quote:

Originally posted by SYSTEM-J Isn't he the DJ for the Beastie Boys? He's a pretty wicked turntablist, especially on "Three MCs and one DJ". I doubt he can mix tracks very well though.

Yeah and I doubt Jeff Gordon can drive Volvos very well.

___________________
Robots, machines, mechanical beings
Automatic and synthetic, we have the means
To take control of this planet and the human race
With our electronic rhythms and the Armageddon Bass

pick up mix master mike's 'spin psycle' mix for a proper mix cd from him... i have a live set of his from back in september, it is very good

also, he mixes different beats for the beasties when they play live. he adds so much to the show

quote:

Originally posted by idoru Some, like myself, will argue that exposure is only good to a certain extent.

You're gonna have to support that statement. It is true that the U.S. is way behind in EDM. I don't argue with that. However, having trance influences creep their way into popular American media like Maxim, however slightly, is one step to educate/familiarize unknowing Americans about all the EDM scene has to offer. Why wouldn't that be a good thing?

Good debate going. Lookin' forward to a response.

quote:

Originally posted by miamitranceman You're gonna have to support that statement. It is true that the U.S. is way behind in EDM. I don't argue with that. However, having trance influences creep their way into popular American media like Maxim, however slightly, is one step to educate/familiarize unknowing Americans about all the EDM scene has to offer. Why wouldn't that be a good thing? Good debate going. Lookin' forward to a response.

I agree that it's nice to give Americans an idea of what Trance really is. The scene is small over here which is nice, because you don't get hundreds of thousands of kiddies going to clubs just because "It's cool," or, "Hey, I heard this Tiësto guy on the radio, so I have to go." It provides for a better, more intimate experience with the DJs, rather than being squished like a sardine-can with kids who don't know anything about the music.

In addition, Maxim is a very popular magazine. Armin van Buuren, while good at mixing, is not the person to be doing an article on how to mix and/or scratch. This gives the impression that Trance DJs are Gods at what they do, that they are the technical wizards of their time. They're not, and Maxim readers are going to get the wrong impression. People like Sasha, Digweed, Zabiela, and anyone else who truly knows how to blend tunes together and scratch should be the ones being interviewed.

^^ thank goodness they didn't get #1 to do the article.

___________________
This is trance...
Jose Amnesia - The Eternal (Pulser Remix) / Chicane - Saltwater / Photon Project - Illumination / Gouryella - Tenshi / Altitude - Altitude (SHOKK Remix) / Rank 1 - Airwave / The Thrillseekers - Synaesthesia (En Motion Mix)

quote:

Originally posted by Sykonee Kid Koala

Quoted.





I love that guy.

quote:

Originally posted by miamitranceman It is true that the U.S. is way behind in EDM.

What? In what way?

___________________
Robots, machines, mechanical beings
Automatic and synthetic, we have the means
To take control of this planet and the human race
With our electronic rhythms and the Armageddon Bass

quote:

Originally posted by idoru In addition, Maxim is a very popular magazine. Armin van Buuren, while good at mixing, is not the person to be doing an article on how to mix and/or scratch. This gives the impression that Trance DJs are Gods at what they do, that they are the technical wizards of their time. They're not, and Maxim readers are going to get the wrong impression. People like Sasha, Digweed, Zabiela, and anyone else who truly knows how to blend tunes together and scratch should be the ones being interviewed.

Totally agree that Armin is not the best to interview for scratching, but, nevertheless, I'm glad that more Americans will now know of him.

I don't agree with readers thinking he's god though. That's kinda an exaggeration. And even if they think his skills are great from reading the article...so what?

quote:

Originally posted by Radagast What? In what way?

What I meant was I think it's safe to say that most people here have never heard of whom we would consider more "well-known" DJ's (Tiesto, Armin, PVD, etc. save for maybe Oakie), unlike in Europe.

quote:

Originally posted by miamitranceman And even if they think his skills are great from reading the article...so what?

Because it's where the popularity-effect occurs. The article is sure to mention how famous he is, and possibly reference Armin's status in the DJ Mag poll. This is going to make the already-popular DJs even more popular, and will only support the artists going, "Well, a lot of people like me, so I'm not going to put much soul into my music because it will earn me money," similar to what the many radio shows have done (keep in mind that I'm not referring to just Armin, but rather the scene itself). This article only perpetuates the growing mediocrity that we're seeing in the scene today, where the masses refuse to find un-played music that, for 90% of the time, is much better than what the popular DJs play.

Like I said, it is nice to see the American culture getting a little taste of true EDM, but it comes with a negative side, too.

Naw, I get you. I just feel like the popularity effect is given more credit than it deserves. There's always gonna be "the" most popular DJ's even if new DJ's are given more playtime. I think if the track is "good" enough then the artist will get recognized.

Look at the top 30 (even all 100) DJ's on DJ Mag's 2004 list. As we all know, this list essentially shows which DJ's are most popular, not necessarily the "best", however you wanna define that. Now think of how many producers had arguably great success in the past year with origianl tracks and/or remixes who are not on the list. There's a lot of talent out there but it takes time to climb the ranks. If it's not Tiesto, PVD, Armin at 1,2, and 3, it's gonna be someone else. Their position on the chart, to me, doesn't correlate with the so-called "mediocrity" plaguing the scene right now.

The great thing about introducing American's to the "big names" first is that it has a better chance of getting them into EDM. Then, they can go off like we do and discover the un-played stuff. It's harder to hook people on the "little guys" straight up.