NANCE mixes up a night at Blue Beet May 1

Riley Nance aka NANCE is an up-and-coming EDM Producer who will be showcasing his original remixes and DJ style at Blue Beet in the Balboa Peninsula Thurs, May 1. Hailing from Newport Beach, Nance is familiar with the OC electronic scene having performed at popular venues such as Sutra, Ten Nightclub, and the Yost Theater; and with artists such as Lil Debbie.

In addition to DJing, NANCE has produced some notable tracks that have made their way to the Beatport top playlists. One of his latest, a remix of Tiesto’s “Take Me,” charted sixth place in plays as part of a Beatport remix contest. Another one of his remixes, a remix of Bass Kleph’s “Less is More”, charted 1st in plays.

The OC Concert Guide had the chance to ask Nance about his Beatport successes and future plans for his music.

OCCG: What were the biggest influences growing up in Orange County that got you into DJing?
RN: To be honest I have only been DJing for just a bit longer than 2 years but, I have a fairly established musical background aside from “edm.” I originally started being in bands playing several different instruments and singing, playing shows and gigging since I was just 10 years old. After many years of being in bands, playing and writing original music my bands decided we would to turn to recording our own music and without any significant funding the only option seemed to be, well doing it ourself. As time went on I faced many struggles, often with band members: being undedicated enough, not talented enough, not passionate enough, musical differences, drug problems, the list really goes on. What I found in Orange County is that really what I came to enjoy was producing music, why, because with a computer your only limit is yourself, the tools are there, you don’t need to rely on other “band members” if you’re falling short its your own deal, get better, be better, all the tools are there, I liked that. Producing music is what led me to electronic music, which led me to wanting to DJ.

OCCG: Which track has gone through the most creative transformation from when you started working on it to when you finished?
RN: At this point in time I haven’t actually released any original music, however I have an almost completed album I’m very excited to to release in the near future, I have been working with a few local artists that will be featured on it! On this album there will be a track titled “Alone” that I’ve been working on for over 2 years that has had 4 vocalists try to take it by the reigns, none of whom succeeded, most of what I produce is 128 bpm house oriented music but I do eventually want to change the face of electronic music and this track is really aside at least most of the electronic music I have ever heard, I believe this track will be a part of what I will Innovate within the genre or category of electronic music, and I believe this song would definitely be my answer to this question!

OCCG: What advice would you give DJs starting out who want to remix other musicians work?
RN: Make sure you have the musical knowledge when remixing a song to do so within the correct key and scale or a greater knowledge of music to know how to change it, aside from that I’d just say when you’re mixing have some decent speakers and compare your tracks to other tracks that you know sound great in the club or at the festival!

OCCG: How was being in the 1st in play spot on Beatport?
RN: Honestly I love my followers, Beatport is a huge site for DJs and I was so surprised to get first place in plays in the BassKleph contest and even more I was surprised that in the Tiesto – Take Me contest I got 6th out of 3,589 applicants In plays, I’m looking forward to many more of the Beatport contests and I hope my supporters come through and support me again, thanks guys!

OCCG: What do you feel set you apart from other DJs on the Beatport contest?
RN: Well I’d like to hope that it was the music, but I created event pages on Facebook and a few other social media sites asking friends and fans to engage and help me get plays!

OCCG: You like to work with a lot of different genres within Electronic music, how do you decide which genre works for the song you are creating at the time?
RN: Well to tell the truth every time I sit down I start from scratch, sometimes I start with a general idea, like if a song originally was a house track sometimes I feel like maybe people would like to hear a dubstep rendition, but mostly I stick to house oriented music and when I dub, I dub in 128 bpm 😉 however wait for my album to hear a few tracks breaking outside my box!

OCCG: How do you pick a song to remix and make it your own?
RN: At this point in time I’m not a huge DJ or Producer, I really pick from a combination of what I like and what is fairly commercial, or when there are contests that will spread my name. As I progress on and become more successful I will probably start picking songs that most people haven’t heard to remix and hopefully people will like what they hear!

OCCG: What are your plans for the rest of 2014? New music? More tours?
RN: I’m really hoping this is going to be a huge year for me, my album should be out, and hopefully released on a major label, I have several remixes in the vault coming out for my followers and tons and tons of shows coming. For now I’m in the studio recording and playing occasionally but as soon as my album is released it will be tours and shows from Orange County to Chicago.

Deyoung Williams’ event Honor will showcase fashion and music at Blue Beet May 1

Local Orange County DJ, fashion designer and promoter, Deyoung Williams aka Loner Rebel, will bring his seasoned musical talent as both a mixer and promoter to the Blue Beet in Newport on Thurs, May 1.

