Cosmic Gate is now emblazoned into The Gallery’s famous ‘excellence in the art of sound’ blueprint. An inimitable melodic style and infectious enthusiasm, has seen the German duo endear themselves to The Gallery faithful – with 2011 their most memorable Ministry year to date. January saw the widely acclaimed ‘Back 2 The Future’ launch. A unique pre-party witnessed fans flocking from all over Europe, grasping the chance to meet Nic and Bossi. Overseeing December’s festive Xmas frolics, Cosmic Gate orchestrated an emotionally charged atmosphere. ‘Be Your Sound’ was the main room release, its groove infused chords providing a poignant arms aloft moment. They enjoyed it so much, let’s do it all again. Welcome the official Trance Nation launch, raising the Cosmic Gate bar to previously unsurpassed heights.

The latest in Ministry’s flagship series, sees Cosmic Gate effortlessly assume the role of standard bearer. A meticulous tracklist is emphatically fused together, representing a surreal snapshot of today’s trance sound. That’s core uplifting synths enhanced with throbbing basslines, trippy electro riffs and feverish breakdowns. This is undoubtedly the most pulsating Trance Nation experience to date. On Friday 9th March, The Gallery invites YOU to be a part.

Cosmic Gate will be hosting an intimate pre-party from 9.30pm, with limited £5 passes. Including a shiny new Trance Nation CD plus CLUB ENTRY after, there’s no excuse to miss this once in a lifetime opportunity.
Cosmic Gate will perform a bespoke pre-party set on Ministry’s hallowed CDJs. Adding to the excitement, this is to be streamed live worldwide on Ministry Of Sound radio. Get involved and vote here for favourites to be included.

The main event boasts Cosmic Gate’s headline appearance, alongside the relentless beats of Simon Patterson, Australian protégé tyDi and Proff – the latest talent to emerge from Russia’s ever increasing trance stable.

The Gallery proudly presents Cosmic Gate and Trance Nation. Live and in the flesh…

The Gallery Pres. Trance Nation – Cosmic Gate
Friday 9th March 2012
Ministry Of Sound
Limited £5 Pre-Party Tickets
Includes Trance Nation CD & Main Club Entry (ticket not valid after 10pm).

I may just get this posted tonight (Tuesday) if I’m lucky Yesterday I was having a nightmare with the download sites not wanting to display their pages. Got there in the end though so thankfully I have 10 delicious juicy new trance tracks below for you below! For those wondering why I am using words more inclined for a cooking blog, that will be because today is Shrove Tuesday! Hope you have all had a scrumptious time… I’ll stop now, I promise!

10 New Trance Tracks

This tasty delightful number saw the light of day last year in the form of the Original Mix but Marcus Schossow‘s remix is now available. This is of course Jon O’Bir feat. Julie Harrington – Perfect As You Are.

Available at Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Classic Trance Track | Agnelli & Nelson – Everyday

This weeks track is one that hits me like a tornado every time I hear it pumping out of a large speaker! An all time classic trance song if you have ever heard one, agreed?

Available on Beatport

First time here? Please subscribe by Email or RSS if you enjoyed this post.

Stuart

10 New Trance Tracks

The long awaited Mat Zo‘s The Bipolar EP gets released with four tracks. My favourite track? Bipolar, because you have to ask yourself “Can you dance?” To this? Hell yeah!

Available at Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

When will labels and artist learn to put previews up and actually promote all their work? Pfft!

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Classic Trance Track | Above & Beyond pres. Oceanlab – Clear Blue Water (Ferry Corsten Remix)

I remember when I first heard this I was nearly 8000 miles away from the UK in The Falkland Islands!

I had bitten the clubbing bug again months before being posted there and a couple of other people there were also into dance music. One of the guys lent me all his CDs as I decided to put a night on. Sadly the room was pretty much empty on the few occasions I got to use one of the bars, but at least I got to hear dance music on a big system whilst I was there!

Available on Beatport

First time here? Please subscribe by Email or RSS if you enjoyed this post.

Stuart

I’m quite disappointed to be frank as Portsmouth on the south coast of England didn’t get a dusting of the white powder. I was even threatening to buy a sledge and Loo was putting me off in doing so, to which I said “Watch, it’ll snow now I haven’t got one!” Of course it did, but just not here!

Thankfully the new trance music releases this week did not disappoint, check them out below and then let me know if you got any snow.

10 New Trance Tracks

Last week this would of been featured but Daniel Kandi‘s Sagittarius (Original Mix) wrongly got uploaded to all the download stores at the (Original Mix Edit). Oops! All good now though for this storming uplifter on Armind.

