Artist Spotlight: DJ AC Slater

December 28, 2014

AC Slater is another one of the artists we love for using music to make a difference. 

The King of Heavy Bass House in America

AC Slater has begun a lengthy career for himself by fusing elements of house music with the dirty basslines of UK garage and sprinkles of old-school rave synths and breaks. 

AC Slater's career kicked off with a bang in 2008, with his seminal remix of "Turn the Music Up" on Trouble & Bass becoming an instant anthem. Moby listed it as one of the best 10 tracks of the decade, declaring it a "perfect song." AC has collaborated with influential underground artists such as Nina Sky all the way to chart toppers like Far East Movement, and has done official remixes for the likes of Big Sean, Moby, Robin S. and many more. A quick look at Slater's Beatport page reveals well over 100 tracks and remixes over the last five years, including his best-selling Jack Got Jacked EP, a blatant declaration of the invasion of house music by all things bass (and the start of a lengthy friendship with Jack Beats). 

Fast forward to the present, AC has toured the globe several times and his tunes have been played at every major festival and club in the world by DJs including Skrillex, Diplo, 12th Planet, Jack Beats, and so many more. Slater's tunes and guest mixes can regularly be heard on major radio stations across the world, including the UK's BBC Radio 1 and Rinse FM and Australia's Triple J. His crew Trouble & Bass and his own record label Party Like Us continue to release some of the most groundbreaking and forward-thinking bass-heavy dance music in the underground.

Website // Facebook // Twitter // Soundcloud

Artist Spotlight: Valentino Khan

December 21, 2014 

Valentino Khan is another one of the awesome artists that joined us last week at our event with We Are the Movement in Los Angeles. 

Valentino Khan is a music producer & DJ from Los Angeles, CA. He has produced music for multi-platinum hip hop artists B.o.B, T.I., Bruno Mars, 2 Chainz & Tyga . He also has EDM releases on Ultra Records, Mad Decent and Dim Mak Records.

In summer of 2013 Valentino & Diplo co-produced the smash single "Bubble Butt" for Major Lazer (feat. Bruno Mars, Tyga & 2 Chainz). The song appeared on the Free The Universe album and has been a constant in radio airplay since its release.

Above all, Valentino is known for showing his remarkable versatility as a producer, while consistently maintaining quality throughout his major label hip hop and EDM work.

Valentino has put out official remixes for artists such as Wiz Khalifa, Skylar Grey, Kreayshawn, The Bloody Beetroots, Benny Benassi, Congorock, Sean Paul, DJ Craze and (upcoming from) Steve Aoki.

He also recently did an exclusive mix for Diplo's BBC Radio 1 show Diplo and Friends, diving into a number of genres during his hour long set.

His music has received support from Skrillex, Diplo, Boys Noize, Steve Aoki, Dillon Francis, Knife Party, Flux Pavillion, Baauer, The Prodigy, MSTRKRFT, Congorock, Felix Cartal, Autoerotique, Toddla T, Bart B More, Will Bailey, Nadastrom, AC Slater, DJ Craze, Munchi, Alvin Risk, Torro Torro and many more.

After a huge year of productions in electronic dance music and hip hop, Valentino looks to continue to build off that success throughout 2013.

Website // Facebook // Twitter // Soundcloud

Artist Spotlight: A-Trak

December 14, 2014 

A-Trak was one of the awesome artists that came out today to teach music production and DJ'ing on a variety of platforms to youth in the Los Angeles foster system.

From his astonishing early days as a DMC world champ by age 15 to his acclaimed DVD "Sunglasses Is A Must" to releasing 2007's monumental Dirty South Dance mix (Obey), Montreal-born and New York-based DJ A-Trak has consistently exceeded all expectations of a traditional DJ. He launched his own record label, Fool's Gold Records, toured the world non-stop as a solo artist and as Kanye West's DJ, produced and helped develop the career of much hyped Downtown Records recording artist Kid Sister, and remixed tracks for prominent artists such as Bonde do Role, Boys Noize, Simian Mobile Disco, Kanye West, and Digitalism. Recently garnering many rave reviews for his performances during SXSW and WMC, A-Trak has also been tapped by Jay-Z to act as musical director for his Heart Of The City tour. 

