Mira Falkenstein is a techno DJ and producer from Cologne, Germany. Her musical journey began in 2015, when she learned DJing and musicproduction on a professional level. Over the years, her musical preference transformed more and more towards techno, which is now characterized by a rich peaktime sound with driving, melodic and acid elements. With authentic positive energy, she takes the crowd into a set on fire, played like a story with dynamic parts of melodic breaks, exciting build ups and powerful drops. Not only does she like to express herself as an artist visually, she also creates her own music productions with a motivating background story for each song. Mira Falkenstein is gaining more and more attention in the german techno scene with her impulsive techno sound. She really spreads her inner fire through the music to the outside world. Her sets are full of energy, played in a charming and straight forward  way.

Mira's latest track on BluFin Records from Cologne/Germany is called Deeper and we invited her to answer some questions about Deeper and her career so far. We are glad that she has found the time to reply to them in such a wonderful way. 

Mira Falkenstein: The first goal for me was playing at the famous Bootshaus Club in Cologne. My second achievement was the first song I released and the third one when I started wearing the feather art while djing, for the first time in Tulum, Mexico.

Mira Falkenstein: The interest of DJing started in school years, often being responsible for the tracks that are being played at party’s. 2015 I visited a music school to learn the basic skills, then I put all the effort in learning and experiencing, focusing on my goals as I wanted to get better with this passion found again.

The reason I play and produce music, is to bring all my individual expression from inner creativity to the outside world. Having the possibility to distribute this through music is real freedom for me, which is breaking through mental boundaries, creating an incredible musical connection with everyone listening, feeling the same.

Mira Falkenstein: Artbat is the first one, I love the driving style of their music. They inspired me when I moved from house to melodic techno. Then when I switched more towards techno, Boris Brejcha really touched me with his music and performance. When I compare the style I play nowadays, I would say Deborah de Luca has a great range of songs I love to play in my sets.

Mira Falkenstein: Artbat - Return to Oz / with this song I started to switch from house towards melodic techno and techno. I love the driving elements in this production.

Boris Brejcha - Darkest Nights / I like the voices and the motivating message in the song, as this is a style that also inspired me for my songs.

Layton Giordani, HI-LO, Oliver Heldens - Rabbit Hole / the melody in this song is pure positivity, which gives out hope and a good feeling. Something I want to spread with my music as well.

Mira Falkenstein: Deeper is a track that intends to give you a motivating energy with the words: "Open your mind and go deeper" - embrace the driving elements in this track, taking you away from the superficial towards your true self. Like a dance with your soul, ready to transform all the energy, which gives you the power to live the full potential of your higher self.

Mira Falkenstein: The production itself takes a few weeks. The creative part is the one that I like the most, everything just flows and I combine all the ideas together. The next step is organizing them and technically finalizing every single sound, so it fits good with all the other. The last step is the mixdown and mastering session.

Mira Falkenstein: I prefer to work with Ableton. I learned producing with it, so now I understand this software the best and I like how it's build with a good overview.

I think everyone should produce music in the way they enjoy it the most, doesn't matter if that's digital or analog.

Mira Falkenstein: I like both. Vocals are a nice tool to transport a message more clearly. I often use my own voice in that case.

Mira Falkenstein: "Even the darkest nights will end and the sun will rise" - Boris Brejcha - Darkest Nights

I love the meaning, that there will always be light after the dark, happiness after the pain is over, one leads to the other, giving us hope to have the power while going through the storm. It is such a motivating sentence, spreading out an energy in a way that inspires me for my own music productions.

Mira Falkenstein: This depends on the occasion. If I have an event where I play or a song release, there is a lot of content before and after and social media takes a few hours daily. If there is no certain occasion around, I can use the days more for set preparation and music production. Instagram is the one which generates most of the bookings and interactions.

Mira Falkenstein: Yes sometimes. The best one is the one where I walk on a big stage, performing for Affenkäfig in Germany. The light flows with the shadows of the feather art I'm wearing.

TikTok is a good tool for promoting music, if you know how to make it interesting to watch.

Yes I have a fan video by Michel 2.0 using my realease "Let's Go" for it. Very nice made!

Mira Falkenstein: Speaking for 2024 - One of the most enjoyable performances this year was playing at Ruhr in Love. It was my first festival and the stage was huge. I loved the energy outside and it was completely full with all the ravers in the front.