The OC Concert Guide had the chance to ask Williams about his biggest inspirations as a DJ, his thoughts on the current state of EDM in Orange County and how he got starting promoting events.

OCCG: How did you get into Promoting?
DW: Well I knew a guy while I went to OCC name Mike Hove. He kind of showed me the ropes. It was cool cause I just moved to Newport at the time and didn’t really know a single soul. So promoting was exciting for me. After working some events with Mike for Mak Entertainment I got into other stuff as well. I remember my first event I organized myself was about three years after I started I was so nervous. Then a girl named Lindsay Meek showed me how to throw my own events the rest is history.

OCCG: Which do you like better promoting or DJing?
DW: I’d have to say promoting. It’s a lot of fun and frankly I enjoy being behind the scenes. I have to admit it’s a lot of work and no one really knows the pressure you go through. Like whenever you have to get things going the right way it seems like everything goes wrong. I really stress on every event I do. Some don’t work out the way you want it but I realize that’s the best part. When it all goes wrong and you’re the person everyone relies on to make it right. That feeling is priceless.

OCCG: Have you ever had bad events or parties?
DW: Yes of course haha I threw parties when no one showed up. It’s depressing cause not only you lose money it hurts your ego. When I threw my first party in a field in Bakersfield, CA I knew it was only a hobby but a fun one. At the tender age of 16 I had no idea people even made a living off throwing parties. I grew up as a bar brat so I was always around the nightlife scene. My dad owned a bar in Milwaukee called Gill’s Place. I must have had it in my blood but I do recall the worst party I ever threw. It was my going away party and I was leaving for Santa Barbara. My friend had a warehouse where his band practice and I asked if I could throw a party there. Well it happened and I was determined to make it really big. So I invited everyone I knew and had my good friend’s invite everyone they knew it was going to be magical. Well 6 kegs latter and a huge fight where a good friend of mine Stevie got stabbed I suddenly lost all interest in throwing parties. I swore I would never throw one again. But that didn’t last long.

OCCG: Where else have you thrown events?
DW: All over really. A lot of it came about when joining in with other people. Cali Connect, State of Mind Entertainment, Lost Coast, and the list goes on really. But I got into the Hollywood scene about two years ago. That has been a lot of fun. There’s a big difference between LA and OC. LA is way more diverse and mellow. But OC has the uppity people that gives it a little more challenge. I like the challenge.

OCCG: What were the biggest influences that drew you towards EDM?
DW: Well I came from a musical background. I taught myself how to play guitar, and when I was a kid I played music instruments like the clarinet and flute. So when the U.S. made EDM popular, I was already sort of interested. My favorite DJ at that time was Designer Drugs. I loved how they mixed in so many genres of music during their sets. It was an honor to be there in person watching that amount of talent. In 2008 I started booking DJs at events and I was more intrigued with how they played instead of what they were playing. Trash Yourself were the first DJs I ever booked, and my love really took off from there.

OCCG: Who are some of your biggest inspirations as an electronic music artist?
DW: Of course Designer Drugs but lately a lot of the underground guys have been killing it. I have been stirring away from EDM lately as well. Artists like MAKJ, Bro Safari, Zedd, Drezo, DJ Spider, Joel Fletcher, Jay Scott, Brent Johnson, Knife Party, and I’ll say DJ Cobra.

OCCG: How have you seen the EDM scene change and grow in Orange County over the years?
DW: Well to be honest, it hasn’t grown in OC at all. It’s been on pause for years now in my opinion. I think the people running the shows here won’t give it a chance to grow. The Yost started to do something different by booking trap and dub DJs but after a year or so, they just started booking the same people over and over. That’s OC for you. It gets stuck in the “what’s popular” bubble and really doesn’t stir too far away from that. LA has a more diverse range of booking and shows.

OCCG: How would you describe your “sound” as a DJ and producer?
DW: As a DJ I like to be different. I think people always address me in that nature. I have only helped produce on tracks, so it’s been a journey of mine to learn everything I can. But I must say that bass gets me going while I’m DJing. Forget the drop, if you can keep people dancing and actually enjoying themselves, it is more rewarding than dropping a track you put out on Soundcloud for 3 min.

OCCG: Do you have any projects you are currently working on that we can look forward to hearing soon?
DW: Yes I do. We are actually bringing back our HONOR events. It was a great year for us last year. We booked a lot of talented people in the scene. Not just EDM, but music as a whole. That’s important to us in every aspect. We like to keep it new and fresh. We just hope OC likes it too.

