Monday, December 9, 2013

While I've been out...

Again I would like to apologize for the long hiatus for the One Nation Under EDM. There is nothing more that I love than to share everything that interests me in the world of electronic dance music. Now, while I've been out, I went to one of the most prestigious festivals in the world known as Electric Daisy Carnival during the summer in Las Vegas including a pool party featuring Fat Boy Slim and Boys Noize. 

I've been listening to more and more sub genres in the electronic dance music scene and discovering new artists. I will from time to time let you know who I think is worth a listen to. Also, I haven't been to that many shows as of recent but I will attend some in the future and bring you my insight on those shows and past show and festivals I've attended.

Thanks again for everyone who's visits my blog from time to time and here's a sneak peek on what I will post in the near future.

- One Nation Under EDM

Upcoming topics:
Memory Lane: Something Wicked (2012)
2013 Grammy Nominees in Electronic/Dance genre
Memory Lane: Lights All Night 2012
Artists to Look Out For: Disclosure & Duck Sauce

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Let's start this again

I would like to first and foremost apologize to the fans that we're expecting updates from day-to-day everything EDM related. I still want to share my moments in festivals that I attend to my audience because it makes me relive those moments and possibly inspire people who never attended electronic dance festivals to attend one. From time to time, I want to start again to review concerts going on, new music, and festivals around the U.S. Stay tuned for more updates soon. 

- One Nation Under EDM

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Special Announcment from One Nation Under EDM

Thank you dance music fans for waiting patiently and now it's the time for the highly-anticipated news. One Nation Under EDM will be going to this year's Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas. If you're not going that's alright because I will be giving you the inside scoop behind the extraordinary festival. So stay tuned to my blog to get photos, video (unfortunately with no sound), and many reviews on live acts that will be at the three-day festival.

Also follow me on twitter: https://twitter.com/rruiz138 for updates and when blogs are posted.

Next Post: Memory Lane - Something Wicked 2012 - Houston, TX
Posts To Come: 10 Acts to see at Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas; Video Footage of Sun City Music Festival 2012

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Album Review: Armin Van Buuren - Intense

     I know this album has been out for more than a couple of weeks, but I wanted to do another album review that dealt with another genre of dance music. So that's why I decided to do one from the trance realm and did an album review of trance legend Armin Van Buuren's fifth studio album Intense. From the 17 heart-pounding tracks, this album shows that Armin still delivers for his genre's fans as he still incorporates his defining trance beats with crisp classical instruments, soaring vocals, and different components of electronic dance music.

Cover of Armin Van Buuren's newest album, Intense.
Property of arminvanbuuren.com
     Some of the songs that stood out was the opening track, "Intense." This track makes the listener feel like they are on a musical rollercoaster. At some points of the song you hear trance, a violin segment that fuses with the song, and a slower version of the trance parts of the song (which is known as another kind of dance music called "Trap"). By combining these different sounds into one song, it shows that Armin really took the time in this track to compile as many sounds as he could in order to make the song have a great flow.

     Other songs that stood out from this album was "Pulsar" as I felt that the fusion between electro house and trance were incorporated into the song. "Turn This Love Around" was probably, if not for "Intense," the song that stood out in that album. The way the vocalist just delivered her voice made it feel almost like a heavy locomotion sounding its horn to let people know that the train is coming through. It's just that powerful.

     All in all, Intense lived up to what the name of Armin's album title name is. The album had many components to the trance genre but it made Armin seem like he was more open to add other electronic dance sounds from different subgenres. He's done it again and he's taking trance on a wild exhilarating ride.

4 out of 5

Next Post: Special Announcement from One Nation Under EDM
Posts to Come: Memory Lane - Something Wicked 2012 Houston, TX

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Memory Lane: Sun City Music Festival 2012 - El Paso, TX (Day 2)

Two performing dancers on the main stage showing
off their flamboyant attire. (Roland Ruiz)
(Continued From SCMF 2012 D1 P2)

After the first day of Sun City came to a close, I woke up with my ears ringing lightly and my legs feeling sore to the point of walking becoming somewhat painful. But I knew after minutes of realizing my current physical state that I wanted more of what day one had to offer. So I got up, took another shower, and strolled out to the local mall to kill some time before it was time for round two.

As it was time to go to Ascarate Park for the final day of Sun City, I came to the situation where I was completely satisfied with myself and this festival enough to where I wasn't expecting too much to come out of the final day. I rushed into the venue and headed towards the main stage once again to see if lightning can strike twice like it did on day one.

