The one word which can best describe this past week in the electronic dance music community is historical. Why? Because Skrillex managed to shock the world by becoming the first EDM artist to ever receive a Grammy nomination. He followed this up with four more nominations, bringing his total to five, while cronies Avicii, Deadmau5, David Guetta, and Swedish House Mafia each snagged noms of their own. This is such massive business because the electronic music scene remained almost completely underground and unacknowledged by the musical mainstream as of less than a decade ago. This is monumental news for the industry itself, and you can expect it to affect the diversity and identity of festival crowds next season.
The one word which can best describe this past week in the electronic dance music community is historical. Why? Because Skrillex managed to shock the world by becoming the first EDM artist to ever receive a Grammy nomination. He followed this up with four more nominations, bringing his total to five, while cronies Avicii, Deadmau5, David Guetta, and Swedish House Mafia each snagged noms of their own. This is such massive business because the electronic music scene remained almost completely underground and unacknowledged by the musical mainstream as of less than a decade ago. This is monumental news for the industry itself, and you can expect it to affect the diversity and identity of festival crowds next season.
We also learned this week that the annual All Good Music Festival in West Virginia at Marvin’s Mountaintop will be moving to Columbus, Ohio next year. This announcement was unfortunate for some, but festival management did state that this move was best for the 3 day concert as well as for the wallets of everyone who attends. All Good had gone 9 years in West Virginia.
There were some mammoth drops this week. One in particular was a decent-quality video of a Skrillex set in the UK, in which he drops a remix of “Levels” by Avicii. No word on when it is supposed to be officially released but I can pretty much assure you that someone will provide a high quality rip here soon. Be prepared for this to top charts when it does drop, without question.
Five-Star DROPS this week:
Avicii ft Nicky Romero – Fuck School (ID)
Rebecca & Fiona – Dance
Robotic Pirate Monkey – Hellevator
Kaskade – Eyes (Alvin Risk Remix)
Pre-game MASHUPS:
3LAU & Acetronik – Journey Without You
Kaskade – Dynasty Noise
WEEKEND EDM IN RICHMOND YOU CAN’T MISS:
Big Gigantic @ The National, Sat Dec, 3
Big Gigantic drummer Jeremy Salken hails from Richmond, growing up in the West End. The Mills Godwin graduate moved to Colorado, later teaming up with sax player and producer Dominic Lalli. Together, they create a sound that can only be described as brilliant. These guys have toured and worked a rigorous schedule over the past year on their way towards becoming industry icons. Salken and Lalli have toured with Pretty Lights and Bassnectar, and are headlining a sold out NYE show in Chicago. The duo also just released a single this week from their next album called “Nocturnal,” just in time for Salken’s homecoming. Come out, jam, and support a local kid who is murdering it on a national level right now.
By Wade Davis for whiteraverrafting.com