Mira Falkenstein: The quality is good. In some songs there is just a little power or vibe missing that catches me.

Mira Falkenstein: Anna Reusch - Nasty / I really like the bouncy vibe of this song

Purpose of Life - IOA / the break of the song is full of hope and positivity, great energy

Aliz - Andrea Signore / the ethno spiritual sound is something I love in techno productions

Mira Falkenstein: If you are a famous artist with a lot of listeners, you might get a nice reward for your work, but as a small artist, you don't earn a steady income with your music. You rather have to invest in advertisement to get heard. But on the other side, I think if you continue and grow, if you are eager and motivated because you love what you do, everything will be paid back to you at a certain level.

Mira Falkenstein: To get the technical understanding it's good to sit next to a producer or watch a DJ playing. If possible, ask them directly, while observing or later. But the more you see their workflow, the better you can learn what suits with you and how you can use it. Then practicing of course, making mistakes is important to learn in the process. Try not to do everything by rules, especially the creative part, rather listen how it feels for you, you'll know what's right.

Spend more time with the music you really love and be open to learn from others. Surround yourself with people, who are better than you at things you want to archive. Nothing is impossible, it’s all a mindset and I think if we are really good at something, it will naturally work out for us, if we just continue. In the beginning, you will get a lot of disappointing reactions, so many different opinions and you will be rejected most of the time. But that’s the point where you are tested, if you have the drive to continue to stand up again, to believe in yourself, ready to grow further. When the power within you is stronger, you will shine your light.

Mira Falkenstein: Of course I care a lot about that. But I don't have doubts about the quality of the songs, because they represent everything what I want to share as an artist with the outside world. If people reject them, it's totally fine, because we all have different music tastes. I know they will be heard by the right audience. If they don't have much listeners, it's because the right listens don't know about the existence of the song. So marketing and everything around needs more work.

Mira Falkenstein: Yes my music genre is techno, but I love to mix styles of other genres into it. That's very refreshing, also when I listen to other artists.

Mira Falkenstein: Festivals have another spirit, playing during the day, mostly in the sun is something I would prefer, as it suits the kind of music I play and the energy that is transformed with the crowd.

I would love to play at Tomorrowland one day and at the Ushuaia Ibiza Beach Club.

Mira Falkenstein: The maldives are unforgettable and my favorite destination so far. I've never been to such a calm and peaceful place, the beach and the water are just like paradise. 

The experiences I made there, helped me to be more in tune with myself. There was so much space for self reflection and inspiration, I loved being outside all the time and more connected with nature. No rush to go anywhere or see anything, just be.

Mira Falkenstein: Ask yourself how much time you spend with something you really love doing for yourself. We live in a society where the people are too exhausted from work to put time into their passion or even living their passion, making it to their job. Noting is impossible, it’s all a mindset and I think if we are really good at something, we should spend more time doing it. You never know what can emerge from that and what positive change you can bring into the world with your talent. I wish you all the best, believe in yourself and you will find your way.

Thanks so Mira for her wonderful answers.

Thanks so much to Andrea for arranging this interview. 

[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"] The exceptional electronic music pioneer Ferry Corsten delivers the magnificent track Total Eclipse that will be part of his forthcoming album. He collaborates with Chris Howard who delivers the stunning cool robotic distanced vocal with lyrics that can stuck in your head. Cool break beat with cinematic strings and tripping out atmosphere and on top the melodramatic wild and furry distorted synthy hook that adds intensity and energy. It's a wonderful breaks dreamy spacey track that stands out from the crowd and will definitely get the bodies shaking whenever will be dropped. #PureGold Love IT. [/content]

Joining forces with Silva City (Alan Fitzpatrick and Reset Robot), Ferry Corsten drops a classic, club-targeting trancer on his label, Flashover Recordings. With driving bass, high-energy synthwork and anthemic melodies, ‘Chaos’ can make any crowd descend into anarchy.

Reflecting the frenetic pace of modern society and the need for taking a step back when it becomes overwhelming, Ferry Corsten’s ‘Just Breathe’ has got to be among the Dutchman’s most standout recent releases. Pitting the boisterous, techno-rave-inspired buildup against a heavenly breakdown that exudes both beauty and bliss, this track server as a reminder to regularly come up for air to reflect and dive back in even stronger.

