Tag: Amsterdam

DJ Culture & Music, Establishments, events, House Music, promoters, Reflections, theshineprjct, Toronto, Travel

In the Land of Windmills and Dance Music: 11 Things a House Head Should do at #ADE2017

theshineprjct

25 years in the making and it shows! I was looking at where to visit and I chose the Netherlands (Amsterdam Dance Event) mostly because of their emphasis on technology. Amsterdam has been known to be forward thinking and many steps ahead in the way they run their society among other things…….Amsterdam Dance Event describes itself as ‘the leading electronic music platform and the biggest club festival in the world for the whole spectrum of electronic sub-genres’.

I absolutely admired ADE’s strong support for all genres. They welcome all sorts of DJ culture-regardless of colour, gender and preference.What I loved the most is the way the city embraced  & all the artists,press,delegates that were participating! There were posters,stickers and promo EVERYWHERE!

I personally loved this scene so much and in several days I took in some DNB, Classic,Deep, Tech and Afro House-it was all-inclusive. It was crazy fun! I met all kinds of people-all music enthusiasts from all over the world in town for ONE thing: music! I met some of the same people at many events. Some enthusiasts from Belgium asked me where I was headed because they were so used to checking out the same artists everywhere.

Before and After a Music FestivalI truly wished I had gone a few years prior. I can’t wait until they expand even more. Jokes aside with memes depicting festival burnout, after the 6 hour flight from Toronto to Schipol Airport it was not tiring at first…… but after 48 hours………with all the excitement and party line-up-I crashed!

 

The one thing that really caught my attention was the Health and Wellness program dedicated to festival burnout and Dance Music/Club Culture. With all the networking events,panel discussions and parties-there were daily yoga and meditation sessions available for whoever needed it. Panel discussions like  [Protecting Mental & Physical Health for Fans & Professionals], and “Who is Responsible for the Mental Health of an Artist?” are very important discussions to be had in any industry.

I was floored by the holistic/health and wellness shops on every corner-shops all over the city carrying products I still have to order online lol! From sprinkles on buttered toast and fresh fruit and smoothies on Albert Cuyp Straat……the contrast was so refreshing. Everything was within walking distance-once you get the subway/streetcar line down pat-you can get anywhere within minutes. A sleek UBER from Schipol Airport takes you to the main city in a 15 min car ride!

The drivers, airport staff and city all expectedly ask you if you’re there for ADE and they have tons of information at their fingertips to help you navigate the city! (LOVE IT!) October is a bit chilly so bundle up with layers and your favourite walking shoes!

DRUGS and ADE! Everyone is aware ADE exists here and speak highly of the event. All drugs are tested before they are brought into venues to avoid injury and/or death! I highly respect this approach because Dance is often intertwined with hard drugs and this is a primary method to eradicate the misconception behind it.Total props!!!!!

Testlocaties-ADE-2017They push for body positive health awareness. I praise their drug education and push for ‘healthier’ usage instead of the ‘war on drugs’.

As drugs are often synonymous with club culture they do encourage safe usage and responsibility for fellow party-goers. It’s impressive.

All aspects of the scene are considered, and openly discussed. Room is made available to talk about the future of the industry. Panel discussions covering technology from equipment- to vinyl’s revival all had a space to showcase,teach and exchange ideas. ADE University teamed up with labels to discuss how they can improve websites, apps and ticket sales to boost revenue and allocate funds in an organized fashion.

I’m not sure if it’s organization is a Dutch thing or that it’s 25 years in the making, but whatever they are doing is beyond music for music’s sake.

I did find their app a little complicated to maneuver and also found it hard to navigate some of the workshops and networking locations around the city. However, all the flags and physical landmarks labelled everywhere made up for the app. I really wanted to attend more events but there are so many programs happening at the same time and back to back that by week’s end-I knew I’d be coming back! All these years I’d only stopped over at Schipol Airport and was finally able to visit and was  so grateful for!

The highlights of the week were the Detroit Love Party (Mirko Loko,Waajeed,Carl Craig,Kenny Larkin,Stacey Pullen,Kevin Saunderson and Moodyman) EPIC partay.

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Detroit Love 2

One of the final night parties at Paradiso (Louie Vega, Joey Negro, Francois K,Space Dimension Controller,Prins Thomas,Amine K,Beesmunt Soundsystem,Jan van Kampen) was memorable!

PARADISO

Honourable mentions go to the guys over at Cuisine 020 (Bar Karakter)-DJ Migosy (Offering Recordings), DJ Andrew Foley (Deep Rooted Soul), and AMW Gill Charleston-it was a tight-knit LIVE joint! Had a great time! I’m sure by October this year………

11 things to do in Amsterdam (during ADE ) if you’re a House Head or purveyor of Dance Music

  • Go to the Amsterdam Dance Event, check out as many genres as you can……
  • Take naps in between events-you’ll wake up refreshed for your next workshop
  • Go to the artist panels/talks (they are so informative and inspirational)
  • Check out the good eats (so many amazing restaurants-if the locals are in it- it’s the shit!)
  • Buy some records, take in new music say hello to your fave and upcoming DJs (the environment is so chill out there!)
  • Club Hop, there are so MANY amazing events, all on the same night, check out all of them!
  • Purchase tickets in advance from home (they sell out FAST-months in advance), make sure you can actually attend all the events once you arrive!
  • Check out the Heineken Museum
  • Go to a local Coffee House and meet some interesting people, try out the green (if you feel like it!) It feels fabulous to be at a place where there are no issues with green treats-you’ll find many,many,many strains and flavoured paper 🙂
  • Don’t forget to browse in as many weed shops as you can-Many of the shops get most of their best strains from Canada (betcha didn’t know that!) *wink,wink
  • Link up with people who you’ll be able to work with later on-you just never know!!!!