Website // Facebook // Twitter // Soundcloud

Today Give a Beat Will Be Teaching Music Production and DJ'ing to Foster Youth!

December 14, 2013 

We are so excited for today! It's A POSITIVE SPIN - our collaboration with We Are The Movement supported by Native Instruments, Pioneer DJ, Denise Melanson, Plexi PR, and a slew of dedicated artists who will teach music production and Dj'ing on a variety of platforms to youth in the Los Angeles foster system. Instructors include: A-Trak, AC Slater, Big Syphe, Craze, Flinch, Harvard Bass, Kill The Noise, Klever, Mr Choc, Protohype, Richard Vission, Tittsworth and Valentino Khan.

The event is not open to the public, but you can support our efforts by bidding and spreading the word about our auction. Funds raised from the auction will help fund this event and similar events like it in the future. 

The auction has awesome deals on some of the hottest upcoming EDM live events around the country, including: Ultra Music Festival, OMFG NYE - San Diego, Spring Awakening Music Festival, BPM Festival, Circa Survive, Falling in Reverse, OMFG NYE - at Shrine Expo Hall, Antibalas in NYC, Pomona Hard Summer and Hard Day of the Dead, Insomniac's White Wonderland NYE, Resolution NYE and Major Lazer NYE. 

There are also items on every DJ's wishlist, including Dubspot's Logic Pro Producer Certificate Program, Pioneer 1 DDJ-SX Controller, OWSLA Records Merch Bundle, $100 Traxsource gift card and Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4. So start your bidding for good now! A Positive Spin Auction.

Music can change the world because it can change people

A Beautiful Musical Tribute to Nelson Mandela

December 12, 2013

This flash mob rendition of Asimbonanga at a Woolsworth in South Africa is a beautiful and moving tribute to Nelson Mandela. 

Here is a translation of the lyrics

Asimbonanga [we have not seen him]

Asimbonang' uMandela thina [we have not seen Mandela]

Laph'ekhona [in the place where he is]

Laph'ehleli khona [in the place where he is kept]

Asimbonanga

Asimbonang 'umfowethu thina [we have not seen our brother]

Laph'ekhona [in the place where he is]

Laph'wafela khona [in the place where he died]

Sithi: Hey, wena [We say: hey, you]

Hey, wena nawe [Hey, you and you]

Siyofika nini la' siyakhona [when will we arrive at our destination]

Source of translation: http://za.news.yahoo.com/watch--the-most-touching-mandela-tribute-came-from-the-least-expected-place-070947330.html.

The Sigauque Project from Mozambique

December 11, 2013 

We discovered some new beats today from an awesome band in Mozambique - The Sigauque Project. An article from the December issue of the UN African Renewal, highlights the work of African artists that have used their music to spread important messages, including the Sigauque Project and national treasures such as Youssou N’Dour, Oliver Mtukudzi and Angélique Kidjo. 

The Sigauque Project is a band based in Maputo, Mozambique, whose music is all about raising issues and trying to bring about change. Its musical influences include Senegalese mbalak, Nigerian Afro-beat and Mozambican marrabenta. A unique pan-Africanism stems from the band’s use of music originally recorded across Africa, which it performs in its own unique style. The band’s two singers, with full horn section, throbbing bass and rhythmic percussion, create sound, including jazz that keeps audiences grooving all night, while the messages come through loud and clear. 

“Now, you see musicians singing about girls, money and fast cars. Not long ago Africa was full of music that made a statement—about government, corruption, things that matter,” says Sigauque Project leader and trumpet player Daniel Walter. “Our music talks about HIV, women’s rights, recovering from a disaster, xenophobia and much more. It’s not just great music, we’re saying something.”

Most of the music performed by the Sigauque Project was produced by Community Media for Development (CMFD) Productions, which records music and radio projects for social change. The project Musicians Against Xenophobia brought together musicians from Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe to produce four songs about discrimination. 

