Bamboora

“For  me,  this  year’s  highlights  were  playing  a  packed  stage  at  Counter  Point  Music  Fes<val,  ge>ng  my  first  original  played  on  Hardwell  and  Dannic's  radio  shows,  playing  on  Evolu<on  and  I  Heart  Radio,  and  playing  back  at  Mullins  Center  in  Amherst  aHer  a  two-­‐year  ban  on  shows.”  

D-Lux

“The  absolute  highlight  for  me  was  having  my  first  produc<on  included  in  the  Dancing  on  the  Charles  Vol.  II  compila<on  on  Soul  Clap  Records.  It's  been  an  exci<ng  process,  aHer  all  these  years  DJing,  to  start  over  as  a  producer.   Opening   the   main   room   at   RISE   for   Mike   Swells,   opening   for   DJ   Tennis   at   RE:SET’s   3-­‐year  anniversary,  and  My  Favorite  Robot  at  Bijou  were  my  favorite  performances  this  year.”  

Mike Swells

“In   my   eyes,   2014   is   the   year   where   our  new   genera<on   of   American   electronic  music   fans   started   to   grow   up.   No   longer  are   ‘EDM’   and   ‘bro-­‐step’   the   flavors   du  jour.  Deep  house  and   techno  have  gained  momentum,   thanks   largely   to   the   genres  being  made  more  accessible  by  ar<sts   like  Claude   von   Stroke   and   Richie   Haw<n.  Much   credit   must   also   be   given   to   event  producers/promoters  like  Insomniac  (EDC),  Made  Event  (Electric  Zoo),  and  Ultra  Music  Fes<val,   all   of   whom   diversified   their  fes<val   programming   with   forward-­‐thinking   sounds   from   around   the   world.  We   all   knew   that   EDM   would   be   the  gateway;  it’s  great  to  see  new  faces  finally  star<ng   to   discover   deeper   shades   of  sound.”  

Photo  by  Roger  Piche  

LeahV

“I’ve  had  a  monumental  year  of  bookings.  My   best   yet   -­‐   opening   for   A-­‐trak,   Jacques  Greene,   Omar   S,   and   the   legendary  Francois   K   -­‐   were   individually   amazing  experiences,   but  my   crown   jewel   of   2014  was   being   direct   support   for   James  Murphy   of   LCD   Soundsystem   at   The  Museum   of   Fine   Arts.   [James]   was   the  most   humble   and   kind   dude   I've   had   the  pleasure  of  working  with.  He  came  through  early  to  check  out  my  set  -­‐  kind  of  rare  for  ar<sts   of   his   magnitude   –   brought   me  many   flu tes   o f   champagne ,   and  complained   about   the   lame   requests   he  was   probably   going   to   get   and   how   he  wasn't  going  to  play  any  of  them.  It  was  a  glorious   moment.   I   leave   2014   feeling  grateful,   mo<vated,   and   ready   to   bring  more  ruckus  to  Boston's  scene.”  

GLOWKIDS

“Playing   around   the   country,   growing  with   the   iExperia   tour,   building   our   interna<onally   renowned  blog,  and  gaining  a  loyal  following  along  the  way.”  

Photo  by  Chorale  Miles  

DJ Dolo

“Personally,  I'd  have  to  say  being  featured  on  ‘Sway  In  The  Morning’  on  Shade  45  was  my  biggest  highlight.  Music  industry-­‐wise,  the  rise  of  SoundCloud  is  really  helping  producers’  careers.”  

Photo  by  Dawn  Kingston  

Damien Paul

“2014   brought   a   tremendous   amount   of  change   for   me,   both   personally   and  professionally.   Leaving   one   of   my   longest  standing   club   residencies   gave   me   the  opportunity   to   focus   on   developing   my  sound   and   style   while   branching   out   to  new  venues  throughout  New  England.    The   most   pivotal   moments   this   year  happened   at   an   aHer-­‐hours   club   called  Therapy  in  Providence,  Rhode  Island.  Being  given   the   opportunity   to   play   two   gigs,  both   alongside   notable   ar<sts   who   have  inspired   me   throughout   my   DJ   career,  stands  out  as  a  tremendous  honor  that  I’m  quite   thankful   for .   I   opened   for  Pleasurehead,   one   of  my   first   inspira<ons  in   trance  music  and  a  huge  contributor   to  the   underground   electronic   scene   in   the  Northeast.   Another   night,   I   played  alongside  the   interna<onal  techno   legend,  Jay  Lumen.”  