John Dahlbach, center, at the main stage with headphones
positioned on his forehead. (Roland Ruiz)
The first act to go on was Lucky Date. He performed some of his own songs along with the popular tracks like Steve Aoki's "Turbulence." His set was pretty solid in fulfilling the role of a opening act. The DJ was really laid-back and was interacting with the audience frequently. After Lucky Date, John Dahlbach hit the stage. Although he didn't say anything to the audience during his entire set, the music he was dishing out of the speakers was fantastic. He played some of his hits like "Panic," "Zeus," and to finish out the set "Embrace Me" the Dirty South remix. He was one of the other DJs that I was looking forward to see because of his tracks that I heard previously, "One Last Ride" and "Life," both which he didn't play during his set.

Morgan Page, center, waving his hand as the crowd
gives him a warm welcome to El Paso. (Roland Ruiz)
After Dahlbach, it was Morgan Page's turn to shed some light onto the main stage. By then, I looked back and I couldn't see the floor anymore. This was a good thing because it only meant one thing - this party just got started. A big reaction emerges from the audience once Morgan Page hits the stage as he joyfully welcomes himself to El Paso and starting mixing on the tables. He played a combination of trance and house music during his set - I would say 60% trance and 40% house. It was great because his set felt like new music to my ears. My guess was that he plays at El Paso quite often and that's why he got a standing ovation a couple of times during his set. Nonetheless, good quality of music Page played. Sander Van Doorn's turn came after Page's electrifying set. I never heard of this guy prior to the festival, but he played a solid set. He played tracks like Deadmau5's "Professional Griefers," Afrojack's "Rock the House," and Zedd's "Spectrum" the Deniz Koyu remix. The track that stuck in my mind from my set was, at the time, the newest song from Swedish House Mafia "Don't You Worry Child." During the song, he threw his headphones into the crowd as he was close toward finishing his set. More so, the crowd's reaction toward the new SHM song was insane. I felt after hearing this song that this was going to be a radio hit and the pop stations are going to eat this song up.

Dada Life, center, giving the crowd what it wants - house music
(Roland Ruiz)
As the night progressed, there were only two more acts left before this two-day experience was all over. The first was Dada Life and they were nothing less from amazing. This Swedish electro house duo was, from start to finish, full of pure raw aggression and the crowd ate it up like candy. Their props were star-striking: Champagne spraying, throwing bananas to the crowd and their name inflated on each side of the stage. Their background was trippy as heck but it correlated to the music they were playing very well. Some of the songs they played was their remix of Kaskade's "Llove," their remix of Duck Sauce's "Big Bad Wolf," and Tiesto/Showtek's "Hell Yeah." They also played some of their own songs like "Happy Violence," "Rolling Stone T-Shirt," and their infamous "Kick Out The Epic MotherF**ker." They also did some amazing collaborations with songs like Beastie Boys' "Fight For Your Right To Party"/ Knife Party's "Rage Valley" and Gwen Stefani's "Hollaback Girl"/ Sebastian Ingrosso & Alesso's "Calling (Lose My Mind)." Looking back at Dada Life's set, it was probably my top five greatest live sets that I've ever witnessed. They were just that good and they surprised the heck out of me from the moment they took the main stage.

Above & Beyond, center, during their moment of remembering
the famous people who died during 2012. (Roland Ruiz)
Thinking that the final night of Sun City couldn't get any better, the final act took the stage and gave the people of El Paso a 90 minute epic trance ride of their lives as Above & Beyond closed out the festival. Since I knew these guys were going to close out one of the days, I listened to their most recent album Group Therapy to get a dose of who these guys were (and boy did it work). I liked how their background at times reflected the audience so it felt like you were seeing yourself through the plasma screens. They didn't talk throughout their set, but they typed from the laptop onto the big screen to address the crowd. It was a unique way and my best guess was that it was the way they did things.

I wasn't a huge fan of trance before this festival, but Above & Beyond made me into a believer. They played songs from their Group Therapy album like "Alchemy," "On My Way To Heaven," "Thing Called Love," "Prelude," and their famous track "Sun and Moon." As the show ended, they dedicated a few minutes of their set for the famous people who have died during 2012 like Whitney Houston, Donna Summer, and probably one of the most forgotten Americans in the 20th century Neil Armstrong. The crowd loved it. Whoever Sun City decided who was going to close this two day festival nailed it to the point where it was practically impossible to get the nail out. The mood was great because it felt like after two days of non-stop heart pounding electronic music - Above & Beyond was the elixir to give the crowd some mellow trance to send them away floating.

