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2012 is now in our collective rear view mirror, but what did DJs really think of the year? Was it a good year, great year or the best year ever? We asked 126 DJs from all corners of the world playing varying types of music four identical questions about the year that was. Their answers are surprising, entertaining, engaging and above all honest.
Addison Groove
How was 2012 for you?
Terrible, I couldn't think of anything worse… oh, that was 2002. It's been fantastic, wouldn't change it for the world.
My girlfriend highlighted her hair, that was a highlight, having my album out, playing nonstop festivals all summer and doing plenty of acid in the sun.
I tend to forget anything that's a lowlight.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Learn piano.
Albert Swarm
How was 2012 for you?
I've been moving around all year, and now I've happily settled in Helsinki. 2012 was all good, no drama really.
I had my first vinyl released (which was my second EP, Wake). Also the mix I made for NYC designer Jen Kao back in February was pretty dope. That was for Fashion Week in NYC.
I regret not playing so much live! I'll try to get a bit more active on that side next year.
What's your New Year's resolution?
I'll play more live and write more tunes!
Alexander Robotnick (a.k.a. The Analog Session)
How was 2012 for you?
Not really bad, despite the crisis. Horrible the first quarter, better the second and pretty good the last.
My new studio in Florence, my new work and some live concerts with The Analog Session, good summer holidays.
Fewer gigs, too many taxes, not many really good tracks to play as a DJ.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Upgrading my computer, working again on video clips, doing live concerts with The Analog Session, collaborating with other musicians.
Alexis Raphael
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was the year I felt I established myself properly as an artist which means a lot to me since this is all I've ever really wanted to do. So I've had a great year I couldn't ask for much more really.
Debuting at the Warehouse Project in Manchester and at DC 10 in Ibiza were definite highlights. Also playing in Brazil at D Edge was super cool. Also playing in front of 2,000 of my home crowd at Creche in London is always amazing.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Party harder, longer and more often. [laughs]. Well, next year I want to spend even more time in the studio making music, so I suppose that's my resolution.
Angel Alanis
How was 2012 for you?
It's was an interesting year. I've did way too many remixes for sure… Discovered new beers, I've traveled a bit, seen things and as far as everything else goes it's been real cool and inspiring.
I got married. I started a new label with Steve Parker (D-form), I'm motivated again. Music was a real downer to me for a while. Still working with Afro Acid and been working with a new label Torque in Japan. I've been re-acquainted with old friends I haven't seen in a while. Started playing vinyl again.
Too many remixes. STOP ASKING! Can't buy beer on Sundays where I live But I can buy a gun. Moving my studio again.
What's your New Year's resolution?
More bunnies… Stop psychoanalyzing everyone I meet and more original music via my new name Owslah and more with Angel Alanis. Don't take Facebook so serious.
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was amazing! My first EP was released and it feels good to finally have something out there.
Connecting with a few producers that I'm a fan of, being able to play out my tunes to audiences. Doing a Dazed Digital interview and mix was fantastic.
I haven't got so many, but just a few rookie first gig trainwrecks here and there!
What's your New Year's resolution?
Make more music! Play more gigs.
Arnaud Rebotini
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was a good year with a new Black Strobe 12″ in the summer that was pretty successful, a lot of live live show for my solo project and it ending with an EP on Zone Records, Gesaffelstein and the Hacker's label.
Working on the new Black Strobe album, getting a new live show together and finding this new "Bayou Disco" Sound for Black Strobe.
My black cat's death.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Nonstop grooving!
Arno Cost
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was really busy with gigs and tours around the world. Even more than in 2011, I've played a lot in U.S. which has become a great place for house DJs! I also finished some new tracks in the studio and prepared some fresh stuff coming for 2013. I'm pretty excited about what's coming out soon!
I have so many great memories from this year, so many great times with friends, travels, gigs. Being able to DJ in countries like India, Brazil, China or Russia is such a great thing for me. I met a lot of new people, made a lot of new music… And like I said before, I'm even more excited about what's coming next !!
Maybe the beginning of the year when I was working a lot in studio but nothing came out from this period, and it was really frustrating. But luckily, it didn't last too long!
What's your New Year's resolution?
Try to stop smoking!
How was 2012 for you?
2012 wasn't long enough.
My debut album on 50 Weapons.
Nothing went actually wrong so no lowlights.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Gooby pls.
Bass Kleph
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was a crazy adventure! I relocated from Australia to USA, toured from Miami to China, released a stack of tracks, and pretty much wore out the pads on my drum machine.
Moving to L.A., touring all over the U.S. (especially the crazy shows at Mansion in Miami and Phoenix with Tommy Trash), living on the beach, snowboarding with my mates, meeting so many great people, watching people go crazy when i play my drum machine, and for the first time singing on one of my own tracks.
There aren't any really. Probably the only thing that could be considered a low light is not being able to see my friends and family back in Australia as much as I'd like to.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Tour more new cities, write even more music, push my drum machine performances to the next level, sing on more tracks, start a radio show and shred as many mountains as possible.
Benjamin Brunn
How was 2012 for you?
Very good. only a few sick days!
A week of holidays in Warsaw. and managing both my musical and occupational endeavours, along the lines with Arthur Schopenhauer: "architecture is frozen music"
Don't want to remember.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Same as last year: "You have to try the impossible to achieve the possible." (Hermann Hesse)
How was 2012 for you?
2012 has really been a building year for me. I've played some amazing shows this year, but production and contracts have consumed my life over the past 12 months. I've been planning big releases and building an amazing live show. As these things are all gradually coming to a close I can finally start to get excited for 2013. It is exciting though taking my time to craft my music without pressure of a release date and perfect every little detail in each song and imagery.
Made in America Festival in Philadelphia was definitely a special experience for me. I played a great time slot in front of a packed stage for a crowd who was just excited to even be there. I played at least 90% unreleased music and the feedback I got was really great. On the production front, I finally finished my track with Mark Foster from Foster the People. That track from beginning to end took over two years, so it's something that I do not take lightly, and I'm happy to finally say it's done and coming out soon.
There were two songs I had produced with a really great singer. I had spent a lot of time on the tracks and thought they were something really unique sounding, but unfortunately the singer thought that the songs were not the right direction for her career and the songs were put away for good. It is really frustrating making a product you're proud of and then just having to scrap them. Guess it's just part of the business though.
What's your New Year's resolution?
To finalize my Big Beat contract so I can release my full album!
Black Matter
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was great. I spent most of my time focusing on producing rather than touring. There's a lot of new exciting things in the works, so I'm pretty stoked about that.
Finishing my first EP would definitely be one of the highlights. I can't wait to get that out to everyone. Going back to Korea for some shows was also another high point. I've also really polished up my production game, so my tracks are sounding better and better everyday… but there's always more to learn. Zedd's album was definitely a highlight for me.
Al Walser getting nominated for a Grammy.
What's your New Year's resolution?
I don't ever make new year's resolutions. I just always try to progress… and as long as I feel like I'm doing that, then I'm pretty happy.
Charli XCX
How was 2012 for you?.
Incredible. It was like a total tornado. I played so many shows and met so many incredible people. I completely let my music take me over this year. It's been intense and wild.
Supporting Coldplay has got to be up there. Just playing to such huge crowds was amazing. Sometimes I would perform to like 60,000 people. It was unreal. Also shooting the cover of V magazine with Sky Ferreira and Grimes was amazing. The whole shoot was so iconic and brilliant and we got to play with cute little mice all day which was nice because I do not have pets at home.
I do not even know. All the negative things that happened to me this year I turned to positives, like when I went through this kind of break down depression phase when I was on the road, all I did was cry… I felt really dark and really lost, but I wrote some of my most favorite songs in that time… so when I look back on it now I think about it as positive.
What's your New Year's resolution?
I'm not very good at keeping New Year's resolutions – but probably just to be happy and be alive and live every day to the fullest. That is probably cheesy but I think that shits important, you know?
Child Actor
How was 2012 for you?
Exciting but busy. After releasing two EPs and an LP, doing a few guest spots, remixes, and covers, plus shooting and editing six music videos. I'm looking forward to catching up with all the thrilling cultural artifacts I missed out on while I was working.
Watching a screening of an original theatrical print of Mulholland Drive. Collaborating with Dark Time Sunshine and filming Zavala holding a falcon for the "Valiant" video. Seeing Jeff Mangum, Morrissey and Louis C.K. (not in the same show, sadly).
Cleaning multicolored feathers (not from the falcon) out of the faders of my mixer after the video shoot for "If You Loved Me." The death of one of my favorite musicians, Olivia Tremor Control's Bill Doss.
What's your New Year's resolution?
No more feathers.
Chubby Dubz
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was a one of best years yet for us. We are releasing our first full length album Direct Experience on Loungin Recordings which we are really excited about.
Collaborating with some of our favorite artist such as Elbee Bad and Tyree Cooper was definitely some highlight for us.
Oliver's heavy touring reduced studio time for us both since we work best live in person together. We are back on it now so no worries.
What's your New Year's resolution?
More quality music output.
Chrissy Murderbot
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was GREAT.
Touring, making good music, that chicken sandwich on a doughnut I had at SXSW.
Getting an intestinal parasite in Mexico.
What's your New Year's resolution?
To keep doing what I am doing, only BIGGER and BETTER.
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was an incredible year for both myself and Dirty Dutch. We released more music, held more events and visited more countries than we ever have before. Not only that but the music was better, the events bigger and the countries further afield than before. Dance music really exploded in the USA in 2012 and it was amazing to be part of that. I kinda feel that I missed out on the same explosion when it happened in Europe the first time around, but I've made up for it with America over the last year or so!
Putting on the Dirty Dutch Exodus show at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam during ADE. It was a really special night that will long in the memory. Amazing party with a killer crowd and mega DJs. Showcasing the ethos of the label in its home city, during a global conference was the perfect way to present Dirty Dutch to the rest of the world. This weekend's show at Brixton Academy in London looks as though it is going to be off the hook, so maybe my answer will be different by the time people read this?!
Realizing that I had lost my phone while stage diving for the fourth time in only a few months.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Stop buying so many hats. No wait…. what am I saying???!
Circus Records
How was 2012 for you?
Wow, how long have you got? Sometimes things move so fast it's you impossible to find time to blink, let alone miss it. 2012 was the year that Circus Records grew up and took things up into the top gear. We've opened a great office in Shoreditch, built up a talented, experienced team, all of which is bringing a new edge to how we work. It's been hard work getting here, as there have been ups and downs; the archetypal roller coaster ride.
Koko going absolutely mental at 8pm on a Wednesday night, Brown and Gammon was supporting Flux Pavilion on his UK tour at the time. Or maybe something simple, like sitting back in the last month, taking stock and realizing that the team we've brought together was starting to work.
Unfortunately there was one of these that was deeper than any other and that was the fall of Nu Urban Music. Obviously we (along with others) are going to take a hit but beyond that it's the end of an era, we've had a relationship with Phil and all the guys down there for years. People losing their jobs, their livelihoods, their life's work even is never a nice thing.
What's your New Year's resolution?
The same as it's always been. To think differently, to approach things in new and exciting ways and, above all else, to never take it all too seriously… Life's boring if you can't have a laugh.
How was 2012 for you?
It was a fantastic year with twists and turns! We experienced so much! We started our own label, signed a worldwide distribution deal with Sony Music, had two fantastic releases and a couple of remixes, played shows all over the world and we moved to NYC!
