December 22/11 - Uptown Magazine
Resident Advisor Poll: Top DJs of 2011
If DJ Mag’s annual list is a global barometer of the growing popularization and commercialization of electronic dance music, then Resident Advisor’s readers’ poll is a gauge of underground dance music culture. While some may argue that RA’s list is too heavily weighted toward house and techno DJs, it is the most respected annual poll in electronic music. From newcomers such as Minneapolis’ DVS1, who has taken the world by storm with his stripped-down techno and seemingly endless tour schedule, to hybrid bass house lover Justin Martin, who tore up the Pyramid when he played here, to Toronto’s Art Department, which released its critically acclaimed breakthrough album this year, to deep house aficionado Jamie Jones, who played over 142 gigs and seemed to be everywhere you turned over the past year, the best and brightest are represented.
This is My Jam
This is My Jam hopes to be the new go-to spot to find out what tracks are hot on the web and make it easy to let your friends know about new music you are into. Although still in private beta, it only took a couple of days to get my invite after signing up. Right now it works for Canadian users, but who knows how long that will last.
The Classical
While ESPN backed Bill Simmons’ recently launched sports site, Grantland, The Classical took a different approach. Using crowd-funding from Kickstarter, The Classical was partially bankrolled by readers who were interested in the site’s concept. While the web design leaves a lot to be desired, the wide-ranging sports coverage helps you forget the fact that the site looks like it was thrown together after an all-nighter fueled by Red Bull and looming launch deadlines.
MP3 of the Week: Office of Future Plans – Harden Your Heart
Former Government Issue/Jawbox/Burning Airlines member J. Robbins is back with a new group called Office of Future Plans. Despite its reunion for Jimmy Fallon, it doesn’t look like Jawbox is going to hit the road anytime soon. Out this month on Dischord Records, Office of Future Plans’ debut will have to do.
Video of the Week: Porter Robinson – Tiësto College Invasion Tour 2011 Mini-Documentary
If Contakt showed the ubercoolische of Richie Hawtin and the Minus crew, and Take One was all about the explosion of the Swedish House Mafia, then the new mini-documentary on electro whiz kid Porter Robinson is firmly rooted in the rejuvenation of electronic dance music (EDM) in the United States. He may not have reached superstar status but, with endorsements from Skrillex and a bunch of tours with Tiësto, Robinson is on the forefront of the new hybrid electro, dubstep, trance and big-festival house sound that is sweeping across North America right now. From bedroom producer to rising EDM star, few artists had the type of breakthrough year Porter had in 2011.
