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Now on his second US tour of the year, Ferry has also played the Creamfields tour and across Asia and South America. Even at this stage in his career, he’s discovering new things, stepping into uncharted territory and enjoying every minute of it.

“One of the unexpected highlights was when I played in Syria,” he explains. “I didn’t really know what to expect. They rarely have DJs play over there, so it was on a tennis court with a clubhouse next to it in the middle of the desert. It was great. The crowd was chaotic – in a good way.”

Playing to music lovers where the number of club events fall drastically short of somewhere like Europe or the UK, for example, is always destined to garner a rapturous response but this one made Ferry’s year.

While Ferry is still very much willing to lay down the sort of up-tempo big-room trance vibes he is best known for, a recent engagement with the deeper, more melodic side of house music has lead him to slot the odd 128/130BPM record into his sets.

“House music can be warmer, groovier and still have a party feel,” says Ferry. “Trance is much more melodic, so it is great that those two genres are really meeting each other at the moment. It creates a lot of space for everybody.”

A greater willingness to feed more gradual, slow-burning vibes into the mix has been spurred by the recent production of part two of his ‘Once Upon A Night’ mix series; a release that, as the title suggests, sets out to take the listener on a musical journey.

Bio

Amid an arsenal of flashing lights, mesmerizing pyrotechnics, ascending fireworks and pulsating beats, tens of thousands of people are singing at the top of their lungs to his classic productions and latest hits. They clamor to get as close to the stage as possible at a recent concert to get a better view of the man pulling the strings behind the decks. From Malaysia to Melbourne, Lebanon to Los Angeles, the scene is eerily similar, with dance music fans the world over experiencing the latest show of a living legend. Few DJs can inspire this level of pomp and furor.

But then again, few have reached the levels of Ferry Corsten.

It’s easy to get hyperbolic and excessive when talking about DJs, but with dance music pioneer Ferry Corsten, whose musical productions and DJ sets have combined trance, house, and electro, the facts speak for themselves: Best Producer of the Year (Ericsson Music Awards). Best Trance DJ (Ibiza DJ Awards). And consistently voted as one of the Top 10 DJs in the world for almost a decade according to DJ Magazine. Since his immersion on the scene in the late 1990s, the Dutch musician has amassed best-selling albums, nearly a dozen gold singles, and countless other awards. Still, as longtime fans already know, Corsten has never been one to rest on his laurels.

This DJ/producer, who has just toured with his Twice in A Blue Moon: The Experience show, has played to hundreds of thousands of fans across the globe and has been busier than ever strengthening the link between his own musical production and DJ show elements. Based on his last artist album of the same name (featuring the hugely successful singles “We Belong,” “Radio Crash,” and “Made of Love” and released on Corsten’s own record label Flashover Recordings), the show is just the latest in a career that has melded influential productions with unprecedented live sets. In stark contrast to the typical DJ set that focuses solely on the DJ himself, Blue Moon’s 6-hour plus set sees Corsten as only one part of a grand, visual production, bringing the crowd into the party instead of lecturing and dictating like so many of his peers.

It’s this humility and desire to interact with his fans which has helped propel Ferry Corsten as one of the most sought after DJs in music. A far cry from the usual arrogant spinner that preaches to his crowd from on high, Corsten has enacted a number of projects designed to get his fans as close to the man himself as possible. In 2007, the DJ began “Corsten’s Countdown,” a weekly radio show that sees Corsten highlighting his favorite new tracks by artists both known and unsigned. Keeping in line with his desire for full interaction with his audience, fans can vote on their favorite tracks each week, which determines Corsten’s Countdown Chart, a Top 10 show at the end of each month. In addition, the recently released DVD Ferry Corsten – Backstage follows the artist as he prepares for both the release of his last artist album and his annual legendary “Full On Ferry” event in Rotterdam. In addition, Corsten recently launched www.FerryCorstenVIP.com, one of the most extensive artist sites that allows subscribers exclusive content and unprecedented access into Corsten’s life.