Well, there has been so many!! But to name few we have to say; our track "Black Eyes & Blue" sold to gold in Norway! Same track was featured in the official Ultra Music Festival After Movie. And we got to open for Madonna on her MDNA tour!
There haven't been too many actually! We had a gooood year!
What's your New Year's resolution?
Make sure the good times keep on coming!
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was a mixed bag for me. It was fine, divine, rainbows, sunshine and partially cloudy with a bit of rain.
I met Madness at Coachella. They were one of my all-time favorite bands growing up. Hanging with Chas Smash, Suggs Mcpherson, Chrissy Boy and the rest of the crew would have been enough to fly me to the moon. When I was about 15 my grandmother passed away. I found comfort in a song called "Michael Caine" written by Madness. I played it over and over again. The song had nothing to do with a loved one passing, but somehow it was comforting. We talked for a bit and they brought me on stage with them at freaking COACHELLA! They invited me to perform with them a couple days later at Club Nokia. I was running around the stage like a madman, crawling through their legs, jumping over Chas and Suggs. They loved it. Of all the people to get me, I never would have thought it would be them. I am grateful to have met such special people.
I jumped on Parker Gispert, the singer of the Whigs shoulders and rode him on stage like a mechanical bull at Pastel Project in Las Vegas. I did this crazy stage dive into the crowd, slamming my foot and ankle. I spent the rest of the show crawling around the stage and the next day of the festival hosting from a wheel chair. It was totally worth it.
A couple days after his 90th birthday, my grandfather had to be taken to the ER and I was the only one who was available at the time. We spent three long days and nights together in his hospital room. He told me things I knew he had only shared with my grandmother. It was the first time in a long time that we really connected. When I was young, he coached all my little league teams. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to be there for him when he needed me and to give back.
I had jury Duty with Phil Chen, a Chinese dude with a thick Jamaican accent who just happens to be Rod Stewart's ex-bass player. (That's him playing bass on "Do You Think I'm Sexy.") I had lunch with him everyday and had the benefit of his wisdom. I still have the mix cd he made me. One other thing, he nick named me Scaramouche.
We played a last-minute Valentine's day show and Moby shows up, sits at a booth and starts dancing.or violently rocking out rather. Ran into him at a gallery months later and he confirmed it was him and that he very much enjoyed the show.
Animal, David Lee Roth's bodyguard of 12 years, walks up and tells me he likes Conquistador and my style. I am then asked if I would like one of David's old outfits. Sure enough, a few minutes later he returns with with a white, early '80s high waisted, diamond stitched motorcycle suit. I rushed to the bathroom, I tried it on and it fit perfectly. He then says "this is my gift to you."
Bought my mother a new Mac Book Pro.
Bombed the Red Carpet at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards and successfully bemused and amused the global pop media and reached some like-minded Zazous.
I was made to wear heels. Normally I walk oddly, but when I put on some five-inch heels for the first time I walked perfectly.
I made a few friends during my time as a juror one of which worked for the Coroners Office. His name was Michael Cormier. Phil Chen, Dean Karr and I would spend our lunches together. He died of arsenic poisoning. The case has not been closed and foul play is suspected. I miss you brother.
Around 2:30 am on a Tuesday night after work I head to a Union 76 station in Hollywood. The cashier/attendant who is behind glass what kind of oil he recommends. It was apparent that he did not like me and no matter what type of oil I asked for he said they were out. I saw some 20W 50 on the shelf and asked him for it. He reluctantly said ok.
I hand him my credit card to pay for the $5 worth of oil. He takes the card and says this is not you. Even after I handed him ID, he refused to return it.
Hate is a funny thing. Well, I called the cops, they got the card back, they apologized and gave it back to me. There are good people everywhere, but the world can be a real intolerant place sometimes.
I was walking by myself close to Vermont in Los Feliz and a black truck comes speeding by me and I hear the words "You fucking nigger-want-to-be, idiot faggot" while simultaneously throwing a grass bottle that just barely misses my head.
Mr. Black, a legendary bi-coastal party known for it's colorful crowd, extravagance, fashion and drag queens made room for a lone Rasputin-ish, cat-suit clad punk kid with a mustache and made him a host. I found friends, family and community. I found a place where I was normal. We had the funeral Dec. 4th.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Be an open fortress. Say yes to more things. Spend more quality time with those that are important to me. Enjoy my life.
How was 2012 for you?
A very special year. The success of my track "Sunset" was really something I have enjoyed. It has given me so much positive energy to continue to work on new tracks. It has also helped me to develop more confidence in my own sound, which has definitely helped. I also got to travel more than ever before, and experience so many different places and things. Good bookings in unknown place are always very rich experiences. Discovering great people, new cultures… I really enjoy these moments.
Playing Monegros this summer; it was a totally unreal experience. Like being on Mars. 50,000 people in a big rave in the desert. It's hard to describe with words, you just have to check some videos on the Net.
Honestly, I don't remember a really bad moment in 2012. I think it was my favorite year since my childhood.
What's your New Year's resolution?
I'm ok. [laughs]
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was a very special year for CSS. We moved to Los Angeles for most of the year to write and record a new record. It really paid off and we finished the year with a whole recorded record that should come out next year. It was a studio year and not a touring or off one.
Obama winning the election, the Olympics, a lot of people mobilizing for Pussy Riot, some great records coming out (Chairlift, Hunx, King Tuff, Grimes, Gossip, Bat for Lashes). The end of my Saturn return.
So many natural disasters happening more and more everywhere.
What's your New Year's resolution?
I guess we're living according to what we believe so just keep doing things for the right reasons and because we believe in them. Maybe get better health habits, but I'm just speaking for myself here.
How was 2012 for you?
This was the year when EDM broke, when the Majors seemed to realize their old modes of releasing are never coming back, and my own 10 year anniversary releasing music on an unsuspecting world.
Challenging preconceptions with a free EP (that stands for extended play single – thanks Scion A/V) with big ideas and lots of robots to boot. "Looking Ocean" featured a cast of wonderful musicians, which brings me to my lowlights…
Death. the end of this year brought the very untimely loss of Austin Peralta who features on the title track of this EP. His playing was in part the inspiration of this project and although devastated by his passing we are charged with keeping his memory alive in vibrate sounds, as he always did.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Never miss the opportunity to let someone know feelings towars them. We have such little time with each other, everything matters and people need to know. So I'm having a party to which you are all invited, it's going to take a while but 2013 is that mission.
How was 2012 for you?
Been amazing year so far. Since February I've been 100% dedicated to my music career and it's been paying of. Releasing some originals which have done a great job in the clubs and charts and on the other hand I had the chance to remix some of the biggest artists in the business. A dream come true!
Playing Ministry of Sound in London for the first time was something I've always wanted. Goosebumps all over the place!
Little sleep in between gigs.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Keep on working hard, staying healthy and following my passion, music. Result: happy Dannic in 2013.
Darius Syrossian
How was 2012 for you?
Amazing, very busy, hectic. It flew by and was eventful.
Spinning at Sonar. Spinning every week for my residency at Sankeys Ibiza, it's an amazing club, also spinning at DC-10 for the first time, releasing on labels like hot creations, Magnetic, OFF recordings, doing the VIVa Warriors mix CD compilation. It's been great, really.
I honestly can't think of any that have any significance, I think maybe some elements of Ibiza where I learned that the industry sometimes isn't really as much about the music as it should be, and there is a lot of politics and back scratching that happens. But I'm very proud that I am where I am solely through the music alone.
What's your New Year's resolution?
To keep on working as hard as last year.
Dave Audé
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was honestly the best year of my life to date. I worked with so many new people this year. Dance Music has a great buzz and I'm so proud to be involved at such an exciting time. Also, this year I built a new studio and hooked up with the legend AKON. I am focusing on writing a bunch more for other artists as well as myself and I look forward to releasing a new single with AKON and Luciana in 2013.
Have to say it's been a highlight-filled year. Working with AKON and working on a bunch of new music with one of my favorite singers of all time, Andy Bell, have to top the list. So much more including my remix of "Diamonds" on Rihanna's new album, my Chris Brown remix, writing/producing for Nayer, Asher Monroe, Luciana, my 83rd #1 Dance record, my weekly Audacious radio show, and can't forget about my beautiful wife and two young boys.
Not being able to watch Lakers on DirecTV…until they finally made a deal with Time Warner. Phew.
What's your New Year's resolution?
To spend more time with my family and to continue doing what I love to do: making music.
D Ramirez
How was 2012 for you?
Meeting my fiancé, working with Todd Terry, living in New York, playing at the Ku De Ta White party in Bali, releasing two EPs on Great Stuff and moving to London.
Having to leave behind my amazing house in Sheffield and leaving my management after seven years.
What's your New Year's resolution?
To not take anything for granted, be appreciative and live in the now.
Dave Clarke
How was 2012 for you?
Pretty interesting, as always busy on the road but also busy in the studio again….just tough to get the two to balance themselves sometimes, then add a weekly radio show and then you can see there are not enough days in the week.
ADE 2012 and my party at the Melkweg, Awakenings, Tomorrowland, Bennicassim, Electro Beach in Cannes…..so many great parties
Minimal DJs pretending to play and be techno because their genre disintegrated.
What's your New Year's resolution?
More music in the studio.
Designer Drugs
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was good for us. Lots of changes.
Definitely a highlight was Theo finishing medical school. It's been awesome working together since then. We did some new remixes, and have about 12 songs for the upcoming album done. Met a lot of girls. It's been more fun than touring by ourselves. Filming a music video in Thailand before the end of the year, so still a lot to look forward to.
Too many bitches! It's overwhelming!
What's your New Year's resolution?
More partying in London/Asia, work on more tracks, learn some new software, quit drinking/smoking maybe… maybe not.
Detroit Grand Poobahs
How was 2012 for you?
Paris The Black Fu: Loved 2012. I moved back to the U.S. with my wife and started culinary school.
Mr O: 2012 is a great year, but it's all about percentage.
Paris: Started culinary school and am looking to open a bar/restaurant in the near future. Got to spend some time with my mother in Vegas after not seeing her for about 3 years.
Mr O: The year kicked off with a DJ gig on New Years Eve for us in China, which was amazing. First time to play in Asia, and lucky to have had the opportunity to play in China. On a personal level getting married to the girl of my dreams on Ibiza, but I think that will be a life highlight.
Paris: None that I can think of, I really can't complain or feel bad about the decisions I've made. But on the other hand I wish I could have been in Ibiza to see my friends Oliver and Melle get married. I wish I could have made the after party at least!!! Getting MC Hammered just isn't the same without O.
Mr O: Hmmm, hard one. Not really sure as any low points are usually followed by high points, and quickly forgotten. I guess Paris moving to the USA so I don't get to see as much anymore. But the other side of the coin would be not hearing Paris tell me about the incredible food he is making. When he lived in Europe he always started talking to me about food when I was starving. Now when we talk we have less time so we don't get to talk bulls**t so much any more. Miss that though.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Paris: I'm flipping a coin now trying to decide whether to feed or starve the beast (my gut) I've put on some weight over the past year or 10.
Mr O: To get clarity.
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was our best year so far. We began Digitaria in 2004, and I can't remember another year we've been so happy with our music and the scene.
The release of our EP on Hot Creations, supported and charted by DJs like Jamie Jones, Sasha and John Digweed. Traveling to incredible places like Romania and Russia. Playing in unforgettable parties like the Warehouse Project in Manchester and Paradise in Ibiza.
No real lowlights, but if I have to pick up some, it would definitely be all the airport infinite hours.
