If a foreign artist wants to catch the Brazilian audience’s attention, what should be done? Just reverse the logic that we Brazilians have always been used to: instead of chasing after collabs and commercial partnerships with foreign artists, labels and agencies, it’s time for the foreigners to come after us.
Founder and teacher at the online course Make Music Now, partner and A&R at the label HUB Records, partner and art director at Nova Bookings and Boost MGMT, and curator of the itinerant event Sonzeira. How do you see the dance music scene in Brazil nowadays? What are the most evident particularities? Since 2015, in my opinion, Brazil has experienced a revolution regarding the influence of Brazilian artists within Brazil itself. Previously, to reach large audiences in electronic events it was necessary to import the foreign talent. Nowadays we have artists like Vintage Culture, Cat Dealers, Alok, Illusionize, KVSH, among others, selling out big ticket events. Many people negatively point out that Brazil is a kind of “island” culturally, since the genres that pump around here do not necessarily reflect the reality from abroad. But while this may be true, genres like EDM/Big Room, which have been trending for years, have in parallel lost influence both here and in the world.
We have always had great booking agencies around here, which makes the whole process of bringing international shows here much easier, but nowadays we also have record labels that can establish partnerships to make collabs viable and/or to popularize foreign music among Brazilian DJs and the Brazilian public, as we do with HUB Records. It is also possible to make a kind of exchange between management agencies, for example: we at Boost Mgmt could take care of the career of a foreign artist with the intention of making him/her grow in Brazil, and in return bring one of our talents to the region of influence of the international artist’s manager. Of course it is necessary for the artist who wants to burst in Brazil to make a kind of sound familiar to our audience - currently the highest genres are brazilian bass itself, as well as tech house and techno. Today Brazil is a complete market, with big events, great professionals, specialized media, influential artists, record labels and competent agencies, it’s just a matter of starting a dialogue and working in a way that pays off for both sides.
GABRIELA LOSCHI How do you see the dance music scene in Brazil nowadays? What are the most evident particularities? One of the biggest discussions around the Brazilian scene has always been the fact that the vast majority of electronic music consumed and produced here was a mirror of the styles imported from the United States and Europe, where the genre and its nuances first developed. Although it is not recent that our great artists get international projection, like Marky, Anderson Noise and Renato Cohen in the early 2000s, there was much debate about what a genuinely Brazilian electronic sound would be like, with the rhythmic mixtures we have here or something that differentiates us from what is done in other countries. That day has come. Whether some like it or not, the strong, groovy bass beats (including brazilian bass and its derivatives) that Brazilians have always enjoyed are recognized worldwide today, and their reach has been enhanced by the strong marketing work developed by their captains on and off the scene. But it is a mistake to think that only this scene is in evidence. We have well-developed Brazilian underground and mainstream, coexisting, exporting artists to the world’s top techno, house and electronic-pop clubs and labels and attracting thousands of fans month after month. Brazil today has its own electronic sound and the world has already noticed. Some of the world’s top clubs are here and the parties are nothing short of European. As the market matures and gets respect, while there is still politicking, protectionism, and beefs between genres, agencies and events, this weakens as important new players impose new rules, and a timid game begins to emerge a little more horizontal, where the exchange of artists between events and the urgency for cooperation grow. For there is no point in having a well-developed scene if the mindset and attitudes do not keep up with this progress. If a foreign artist wants to catch the Brazilian audience’s attention, what should be done? First is to understand well what scene are we stepping on and its peculiarities. In general, the country used to give more space to international artists, but today some places are more valued because they built a solid Brazilian base. Brazil is the second largest electronic music
Co-founder of the digital marketing and public relations agency The BOREAL Agency market in the world, behind only the United States, so there is plenty of opportunity for international artists who want to better connect with our culture or attract more fans here. From techno to tech house, psytrance to brazilian bass, Brazil has mature audiences in many subgenres. Outlining the right strategies to reach the desired audience for your music is essential. Know which regions they are from, what events they attend, which artists they admire, which agencies and bookers to contact. Tours and releases should be used to promote yourself here. When we run a national campaign - or add other Latin American countries - at BOREAL, we set the goal and map relevant vehicles, pages, and influencers to generate the best possible result for the artist’s image or event. And we also often point to (and often include the professional in) conferences like Brazil Music Conference, an ideal place to be seen and connect with the right players. Local professionals are usually very receptive to outsiders and show respect and knowledge of the market. In an increasingly mature industry, professionalism is not only fundamental, it is a requirement for those who want to stay relevant. djmagbr.com
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Words: POLLYANNA ASSUMPÇÃO, JODE SERAPHIM & RODRIGO AIRAF
TRIP TO BRAZIL
A DANCE MUSIC JOURNEY
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n any festival around the world there are always those people that stand out in the arena, carrying their flags, walking in large groups, playing and talking to everyone, having a lot of fun wherever they go. If you find such a group, you don’t even have to ask: they’re Brazilian. Like it or not, Brazilians draw attention outside Brazil for their relaxed way of being. Brazil has a party culture rooted in its DNA and we may be one of the most celebrative people in the world. There is even a local joke that the Brazilian New Year only begins after Carnival in February. And it is true, Brazilians take from their parties the necessary strength to go on with the rest of the year. But it is wrong to think that Brazil lives only Carnival, São João party (a typical winter party all over the country) and the Boi Bumbá party (typical of the North). In addition to the fact that music consumption in Brazil is very strong - we are always in the top 10 countries that most consume music from any artist on all platforms - we have our own electronic music culture, with our own behaviors, preferences and references. Brazil created and exported its own national idols and its own places and ways of partying. And if you come here and look forward to partying like a Brazilian, put this guide in your pocket. You’re gonna need it. Brazil is one of the largest and most culturally rich countries in the world. But one thing that unites the Brazilian people, apart from soap opera and football, is the love of parties and fun. There will be no shortage of options for foreign dance music lovers; what will be missing is time.
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BEFORE YOUR TRIP, CONSIDER THESE TOPICS
FINALLY… THE PARTYING
- Although Brazil has open border treaties with many countries, including the entire European Union, people of some nationalities need a visa to enter Brazil and you need to find out if this is the case.
This country hosts different festivals and parties increasingly. Big cities build their collectives and bring names from around the world to play here, regardless of the time of the year. Some venues have specific summer schedules. In addition to this seasonality, we can still count on the strength of local electronic music that has created its own festivals or label-parties that drag crowds wherever they go, leading major events to the countryside as well. Great Brazilian DJs have also set up their own parties, expanding their influence beyond the capitals and no longer requiring to be constantly booked by other producers. In addition we still have the psytrance rave culture that always makes its events in places far from the city center, like beaches, fields or ranches.
- Brazil is a tropical country and in very few places you will find a harsh winter. Winter here begins in July and runs through September, with the southern part of the country having more definite seasons. If you choose the South and Southeast and come at this time, it is good to bring a coat. But in general, in the North, Northeast, Midwest and Rio de Janeiro it’s essentially summer all year. Bring the proper clothing. - Not everyone speaks English but the people are very helpful. If you can speak a little bit of Spanish (attention: it is not the Brazilian language, Portuguese is, but there are similarities) you will have some progress in communication. Don’t be shy about trying to communicate through mimics. - The Brazilian driver lives the traffic intensely, we are one of the countries with the largest traffic jams in the world, and the tourist, used to having priority in the streets, can get a little shaken walking the streets of some cities in Brazil. Take no chances, look both ways. - Our currency is the Brazilian Real (BRL) and the dollar or euro are not accepted on a daily basis. As in most countries, airport exchange has the worst quotations, so trade as little as possible and leave most of the exchange for offices in the cities you visit. - Carrying your passport with you is risky anywhere in the world. What if you forget your purse in the bathroom? Do not carry your passport. Keep it in a safe or well-kept box, keeping only copies of it with you.