Photo  by  Dave  Yang  

Mr. McNeill

“2014  has  been  a  bit  of  a  strange  year  for  myself   and   DJ’ing.   It   had   to   take   a   back  seat   for   the   first   half   of   the   year   while   I  was   finishing   up   my   last   semester   in  school.  Even  though  the  par<es  were  going  well   through   it,   my   enthusiasm   for   DJ’ing  itself   was   waning   a   bit   by   the   the   <me  school   had   wound   down.   But,   I   found  myself   buying   vinyl   again   and   playing  strictly   vinyl   sets.   It   helped   me   get   my  mind   back   into   the   music   and   gave   me  back   the   sense   of   apprecia<on   I   had   for  DJ’ing   when   I   first   started   years   ago.   I  started   hun<ng   vinyl   down   again   and  looking   for   records   that   wouldn't  make   it  to   a   digital   release   so   I   could   really  make  my  sets  stand  out.  Vinyl  saved  my  DJ  life  in  2014.  That  was  the  biggest  thing  to  happen  to  me  this  year  in  DJ’ing.  As  for  best  party  moment,   I'd  have  to  say  the  party  we  just  did  with   Felix  Da  Housecat.   Best   vibe   and  crowd   I've   seen   in   Boston   in   a   long   <me.  We  need  more  of  that!”  

Photo  by  Dilven  Photography  

Deadpool

“Opening  for  Sick  Individuals  and  Stafford  Brothers  at  Prime,  and  playing  at  Tight  Crew’s  DDR  party.”  

Photo  by  Dave  Yang  

Case & Point

“All  of  the  stuff  we've  been  able  to  do  with  the  label  we  are  on,  Monstercat,  has  really  helped  us  grow.  They  have  a  great  outlook  on  the  music  industry,  and  the  right  a>tude  for  working  with  ar<sts  and  fans  alike.”  

Kyle Pike

“Seeing  Gesaffelstein  at  Electric  Zoo.   I  bought  a  single  day  <cket  strictly   for  him  and  he  didn't  disappoint.  Also,  moving   to  Boston  because   I   get   to  hop  on  Spectrum  Radio  every  week  with  one  of  my  good  friends,  Mikey  Maags.”  

Photo  by  Conor  Olmsted  

Jonny Dougs

“Personally,  having  the  chance  to  play  in  New  York/New  Jersey   for  Life   In  Color  was  a  defining  moment   for  me.   I  entered  a  mix  into  a  contest  and  the  winner  was  chosen  based  on  votes,  mix  quality,  and  song  selec<on.  Although  I  placed  5th  in  votes,  the  people  at  Wavo  and  Life  in  Color  actually  took  the  <me  to  listen  to  the  mix  and  chose  me  as   a   winner.   It   was   extremely   refreshing   to   know   they  don't   just  pick   the  person  who  gets   a  million  people  on  Facebook   to   vote   for   them,   but   they   actually   look   for   a  quality   mix.   I   got   to   bring   my   girlfriend   and   two   best  friends  along  with  me,  back  stage  and  everything,   it  was  an  experience  to  this  day  I  s<ll  think  was  a  dream.    As  far  as  for  the  music  industry  in  general,  I  love  silencing  the   people   who   keep   wai<ng   for   the   EDM   ‘bubble’   to  pop.  Yes,   there  was  a  point  where  ar<sts  and  producers  were   just   pu>ng   out   cookie   cuqer   versions   of   other  songs.  But   to  me   that  was  a  blessing   in  disguise.  Ar<sts  were   forced   to   become   even   more   experimental   and  more   original   to   differen<ate   themselves   from   what  became  a  very  similar  sound.  Carl  Cox  said   it  best  when  sta<ng,   ‘EDM's   an  entry   level   to  dance  music.’  Whether  you  agree  or  hate  on  the  pop  versions  of  EDM,   it  opens  the   doors   for   people   to   discover  more   electronic-­‐based  dance  music.  I  started  out  playing  mostly  hip-­‐hop  and  top  40  for  very  generic  bars.  I  had  that  entry  level  experience  with   some   popular   dance   music   and   was   instantly  hooked.   Now   as   a   DJ,   I   dig   a   bit   deeper   to   expand  my  musical  selec<on  to  honor  places  that  play  it  like  RISE  and  Therapy.   These   are   the   best   places   to   find   the   hidden  secrets  of  electronic  dance  music.”  