What's your New Year's resolution?
To keep Digitaria growing more and more. Making more and better music, playing more live, knowing more cool people and places.
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was a productive year for me. I celebrated 10 years of my label, Motech, and I released loads of music on other labels and was happy to just still be making music after all these years. I spent a great deal of time in 2012 on experimenting with styles and trying to push myself outside of the sound I normally do on Motech, and I think it went well.
Hmmmm, I would have to say the 10 Years of Motech album and the remix projects that went along with it was one of the main highlights for me, as I was able to work with some old friends and make new friends.
How much the old-school sound style of house and techno came back, let that shit go, please!!
What's your New Year's resolution?
To eat better and get into better shape. My musical resolution is to release as much good music as possible this year.
DJ Gospel
How was 2012 for you?
Great, never thought this Twitter account would gain as much popularity as it has. Very humbling.
Being followed and retweeted by some of the top DJs in the world as well as being interviewed by people like yourself.
Paris Hilton DJing, I think that goes without saying.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Banish the sync button [laughs]. I actually have had many people ask about getting T-shirts made so I might look into that and see if we spread the DJ Gospel to 30,000 more.
DJ Marky
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was great! A lot of stuff happened like my first solo single for my label plus visiting some places I haven't ever been to so it's been a really good year.
My label hitting 50 releases and releasing my solo single as a picture disc for it.
A horrible trip that meant almost 57 hours of constant flying! I won't be doing that again!
What's your New Year's resolution?
Do more, play more, be more!
Doctor P.
How was 2012 for you?
It was certainly an interesting year… it's a bit of a blur, as I was so busy the whole time. Touring the world can be pretty tiring!
Coachella and Lollapalooza festivals in America were both pretty amazing. Touring Australia with the other Circus Records guys was very memorable too!
I do not think anything bad happened in 2012. If it did, it was not that bad as I've forgotten it!
What's your New Year's resolution?
The same resolution I have every year: make some good music.
How was 2012 for you?
A fantastic musical year. After many years developing and improving my sound on the technical side, I have finally been able to start translating into music what I have in my head in a transparent and clear way. These last months I focused much more my sound in the direction I wanted to take it. To work with major labels like Tronic or Bedrock made everything much easier as well. I've also spent the whole year producing my new album and visiting amazing countries for first time like Brazil or Argentina.
My gigs in Space Ibiza, Bla Bla at Amsterdam Dance Event and my tour in South America. But best of all has been meeting wonderful new people and make new friends around the world.
Facing some errors about my personal work approach. When your passion becomes your way of life is easy to confuse the line separating the personal and the professional sides. It's good to stop thinking only in the future and enjoy more the present.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Retain the musical ability to speak freely without losing one's identity. I'm also releasing a new album in February so I wish I can tour for first time India and Japan.
Dragon & Jontron
How was 2012 for you?
An adventure to say the least. It was a year of identification for us as individuals as well as artists. There were definitely a lot of highs and lows and the journey definitely could be heard in our music. All in all it was a memorable time for us.
Definitely working with some of the artists we'd looked up to for years. We just wrapped up a collaboration with BT for his new album dropping in 2013 and also finished a remix for Morgan Page's from his last album. Also to have our tracks selected by artists like Ferry Corsten and Paul Oakenfold for their respective compilations was an honor.
Anytime you get bit with writer's block, loss of motivation, run out of booze or the lights come on.
What's your New Year's resolution?
To never stop…learning, loving, listening.
Dubble D (a.k.a. Moodymanc)
How was 2012 for you?
Another great year for me, thanks.
Having been lucky enough to be asked to work on so many great releases, completing some more releases for my own projects and having had the opportunity to travel and play some great gigs with friends old and new! Couldn't be better.
Definitely that Cowell cancelled Dex Factor… I was definitely going to win that sucker!!!
Dufflebag Divas
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was a really great year for us. We are excited that we've been touring a lot more and that we landed our first weekly residency at Roxbury in Hollywood. We began spinning as guest DJs on Los Angeles KJLH radio owned by Stevie Wonder. We also landed our first nationwide campaign and ambassador position for Chambord Vodka.
-Spinning Maxim Magazine Super Bowl Party in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
-Spinning Akon's Official Mixtape release party.
-Meeting and getting advice from Billboard's #1 remixer, producer, DJ Dave Audé.
-Spinning Tryst nightclub at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas
-Becoming Chambord Vodka Ambassadors and shooting their campaign.
-Meeting Tiësto
We've had a pretty great year, but getting our camera and iPhone stolen at a gig has to be one of our low times. They stored some of our greatest DJ memories of the past year, so having those taken from us was tough. Also having our hardrive fail, resulting in a loss of a lot of really great music.
What's your New Year's resolution?
We have decided that 2013 is the year we learn more about production, including learning Abelton. And one other thing, after losing a few memories and some amazing music, we resolve to do, back up everything and often!
How was 2012 for you?
Alfie Granger-Howell: It's been a really good year for us, we released tracks and remixes on labels we really admire, played a lot of shows in amazing places we've never visited before, and met a lot of great people along the way.
Nick Harriman: Visiting and playing in Ibiza for the first time over the summer was amazing. It was also incredible to be asked to do an Essential Mix for Radio 1.
Alfie: There haven't been any proper lowlights thinking about it, though there was a time in Edinburgh when one of Disclosure's friends got too drunk and threw up all over Nick's coat and jumper and he had to travel back to London with his clothes in a bin bag. Ha-ha!
What's your New Year's resolution?
Nick: Do more exercise! We've been spending too much time sitting down working in the studio or sitting on trains and planes so we reckon a couple of gym memberships are in order.
How was 2012 for you?
2012 has been a real wild ride. I never expected the things we are doing now to be possible, but I certainly feel like I am pushing things forward while having a lot of fun in the process. All you can do is make the most of every moment and look to maintain and better yourself at every hurdle.
Being able to play alongside of all the Revealed guys and playing shows all over the world has been a blast!
Having to cancel a few shows due to visa issues in the U.S. I'm always very sad to disappoint my fans, but I'm sure I'll make it up to them soon.
What's your New Year's resolution?
More partying, more music!
Edu Imbernon
How was 2012 for you?
It was the best of my career so far, which is normal considering that Im just in the beginning of it. Every year should get better. I had an amazing summer in Ibiza enjoying my gigs at Space and Amnesia and production wise Ive felt very inspired lately. I have the feeling that 2013 will be a big shift in my career.
Working on a new remix for The xx. "Reunion" is the track of their new album I just remixed and which will be out in 2013. It's so inspiring to work on this stuff. Also releasing on Get Physical, Stil Vor Talent or Culprit, labels Ive respected so much! And seeing my label Eklektisch getting shape and releasing (in my opinion) great music.
Last-minute cancellations.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Keep following your passion… the most unexpected day everything will take off.
Eelke Kleijn
How was 2012 for you?
Pretty good! For a year in which the world is apparently going to end at least I'm finishing in style.
The birth of my daughter Zoë and getting featured with my music in three different Hollywood trailers.
Remarkably little. The only thing I can think of is my high end studio controller which went dead on me for the fifth time or so in two years. But if there is anything that the last few years have taught me it is that materialistic things like that really aren't that important. Just minor annoyances.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Finish my third studio album. It's about time!
How was 2012 for you?
It was great, though everything happened in the last six months of the year. A lot of releases (on Tusk, AUS, Needwant, W&O Street Tracks) gigs in great clubs (two in Fabric!), and radio play. Really looking forward to 2013.
"Horizon" as the Essential New Tune on Radio 1, that means a lot as so many great tracks has been given that title over the years.
Getting told by my mate that hi-hat in the middle of every kick drum is a bit clichéd when he heard one of my tracks.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Stop eating super noodles before bed.
How was 2012 for you?
A year with a lot of up and downs for me personally but the good side of that is that I found a lot of comfort in my passion for music. So I am more motivated then ever.
My small Canada/USA tour with gigs in Toronto, Montreal and New York. Good reactions on my productions and remixes. We released good music from great artists with EevoNext, the label I run with Stefan Robbers.
This year I ran into many shady organizers and non communicative people, it probably has a lot to do with the crisis here in Europe.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Trying to get less annoyed from people like I wrote before. Focus on making more solo productions instead of remixes.
How was 2012 for you?
Up and down best describes my 2012. The highs were amazing and lows devastating.
Love and work. Signing to Ninja Tune and getting my next LP together was difficult, but so far very rewarding.
Traveling too much for my standards. I actually like being home.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Get more organized. Half the time I have no idea what is going on.
Flux Pavilion
How was 2012 for you?
Absolutely amazing! Really, really, busy – toured The States, UK, Europe and Australia twice each! And finished up writing my new 8-track EP dropping in January, which I've been working on all year so it's awesome to finish it.
Just being able to tour the world with my best friends and play music I love to people that love it. I've been on a pretty massive high all year…. a sold-out six-week tour in the U.S. was a pretty phenomenal experience.
Playing three shows in three cities in 24 hours and not seeing a bed until the 30th hour was pretty grueling.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Not too sure really. I want to dedicate a lot more time to writing, have some projects in mind, but maybe I'll just resolve to carry on doing what I'm doing.
How was 2012 for you?
Clarian: It was an amazing, mind blowing, incredibly cool, super good year that no words can describe.
Addy: Ups and downs.
Clarian: I'd say that the holy grail of 2012 was driving across the Golden Gate with Ross. I saw the Golden Gate with Ross and I said one day I wish I could drive across it.
Addy: Being fed wienerschnitzel by a pretty girl at her own pace, while being driven in a Porsche and singing along to "Autobahn" by Kraftwerk, on the Autobahn, driving to the Bauhaus.
Clarian: Saying goodbye to my buddy Ross in LAX. Falling in love with a mysterious girl from a dream. It could have been prevented.
Addy: Lust for loneliness.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Clarian: World peace. Prosperity to all. Invisibility cloak. Make friends with John Cleese. Buy some synths. Find my home planet again.
Addy: Respond to e-mails more promptly.
Fred P
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was amazing for me. I cannot complain at all.
The Labyrinth Festival Japan, five-and half-hour set in Nagasaki, being the closing DJ at Panorama Bar back in April, playing Fabric's 13th Birthday, Deadly Rhythms fifth anniversary, playing with DJ Deep in the West of France at Midi Deux, playing another UQ lable night, playing my first Uzuri showcase. I can go on and on some many high points. I am truly fortunate and grateful to be living this experience.
No low points. I'm living the dream.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Keep building, moving forward or just simply keep it moving.
How was 2012 for you?
I have been to some amazing places, met brilliant people and had some sick experiences. I'm not done yet though – kind of just feels like a taster. Writing new music is the way forward for me.
It was grueling, it was long and hard – but the best experience of my life – the tour I did in March/April of North America – about 32 dates. Madness and life-changing!
Every Ryanair flight.
What's your New Year's resolution?
More writing!!!
Ghosting Season
How was 2012 for you?
Fantastic, thank you. Our biggest and busiest year yet! Although it has gone a little too quickly for us.
We released our debut album and got to play SXSW in Texas. Everything around these 2 events has been amazing. A lot of people have supported the album, which we're hugely grateful for, and people are still coming up to us after gigs saying how much they love it!
Not being able to get our jackets back that we left in the Death Metal Pizza bar in Austin.
What's your New Year's resolution?
We're going to try and spend a little less money on old synths (maybe), and smash 2013 into electronica heaven (hopefully).
How was 2012 for you?
