Electronic Beats Classics presents Donna Summer in Berlin

08/06/2009 / Electronic Beats Classics presents Donna Summer in Berlin

Electronic Beats Classics presents Donna Summer
July 30, 2009
Tempodrom, Berlin
Admission: EUR 39 (advance), EUR 45 (box office)
Get your tickets on www.eventim.de or www.getgo.de 

Electronic Beats is pleased to announce the appearance of Donna Summer for her first ever solo performance in Berlin on the 30th July at Tempodrom as part of our new Electronic Beats Classics series.

It was about time for Electronic Beats - the most successful, long-standing music community program of its kind in Europe - to present a new series of live events bridging the gap between pioneers of dance music such as Donna Summer and current artists who are creating new definitions of electronic music. This is the concept of Electronic Beats Classics.

Donna Summer can be credited - in conjuction with her producer Giorgio Moroder - with the invention of electronic disco: the songstress’ hit “I Feel Love” essentially paved the way for the future of dance music. With 14 number-one hits, five Grammys, six American music awards and 130 million albums sold worldwide, Donna Summer has written music history.
 
A living legend famous for bringing her special brand of rock-pop-R&B-disco-electronica out of the clubs and into the mainstream charts of the ‘70s, Donna Summer was the first female artist to have a number one single and number one album on the charts at the same time, while still retaining credibility and relevance through collaborations with luminaries such as Giorgio Moroder and Quincy Jones. In 2008, Donna Summer released "Crayons" her much-anticipated album of new material, which produced three number one Billboard Club hits.
 
Interestingly, Donna Summer’s remarkable career began in Munich where as an 18 year-old she was starring in musicals like Godspell, Porgy and Bess and Hair. In 1973, she caught the eye of legendary producer Giorgio Moroder. Three years later, her first hit “Love To Love You Baby” made her an international star. But she’s not performed in Germany since the start of her career. This will change soon: On July 30, the disco icon will take to the stage with a sizable orchestra to reinterpret her greatest hits.

To whet your appetites for Donna Summer’s July 30 concert, Electronic Beats commissioned our music editor to make a very special 100% Donna DJ mix.

Containing all of her hits, this high energy EB Radio Mix should get all you disco fans in the mood for Ms Summer' first ever show in Berlin, backed with a full orchestra.

Photo: William Morris Endeavor Entertainment

THINK TANK FORMULATES WAYS TO INJECT EMOTIONS INTO THE DIGITAL MUSIC ERA

05/06/2009 / MIN

Eight influencers ranging from all corners of the music industry came together on May 27th in advance of the Day of Digital Music to comprise a one-day Think Tank. They were charged with a remit of working out solutions for injecting more emotions into the digital music era and questioned how to not only emotionalize digital music products but also how the industry could benefit from enriching the emotional experience for consumers.

Focusing on both the artist and the consumer, the participants first outlined the key motivational factors and challenges each group now faces as the industry evolves. For the artist, the current climate is demanding that they manage their relationships with fans directly while using a media convergence for their outreach. Unknown artists have to seek new opportunities for finance while the ‘middle tier' artists struggle to find their footing among more established and up-and-coming artists. The participants concluded that all artists need a digital platform specifically for them with specified user options, assistance and opportunities that are controlled by them.

For the consumer, music remains a purely emotional product. Their emotions are triggered by their comfort zones, which are in danger of being diluted when a purchase transaction is introduced. It is essential that when mixing emotions with purchasing, emotions remain in the foreground. What is needed is a guide or ‘lighthouse' to act as a trusted source to navigate through an abundance of content and introduce a closeness between the user and the artist and eventually the music product. It is essential that commerce and community merge together to form one product or portal.

"Music isn't the product anymore - selling the music is now the product," explained participant Tobias Trosse of Televised Revolution. "There needs to be a way to connect and emotionalize it for consumers."

Business strategies existing within the current state of the music industry indicate that one offer does not suit all consumers. Music platforms need to be as good as existent illegal or non-commercial offers in order to engage consumers.

