Latest news with #electronicMusic
News24
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Singer Tamara Dey on spinning beats and making time for bedtime stories
For two decades Tamara Dey has electrified South Africa's music scene, evolving from kwaito queen to electronic pioneer while cementing her legacy in the country's cultural fabric. The Johannesburg vocalist admits this period of her life has brought unexpected passion. 'I literally thought I was working hard back in the day, I didn't have a clue,' she tells YOU during a video call, looking stylish in a black leather jacket, polo neck top and her signature red lipstick. Tamara is stepping into a new role as godmother for the Lady of the House (LOTH) South African demo contest, a British-based movement elevating women and non-binary creatives in dance music. 'My journey with Lady of the House began when I met founder Laila McKenzie at the South African launch of their demo competition at one of my events,' Tamara explains. READ MORE | YOU rapid fire | 20 questions with Real Housewives of Durban's Jojo Robinson 'Our connection was immediate and meaningful. Lady of the House operates as a global movement and record label dedicated to elevating historically under-represented voices in electronic dance music.' While representation has improved considerably in recent years, Tamara believes there's still progress to be made. 'As a female artist I've always wanted recognition based on talent rather than gender, but I also recognise the importance of intentionally nurturing underrepresented voices given the industry's male-dominated history.' Alongside fellow godmothers, rapper Gigi Lamayne, TV present Shamiso, musicians Namakau Star and Money Badoo, she'll help select four winners from the South African leg of this global competition. PHOTO: Supplied Each winner will receive an international release on Lady of the House Records. 'The competition connects participants with influential figures and brands in dance music, including Beatport, Pirate DJ Academy, Printworks, Jägermeister and Drumsheds in the UK,' she says. While Tamara began her music career as a vocalist collaborating with DJs, she started DJing herself a few years ago, which led to hosting events such as Ode An Basso and becoming part of South Africa's resurging tech house scene. 'I've found tremendous joy in community-building,' she says. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tamara Dey (@tamaradey) 'At this stage in my career I'm drawn to creating platforms and opportunities for others – just as certain women did for me when I first entered the industry.' When she started out in the music industry in 2000, she received guidance from the likes of the late Lebo Mathosa, Brenda Fassie, Thandiswa Mzwai and Thembi Seete. 'It's an incredibly exciting time for South African music,' Tamara adds. 'We've had some incredible artists breaking through on the world stage lately, bringing a lot of attention to our country.' Behind the spotlight Tamara's life is centred around family. She's raising her seven-year-old daughter, Lalabella, with help from her 70-something mother, Susan Dey. READ MORE | Why Rassie and the Boks have got their eye on winger Ntokozo Makhaza 'We're three generations living together and supporting each other,' she says. 'It's challenging at times, but I wouldn't have it any other way. My daughter gets to grow up around her grandmother and it's beautiful to witness.' When asked about balancing motherhood and her music career she laughs and says, 'Balance? What balance? I'm exhausted!' Despite the challenges, Tamara has developed strategies to thrive in both worlds. 'Self-care has become absolutely vital for me. 'Family time serves as my sanctuary – a space where I disconnect from the industry's demands and get re-energised.' Her philosophy remains straightforward: 'You've got to unapologetically seek out joy in your life. Stay connected to your highest excitement – that's where the magic happens.' This spiritual connection provides strength when industry pressures mount. 'When things aren't going great, it's easy to get sucked into the game of numbers and social media. That's when I step back and remind myself why I'm actually doing what I'm doing.' 'Society likes to put time limits on things, but I refuse to play by those rules,' she states. 'That keeps me connected, feeling young and energised enough to be both the mother and artist I want to be.'
Telegraph
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Macron wants French techno music recognised by Unesco
Emmanuel Macron wants French house music to be recognised on Unesco's intangible heritage list. Citing Berlin's techno culture, which was added to Germany's national intangible cultural heritage list in 2024, the president said French house music, also known as Touch, is just as influential and deserves Unesco recognition. 'We're going to do that too. I love Germany, you know how European I am, but we don't need any lessons. We are inventors of electro. We have that French Touch,' he told music station FG on the show 'Happy Hour'. It means French house artists such as Daft Punk, David Guetta and Bob Sinclar could be added to Unesco's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Mr Macon's comments coincided with Fête de la Musique — or Music Day — a free outdoor music festival celebrated at bars, cafes and public spaces across France every year on the summer solstice. A music style that originated in the 1990s, French house is identifiable by the use of filtered and phased effects on vocals, the blending of funk, disco and house elements, and the sampling of tracks from the 1970s and early 1980s. Some of the most recognised tracks in the genre include Phoenix's 1999 hit Heatwave and Daft Punk's 1998 chart topper Music Sounds Better With You. French house was given a place of honour at the Paris Olympics last year, when artists such as Kavinsky, Phoenix and Air performed at the closing ceremony. Mr Macron's wife, Brigitte, 72, is said to be an electronic music fan. In an interview with Le Parisien, Kavinsky said he accepted an invitation extended by the first lady to perform at the Élysée Palace for the 2018 edition of Music Day. 'This lovely woman knows all my songs and listens to me every time she flies. Emmanuel Macron listens to classical music, Schubert, Wagner, but he was very nice,' the artist said in a 2022 interview. Unesco's Intangible Cultural Heritage list includes traditions, knowledge and expressions that shape cultural identity. It can include oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, knowledge and craftsmanship. Other French traditions that have received Unesco status in recent years include the skills of Parisian zinc roofers, French falconry, bear festivities in the Pyrenees and baguette bakers.