Pretty damn fine. I went to live in the woods to write my next album, got on some planes, signed the first band to Cheap Thrills (Seasfire), released my first Hervé album, signed Machines Don't Care to Deconstruction/Sony – and that's just the stuff off the top of my head!
A few personal ones, non music related, that could come to fruition in 2013. Music-wise, I've worked with some great artists this year which will see the light of day very soon. Signing Machines Don't Care to Deconstruction/Sony was pretty great, finding and managing my first band has been very rewarding, seeing my label grow and releasing loads of great music.
Not many but perhaps seeing the divisions creep back into dance music, people going back to just playing one style of music. I think it's been a pretty poor year for music but I have a feeling things are gonna change in 2013 for the better.
What's your New Year's resolution?
I don't ever have them; why put off until tomorrow what can be done today? Best foot forward!
Hussle Club
How was 2012 for you?
Prince Terrence: It was great a very groundbreaking and adventurous time for my new journey.
Our debut EP being released via Scion A/V was a very big accomplishment. Also touring with Peter Murphy/Bauhaus was amazing.
I had no real low points except for when we were on tour driving through the mountains and we slid on ice and almost fell off of a cliff, but things like that just make us appreciate everything else more.
What's your New Year's resolution?
To wake up before the sun goes down.
Icky Blossoms
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was radical. It marked the beginning of our band sharing music with people. We finished writing our record in January and went to L.A. for a month to record it with Dave Sitek. The rest of the year has been filled with intense work — we've released the record, directed four music videos, toured around the country multiple times with bands like Washed Out, The Faint, Trust, Reptar, and The Mynabirds, reformed our backing band several times over, and created a DMX light show for our live performances. There was so much love, support, dancing, freaking out, and learning. It was one of those years that went by so fast that you just had to let go of everything or you would get swallowed up by it.
Touring with The Faint has been a dream come true. They are close friends and one of our favorite bands to listen to and to watch. They have always been and continue to be a huge inspiration for us. We spent a week playing shows in Austin for SXSW. Staying with two crazy gypsy women in their two downtown penthouse suite apartments filled to the brim with magical items such as shopping carts full of stuffed animals and life size neon palm trees. It was very Grey Gardens meets Candyland. We played the Cole Hann NYC Fashion Week party and then stole our talent bus and drove it around NY all night partying until the sun came up. We jumped twenty feet into Dugen falls' ice cold waters outside of Portland. We took off our clothes and went swimming in the Pacific Ocean in the middle of the night. Recently we met with Vince Clarke to discuss the future and where music is going with us and in general. He is someone we greatly look up to and was nothing but warm and inviting in conversation. Another surreal experience was directing the video for Perfect Vision where we destroyed a three story house. We had all experienced dystopian daydreams as children — where total destruction was romantic but impossible to achieve. We literally created our former pipe dream and gutted that house to shreds on the sweatiest day of summer. We felt crazy with the heat and the noise and the chaos.
Nothing worth complaining about. This year was sweet for us. If you have to get an answer though, the Gods of Canada had some kind of vendetta against us. For those of you that don't know, when you are an opening band you scrimp and save on a shoestring budget — you sleep on floors, you try to spend the least amount of money possible in order to make some kind of profit by the end of it all. Chances are you wont make anything, but your job is to make people happy so you can't let it get to you. You are really getting paid in expansion of presence and maybe booze. Having said all that, we were driving through the night after playing in Toronto. We wanted to try and make it to through the border to get to a free place we were going to stay. We were about 45 minutes away when we heard this big "THUMP." Suddenly, the engine started overheating and the van stalled out. Luckily, we were nearing the last exit in Canada. It lead us to a cozy little farm town named Stathroy. At this point our engine was spewing coolant and smoke. We pulled into a cheap motel and had to pay to stay the night. No one said it, but our hopes of continuing the rest of the tour were pretty much shot to hell. We came to terms that we may have to cancel the rest of our shows and start figuring out ways home. We woke up the next morning and to our surprise there was a Chevy dealership right next door. We scraped together all the money we had and got the Van fixed. We made it through the border and just barely made to our Chicago show. That was probably the biggest bummer of the tour. Could have been worse though. Stathroy was rad and the people there really came together to help us.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Record #2 and learn how to twerk.
Infected Mushroom
How was 2012 for you?
Amazing year. New album, a new live 3D visual production and it went too fast.
Number one dance album in so many countries and The Unveiling show.
Missing the kids while being on the road.
What's your New Year's resolution?
To bring it stronger next year.
Ivan Gough
How was 2012 for you?
Fantastic year with the success of "In My Mind."
The birth of my daughter Isla in April, and winning the dance ARIA in Australia for "In My Mind" in November.
Thirty-six hours and five flights to Brazil nonstop for gigs. I arrived exhausted and went straight on stage!
What's your New Year's resolution?
More records and more touring in 2013!
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was a hectic year! Loads of great festivals, amazing gigs and hours in the studio! I've been definitely planting some seeds for the new year. 2013 is going to be harvest time!
Really enjoyed playing the Smirnoff Cube during this year's Amsterdam Dance Event. It was a short set, but every DJ should know this feeling of simply 'nailing' the gig. I turned a mellow crowd into raving party within 20 minutes. Awesome!
All the possible lowlights turned out fine in the end actually. Besides the occasional about-to-miss-a-flight, the cable of my headphone broke down just before one of my most important gigs this year. Luckily the team of Pioneer Benelux was there to save the day, driving up to their office to grab a spare wire!
What's your New Year's resolution?
I hold the same New Year's resolution every year: Stay close to myself, set goals, count my blessings, dream, work hard, recognize the gifts of life and enjoy every day!
Jochen Miller
How was 2012 for you?
I had an amazing year, getting to play in places I had never been before, and playing at fabulous festivals!
EDC New York and EDC Las Vegas. I was lucky to play before the storm emerged and had a blast!
None there.
What's your New Year's resolution?
To make 2013 even more memorable then 2012, visit more cities and party even harder. Wishing everyone the best year ever, let's make 2013 magical!
Joe Bermudez
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was a great year for me. I got to do so many things I could never imagine doing. It is definitely one year I will never forget
It was the first year I got to DJ the Ultra Music Festival. It was pretty awesome being included in a such an all star lineup. Even Madonna showed up to it. Speaking of which, later on in the year I would get to open up for her in concert.
There was the occasional canceled flight and things like that, but overall I can't think of anything that really sucked about 2012. And if something did, I would just reference the highlights and I would instantly feel better again
What's your New Year's resolution?
I never make them. I don't believe in needing a holiday to set goals for yourself. I do that on a daily basis
Jonty Skrufff
How was 2012 for you?
I've never worked so hard in my life, literally seven days a week, every week — though of course the lines between work and leisure are impossible to see so no complaints at all. It's been a year of change and development, and I'm very much looking forward to developing plans and projects that have started this year.
Landing a residency at Sisyphos in Berlin is my top highlight. Sisyphos is a fantastic underground club/artspace with a magical vibe and energy and DJing there is always special (not least because sets are always four hours or longer). I'm also a curator for Amsterdam Dance Event, helping organize their daytime program of panels and this year's event was really special: great for business and great fun. More good stuff, also work related was joining up with Pioneer DJ Radio who are now broadcasting our radio show Germany Calling every week plus having a remix on London's Black Butter Records of Kidnap Kid's Vehl. More highlights included DJing at Arma 17 in Moscow (a great huge club), partying and DJing in Rome at the IPM conference in July and Belgrade's Share Conference in March. It's been a good year. Oh, and not that I'm much of a football fan any more but Man City winning the league in England was fantastic.
Nothing too bad has happened though stuff like not getting paid by a big festival promoter who went bankrupt in Czech was disappointing.
What's your New Year's resolution?
I never make them.
Joshua Micah
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was my most exciting year yet! I have seen my career as a singer and songwriter really start to take shape. It has been a very rewarding year.
Signing with a great independent label/management company. Getting to work with a Grammy award winning producer on my music. Recording and crafting my best songs that I have written over the course of a few years.
Still not having seen a professional soccer game. …I had a good year [laughs]. Didn't have any noteworthy lowlights.
What's your New Year's resolution?
I've never made one before, but if I had to it would be to hit the gym and gain some muscle! [laughs] I'm 5'11" and weight 135… Maybe I'll just become a body builder this year.
Kate Simko
How was 2012 for you?
Twas a year of lots of changes.
Moving to London, starting a masters in composition for film.
Five weeks without turntables, music gear, and Internet when I just moved here on my own. Got a little restless.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Hmm, haven't thought about that yet! But I would like to record an album this year.
Kid Smpl
How was 2012 for you?
Crazy cool. By far the best year for my music so far. Really excited for 2013 now.
Putting out my first full-length album, Skylight, and seeing it be received well!
Saying bye to a lot of college homies (I graduated this year).
What's your New Year's resolution?
Make more and better beats.
How was 2012 for you?
2012 is clearly the culmination of my production career because it saw the completion of my debut 'Dark Matters' album, as well as some top-notch remixes by some of the industry's biggest names: Ben Sims, Gabriel Ananda, Hernan Cattaneo & Martín García, Timo Maas, Nick Warren, Hans Bouffmyhre, SQL, Franco Bianco and Mike Wall. So I couldn't be happier with what's happened this year. Now looking forward to 2013 with more 'Dark Matters' remixes and new productions. (The album came out Dec 17th on Kram Records.)
Putting together your first album is a lot of work, especially when you have no production skills whatsoever at the start. So, for me, finishing "Dark Matters" within my first two years in the production business is a very big personal achievement. And then the remixes, of course. Playing at Morlox, in Berlin, was another great moment this year because it's a great underground club where you can experiment with a well-educated crowd.
The other side of the coin was during a gig in Puerto Rico earlier in the year. Because Macs now come with just two USB ports, which is nothing, I have to connect a multi-USB adapter which is sort of loose… So I was at the beginning of my set when the friendly adapter became a little too lose and Traktor stopped playing… Which means I had to restart the whole thing. Not good.
What's your New Year's resolution?
I'd like to speed up the production process. That's why I've recently made the studio investment of my life: the Roland TD-30KV (V-Drums). This dream controller and drum set should hopefully speed up the process and make the beats more human, which has always been a problem with electronic music. So I definitely look forward to this new way of making music, if I ever finish mapping the bloody thing to Maschine (which requires a Ph.D in cartography!).
Kris Menace
How was 2012 for you?
Super busy. I released two albums this year: Features (my first-ever vocal album) plus Electronic Horizon and a lot of singles and remixes. It feels like it has been non stop. I also have had a lot of personal things going on so 2012 has been, shall we say, life changing.
Releasing Features and Electronic Horizon and holding the finished CD in my hands (making CDs is crazy I know, but I love a tangible product). After all the blood sweat and tears that went in to them, it was fantastic to finally hold the finished product in my hands.
The downward spiral of the music business and the continuing rise of the packaged reality 'performer' is my biggest disappointment of 2012.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Ha, I don't believe in New Year's resolutions. If I had to make one it would be to go to Narnia.
How was 2012 for you?
It was such a great year.
Putting out my first release. Can't tell you how good it feels to hold a record in your hands with
your own music on it. I'm looking forward to the next one.
I went to EU/UK for a month with only $140 to my name. Don't ask me how I made it on that but it did. It was hardly a low since the trip was incredible but damn it was stressful.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Stay young and eat more avocados.
Larry Tee
How was 2012 for you?