Photo  by  Sam  Dahlstedt  

Breeazy

“2014   has   been   a   great   year   for   me.   I  experienced  one  of  the  most  monumental  achievements   I  could  have  ever  set  out  to  do:   played   the   main   stage   of   a   major  fes<val   by   opening   EDC   Mexico   City.   The  feeling   is   one   I   cannot   put   into   words.   It  was  just  majes<c.    I   have   also   been   a   part   of  many   amazing  shows   in   the   Boston   area,   being   on  support   for   major   touring   DJs   and  producers   including   Eric   Prydz,   Deorro,  PVD,   Showtek,   DJ   Snake,   Borgore,  Madeon,   Galan<s,   and  many  more.   It   has  just  been  an  unreal  year  for  me  and  I  hope  2015  can  hold  a  candle  to  it.”  

Photo  by  Ancelis  Nunez  

VOLTRAN

“Flying  down  to  Atlanta,  Georgia,  to  play  with  my  homie  Bamboora  at  the  Counterpoint  music  fes<val  and  opening   for   Skrillex   at   the   Mullins   Center.   2014   was   a   big   year   for   music   and   breaking   away   from   the  mainstream  bubble.   I'm  excited  to  hear  the  new  underground  sounds  that  will  be  filling  in  this  void.  From  future  bass  to  future  house,  I'm  excited  to  see  how  far  we  can  push  the  envelope.”  

Photo  by  Gina  Manning  

Lenore

“An  important  highlight  for  Elements  was  having  our  15-­‐year  anniversary  in  January.”  

Photo  by  Evan  Smith  

B3RAO

“Playing   several   gigs   in   Ibiza.   Definitely   a  check   off   the   bucket   list,   and   with   the  countless   days/weeks/months   I   spend   in  the  studio  grinding  away  on  music,   I  hope  to  be  back  there  soon  enough.”  

Godoii & Davvid

“Headlining   Crush!   University   was   a   huge  sign  of  faith  in  us  as  a  budding  DJ  Duo  from  Mike  O’Malley,  the  promoter  who  gave  us  our  first  chance  back  in  March  to  open  for  Sound  Remedy.  We  were  honestly  in  shock  that  in  a  mere  few  months  we  went  from  a  9:00pm  opening  set  for  Sound  Remedy,  to  headlining   our   own   first   show.   It   was   a  huge   success   and   opened   the   door   for   us  to   subsequently   DJ   at   Machine,   Prime,  Candibar,  Naga,  and  RISE.  Each  one  of  our  gigs   has   progressively   had   a   beqer  atmosphere   as   we’ve   grown   more  c om fo r t a b l e   D J ’ i n g   i n   d i ff e r en t  environments   and   has   definitely   aided   in  our  development  as  ar<sts.  Each  and  every  single  one  of  our  gigs   is  very  special   to  us  because  of  every  fan  and  friend  who  stood  there  with  us  and  made  us   feel   like  home  in  the  booth.  We  are  very  thankful  mainly  to   them   because   they   are   the   ones   who  brought  us  here.”  

Photo  by  Kevin  Du  

Scratch ‘n’ Sniff

“The  most  amazing  thing  in  the  DJ  community  was  the  2014  Red  Bull  Thre3style  compe<<on.  Undoubtedly  the   most   crea<ve   and   technically   advanced   DJ   performances   in   the   history   of   the   art.   These   guys   are  completely  redefining  the  rules  of  DJ’ing.”  