Nowadays some clubs still have great visibility, but in some places the independent parties are the leading ones. Ah, and it’s normal here for the crowd to come together for an “esquenta” a warm-up where people meet to drink and get in the mood before going to the party per se. Always consider that the party will never be full right on time. If the party is scheduled for 22:00 it means it will be full after midnight. Brazilians are not punctual. The parties around here usually last until morning, though - in addition to afterparties that can stretch the fun until the following night. Don’t be surprised if you meet a group of friends asking “where is the after?” and taking you with them to a party that will last until 5pm.
SO, NOW… WHERE TO GO?
SÃO PAULO Where to stay: the city is huge, but some locations are more central to getting around. Look for options in the South Zone, in the Itaim Bibi or Pinheiros neighborhoods. The Paulista region is also very popular because of the ease of getting the subway and Vila Madalena is the point if you want to be close to the bars. But if you enjoy a more roots vibe or old city feels, downtown has some cheap and revitalized hotels. Depending on the location you choose, a hotel in the Center may have the same price as a South Zone hostel. Although it doesn’t give access to the entire city, the subway is a great transportation system and arrives at the main points. Keep in mind that as the city is big, it may take you a few hours to cross it, so avoid rush hours. It’s also important to note that public transportation doesn’t work at dawn, but Uber is pretty cheap in Brazil and, depending on the route and if you’re with a group of friends, it can be a better option. Be sure to visit the main points of the city. Paulista Avenue, the postcard of the city, which is closed on Sundays for pedestrian walks; MASP, one of the main museums of São Paulo; Ibirapuera Park, perfect place to relax amid the bustle of the city; and the Central Market, a tour for you to know the variety of our country’s food.
XXXPERIENCE / Photo: PEDRO PINI São Paulo’s underground scene, however, has surpassed any tradition levels and is in constant cultural improvement. Dragging thousands of ravers to sheds and dark places in remote areas of the city as well as in historical centers, some referential collectives are Sangra Muta, Mamba Negra, Tantsa, Carlos Capslock and ODD. With DJs and artistic performances that play with gender and self-image issues, these parties celebrate diversity and create their own style by embracing those who identify with a more marginalized culture or a more disruptive aesthetic. In sound, various options: techno, funk, rap, electro and brazilian music. The alternative nightlife of one of the largest cities in Latin America is unique and the experience you take from it too.
as Laroc is one of the few clubs that have the quality structure to host the most popular DJs in the world. Throughout the year it opens once a month, but at Carnival it has its own festival opening from Saturday to Monday bringing big national and international names with its younger brother, AME Club, focused on underground sounds.
OUTSITE THE CITY OF SÃO PAULO, BUT INSIDE THE STATE OF SÃO PAULO
Around two hours from São Paulo, in Campinas, you’ll find Caos, another first class club, but more focused on the purist underground experience: the sound, the audience and the artist. In less than two years of existence, Caos brought names such as Laurent Garnier, Nina Kraviz, Ben Klock, Carl Craig, Rødhåd, Dixon, Ellen Allien and Marcel Dettmann to its elegant warehouse. The parties often last until lunch time, great for those who never wish to stop dancing.
Laroc was voted the #25 club in the world by DJ Mag in 2018 and promises to maintain its grandeur in the 2019 poll. Following the sunset approach, the club has a capacity for 5,500 people and is an hour and a half away from the state capital. The trip is worth it,
When it comes to 100% Brazilian festivals, São Paulo is also a reference. We can cite XXXPerience in Itu and Tribe and Kaballah, which alternate between sites, parks and farms. Always with a diverse lineup, these festivals please various electronic dance music audiences.
An unmissable neighborhood to enjoy the city’s nightlife is Vila Madalena. Go to Aspicuelta Street at any time of day and you will always see people in the bars having beer. An option for those who want to enjoy a more alternative night is Rua Augusta, which also has several bars and is always full.
SÃO PAULO’S NIGHTLIFE When we think of good visual and sound structure and intimate vibes in São Paulo we immediately think of D-Edge, the city’s most traditional nightclub. From Thursday to Saturday there are always good parties and some Sunday afterparties that start at 6am. Techno reference in the world, also being part of DJ Mag’s Top 100 Clubs, in this club led by Brazilian techno god Renato Ratier you will find shows by names like Seth Troxler and Ricardo Villalobos.
CAOS / Photo: IMAGE DEALERS djmagbr.com
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hiring superstar DJs to make the parades even more fun and there is a wide range of techno parties going on in the streets.
SOUTH OF BRAZIL
PRIVILÈGE BÚZIOS / Photo: WANDERSON MONTEIRO
RIO DE JANEIRO Most of the city’s sights are in the South Zone and the most sought after by tourists are Leblon, Ipanema and Copacabana, where the city’s main beaches are. But like São Paulo, the more central regions have been revitalized for the Olympics and you can find great hotels downtown. The tips on transportation remain the same as in São Paulo. Among the traditional tourist attractions are the Christ the Redeemer, Sugar Loaf Mountain and the Arpoador Rock, famous point to see the sunset in front of the sea. If you like museums, visit the MAM (Museum of Modern Art) and the MAR (Museum of Art of Rio). If you’re looking for a more diverse and
intense nightlife there is the Lapa neighbourhood, and for those who like a quieter night there are the bars in Baixo Gávea and Botafogo. With a very different nightlife from São Paulo - for example, the public prefers to consume drinks instead of paying for entrance tickets - the parties in Rio happen seasonally. Every two months, every six months, etcetera. So we have a lot of parties going on in the streets and, as many are not officially allowed to happen, we only know where they will happen on the day of the event. Don’t find it strange if you are walking downtown and find yourself in the middle of a party.
In Copacabana, Fosfobox has been shaking music lovers every weekend for over 15 years. The club also stands as a reference for the GREEN VALLEY / Photo: DIEGO JARSCHEL alternative scene in Rio, opening the door to genres such as minimal and techno. Bunker Festival, always on the second semester of each year, is the union between Fosfobox, Euphoria, a traditional psytrance-focused party, Revolution, one of the biggest gay parties in town, Rio Me, a party that brings big techno names, and also promotes a hip-hop dancefloor supporting local artists.