Bravo #ADE2017 see you people at #ADE2018!

Biography, DJ Culture & Music, Establishments, House Music, Movers & Shakers, Music, Offering Recordings

House Music Series –International- Summer 2017-Migosy-Offering Recordings – AfroHouse/Future Deep

theshineprjct

Last summer as I sifted through some of the new tracks over at Traxsource. I stumbled on one of Amsterdam’s upcoming Afrohouse DJs. The track released at the time truly ‘quietly invaded the scene’. 

Fantasma is a gorgeous tune. He’s signed to Offering Recordings and has the deeper sound usually coming from that label. Earlier this year we talked about his plans for the future with Offering Recordings. Let’s look at his discography.

He’s dropped solid tracks for the last five years. Skyline (ITH) 2012 (Defected Records), Life Takes Time 2013 (Tribe Records),Embrace You 2014 (Z Records), Loyal People 2015 (Offering Recordings), Follow Through 2016(Global Diplomacy),Fantasma 2016(Offering Recordings) Each track has built on the release from the previous year.

Before this interview I went checking for your biography and found an awesome discography. I found maybe….one interview. Is this by design?

Thank you, and good to hear you liked the interview. It kinda depends on the questions that are being asked. I try to give as much information about myself as possible without the feeling of reading a book or something. But always pure and honest.

Get to know Migosy….Migosy is based out of the Netherlands which lends a very unique sound to the Afro House style.Offering Recordings and Migosy were brought together because it was a combination of the right timing as well as his unique/rhythmic sound. Offering Recordings is always looking for something fresh and new.
Music was a strong influence from a very early age. He remembers fiddling with his Mother’s amplifier. He’d mess around with buttons and knobs. He’d turn the amplifier on/off in a rhythmic way.

He laughs ‘it would keep me busy for minutes…my mom would stop me of course because I was interrupting the music and that’s was pretty annoying for her’

As he got older at about 12; My brother (Fode) got me a PC so I could explore my musical needs a bit more. I had no idea I’d be making hits some day. He thanks his brother!!! ‘thanks bro’ It’s amazing when family can/does support your goals somehow.He grew up listening to 80’s music: Prince, Michael Jackson, Duran Duran, Ollie & Jerry, Rocksteady Crew, Earth, Wind & Fire which made a heavy impact on Migosy wanting to make music. I could easily fall in love with their music. One very important person in his life, his sister Aisata Blackman she taught him how to really sing!se taught him how to sing in a different tone and how to vocally harmonize. It’s so enjoyable. They used to sing along to 90s RnB-R Kelly,Shai,Jodeci (ain’t nuthin like 90s rnb!)Aisata is currently the lead performer/singer in Sister Act-The Musical (in Germany) I’d love to watch her perform if I (shine) get a chance!

You’re based out of Amsterdam-besides ADE what is the Underground House scene like over there? Is it anything like London or NY? I haven’t experienced the underground scene in London or NY yet but I can say Amsterdam is poppin’. There is so much raw talent here. That’s why myself and my good friend Deep Rooted Soul started our concept Cuisine @ Club NL, Sifa Siluvangi (Label Manager,Offering Recordings/DEPTH Music) recently played that other night was fire!!! It’s a concept where we book DJ’s who have their own sound and are not afraid to try something outside the box. Currently we’ve moved to a new spot in Amsterdam which we’ll reveal soon!

During ADE we work with many international names & labels in the scene such as my big bro N’Dinga Gaba & Global Diplomacy, Federico Luyo & Double Cheese Recordings/House of Franky, Pascal Morais & Arrecha Records, Paris Cesvette, (Ministry of House) Todd G and many more.

5) How has the Netherlands embraced your signature musical set? (What do you like to play?) I have to be honest, it took a while for people to understand what I was playing, but it didn’t take long for my sound to really stick. We as Dutch people have so many choices so you really have to come up with something good to impress us. (kinda critical yes?) lol

6) Describe your spiritual connection to music in general? What about Dance Music?Everything in life is a vibration, with music it’s the same thing. That explains why music can trigger sadness, anger, happiness or euphoria. It triggers our emotions. Now that I’m getting older I seem to understand this more and more. Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and charm and gaiety to life and to everything. -Plato

8) With the warm reception of ‘Fantasma’ are you working on anything new for 2017? 2018? I’m actually always working on something new so I can play exclusive music in my sets. You’ll notice on his Jan 2017 top 10 Traxsource choices. If I can surprise myself I will definitely surprise the crowd I’m playing for. I like to test my music first before I put it out. But there will definitely be some new releases coming out this year.

9) When are you visiting North America? Do you intend to visit North America? There aren’t any plans just yet but I would love to pay a visit one day!

10) Any advice for other cats in the game? For young cats starting out? We all have our own story to tell.It’s okay to be influenced by anything, but make sure you stay authentic and create your own sound.  That way you’ll stand out from everything.

Migosy on Twitter>>>https://twitter.com/migosy

Migosy on FB>>>https://www.facebook.com/Migosy/

Migosy on IG>>>www.instagram.com/migosymusic

Migosy on SoundCloud>>>www.soundcloud.com/migosy