Resident Advisor

Taking Back The Groove, a new documentary released via Resident Advisor, highlights an age-old issue in the recording industry: racial injustice. In this newsletter, we examine discriminatory business practices that have disadvantaged Black talents.

“I would have loved to experience getting that phone call that tells you to go up the M25 immediately for a rave.” If Danielle could go back in time, she’d go back to the ‘90s. Not just for the free parties, but also for the fashion. We spent time with the Bristol-based DJ, presenter,  label head and Mix Nights co-creator in Puglia, Italy, where she spoke about her best throwback fits, how she decompresses between shows and her admiration of Taiwan-based artist @diskonnected_tw. Published in partnership with Armani Exchange and 23:59 - A creative studio by RA. Find out more via https://ra.co/news/81282

“I don’t want people to be having an existential crisis during my sets, I want people to be like, ‘okay, yeah! It’s summer! Hands in the air!’”⁠ ⁠ Parisian DJ and producer Bambounou has earned a devoted fan base thanks to his cheeky persona, high-energy sets and his hilarious “multimillionaire pro-DJ tips.” ⁠ Back in July, we spent time with Bambounou in Puglia, where he chatted about what he’s been playing in his sets recently and how he unwinds while on tour. ⁠ ⁠ Published in partnership with Armani Exchange and 23:59 - A creative studio by RA. Find out more via https://ra.co/news/81282

Producers shouldn't have to DJ to earn a living but that's what many end up doing given the industry's skewed economics. What are the solutions?

Which record captures the spirit of Berlin? For city residents Ryan Elliott and Christian AB, it’s about sex appeal and the grey area between house, techno and trance. In our latest Soundtracking episode, the dynamic duo scan the crates at local record shop Sound Metaphors, discussing their approach to peak-time missiles, curveballs and the ultimate closing track. Watch the episode in full on our YouTube via https://lnkd.in/eNc_S9RS

Aslice's closure is a sobering wake-up call for electronic music. ⁠ ⁠ After nearly three years, the revenue-sharing platform, founded by DVS1, is shutting down. The model was simple: DJs pledge a small percentage of their fees to the artists whose music they play—an attempt to recalibrate a broken ecosystem where producers scramble for nominal streaming royalties while touring DJs earn large figures for spinning the same tunes. ⁠ ⁠ “Aslice didn’t fail. The famous, most followed DJs failed us all,” said techno legend and Aslice user Richie Hawtin. ⁠ ⁠ An independent report suggested that if only 40 more DJs “at the level of the current top ten users” had signed up, Aslice could have continued. Just one superstar DJ would’ve had the same effect. In our latest Opinion piece, we argue that performative, low-stakes activism is what’s really failing dance music.⁠ ⁠ Read the full piece via https://lnkd.in/g9GkRcBz

For touring DJs Dr Banana and Sally C, protecting their hearing is a non-negotiable.⁠ ⁠ Both artists share an affinity for vivid, high-energy dance music and have years of experience on both sides of the booth. They appreciate high-fidelity sound, and have learned from formative years dancing in front of the speakers without the right protection.⁠ ⁠ RA headed to Houghton Festival with Dr Banana and ZeeZout BV with Sally C in partnership with Loop Earplugs to explore how music fans engage with sound and hearing protection. The biggest takeaway? Earplugs allow you to stay on the dance floor for longer.⁠ Read the full feature and latest project from 23:59 - A creative studio by RA via https://lnkd.in/gW-v6_PH

At this year’s Dimensions Festival, regulars, artists and staffers all agreed that this was the best edition since arriving in Tisno in 2021. The lineup has expanded to facilitate a deeper connection to the scene’s grassroots, programming relative newcomers in prime-time slots and inviting smaller artists to play rare international gigs.⁠ Read our Five Key Performances via https://lnkd.in/eYwmZaVw

The 2024 SAVE THE NIGHT fund is now accepting applications. SAVE THE NIGHT is a global platform by Jägermeister UK which funds and supports many initiatives around the world, all which work towards a safer, more sustainable and more inclusive nightlife. Jägermeister will support one or more projects with up to €100,000. Find out how to apply via https://ra.co/news/81205

RA to release award-winning Richie Weeks documentary Taking Back The Groove, with screenings in London, New York and LA⁠. ⁠ The documentary short tells the story of Bronx-born disco legend Richie Weeks, whose song "Rock Your World" with Weeks & Co. climbed to #1 on the dance charts in the 1980s. "Like many Black artists throughout American recording history," a log line for the film reads, "his talent was strip-mined to enrich corporate record labels. Weeks and Still Music label owner Jerome Derradji narrate the story of how they clawed back the rights to Weeks’ music and the ongoing fight to restore his legacy and share his music."⁠ ⁠ The London screening, which is the film's premiere in the UK, will take place at Rio Cinema next Tuesday and feature a Q&A with Weeks and the film's director, Celia Aniskovich, hosted by kelechi Okafor. The New York screening is happening in partnership with public records, also next Tuesday.⁠ ⁠ Find out how to attend via the link: https://ra.co/news/81250