CBC
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
The wrestling saga at the heart of The Halluci Nation's new EP
In a Q interview, the Canadian electronic music duo discusses their new record Path of The Baby Face CBC Arts · Social Sharing
South China Morning Post
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
How Madame Gandhi's new album Let Me Be Water sends out a loud environmental message
Madame Gandhi's journey to creating her latest album, Let Me Be Water, has roots in an overflowing rubbish bin at her Los Angeles home during the pandemic. Advertisement 'There were stacks of takeout food containers,' she says. 'This was my New York City upbringing, where we grew up being able to eat at any restaurant any time of day without any awareness of how that impacts our climate and sustainability.' That snapshot of her pandemic life became a potent symbol. 'This is horrible,' she recalls thinking. 'I don't want to have to throw this anywhere. I don't want to participate in this. 'I can see this for what it is and this is sad. I've only lived in cities and I've only ever known this highly capitalist, highly unsustainable way of living.' Gandhi was born in Boston and is currently based in London. Photo: Lindsey Byrnes Gandhi – real name is Kiran Gandhi – is an award-winning musician, activist, DJ and international speaker known especially for her vibrantly percussive electronic music.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Techno pioneer Dan Curtin returns with new tracks 15 years after album… as he reveals his favourite tunes
AFTER 15 years away from the album format, US born, Berlin based techno pioneer Dan Curtin returns with The 4 Lights on Belgian imprint De:tuned. The long player is a cosmic, groove-laden collection of tracks that bridge the past and future of electronic music. 1 The playlist Dan has put together for us digs deep into 10 pivotal tracks that influenced his creative process, each carrying a piece of the musical DNA that pulses through The 4 Lights. From the mechanical funk of Kraftwerk and the raw Motor City soul of Model 500 to the ethereal textures of The Cure and the beat science of J Dilla and The Alchemist, these selections reflect Curtin's wide-ranging sonic world. A world where electro, house, techno, and hip hop collide with emotion and forward-thinking production. These aren't just tracks he likes. They're moments that marked turning points, altered life paths, and etched themselves into the core of his artistic identity. Each selection is accompanied by Dan's personal reflections, giving you direct insight into how these records helped shape his new album. Kraftwerk – Numbers When I first heard this, I honestly thought it was a NYC electro crew because it was such a big hit with hip hop DJs and breakers at the time. I was shocked to learn they were German—but the funk, the futurism, the innovation blew me away. Kraftwerk remains, to this day, my all-time favorite band. BFC – Chicken Noodle Soup This record became a part of my soul. Probably every record I've ever done has some of this in it—if not in sound, then in spirit and soul. The ethereal chords and rough, sampled beats—nothing can top this masterpiece from Carl Craig. Rhythm Is Rhythm – It Is What It Is I'll never forget it. After a gig with my goth band, I was driving through the Cleveland city skyline on the Shoreway around 3 a.m., listening to this in the car with the windows down—Lake Erie to the left, downtown to the right—and at that moment, I quit my band and knew that techno was going to be it forever. That feeling is most definitely present in my new album. Mr. Fingers – Can You Feel It I had never heard anything like this before—those lush chords, that melody, that bassline. Music from heaven. My number one house track of all time. It didn't just influence my music; it changed my life. You can tell when the divine touches our souls. 69 – Ladies and Gentlemen Carl Craig again, absolutely delivering a groundbreaking shift in techno before anyone even knew what was happening. His sample-based approach to Detroit techno resonated deeply with me—it was like the sound I'd always been waiting for. If you hear the tracks on my new album, many are sample-based. I love this way of making techno. Slum Village – Climax Is it this track more than any other Dilla track? Maybe. This is one of my absolute favorites from him, but Dilla's music is etched on my soul—it's impossible for it not to come out every time I step into the studio. The Cure – Faith I'd be remiss not to include The Cure—especially their early albums. They had a huge impact on me. It's not always a one-to-one influence, like 'this track influenced that track"—it's more that the music becomes a part of me, and then I can hear it later when I create something. And in my 4 Lights album, it's definitely there. Armando – Confusion's Revenge This had a big impact on me—it was shockingly new and otherworldly, like no music I'd ever heard. Yet it had groove and funk—so futuristic, but tied to humanity through that groove. To me, it's the ultimate expression of hope, stating that we will make it. This is one of the main themes in my album and all my music: hope for a bright future for humanity. To me, the future always looks bright. Mike, Wiki & The Alchemist – Mayor's a Cop The Alchemist is my current top hip hop producer. He's the artist I listen to the most these days—daily—and he's heavily influenced my newer productions. He's like J Dilla in that everything he touches turns to gold. And he doesn't just work with any rappers, but always the right rappers. His music so often has that touch of beauty, longing, hope, and truth—going deep into the soul every time.