OCCG: What are some of your major goals for your music career? Where do you see yourself five years from now?
DW: Five years from now I see myself being a full-on designer for my fashion label Doneall LeMark. Music and events are only just a hobby. It’s fun, but like all music it changes rapidly. No room in my life in 5 years for what I’m doing now in the scene, but we’ll see haha.

OCCG: What direction do you believe EDM will be headed in the coming years?
DW: Nowhere, it’s a dying scene like all music. Hip-hop was the biggest thing in the 90’s, and now it’s pretty much dead. I mean you have talented artist right there but only a few. That is what’s going to happen to EDM. People will get tired of it and something new will come along and takes it place. But only the best artists will continue on and make great music. I refer to this as the evolution of music.

OCCG: Is there anyone you’ll like to thank?
DW: Of course my mom and dad for making me. Then everyone I ever worked with. Everyone that helped me along my journey called life. Obed @ Social Group, Juan over at CSG, Everett w/ Cali Connect, Josh at Focus, wow the list can go on forever. Jason the man Stooks, Riley Nance aka DJ Nance, Brent and Brett. I know I’m going to forget someone but let me think… Christian Aguirre, JD Macy, Julia, TJ, Dillon, Colin, Andrew, Lindsay Momma Meeks, Stefanee at OCCG, and many, many more. Agh can’t think of everyone, but thank you everyone

Crystal Method will be mixing at the El Rey Jan. 16

Get busy with the legendary Crystal Method as they make a rare Los Angeles appearance at the El Rey on Jan. 16.

Pioneers of electronic/dance music, Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland, will be performing tracks from their upcoming self-titled release, their fifth full-length studio album and first in 5years.

“It’s been two decades since this started, and electronic music has enjoyed a huge resurgence,” says Jordan. “We wanted to reintroduce ourselves to the world here. The name itself signifies twenty years of doing this. It represents a great deal of hard work, fun, and rewards. It’s simply who we are.”

Kirkland adds, “Actually, we hate coming up with album titles, and it was just easier to call it ‘The Crystal Method.’ It’s a Walter White-approved name!”

The Crystal Method formed in Las Vegas releasing their debut album, “Vegas,” in 1997. It became their best-selling album and was certified platinum in 2007, peaking at number 92 on the Billboard 200. Five of the album’s ten tracks were released as singles: “Trip Like I Do,” “Busy Child,” “High Roller,” “Comin’ Back,” and “Keep Hope Alive.”

2001’s follow-up album, “Tweekend,” peaked at number 32 on the Billboard 200, which is still the group’s highest album chart position. With “Divided By Night” earning the duo a Grammy Award nomination in the category of “Best Dance/Electronic Album,” as well as compositions for film and television such as “Bones” and “Real Steel,” among other accolades, they collectively decided to up the ante yet again.

The eleven new tracks preserve the hallmarks of the group’s signature sound, while boldly and brilliantly forging forward into uncharted waters. It fuses the skittering, sprawling dance floor soundscapes of their most classic fare with a modern panache and striking pop bombast.

They’ve rightfully earned a reputation as “one of the best live dance acts on Earth,” according to the Village Voice. Hits such as “Now Is The Time,” “Keep Hope Alive,” and “Name of the Game” are bona fide eternal dance floor staples. They’ve collaborated with everyone from Danny Elfman and LMFAO to Scott Weiland and Metric’s Emily Haines. However, they’re looking forward to another two decades of dance supremacy.

“We want to honor the fans with this album,” concludes Ken. “Even though our sound has developed and it’s current, we’re still The Crystal Method.”

“The feeling doesn’t ever change,” Scott affirms. “There’s nothing like playing music at high volumes and interacting with a crowd. How did we get so fortunate to be able to do this?”

Christopher Lawrence will be mixing at The Yost Oct. 18

World-renown DJ and producer, Christopher Lawrence, will be mixing it up at The Yost Theater on Fri, Oct. 18 with a fun-filled, dance-crazed set of handpicked trance.

“I love the vibe of the theater and there’s such a cool stage. Every time I play there people go off. I think people go out to party. It’s a really good venue.”

Lawrence plays “really good banging underground music” and doesn’t like the term EDM.

“Unfortunately everything is electronic dance music. But a lot of people go, ‘oh, EDM,’ and they imagine a certain sounding music that’s become really generic and homogenized. It’s not what I play.”

“If you come to the Yost Theater, you’re going to hear music you’ve probably never heard before. And it’s going to be dance music but amazing records and you’ll go, ‘oh my god, what is this stuff?”

