“I’m finally home.” Those three words are among the first that the South African DJ and producer Palesa Desiree Shilabje utters when DJ Mag catches...
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Soaring ascents, the kind that can take an artist from obscurity to stardom in what seems to be the blink of an eye, don’t occur often, in dance music or elsewhere – those who are lucky enough to have that experience often disappear just as quickly. But there’s little chance of a quick fade for South Africa’s Palesa Desiree Shilabje, the DJ and producer known to the world as DESIREE, who in just a few short years has proved to be one of the international festival circuit’s most exciting new stars. Here, Bruce Tantum hears her story, and about how her evolution through music has been as organic as they come
1st May 1994 was the first big London protest against the looming Criminal Justice Bill, the piece of legislation that first proscribed a genre of music — rave music, “wholly or predominantly categorised by the emission of a succession of repetitive beats” — in law. Despite widespread demonstrations at what was seen as draconian power-grabs by the UK authorities, the Bill became law later in 1994. Here, Harold Heath looks back at the reaction from the dance music community at the time, and the Act’s lasting impact on the rave scene today
With its high-energy beats, infectious dance routines and community ethos, Jersey club has become a global phenomenon. Tice Cin reports from New Jersey on some of the people pushing the sound forwards, the special moments they create, and their hopes for the future of the music
Techno would not exist as it does today without Kevin Saunderson. Some of the Detroit techno architect’s most revolutionary work has been released under the...
Roland’s 909 drum machine is responsible for the rhythm of house and techno, and countless classics of dance and pop. Exactly 35 years after its...
If there’s one instrument that faithfully captures the true spirit and essence of electronic music, it’s the Roland TR-909 Rhythm Composer: a machine that has...
With an IRL event impossible this year, the team behind Belgian mega-festival Tomorrowland created a revolutionary interactive virtual world in under three months. Here’s how...
In these trying times, we look to get creative on a budget with nine free tools for making music
Producing under the alias Renegade, Ray Keith delivered an instant classic in 1994's ‘Terrorist’, one of the most recognisable jungle tunes of all time. Its thumping chopped...
Whether you’ve encountered her genre-blurring DJ sets, top class productions, or the hilarious deadpan memes of her Instagram page, there’s a good chance Hiroko Yamamura has brightened up your day at some point. Alongside her On Cue mix, the humble Midwest legend speaks to Zara Wladawsky about her come up in Chicago, the benefits of being an introvert, and how anybody can be a DJ
NYC/Berlin-based DJ, producer and vocalist Perel records a mix of wavy nu disco, thumping house and Italo for the On Cue series, and speaks to Katherine Rodgers about regaining her confidence after a debilitating label experience, and her bold and irreverent new album, ‘Jesus Was An Alien’
Working for free is rife among producers and engineers, with 77% having worked for free in the last 12 months alone. But is it just...
Over the past three years, the name RIOT CODE has become synonymous with a strain of hard, fast techno, landing on labels like Noise Manifesto, HOMAGE and NineTimesNine and hammered out at parties like Teletech. Formerly a duo, the Derry-based project is now an individual venture for Oliver Grant, who’s ready to lift the trademark mask and take things to the next level. Alongside a storming Recognise mix that capture’s RIOT CODE’s past, present and future sounds, he speaks to Olivia Stock about going solo, navigating the techno scene as a trans artist, and what the future holds
Over the past two decades, West London DJ and producer T.Williams has worn many hats, from his roots in grime and jungle through to spells in garage and soulful melodic house. His recently released debut album, ‘Raves Of Future Past’, finds him freed from all limitations, and pays tribute to this wide-ranging career. Here, Ben Murphy speaks to him about writing songs versus bangers, the freedom of expression of the early 2000s era, and how he made his classic track ‘Heartbeat’ with Terri Walker
In response to big room club culture, a number of grass roots promoters, venue managers, artists, and opportunists are seeing success from putting on free...
Encompassing parties, a record label and a beloved radio show, Errol and Alex Rita’s Touching Bass has created an open space to celebrate Black music in all its forms, from jazz to jungle and beyond. Alongside a woozy mix exploring the DNA of Touching Bass’ past, present and future by Sammseed, Ria Hylton documents the movement’s ethos and story so far