WARUNG BEACH CLUB / Photo: EBRAIM MARTINI
A short trip out of Rio to the Lakes Region, as well as giving you the experience of visiting some of the state’s most beautiful beaches, is also where you will find Privilège Búzios, a reference since 2003 for electronic music and fun outside the big city. It’s very common for DJs to play long sets and for parties to last 24 hours there. Rio’s Carnival has many street blocks and samba parades, but what we really expect is the electronic music programming. For a long time the only festival in town was Rio Music Carnival, which lasts 5 days and brings artists of all dance music genres, always with a lineup from the big EDM players to the tech house wizards. Today other parties have entered the Carnival electronic journey, Sapucaí’s VIP areas are
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The South is the only place in the country where it can be sometimes really cold but also has beautiful beaches that become main destinations during summer. Electronic music culture is insanely strong there and the region is home to big clubs. To enjoy tourism and parties, the most visited cities in the South are Curitiba, Balneário Camboriú, Florianópolis and Foz do Iguaçu. Filled with sights such as Barigui Park, The Wire Opera House, The Eye Museum and a beautiful Botanical Garden, Curitiba is known as one of Brazil’s most organized cities - and with considerably clean streets too - and most of its lineups are underground. The Batel region is the center of the main clubs, and club Vibe is one of the bigges references in town. Curitiba is also home to Tribaltech Festival, which takes place every two years and always brings big house and techno acts. This year Curitiba was also home to SOME Festival, holding the roots of the city’s public. Balneário Camboriú is approximately 3 hours from Curitiba and is known for having some of the world’s top clubs, Green Valley and Warung Beach Club, both with international credibility. Green Valley needs no introduction, the only non-European club that was four times #1 on DJ Mag’s Top 100 Clubs. Warung Beach Club is considered the underground temple in Itajaí - just 17 minutes from Balneário - promoting the best Southern nights for house and techno lovers and enchants everyone with the outdoor areas and the view of Brava beach. In Florianópolis, besides the beaches, the city is very crowded during summer season and it has several clubs with special programming. In the Jurerê Internacional neighbourhood are the main clubs such as P12 and Café de La Musique. In high season, P12 is open from Wednesday to Sunday going far beyond electronic music. Stuck on the beach, it promotes famous pool parties and hosts, in addition to great DJs, shows of some of the greatest Brazilian artists. Café de La Musique is no longer just a club and has become a brand taking parties with its name across the country. The club is a more sophisticated experience, being a meeting point for celebrities. Terraza is a great choice for undergrounders. Within the Music Park club complex, the club features artists such as Patrice Baumel, Roman Flügel, Lowris and Gui Boratto. We cannot forget El Fortin, a club that emerged this year at #23 in the Top 100, being the second most popular club in Brazil and third in Latin America. With a diverse lineup and three dancefloors to keep anyone satisfied, the club located in Porto Belo invests in new talents, big national names as well as established DJs such as Kolombo, Boris Brejcha, Claptone, Astrix, Neelix and Vini Vici.
In the North, the Amazon tour is a dream come true. Although commercial parties are not so well known, many traditional events are held in the region and you can enjoy getting to know a little more about the local culture and nature. Alter do Chão has been gaining visibility, with parties near the famous Tapajós River. It is still possible to check out the underground festival O Mato by the Rio Negro river in Amazon, combining music with the adventurous lifestyle, immersed in nature, understanding of South American indigenous traditions, trails and boat parties.
REVEILLON MILAGRES / Photo: FERNANDO TORRES
NORTH AND NORTHEAST It’s imperative to talk about the biggest festival in the Northeast, Universo Paralello. The transformative festival that takes place biennially during the New Year celebrates its fifteenth festival on one of the most beautiful beaches in the state of Bahia. Its many dancefloors are scattered across the beach and mixed with local vegetation, creating a unique vibe only found at this festival. It’s eight days of celebration, starting on December 27th and ending on January 3rd, featuring dozens of international and Brazilian psytrance, drum & bass, techno, house and hip-hop acts. Artists always prepare special sets for the event and everyone who goes will make sure it’s a life-changing experience. The festival’s immersive experience also includes camping. It’s an event that needs more planning than usual, so research well before embarking on this trip. Brazil is so large that the North and Northeast regions are very diverse and have completely different states with landscapes you can’t find anywhere else and different styles of parties and
nightclubs in the big centers. As the Northeast is hot all year round, trips there are recommended regardless of the time of year. Salvador and Recife are well known for the best Carnival parties, while Natal, Maceió, Jericoacoara and Fernando de Noronha have very disputed New Year’s parties by the sea, besides XAMA, the underground New Year’s event that takes place in Bahia, the state that also hosts Réveillon N1, with a variety of genres. Some of these Réveillon parties are announced immediately after the turn of the year. Réveillon de Trancoso, in Bahia, takes place for a week with several electronic DJs alternating with national culture artists, amusing those who can pay high prices for an exclusive premium party. Following the same pattern, we still find the Réveillon de Milagres, in Alagoas, scene of the rich and famous from all over Brazil; Réveillon de Jericoacora, in Ceará, hosts the world’s biggest DJs for days on end; and the Réveillon Vai Tapajós, in a singular beach by the Tapajós River, in Pará, promotes boat parties, an exclusive menu made by renowned chefs and excellent musical curatorship.
MIDWEST Brasilia’s scene used to be smaller and the relevant clubs and parties for dance music lovers used to be no more than just a few, but today it tells a different story: countless house and techno collectives permeate the city’s nightlife, but Brasília also shows a great opportunity for tourism: Brazil’s capital is a futuristic city, planned from scratch and inaugurated in 1960 to make it the political centerpiece of the country. Its quality of life is considered the highest in Brazil and often foreigners visiting the city say that Brasília does not even look like it’s in Brazil, at the same time doesn’t look like a foreign city either. It’s a truly unique place. If during the day you can visit several monuments designed by legendary architect Oscar Niemeyer or an incredible walk in City Park that crosses the entire city and hosts frequent outdoor activities, Brasilia’s nightlife will end up inviting you for intense electronic music journeys. Some people will identify with underground parties held at Subdulcina or other parties scattered around the city made by collectives like Vapor, Sintra and SNM, other people will like traditional parties like Federal Music - which encompasses the mainstream, the underground and even psytrance. Enjoy!
O MATO / Photo: JONAS KÖKSAL
VAPØ_R / Photo: PEDRO LACERDA
UNIVERSO PARALELLO / Photo: RENAN FERNANDES
VAPØ_R / Photo: FERNANDA COUTINHO
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THE WORLD
BY DJS
IN EACH OF OUR MAG EDITIONS, A DIFFERENT JOURNEY SOMEWHERE IN THE WORLD IS TOLD BY AN ARTIST OF THE ELECTRONIC MUSIC WORLD. THIS TIME, MARK URSA, BELGIAN BY BIRTH, SPANISH AND BRAZILIAN BY HEART AND WITH A LONG CAREER ON THE WORLDWIDE SCENE, CHOSE IBIZA AS ONE OF HIS HOMES AND NOW GIVES US SOME GASTRONOMIC AND NIGHTLIFE TIPS FROM THE FAMOUS PEARL OF THE BALEARIC ISLANDS.
IBIZA TOWN
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henever I arrive in Ibiza I have a feeling of happiness, like when you come back to a place you love. It's been 23 years since I spend every European summer in this magical island, and even though I spend 6 months a year here, I can't get enough of it. In recent years, I've worked as a DJ and party producer at the best clubs in the island, such as Space, Pacha, Blue Marlin, Nikki Beach, Privilege, Ushuaia and Amnesia, and this year I'm looking for a new challenge: taking care of the party "Electrico Romantico” with Bob Sinclar every Monday in July and August at the Heart Ibiza club, the club that was created by the famous Cirque du Soleil. This club is located in the heart of the island, Ibiza Town, next to the Casino and the island's oldest and most known club, Pacha Ibiza. Ibiza's two hippest restaurants are also in this neighborhood: Heart is probably the best culinary experience in the island, as it's run by brothers Albert and Ferran Adrià. Imagine a restaurant with artistic and cultural entertainment and the well-known Cirque du Soleil style. Even with a fixed amount of 150 euros per person, the restaurant is full every day and you need to reserve a table well in advance in summer if you want to try this unique place. 400 meters from the Heart, you can find LIO, a restaurant with
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shows and animations. During the summer, you also need to book well in advance and have to predict at least 100 euros per person. If you like a different culinary experience, you have to know at least one of these two places, Heart's Dinner Experience being my preference. Before heading out to dance, it is recommended to go to the port of Ibiza, which was completely renovated in 2017. You'll see the most beautiful yachts in the world, many bars and restaurants, club parades with their dancers and drag queens, the historic district with its fort of Ibiza and the LGBTQI+ district. I advise you to venture down the small narrow streets to find exclusive shops and typical Ibiza streets. Some of my favorite and reasonably priced favorite restaurants are there: Sa Cova for Mediterranean cuisine, El Carnicero for carvery, Bebel for Italian cuisine, Cositasricas for Spanish and Nibiru for Asian cuisine - the latter was opened by DJ Lipous and is the perfect place to eat sushi and watch the games of the Brazilian team. It was there that I watched Belgium win Brazil in the World Cup (laughs). If you pass through Ibiza's harbor during the day, I suggest you go to lunch or have a coffee at Plaza Del Parque and then take a stroll at the Ibiza fort. Do not forget that in Spain most shops close between 14h and 17h, but in the tourist areas of Ibiza they also close between 22h and midnight.