Christopher Lawrence behind the decks in Chicago.

“It’s different from what everyone else plays ‘cause I still play an underground sound. That’s where I came from and that’s where my heart is. It’s music that when people hear it they go, ‘wow, I haven’t heard these tracks. This isn’t the same ten tracks I hear on the radio.’ Or, ‘these aren’t the same ten tracks I heard the DJ play last night’.”

Lawrence began mixing his favorite songs in San Francisco back in the ‘90s before moving south to Orange County. He used to have a show on a pirate radio station and they used to do free parties at Golden Gate Park, the beach, or they would break into warehouses.

“I really liked the underground and indie rock, new wave, and punk music,” Lawrence recalled. “But then something happened when I got introduced to Acid House. It changed my life. I said, ‘this is it. I want to be a part of this. And there weren’t many dj’s back in 1990. I’d go to the stores and find the music I liked and collected it. My friends said, ‘you have to start djing ‘cause you’re the only one with these records’. That’s how it started.”

Lawrence considers himself as a conduit for music more than being a performer, searching out and discovering music and then bringing it to the clubs.

“I see myself as it’s my job to go out and find good music and to bring that music to the party,” Lawrence said. “And when I play music that I thought was really amazing, and then see a crowd go off and appreciate the music the same way I do, that’s the most satisfying thing in the world. There’s no experience like that.”

Although Lawrence has been on numerous stages for many years, he still gets nervous.

“I thought over the years that would go away. It hasn’t, because every night is unique. Every time you step out on the stage, it’s a new night and new people have come to hear you. They’re coming out to have an amazing night and it’s up to you to facilitate that. I get nervous every time.”

Nonetheless, he doesn’t drink or party to settle his nerves before stepping out on to a stage.

“I love to party. I like to party maybe too much. And that’s why I don’t drink or do drugs before I play because that could lead to disaster.”

Pharmacy Music is Lawrence’s own label and he will be releasing his next artist album in 2014. The single, “Libra,” just came out and can be heard at The Yost. He also likes to put out new artists on his label, encouraging new djs to find their own unique sound and to listen to as much music as possible.

“Listen to as many different djs that you can. Find the sound that you like and not just the flavor of the month. Because it’s really easy and especially new dj’s today, fall into the trap of going ‘oh these are the most popular djs right now, and these guys are all playing a certain sound. I’m going to play those same tracks.’ Nobody wants to hear a new dj play the same tracks,” Lawrence said.

DJ Rap mixing Drum and Bass at the Yost Theater Sept. 17

Charissa Saverio, aka DJ Rap, will be mixing a live dj set of drum and bass at The Yost Theater on Sep. 17. Rap and AK1200 are co-headlining the evening, which promises to be a special night for those in attendance.

“I like to be spontaneous. I never know what I’m going to play until I get there,” Rap said. “It really depends on what the crowd is looking like and feeling.

“If I walk in and the crowd seems not so energized, then I like to start with a really huge record. If the crowd is already energized, I takeover where the last DJ left off and rebuild the journey again. Maybe take it down a little bit to pull it up again.”

Rap has recorded and produced numerous bodies of work, singing on some, mixing on others, including the 1999 multi-platinum album, “Learning Curve” on Sony Records.

“Technology is great. It’s the creativity that’s sometimes lost with the advancement of technology,” Rap believes. “When you have dj’s DJing on a computer, the computer is telling them what bpm and what key to mix in. Then the art is lost. Just because you have great technology doesn’t mean you’re going to make great records. But for people that actually have skills – it’s great!”

The energetic and talented Rap also runs two labels, Propa and Impropa Talent, produces, acts, models and is a classically trained pianist. Music is her first love, and she enjoys discovering new bands of any genre. She likes to support artists that send her promos.

“I listen to rock. I’m all about bands. I’m more interested in new talent than what’s already out there,” Rap said. “Yesterday in the car I was rocking out to ‘Mad Moon Riot’. I’ll listen to anything. I even listened to a little Garth Brooks the other day, which I’m sure drum and bass fans don’t want to hear. But it’s about being open minded and that’s something I’ve always strove to be.”

Rap recently started a drum and bass band, and they will be performing live sometime in the near future.

“I’m going to be doing a drum and bass residency soon, which will be my night,” Rap confirmed.

Simultaneously she is also acting, which keeps her busy with auditions, while continuing to release music on both of her labels.

“That’s pretty much what I’m doing and that’s enough! Sometimes I feel my title could be plate spinner instead of DJ Rap.”