Mixmag presents DJ POSES. Whose pose is that, and what does it represent?

This was originally posted on Mixmag, but it was so good, we thought we’d share it in its entirety. How many times have we seen our favourite Dj do his trademark pose at a show? The last time Armin van Buuren was in Toronto, we counted 20+ times that he did his trademark Jesus pose. We stopped counting after 20, or rather, we lost count. Enjoy the list, you might recognize a few of them, if not all.

The Txter
The kind of body language preferred by moody grime DJs trying to look nonchalant by constantly checking their phone in the time between clanging mixes together.
Examples: Darq E Freaker, Preditah

The Cry-baby
These DJs can be seen weeping with happiness at every euphoric/mindblowing musical moment, often going so far as to shed actual tears in the booth.
Examples: Prosumer, Move D

The Finger Piano-player
These DJs do little but look cool for their whole set – apart from when a piano comes in and they nonchalantly raise one hand to play along to the riff.
Example: Dixon

The Orgasmatron
A state of intense concentration and pleasure reached by DJs who become locked into their selection on a very deep level, resulting in the inadvertent exhibition of their sex face.
Example: Seth Troxler

The Libido
Similar to the bobber, but instead of leading with the shoulders this lot lead with the hips, adding a hint of sexual thrust to what is in fact just someone fiddling with a mixer.
Examples: Solomun, Shaun Reeves

The Bobber
The pose for DJs who want to assume an air of technicality while also showing they are locked into a groove. They bob to the beat while EQing in earnest.
Examples: Maceo Plex, Maya Jane Coles

The Lean-back
Often occurs as the prelude to a full-on head-mosh when the tune drops. Habitual proponents risk displaying the contents of their nostrils to the crowd – not to mention whiplash.
Examples: Skrillex, Rusko

The Down-low
Adopted by DJs who get so into mixing that the top half of their body gravitates toward the mixer and they end up performing at a 90-degree angle as if suddenly struck by appendicitis.
Examples: Skream, Jackmaster

The Cowboy
They twirl one hand in the air like they’re lassooing cattle while pretending to whistle and side-stepping like a square-dancing rodeo redneck. Keep rollin’, rollin’, rollin’, rawhide!
Examples: Davide Squillace, Luciano, Reboot

The Jesus
The ultimate pose favoured by many big-shots; with arms outstretched like Jesus on the cross these DJs probably lap up the crowd’s adoration while secretly thinking, “Yes, I am good”.
Examples: Armin van Buuren, Swedish House Mafia

The Artist
Every turn of a knob or flick of a fader is a precise movement akin to an artist gently applying the finishing brush-strokes to a timeless masterpiece. Albeit with people shouting ‘Brap!’
Examples: Icicle, Rockwel

The Pointer
The standard pose adopted by many a mainstream millionaire – and those who aspire to be them. Far more acceptable in Ibizan superclubs than a half-empty Sheila’s Wine Bar in Swindon.
Examples: Guetta,Tiësto, Ferry Corsten

[Illustration: Elliot Thoburn]

@Stilez

SOULWAX have slowed down 20 year old BELGIAN Gabber, and the results might surprise you!

I’ve never really been a fan of fast-paced electronic music like Happy Hardcore, let alone Gabber. That said, I find this brilliant! I’ve always wondered what it would sound like to slow down those genres. Well someone has, and it sounds pretty neat. Could pass as a modern sounding dance track to be honest. Check it out.

Even though these Belgian records sound very “now”, they are actually 20 years old and were meant to be played at a much, much faster speed. At the time this was the devil’s music for us, but we have learned to listen through the claps and distorted kicks and discovered that if you slow these really dark and heavy techno records down all the way to about 115 bpm, it suddenly makes them sound less frantic, ballsier and a lot sexier. Belgium at its best when pitched down.

The covers of these records are quite generic and don’t really lend themselves to animating , so we figured we would bring you the visual aspect of this musical genre that you can’t not be fascinated by: the dance. We were very lucky to have found some people who can still do the typical moves, and with them dancing in front of the record sleeves (and sometimes inside of them) we bring you our ultimate tribute to a glorious period in our Belgian musical heritage.

We feel very strongly about this hour, and would like to show that quite often, the best things in life are already right in front of us, we just have to open our eyes (and ears) to them. We stand corrected!

@Stilez

The legendary Dj Friction puts the new Pioneer CDJ-900NXS mixer to the test #DnB

The leading supplier of DJ equipment, Pioneer, always launch their newest tech-gear by having a leading artist in a particular genre showcase it for them. This time around it was legendary Drum and Bass dj Friction putting the new CDJ-900NXS to the test. Watch and be amazed here:

@Stilez

Pharrell Makes The World’s First 24-Hour Music Video

Do you have an entire day to spare? We’ll here’s the World’s First 24-Hour Music Video. Courtesy of Pharrell. Enjoy!

24 HRS OF HAPPY VIDEO

@Stilez

REVIEW: Dj Sneak Bday Beats @ 794 Bathurst #Toronto #HouseMusic

Last weekend I was invited to, and finally visited, 794 Bathurst – the new venue for Footwork events in Toronto.  Having a long stint in the entertainment district just off of King West, last month we saw Footwork close its doors and were anxious to see what would come next.  Situated across the street from Bathurst subway station, and just a few doors south of Toronto landmark, St. Peter’s, 794 Bathurst is the venue formally known as the Annex Wreckroom.

What a great venue this is.  To put size into perspective, it’s probably double (if not slightly more than) the size of what Footwork was.  It’s large enough for people to move around and not interrupt those who are punishing the dancefloor, yet small enough to maintain that intimate setting the old Footwork was known for.

I caught most of the birthday boy’s (Dj Sneak) back-to-back set with Mark Farina, and really enjoyed the sexy house, with a touch of tech – it was the perfect combination for the seasoned clubbers that were in attendance. If you’re planning to hit this place up, take note: it’s not the kind of club where phones or cameras are out taking blurry pictures of djs, and there’s definitely no shoulder riding. The people were there for the love of the music.

Overall, I had a fantastic time in the new space. As was expected from the Footwork team, a great venue at a great location. I’m still curious to see what they’ll be naming it, as 794 Bathurst, while different, just doesn’t have that “Footwork” ring to it.

Until the next event, see you on the dancefloor.

@Stilez