It’s a life that has been virtually raised on music. As a 9-year old kid growing up in Holland, Ferry Corsten became obsessed with both The Soul Show and Disco Mix Club, shows that specialized in club music and introduced Corsten to deejaying. Cut to the mid-1990s and a wildly prolific Corsten can be found producing two to three releases a week under a dizzying amount of aliases (System F, Gouryella) and record labels before starting Tsunami, his first imprint. His sixth release for the label, the trance anthem “Out Of The Blue,” went Top 20 in the U.K., sparked a massive bidding war for the producer and revolutionized dance music production. Since then, Corsten has remixed tracks from everyone from U2 to Moby to Public Enemy, released three albums under his own name and put out a myriad amount of compilations (Trance Nation, Passport) and singles under various guises.

While the producer is best known for his trance classics, Corsten has also been known to push boundaries creatively and has always been keen to switch up his musical style when the mood hits him. The producer released 2006′s L.E.F., an updated version of the classic electro Corsten loved growing up that earned the #1 spot on iTunes upon its release.

2010 is set to be one of Ferry Corsten’s busiest years yet. In addition to an upcoming album celebrating the 10th anniversary of the ultimate trance anthem “System F: Out of the Blue,” Corsten is busy preparing his latest compilation album with exclusive material and another full-length under his own name with an accompanying grand production tour set to kick off sometime next year.

It’s an ambitious schedule, but one in which Ferry Corsten has built his career on in past years. Someone who has had as many hits, rocked as many dance floors, produced so many classics, as Corsten would be forgiven for taking a hiatus and basking in the accolades. But there are still future classics to be made and people the world over to be entertained. And with a master who has already proven himself time and again running the show, the legend’s career is just starting.

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Having stormed into the highest Top 100 ranking of any Russian DJ in 2009, Bobina has stuck to the promises he made last year by focusing on gigs outside of his homeland in 2010. He’s more than half-finished a new album, and continued with his weekly radio show. And started his own TV channel!

“This has been a year of work. I haven’t done many 12-inch productions because I’ve been focusing on my album,” states Bobina. “I don’t like working on the road, in hotels or on trains, I love to produce in my home studio in Moscow, so I’ve had many gigs in Europe, closer to home.

“I think people will be surprised by my album,” he posits, “there are some interesting collaborations on it and, because I started as a musician and not a DJ, I think that will also shine through.”

Wherever he is in the world, though, Bobina religiously records a two-hour radio show that goes out across Russia every Wednesday evening.

“It takes me about one day out of every week to record/prepare it if I don’t do it live from the Moscow studio, but I love doing it,” he asserts. If all that sounds like a lot of work, you might be wondering why the man has decided to start a TV channel…

“People in Russia don’t believe you when you say you are successful outside this country. Other big Russian DJs in the past lied about where they played. I don’t, so I decided to start filming the other countries I go to so I can prove it to them!”

Don’t worry buddy, DC will give you some GREAT footage.

Bio

“Ask me to name one of the most talented producers from Russia and the first name that comes to my mind is Bobina.” – Ferry Corsten

• Voted no. 16 DJ in the World (DJ Mag) & no. 1 DJ of Russia. [2009]
• Winner of Ibiza DJ Awards (Dance Nation). [2009]
• Bobina’s album “Again” was sold over 40000 copies in one year. [2008]
• The winner of Russian Dance Music Awards as “Best Russian DJ of 2007”. [2008]
• The first Russian DJ to participate in Trance Energy Festival (The Netherlands) [2007] & Miami Winter Music Conference. [2006] dance music category. [2006]
• Bobina’s single “Lighthouse” was first in Russian Top 40 and later in Top 100 best of 2006 singles (30000+ broadcasts) on Europa Plus FM. [2006]
• Video “Beautiful Friend” was in MTV Russia & UK rotation. [2006]
• Has releases on the worlds record labels such as Ministry of Sound, Perfecto, Armada & Nebula.