Jaminic

“Opening  for  Claude  VonStroke  at  Therapy.  It  was  one  of  the  first  weekends  the  club  was  open.”  

JesseJess!

“Personally,  when  I  decided  to  quit  my  day  job   to   pursue  DJ’ing   full-­‐<me,   and   shortly  thereaHer,   I   landed   a   residency   with   Big  Night  Entertainment  Group.      In  terms  of  the  industry,  a  big  moment  for  me  was  when  A-­‐Trak  put  out  a  PSA  to  draw  a  line  between  DJs  and  Producers  with  his  ‘Real  DJ’ing’  campaign.”  

Photo  by  Kevin  Du  

Moduloktopus

“Finding   myself   in   music   again   and   not  caring   about   likes,   plays,   comments,   etc.  Once  you  put  everything  you  got  into  what  you   do   and   don't   get   dragged   by   the  currents   of   social   media,   you   understand  why  the  people  you  admire  are  where  they  are  and  where  they’re  not.”  

Photo  by  Nicky  Digital  

Wubson

“I  don’t  do  house  par<es  that  much  anymore,  but  the  homie  who  asked  me  to  play  is  an  incredible  human  being  that  I  love  dearly.  AHer  [playinh],  I  honestly  couldn’t  tell  you  how  long,  I  think  it  was  two  hours?  I  put  on   a   long   track   to   see   about   ge>ng   the   next   DJ   a   chance   to   play.   Upon   turning   around,   I   realized   the  amazing  horror  of  that  par<cular  set.  The  room  had  at  least  tripled  in  popula<on.  This  wasn’t  a  crowd.  This  was  a  Hive-­‐mind  Party  Monster...  Nine  months   later,  people   in  Western  Mass  who  I  don’t  even  know  s<ll  come  up  to  me  and  talk  about  how  much  fun  they  had  at  that  party.”  

Photo  by  Siouxside  

Alyce Currier

“Decibel  Fes<val   in  Seaqle  really  reinvigorated  my  love  for  dance  music  aHer  a  bit  of  a  slump;  for  the  last  two   years   it's   been   a  major  music   highlight   for  me.   They   really  manage   to  meld   all   of   the   best   parts   of  electronic   music   culture   into   one   event,   and   the   Ostgut   Ton   label   night,   Anjunadeep   boat   party,   Max  Cooper's  two  sets,  Recondite,  and  just  the  energy  of  Seaqle  were  super  inspiring.”  

Photo  by  Adrienne  Berlin  

Andrew Garcia

“The  best  moment  in  2014  for  me  was  the  release  of  Porter  Robinson's  album.  It  really  influenced  a  lot  of  people,  me  included,  and  is  really  where  I  feel  the  future  of  electronic  music  is  going.  I  think  another  huge  moment   for   me,   personally,   were   opportuni<es   to   be   able   to   play   the   music   I   love   for   people   who  appreciate  it;  that  just  makes  all  the  hard  work  worth  it.”  

Photo  by  Conor  Olmsted  

Richard Fraioli

“For   myself   in   2014,   some   of   most  memorable  moments  were  playing  at  Ultra  Music  Fes<val  Miami   for   the  8th  year   in  a  row,  and  finally  ge>ng  to  open  for  one  of  my   mentors,   Laidback   Luke.   It's   been   a  really  busy  year   for  me  with  ge>ng  ready  to   release   a   string   of   original   tracks   for  2015,   and   furthering   my   brand,   That  MOTHER  F#%KING  House  Music  (TMFHM).    As   for   the   industry,   one   of   the   most  significant   things   to   happen   in   this   scene  was  the  massive  amount  of  collabora<ons  between   ar<sts   and   a   lot   of   cross-­‐genre  produc<ons.   It's   so   good   to   see   all  different   styles   and   ar<sts   come   together  to   make   something   unique   and   different.  It's  all  about  the  music.”  

A1exxxan

“Discovering,   at   Arisia   2014,   that   the  second   love   of   scifi   nerds   is   deep   house.  Also,   being   a   part   of   the   Together   staff  (again)   was   a   fantas<c   and   produc<ve  experience.”  