Available at Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Classic Trance Track | Andy Moor and Adam White present Whiteroom – The Whiteroom

I admittedly had some help from my close friend Alex Eneas on this one, I basically asked him to name a classic Haha!

I think he picked well…

Available on Beatport

First time here? Please subscribe by Email or RSS if you enjoyed this post.

Stuart

The most difficult part of these posts is deciding what to feature! Sometimes it is due to the volume of good releases, but the most difficult part is the way the download sites work and the release schedules. I am only human, so therefore I don’t always know if a track has been previously released when it gets re-released. There seems to be no way of telling “This is brand new and has never touched our stores inventory in any form before!”
I have found one way of telling (on Beatport at least) which involves some clicking, namely clicking the artist name, then Tracks and sorting them by name and seeing if it is duplicated. I may include some of these anyway just because I really do like the track and want to support the artists involved.

My problem, not yours – sorry to bore you

If you didn’t see it, this week I wrote a post with some thoughts about Simon Cowell’s DJ talent show. I recommend putting the kettle on first, and of course reading this post first.

So in no particular order…

10 New Trance Tracks

It is only fitting that I include this re-release by two artists I have the upmost respect for. Simon Cowell may have have all the pop stars in his pocket, but Paul Oakenfold and Robert Vadney are quite clearly stating this is not the world of pop… Watch it get used as the theme tune for the show now Hahaha!

Available at Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Classic Trance Track | DJ Kim – Jetlag (Alphazone Remix)

It is funny how trance has reverted back to the 140bpm sound being popular with many people – or at the very least there is a large population of trance fans being vocal about it across the web

DJ Kim – Jetlag is fondly remembered by many for featuring on Eddie Halliwell’s Mixmag cover CD ‘Bosh!’, for others it is an instrumental part of the high energy production antics of Alphazone – the question is, where are they now??

Available on Beatport

First time here? Please subscribe by Email or RSS if you enjoyed this post.

Stuart

It would be quite easy for me to join the bandwagon and say this is going to kill the scene, turn the scene commercial and be a bad thing. To be quite frank, that is cods wallop. We all know Team140 trance music will not get a look in, if it did, at least there would be something worth watching on TV!

I hazard a guess that it will feature a mixture of commercial RnB, hip hop and house music. It will not touch the EDM we know and love.

I’m fine with that, I’m not going to care what is played on ‘DJ Factor’ or whatever it will be called. Everything is going to need licensing to be played on TV, so it is just a cash carnival for whichever labels are flavour of the month when aired. It will be a show for the masses and it will be a good thing for all scenes.

Woah! What did I say?!

Yes, I said it! It will be a good thing for the dance music scene!

Simon ‘Satan’ Cowell

Don’t get me wrong, there is a section of me that is raging at the thought of Simon Cowell & co. bastardising the dance music scene – there really is! I don’t want businessmen with their shirts and clipboards analysing how to market the scene so they can turn a penny out of every nook and cranny. The commercial aspect of the dance music scene is not to be taken and churned up and spat out as some form of pop music! Yes I know it is already happening, but we don’t want the process accelerated.

Pop music = popular music. How many times have you heard your parents (or even workmates) utter the words “Turn that shit down!” or my other favourite, “It all sounds the same! BOOM BOOM BOOM!”

Dance music is not meant to be popular, it goes against the grain of its upbringing. We like the thought of dark dingy rooms in underground clubs and the sense of belonging to something secret that no one else but us understands. Of course the rise of superclubs has put paid to that, but anyone reading this who was a first at clubs like Gatecrasher or even Digital Society must have a wee smile next to their heart that says something like “Yeah I was there!” and you feel like part of a family.

What if dance music becomes popular due to ‘DJ Factor’?

The whole thought of us true clubbers having to stand in a room with even more beer boys with their bad attitudes, leering at the women and giving you a nasty look makes me want to throw in the towel. Smiley faces and happy days all the way, please God (if there is one) do not let worse case scenario happen!

Simon Cowell Our Saviour

Those who play their cards right will use the publicity generated to enhance their brand. They will not be sat shaking their heads as yet another DJ fails miserably and gets chastised by the judges.

For one, I can already imagine some club manager somewhere running around trying to see if Simon Cowell & co. need a venue for hosting after parties, or filming on location at a club. You can take that idea and run with it if you are reading this Mr. Club Manager, just invite me to the party yeah?

The Increase of DJ Competition Events

Meanwhile promoters of events know that keen up and coming DJs are wanting to be heard playing in a club and on a big sound system. Watch how many DJ competitions are held in clubs across the nation whilst those at home are sat glued to the TV. For many young DJs, competitions are the first step out of the bedroom and into a club’s DJ booth. Some of these competitions have been a honest respectable way of gaining say a residency for many big brands. No harm done and it keeps the spirit alive as the inexperienced DJs get to play out and it keeps the scene interested in who’s who in the up and coming departments.