DJ Mag Top 100 2010 – Bobina Back In @ No.25
For the third year in a row Bobina has entered DJ Magazine’s hallowed Top 100 DJs chart – coming in at this year’s no. 25. Accompanied by a formidably-sized, presumably Russian bear (which he somehow managed to coax into an ArminOnly t-shirt!) Dmitry has a big message of thanks for all of you that voted for him ! Oh, and please watch the video before you call your local animal rights dept. : www.bobina.tv

ResuRection 2010’ News & Forthcoming Album News

Dima has done a club-busting refresh of that legendary chart-topping bleep-fest, ‘ResuRection’. PPK vs. Bobina’s ‘ResuRection 2010’ has already been scoring big plays from Armin, Ferry, Oakey and many others and you can lay first ears on it by checking Episode 4 of Bobina TV. In other music news Bobina has confirmed that 2011 will be an artist album year for him, with his new long-player likely to appear in the second quarter of the coming 365. Nice!

New Bobina TV

It’s 2 for the ‘price’ of 1 on Bobina TV this month as our globetrotting deck-master sets about rocking two capital cities… And how! First up it’s the high speed train to St Petersburg for the big, bad & massive Global Gathering event. It features a cast of clubbing thousands, some very pert derrieres and the most optimistic Eric Morillo and Cosmic Gate impressions we’ve ever seen (take a bow Tony McGuiness and Paavo Siljamäki!). If that doesn’t sell you on a viewing, nothing will. But heh, we’re not done yet! From St Petersburg it’s back to Moscow and all hands on decks at Moscow Day celebrations. Slap-bang in the centre of Lubyanskaya Square, Dima delivered a crowd pleaser of a set, maxing it out with tracks from the new wave of Russian trance producers. You can check it ALL right here: www.bobina.tv

Bobina Twitters!

We get it, we love it! It takes 3 minutes, doesn’t tax your brain too much and let’s everybody in the world know what you’re doing – real-time. Bobina is on Twitter and delivering regular updates at: www.twitter.com/bobinamusic. Click the Follow button and never miss a beat, line or bassline!

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A true product of Manhattan’s legendary electronic scene, he has spun at many of The Big Apple’s most legendary nightclubs, including Exit, Roxy and residencies first at Crobar and now Pacha. His high-energy sets are famous for their big drums and bigger builds.

With a career that has spanned over 15 years, Boris has come to represent everything that’s right about house music. His tenure at clubs across the country is matched only by legends such as DJ Dan, Danny Tenaglia and Junior Vasquez. His producing and engineering skills are the crème de la crème in any group of musicians. Boris has worked with a who’s who of music industry mega stars including Janet Jackson, Missy Elliott, Jewel, Pink, Brandy, Usher, Brittney Spears, New Order, Boys to Men, 98 Degrees, Mya, Shania Twain, Salt-n-Peppa, Cindy Lauper, Jordan Knight and numerous others. With a list like that, there isn’t much more that needs to be said.

Bio

The rich heritage of New York nightlife is focused on the figure of the resident DJ: The homegrown jock that puts down roots in a single venue, bonds with its crowd, and explores the limits of a DJ set with his faithful. The DJs who flourish in this demanding environment go on to become folk heroes, not only in New York, but all over the world (see Larry Levan, Danny Tenaglia, Junior Vasquez).

DJ Boris started his ascension to these ranks in 2004, when the native of St. Petersburg, Russia took up residence at New York super club Crobar. It was the culmination of years of workhorse gigging at almost every club across the Big Apple. But it was more than that too: It was a movement that has shown no signs of fading.

Boris (birth name: Boris Inzhin) started moonlighting as a DJ while taking classes at the Institute Of Audio Research in New York. With a metronomic mixing ability and a penchant for expansive, groove-based power-house music, the jock quickly found work both in DJ and production booths, playing at clubs like Exit, and Roxy, and remixing artists like Janet Jackson, Jewel and Gloria Estefan. In 2002, his mix of Pink’s “Get This Party Started” hit No.1 on the Billboard Hot Club Play chart.

His relentless approach to bring his cult of followers the best sound and experience possible has taken his production to even greater heights. Powerhouse industry labels like *69 Records, and Stereo Productions have wasted no time in signing Boris projects to their labels. Dancefloor missiles like “Automatic,” “Everybody Tweakin’,” “Lights Go Out,” and Lisa Pure’s “Movin On” have been embraced by a culture of beat aficionados, in and out of the many clubs DJ Boris has grown to call home.