Learn more about The Sigauque Project.

Listen to some of their music here.

Read the full UNAfrican Renewal article here.

Today is the Launch of A Positive Spin, An Online Fundraising Auction

December 10, 2013 

With the holidays in full swing, it’s a perfect time to think about ways to give back! We’re excited to announce A POSITIVE SPIN, an online fundraising auction to benefit Give a Beat and We Are The Movement, two programs which use electronic music to make a positive impact in the lives of youth.

The online auction runs from December 9 through December 22, featuring amazing items from several generous donors, including (in alphabetical order) The BPM Festival, Dubspot, Fool’s Gold Records, Fusicology, Goldenvoice, HARD, House of Blues, Insomniac, Krewella, LED, Major Lazer, Mysteryland, Native Instruments, Pattern Bar, Pioneer, Ultra Music Festival, USC Events and more. The auction is live at www.32auctions.com/APositiveSpin.

In conjunction with the online auction will be a day of DJ and production workshops on Saturday, December 14 at The Optimist Youth Home in East Los Angeles. 50 youths ages 13-18 who are wards of the state (in the foster system) will get a chance to learn various aspects of DJing and production (turntables, CDJs, beat-making and more) from some of electronic music’s biggest names including (in alphabetical order): A-Trak, AC Slater, Big Syphe, Craze, Flinch, Harvard Bass, Kill The Noise, Klever, Mr Choc, Protohype, Richard Vission, Tittsworth and Valentino Khan. 

The event is being coordinated by Candice Fliedner (We Are The Movement and Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services) with the involvement of Denise Melanson. Promotional is support provided by The Firm Graphics, Plexi PR, fusciology, and Universal Rhythm.

About the organizations:

Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services (OYHFS) is a nationally accredited non-profit 501(c)3 corporation. We are one of the oldest and largest agencies of its kind in Southern California. We have locations in three counties though referrals are accepted from throughout the state of California. We serve over 500 at-risk youth and their families’ every day. 

We Are The Movement helps at-risk foster and probation youth increase their emotional intelligence, self-awareness and confidence by encouraging them to explore outlets of creative self-expression, within the accepting environment that the positive and loving dance music community creates. We Are The Movement offers lessons in DJ’ing, digital music production, sound engineering, live instrumentation, songwriting and recording, and freestyle expressive street dance to youth in an informal environment where children can express and celebrate their own individuality, and not be subject to the judgment of peers. We provide, as a mobile unit, a DJ learning station, live instrumentation such as percussionists, spoken word artists and poets, freestyle dance instructors, and movement therapy practitioners.

Give a Beat serves as a catalyst to transform the positive energy of global dance music culture into meaningful interactions that build community and generate social good. We provide dance and world music producers and lovers with a unique channel for activism and philanthropy by empowering them to make purposeful decisions. By creating a dynamic presence online, and participating in live events, we raise awareness of pressing issues and injustices and allow our supporters to make a difference through small, but deeply impactful, socially conscious acts. 

###

Additional donations are being accepted for the auction now through December 12.

Contact auction@giveabeat.org to contribute. 

For media inquiries, please contact:

Lydia Fong | lydia@plexipr.com

Dance Local. Think Global.

How Music Changed My Life: Steven

December 9, 2013

Photo by: Christophe Tedjasukmana

Burning out is hard, and I think... burning out in New York City is one of the hardest burns. A little over two years ago in March of- 2011, I was working as a fashion photographer in NYC (it doesn't pay, and the culture is what you see on TV)-- and in that one month, I reached my stress limit, my computer hard drive died, my strobe lights fried, I dropped my camera lens and it cracked, and my roommates decided they wanted to move out of Brooklyn into Manhattan by the end of the month so I had to find a new home. 

