MILLER SOUNDCLASH 2015: DJ MAG WILDCARD FINALISTS

Miller SoundClash - the DJ competition that gives you the chance to jet off to Las Vegas to compete against DJs from around the world at some of The Strip's most exciting day and nightclubs - is hotting up! 

Sunday was the final day to enter DJ Mag's Wild Card category. Since then, our army of staff have been listening to the qualifying mixes submitted by an incredible 1,000 DJs!

We have been blown away by the talent on display this year. Choosing ten finalists has been a genuine challenge, but we feel confident we've made the right choices. 

As the final will take place in a Las Vegas club, we knew that the winners would need to have a high energy sound that would work in a big room, but we have also been looking out for DJs who have that extra something; mixes that grabbed our attention through creative transitions, surprising tracks or inclusion of edits that make the big tracks pop.

These are our Miller SoundClash DJ Mag Wild Card Finalists for 2015. Show some love.

DJ MAYANK (INDIA)

 
DJ Manyak is based in Calcutta and is well respected on the circuit there, playing shows around the city. His big room mix grabbed our attention from the get go. He has developed a sound that is spot on for Las Vegas and would fit in perfectly there.   

DJ VOS (PUERTO RICO)

DJ VOS (Voice of Silence) has an incredible story behind his Miller SoundClash entry. The Puerto Rican DJ was established on the professional DJ circuit before having to give up and sell his equipment due to financial issues. Now he is back on his feet and putting together incredible mixes like this which could see him playing in Las Vegas this summer.

IKER AZCUE (MEXICO)

Last year's SoundClash champions hailed from Mexico City. Have we uncovered another potential champion from the same city? Iker Azcue's mix of high energy EDM had the judges fist pumping at DJ Mag HQ. Every single track on Azcue's mix was a mash up or edit created by him. Impressive stuff.

RAY (UNITED KINGDOM)

Hailing from Southampton in England, Ray is a resident club DJ who has supported artists including 'Eat Sleep Rave Repeat' progenitor Riva Starr. His twelve track Miller SoundClash mix traverses the line between sublime future house and full throttle big room EDM. 

LEGMO (RUSSIA)

DJ MAURICIO KALIL (BRAZIL)

Sao Paulo's Mauricio Kalil doesn't tell us a great deal about himself, even his face is hidden behind a slightly sinister black mask. Clearly the enigmatic DJ prefers to let the music do the talking. And talk it does! Blending an incredible 23 tracks in a high-octane 30 minutes, his mix includes big room cuts from scene leaders including Hardwell, Showtek and Dannic. He states in his bio that he enjoys three things; “good music, a good party and a good beer”. Could he be enjoying all three in Vegas this summer?

KENNY VAN GOMEZ (PANAMA)

Panama's Kenny Van Gomez's mix is a blend of future house and EDM, which keeps the intensity high throughout. It is impressive stuff, so no surprise to see that Gomez has already found himself on stages with the likes of Tiësto, DVBBS and Roger Sanchez. Could Las Vegas be the next step?

RHB (ARGENTINA)

Argentinean DJ & producer RHB grabbed our attention with his cheeky 'Miller Time' intro and then kept us bopping with his big room EDM set, peppered with forgotten classics including 'Greece 2000' by Three Drives. Something of a veteran of the scene in his home country, RHB certainly has the experience to smash Vegas.

MIG T (SOUTH AFRICA)

Pretoria-based DJ, Mig T prides himself on playing tracks other people aren't. Certainly in this competition his style stood out to the judges. While this is deeper than many of the mixes in this final ten, it has enough hooks to keep a Las Vegas dancefloor moving. 

MITCHELL FREDERICK (USA)

DANNIC’S SELECTIONS

This year’s SoundClash headliner is Revealed artist and big-room sensation Dannic. The Dutch DJ and producer is a perfect fit for Miller SoundClash. Not only was his own rise to the top punctuated by a victorious performance in a DJ competition, but he also holds a Las Vegas residency - at Drais - so knows exactly what it takes to win over the crowds in America’s party capital. 

These are his five selections, who join the DJ Mag Wild Card finalists! Comments are from Dannic himself!

EDGAR STORM

“Edgar’s sense of energy and timing really comes across in his mix. Loved the driving vibe on his mix. It’s a mix that’s really aimed at the dancefloor and by a DJ who feels confident in his sound.”

BOCHO (MONTENERGRO)

“This mix really impressed me. I felt Bocho really knew his records and put some cool surprises in the set too. Loved the combo of disco, house and bass creating this funky fusion”

DJ ALEX LAMBRINO (USA)

“A well constructed selection of records with a real sense of space and arrangement. There’s an epic big room feel about Alex’s set but with a strong awareness of taking the listener on a journey. Great mix!”

ROBERT SNAJDER (DENMARK)

“Snajder’s twist on the progressive sound is a great experience for the listener. With some strong references to his Scandinavian roots, I loved the flow of his set with his excellent track selection and great mixing. Snajder delivered on this.”

DJ RICH STARR (USA)

So there you have it! Fifteen DJs, chosen by DJ Mag and Dannic from a selection of over 1000. All of these DJs have the talent and creativity to go a long way, but only one will be flying to Las Vegas to compete against DJs from around the World for the 2015 Miller SoundClash crown.

We will announce the winner on Saturday 1st August so watch this space.

Be sure to follow Miller Genuine Draft, DJ Mag, and Dannic on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest Miller SoundClash news first!