Doing my Super Electric Party Machine in London has been a blast and have been energizing London with our weekly music laboratory where we mix up electro-techno and underground house for an outrageous cool crowd! Also amazing fun with a residency at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas where I played alongside everyone from Doorly and Paul Oakenfold to a Felix da Housecat Party with the Fall Out Bboy guys. Veg-tastic! My Ultra release "Charlie" was posted on Vice, BlackBook and the Huffington Post and Telegraph both called it one of the best videos of the year. And with festivals in Vegas, the Netherlands, throughout the U.K., Spain and remixes for Steve Aoki and Iggy Azaelia and more, it was a banner year.
Having rapper Lil Kim play with me at Webster Hall in NYC for the Opening Ceremony party for fashion week! I booked LEIF (Boys Noize), Princess Superstar and MDPC form my new label Carnage as openers! And letting my 3 1/2 year Visa for living in the U.K.! So much new talent is happening here in the U.K.! Most importantly, I celebrated 15 years without drugs and alcohol!
Losing Donna Summer. Heartbroken.
What's your New Year's resolution?
To continue to make music that challenges me and to be the most outrageous and best party DJ on Planet Earth.
Lea Luna
How was 2012 for you?
I put out more music than I did in 2011, so that's good. I moved into a new place alone at the end of 2011 where I learned awesome new recording techniques and spent a whole year rocking out at home alone. I wrote some serious fire to come out in 2013! I also went some incredible places and met a lot of amazing people. Those are my reasons for living, so, mission accomplished.
I partied in Miami, I swam in the ocean in Hawaii, frolicked at Burning Man, went on a few road trips, hung out with some cute cats, conversed with some brilliant people, made out with some hotties, reunited with some long lost friends, took pictures with a few celebrities, rocked some humongous stages, shot some cool videos and got great press! Win.
I broke someone's heart to the point of no return by cussing them out. I feel bad about it. Being outspoken makes me a real person and good at writing, but I make a terrible enemy when I have a good argument. You can hear a little heartbreak in my recent releases, so it seems I wasn't even finished speaking my mind even after I burned the bridge.
What's your new year's resolution?
Well, last year's resolution was to stand up for myself in this industry, and I think a proper follow up from that would to strive get as many gigs as the guys that I collaborate with. I've been DJing for over 10 years, I write my own music and can sing and beat match at the same time. I don't understand how a guy on a computer could be more entertaining than that. I think a lot of people when they see my music online just assume I'm just a session singer with no brain, so, my mission this year is to show people what I can do, and to push myself to greater heights as a performer.
How was 2012 for you?
A really great end of the year for A-Trak and I with our release on Kitsuné "Dont Stop," #3 in Beatport's top 100 charts for two weeks. It's amazing, nothing to complain about!
Lots of change, studio equipment, trying to get back to basics after many years working on same way, learned new skills met great people. My Album is soon done. Daft Punk's new album will be released in March 2013, it's great news for all the French DJs!
I've met Martin Rushent (producer from the Human League, The Stranglers, etc… ) through an artist I've been working with. He told me he knew my work (U did a remix for his son's band Does It Offend You, Yeah?), and we started to settle a co-production deal for my album and to work on some tracks. He unfortunately passed away. He was such a great talent/producer. I was so sad that we couldn't finish the full album together. We just have two tracks that we co-produced together… too bad….
What's your New Year's resolution?
Louie Vega
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was great. Growth in all our brands, new people, new friends. Sunset Ritual with Anane & Louie Vega is blossoming and now in Southern Italy, Myconos, NYC, Formentera and Miami. Looking forward to Summer 2013! Finally after four and a half years I've finished my new Elements Of Life Album entitled Eclipse which will be released on Fania Records (USA/Europe/Canada/South America), Kalawa /Universal (South Africa/Africa), P-Vine (Japan) with a March 19, 2013 release with a live show in Miami at WMC and a world tour coming in 2013. Anane (my wife) DJing at the Inaugural Ball! I'm proud of her, she's come a long way, very well deserved! These are all happenings for 2013 but were highlights of 2012 since they all came together these past months of 2012!
In December 2012, Elements of Life (my live band with lead singers Anane and Josh Milan) went on a cruise on the MSC Operahouse for five days from Durban, South Africa to Mozambique with full on live performances by EOL aboard the cruise with Kaya FM's Dance Ritual (Hosting) in a seated theater, huge ship deck, daily! Then the finale a fully packed Venue in Melrose with Elements Of Life, Anane, Josh Milan, it was just magical! All the wonderful crowds sang our songs. It was magical! Christmas with the Vega Family in Italy. Having our son with us on tour was a super highlight. Masters At Work at Space, Ibiza for Carl Cox's Birthday and Ushuaia for Luciano/Cadenza closing party, Rock in Lisbon and in Australia for NYE Dec 2012. Masters At Work official project and more touring coming soon in 2013. Signing of Elements Of Life's Eclipse with the legendary (the Motown of Latin Music) Fania Records! Signing with production company Westbeth and Fania as musical director of a musical play based on Fania Music.
All the tragedies that happened this past year. I don't have to name them, it's obvious and it's been very sad.
What's your New Year's resolution?
More family time!
How was 2012 for you?
It was a very interesting year in music for me, trying out different bits and crossing genres of music.
But now we're reaching the end of 2012, I feel my first love is completely back!
First of all the birth of my second son Matisse which is a blessing! And like each year playing at Tomorrowland! Not only cause it's in my hometown Antwerp but the massive atmosphere and the way it's organized.
Everyone does make mistakes in life; I have a couple too, but gone and forgotten and back on focusing!
What's your New Year's resolution?
We ain't stoppin into 2013… let's go!
Marcus Intalex (a.k.a. Trevino)
How was 2012 for you?
Very interesting, thank you very much…a year I decided to rock the applecart a little. I tried to do some things a little differently by concentrating on the Trevino project, a move which has had me enjoying music making more than ever. Twenty odd years into this game and I have never felt so fuckin' woppee doo yippekayeah about my job ever.
People I respect from within the house and techno scene really digging my music, playing twice at Panorama Bar in Berlin and getting nominated for best producer for music I have only been making a year or so [he was nominated by DJ mag for Best of British].
Two really 1. a serious relationship breakdown and split and 2. having the misfortune of meeting two artists I really respect from the house and techno scene, and both of them turned out to be complete cunts…no names shall be mentioned.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Enjoy it while I still got it.
Martin Landsky
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was definitely a quick one for me….Time seems to fly these days but this year was definitely one of the fastest ones somehow. I was traveling a lot, did some records and remixes, started a new project with ShowB, somehow the first real cooperation for me which is meant to be and not for one single release, this is quite exciting. Also renewed my whole studio, in order to find new perspectives and finding new ways of working and getting inspired. Lots of great private things and some not so nice experiences which is part of life, and good the way it is. So all in all a lot of things were going on this past year, the only thing probably missing was some serious vacations.
Definitly Sonar this year, that was a personal highlight for me. Then being in Dubai for the first time, which was much better than I thought it would. I played some very nice locations this year, i remember that awesome spot in Bucharest, I played in this old Romanian theatre outdoors which was a hell of a location, atmospherewise. Another highlight for me was that i had the chance to play more often in my hometown Berlin again, with all that traveling, sometimes you almost forget about how great DJing back home is, with all your friends around and Berlin is definitely one of the greatest places for that. Oh yeah, and probably the one most biggest highlight for me is my recent release on Poker Flat, the "1000 Miles Remixes." Having such great artists like Laurent Garnier and Gerd (a.k.a. Geeeman) remixing your music is such a blast and a truly honor.
Honestly not so many… Some not so nice gigs maybe as every year, but I won't name names here. Really bad is that my U.S. visa expired beginning of the year and we are still working on the extension, which is kind of a pain in the ass. Another drawback for me were some health problems, which turned to be not too bad in the end, but still caused changes to my life.
What's your New Year's resolution?
I never really make any New Year's resolutions, as I am not very good in fulfilling them anyways. But seriously I don't think in terms of years really. In my world the end of a year is just another winter that has to be mastered before the next summer starts. And I am really looking forward to this years end as I will play for the first time ever in my life in Australia. New Year's Eve in Sydney is going to be awesome I guess…. so maybe my resolution is having a blast there.
Matthew Benjamin of Layo & Bushwacka!
How was 2012 for you?
The biggest year of change both on a personal level and a work level ever for me.
Finishing and releasing our new album, and building a new studio.
Realizing that I am not 21 anymore and that all good things come to an end.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Climb mountains, in every sense.
Max Cooper
How was 2012 for you?
It's been a good year, by far my busiest gigs diary yet, it's been great discovering loads of amazing new parties and places, and of course people too.
A great U.S. tour and South American tour, the scene is doing big things across the water, I'm going to be visiting a lot more. Great summer festivals of note at Dour Belgium, Glade UK, Bonusz Hungary and Bestival. And working with some of my favorite artists – Nils Frahm, Olafur Arnalds, Rob Clouth, Michael Nym and Agoria.
Going way overboard in Mexico City and missing my flight followed by the almighty dutty hangover mission to get to Seattle in time for the most important gig of the tour at Decibel festival. I basically had to sell my soul to the devil to get there in time.
What's your New Year's resolution?
More originals, a few less remixes, take it a bit easier on the whiskey, go sit on a mountain and get some peace and inspiration so I can try and make some music to match.
How was 2012 for you?
A fantastic year, with so many great gigs all over the world and so much love from the people. Not forgetting my label, with some amazing releases and the creation of its new booking department!
There are so many, but festivals such as Monegros, Electric Zoo, Sound In The Park, One Festival, Lupa Luna, Playground, Plages Musicales and Mysteryland, and clubs like Cinema Hall, Cielo, Endup, Zool, Up, Footwork, Green Valley, Mute, Egg, Carpe Diem, Hide Tide and Blue Marlin UAE. Also, the incredible Vagabundos at Sala Polivalenta in Bucarest with something like 10,000 people! Ibiza was great of course with gigs at Vagabundos at Pacha, Cafe Mambo and the amazing Ushuaïa. The release of my EP Sushi Time on Saved Records with my mate Yvan Genkins and the following tour. I got to do a lot great remixes with really cool producers too.
Honestly, none!
How was 2012 for you?
It was a great year. Lots of positive things have happened and it was probably the best one I've had in terms of music so far.
Signing to Hospital, remixing DJ Fresh, collaborating with Netsky, performing to 6,000 people in Belgium and supporting Sub Focus at his live show in London were amongst some of the highlights.
My cat Buzz died. He's been around since I was a kid so that was quite sad!
What's your New Year's resolution?
Produce the best work of my career. Deliver great album. Eat more Banoffee pie.
What's your New Year's resolution?
There are so many. To release of my forthcoming album on Cadenza.
Micah the Violinist (The House Rejects)
How was 2012 for you?
My 2012 was fantastic, but hard work, filled with many surprises at every turn.
Working in the studio with amazing artists and vocalists including, losing 40 plus kilos, fell in love and moved in with my fantastic girlfriend Aleksandra that puts up with me all the time, had another amazing season in Ibiza performing at amnesia and on the beach at Sa Trinxa, touring with some fantastic DJs and meeting new people every day.
Many many delayed flights and layovers, some cancelled flights, the occasional hangover, a bad hit of food poisoning from a bad egg in my spaghetti carbonara in Croatia.
What's your New Year's resolution?
To stay fit, stay healthy, stay alive and keep making music and of course live the dream every day!
Michael Canitrot
How was 2012 for you?
It's been a great year in terms of studio and tours and I'm thrilled to see how electronic music is growing around the world. It is good news for everyone.