Photo  by  Darkwell  Studios  

Massacur

“This  year  has  brought  successes,  not  only   in  my   live  performances  at  top-­‐level  venues  with  some  of  the  scene’s  biggest  talents,  but  also  in  the  management  of  myself  as  an  ar<st.  2014  has  been  a  year  where,  despite  a  rigorous  live,  I’ve  had  the  opportunity  and  pleasure  of  breaking  onto  the  regional  and  interna<onal  radio  scenes  as  well  as  spending  countless  hours  developing  both  my  original  studio  produc<on  as  well  as  my  branding.  Of  my  150  events  so  far  this  year,  over  80%  were  performed  in  headlining  roles  which  has  been  an  honor  when  considering  that  only  just  two  years  ago,  I  was  liqle  more  than  a  college  kid  with  a  laptop  and  a  few  friends.”  

Photo  by  David  Blazze  

Ju Lee

“I  got  to  play  at  WMC  for  the  first  <me,  headline  RISEAHer-­‐hours,  and  become  a  resident  at  the  Colosseum  in  Providence,  RI.  One  of  the  most  memorable  moments  was  during  my  set  at  FractalFest  -­‐  the  energy  was  unbelievable  and  Aaron  Fractaltribe,  the  person  who  taught  me  to  DJ,  came  to  the  stage,  gave  me  a  hug,  and  told  me  he  was  proud  of  me.  It  meant  the  world.”  

Photo  by  Kevin  Du  

Sir Matty V

“For  the  industry,  the  emergence  of  so  many  young  ar<sts.  Guys  like  Heldens,  Tom  Newson,  Will  Sparks,  and  Madeon   are   really   helping   shape   so   many   different   aspects   of   electronic   music,   which   is   refreshing.  Personally,  DJ’ing  at  Fenway  park  for  the  Reebok  Spartan  Race.  That  was  super  <ght.”  

Photo  by  James  Coleqa  

Noya

“Ali  G  in  the  house  stole  my  tune  for  their  commercial,  and  I  opened  for  Alvin  Risk  at  Therapy   with   Michael   Savant,   which   was  probably  the  best  set  I've  ever  played.”  

Batwings

“2014  brought   the  advent  of  our  Dusk  Till  Done   crew,   throwing   secret   and   not-­‐so-­‐secret   events   in   and   around   Boston   and  impor<ng   talents   such   as   La   Fleur,   Danny  Howells,   and   Mr.   C.   With   one   chapter  beginning,   another   one   of   mine   is   either  closing   or   hopefully   just   changing.  Concluding   my   residency   DJ’ing   for   a  na<onal   ar<st   showcase   in   Boston,   I   had  the   pleasure   of   mee<ng   and   mixing   for  some   of   our   city's   finest   photographers,  graphic   and   performance   ar<sts ,  musicians,   drag   queens...   you   name   it.  With   our   director   resigning   from   the  na<onal   organiza<on,   a   new/improved  event  may  be  rising  from  the  ashes  to  give  even   more   back   to   the   ar<sts   with   each  showcase.    For  my  first  ever  real  travel  for  a  fes<val,  I  embarked   to   Moogfest   in   NC.   Personal  fave   was   seeing   both   an   80+   year-­‐old  woman   and   an   awkward   high-­‐school   kid  killing  the  dance  floor  to  Egyp<an  Lover.”  

Wil Trahan

“2014  was  the  year  I  started  to  see  so  many  new  faces  on  the  dance  floor  and  that's  what  made  this  past  year  so  great.    From  my  classics  party  at  Bijou,  to  the  10-­‐hour  set  at  Therapy,  there  was  so  much  energy  and  that’s  what  kept  me  pushing  forward.”  

Photo  by  Evan  Smith  

DUDEnGUY

“We  had  a  goal   to  play  at  Royale;  we  achieved  that  goal  and  became  monthly   residents.  Also  over   the  course  of   the  year   through  our   social  media  outlets,  we've  been  receiving  more  and  more  random  comments  –  we  have  a  hard  <me  believing  we  have  fans,  so  let’s  call  them  new  followers  and  friends.”  

