Dancing Astronaut’s Editors’ Selections for 2012
We've gone over the biggest artists, albums, and tracks of 2012, but our end of the year roundup really wouldn't be complete unless we talked about our own favorites from this year. These are the songs that made us feel, gave us chills, made us party, and made us cry. You'd probably find these tracks with high play counts in our music libraries and dripping with nostalgia if you make us talk about them further.
Dancing Astronaut’s Top 25 Underground Artists of 2012: 15-6
The underground had a big year in the US in 2012 and we only felt it appropriate to highlight some of these amazing artists independently from potentially bigger or more commercial artists in the dance music world today. We considered the year these artists have had in terms of production, live sets, and overall influence. We also generally picked artists we love and admire; artists we feel are extremely important to pushing electronic music forward. This list of 25 names includes legends and young guns alike, but we can assure you that every single one of these artists is incredibly talented and is well worth a listen or a trip to a club for a live set. Picking up where we left off yesterday, we will continue the countdown with our picks from #15 to the #6 spot.
Dancing Astronaut’s Top 10 Essential Mixes of 2012
Every Saturday night at 1am in the UK, Pete Tong allows an artist of his choosing to take over the Radio 1 airwaves for two full hours. The Essential Mix is legendary and for many of these DJs and producers, the pressure feels immense. A stellar mix can shoot you to recognition, solidify a career, or facilitate a comeback. Although with the generous input of fans, Pete Tong does eventually crown an Essential Mix of the year himself (last year: Above & Beyond), we also put our heads together to decide on the ten mixes from 2012 that made us listen again, and again, and again.
With Back in Flight School, Miguel Campbell reminds the dance music world why LPs still matter
Last year Leeds-based producer and DJ Miguel Campbell made his Hot Creations debut with the release of his hit single "Something Special." The track was discovered by Jamie Jones a year prior at Miami Music Week, and fully embodies the throwback deep house sound that Campbell has come to represent. With said release, his recent Essential Mix, and this Back In Flight School artist album, he is showing that he is not a one-track success, but more likely music producer that is pioneering a wave of inspirational sounds within the realms of the deep house craze. Read on to hear our take on this impressive album from the man himself.