I know many people will dismiss DJ competitions as a promoters way of getting DJs to play for free. It is always down to the individual to see what they gain from these kind of events. If you are looking for experience in a booth, then you should always be putting your name forward. Put your name down even if you know the sound system is horrendous – the more experience you have playing on awkward badly set-up sound systems the better!
Maybe the event is well publicised, but there is no prize? Again play, because even if you have nothing to gain materialistically, you get publicity at least. It is down to you lesser known DJs to take advantage of what will be a year for getting yourself out there as these opportunities pop up.

In the long-term, there is every chance that a scene that has taken a battering with the economy in the last few years will have some favourable light shined upon it. Maybe some new young blood will start venturing out, old faces will reappear and those who are just plain curious come and see what all the fuss is about.

The live band scene has been booming in the UK, whilst our dance music scene has been waning (at least it has been locally for me), we need something to inject some enthusiasm back into it. If the TV show is a load of bollocks, at the very least we can highlight who the real stars are and make some noise.

What is the best case scenario for the dance music scene?

As I stated earlier, I can’t see most dance music being aired. We’ll be lucky to hear anything us readers enjoy on a regular basis. If anyone from the show is reading this, I double dare you to air 140bpm trance music in a fair light, produced by a well respected producer of the scene.

There was one rumour that Paul Oakenfold would be a judge, but I consider that just what it is – a rumour. If it turned out to be true then maybe we would have some hope of a trance being featured. John Askew – Bastard playing on primetime TV? Yes please!

I think dance music artists everywhere will have to do their best at promoting what they do to the best of their abilities and educate the masses that we have a friendly welcoming scene. If we shun new people because they watched some TV show, it would be like shunning many of us just because the first trance track we bought was from the charts in 1998/99 instead of some goa-trance back in the early 90s! Everyone starts somewhere, and then they evolve and develop their own taste.

We should be donning our fluffy boots/custom made aprons/white gloves/high viz jacket/whistles and showing them what the dance music scene is all about! No more standing around quoting extracts from Human Traffic saying “It’s not like it use to be.”

The truth is, we make it what it is, and no TV show is going to kill the trance music scene.

What are your thoughts on Simon Cowell’s new TV show?

First time here? Please subscribe by Email or RSS if you enjoyed this post.

Photo credit: Loren Javier

As a little update, I started a new job last week. I am now a Junior SEO Specialist, doing a job I have a great interest in Hooray! I’m no longer working shifts, so I’m hoping working 9-6 will enable me to have the energy to come home and write regularly. But hey, what’s this I hear? “Just tell us about the trance music Stu!” Oh yessss….

This week I’m reverting back to the old blog post style of 10 new trance songs, where I spend endless hours searching the web for new releases. If you feel like contributing to the site give me a shout, or even if you simply would like to give me feedback on the site, please do.

So here we go!

10 New Trance Tracks

First up is Heatbeat ‘Rocker Monster’. The tracks title sums it up completely as this monster sure is rocking. A fat sound with a twisted synthesised guitar and vocal work is a dance floor destroyer.

Available at Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Available on Beatport

Classic Trance Track | Marco V – Godd (Original Mix)

Thought I’d throw this in as a nod to the past. Ok so you got 9 ‘new’ tracks, but if this is not in your collection I say hang your head in shame. The bosh days of tech-trance were nothing without Marco V. Godd is a track still to this day that makes the dance floor explode.

Available on Beatport

First time here? Please subscribe by Email or RSS if you enjoyed this post.

Stuart

As one of the most influential electronic music artists of all time, Paul van Dyk needs no introduction. His revolutionary and visionary productions have set trends for the past two decades, whilst his legendary DJ performances have helped build a colossal, global fanbase. PvD returns to the Capital on Saturday 31st March to launch his new album ‘Evolution’, at a London venue he has never played before.

PvD is one of the pioneers of electronic music, having transformed the sound of techno and house, trifled and designed the melody of trance, whilst harmonizing peaceful, progressive harmonies. As strongly determined as devoted, Paul Van Dyk has pushed beyond production, making the famous soundtrack for ‘Zurdo’, winning the Mexican Oscar in March 2004. In addition, his works with EA Games have added to the diversity of his profile.

With his popularity in constant growth and with more than 3 million albums sold worldwide, his followers are still hungry for more. Outside of his countless shows around the world, he still airs one of the world’s most listened to podcasts; ‘Paul van Dyk: VONYC Sessions’, featuring his own music and that from other highly ranked artists.