Presenting a deep, melodic offering, Ferry Corsten continues to build momentum toward the release of his upcoming album, ‘Connect’. Synergizing Chris Howard’s ethereal vocals with a contagious groove, soothing vibe and a standout lead synth, ‘Where The Mountains Grow’ has listeners dreaming away across its duration.

An audial thrill from one of electronic music’s foremost flagbearers, ‘Stay Awake’ sees Ferry Corsten build even more momentum ahead of releasing a brand-new studio album called "Connect". From the rousing melody to the grace of Diandra Faye’s vocals, ‘Stay Awake’ takes listeners by the hand for a sonic journey that will leave them reeling till morning.

The official anthem of Dreamfields Mexico, Ferry Corsten’s ‘Yes Man’ is a massive, nostalgia-infused festival banger from one of the scene’s foremost flagbearers. Rousing fans with a signature blend of classic elements, soaring leads, dreamy pads and a bold vocal hook, this track will elevate the crowd and then some.

Following on from his proggy single ‘Connect’, label boss Ferry Corsten gives listeners a peek into the depths of his mind. Edgy, inventive and at times a bit crazy, ‘Mind Trip is a true progressive gem that drives the crowd into an altered state of consciousness.

Linking the dark and the radiant, Ferry Corsten's 'Connect' flaunts a remarkable synergy you don't often hear. From the growling bassline to the uplifting progression welcoming the light, this track is a best-of-both-worlds offering that will bring listeners together.

 Off the back of a highly successful summer season with a huge number of live gigs and festivals appearances across globe, Lilly Palmer strikes again with a proper techno banger. Designed to kick up dust and then some, ‘Hype Boy’ arrives just in time for 2024’s Amsterdam Dance Event.

[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"]Lilly Palmer continues to unleash some serious techno bangers that seems to cross over to mainstream scenes as well. Hype Boy is her latest weapon with confident banging metallic drums, rough kicks, pounding dark bass and cool stretched dirty vocal samples while on the breakdown the cool Darude infused warped synthy line is added to bring the ultimate havoc and unstoppable hysteria on the dancefloor. The climax is playful, rough, raw and thunderous to say the least. Once again Lilly proves that she is ready to bring techno vibes to mainstages of festivals and club events and drive her crowd insane. #PureBassPower Love iT[/content]

San Francisco native Eric Luttrell shares his highly-anticipated third studio album ‘Life at Full Speed’ on Anjunadeep.

First breaking into electronic music as part of the OWSLA-affiliated trio The M Machine, Eric embarked on his solo journey in 2016 with the acclaimed 'Need You' EP. This was followed by Anjunadeep favourites such as the 'Generate' EP and 'Intergalactic Plastic', championed by Annie Mac as the Hottest Record In The World. His musical progression continued with the launch of two studio albums, 'Intro Clouds' and 'Lucky Ones', as well as the captivating trilogy EP series 'Music For My Memories'. Luttrell's body of work has amassed over 100 million streams to date.

Written over the past two years, 'Life at Full Speed' represents a new chapter for Eric. Becoming a father last year profoundly shifted his perspective on life and its purpose; and the album represents the ethos of embracing life to its fullest and seizing every moment.

Featuring thirteen meticulously crafted tracks, "Life at Full Speed" embodies Luttrell's signature blend of indie-laced house music, characterised by uplifting melodies, intricately woven synths, and infectious grooves. A standout feature of the album is Eric's integration of his own vocals on some of the tracks such as "When I First Met You" and "Go". Additionally, Canadian artist Molly Moonwater joins forces with Eric on the single 'Something Right', enhancing its euphoric tone.

Lead single 'Make U Happy' comprises a playful piano, signature Luttrell synths and a catchy top line culminating in an irresistible, feel-good summer anthem. This track sets the tone for the album, offering a glimpse into its uplifting vibe. Among the album's tracks are previously released singles 'Sunshine', 'Space', and 'Sunrise Song', which have collectively amassed over 3.5 million streams and received acclaim from BBC Radio 1 and SiriusXM Chill.

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Amplifying the momentum for Chicane’s upcoming album, ‘Day One’ effortlessly proves its creator’s status as a master of melodics. Interweaving plucked melodies and unbelievably eargasmic harmonies atop a driving, piano-captained beat, this track marks yet another masterpiece from one of electronic music’s foremost legends. 