Igor Stelea

“For   me,   the   whole   year   was   really   a  launchpad   into   my   Boston   club   gigs,  star<ng   with   Storyville   and   ending   with  RISE,   thanks   to   Oxeat   and   Shikhar   in  par<cular.  Of  all  those,  the  highlight  so  far  has  been  playing  at  Bijou  on  July  4th,  along  with  Alex  Villa  and  Richie  Santana.      In  terms  of  music  industry  changes,  I  think  in  general,  2014  is  the  year  of  deep  house  rising  to  popularity  in  the  US,  as  it's  ge>ng  bigger   and   bigger   here.   Techno   is   also  leaving   a   larger   footprint,   which   I'm   very  passionate   about,   having   lived   in   Detroit.  I'm   pumped   the   Time   Warp   fes<val   just  came  to  the  US  in  NYC.”  

Photo  by  Dylan  Mullen  

REDgreenBLUE

“On  a  personal   level,  finally  having  a   label  get  back  to  me  about  a  demo  in  a  posi<ve  way   was   a   highlight   of   2014.   It   was   so  valida<ng  aHer  years  of  hard  work  honing  my   producing   ability   to   have   someone  completely   third  party   to  me   tell  me   they  thought   something   I   made   was   worth  releasing.    On   an   industry   level,   a   high   point   to   me  was  when   Beatport   released   a   graph   that  showed   deep   house   had   become   one   of  the  top  sellers.  It  made  me  really  giddy  and  excited   that   it's   ge>ng   the   recogni<on   it  deserves.   Addi<onally,   hearing   deep  house-­‐influenced   tracks   on   the   radio   is  kind  of  a  trip,  too!  I  don't   listen  oHen,  but  I'm   preqy   sure   I   caught   the   Robin   Schulz  remix   of   “Waves”   a   few   <mes   over   the  airwaves  in  the  car.”  

Photo  by  Rachel  Lynch  

Mikey Maags

“I   had   two   big   highlights   this   year,   both  part   of   Beandream   Produc<ons’   monthly  Binary  party.  The  first  was  having  my  own  featured   night   at   the   end   of   June,   for  which   I  played   in  between  Kyle  Pike   (who  opened)  and  Convoi  (who  closed).  It  was  a  phenomenal   <me!   My   second   highlight  was   the   party’s   one-­‐year   anniversary.  Aaron   Roy,   supported   by   The   Brain   Trust,  put  his  faith  in  myself  and  two  other  great  DJs,   B3RAO   and   Convoi,   last   summer   to  create   an   awesome  monthly   dance   party.  Celebra<ng  a   full  year  of  success   for  all  of  us  was  proper  with  great   sound  and  even  beqer  people   is  definitely  something   I  will  never  forget.”  

Photo  by  Parikhal  Photo  

Convoi

“TomorrowWorld  impacted  me  musically  as  far  as  experiencing  techno  goes.  Throughout  the  weekend,  the  stages  focusing  on  techno  got  bigger  and  beqer,  both  produc<on-­‐wise  and  musically.  Whether  it  was  inten<onal  or  not,  TomorrowWorld   maintained   a   solid   and   most   importantly,   CONSISTENT,   vibe   throughout   the   weekend.   It   was  definitely  felt  and  appreciated  by  anyone  who  chased  techno  the  whole  <me.”  

Photo  by  Siouxside  

Sterling Golden

“From   the   final   run   of   the   LEGACY   dance   night,   to   Sterling   Sinn   Radio,   to   joining   the   Dirty  Water   News  squad,  it's  been  an  incredible  12  months.  My  personal  2014  highlight  has  to  be  working  as  music  director  &  DJ  for  this  year's  Boston  Fashion  Awards,  the  biggest  night  on  the  Boston  fashion  community's  calendar.”  

Photo  by  Derek  Image  

Achille

“My  favorite  moments  of  2014  werplaying  Rise  for  the  first  <me,  and  running  visuals  in  Icon’s  main  room.  I  got  to  play  at  an  ins<tu<on  of  Boston  nightlife  and  help  open  Boston’s  newest  club.”  

Photo  by  Beantown  Boogiedown