My two gigs at Green Valley in Brazil (in my opinion probably the best club in the world) and Technoparade in Paris witch had more than 400,000 people dancing in the city.
The lineup at festivals seems to be too similar in general. Okay, it is important to have some of the big headliners but I think it could be more interesting with alternative stages or different warm-ups. We need to be more ambitious because the DNA of electronic music is always to explore and to discover…
What's your New Year's resolution?
To create more music and continue to tour around the world's best clubs.
Michael Mayer
How was 2012 for you?
Pretty exciting year. I've had two babies: my daughter Alice and my album, Mantasy.
Alice and Mantasy.
Balotelli's double strike.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Like every year: Quit smoking.
Miss Nine
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was an amazing year around the world for me. I went for the first time on tour to Australia and had gigs in all continents. I also released two singles on Zouk Recordings called "Hit The Road" and "Stranger." All with all, a great year.
My Australasia tour in June and July. I travelled for six weeks through the Asian and Oceanic area. The trip was amazing and exhausting at the same time. I met so many inspiring people and the vibe was in every club great.
In my personal life I experienced no lowlights but as ambassador from Plan Nederland I faced some terrible situations of girls in developing countries who are forced to marry at a young age. Together with MTV and Plan Nederland, I went to Mozambique where I talked with this young girls and tried to help them. I am happy to be ambassador for an organization who is fighting for girl rights around the world.
What's your New Year's resolution?
To release more music as singles and remixes. I am also planning to release a new compilation album on my label 925 Music. All the support and love I got from fans around the world are definitely an inspiration and motivation to produce more music in 2013.
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was a lot of work, simply work.
We finished our upcoming record, got to work with our favorite producer Gui Boratto, prepared a new live set for Mixhell and stayed a lot at home with our five kids.
It's hard to point a lowlight when you are healthy and very productive.
What's your New Year's resolution?
To take Mixhell to the next level with our upcoming album and live gigs.
How was 2012 for you?
Incredible, awesome and incredible.
So many: from playing out and DJing all over the world to working with Lee Foss, Jamie Jones, Lana Del Rey, Treasure Fingers, Maceo Plex, Eats Everything, Afrojack, Huxley, Matt Tolfrey, Morgan Geist and playing at incredible shows and parties going to Paris and Italy and Germany for the first time. Playing with my buds from Detroit and also from the U.K., Spain and more. I am having the most incredible time and Ibiza….oh my….that was a first for me.
Having to wake up before I go to sleep….or going straight from the club to the airport, no sleep and connecting flights delayed.
What's your New Year's resolution?
To strive to have another year like this one and to appreciate how great it is to be able to follow your dreams and sleep more. Oh and I really want to concentrate on putting out some more of my own music….and work more with Lee and Jamie too.
How was 2012 for you?
Just a little bit AWESOME.
I launched a new short film on a new website, and executed an amazing/exhausting 20-city US tour.
Somewhere in Iowa a deer ran into us on the highway going 70mph and did $4,000 worth of damage to our vehicle.
What's your New Year's resolution?
To smile and laugh when faced with apparently unfortunate circumstances
How was 2012 for you?
It was an incredible year! Though we have been busy working on our album for two years, 2012 was definitely a year of achievement! As a matter of fact, we signed our album on EMI and the album got released in Belgium this autumn, we couldn't expect more.
Working with the talented French producer Joakim on the recording of our album was a mind blowing experience! We spent three weeks in his studio in Paris for the recording. It was quite exciting to live the moment in such an exciting city, far from home, focused on the deliver of our "baby." We also really enjoyed playing at 10 Days Off Festival in Belgium. Great audience!
Not much! The hardest part of the job when you get signed to a major is to wait between the signing and the release. That was a quite unexpected hard time!
What's your New Year's resolution?
Write a new song every week to make sure we have enough material when we finish the tour to get in the studio and record the next album!
Mr. White/Whiiite
How was 2012 for you?
An amazing year. The birth of my new project Whiiite… A music project with a graphic novel story… The release of the Whiiite Begins EP and the Whiiite & Schoolboy "Houdini" music video.
Four Years of CONTROL Los Angeles with my partner Ryan Jaso. Too many great nights there to list.
Much much time inside a studio. Writing both as Chris White & Whiiite. Too much studio time can drive you mad.
What's your New Year's resolution?
To protect Whiiite from the terrorist cell that seeks his abilities at all cost.
Nicole Moudaber
How was 2012 for you?
It was an incredible year for me, highs on the work front, lows on the private front.
IDMA Award in Miami for the Best Techno/Minimal Track category.
Hotel experiences.
What's your New Year's resolution?
More muscles.
Norman Doray
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was probably my biggest year so far. I released as many tracks this year as I have released in the last four years. Having tracks signed on big labels like Size and Spinnin Records helped me a lot. I have also toured a lot especially in the USA, which is something i like very much!
Probably my single with Nervo girls called "Something To Believe In" We have been played by nearly all the DJs on the planet and all feedback wad good. Mission is done.
I have released a vocal version of my track LEO called "Cracks" with the talented Andreas Moe from Sweden. The track did well but I wish it could have done better especially on the radio…we worked so hard on this.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Moving to USA and start a new healthy life.
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was great!
Launching my record label (SpinSpinNYC). Working with and remixing Duke Williams' music which included the legendary guitarist T.J. Tindall and MFSB – this is funk/disco's elite, Tom Moulton, Grace Jones, Loleatta Holloway, Gamble & Huff, Salsoul fam… what an incredible honor to be part of it! Making my debut at the legendary Eighteenth Street Lounge (home of Thievery Corporation) was standout. Also really pleased to launch my new Fetish Authentic parties and tour.
Hurricane Sandy. Seeing infighting in the scene, especially in the social media space. Music is about art and creativity, I think it's important to cut the negativityand drama and focus on work.
What's your New Year's resolution?
More music.
Oliver Schmitz (The House Rejects)
How was 2012 for you?
Being part of the official DJ team for Amnesia Ibiza, one of the best clubs in the world and history of dance music and touring around the globe sharing stage an DJ booths with some of the finest DJs in the planet. It has also been a great year for our productions, releasing tracks in some of the most important dance labels in the market.
Spending time in the studio with my partner Micah The Violinist which is a pain in…..
What's your New Year's resolution?
Keep on creating great music, enjoy life and hopefully spend more time at the beach in Ibiza this summer.
Paul Mac
How was 2012 for you?
Very interesting and productive, the classic cyclical dance music swing appears to have settled on Techno again for a while so enjoying being back amongst it for a while.
Seeing the feedback to my fifth album coming from many different quarters and most people seeming to enjoy it. Was also really cool to have a lot of the new school guys mention me. It made me feel like a proud techno veteran.
Not too many aside from the age old too many flights and not enough sleep but if that's all you have to complain about you must be doing something right I guess.
What's your New Year's resolution?
To attempt to not rest on laurels and push on with some new projects I've been promising myself to do for ages.
Penguin Prison
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was crazy. I played almost 100 shows all over the world and had a lot of fun.
Governor's Ball on Randall's Island in NYC was a highlight for me.
Hurricane Sandy!!!
What's your New Year's resolution?
Finish a new album, release it and play bigger and better shows.
How was 2012 for you?
Storming and even challenging. Indeed a roller coaster ride.
We played some of our most exiting gigs in 2012 and released some great releases on labels such as Terminal M. It's difficult to name just one highlight.
During a gig in France: Once again a promoter disappeared after we had finished our live set and was never seen again. The fee was never paid.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Hopefully we'll still be able to live our dream like we have done the past 10 years. We have a tons of releases and remixes coming up in the beginning of 2013. Looks like we are going to start the production of our third full length Album in 2013!
How was 2012 for you?
Dave Miller: Very good.
Finishing a new record. Playing it in front of plenty of people across North America and Europe before they'd heard it. Mature Themes. WIXIW. New friends made. New places seen. New flavors tasted.
Failed relationships. Having my suitcase run over by a car in Belgium.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Brush up/learn French. Get serious about BBQing. Make more music, more often.
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was a great year for RAC. We had a single and a compilation come out and we flew over 180k miles around the world. I absolutely love to travel, so the fact that I get to do it as my job is just a bonus.
There were plenty of highlights but the one that sticks out was when we were in Argentina. We had a day off so our friends planned a picnic in the Andes with a pro chef. Apparently all he wanted was free tickets to the show. Easy! Beautiful scenery and Mendoza wine. You can't really go wrong with that. On the music side of things, we had some amazing shows. Most recently the Endless Summer tour with Classixx, Cosmic Kids and Jerome LOL. A good number of the shows were sold out so it was a ton of fun.
The DJ lifestyle sounds glamorous but the reality is that you spend most of your days in airports. The TSA don't help with that, so it gets old really quick. Austrian security in particular is especially gropey.
What's your New Year's resolution?
I should probably start exercising…yeah.
How was 2012 for you?
Honestly, this has been a phenomenal year. I had the opportunity to play a bunch of amazing shows all over the country with some truly incredible artists, including Tim Hecker, Demdike Stare and Ezekiel Honig; not to mention all the time I spent on stage or in the studio with close friends and collaborators. Plus, I put out some music that I'm incredibly proud of. I'd say in a certain sense that this was the year that the Radere project really started to come into focus for me. I'm extremely thankful for the opportunities that were presented to me over the last 12 months.
My highlights actually mostly happened towards the end of the year. In October, I did an east coast tour with Anduin, who has become a good friend of mine over the years. We managed to play in a bunch of my favorite cities, including my hometown of Philadelphia, which is always a treat. Lots of friends and good vibes on that run, which was quickly followed by a pair of showcases for the Futuresequence label at the start of November. Widesky, Sun Hammer and I have really become close since the Futuresequence label started up earlier this year. Having the chance to play with them in Austin and Portland was an absolute pleasure. I hope we get to do more events like that in 2013.
I hate to say it, because it's almost talked about to much these days, but music piracy was really my biggest bummer of the year. Doing the sort of stuff that I do, you're probably not going to get huge sales numbers. It's just a reality you have to face with left-field ambient and drone music. That said, my music got around a lot on the web this year. While I'm extremely flattered that people enjoy my work enough to share it with others, that's money that can go back to supporting the independent labels that I record for and help me with my travel and studio expenses. I doubt things are really going to change, and I don't necessarily do this for the bills, anyway — but it just gets me down sometimes.
What's your New Year's resolution?
I'm going to back off from performance for the next couple of months and get back in the studio. I've already got two albums lined up for next year, but I'm really looking forward to pushing forward and trying new ideas. I've been revisiting using my laptop for signal processing again and finding interesting ways to pair that with my pedal rig. I'm excited to see what comes next!
Rainer Trüeby
How was 2012 for you?
Pretty cool! Had a few releases & remixes with my production partners Marlow & Danilo "Motor City Drum Ensemble" Plessow for labels like Compost Black, Agogo Records & Phat Elephant Recordings. Had quite a few enjoyable DJ gigs this year. Despite being almost a veteran in this scene I realized that I am still not too old for this.
The Southport Weekender 2012 was definitely a highlight, a great gathering of talents and music lovers. I quite enjoyed a couple of "Root Down" parties in Freiburg as well and playing together with Kiko Navarro & Nacho Velasco @ Garito Cafe/Palma de Mallorca felt good to me too!
Being dependent on promoters who partied a little too hard the night before.
What's your New Year's resolution?
To play more tennis.
Rank 1
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was a good year. We had lots of fun, we released "7 instead of 8" and the response to that track was HUGE!