And if home is where your heart is then Boris must be endowed with a heart the size of North America. His movement has rewarded him with residencies in every major city. Now a regular on the city’s club circuit, the name of Boris started to become associated with unapologetically massive music: big drums, big riffs, huge build-ups and lots of energy. Propelled by the promise of a great party experience and by a growing affection for the approachable DJ and his humble manner, his crowd swelled. By the time Boris debuted at mega club Crobar in May 2004, his faithful numbered in the thousands, united under a spontaneously created banner: “Believe in Boris.” Boys stamped it on their T-shirts in masking tape, girls Sharpied it on their flesh, and eventually Crobar flashed it on their video screens: A battle cry for a clubber’s revolution.

While at Crobar, Boris set the 30,000-square-foot club’s attendance record (a swinging-from-the-rafters 5,400), released his first mixed compilation (aptly titled “Believe”), and started to gig regularly outside of NYC, in markets like Miami, and Las Vegas. In 2006, when it became apparent that Crobar would close, Boris uprooted and moved his crowd 20 blocks north to Pacha New York, the first North American branch of the fabled European club brand, without missing a beat. He is still a Pacha resident.

Boris’ faithful service to the clubbers of New York has been rewarded with two Club World Award “Best Resident DJ” nominations (one while at Crobar, and one while at Pacha), a DJ Times cover story, a top 5 finish in the national America’s Best DJ fan poll, and a new residency at super club Space in Miami. Add this to the already accomplished residencies he holds at Rise in Boston, Therapy in Rhode Island, as well as his regular appearances at Ruby Skye in San Francisco, 960 in Connecticut, Deko Lounge in New Jersey. He’s also become one of the reigning kings of Winter Music Conference week, throwing massive pool parties by day and after-hours marathons by night for thousands of fans. The spoils of success have not halted his enthusiastic work ethic either. His ongoing pursuit to creatively, and musically express himself to those who adore him, has no doubtedly outgrown our own country’s limited borders. With his global campaign as New York’s premiere DJ underway, believers can be found from all corners of the planet. Venezuala, Colombia, Marrakech, Barcelona, Madrid, Ibizia, London, Montreal, Mexico, and Toronto have all been blessed with his energetically extreme beat orchestration. Boris and his team are currently planning the release of his fourth mixed compilation, and a series of European, and South American dates to compliment his tremendous ability in the studio.

So world, New York wants to know: Are you ready to believe in Boris?

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In an industry where egos are liberally polished each and every day, Markus Schulz is one of the most down-to-earth and level-headed DJs it’s possible to imagine. So while received wisdom has it that nice guys don’t finish first, this isn’t the case with the German ex-pat who now calls America his home.

And while Schulz might not like to countenance the suggestion that he deserves the sobriquet ‘the nicest man in dance music’, he readily admits that he’s one of the hardest working DJs on the circuit: one glance back at his punishing schedule for 2010 attests to that fact.

“It’s been brutal,” he laughs, “absolutely brutal. This summer I was regularly playing three times in 24 hours. When you’re planning these gigs it’s very easy to say yes, but when it gets to it, there are so many unforeseen problems: missed flights, jet lag…”

As 2010 comes to a close, Schulz is determined to be smarter next year. For one, he wants a proper holiday (“I haven’t had one for five or six years,” he concedes). However, be under no illusions, he isn’t moaning. He recognizes what a fortunate position he’s in. As such, he really does sound humble when he reels off a list of highlights for this year.

“Coldharbour [his label] getting to 100 releases was a particular high point; that kept me fuelled over the summer madness, as was the release of my new album ‘Do You Dream?’.”

He’s also optimistic about the state of his beloved trance music, pointing to the bravado of countless young DJs entering the scene as helping to keep him on his toes (“They all have so many ideas”), but also the continued versatility of producers such as Michael Woods as proof that trance can constantly reinvent itself.

So while 2011 will doubtless be more of the same – despite his avowals when it comes to planning – Schulz is in a very happy place. He’s finally come to terms with the fact that his life is exactly as it should be.

“When I look back on my life, I’ve begun to realise that everything points to this. This is what I was put on the planet to do. I used to wonder what it would have been like had I gone to university and studied law. No more, I don’t second guess anything anymore. A lot of questions have been answered this year.”

