DIGITALLY IMPORTED STREAMING SERVICE

Internet streaming services are changing the way dance music is enjoyed by legions of dance music fans across the globe, offering a wealth of shows and a 24-hour listening experience that captures the vibe of the dance music community from one centralised location.

Digitally Imported are one company leading the charge in this online arena, however, until recently, they've existed more as an underground, word-of-mouth service than in-your-face providers such as Spotify and Deezer.

The service has been around for quite a while as a digital internet radio broadcaster used by only a small section of the dance music scene. However, recent developments have seen them revamp and remodel themselves to be more than just an internet radio broadcaster with a multi-faceted service that aims to unify the dance music community.

First and foremost, Digitally Imported offer a rather cool streaming service — some would say similar to the other online streaming services already found on the web. However, DI directly targets the electronic music fan with content put together by an army of loyal dance music devotees, meaning that the selection of music on offer is always of the highest order.

This is one of the unique provisions of DI as they use a team of curators across all of their music channels, covering a wide range of genres to ensure that the musical content is top-notch.

Big plans
Speaking with the guys at Digitally Imported, it is obvious that they have big plans for the service, offering more than just a streamed listening experience. Recently implemented is a feature that allows on-demand access to previously aired shows and exclusive content.

The next big thing is the opportunity for listeners to buy their favourite tracks direct from DI rather than from another digital music provider as part of their three-pronged approach — a strategy that ensures all your dance music listening needs are catered for from one site.

Digitally Imported are not gunning for the likes of Beatport in their approach to selling digital tracks. They are more for the consumer — the dance music fan — than DJs and dance music professionals. DI is aimed at anyone who likes listening to electronic dance music and has more of a community feel to it with customised playlists and social sharing options.

Anyone can use Digitally Imported in its basic guise. The shows are broadcast at designated times throughout the day just as with any radio station but premium members get to experience a whole load more — as you'd expect.

Added benefits include no adverts during listening sessions (a bane of these types of services), longer continuous streaming and sharing with mobile and web devices; higher quality audio streams (better sound) as well as access to the entire Audio Addict streaming network — all for around £5 a month.

The subscription tier does change and gets cheaper if users buy a one or two-year bulk subscription, so that is something worth looking into.

The website and overall service has had an overhaul since the beginning of the year and offers a very easy and intuitive way of getting into Digitally Imported's world. Users can follow their favourite DJs, tracks and shows and also use DI as a new music discovery tool.

Bases covered
There are over 500 unique radio shows that listeners can tune into either live or pre-recorded. It also offers exclusive weekly interviews and DJ mixes from some of the major players on the dance music scene via their DI Journeys section; an exploration of dance music culture within a two-hour slot that includes exclusive artist interviews, classic tracks, and custom-made mixes from various heavyweight dance players.

Other shows include Toolroom Radio presented by Mark Knight, Defected Radio Show, Kling Klong Radio Show with Martin Eyerer, Corsten's Countdown with Ferry Corsten, Skylarking with BT — to name only a few. Everyday there is a myriad of broadcasts covering everything from leftfield to trance, from deep house to techno, dubstep to electronica and varying sub groups of all these genres. No stone is left uncovered.