One of the highlights was performing at EDC Las Vegas. That was INSANE!!!
In a way EDC Las Vegas was a lowlight too, because some hours after our performance they had to cancel the whole festival because of too much wind. It was not safe anymore to go on stage for other artists.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Decided to stay home for a year and spend it nice and easy.
How was 2012 for you?
Great, thanks. It was an intense year! A very important one in our seven years of teamwork, as it showed us that all the hard work finally gets recognized. Not only by label professionals and international promoters but also by a growing audience. There is something to discover if you just entered the 36 chambers of Robosonic with one of our latest tunes.
The way our releases on Off Recordings went around the planet. "Worst Love" was spread so much. There were many gigs that 'went off' also. We can't name one in particular.
Health issues — very unpleasant.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Make 2013 another remarkable year of music.Keep it real, stay hungry — but not starving! Stay fresh, passionate and we hope this will bring us to many more places to perform!
Roger Taylor
How was 2012 for you?
Ups and downs, but all part of the journey and overall a really great year.
Performing with Duran Duran at the opening of the Olympics in Hyde Park London, a really special once
The tragedy in Newport, CT, the saddest thing I've heard of in years.
What's your New Year's resolution?
More gratitude and less attitude!
How was 2012 for you?
Intense and creative.
The euphoria during the production of the album and (almost) all the moments on stage. Berlin under snow.
The old demons, doubts, fear. Berlin under snow.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Quit smoking. And then start again.
Ruben & Ra
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was a great year. It has consisted of us building up our label, Retrospective Records, and bringing a whole new raft of names and faces to the fold as part of the Retrospective All Starrs project. We have also been focusing more on writing original material. It's ironic that most have wound up being used for remixes where we have taken 1 vocal sample from the original and written a whole new track around it. It definitely puts us in good stead for some really exciting projects we have planned in 2013.
Setting up our own night in London with our homeboys Yam Who? & Low Slung — Kahuna at Basing House. We had been approached by a few people and venues in the past but we really wanted to hold out for the right venue and some like minded people on the same tip to work with. So far we have had two killer nights this year, including bringing Rayko over for the last party, with more to follow after the New Year.
Getting booked to play in Sicily, which most would think would be a highlight, apart for when we arrived the promotor had his phone switched off. Basically he went off radar and we were left high and dry for two days. Such is life, but I suppose you wouldn't remember the good times if you didn't have disasters to contrast them with!
What's your New Year's resolution?
More time in the studio. More original productions. Should really give up smoking too, but one thing at a time I suppose.
Sander van Doorn
How was 2012 for you?
Amazing, couldn't have asked for anything more.
Having a track on the HALO 4 remix soundtrack and signing Nothing Inside to Roc Nation.
Just the usual travel problems!
What's your New Year's resolution?
I never make resolutions. If it ain't broke, don't fix it' as they say!
How was 2012 for you?
2012 has been an amazing voyage…. Working in the studio with Maria Minerva, Rob and Al from Hot Chip, remixing Tim Burgess and The Horrors, playing at Xland festival in Japan and to cap it all we have our first 'live band' gig on December 15th in Manchester…. It's definitely been a bon voyage trip.
Sticking to musical highlights, here's a few:
Shintaro Sakamoto – "In A Phantom Mood"
Crue-L Grand Orchestra vs Seahawks – "Bon Voyage Trip"
Tim Burgess – "Stoned Alone Again Or" (Seahawks mix)
The Horrors – "Comes In Waves" (Seahawks Skying suite)
The Conservative government in the UK and their pathetic austerity measures…. Suffering and strife around the world…. Evil despots, dictators, fundamentalists and fraudsters…
What's your New Year's resolution?
Keep on swimming against the tide….. Make even more music…. Get high in the sunshine.
Sisely Treasure
How was 2012 for you?
2012 has been a completely inspiring and refreshing year! A lot of introspection and a lil bit of retrospection.
The highlights of this year wow!! Would be starting the year in Hawaii and rekindling a love for surfing! All of the surfing i got to so this year was just so invigorating! I've made so many awesome new friends in 2012!! Also collaborated on several features On tracks with DJ producers Dave Aude, Tek-One, DJ IKon, Johan Hugo (The Very Best), Culiner and others. All to be released in 2013 making it look like a very exciting year ahead! Also the start of a new band A MATA that I can't wait to release as well!!
Wow I've had a great year! I don't know about low lights . All of what could've been considered low lights have actually turned out to he blessings in disguise. Over all 2012 has been a grand year!!
What's your New Year's resolution?
Find balance on the mountaintop! Write more! Live more! Love more ! Travel lots! Have a blast! Be happy and happier! Help people spread love and peace!
Sneaky Sound System
How was 2012 for you?
Connie Mitchell: Magical. I traveled the world doing what I love – singing and making music – from Mykonos to Hong Kong, London and Spain, Russia, Dubai and everywhere in between. I fell in love, wrote some bomb tunes, and collaborated with some mega talent. I scored a movie soundtrack and got a fancy wardrobe of new threads. Oh and bought an Aston Martin… well, not the Aston I wanted, a model one, but it still counts, right?
Playing Exit Festival in Serbia, Pacha in Ibiza, and on the waterfront at the Clockenflap festival in Hong Kong.
Not staying in Ibiza or Hong Kong long enough.
What's your New Year's resolution?
To play Coachella, become a TV newsreader, be the computer-generated voice on a sci-fi movie, have all top ten tunes on Beatport, and have No. 1 records in the U.S. and U.K. That will do very nicely indeed.
It was definitely a good year, I can safely say my best musically thus far.
Ah, there's honestly a lot. I think Jay-Z's tweets and FB posts about my music definitely blew my mind. Obviously the Grammy nominations with Skrillex for "Bangarang" is beyond comprehension, signing with Atlantic, merging with my amazing management team, my Aunt getting a new liver. Not to get too "Thanksgiving," on you but there's a lot to be grateful for.
As my uncle says (insert New York accent), "sometimes you're the dog, and sometimes you're the fire hydrant." This year has been really bittersweet, I was dealing with some medical stuff for a lot of it, my Uncle Bret passed away, friends got weird, but so is life. I can't complain.
What's your New Year's resolution?
I think they're a setup, I make resolutions on the daily except for New Year's. It's jinxed.
Snuff Crew (Snuff Trax)
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was a real exciting year for us with a lot of great gigs and countless new people we met. We also finished our next album that finally comes out in 2013, including tracks with Tyree Cooper, Robert Owens, Kim Ann Foxman, Hard Ton and Rachel Row. Besides this in the last 12 months we released a record on Dubfire's SCI+TEC imprint, made a lot of remixes for other artists and contributed tracks to compilations. We also worked on solo projects like Snuffo, Dirtbox Jams or Kat Channel (the project of Snuffo and Alienata). On our own label, Snuff Trax, we were happy to release wonderful records by Humandrone, Jackee/Elec Pt.1 and Perseus Traxx.
Too many to mention all, but getting booked to Japan for the third time and playing at the Berghain for the second time were surely highlights for us. But there were also a lot of other amazing moments between gigs, nightlife and in our private lives.
Probably the (not totally surprising) "not-paying the artist" attitude of a bigger label where we released several records in the last years…
What's your New Year's resolution?
More gigs, more music, more party, more love and more fun. Let's jack!
Stafford Brothers
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was an amazing year for us. Moving to the USA, touring all over the world, releasing some great music, new management, new record deal, new friends. Definitely a good year!
Signing to Cash Money Records. Moving to LA and enjoying the new USA lifestyle. Shows all over the USA, and our first residency in Vegas.
Hangovers and plane delays. There are a lot more plane delays in the USA than there are in Australia, and security is a lot stricter, thats a lowlight as we are in the airport most days with all the touring.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Work harder, play harder!
Sted-E & Hybrid Heights
How was 2012 for you?
Several great accomplishments happened for us as artist. We released our first album "See U Move" on Sea to Sun Recordings. We were chosen to become Billboard Panelist for the Dance/Club Charts. Memorable gigs at some great venues. Got to collaborate with talents such as Mr.V,Todd Terry,Sylvia Tosun and Jason Caesar. We also had the opportunity to remix Yoko Ono,Noelia, Ralphi Rosario, Traci Lords and Joshua Micah.
Our single "See U Move" went top 10 on the Billboard dance charts. We played the main floor at our favorite clubs such as Pacha,District 36 and Marquee NYC. During WMC 2012 we played alongside dj's such as Sander Van Doorn, Firebeatz,Steve Aoki, Pendulum and Riva Starr. Amsterdam Dance Event was very productive and had the opportunity to meet great DJs such as Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano,S ultan & Ned Sheppard and Showtek. We also have our weekly residency at the "Upstairs" Rooftop where Sea to Sun hosted their Sea to Sunset parties. There were guest DJs like Tommie Sunshine, Alex M.O.R.P.H. and Mr. V.
We would have liked to play more abroad during 2012.
What's your New Year's Resolution?
Push ourselves to the next level of our career, which entails pushing our sound and collaborating with many talented artists/DJs. Having more opportunities to play festivals and venues around the world.
How was 2012 for you?
Everything was new! I did a new album – my first club music album in four years. This took most of my time, but it's been very rewarding so far. Then I started playing live sets, premiering the album at Panorama Bar. I also went to Japan for three months. New friends, new tasks, new experiences. You do what you love and you never feel entrenched or repeating yourself – that's how it should be, isn't it?
One very, very special moment was playing live at Honen-In Temple in Kyoto, Japan. I was very privileged to perform in this old Buddhist temple. The stage was in a room that is open to both sides, surrounded by incredible zen gardens. Just the setting was mindblowing. My whole time in Japan was a blast, too. It is incredible how warmly people welcome you, from raves in the forest to the clubs of Tokyo to festival stages — you'll rarely find an audience that's so appreciative of the music. Really into it!
At home, with Stattbad a new club has opened in Berlin that has a level of energy you don't find anywhere else in this city. Amazing setting, great crowd. It's perfect.
Musicwise, my 2012 highlights are albums by Daphni, Shackleton, Villalobos and Four Tet – and EPs from Kink, Elektro Guzzi and last but not least: Peter Kruder with "Xenomorph."
None! If 2013 is like this, I'll be a very happy man!
What's your New Year's resolution?
We'll make one on the fly when we're drunk enough at my now traditional NYE party in Sofia, Bulgaria. Or better, let's forget about resolutions and just make sure we all get things done! At Macro, we have five releases scheduled for the first three months of 2013. That should keep us fairly busy.
Sugar Rod
How was 2012 for you?
Licensed a track to MTV for The Pauly D Show. In studio with Raphael Saadiq. Universal's release of Sugar Rod's remix for Mayer Hawthorne's "A Long Time."
RIP MCA, Andy Gibb and Donna Summers.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Finish the album.
Sylvia Tosun
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was intense and transitional, both musically and personally… and that's been great inspiration for writing new songs.
Deciding with David Vendetta that we would dive full on into a collaboration project called VenSun. The tracks he's created for me to sing on have awakened a new inspiration within me. I'm very excited to get these out into the universe early 2013!
Not enough time in a day.
What's your New Year's resolution?
More music! Spend more time focussing on writing, recording, and performing!
The Hood Internet
How was 2012 for you?
ABX: 2012 was a really fun year. If the Mayans were right about the end of the world, they picked a pretty alright year to go out on.