Everything that could go wrong probably did go wrong, and I decided I needed a break. A friend suggested I come visit in Berlin, so I packed by bags and booked the max 90-day trip and flew to a place I'd never been before. The only goal I had for the city was to experience it as the opposite of New York. I didn't even have a place to stay, and Craigslist was not the right place to be looking unless I wanted a scam (since duh, Germans don't use craigslist). I lucked out by connecting with a photographer, and moved into the neighborhood of Friedrichshain, 2 blocks from BERGHAIN.. which I would soon learn was the minimal techno temple of the gods.

Thus begun my first ever summer of dancing every weekend from 4am to 10pm.

Continue reading →

The Talented Marissa Guzman

December 8, 2013

Get the track here. 

Learn more about this lovely songstress: Website / Facebook 

Music Gives a Soul to the Universe....

Rest In Peace Nelson Mandela.

December 5, 2013 

Today, we lost a truly remarkable human being. A champion of human rights who embodied courage and forgiveness in a time of injustice and hostility. Today we honor his extraordinary life devoted to the greater good. Rest in peace Nelson Mandela. You were truly one of a kind.

"Free Nelson Mandela" showed the world in 1984 the power of music to spread hope. 

No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.

Music Saved Her Life

December 5, 2013 

At 109, Alice is the oldest pianist and Holocaust survivor in the world. She has more passion for life than most of us can aspire to."Music is a dream..." she says and so many other wonderful things...

We Are The Movement

December 4, 2013 

We Are The Movement is a LA non-profit providing an open and accepting environment within which kids can express themselves without worrying about being judged or whether or not they are performing a task correctly; A peer group for youth to affiliate with, and provide a sense of belonging during their formative years of self-discovery and peer group formation. A positive community built with friends who become like extended family. Using freestyle dance, music, including percussion instruments, song writing, and DJ/ production as a conduit for positive self-expression and building self-confidence. Learn more about this awesome organization. Follow them on Facebook.

Increased Access to Music Changing the Lives of Prisoners

December 3, 2013 

Captive Audience: The Music Business in American Prisons, SPIN, May 9, 2013.

An interesting article about how greater access to music through the introduction of basic MP3 players is improving the quality of life in an Idaho prison. Read it here. 

How Music Changed My Life: Vanessa's Story

December 2, 2013 

My name is Vanessa and I am 19 years old. I am a full-time college student in Texas. I am from Detroit, Michigan. Growing up in a broken household affected my pre-pubescent years more than I would realize during that time. Throughout all of the mostly self-inflicted turmoil, my mother introduced me to a sanctuary that I could always call upon no matter where I was so long as I had access to it--Music. My father and his family lived in Texas while my mother had custody of my younger brother and me in Michigan. We shuttled across the country at least twice a year to visit our dad for the holidays. No matter where we went or how long we were away from home, I always had an MP3 player or an Ipod that I could escape to whenever I felt alone. 

My mother was a raver in the years before I was born, she LOVES House, Techno, and Trance. So growing up, the primary DJs you would find on my MP3 players and eventually Ipods were : DJ Tiesto (before he sold himself out by dropping DJ from his name!), Ferry Corsten, Paul Van Dyk, DJ Irene, Above & Beyond, Paul Oakenfold, Amber, Armand Van Helden, Benassi Bros, Crystal Waters, Moby, and more. The most viable memories I have of my childhood are those that my mother influenced during drives home at night from my grandmother's house in Detroit. 

I vividly remember sitting in the back seat of my mom's Red, 1999 Jeep Cheroke, looking out at the stars in the sky on the ride home from my grandma's house. My mother played DJ Tiesto's and Ferry Corsten's trance/progressive mixes over the stereo. I remember laying my head on the side panel of the door and falling asleep to the deep bass gently vibrating through my small body. 

Continue reading →

Only Music Can Save Us

How Music Changed My Life: Nickodemus

November 30, 2013 

One of our favorite DJs, Nickodemus, took time out of his busy schedule to share some of his thoughts on the wonderful power of music. 

Here are some excerpts from the interview. 

Music saved my life many times! Music gave me a path in life when I was feeling aimless. Music gives me inspiration & helps guide my feelings when I need it. Music has helped rehabilitate several people around me after near death experiences. 