Bio

Introduction: Over the last 10 years Markus Schulz has fused the individual musical identities of progressive house & trance into his own creative and now inimitable hybrid sound. Through the unique alignment of his headline DJ sets, Coldharbour label output and highly prominent Global DJ Broadcast radio show, he orchestrated a sea change revolution in the US trance scene. This success has been singularly reflected in weekly headliner sets in front of many tens of thousands, a GDJB listenership up in the tens of millions & one Beatport chart-topping release after another. Following several highly ranked positions, in 2008 Schulz punched his way into the Top 10 of DJ Magazine’s Top 100 chart, landing at no.8. In repeating the exact same achievement in 2009, he now stands, quite unequivocally, as America’s no.1 club DJ.

Early History: Born in Eschwege, central Germany, Markus emigrated to the United States. Age 13, his dance music awakening came during the grip of the country’s then-exploding breakdance scene. His early production and DJ career roughly tracked that of the Stateside 2nd coming of House and he caught his first production break in 1993 when he remixed Sagat’s ‘Why Is It? (F** Dat)’ for FFrr. Markus’ freshman production release followed in 1994 with the 6-track-strong ‘Plastik Trax EP Vol 1’. Throughout the mid to late Nineties he continued to pull in early acclaim with a range of releases on numerous US luminary labels. In 1998 he recorded ‘You Won’t See Me Cry’ for Plastik Records (his first label), a release which was picked up by Eve Records for the UK. This became Markus’ first international calling card… The world had started to tune in.

Markus Schulz – The DJ: Through his natural audience affinity, flawless (and seemingly effortless) mixing and innate tune selection, he has wowed crowds in pretty much every major district, principality and metropolis. Schulz’s DJ career has, to the greater degree, run parallel to that of his productions. In the early Noughties, having fixed focus on the hinterland between trance & progressive, he began to reach audiences further and further afield. In 2004 he was signed to the David Lewis Productions agency (also home of the World’s No.1 DJ Armin van Buuren) and his career took another big step forward. Now a regular fixture at the world’s biggest & most famous clubs, arenas and festivals, he lays down his unique trance-progressive vision on a weekly basis. In Europe, he’s smashed Trance Energy, Nature One & Dance Valley, worked tent-pegs loose at Creamfields & Global Gathering and brought gridlock to the Love Parade. Stateside the colossal Electric Daisy & Ultra Festivals have both felt the Schulz pressure and yet further afield still he’s induced floor upheaval in China and Australia (most recently at the Future Music Festival). After several significant showings in the Top 100 DJs chart, he now ranks as one of the top 10 DJs in the world and in 2008 was voted Best American DJ at the IDMAs.

Coldharbour Recordings: Schulz’s sound notably came quickest to the ears of continental European DJs. Following the formation of the Armada group in 2005, Armin sought Markus out and asked him to start compiling tracks for a new vinyl series. The Coldharbour Sessions EPs launched in 2004 (with the first 3 releases coming out on the already established Electronic Elements label). In quick succession they began to leave crater-like impacts on dancefloors and within 12 months Coldharbour the label was born. Named after Markus’ then-production base in London’s Coldharbour Lane, its output immediately brought a new fission sound to Armada. It also became a lightning rod for a new generation of prog-inclined producers – setting in motion the careers of (amongst others) Santiago Nino, Rex Mundi, Mark Otten & Niklas Harding. With 2005 under the spell of Coldharbour’s more sophisticated, minimal, but still melodic take on the prog-trance sound, Markus struck again with the first Coldharbour Sessions mix compilation. Such has been the success of the imprint that in 2007 it was joined by a sub-label, Coldharbour Red. This, in turn, was a launch pad for Marcus Schössow, tyDi, Glenn Morrison & Evol Waves and was the point of re-entry for early Schulz side-project, Dakota (see Dakota section below). Six years after its birth, in 2010, Coldharbour stands at the top tier of the world’s trance & progressive labels and stands on the threshold of its 100th release.