PLAYA D'EN BOSSA
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laya d’en Bossa is the most popular place in Ibiza, home to famous clubs and the island’s longest beach, full of beach bars including the Bora Bora. At night, Playa d'en Bossa becomes the focus of the island's night crowd. Ushuaïa and Hï Ibiza superclubs (best club in 2018, in my opinion) are some of the island's most popular venues and attract top-notch DJs every night. If you are looking for a more underground atmosphere, Sankeys is a must visit. It was bought by a new group recently. Steve Lawler is there every summer.
At Nibiru Sushi bar with Lipous, Bob Sinclar and friends
Playa d'en Bossa has many bars to enjoy a cocktail before going clubbing. My favorite bar is Tantra Ibiza. They do quality pre-parties with DJs like Bob Sinclar, Maceo Plex, Little Louie Vega, Barbara Tucker and Prok & Fitch. There is also an all-inclusive of 30 euros to get drunk before leaving, as the drinks inside the clubs are very expensive. I play this bar once a week for Bob Sinclar's pre-party and on Sundays for my own party concept. Walking on the beach is somewhat different from the usual, as topless is allowed on the island. For those seeking calm and seclusion, Playa d'en Bossa is clearly not the right destination. Compared to the rest of Ibiza Island, the prices there are quite advantageous. Even on a limited budget, you can celebrate decay by the end of the night. There are no interesting shops and there are not many top restaurants either. The best chic restaurants are within Ushuaia Hotel and Hard Rock Hotel. The ones I recommend are Sissy's, for meat, where I went a lot with Dimitri Vegas, Like Mike, Yves V, Nervo; Dolce Vite for Italian food, where you can find some of the underground DJs like Marco Carola, and La Cabana Ibiza, tha serves Spanish food on Pablo Picasso Street, near Sankeys and my home.
With Black Coffee, who is in charge of the biggest party in Hi Ibiza
Each year, at the end of May, the dance music industry meets at the Hard Rock Café in Playa d'en Bossa for the International Music Summit (IMS) to discuss every aspect of the music industry that defines their lives.n
In Pacha Ibiza_s DJ booth with Feelix Da Housecat Me being tattoed by Olivia Nervo in Ushuaia_s dressing room
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SAY YES TO R3HAB
FACTS AND CURIOSITIES ABOUT THE DUTCH EDM SUPERSTAR Words: POLLYANNA ASSUMPÇÃO Photo: JOCHEM SCHUILING
W
hen we think of the lifestyle of those who work at night, it is very difficult to think of a healthy one. Changing days into nights, living on airplanes, sleeping in France and waking up in Thailand, when we think of DJs and their staff we think of a completely unruly life. Every day we see news and statements by artists talking about the wear and tear of life on the road, and some even asking for a career break to put everything in place. When we started talking to R3HAB, he was in Malaga about to play a big festival. We have found that he is an out-of-thecurve point in this stream and beyond being an example as an artist, he is an example as a disciplined person concerned with his own health. As part of an increasingly welfare-focused generation, the artist shuns standard rockstar behavior and clings to his daily routine and his favorite thing to do: music. Owner of two albums, one label and dozens of hits, R3HAB has obtained great achievements in his career. We gathered information and had a quick chat about his life, specifics of his behavior and personal tastes. Fadil El Ghoul is a 33-year-old DJ and producer who created the albums “Trouble” and “The Wave”, and is well known in the mainstream electronic music scene mainly for having some of the most important EDM anthems, such as “Karate”, “Won’t Stop Rocking”, “Samurai”,”Burning” and most recently “All Around The World (La La La)”, as well as remixes of some of the biggest pop music hits in the world. Born in Morocco but raised in the Netherlands, he is part of the dutch house generation of dance music, from which came names like Hardwell, Afrojack, Don Diablo and Martin Garrix. He was like many young people who loved electronic music back in the day, a fan of Tiësto, an artist that influenced his early productions. His first song, “Mrkrstft”, was released in partnership with Hardwell and was soon signed by his fellow countryman Afrojack’s label Wall. A few years have passed since his first move to becoming a global star, and after an average of 140 shows a year and tours across Europe and Asia, R3HAB is enjoying releasing songs that have more to do with his record label, CYB3RPVNK. Lately he has been producing with a more pop footprint, but never leaving his famous remixes aside, and has maintained the regularity of the amount of releases in the middle of touring. 16
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His dream collaborations are far from over, though: artists like Ariana Grande and Chris Martin are on his bucket list. But R3HAB is also a guy with simple habits and we never think about the most common details about the artists we admire, we just think they live great occasions. But he also likes the beach, although he is not a fan of sand. He likes dogs, but understands he can’t keep one because of all the touring. His star sign is Aries and he likes Tarantino’s movies, but when recommending a movie to his friends he remembers “Almost Famous”, showing that the music lives with him all the time. He’s a healthy guy who avoids too many carbs, doesn’t drink, doesn’t smoke, neither does drugs. R3HAB also talks about music all the time and loves everything that is involved with his profession. Since he was a child he had been dreaming of creating music, and assures that the best thing about his career is the energy that comes from the crowd on stage. Speaking of stages, some of his most amazing moments were at EDC and Tomorrowland, which he considers his favorite festivals. Although Fadil loves big festivals during summer, winter is his preferred choice for playing in the clubs. R3HAB also takes care of a vlog where he shares a bit about his life and the backstage moments of the DJ profession. R3HAB IN NUMBERS MONTHLY SPOTIFY LISTENERS 18 MILLION MOST LISTENED SONGS ON SPOTIFY: “ALL AROUND THE WORLD (LA LA LA)” AND “LULLABY” YOUTUBE FOLLOWERS: 1,4 MILLION MOST SEEN VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE: “RUMORS”, “UP ALL NIGHT” AND “ALL AROUND THE WORLD (LA LA LA)” INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS: 2,3 MILLION FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS: 6,9 MILLION SOUNDCLOUD FOLLOWERS: 3.7 MILLION I NEED R3HAB RADIOSHOW EPISODES: 366
If you were able to go back to any place right now, where would it be? “Bangkok. I love that town.” Favorite track at the moment? “Fisher’s ‘Losing It’ was a great one from the last year.” Biggest inspiration? “Being healthy and eating great food keeps me going and inspired.” Favorite drink? “Water with fresh lemon squeezed in it.” An item that can’t be missing in your dressing room? “I need these Keto energy bars that I love now. Great for a boost in energy before getting on stage.” One thing you can’t leave your house without? “Headphones. Have to be able to escape the noises of the world if it gets too much.”
