Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Interview with Moombahton Founder: Dave Nada

With so much crappy music being released, it can sometimes be hard to tell different artists or genres apart from one another. One good way around this? Make your OWN genre! Dave Nada did just that, and as one half of the DC-based Production/DJ Duo Nadastromhe was able to help launch Moombahton in to the global spotlight! We'll let Dave explain EXACTLY how things came to be with this genre, but the important part is its unbelievable danceability. Even when listening on junky computer speakers its hard NOT to bob your head to their (arguably) biggest hit, "Save Us". Seriously, if you find yourself unable to enjoy that track then I suggest a good doctor ASAP cause you're probably deaf....



Philadelphia DMC: First and foremost, how did you come up with the name "moombahton"? 
Dave Nada: "Moombahton" is the combination of the words "moombah" + "reggaeton." "Moombah" by DJ Chuckie, Silvio Ecomo (Afrojack Remix) is also the name of the first record I slowed down and edited to create Moombahton. 
PDMC: What influenced the creation of the genre? 
Dave Nada: Wild Latino teenagers, Reggaeton music, Dutch & Tropical house records, Bersa Discos #6 by Sabo, mid tempo bass music.

PDMC: Moombahton started as a small project, how do you feel about the growth of moombahton in the mainstream dance scene? 
Dave Nada: Moombahton by nature is a global sound, everyone can party to it! I love how it has influenced mainstream dance music as well as developing a passionate underground music scene. 
PDMC: How did you get your start? 
Dave Nada: I played in punk bands for years up until I started djing and producing music for a living (circa 2006). I spent years working the local club circuit in Washington DC and Baltimore. It wasn't until I started releasing records on T&A (Tittsworth, DJ Ayres label) that gave me my break to tour outside of my hometowns and grow as an artist. That led to working with Matt Nordstrom, who I produce and dj with as NADASTROM.

PDMC: Do you enjoy producing or performing more? 
Dave Nada: It can go either way. I love working in a studio on new music with matt, but it's also the best job in the world to tour and play your music with one of your best friends! I'm always appreciative of that!
PDMC: Any new tracks coming out soon? 
Dave Nada: We have new Nadastrom music in the works, as well as remixes for Zedd's Dead, Drop The Lime, and Steve Aoki! "



Don't forget to catch NADASTROM playing at Club Rumor in Philadelphia (1500 Sansom St).


Wednesday, January 25, 2012

"Mpire" (Moguai) (Mau5trap Records)


Its fair to say that most of the party-going world has heard the name Deadmau5, and as his fame has grown so too has the reputation of his label, Mau5trap. Thus, when a FULL ARTIST ALBUM is released on said label, it would be wise for dance music fans to take serious note. This week's record or interest belongs to one of the original Mau5trappers, German-born Moguai (who's been with Mau5trap since 2002), and it is nothing short of masterful! In a culture that much prefers single releases, the fact that Deadmau5 himself has given Moguai the nod TWICE in a little over two years should tell you all you need to know, but just in case it doesn't let me try to help drive the point home: THIS ALBUM IS AMAZING.



The first single from the album was itself titled "Mpire" has been showing up in clubs across the world for about a month prior to the album release, and its very indicative of the album as a whole... musically brilliant and incredibly danceable. The track effortlessly alternates between beautiful synth lines, thumping beats, and that gritty/grimy bass that has dominated house music for the past couple years. This signature Moguai sound is as much a result of his musical prowess as it is his masterful mixing and careful arrangements, which can be heard in both his albums as well as his live mixes and radio shows. The complexity of this album in particular is what really makes it stand out, from its unstoppable rhythms of "N.E.O." to the euphoric harmonies of Heimaterde & Styrum, this album shows what REAL talent sounds like... especially with dance music's recent influx of complete junk. Each track feels unique but the album as a whole still feels like one large body of work, a feat that any true musician will attest to not being easily accomplished.