[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"] In the electronic music world that anyone imagines himself as the next big thing is great that we have present and active some legendary artists as the perfect foundation that younger artists can still feel influenced and inspired. Nick Chicane is one of them and his latest track Day One showcases his ability to come up with a chilling moody warm melodic house beauty perfect to start swinging on any party and why not to chill out on weekend afternoon. Deep pulsating basslines, punchy kicks, thumping percussion, housey female and male vocal samples and most importantly euphoric nostalgic piano chords to make you dream and dance from start to finish. Great music so pleasurable and must play in any chill house sets. #PureGold Love iT [/content]

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 Employing the classic Eelke Kleijn sound with added melancholy, ‘Beg You’ is the next chapter of the DAYS like NIGHTS label boss’ new ‘Connected’ live project. Weaving Leo Wood’s wanting vocal into a sensual and hypnotic production, Eelke Kleijn delivers a somber cry for adoration that pulls at the heartstrings.

Don't miss the Days Like Nights ADE 2024 showcase at Armada Music HQ HERE

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Check this top compilation to get to know Songspire https://songspire.lnk.to/songspired01 mixed by Onno van Kemenade

Also better don't miss the official Songspire showcase at Amsterdam Dance Event in Amsterdam that will turn into the center of electronic music. To celebrate together they have created a stunning line-up again for Songspire yearly event together with their friends from Sekora at the Andaz Hotel. On Saturday October 19th from 12.00-22.00 the following artists will perform, in alphabetical order: @alexbreitlingmusic @dalumusic_ofc, @djzombi, @envotion, @floormagnetofficial, @musicmaman, @manu_zain, @samrose.music, @sleepless_skies and @thysma_music We can’t wait!

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 Matching the vibrant atmosphere of Amsterdam after dark, Armada Electronic Elements – ADE 2024 offers up a 25-track selection designed to soundtrack the underground club nights. With tracks from artists such as Agents Of Time, Andrea Oliva, Eelke Kleijn, Jan Blomqvist, Rivo and Solomun leading the charge, this album guarantees an unparalleled nighttime experience when out in Amsterdam or elsewhere in the world.

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 Sola Presents Ibiza 2024 delivers a super-charged package of tracks that have been doing damage across the likes of Hï Ibiza, Amnesia and Ushuaïa all summer. Carefully curated by label heads Solardo, this 10-track compilation showcases some of the Islands most exciting tech-house talent including Duke & Jones, FLORENTIA and Castion plus tracks from exciting emerging artists Ben Graves, Samuel Morgan and MiddleGround. As the season draws to a finale and closing parties are in full swing, re-live those powerful dance floor moments with Solas finest selections for Ibiza 2024.

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Continuing on his red-hot streak after a blazing summer, chart-topping producer and DJ Layton Giordani has put his hands to Tiga and Audion’s ‘Let’s Go Dancing’, giving the iconic record his signature techno treatment. A secret weapon in his sets for months, and met with widespread acclaim from fans and fellow producers alike, this highly anticipated release is out now.

More than a decade after its initial release, Layton Giordani joins the ranks of Solomun and Matroda in reworking Tiga and Audion’s nearly nine-minute long house classic. The techno star lives up to the track’s name, delivering a scorching rendition that amps up the original with a powerful fusion of syncopated synth stabs and driving techno grooves intertwined with innovative, glitch-infused reinterpretations of the vocals. The track seamlessly blends the nostalgia of a dance classic with a modern edge, creating a rich sonic offering perfectly distinguished from the original version.

Already teased in sets by John Summit, Adam Beyer, Green Velvet and more, Giordani’s remix has been doing numbers on the dance floor and shows no sign of slowing down.

‘Let’s Go Dancing’ is out now via Armada Music and Drumcode.

[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"]Layton Giordani adds his full on Techno touch on the beloved dark, sensual and hypnotic anthem by Tiga x Audion - Let's Go Dancing. Let's Go Dancing is back for good with bumping kicks, pounding drums, relentless basslines and dark synths while on top the commanding vocals are layered in the finest fashion to build tension, excitement and create the perfect dark moody atmosphere. Who doesn't want to go out dancing after the immense infection with this highly contagious piece of electronic dance music history! #PureGold [/content]

Layton Giordani is a beacon in the techno scene, representing a new wave of talent. A New York native, Giordani’s journey into electronic music began in his teens, inspired by the legendary sets of Danny Tenaglia at Pacha NY. This profound experience drove him to pursue a career behind the decks, eventually securing a pivotal residency at Output NY in Brooklyn. Here, Giordani's talent flourished, catching the eyes of notable figures in the techno scene. 