“Always going to be summer.” Favorite TV show? “Game of Thrones.” What’s your definitive goal in your career?
If you were to choose to eat only one type of cuisine for the rest of eternity, what would it be?
“To create a lasting legacy as an artist, and to be able to do what I do for as long as I possibly can.”
“Steak.”
Do you have any regrets in your life?
A genre you don’t like listening to?
“None.”
“Death metal, maybe? It’s pretty dark haha.”
Do you have an advice for your younger self?
French fries or waffles?
“Get out of the hotel room and explore the places you go.”
“Neither. Too many carbs.”
Favorite track you produced?
What’s the best thing in your home?
“It’s different every time. At the moment I am very proud of the song “All Around the World”. From the past, I would say “Karate” or “Samurai” maybe.”
“My kitchen where I love to cook.” Staying at home or going to a bar? “I think staying home since such large parts of my work life is at parties. Does that mean I’m old? Haha.” Favorite social website? “Instagram.” Disco or house? “House for sure – it’s where I come from, musically.” Day gig or night gig? “Night gigs tend to have more energy in my opinion, so probably that.” Favorite place you’ve been to? “I really love Bali and Indonesia. Really special place.” Do you know how to play an instrument? “Various, yes.” One thing you’d like to learn before you die? “Learn how to fly airplanes.” Favorite season?
If you were able to change anything in your life, what would it be? “I am satisfied.” Have you ever thought of any other names besides R3HAB? “Perhaps just using my real name, Fadil.” What do you like the most about Brazil? “The culture and the energy of the people here. There’s nothing quite like it.” Favorite thing to do during your days off? “Again, to explore the culture and places of wherever I am.” Favorite hobby besides music? “Working out.” Favorite person on Earth? “Can I say my mom?” Anything to say to your fans? “Live life to the fullest. Enjoy
it!” djmagbr.com
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Photo: SACHA HOEBERGEN
By ALEXANDRE ALBINI
ADE, HERE WE COME!
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msterdam Dance Event, the largest electronic music business conference in the world, expects to receive 400,000 visitors in this edition. The event, from October 16 to the 20th, offers a wide range of art, film and photography, as well as music, along with the latest trends in technology and environmental action. Along with the popularity of national and international guests and visitors, the organizers see a growing interest in the Sound Lab conference, daytime cultural activities, live electronic music and sustainability, which are highlights of the festival and the conference program. The 2018 event featured more than 2,500 artists and 600 speakers at 200 venues. The Nes area, near the central station, houses the ADE Sound Lab and ADE Beam Lab, highlighting the best in sound, visual technologies and stage design for four days; including Eli Iwasa in the Demolition panel beside Dave Clarke, Kristin Velvet and Todd Terry. De Brakke Grond is the place to meet growing artists, with DJs and producers looking to get feedback on their work and get in touch with favorite artists. It is also the ideal space to try out the latest softwares, instruments and equipment. The conference happens at DeLaMar Theater from Wednesday to Friday, encompassing ADE Pro and ADE Green & TECH. Most participants are directly involved with electronic music and are looking for the latest business trends and inspirations in a program equally focused on branding, marketing, sustainability and technology, attracting large numbers of professionals from outside the industry. One of the most interesting 18
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panels in this regard will be The Future of Clubs, with Brazilian professional Mauricio Soares, who worked with ID&T, Plusnetwork and now focuses on events and experiences with his brand M-S Live and the ARCA warehouse.
festivals. Another point to be discussed is the use of airplanes by music professionals: offsetting the carbon impact may be a valid palliative, but what can we change now? The answers to this question are still in the air.
Across the street, in Melkweg, you can visit the hip-hop, bass and beats world in the ADE Beats; while ADE University, a conference venue for aspiring music professionals, will be hosted at Generator Hostel. A wide range of activities can be found within easy reach of the Leidseplein area, such as ADE Hackathon or ADE Guesthouse.
And since not everything is about lectures, parties also play a key role in the program. And one of the highlights, just steps from the historic city center, is Shelter, Amsterdam’s youngest haven for quality music, with a focus on design and delivered experience. This year marks its fourth ADE participation in collaboration with several partners such as Rush Hour and Rainbow Disco Club, Get Perlonized, AUS Music with Palms Trax, and a fundraising event hosted by DJ Bone’s Homeless Homies. Among many other artists will be Peggy Gou, Dubfire, Floorplan, Marcel Dettmann, Ben Sims, Hunee, Palms Trax and Jayda G.
Plus, the “Team Behind” concept is back, a popular feature last year where you can meet people working behind the scenes of a great artist, label or promotion team. In 2019 it will feature the teams behind exponents such as Oliver Heldens, Cocoon and Spinnin ‘Records. The program will also explore the latest and most impacting strategies for environmental and social change within the sector. Over the past year, the urgency of a behavioral change has become more alarming than ever; and we as an industry must face the facts and accelerate our actions, inspiring the music industry to participate in social and sustainable projects. In parallel, festival efforts to reduce environmental impacts and responsible use of plastic will be addressed. So exactly 1 year ago Plastic Promise was launched at ADE Green. Major players in the event industry have pledged to halve the use of disposable materials in three years. Over the past 12 months, these exponents have taken their first steps, pioneering several initiatives at major
Brazilians are also present. On the 16th we will have DJ Glen and Fran Bortolossi at Animal Language x Bunny Tiger x Loulou Records, alongside Kolombo, DJ Sneak and Sharam Jey; Coppola in Key+Needle: Resonance with Truncate. On the 18th, Eli Iwasa will represent Brazil at Life and Death, in a lineup that will feature Axel Boman, DJ Tennis and Red Axes. That same night, Victor Ruiz performs at Verknipt, in an event with 17 acts (including Matador, Ø [Phase] and Thomas Schumacher) divided between three dancefloors. And on the 19th, Fernando de Sá (a.k.a Raw Ideology) and Alexia Glensy will play in Hypnotic School & Phonica Presents. With many parties in their curriculum, here are some of our Brazilian artists’ party choices for ADE 2019.
RODRIGO VIEIRA DJ AND ENTREPRENEUR
For me, the Awakenings parties are a must. Since my first time at ADE 10 years ago, I go every year. The ADE events known as Awakenings Gashouder conveys to the indoor venue all the excitement of the Awakenings Festival and the vibes of the recent partnership with Drumcode and Time Warp in event production. The place is magical, Gashouder is part of the Westergasfabriek complex, a series of buildings built in the 19th century and formerly used as gas plants to light up the streets of Amsterdam. Its round shape, without pillars, a high ceiling and capacity for up to 3500 people makes the party a unique experience, from the unbelievable sound system to the striking lighting effects that use the dome-shaped iron roof for an amazing show. The only problem is the heat, but when you have an outside temperature of very low degrees and DJs like Carl Cox, Adam Beyer, Joseph Capriati, Jeff Mills and many other big guns playing, just grab a cold Heineken and everything will be alright. By the way, the guy who designed Gashouder is the same one who created Heineken’s first factory in Amsterdam, so it’s all at home!
ANDRE SALATA
DJ, PRODUCER AND MUSIC PRODUCTION TEACHER A not to miss party in this edition of ADE is Dave Clarke Presents, who, in addition to the English host, will feature DVS1, Luke Slater, Paula Temple, Marcel Fengler and Anetha in the lineup. For those who like faster and darker techno, it’s a must-see. The evening takes place on Friday, 18/10, at the famous Melkweg club, which is located right in the center of Amsterdam, near the famous Leidseplein square and next to DeLaMar Theather.
