August 2010

This Thursday, DBD Social and us here at NBD present Animal House at the Polar Lounge in NYC. As a primer to Electric Zoo next weekend, we will be lubing the deal with drink specials and sweet house music from 10pm-2am. Fresh jams provided by yours truly, Headband, and our dear friend Hooligan. Get ready for some dirty dancing and pounding techno music. 

The mad Swedes are back with a remix of Tim Berg's "Alcoholic". Has that Dada Life crunch we've all come to know and love. 

Phonat, the mop-haired Italian best known for his "Set Me Free" single last year has done it again. His latest release, Cockroaches, builds on his earlier work and seamlessly blends dubstep, glitch, and french house into an unpredictable cocktail of dance magic. As original as they come, Phonat continues to push the boundaries of electro music, and his uncompromising approach to production is a breath of fresh air.

Dem Slackers, yet another talented producer out of Holland, has created some of the freshest sounds over the past two years. His deep, gritty bass antics leave no room for interpretation, they simply grab you by the face and peel it off. An acclaimed producer, his credentials include remixes of Mightyfools, Evil Nine, Foamo, and the Squatters. And, with a new EP that features a star-studded remix package on the horizon, it looks as if Dem Slackers cannot be stopped in 2010. He was gracious enough to answer some questions from NBD. Enjoy!

1. When did you first start producing dance music? Were you always into electro or was it something you found through other forms of music?

Probably about 3 years ago, when I kind of rolled into it because one of my best friends was producing house at the moment. At the beginning it was more the "dutch house" sound I was producing but I soon heard the now really old Crookers stuff which got me into the weirder harder stuff.
 
2. I've got to be honest, hearing Fake Blood jam your remix of Fifty What at Ultra was mind bottling, how do you achieve such a deep, dark, dirty bass sound?

That sounds really epic, wish I was there! And I can't really reveal my secrets now can I? Ok I'll tell you, I travel to the dark caves of Mordor where I collect the dust of the nightmare queen which I then sprinkle over my computer (don't tell anyone!).

3. There seems to be a youth movement in EDM, guys like SonicC, Foamo, and yourself are producing some of the best stuff out there, what do you think it means for dance music to have such young talents get so much exposure?

I think that only improves everything, and strives us to do better and better every day.

4. What's the next few months look like for Dem Slackers? We know you've got a new EP coming soon.

Indeed, the new EP is coming out soon with some sick remixes (Bart B More, Evil Nine, Peace Treaty and Clouds) and we're going to make a video for the a-side of the whole thing. Besides that I'm working on some remixes and collaborations for and with some really cool artists.

5. What equipment do you use when DJing and also producing? Do you consider yourself more of a performer or producer?

I usually DJ with 2 or preferably 3 CDJ 1000's MK3's and a DJM 800 mixer. At the moment I'm using FL for my beats but I'm planning on switching to Logic. I've always been more of a producer but I'm growing into being a DJ lately, it's a lot of fun, but making the actual music is still one of the best things in my life.

6. Who are some of your favorite artists of the moment, DJ or otherwise?

I'll just drop some random names I was listening to today.
Breakbot, Hey Today!, Caravan Palace, Chromeo, Bart B More, Aeroplane, Fatboy Slim

7. Lastly, when you go to shows, are you cutting up the rug? Any signature dance moves?

I like to do the ping pong dance from that how to rave dance video on youtube! But usually I just wave/throw my arms around in a random manner.