Spring Reminiscence: The Ultimate Music Experience 2015

From within the crowd. UME 2014.

 

By M. A. Alvarez II

Spring Break 2014; still fresh in my mind. I can recall the glimmer of sparkling flames as they trickled from bursts of gigantic lights within the violet sky. The smell of sulfur had fallen and dissipated among the melody as bass pulsed through a massive crowd within the Schlitterbaun Water Park on South Padre Island. Boasting as the Ultimate Music Experience, this spring time festival featured a stage at the center of a massive park, with a line-up that offered only the best in electronic dance music. Being able to experience it this past Spring Break was a dream come true. I was able to see many of my favorite artists, crossing their names from my infamous must-see bucket list as well as bask in the leisure and paradise that was South Padre with my best friends.

Last years line up consisted of many must see DJs and Producers. The first night featured sets by Carnage, Pegboard Nerds, who delivered a stylized remix of Adventure Club’s “Wonder”, Dyro, and the legendary Tiesto. Each set offered up unique visuals that brought the most out of the DJ’s distinct sounds. Second day performances were bass heavy, with sets by Keys N Krates, Zed’s Dead, Bassnectre, and Paper Diamond. And with the third day topping it off with DJ Snake, Brazzabelle, Sandro Silva, and finally Zedd, it was almost hard to believe that UME could offer such an intense lineup. Every name was a big one. Each set was a must hear. UME had taken the most out of its setting and brought together music-lovers for an event worthy of being called the Ultimate Music Experience. UME 2014 opened my eyes to a completely new world of music, a world with standards and expectations. I realized then, that a life of music was the life for me. A life that sought to bring the most out of what I perceived and experienced. I would only seek greatness from then on, with aspirations of writing about what mesmerized my spirit and mind.

The announcement of the 2015 headliners ironically would fall on my birthday, and with deep anticipation, I waited patiently to hear who would grace the stage this year. If I were to return, who is it that I would be seeing? Who would top the year before if I decided to venture forth and recreate the experience I had almost a year ago? There was so much to hope for, but not enough to drive myself to visit the island once again as I seek to experience something new.

Headliners this year include the renowned David Guetta, Hardwell, and UME veteran and legend Tiesto, with Steve Aoki returning to perform for the UME’s official pre-party the day before the festival. UME has again set its sights on uniting some of the greatest names in EDM. With the return of Tiesto and Steve Aoki, it is safe to say that crowds will be drawn, and with the additions of David Guetta and Hardwell especially, this show will absolutely offer up a Spring Break experience worth living.

However, I feel as if the UME, in its attempt to be the ultimate musical experience, has yet to offer up that extra touch that will separate it from other festivals of its kind or from what it was in the past. Though these headliners are world renowned, its as if the Ultimate Music Experience hasn’t changed much from what it was last year. The sounds remain consistent, but doesn’t offer up much diversity. Half the headliners this year, played last year and though Hardwell and David Guetta are welcomed additions, I feel they don’t offer up as much of a spectrum of sounds as Bassnectre and Zedd did as headliners last Spring. This is a festival I might sit out from as I seek out something new to experience this Spring Break. It feels as if the only purpose in going would be to recreate what I had done last year instead of something better. However, there is always the possibility that I am speaking too soon. The rest of the line-up has yet to be announced and by judging from the captivating sights and sounds of the festival last year, there may be promise in the line-up soon to come. The headliners may not impress me, but who is to know who might show up on the list next. I suppose I will have to wait and see before I finalize my plans for the upcoming Spring. Stay tuned.

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2015 Grammy Nominations Special Feature: Audien

Follow Audien on Twitter Photo Credit: twitter.com/audien

 

By M. A. Alvarez II

With the announcement of the 2015 Grammy Nominations, many have come to ponder the question of who is the greatest artists. The Grammy’s have contributed to music for ages, defining decades as it awarded the largest names across all music platforms, inducting many into a lifetime of fame.

This year, Iggy Azalea, Taylor Swift, Megan Trainor, and Sam Smith are going head to head for “Record of the Year”. Iggy Azalea and Sam Smith are also up for Best New Artist, making their ascension towards “Record of the Year” phenomenal and at most impressive. So much more could be said if they actually won the Grammy.

However, the electronic music scene has been graced with numerous nominations, one of which I would like to personally acknowledge, especially during a time where EDM is becoming more prominent among music culture. Up to recieve the Grammy for “Best Remixed Recording” is none other than the majestic and alluring Audien. Among the many artist I love, Audien has a special place for being one of the most unique DJs/Producers to ever grace my ears, but also by being a person I find easy to relate to.

At 22, Audien has come from humble beginnings as he started producing music from an apartment in Mystic, Connecticut. In an interview where he showcased his distinct style, he described being heavily inspired to create music, being an active listener of Armin Van Buuren’s A State of Trance radio show. After listening to ASOT with his friends for sometime, he took the time to teach himself production and drew the ears of Flashover Recordings which would release his first single “Rise and Shine” in 2009.

Ever since he has been working hard touring and producing music, notably “Wayfarer”, “Iris”, “These are the Days” and “Leaving You”. His tracks have been featured across numerous radio shows, including Tiesto’s Club Life, Above and Beyond’s Trance Around the World, and even the show that inspired him, A State of Trance. His story is of a young man with a dream, one hell of an ear, and a lot of passion. He worked hard to produce popular hits such as “Cirlces” which featured Ruby Prophet and show favorite “Hindsight”. Each of these tracks offer up a sound that is uniquely Audien. Audien creates a cord driven melody which through the use of light instruments and gentle vocals, evokes a sense of optimism and grace within the mind; no matter whether your listening to big room, trance, or progressive house. He is able to transform tracks with his special touch, this style of uplifting rhythm, implementing his unique use of cords and alternating tempos into his sets.

I have had the honor to witness this genius in action twice this year, first seeing him at San Antonio’s Club Rio this past April, and again in at Houston’s Stereo Live in August. It seemed as if he couldn’t get any better the first time I saw him, but it was upon seeing him again that I realized that this guy was talented. He had that natural charisma in make something his own and overtime he has built on that. After seeing him in August, I could definitely see a change in his production since his last show in April. He put so much more into it. With the amount of new material he had created in the short time between shows, he was able to bring forth the best of the old with the best of what he new, delivering a set that genuinely wowed me. The light show had also grown and the show was more his own. Audien’s on a road to making the most out of himself, especially among an age where technology has made music so much better than it has ever been.

I’m very much excited to be seeing Audien once again this December for my third time at the Lights All Night Music Festival in Dallas, Texas. Among a festival setting, I can only imagine the type of force Audien will unleash, especially after witnessing his sets twice already this year. Hopefully his style continues to grow. It is truly unique. I’ve heard nothing like it. It is no surprise that he is up for the  “Best Remixed Recording” of the year. His unique style makes his remix of Bastille’s Pompeii unlike things most people would hear from other artists. It’s popularity among DJs was also evident at Miami’s Ultra Music Festival as it was named the most played track entirely.

Audien has come from humble beginnings, a common man among dreamers, who somehow brought his music to life. Audien’s style is undoubtedly different from what you can hear mainstream and surely if he wins this Grammy, he will go on in music history. Even if he doesn’t he will always be known to me and hopefully the entire electronic music community for years to come.

 

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