GROMMA
DJ AND PRODUCER FRRC X VBX at Elementenstraat: an event with Craig Richards, Sonja Moonear, Francesco Del Guarda, Voigtmann, Ricardo Villalobos and Raresh. No wonder it will be the fourth time I will go to FRRC during ADE. In addition to the locations chosen, it is undoubtedly one of the best in the vast party calendar of the entire festival program. A must for anyone who appreciates the most interesting sounds, not just the minimal ones.
ELI IWASA
AMANDA CHANG
In all ADE years I chose one of the DGTL events to visit and enjoy. I arrive on Wednesday, which is still a fairly quiet day and has a pace of preparation for the following intensity. I want to see the live night of the Dutch core, which brings Modeselektor’s live show, whose fan I am, I was able to see the DJ set 2 years ago in Amsterdam and brought them to Caos in 2018; alongside Richie Hawtin and his Close performance, the audiovisual project from the Canadian that dissolves the boundaries between live and a dj set, with a set of equipment and cameras aiming for an intimate atmosphere between man and his machines.
I prioritized live performers, being more specific to the modular synthesizer and also the minimal parties that I find very elegant, besides going to DGTL at least one day, dancing to Jeff Mills, Helena Hauff and others. My first contact with the world of modular 4 years ago was at ADE, where I met my Argentine master Ernesto Romeo, a milestone in my career and one of the best things that happened in my professional life. I’ve watched something from Colin Benders and Caterina Barbieri; Colin will probably do a more dancefloor modular live and Caterina will present the experimental format. Hard to pick just one, but here it goes: Tim Hecker + Caterina Barbieri - The Rest is Noise.
DJ AND CLUB OWNER
DJ, PRODUCER AND RESEARCHER
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K SHMR
THE MAN THAT MAKES EDM PROUD Words: POLLYANNA ASSUMPÇÃO
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t’s always a pleasure when we can talk to one of the most popular DJs and producers in electronic music. And seeing an artist like KSHMR with so much to say about his work and his worldview feels rewarding. KSHMR is a producer with direct influences of Indian music in his productions, not limited to commercial labels nor dodging a more pop footprint in his songs. In this interview I was able to ask about the artist’s relationship with different cultures in the countries he visits, his experience as the head of his record label, Dharma, his opinion of the music scene in general and the role of social networks. While KSHMR is very aware of his role and importance as an artist, he always sounds very serene about how to execute his ideas and his work. You are very connected to the world and apparently love to be part of something that matters. You have helped many artists produce their music, have famous masterclasses and make sample packs available to anyone who wants to download them. Basically, you are always sharing your experience and knowledge about music production with other artists. What happened in your life that made you think that way? I think it was because I started being a producer before I was a DJ or anything else. The production community is what matters most to me and I love sharing back as much as I can. I was never afraid of not making a secret of my methods or afraid of other people stealing my sound. I like to share my knowledge and learn from the knowledge of other producers. I watched the aftermovie of your last visit to Brazil in April due to Lollapalooza, when you visited Brazilian children and taught them percussive instruments. Do you always carry out these projects in the countries you’re touring? What do you look for in a country’s local culture when you know what’s your next stop going to be? Brazil is an amazing country because it has a very rich culture that reflects in its performing arts, dance and music. In fact, the school I visited was not a time where I was teaching anything. I was just sitting in a class where they taught music and created interest in children to be musicians. I really want and try to learn about music in every country I visit and I think it makes my travels much more valuable. Another thing I like to do is to perform live, where I can bring musicians and their instruments and we always look for them locally in the countries we are in, which I think makes my shows so much more special in those places. Your latest release, “My Best Life”, is about the toxic relationship we have with social networks every day in our lives. How is your relationship with social media knowing that being a DJ today also means sharing your life with your fans? Do you set boundaries for it? Yes, for sure I create boundaries in my life and I have help with posts on my social media. I write the texts for my team and help pick the photos, but I try to separate myself from some of it so that I can focus on what really matters, like my personal life and making music. I don’t think social networks are essentially bad, I just think they have become an instrument that allows us to compare ourselves to others and inevitably makes us think that someone else’s life is better than ours.
Still on “My Best Life”, we note that this track is more pop than most of your other songs. Why did you follow this path? You’re right, this one is a lot more pop than the other songs. I think I made that decision because I thought it was the best outfit for the song Mike Waters wrote. As a producer, you try to pull things toward your own brand and style, but sometimes you have to make concessions on what is best for the track and I think that was the case here. There are a few interviews where you talk about your label, Dharma, how you are focused on releasing songs that you really believe in and would like to have helped produce, but couldn’t for some reason. How is the relationship with the artists you have been releasing? Are you your record label A&R? We have a team that helps decide which songs will come out in Dharma, but lately I’ve been giving the last word. So yes, in that sense I am an A&R and I can say that my relationship is good with many artists. In fact, I try to help them shape their music so that it is even better than before it was released. Sometimes they are ready to launch and I need to do very little. I try to build a relationship with everyone who releases music for Dharma. You’ve been playing around the world, being part of the biggest festivals, and you’ve been doing different things, like playing with an orchestra. You are also known for being a storyteller on your live sets. What are your plans for the future? What haven’t you done yet that you would like to do? I think we could expand the live show and have even more instrumentalists on stage. A true orchestra must have several sections with eight musicians each. That would be a complete orchestra experience and it would be something I would love to do in the future. But it gets more and more expensive and difficult to plan and doesn’t always make sense for the EDM festivals I’m playing. How do you see the future of dance music? This one is complicated. I think dance music and pop music became very intertwined. For purists, dance music has become a very small field. I think it’s harder and harder for dance music producers to make a name without making pop music with an electronic footprint. I think when it comes to the kind of music that I play live, it’s more about psytrance and hardstyle. These things are cyclical and there will be new sounds in the future, and it is our job, as producers, to find them.
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ASCENSION MASTERCLASS
CAT DEALERS HOW THE BROTHERS LUGUI AND PEDRÃO ACHIEVED THE SUCCESS THAT PLACED THEM AMONG THE WORLD’S TOP DJS. Words: RODRIGO AIRAF
Image: BRUNNO RANGEL
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t was 2016. The dance music scene in Brazil was approaching one of its peaks. Increasingly, there was a consistent union between Brazilian producers and their audiences around a sound that presented, at the same time, pulsating EDM facet beats, samples of popular songs and basslines that made reference to tech house. Initially, the term to define it was brazilian bass. Today it has become something else, something bigger, even more original and totally independent of foreign figures, each artist seeking their authenticity and counting on professional teams. Back in 2016, “Your Body” by Cat Dealers was released. It was the beginning of a project that would highlight the duo as one of the biggest stars of the Brazilian nightlife and, later, among the top 50 DJs in the world. The success was instantaneous - with a musical aura full of attitude and samples brought from a hit made by German artist Tom Novy, “Your Body” reached nearly 100 million plays on YouTube alone. So the duo started a process of great prominence, channeling all their energies into the studio and delivering regular releases to the public. Some visual appeal also helped: in the early months of the project, Cat Dealers did not disclose their identity and their images on social media were replaced by skeleton designs of cats - they have dozens of these pets at their home in Rio de Janeiro and that fact inspired their stage name. With that, the mystery was created: who are these guys that are traveling the country playing, besides “Your Body”, hits like “Pump It” and “What You Want”? The early career of brothers Luiz Guilherme (Lugui) and Pedro Henrique (Pedrão) as Cat Dealers, although well planned and with clear goals, could not have predicted what would come right after. From that time to nowadays, the duo gained a legion of fans, inspired young producers, helped determine the new status quo of the Brazilian scene and traveled the world with performances on five continents.