I see music as a catalyst for creating positive social change by it's ability to connect people both in the act of making the music & in the exchange people experience when listening, dancing & congregating to music. I've seen it at weddings, birthdays, funerals & in my living room as a child, as well as the affects on people all over the world in dance clubs during 20 years of traveling. 

We love this guy! www.nickodemus.com. Stay tuned for more to come..

Find Your Freedom In the Music

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 28, 2013 

Happy Thanksgiving all! We hope that you have a wonderful day enjoying time with your loved ones and remembering all the things (both big and small) that you have to be thankful for this year. To help set the mood for your turkey day, here are some playlists.

Amazing Performances by Homeless Musicians

November 27, 2013

Beyond inspiring on this Thanksgiving Eve. Watch these beautiful performances by homeless musicians collected by Pigeons and Planes here. 

12 Benefits of Music Education for Children

November 26, 2013 

We believe that every child should have access to music and that is why we support organizations that bring music into schools, foster homes and youth centers. 

Early introduction to music

1. Helps develop brain areas related to language and reasoning

2. Increases spatial intelligence

3. Inspires creative problem solving

4. Strengthens test performance

5. Teaches empathy, compassion and cultural understanding.

6. Develops craftsmanship

7. Instills dedication

8. Enhances teamwork skills

9. Provides a means of self-expression

10. Develops skills necessary for the workplace, such as better communication and cooperation

11. Teaches young people to conquer fear and take risks

12. Exposes children to the incomparable

Read more about why making music accessible to children can help shape a brighter future at 12 Benefits.

How Music Changed My Life: Kathleen's Story

November 25, 2013 

It's hard to say exactly how music changed my life because it has been such a huge part of my life. I can't really imagine my life without it. I've been a singer and choir geek my whole life, I started piano at the ripe age of 22 and wound up pursuing my bachelors, masters and now my doctors in music. It's my capricorn intensity that loves order and knowledge. Through all this, I have continued to have a love affair with dance music. I lived in SF in the hey-day of rave culture, in the 90's, moved to Tahoe and continued to dance there and in SF. My path took me to the Midwest for two years where I immersed myself in a professional music program and basically, there was no dancing, but I was steeped in a musical tradition that taught me about "serving the music." Since being imprinted with that philosophy, I've been trying to figure out exactly how to live that philosophy - not an easy thing at all. 

Continue reading →

When Words Fail, Music Speaks

A Newtown Parent Is Using Music For Social Change

November 23, 2013

The Amazing Power of Music to Create Social Change, AlterNet, May 3, 2013

Check out this interview with Newtown parent Francine Wheeler and folk singer Peter Yarrow on how they are using music to create social change. 

Music is my Escape

Can Music Change the Way the World Sees Africa?

November 21, 2013

Kabagombe, Can Music Change the Way the World Sees Africa Compare Afrique, Jan. 24, 2013.

Check out this short article written by a 15 year old Ugandan girl discussing how making African better known globally has the potential to change perceptions and eliminate ignorance about the continent.

Paraguay's Recycled Orchestra

November 20, 2013

This past Sunday, 60 Minutes had a segment on an organization doing something truly innovative and amazing - The Recycled Orchestra. Cateura, Paraguay is a town built on topic of a landfill and an ingenious resident found a way to use the trash to craft music instruments for a youth music program. See how music is changing the lives and futures of an entire generation. 

The 60 Minutes Segment can be seen here.

Also stay tuned for The Landfill Harmonic, an upcoming feature-length documentary about the remarkable orchestra. 

Healing in Hospitals

November 19, 2013

Elizabeth Landau, “When patients have ‘music emergencies’,CNN, Aug. 23, 2013.