STV SLV: We released Feat, our first full-length album of collaborative songs. We dropped the Toothy Wavy EP with Isaiah Toothtaker and Max B. We got to tour with many amazing artists: Star Slinger, Murderbot, Psalm One, Tanya Morgan, Body Language, My Gold Mask, Kid Static and Oscillator Bug.
ABX: The fact that I haven't seen the new chapter's from R. Kelly's Trapped in the Closet series, but I've still got some time to remedy that. Another year passing without Dr. Dre releasing Detox. The death of Adam Yauch.
What's your New Year's resolution?
STV SLV: Spend less time on the Internet.
The Knocks
How was 2012 for you?
Probably our biggest year yet. Not only in the sense of accomplishments but because of our progress as artists as well.
Selling almost 1000 tickets at our DC show as well as our tour with Dragonette.
Having to cancel a run of shows with Paper Diamond, and one of our favorite remixes (not gonna mention names) being rejected by the artist.
What's your New Year's resolution?
To put out an album that people will consider a classic.
Thomas Herb
How was 2012 for you?
2012 has been a great and productive year for me! Productionwise, I finally came out with a proper release on Compost Black Label (SHOW-B & Thomas Herb – The Black Label Sessions EP). I'm really, really proud about. SHOW-B was the one i also teamed up with when we've been asked for a remix for Classic VIV & Lawaetz' "This Is For The Women" tune. DJwise it's been a great year too – for example there is our regular labelnight which is held at Munich's finest venue – the Bob Beaman – of course we invited some lovely guests like Mr. White, Nuno Dos Santos, Willie Graff, Jay Shepheard, DJ T. and Osunlade. In addition I also had a growing nationwide and international DJ schedule incl. our label showcase during the Amsterdam Dance Event and many more shows. I've seen a lot of nice, nice venues and met a bunch of lovely people which is really a gift! Last not least 2012 has been a good year for new music, I think!!
Definately our label night with Osunlade at Bob Beaman a-m-a-z-i-n-g vibe, great crowd and just the perfect DJ!
What's your New Year's resolution?
Finally stop smoking and working a bit harder without losing sleazyness.
Tommie Sunshine
How was 2012 for you?
Best year of my career. I can't imagine our music being in a better place than it is right now. the whole world wants to know what we've known for years now.
Being inspired by my fans, inspiring them back with my music, continuing songwriting & production work with Disco Fries & releasing my first-ever full EP on Scion/AV.
Having my DJ bag stolen at EDC Orlando and having to deal with liars and drug addicts at record labels.
What's your New Year's resolution?
To stop working with people who don't have a drive as intense as mine. I'm slowly building an army. 2013 is the year you are either with me or against me. I don't have time for anyone on the fence.
How was 2012 for you?
Being a DJ it is highly likely you will fall in love with a girl a million miles from where you live. Long distance relationships results in plenty of flying, which is not exactly what you want to do with your past time when you're a DJ. Being away from home so much doesn't help either with the production side of Trus'me. Since "In The Red" I found myself traveling as far as Japan and South America and experiencing new scenes and people that has influenced my sound both in the studio and behind the decks. Reaching 30 changes your perspective on life, so when visiting these strange but intriguing countries I have taken the time to stay for a while and take it all in. Airport-hotel-club and sometimes straight to the airport can take its toll on you. Travelling so much has forced me to change my way of making music, I would say now I have a more 'anoligital' approach to my production techniques. The final production stage will always remain an analogue process but the creative process has taken a more digital process. You can't take all them lovely synths and machines on the road with you. The laptop is always there where inspiration hits you whether it be on the plane or hours after you're finished in a club.
I would say I have found my passion again for making music, enjoying the creative process from start to finish is really giving me an incentive to get up in the morning. I'm excited about the output we have for my label Prime Numbers for 2013. It will be our busiest year yet, with new signings Massimo Di Lena, Nick Sinna and Adesse there is a whole hooray of new sounds the label. There has been some great music out in 2013 also, my wallet has been a little empty. I'm really enjoying where house music is going right now. Oh, and Paris the scene there is the biggest highlight for 2012, anybody who has been to Concrete will understand.
Gallbladder removal, ruptured neck and lumber from years of carrying records — it's not been the best year health wise. Selling a lot of my studio to move to distant lands, but hey gear can always be bought back, right? Losing my gold card Star Alliance membership for not clocking enough miles and where Discogs has gone with it's ridiculous hidden charges and extravagant princes for records that are obsolete or of small runs. Discogs sort that bullshit out!
What's your New Year's resolution?
I have a foray of new productions and remixes due for release with Prime Numbers in 2013, but for the first time I am working with other labels I have respected and avidly followed since I have wasted a way my hard earned money on vinyl. To say I have been busy is an understatement, once you get the bug for making music it's almost like an addiction and right now I'm enjoying creating the music as much as playing it out to the crowd. The satisfaction you get from seeing a crowd react to your new production in the same vein as the classics you've all ready played is unsurpassed and what gives you the bug to keep doing this. I intend to keep this momentum throughout next year and beyond.
TV Rock
How was 2012 for you?
Another great year for us in the studio. A lot of writing so there's heaps to come in 2013!
As always playing at Stereosonic in Australia- it's honestly one of the most well run events in the world. This year was with Tiesto, Aviici, Calvin and many more- come to Australia next year to experience! Paradise club in Mykonos was my 2012 European highlight. Supporting Swedish House Mafia next year down under will be epic as well.
Never any lowlights for me. Maybe Psy?
What's your New Year's resolution?
More music, more shots, more good times!
What's your New Year's resolution?
Can't tell as it will not come true then they say, but I can tell you it has to do with a bucket of cream, a painting and some naked hobbits.
Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano
How was 2012 for you?
We had the best year of our career so far. Was a very special year for us, so thank you to everyone that came to see us in 2012, we LOVE YOU!
Playing in Central Park for the big Size in the Park show was pretty amazing. Also, having our party over ADE voted as the top event by DMC Mag was incredible.
Can't think of any.
What's your New Year's resolution?
To bring house music to more people!
How was 2012 for you?
An amazing year. In 2011 I got recognized as Best DJ of The Year in Mexico and in 2012 I got the award as Best Tech-House/Techno DJ of the Year. Plus my label, Sounds of Earth, was awarded as Mexican Label with More International Impact.
Besides the awards, I would say my tour in Europe in June, with amazing gigs in Paris, Amsterdam, Belgium, etc. I also got the chance to rock big crowds in Mexico in several open-airs and also at very cool and intimate club parties.
The return of PRI (political party) in the government of Mexico — it feels like we are moving backward in that matter.
What's your New Year's Resolution?
I´m working a lot in the studio, and I have some special tracks in the oven. I feel 2013 will be a good year regarding music production, there are several plans to play even more outside of Mexico. Stay tuned!
How was 2012 for you?
Beyond each of my expectations. I was officially signed to Big Beat Records in the U.S. and played a few quality gigs around Australia. I had always hoped that it would get to this stage, but I had never expected it to happen like this, especially not within the space of a year. I am certainly looking forward to seeing how 2013 pans out!
Having Pete Tong play my first original release ("Brightness") on his BBC Radio 1 show, travelling to New York, visiting my new home Atlantic/Big Beat records and then playing at Webster Hall. New York is my favorite city, and to be able to get into a club there and play a set was just crazy! Definitely a good learning experience as well I think — both DJ and production wise.
Lack of sleep… sometimes I stay up until 2am just working on stuff.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Work hard, actually start doing some exercise and stay healthy, try to hang out with my friends more. Oh yeah, and to try to take my productions to the next level!
How was 2012 for you?
Scott: Amazing! Still can't get over how quick it has gone. It has been a great year for fun, travel, friends and a whole lot of great music!
Corey: Yeah, crazy year.. Very busy. Lots of gigs, Lots of work. Not a lot of sleep! That pretty much sums it up!
Stuart: Yeah, definitely lots of partying involved… it's been a fun and very productive year for us.
Scott: A great tour of Brazil which we played Tribaltech festival in Curitiba. Was a wicked festival with a lot of amazing music and friends. NYC was a bit special for me this year too. Love that city!
Corey: Birth of my son Maxwell and moving back to New York!
Stuart: BPM was great way to start the year last January, then the highlights continued for us! Lots of new places, lots of new faces. Playing a sunrise set at Disco Knights, and on Robot Heart at Burningman this year was pretty special.
Scott: Not any really. It has been an amazing year for us.
Corey: Leaving London!
Stuart: My iMac dying on me.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Scott: To read more. Too long have I used the excuse that there's no time for books!
Corey: Stay busy, keep my head down as much as I can and crank out some great music!
Stuart: Learn Spanish. I keep saying I will, so 2013 gonna be the year I do!
Xenia Beliayeva
How was 2012 for you?
2012 was marbled and varied. Not only for me, more in general. All my friends had various "issues." A lot of unexpected things that had to be done or decided "now" have come over me. Left, right, left, right? I had to face myself. Everything was a bit like a chewing gum, but in the same time, time was running so fast, that i was running after it. I spend many red wine evenings, which have turned into counseling sessions with friends. It was kind of educational, so it must have been good. Now the year has turned, I feel very well, full of new driving force and happily look forward to 2013. It's a leap year, so let's jump forward and forget 2012 I would say.
My Australia and Thailand trip was really great. On top I was skiing with friends. So I had nearly 30 perfect days last year. Can Ii expect more? Yes, I can. I've been writing my second longplayer and got stucked in the studio on some points. I had doubts about some tracks/sounds, but in the end I had doubts about me. Didn't know if this part is good enough, the other track was missing something… it was kind of a mind game, but then this moments of confidence showed up. And all this little moments of progress turned into various highlights for me. It felt very good to leave the studio with a result i like.
GEMA is a big, big downer for our club culture. I thought already of leaving them, but then I receive no money at all from the airplays and it kinda makes no sense to harm myself, because that's not changing the situation. I seriously wish that someone would break their monopole and hope that this will happen in the future. GEMA is a kind of rotten company and before they increase their prices they should at least change their system. Even now with all the new technologies, like Shazam, or Soundhound, they work like we're living in the Stone Age. It's not a problem to split the money right nowadays and charge the right amount of it, but the GEMA is unable to do it or not willed to. I don't like the idea of giving my money to dead artist relatives or Fury In The Slaughter House. Talking about the clubs and what they have to pay, if Gema enforces their new idea is hilarious and has big consequenses for everyone who is making "clubmusic," not only in Germany. This allocation formula of the Gema is pretty simple, the rich get richer.
What's your New Year's resolution?
I'm not tied to that. I make New Year's resolutions everyday. I'm moving in January into a new flat, increasing the comfort of my life. This will keep me busy for a while. Never thought it will take that long to find a kitchen I like.
Yung Skeeter
How was 2012 for you?
An incredible year played some of my favorite shows ever made some incredible music and some incredible friends. Ending it in Beijing for NYE which should be incredible as well.
Calvin Harris playing my single "Stand Again" on the VMA's was pretty incredible.
A memorable night running out of gas with a dead cell phone I suppose. [laughs]
What's your New Year's resolution?
Make no small plans. Big tings in 2013.
Zoo Brazil
How was 2012 for you?
One of the best and lowest years at the same time, like a big roller coaster ride!
Making ten-minute of music for the Paraolympics cermony, and released and a bunch releases and to get hold of a mint condition Yamaha CS80 to the studio.
The loss of my grandfather and still not being in the top four in DJ mag's DJ poll.
What's your New Year's resolution?
Can't tell as it will not come true then they say, but I can tell you it has to do with a bucket of cream, a painting and some naked hobbits.