“IT’S CREATIVE AND ARTISTIC WORK, SO EVERYTHING YOU EXPERIENCE WILL INFLUENCE YOU.” nearly 40 million on Spotify: flawless vocals and production, melodious pop atmosphere, but without forgetting the strong dancefloor beats. In 2017, Cat Dealers fulfilled a dream of many, but a privilege for the few: they were voted #74 on the Top 100 DJs poll promoted by DJ Mag. The following year they reached #48. It was an insane climb for a project that took shape in 2016. During all this time, they played in key festivals in Brazil, such as Rock in Rio, Lollapalooza Brasil, Só Track Boa and Kaballah, as well as a constant presence in international tours, which included Nameless Music Festival (Italy), DreamBeach (Spain), S20 (Thailand) and Medusa (Spain). Last year required a lot of work from Lugui and Pedrão to maintain the already solid international expansion. About to land in the United States and China under a new management - Headliner Entertainment, by Mario Sergio de Albuquerque and Edo van Duyn last September alone Cat Dealers released three tracks: “Rewind”, featuring american act MAKJ and lead singer Caelu; “Party Everyday”, an important collaboration with Will Sparks, and the remix for Sam Feldt’s “Post Malone”, released by Spinnin’ Records. Shortly before, the duo teamed up with South African group Goldfish to produce “Colors & Lights”.
As cultural agitators, the brothers lead the Cat House party, which has traveled to many Brazilian cities and led thousands of party-goers to enjoy their sound and other colleagues A spectacular Cat Dealers track was from their scene. “Gravity”, produced in partnership with another Brazilian duo, Evokings. With 4 million monthly listeners on Marking a period of great creativity Spotify - a rare mark for Brazilian in the studio, every aspect of the dance music artists - we decided to track collaborated for it to become talk more deeply with Cat Dealers and a hit in Brazil, racking up nearly 2 understand some more angles about million plays on SoundCloud and their life and career. djmagbr.com
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“WE INTEND TO CONTINUE WALKING THIS PATH, PARTNERING WITH ARTISTS WE LIKE AND ADMIRE, CONTINUE OUR TOURS, WHICH ARE DOING VERY WELL.” Image: THIAGO XAVIER
Cat Dealers have served as inspiration for a whole generation of young producers in recent years. Do you intend to further help the community in the future? “Of course! We want to help, just as they helped us when we started. It is a cycle. It is necessary to create connections, to exchange knowledge. If you take all the great DJs in the world as a reference, you’ll see that they all helped their scene with their record labels, paying attention to new talents, etc. That’s what makes the scene go forward, otherwise people won’t learn from each other and there will only be a few big DJs. So it is very important to help people to continue fostering new cycles of producers and DJs.” You usually take many pictures of your travels around the world. Do the countries and cultures you visit often influence the sound and shows you make? “It’s creative and artistic work, so everything you experience will influence you. Going to other countries and learning about new cultures is very intense. Sometimes it is not even a direct influence, it can be subjective, but it surely happens.”
“A lot of studio time. It is a short time in relation to the years of our career, but in relation to work there was a lot of time dedicated to it. It has always been very intense. Since the beginning we had focus to get where we wanted, so Cat Dealers was very well planned. We had another project before, so when we came up with good sound quality we decided to create Cat Dealers by changing the sound style to the music trends that we were enjoying, and it worked out really well. We were prepared for when the opportunities came.” From a music production standpoint, how has your sound evolved over the years and what makes the audience remain captivated? “This has a lot to do with the cultural experiences we went through. We started making a sound we liked and it worked in Brazil, it started to go big. We saw what worked and didn’t work, things that other people didn’t play and we were in the mood to play them, we were testing and from that point we kept changing them. The life experiences we had thanks to our career helped us evolve. We have been discovering new things, experimenting, and that’s great, no one does the same sound forever. We always try to renew ourselves and we believe that’s why the public remains captivated and interested.”
“Our studio is very basic, we have almost nothing analog, it’s all digital. So it is now our computer, a MacBook Pro with Ableton Live. Some synthesizers we like are Sylenth, Serum and Nexus. We also have a pair of focal SM9s, which for us are the best monitors for this type of studio, since it is not a large room. The point with it, besides the very good monitors, is that it was all made by an amazing professional, Renato Cipriano, who did the design and acoustic project with the very good WSDG company, an American company that has an office in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. And John Sullivan developed the project, he is a studio builder here in Rio de Janeiro. So we made the perfect studio for the room we had at home, with the perfect dimensions, and created a very good acoustic ambience, that makes a big difference.” You are increasingly doing international partnerships, with names such as Will Sparks, Goldfish and MAKJ, tours across 5 continents and worldwide label releases. What are the next steps you want for the duo’s international expansion? “We intend to continue walking this path, partnering with artists we like and admire, continue our tours, which are doing very well. We even want to spend next summer in Europe. We are aiming for internationalization.”
The time it took Cat Dealers to achieve a very high success was considerably short compared to other DJs. To what Still on the subject of production, When did your past in music begin? Have you been studying and dreaming about aspects do you attribute this solidity? what is your studio setup? 24
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Image: JORGE ALEXANDRE
this career before your relationship with dance music? Who inspired you? “Pedrão has been playing drums since he was 11, and I (Lugui) have always been in love with electronic music, it has always been my favorite genre. I started looking it up when I was about 8 years old and at 13 I started to dedicate myself to it, researching music production. I showed it to Pedrão and he enjoyed it a lot and started getting involved too. So we started there, we started studying music more, doing piano classes, music theory classes… In Brazil we were always very inspired by Felguk, who we already knew because they studied at the same school as our sister, so we saw them getting successful, and we followed their path and we always enjoyed their sound. Several others have inspired and still inspire us today, such as FTampa, Evokings and JØRD. Internationally, Flume and Skrillex inspired us a lot, we consider them out of the box. Although their sound is not similar to ours, it’s very good to hear it, because they have some very innovative ideas and we get amazed at how they do it.” What is your involvement in the parties you produced? Do you intend to create more events like Cat House in the future? “We love events where we can perform the way we think is best, so we always get very involved in Cat House editions. We intend to do other label parties, more Cat House or whatever the name, a party of our own. We got so involved that we even had to take a hiatus for Cat
House this past year, because we didn’t think it was up to what we wanted to deliver. So instead of just getting on with the parties just for the sake of it, we prefer to sit back and remodel everything to arrive at once with a “Cat House 2.0”. One of our biggest plans is to get it back on the road.” What are your hobbies besides music? “Video games, video games and video games, hahaha. A great passion of ours is also traveling. We love skiing, so whenever we can we take time to relax skiing with our family. When we are at home we enjoy going to the beach, especially Pedrão, it is something we miss when we’re touring.” Aside from regular music releases, how do you deal with overall career pressure? Do you pay attention to what other DJs do regarding music production, marketing and other related aspects? “We were very attentive, but there was a time when we were paying so much attention that we had to take a break. We started looking too much at others and wanted to look at ourselves more. There is really a lot of constant pressure for releases, hit songs, pleasing the fans, everything. After a while this gets a little heavy so we had a period when we needed to enjoy a little more not only our career but also our personal life.”
you created a sustainable routine despite the intense lifestyle that an artist’s life demands? “This is a very interesting question, because it reflects a lot what we are living today. As you said, Cat Dealers grew very fast, we never stopped, we were always accelerating at full speed. And this year we felt that it finally took its toll. We were traveling a lot all year round and all over the world, we were almost never at home. On one hand this is wonderful, we are fulfilling a dream, but on the other hand it is important to take a break from everything that is happening around us. This is a tip even for beginners! You have to be very focused, but always remember to set aside time for yourself. This year we had to block a weekend to travel to Amsterdam. That was good for us to learn from the situation and now we intend to plan next year to better reconcile everything.” How do you get involved with the behind the scenes work? What tasks do you usually take for yourselves?