At Output NY, Giordani's abilities quickly sharpened, leading to his early career breakthrough. His big break came under the mentorship of Adam Beyer, the techno heavyweight behind the Drumcode label. Giordani refined his craft with Beyer's guidance, culminating in his debut EP, Unspoken, released on Beyer's Truesoul label. This significant release led to his debut on Drumcode with Rivington, establishing him as a rising force in the industry. 

In 2017, Giordani's career reached new heights with the release of his debut album, Where It Begins. This album marked his entry into the global techno scene and received critical acclaim, cementing his status as a significant player. He followed this success with several major collaborations. One standout track was Live Again with Danny Tenaglia. Another was Space Date, a collaboration with Adam Beyer and Green Velvet, which amassed over 19 million streams on Spotify and became a summer anthem in 2018. Further hits included his solo EP, Phase II, the track Chrome, and Fuzion with Green Velvet. 

Continuing his innovative streak, Giordani released his sophomore album, New Generation, in 2020. This album showcased his evolution as an artist, integrating diverse influences and pushing the boundaries of Drumcode’s sound. During the pandemic, he maintained his momentum with notable releases such as the Hyperworld EP, and high-energy collaborations like Rabbit Hole with HI-LO. And in 2023, Giordani released two huge remixes including a dynamic take on Olive's "You’re Not Alone" and "Voicemail" by Green Velvet and Patrick Topping.

As of 2024, Giordani continues to solidify his position at the forefront of the techno scene with a series of successful remixes and widespread radio support. His most recent remix of "Last Night" with Anyma soared to #1 overall on Beatport and is currently amassing over 100,000 streams per day on Spotify (June ‘24). Prior to this, his remix of "Party All The Time" in collaboration with Adam Beyer and Green Velvet also topped Beatport’s charts and has sustained impressive popularity, drawing over 70,000 daily streams three months post-release. Giordani’s work has garnered substantial radio support from prominent figures such as Pete Tong on BBC Radio 1, Mista Jam on Capital, KISS, and has seen multiple rotations on Diplo’s Revolution XM radio. Reflecting his rising influence, he has been the #3 most trending artist on Beatport over the past 12 months, trailing only behind Fisher and John Summit. 

Giordani's relentless pursuit of excellence and his innovative approach to techno have solidified his status as one of the genre’s elite artists, with a promising future ahead. 

Armada Music is the biggest independent dance music label in the world. Founded by Armin van Buuren, Maykel Piron (CEO) and David Lewis, the label manages an ever-growing catalog of over 40,000 tracks, built up across twenty-plus years of specialized dance music exploitation.

Representing artists such as Armin van Buuren, ARTY, D.O.D, Eelke Kleijn, Jan Blomqvist, Loud Luxury, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, Tensnake, THEMBA and Yulia Niko, Armada Music amasses more than one billion streams per month, airplay on leading radio outlets such as BBC Radio 1 and Sirius XM, and top positions in the world’s most notable charts. The label also takes great pride in major achievements such as Armin van Buuren’s GRAMMY nomination for ‘This Is What It Feels Like’, Loud Luxury and Brando’s ‘Body’ surpassing one billion streams on Spotify and breaking artists such as Lost Frequencies into global stardom.

Across offices in Amsterdam (HQ), New York, London and Laren (NL), Armada Music offers a truly global appeal to its growing roster. The label has its own club, radio studio and multiple production studios, and hosts various live formats. Producer platform Armada University, which offers educational products and opportunities, shows the label’s sustained effort to nurture the next wave of talent.

In 2023, Armada Music launched BEAT Music Fund, the world’s first dance music investment company, that acquires catalogs with the mission of honoring, representing and reinvigorating them. BEAT’s portfolio will continue to grow; in the first six months following its launch, BEAT acquired the catalogs of, among others, electronic music star ARTY, house and techno pioneer Kevin Saunderson’s KMS Records, legendary NYC-based house label King Street Sounds and chart-topping producers Chocolate Puma.

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