The proposed solution - a ‘3 Generation Model' focusing on the young, active and the reluctant. For the young, an offering of music icons/stars with streaming, downloading and editorial content combined with an inexpensive flat rate attractive to their income level. A flat rate with base functionalities, affordable additional functions with share options and immediate access would appeal to the active segment. And, a ‘people's flatrate' with a stand-alone streamlined music device to share and receive music options would be optimal for the reluctant segment.

"By creating a platform that is more attractive to all three generations within this model, we could initiate a real asset within the music industry," said Gerrit Pohl of Axel Springer Mediahouse who presented the Think Tank results.

Concluding their findings, the participants emphasized that the biggest emotionalization of digital music is the closeness between artist and fan. The greatest added value compared to illegal and non-commercial offers comes from the artists themselves. Creating a new way to bring the artist and consumer together is the key to successfully keeping emotions in the forefront of the digital music era.

Vor Clayton Pattersons Haustür

04/06/2009 / Judith Busch

Der passionierte Biker von der Lower Eastside Clayton Patterson hat in Zusammenarbeit mit der OH WOW Gallery aus Miami sein neues Werk Front Door Book veröffentlicht. Es gelingt ihm ein ungewöhnliches Portrait von New York zwischen 1985 und 2002 zu erstellen. Anstatt seinen Blick auf die Drogen und Strassenszene zu richten, wie er es bisher getan hat, thematisiert Patterson in diesem Fotoband die in Downtown (mit meist spanischen Hintergrund) lebenden Einwohner.

Patterson knippste von Kids über Hipstern über halbnackte Schwule in Wahnsinns-80ies-Jeans bis zu hin alternativen Familien, alles was ihm auffiel und schuf damit mehr als ein gewöhnliches Street-Fashion-Buch: Er fand Einblick in eine Nachbarschaft, die sich rapide wandelt und zu einem immer hipperen Stadtteil wird. Und das auch noch genau vor seiner Haustür.

Bereits seit 30 Jahren fotographiert er stetig die Lower East Side und war sogar Gegenstand des großartigen Dokumentarfilmes Captured. Das Buch ist über OH WOW erhältlich.

Cool versus peinlich

04/06/2009 / H. Bigend

Bei den Mtv Movie Awards war wirklich nichts zu holen - das Einzige was es in die internationale Presse geschafft hat, war der geplante/nicht geplante Marketing Stunt von Borat-Brüno-Sacha Baron Cohen und Eminem. Der eine promotet seinen neuen Film, der andere sein neues Album. Mittlerweile kann man nur noch feststellen, dass es nicht wirklich funktioniert hat. Und der ganze pseudo Skandal für die Katz war. Welcher Skandal fragt man sich, wenn man dieses Duo sieht. Ein Rapper und ein Crossdresser. Witziger Track, keiner scheint ein Problem mit dem anderen zu haben. Und allemal kreativer und "gewagter" als die beiden anderen Heinis. Peace!

Polizei löst Chinas erstes Electro-Festival auf

04/06/2009 / Jonas Morea

China und elektronische Tanzmusik? Das passt auf den ersten Blick nicht so recht zusammen, doch mit der Öffnung und dem sukzessiven Einzug der Marktwirtschaft, scheint auch in China der Hedonismus Einzug zu halten. Beim Intro 2009 Festival in Peking sollten eigentlich Größen wie Chris Liebing, Philipp von M.A.N.D.Y. und das samplewütige Minimal-Duo Italoboyz spielen, doch leider machte die Polizei dem Festival bereits um 22:30 Uhr ein Ende.

Der Grund für das frühe Ende des ersten chinesischen Electro-Festivals waren laut Berichten Sicherheitsbedenken der lokalen Polizei, die mit weitaus weniger Besuchern gerechnet hatte und beim Anblick der feiernden Meute von der Angst gepackt wurde.

Auch wenn Zensur und übertriebene staatliche Kontrolle in China Hand in Hand gehen, scheint es dennoch, als würden die Behören mit auf popkulturelle Ereignisse und elektronischer Musik immer besser klarkommen. Und vielleicht kann ja beim Intro 2010 schon ein wenig länger geravt werden…

First Beijing Electronic Festival from wideye shut on Vimeo.