Check out how music is being used as a tool to heal. Read the article 

How Music Changed My Life: Ray's Story

November 18, 2013

Music didn't just change my life. It has had an impact on everyone around me as well. Before I really sat down and listened to lyrics or got into a groove with a sweet melody or tried listening to something different, I was a lost individual. I JUDGED people. I cared about what others thought of me. I was so self absorbed and did not realize the negative energy that I was giving off. I really found music starting my sophomore year of college. It was then that I realized that I could be better. No, not just could be better, HAD to be better. I found music and it opened my ears, it cleared my mind, but most importantly it opened my heart. I started to care about other people. I became more polite and helped my fellow human beings out. I smile more, am much more pleasant and people seem to like being around me because I make them feel appreciated and wanted. PLUR (peace, love, unity and respect) applies to music but it also applies to life. If we all live our lives that way this world will be a better place. I intend to use my energy to make this world a better place. All of this made possible by music. I never knew putting on a pair of headphones could be so life changing.

And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music

Musicians as Powerful Allies for Change

November 16, 2013 

Erin Potts, “Musicians as Allies in Social Change”,  Animating Democracy, 2011.

Check out this interesting article about how musicians are some of the most powerful allies for spreading social good and demanding social justice. 

Love is my Weapon; Music is my Religion; Peace is in my Soul

Jail Guitar Doors

November 13, 2013

We are big fans of Jail Guitar Doors. Jail Guitar Doors USA believes our country’s human and financial resources should be dedicated to education and ending poverty, the primary source of crime. We support public safety. We believe in accountability in a civilized society. We believe the punishment should fit the crime and that one is sentenced to prison as punishment, not for punishment. We believe in reform and that if we expect more of offenders and empower them with the necessary tools and resources they need to change, most will choose to change and not repeat offend. We work for better implementation of best practices in ways to treat non-violent offenders and minimize prison violence. We believe prisoners provided with the musical tools to create songs of their own can achieve a positive change of attitude that can initiate the work necessary to successfully return to life outside prison walls. Creating music, along with other educational and vocational programs, can be a profound force for positive change in a prisoner’s life. Our goal is to aid the ‘correctional’ aspect of corrections that can only come from a regenerated belief in ones future as a positive, contributing member of society. Check them out!

Understanding What’s Behind the Power of Music

November 12, 2013 

Elena Mannes, The Power of Music to Affect the Brain, NPR,June 1, 2011

Ever wondered why music has such power? Or how music can be so universal? Or even whether music appreciation is uniquely human? Elena Mannes, author of “The Power of Music”, touches on these topics and on the affects of music on our brains in this podcast. Check it out.

Music for Our Veterans

November 11, 2013 

In honor of Veterans Day we wanted to highlight some of the amazing organizations using music to serve the men and women that have served our country.

Heroes’ Voices creates opportunities for Veterans to raise their voices together in song. http://heroesvoices.org

Music for Veterans offers a life-long method of attaining peace through learning to play an instrument. www.music4veterans.org

Musician Corps trains and places musicians as teachers, mentors and care workers in public schools, children's and veterans hospitals and other settings where music can reach, teach and heal. www.musiciancorps.org

Operation Music Aid is securing musical instruments of all types in order to help aid in the rehabilitation of our valiant men and women who have been wounded while serving their country. www.operationmusicaid.org

Songwriting with Soldiers pairs returning active duty soldiers and veterans with professional songwriters in a retreat setting to craft songs about personal experiences in combat. http://www.songwritingwithsoldiers.org

Strumming for Vets is an organization that has come up with a way to help restore the feeling of joy and self-worth that can be lost after extreme trauma. With music therapy and donated guitars and teachers donating their time, these vets are given a new type of therapy that works! www.strummingforvets.org

Warrior Songs brings hope and healing to veterans through the creative arts. http://warriorsongs.org

Music Is What Feelings Sound Like

The Music of a War Child

November 7, 2013

For our inaugural post, we could not think of a story that better embodies the transformative power of music than that of Emmanuel Jal. Emmanuel is a former Sudanese child soldier turned internationally renowned artist who has used his music as a medium for personal healing, as well as a platform for activism on behalf of children in war zones.The lyrics of his songs tell the disturbing stories of his past, but are imbued with a sense of hope, love and even forgiveness that leave its listeners in awe of the strength of the human spirit. Watch his inspiring TED Talk from 2009 -  Emmanuel Jal: The music of a war child.