In addition to being recognised as one of the world’s greatest producers, he stands even higher with heart-stopping performances in front of huge crowds. 2008’s New Years Eve in Rio De Janeiro is one example, with Van Dyk playing in front of one million people.

But for the last weekend of March, PvD is coming to town for the release of his latest album: Evolution. With many years of experience, Paul will transmit to the heart of London the Evolution of music. In a venue that he has never played before, the thrills coming from this new experience for both artist and fan go above the usual lofty expectations, making this one of 2012’s standout events.

With Paul’s fans already displaying huge interest in this exclusive performance, make sure you register today at www.pvdlondon.com to gain priority access to ‘pre-sale’ tickets and you will also receive an exclusive EVOLUTION preview track for free!

Register at www.pvdlondon.com for priority access to ‘pre-sale’ tickets.
Remember all of those who register will be sent an exclusive Paul van Dyk Evolution preview track for free!

Welcome to iLove Trance Music Christopher! For the benefit of any readers that are unfamiliar to your background, could you briefly describe the beginnings of your career and your sound…

I started DJing in San Francisco in 1992 but moved to Los Angeles in 1994 just in time for the West Coast rave explosion. I was soon playing all over North America and began producing for label called Hook Recordings in Scotland in 1997 and touring internationally. I have always had a unique big room underground trance sound that was developed in those early warehouse and desert party rave days. I am not a fan of the commercial pop dance music that people often mistake for trance. I have remained true to my roots over the years and continue to play a more powerful underground trance sound.

Like so many DJs during 2011 you have had another extraordinary busy year, what have been the highlights for you?

Some of the highlights this year have been great tour dates, in particular EDC in Las Vegas, Creamfields in Buenos Aires and Burning Man in the Nevada desert. Production wise, this has also been a good year. I’ve spent a lot of time in the studio working on my third artist album and this year saw the release of several singles and remixes, most notably the remix I did of LMFAO’s ‘Party Rock Anthem’ which was a lot of fun.

This year also saw Rush Hour, my monthly radio show and podcast move into its fourth year. The show is getting bigger every month which is great to see because it proves that people are still looking for quality trance.

Pharmacy Music, my label, has finally come of age with the addition of several new artists and tons of releases this year. I am proud of the artists on the label and the top notch productions they have been releasing. That is why I have just released Pharmacy: Phase 1, the first in a series of mix compilations, showcasing the incredible roster of artists on the label like Jonathan Allyn, Sean J Morris, Fergie & Sadrian, Magnus and Gian Carlo.

Who inspires you?

John 00 Fleming is one of my biggest inspirations. John is one of those people that truly believes in the music and has forged his own way in a world where commercialization and low standards have become the standard. I have always admired John Digweed, again, for his dedication to a sound, his professionalism and his sincerity. But my greatest influence would have to be my wife, Sara. She inspires me because of her absolute love of the music. It is a lot of fun to DJ with her in my side project, Mr & Mrs Smith. We play a dark dirty and tough underground electro sound.

With 2012 only round the corner, what plans do you have for next year?

Most important for 2012 is to finish my artist album. Once again it has taken a back seat to all the other projects that I am juggling. I’m also looking forward to what happens with my label Pharmacy Music. There is plenty of room to grow and lots of amazing talent out there. We’ve done some Pharmacy Music label nights on the West Coast which have been massive and we’re very excited about on taking Pharmacy on the road showcasing its talent next year.

If the world was to end as some suggest in 2012, what would be the last song you would like to hear played?

Ha ha, an obvious answer.. “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” by R.E.M

If you weren’t a DJ and producer, what other career would you have pursued?

I think I would have been good at music studio troubleshooting or at least I would be good at that now. It seems as if I spend half my time in the studio trying to fix things that were working the day before!

I have noticed the fans in the USA are very vocal in supporting the trance music scene across sites like Twitter. Having been part of the scene for well over 10 years, how does it make you feel getting so much support from your fans?

It is fantastic to see the love and support of the fans for trance music. The really cool thing is that it allows people to be more involved as opposed to passively participating. I think it is incredible. It is one of the things that inspires me everyday.

Which new artist(s) do you tip for success in the future?

That’s a tough one. A lot of artists become successful now as a result of marketing and polls, rather than perfecting their craft as producers and DJs. Artists show up from nowhere in the Top 100 and suddenly they’re the next big thing. Problem is there are so many “next big things” that the market has become saturated and the audience is developing a short attention span, so DJs have to work harder than ever to maintain their success. The artists that I hope to see having success are the ones who play from the heart and do it for the love of the music, you find a lot of them in the underground scene, for example John 00 Fleming who’s having a massive resurgence at the moment. My other favorites are Sean J Morris, Jonathan Allyn and Ismael Rodriguez.