Technicians working on the turntables for the final act of
the 2012 festival. (Roland Ruiz)
Then everyone's worst fear came, the end of the festival. It was 2:00 a.m. on Labor Day and it was time for everyone to recollect themselves and return home. But on my hand, my flight to go back to Houston was leaving in five hours so I couldn't reflect too much as I went to my hotel and packed everything. As I got back to the airport and ready to head on back to Houston, I quickly reflected that mere hours ago I was rocking my face off and it felt like one gigantic rollercoaster. I couldn't believe how much fun I had and most importantly how I wanted more of it. I knew after Sun City that I wanted to go to more festivals and as much festivals as I can before I come to terms with myself that it was time.

Looking back nine months into Sun City, I can say that this was one of the best times I ever had. Being there by myself had its perks and misfortunes but all in all I came to appreciate the vibe that surrounded me throughout those two days. I also appreciated the city of El Paso and the way it welcomed the dance community with open arms and the people were very nice and helpful throughout my quick stay in El Paso. I don't know whether I can do another year of SCMF, but I'll always remember it for being my first all-EDM festival.

Next Post: Album Review - Armin Van Buuren's Intense
Posts to Come: Special Announcement from One Nation Under EDM; Memory Lane: Something Wicked 2012 Houston, TX.





 

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Memory Lane: Sun City Music Festival 2012 - El Paso, TX (Day 1 Part 2)

(Continued from SCMF 2012 D1 P1)

As I got inside the festival quickly, since I bought the 2-day VIP pass, I took a quick glance around the center point of Ascarate Park and noticed something that stood out to me. It was the desert scenery that captivated my eyes along with the sun starting to come down to make a pasty orange color to flow before the night took over the festival. I quickly rushed to get to the main stage because that's where David Guetta was playing at for the first night.

I parked myself up to the front row for the whole night as I wanted to get a good view on the DJs and as for the crowd when I turned around occasionally. The first act was a local DJ name Johnny Kage that got voted on from Facebook to perform at the festival. The only song that I can clearly remember he played on his set was a mashup with Deadmau5's song "Ghosts 'n' Stuff." He also had a local rapper, whom I forgot his name, that shared the stage with. I thought his vocals mashed up with Kage's set were unnecessary, but the crowd seemed somewhat intrigued with the duo.

After Kage came another guy named Kevin Focus. He played a combination of trance and house music in his hour long set. As the sun was coming down and his set was just about over, the crowd grew about six times as it was when Johnny Kage came on. I couldn't remember any of the songs that he played but most of his set was upbeat and always kept the audience at a medium throughout his time at the main stage.

By the time it was 8:00 p.m., the crowd grew enormously as the big acts were about to hit the main stage starting with Zedd. The fans of El Paso, by popular demand, wanted Skrillex's protégé back at this festival after a great set back in the previous year. This was Zedd right before he released Clarity - now a certified gold album as he announced on his Twitter/Facebook feed - and at the time he released his newest single "Spectrum."

As he entered the festival and onto the deck tables, the crowd was roaring with enthusiasm and praise as he was going to rock the main stage once again. He played some of the crowd pleasers like Swedish House Mafia's "Save The World," Axwell's remix of Ivan Gough and Feenixpawl's "In My Mind," and a mashup with Daft Punk's "One More Time." Zedd also played some of his own songs like "Shave It," "Spectrum," and his remix of "Legend of Zelda" - which was a personal favorite of mine. He put on a good show as he addressed the crowd occasionally and had a great approach toward being somewhere like El Paso.

After the highly-praised Zedd, Nicky Romero took the stage. He was another guy I was looking forward to as he had some songs that I liked from him along with occasionally collaborating with David Guetta. He started of his set with his popular song "Toulouse," which grew the crowd into a screaming roar and started to explode. He also played his new single at the time with Calvin Harris called "Iron." But his notable song he played in his set was a mashup of Swedish House's "Save The World" and the song that David Guetta and Romeo collaborated on called "Metropolis." As his set finished with "Metropolis," I was ecstatic as it was time to see the guy I was dying to see - David Guetta.

As Guetta made his red carpet appearance, people left and right were quickly getting out their smartphones and record the French DJ's first ever appearance in the Southwest region of the US. It was amazing how he entered the main stage. Everything was dark until Guetta's dazzling background reflected the crowd with awe as he entered the stage with glee. As his intro music faded into his opening song "Titanium," he took a long look at the audience and for a second noticed me pointed at him and he quickly pointed back at me. I knew from there and on that he was ready to take this festival to a new level.

