Amongst scholarly discussion of dance festivals, music production, and the future of EDM history, we bring you: DJs with long hair vs. DJs with no hair. Whose style reigns supreme?

Long Hair:

Bassnectar:

Young Bassnectar was a metal head who was into international death metal, Nirvana, and Metallica. Guess that explains his long locks.



Skrillex:

The first time Skrillex performed solo he was accompanied by a harpist.



Richie Hawtin:

Mayor Eddie-Francis presented Richie Hawtin with the keys to his homecity of Windsor, Ontario.



Steve Angello:

The Size Foundation is a philanthropic endeavor, started up by Steve Angello, which is aimed at giving back to the less fortunate.



Tommy Trash:

Tommy Trash, on a panel with Dillon Francis, told the whole audience that he would teach Dillon how to DJ (don’t worry, he was only joking).



Steve Aoki:

Steve Aoki’s father founded the teppanyaki style Japanese restaurant chain Benihana, while his half sister is well-known supermodel and actress Devon Aoki.



David Guetta:

David Guetta started organizing parties in his basement at the age of 15.



Tommie Sunshine:

Tommie Sunshine has remixed everything from Fall Out Boys to Kelis to Katy Perry.



Flux Pavillion:

In his free time Flux Pavillion uses reddit.



Omnia:

If Omnia had to choose one superpower, it would be the ability to move through time at will (time travel).





No Hair:

Carl Cox:

Early on in his career, Carl Cox was nicknamed “The 3 Deck Wizard” because of his mastery over the three deck DJ setup.



Dada Life (Olle Corneer and Stefan Engblom):

At Electric Daisy Carnival 2011, Dada Life’s performance included a live 25-piece marching band.



Afrojack:

Even though you wouldn’t be able to tell by looking at him now, the Afrojack name actually comes from the afro he sported as a youngster.



Above & Beyond (Jono Grant):

Jono Grant went to the University of Westminster to study electronic engineering.



Infected Mushroom (Amit Duvdevani):

Infected Mushroom is one of the best-selling groups in their native-land of Israel.



Headhunterz:

Headhunterz was discovered by fellow hardstyle DJ/producer The Prophet.



Danny Tenaglia:

Danny Tenaglia started his record collection at the ripe age of 10.



Erick Morillo:

Erick Morillo had a street renamed ‘Erick Morillo Way’ in his hometown of New Jersey.



Wildstylez:

Wildstylez is involved in a collaboration with Headhunterz called ‘Project One.’



John O’Callaghan:

Irishman John O’Callaghan has been named ‘Best DJ’ (three times) and ‘Best Producer’ (twice) at the Irish Dance Music Awards.



By Anum Khan

The MTV European Music Awards 2012 took place this past Sunday in Frankfurt, Germany. We would like to congratulate David Guetta on taking home the award for ‘Best Electronic Act.’ Guetta is also in the running for the American Music Awards’ ‘Favorite Artist - Electronic Dance Music’ with other nominees Calvin Harris and Skrillex.

More on the MTV EMA winners here.

David Guetta and Nicky Romero’s ‘Metropolis’ music video may hold some merit within the post-graffiti community. The visual possesses artistic value after having appointed street art partisan, Mr. Brianwash, as its director.

It opens up with the pertinent message: “Art cannot be criticized because every mistake is a new creation.” Throughout the video, common street art tactics are employed to reinforce its meaning. Spray cans and buckets of paint make multi-colored splashes in the air (like something you might see at a Blue Man Group show). A turntable is used to create spin art. Paint is splattered on walls and wheat-paste posters cover up public domains. Street signs are altered and transformed to carry new meanings (“Love Construction Ahead and “Don’t STOP Music”). Television sets, a symbolism for mind control, are demolished with baseball bats. Because while some art involves creation, others may thrive on destruction. If we were to take anything away with us from this video, it’s that “Art is for everybody.” And music, our dominant form of art, is a unifying medium that reflects the common voice of the community.

Track of the Day

David Guetta set the ‘She Wolf free; a carnivorous, vocally-dominated predator.

Toolroom TV has come out with its third episode of its guide to clubbing series, which takes viewers to the exotic party island of Ibiza. Take a trip to the White Isle to spend some time at the International Music Summit, get a quick history lesson on Ibizian clubbing, and join the Toolroom Knights’ opening party at Space.

(with appearances from Mark Knight, Wally Lopez, Paul Oakenfold, Carl Cox, David Guetta and more!)