M.S. Productions 2005 – 2010: Perfectly intersecting the quality/quantity axis, Markus’ own productions have been the most fundamental of components in marshalling clubbers and music lovers to his sound. Over the course of the last half-decade tracks like ‘First Time’ & ‘Without You Near’ (2005), ‘Fly To Colours’, ‘Never Be The Same’ & ‘I Am’ (2007) ‘Perfect’ & ‘Cause You Know’ (2008) & most recently ‘The New World’ & ‘Do You Dream’ have each played their vital part. Markus is also a keen production collaborator. In 2005 he famously teamed up with likeminded producers Gabriel & Dresden and Departure for ‘Without You Near’ and in mid-2008 did the same with Andy Moor on ‘Daydream’ and most recently on ‘Goodbye’ with Max Graham. The impact of all the singles has been cauterized by his studio albums ‘Without You Near’ (2005), ‘Progression’ (2007). In February 2010, Schulz completed recording his third long-player, ‘Do You Dream?’, which is scheduled for release in June 2010.

The Global DJ Broadcast show: Now in its fifth year Schulz’s GDJB has continued to be a beacon for an always-growing throng of trance & progressive dance fans. Broadcast through leading station DI.fm and Sirius/XM satellite, the Global DJ Broadcast site and 50+ other FM stations around the planet, it has become every bit required listening for the EDM-savvy. Based on a regular format, the first show of each month is a two hour long mix from one of Schulz’s rolling World Tour gigs – ones that have of late included Medellin, Columbia, St Petersberg, Russia & Amnesia in Ibiza. Subsequent shows in the month feature Markus mixing his broad-span pick of the current electronic dance music best for an hour (which includes the forum-voted Global Selection track of the week) followed by guest mixes from both established and up-and-coming DJs.

Markus Schulz – The City Albums:Markus is also responsible for one of the longest running and most respected compilation album series in trance history. Kicking off in 2005 in Miami, its city-hopping concept has gone on to spotlight Ibiza in ’06, Amsterdam in ’08, & Toronto in ’09. Most recently he homed in on Las Vegas for an album that Mixmag said: “managed the rarity of living up to the hype” and “ranked as his best yet”). Providing a microcosmic view of his sound, they have become cornerstones for fans CD & mp3 collections, with each new travelogue edition bringing in a fresh wave of supporters. Notably, the Amsterdam ’08 release was nominated for an IDMA award for Best Full Length DJ Mix (in the same year that Markus took home the trophy for Best American DJ).

Remixes: Markus powered into remix action in the early 90s with a 30+ volley of high-profile reworks. Over the course of the decade he re-tooled the production works of Euro dominators like The Real McCoy & Technotronic, house masters & divas Armand van Helden & Liz Torres, legendary Nineties icons RuPaul, Bette Midler & Sandra Bernhard and fully-fledged A-listers like Madonna. As the Millennium arrived though he began to work on deeper, more intrinsically electronic dance fare… In 2000 he remixed trance innovator Pablo Gargano’s ‘Absolution’, PQM’s Renaissance classic ‘The Flying Song’ and Fatboy Slim’s ‘Sunset (Bird of Prey). Satisfied that he’d found the right dance strata to focus on Markus has gone on to rewire tracks by Oceanlab, Motorcycle, Dance 2 Trance, Cosmic Gate, Nalin & Kane, Kyau & Albert, John O’Callaghan, & Space Manoeuvres amongst many, many others.

Markus Schulz aka: Dakota: Markus has only made rare use of pseudonyms through his career – seeing them as being only valuable if they represent an outlet for something other than his ‘regular’ output. At the turn of the last decade Schulz released 3 tracks (‘Swirl’, ‘Frozen’ & ‘Lost in Brixton’) under the moniker Dakota. Over time these became focal points for the year-on-year exponential intake of new fans. In 2009 Schulz paid dividend to that by resurrecting the guise, updating its sound and directed his attentions on a whole album of new Dakota material. ‘Thoughts Become Things’ was the end product and with it came a route diversion that went into a new valley-deep sound – one that expanded to embrace the fringes of techno, house and other sub-genres. It once again fortified the Schulz’s fanbase and expanded the range of DJ support for his music. The album has thus far justified 7 single releases that have included particular fan-favourites ‘Chinook’, ‘Johnny the Fox’, ‘Koolhaus’ & ‘Mr Cappuccino’.

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