What new productions do you have in the pipeline?

“Pharmacy: Phase 1″ which is a compilation of the best tracks to date on my Pharmacy label came out this month. Following that I have a new single, ‘Faith in the Future’ coming out next month, and then the artist album later in 2012. I am also finishing up a collaboration with John 00 Fleming that will be out under our Fleming & Lawrence moniker.

If you could work with any artist who would you choose?

Astrix. He is an amazing psy trance producer and I would love to know how he gets his baselines so punchy and tight!

(Please finish the following sentence) I Love Trance Music because…

I feel it in my soul.

After this site being live for nearly 3 years I have been asked quite often by new comers across the web the following question…

How can I get my music heard by more people?

Once they pass their circle of friends and acquaintances they get a bit stuck at the couple hundred mark and the frustration sets in.

Assuming you have perfected the art of music production so it is of a standard that the public will enjoy, then the following 5 tips are what you will find many of the best record labels doing and you cam emulate. If you want to independently promote your music effectively, then you really need to start getting your marketing head on. This is why record labels and managers exist, so you don’t have to worry about the following but when you are starting out you have no choice of course!

I hope you find the following 5 tips useful if you are new to the music scene (hence the following tips are just the basics) and are looking to market yourself as a DJ and/or producer.

Make Artwork

This one is the hardest and most costly when you first start out if you do not have the necessary skills. Simple artwork will make your music stand out, great artwork will actually create a buzz in the mind of the potential customer and sell your music.

Many labels will simply change the colour scheme from one release to the next, this is cost effective as you can easily change the colour and track details yourself after the initial design. The other option, if your budget will allow it, is to hire a freelancer to design fresh artwork for each new release. A great example is New School Recordings and their artwork designed by Klangwelt.

Email Marketing

There is a saying used by some internet marketers – ‘the money is in the list’. Wherever you believe that to be true or not, it is a very important aspect to marketing still. The fact still remains that we all still have an Email address that we have to use, if you can get a potential fan to opt-in then you have direct contact with that person, rather than throwing yourself into the mixture and noise of social media.

Using a service like MailChimp you can quickly set-up a way of gaining Email subscribers. Please whatever you do though, do not add people unless they sign up themselves and also do not spam them with Emails on a constant daily basis. You want them to stick around surely?

Use Social Networks

Yes, it is time consuming!
Yes, there are now a 101 different platforms!
Yes, Facebook wants to own your soul to sell it to the devil!
Yes, the first time you use Twitter you will think it is pointless!

You no doubt already use at least one social network, maybe two or three. More? Wish I had as much time as you
I’m not going to delve into which is better than the other, to put it simply use the ones that work for you and when you decide they are working, turn up regularly and always keep your fans engaged and up to date with your work.

I have been quite surprised how many record labels and artists do not even supply details of new releases they have on places like Facebook and SoundCloud. How do your followers know to buy a new track if you don’t even tell them it is out? You get out what you put in with social networking, grasp it and make full use of it!

Get A Website (& Use It)

It has come to my attention that some people think you don’t need to own a website with all this social networking taking place. Wrong!

What happens when a person does not have a Facebook account? What would you do when everyone leaves Facebook, like they left MySpace? (I don’t think Google+ is the Facebook killer by the way.) Do you think there are no benefits to be found when a person types your name into Google?

Maybe you have heard the term ‘All roads lead to Rome’? I believe your website should be your base camp, where your fans are able to go and find the latest news. By all means, use social websites but do not ignore YOUR website. I should be able to go there from any other page you have across the web and find what social networks you are using, your latest podcast, gigs, and releases. This is also the place where your fans can opt-in to your Email list.

Web design does not have to cost you a fortune, even a simple website is better than nothing.

Give It Away!

So we have steered our way round the music until now. People love free music. Be it illegally or legal, they want it FREE! So why not give away some of it for free. That does not mean every release, but if you do a mash-up, a bootleg or just want to say “Thanks for the support!”, give it away and market the hell out of it so you get a return for your hard work.

What is the secret to success?

There is no simple magic formula is the answer. There is lots to marketing that is far beyond even my current understanding, and the landscape is forever changing. Just like the sound waves you create, it is not a constant note, but you are looking for a fluid movement between it all to hit the sweet spot!

Please do get in touch or leave a comment if you are a newcomer to the scene. I love hearing from new artists and will happily feature good sounds here at iLove Trance Music!

Best wishes

Stuart