“This is another tip for people, because it was our flaw that we had to learn to deal with: we always wanted to get involved in absolutely everything. And it is just impossible. You need to surround yourself with people you trust. Trying to get involved in everything made us very tired and it was a loss of time for anything else. No one succeeds alone, find people What about the trips? Have you ever you trust and who believe in your work, felt that you needed a vacation? Have and let them do their part.” djmagbr.com
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BEATDROPS SPECIAL
DOMINO EFFECT
WHAT DO OUR BRAZILIAN TALENTS LISTEN TO? By POLLYANNA ASSUMPÇÃO
MECA, ANTDOT Let U Go
Só Track Boa Records
Antdot
Meca
ELEKFANTZ
Diggin’ on You D.O.C.
Meca
Elekfantz
SHADOW MOVEMENT Whales Part 2 D.O.C. Records
Elekfantz
Shadow Movement
MARCO AS
Multiple Dividers D.O.C. Records
Shadow Movement
Marco AS
ANY MELLO Human Being MEMNTGN
Marco AS 26
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Any Mello
BEATDROPS SPECIAL
TERR
Tale of Devotion Phantasy Sound
Any Mello
Terr
GEZENDER Divine
Gezender (Independente)
Terr
Gezender
AMANDA MUSSI Boomerang LPZ Records
Gezender
Amanda Mussi
TETO PRETO Pedra Preta
Mamba Records
Amanda Mussi
Teto Preto
BADSISTA
Me dei bem na Lapa Funk na Caixa
Teto Preto
BadSista djmagbr.com
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THE
FOUR-TIME
CHAMPION 5 REASONS THAT KEPT GREEN VALLEY THE #1 CLUB IN THE WORLD Words: POLLYANNA ASSUMPÇÃO Photo: DIEGO LUÍS JARSCHEL
G
reen Valley, a club located in Camboriú, in the coast of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, currently boasts four victories in DJ Mag’s poll as the world’s largest club. The first climbs to #1 took place in 2013 and 2015 and now the club reached two consecutive years of leadership in the 2018 and 2019 polls. Green Valley is a product of a Brazilian electronic music culture inspired by the great music scenes in the world, such as Ibiza and Miami, that created its own identity and surpassed its inspirations. When the club won first place again in 2019, managing director Eduardo Philipps reminded: “This prize is beneficial not only to the club, but warms the local and national industries, the tourism at the artistic level, with ever-increasing quality in the country”. Philipps understands that Brazil is not a country that lives in the shadows of what the rest of the world creates. Brazil is inspired by what it sees and what it listens to, but it creates its own products, culture and behavior. And, it is not enough to create, you have to stand out and become a reference. With its 12th birthday in November with much innovation, Green Valley is undergoing several changes and soon can count on several progresses. By the end of this year, Green Valley will have a new tent, new painting, new entrances, new theme bars from major sponsors such as Absolut and Red Bull, and more cabinets to welcome the world’s greatest artists. The main stage gets bigger, the lighting completely revamped, and the lounge areas even more comfortable. The club is also changing the structure of the dancefloors, there has been a backstage widening and now the focus is on the main stage again. We investigates a few aspects that have made the Green Valley crowd so loyal and turned this piece of paradise in Brazil into the only club outside Europe to win the Top 100.
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THE CITY Camboriu is currently one of the most popular destinations in Brazil. About 80km from its capital Florianópolis, the city explodes during summer - both of heat and number of visitors - and its lifestyle of the rich and famous, as well as their friend Ibiza, attracts people from all over the country and the world. But it is wrong to think that it is not possible to backpack around the place. Like any other beach place in the world, it attracts many young people in search of uncompromising fun with great hostels and bars. For the young dance music lover, Camboriú has programming for all tastes and the invitation to live a memorable night ends up in Green Valley.
THE STRUCTURE Green Valley does not have this name by chance: the club has a megastructure on the slope of a hill, still being next to a natural lake and surrounded by the Atlantic Forest, typical of the Brazilian Flora on all sides. One of the most beautiful things about the Brazilian coast is the ability to unite hill and sea, creating a unique look. With a capacity for twelve thousand people, it is divided into three dancefloors. Well-served by bars, luggage storage, restrooms and lounge areas, the club feels like an adult playground. Those who want to explore the club beyond the main floor can access Underline_ Stage, where the most conceptual parts of dance music, such as techno and deep house, are honored. A more recent addition is Lagoon, an area commonly used for psychedelic music. The audiovisual system in the house has perfect soundsystem, LED walls, lasers, programming with VJs and CO2 cannons that always make the audience more excited. The quality of artistic immersion in a club with festival vibes is guaranteed.
EXPANSION THROUGH BRAZIL AND AROUND THE WORLD When something goes very well and is very successful, you can not stand still. Green Valley became a national brand and took its experience in making parties to the rest of Brazil, bringing moments of electronic happiness to Gramado, Curitiba, Porto Alegre, Campo Grande, Porto Velho and Goiânia. Asia and Europe have seen more frequent tours in recent years in Portugal, China and Japan.
THE PROGRAM AND MUSICAL EXPERIENCE Many clubs prefer to define themselves by the sound, some playing a more mainstream sound and others presenting an underground identity. Green Valley breaks the labels. It wants the electronic music lover as a frequent goer with many choices. Big nights have already took place with Tiësto, Armin van Buuren, Fatboy Slim, Steve Angello, Axwell, Calvin Harris, Claptone, Markus Schulz, Martin Garrix, Fisher, Lost Frequencies, Gorgon City and Vini Vici, and the Underline_ area has come across talents off the curve, like Mumbaata and Bontan. In addition, the club hosted elrow twice and became a permanent home to the most prolific Brazilian names, Alok and Vintage Culture. Weeks ago Nicky Romero starred in the theme night Metamorfose, a grand opening for Green Valley. The name of the party refers to the moment of renewal the club is going through, with the reform that will be implemented.
THE OPENINGS AND FESTIVITIES Summer, Carnival, Easter, New Year’s Eve, Halloween... any Brazilian holiday is a reason to extend the celebrations in Green Valley. In Carnival the house is open for several days, bringing some of the main international DJs that tour this country. Our Brazilian dance music medallions are also present in the programming. In addition to making specific lineups thinking about these periods of long festivities, the club also hosts well-known festivals and parties such as Kaballah, Summer and Winter Music Festival, Circus, Só Track Boa and Brazilian Bass. Those who want to put Brazil on their next travel plans and feel the strength of Southern Brazil for dance music have in Green Valley their most unmissable destination. In addition to escaping the obvious scripts of those seeking to know the largest cities in Brazil, the electronic music lovers leave with the experience of a night at the best club in the world. Just be mindful of the club’s schedule and carefully plan your trip. It is evident why the club is where it is.
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64 ACTS AND 84 HOURS OF DANCE MUSIC IN FULL CONNECTION WITH THE INSANE CROWD. THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO DANCED AND CHEERED WITH SO MUCH LOVE AND ENERGY. THE NEW DANCE ORDER HAS COME TO STAY.
FOR A BETTER WORLD