Billboard broke the news Monday that David Guetta’s “Titanium” is rapidly approaching the same chart reign that Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” album held in 1983. In other words, the track’s 28-week stay on the Billboard Dance/Club Play Songs chart is the longest in nearly three decades! Read on…

Nicky Romero has always been in tune with his inner rhythm. Even at the age of six, it was not a rare event to find him banging away on his snare drum. Pursuing a growing interest in percussion and guitar, Nicky began to develop a strong rhythmic foundation. But it wasn’t until he was hired to pick up empty glasses and work the coat check at a local bar, that Nicky became enamored with the lifestyle of the DJ. Within a blink of an eye, he went from banging on his drums to dropping bangers during his DJ sets. And just like that, Nicky Romero was well on his way to developing his signature uplifting big room sound.

Although Nicky Romero has only been in the game for a few years now, it didn’t take long before he started sharing the stage with some of the greats. His production career gained substantial footing with the release of ‘My Friend’ featured on ‘Spinnin’ Records’. But it was Nicky’s bootleg of David Guetta’s ‘When Love Takes Over’ that placed him directly before the eye of the public. At that point, it was nearly impossible for Guetta not to take notice of the up and coming Dutch producer. Taking a strong liking to Nicky, Guetta immediately placed him under his wing. Nicky couldn’t have asked for a stronger backing than garnering support from the reigning #1 DJ in the world. Ultimately, their ongoing relationship led to Guetta signing Nicky to his newly established ‘Jack Back Records’ label - with their collaboration ‘Metropolis’ being featured as the label’s debut single.

Having been born with the raw talent and privileged with the ideal mentor, Nicky Romero has become one of the world’s most sought after EDM artists. But that’s not enough. Nicky Romero continues to press forward, as he prepares to launch his own ‘Night and Party’ label.

Nicky Romero joins us for an eventful “Day and Party” for this week’s edition of Wet Wonderland - Insomniac’s weekly pool party experience.

Date: Sunday May 13th 2012 
Time: 10am-6pm
Location: Las Vegas, NV - Marquee Day Club
Age Restriction: 21+

Buy Tickets Here

We’ve all heard this question before: “does size really matter?” If your name is Steve Angello, you have already answered this question to thousands of music lovers from around the globe.

Size Matters is Steve Angello’s world-renowned event series featuring artists from his label Size Records. With a record label that produces dance floor monsters in the blink of an eye, Steve Angello has achieved what most producers only dream of: to become an icon in the EDM industry. With tracks such as “Knas,” “Jack It Up,” and “Generation X,” you won’t find a house DJ without a Size Records release in his arsenal. With so many number one hits, Steve Angello proves that in the end, size does matter!

Steve Angello is one third of Swedish House Mafia (a group that now needs no introduction). With their music blastin’ just about everywhere you go nowadays, Swedish House Mafia has become the voice of a new generation of EDM.

Other than Steve Angello, our Enhanced Concert Series: Size Matters at the Hollywood Palladium on May 12th, 2012, is going to feature Max Vangeli & AN21 and Junior Sanchez. These guys are not only prodigious producers, but have touched down at some of the best festivals and clubs in the world. Max Vangeli & AN21 might be the hottest breakthrough artists of the last couple of years, making enormous releases on Size Records. With support from Steve Angello himself, plus Tiesto and David Guetta, it is no wonder why hundreds of people will go to great measures to see them hit the decks. Junior Sanchez is no rookie to the EDM game either, playing shows just about every weekend. Junior Sanchez has started his own multimedia label named Brobot and is expected to release his new album, “Welcome 2 JNR High,” soon.

Now we ask you the question again: “does size really matter?” If you are in Los Angeles or the surrounding area on Saturday, May 12th, make sure be at the Insomniac Enhanced Concert Series: SIZE MATTERS, and let us know if size matters to you!

Buy tickets here.

Track of the Day

The remix pack for David Guetta’s ‘I Can Only Imagine’ featuring vocals from Chris Brown, includes a huge edit by R3hab - released by Guetta’s ‘F*ck Me Im Famous’ imprint. R3hab’s “chainsaw,” electro house remix takes the song to a place that lies beyond your imagination.

Howard Stern has always been known for smack talking anybody who’s getting attention in the media. Well, we have been graced with Stern’s attention as he pokes fun at the very concept of being a DJ. With Deadmau5 in his crosshairs, Stern frivolously muses with his radio show cohorts on the uselessness (and the ballsiness) of a DJ. Even those who appreciate the art of DJing will find Stern’s words hilarious. We just hope that his rant was intended to entertain rather than educate!

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