As he played "Titanium," confetti spewed out of both sides of the stage like wildfire. The confetti came out as a surprise for everyone because the festival wasn't close to being over because there was still one more act to go after Guetta. He also played "When Love Takes Over," "Sweat" featuring Snoop Dogg, his newest single at the time "She Wolf (Falling into Pieces)," and "Sunshine" - a collaboration with Avicii. Song after song, Guetta was electrifying the crowd with his hard house beats along with his memorizing colorful background. His background read at one point of his set "El Paso, you rock." He then closed out his amazing set with the crowd pleaser "Without You" featuring Usher. As I was singing along with everyone else, I remembered hearing the Ultra 2012 set from David Guetta and said to myself that I wanted to be a part of that audience that sang "Without You." My wish became reality as Guetta was here in El Paso and I was living that moment I dreamt of.

Instead of David Guetta closing out the first day of Sun City, like I thought at first before they released the scheduling times, it was the duty of Australian duo Knife Party. I saw these guys before at Stereo Live in Houston months before and I knew these guys were going to put on a show. They played their 100% No Modern Talking EP songs, "Rage Valley," "Centipede," Skrillex's and Wolfgang Gartner's collaboration "Devil's Den," and their remix of Porter Robinson's "Unison." I was a bit fatigued after Guetta's stellar performance, but I toughed it out and kept jamming until day one was over. Every hard beat Knife Party dished out, the crowd kept getting wilder and wilder. As they finished, Knife Party quickly praised the crowd and then day one of Sun City was over.

I remember walking all the way back to my hotel from the venue. It was a painful an hour and a half walk. But every minute I spent walking, I was just humming and dancing to the beats that I vividly remember after day one. I got back to my hotel room, took a bath, and hit the sheets. Overall it was a great first day - the day I was mostly anticipated for - and it didn't disappoint one bit. But for day two of Sun City, I didn't expect anything to come out from it but little that I knew that it was going to be just as good as day one.

Next Post: Memory Lane - SCMF Day 2
Posts to Come: ML - Something Wicked; Album Review: Armin Van Buuren - Intense; Special Announcement from One Nation Under EDM.



Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Memory Lane: Sun City Music Festival 2012 - El Paso, TX (Day 1 Part 1)

Picture of SCMF 2012 lineup. Property of Disco Donnie.
Welcome to another segment of "Memory Lane" by One Nation Under EDM. "Memory Lane" is one of the components of my blog where I talk about the past festivals or concerts I've been to. As of now, I've been to many festivals and concerts around my hometown. This post is very special to me because Sun City Music Festival 2012 was my first all-EDM festival that I went to. It was also the first time I traveled in a far distance by myself. Not only I saw the headlining DJs for the event, including some new surprising acts, but I felt for the first time the vibe of a festival crowd. One that I'll always remember for a long time.

I heard about this festival while I was surfing the internet right about this time one year ago. At the time, I was searching for upcoming David Guetta appearances since he was one of the current and newest DJs I was listening to. So I searched and his shows were in the usual hotspots for DJ: Miami, Los Angeles, New York, Ibiza, and Paris. As I searched on, I happened to see him going to El Paso around Labor Day weekend. I was confused for a second and had to keep clicking the refresh button over and over to make sure it was a mistake or something. But it was true.

After being excited by the fact that Guetta was indeed coming to Texas I searched to see why was he coming to El Paso out of all places. That's where I found out about the 2-day EDM music festival and saw that Above & Beyond was headlining there as well. I was debating for about a month or two until I finally decided to go. After I committed myself to go, the rest of the lineup submerged. I didn't know too many of the DJs when I first attended the festival, but all I had on my mind was seeing David Guetta.

Attendees for SCMF waiting for the gates to open for the 2-day
weekend to start. Taken by Roland Ruiz
As the day approached, I was nervous because I have never been on a plane by myself or traveled this far from Houston by myself. As I got on the plane and it was taking off, I was less nervous about being on the plane and became more excited as the festival was going to start the same afternoon that I was leaving from Houston. I got to El Paso around 10-11 in the morning so I went to the movies to kill some time at the local mall. Afterwards, I checked in to my hotel and it was already time to head on out to the festival.

As I was on my way to Ascarate Park, the site of the festival, the taxi driver was kind enough to change the radio from the Latino station into a pop station that was playing electronic/dance music in honor of Sun City coming to town. The kind gesture went a long way because I've heard so many bad things about El Paso since it's right next to Juarez - the most notorious city in Mexico. These guys were so nice and kind to me from the moment I stepped foot into El Paso. I knew after I got out of the taxi and once the doors were opened for the 2-day festival to began that it was going to be memorable.

Next Post: Sun City Music Festival 2012 (Day 1 Part 2)
Upcoming Posts: ML - SCMF 2012 (Day 2); ML - Something Wicked 2012; Album Review: Armin Van Buuren - Intense; Special Announcement from One Nation Under EDM (stay tuned).