Jan van Lier - True Stories EP

Academik's new release veers into techno territory with Jan van Lier's "True Stories".

The original mix of "True Stories" is a driving blend of rolling subsonic bass, topped off with house elements and a rising lead that keeps pushing the energy higher as the track evolves. As with Jan van Lier's previous hits on Definitive and Blu-Fin, "True Stories" is a main room techno crowd-pleaser that works beautifully in both headlining and afterhours sets.

Francis Prève's take on "True Stories" turns up the boom with a funky, electro-tinged bass line, gene-spliced with mutated versions of the original house elements. From there, Prève takes the rising synth of the original and morphs it into an 80s-inflected big room lead that combines catchy with classic, while staying true to the original vibe. The result is a peak-time tech house groover that fits equally well into electro and progressive sets.

Beatport Release Date: March 12, 2012

Academik Records SXSW 2012 Event

On March 17, 2012, from 3pm-2am, Academik Records presents its second annual SXSW event, at Lanai Rooftop Lounge in Austin, Texas. Overlooking the action - at the corner of 5th and Congress, in the heart of the downtown club district - the Academik event will include performances from both emerging and established electronic artists.

The spotlight of the event will be the worldwide debut of legendary electronica/progressive act, Andain. This live performance will showcase Andain's classic hits, like "Beautiful Things" and "Summer Calling" - as well as their newest tracks, "Promises" and "Much Too Much".

In addition to the debut of Andain, the party will include DJ sets from Francis Prève, Jan van Lier, The Chaotic Good, and SecretPandaSociety - covering a broad range of EDM genres, from tech house to breaks.

Throughout the event, Academik's sponsors (listed below) will be giving away the latest electronic music production tools and software, including free copies of Ableton Live, Dave Smith Instruments' fully analog Mopho keyboard, Propellerhead Balance with Reason Essentials, as well as products from Korg, iZotope, Create Digital Music, and Bleeplabs.

White-hot EDM blog, LessThan3 - and the timeless and essential Keyboard Magazine - will also be co-sponsoring the event, bringing great vibes and some nifty giveaways as well.

Entering the contest is a straightforward process involving Facebook and Twitter.

Contest rules can be found HERE.

The Academik event will be open to the public, with NO cover, NO wristbands, and NO attitude, so get there early to ensure your place at the party.

Servo vs Colossus - Out NOW on Beatport!

"Servo vs. Colossus" - the long-awaited collab between prog legends, Gabriel & Dresden, and synth guru, Francis Prève -  has arrived exclusively on Beatport. Here's the link to buy it.

In addition to being featured on Benny Benassi's podcast last week, support for "Servo vs. Colossus" has come from a huge range of world-class DJs including Blake Jarrell, Noel Sanger, Tyler Michaud, Matt Lange, Jan van Lier, MC Flipside, Dan Tait, and Andy Perring (Pulser).


Blake Jarrell
Rating: 5/5
Comments: Thanks!

Matt Lange
Rating: 4/5
Comments: Cool! Thanks!

MC Flipside
Rating: 4/5
Comments: This is huge.

Tyler Michaud
Rating: 5/5
Comments: This is an excellent track! Full support! Have been waiting for this one since their 'Mixed for Feet' compilation.

Andy Perring
Rating: 4/5
Comments: Cool!

DJ Ron
Rating: 4/5
Comments: Absolutely amazing

Dan Tait
Rating: 4/5
Comments: Nice ruff track - lots of energy!

Noel Sanger
Rating: 5/5
Comments: Yeah. Huge. Can't wait to drop this one!

Jan van Lier
Rating: 5/5
Comments: Bangin!!!!

Coming January 30, 2012 - Servo vs. Colossus

Beatport - January 30, 2012

Expect more surprises this year.

SXSW Is Coming...

Big news coming soon on the Academik party at Lanai, Austin's coolest rooftop venue.

We'll be announcing the artist and DJ line-up on February 1, 2012.

If you thought last year's event was over the top, just wait...

Vibelung: 'Circuitflu' - Now available at Beatport.com

Changing things up a bit, Academik's second EP veers into techno territory with the contagious vibe of 'Circuitflu'.

The original mix is a mutant hybrid of minimal techno fused with hints of clever IDM, courtesy of Dallas-based electro/techno DJ, Vibelung (aka Jimmy Freer). With 'Circuitflu', Freer's approach to minimal blends clever robot voices with pounding 808-style kicks and a synth riff that evokes the Knight Rider theme without reeking of irony or litigation.

Francis Prève's reinterpretation of 'Circuitflu' turns up the boom with his infectious brand of techno, gene-spliced with a strand of DNA from the better strains of electro. Starting with a handclap-heavy dark groove reminiscent of classic Peace Division, Prève's remix builds to a massive peak that bounces and throbs its way into one of Preve's trademark rising leads. The result is a big room monster that's guaranteed to pack summer floors both at peak-time and after-hours.

Here's what DJs are saying about the Circuitflu EP:

"Simple and quirky.. Francis Prève remix for me."
- Blake Jarrell

"Francis' remix does it for me."
- MC Flipside

"Both tracks are great!! Will play both at different times. THANKS!"
- Jan van Lier

"I love this release! Will definitely be supporting both mixes."
- William A

"Cool Francis Mix!"
- Sean Tyas

"Like the energetic Francis Prève mix."
- DJ Ron (About.com)

"The Original takes the sounds on a minimal journey whereas the Preve Remix gets your innards rumbling from the kick and bass groove all the while keeping the funk. Solid!"
- Jason Jenkins (Hypersonic.com)

As with all Academik releases, the Circuitflu EP includes individual audio tracks as part of the full album download, so producers and DJs can remix and remake the track according to their own vision.

Check out the Circuitflu EP on Beatport.

William A: Alpha - Now available at Beatport.com

William A's new single, "Alpha", is now available at Beatport.com

Here's what some of the world's top DJs are saying about "Alpha":

Gabriel & Dresden - "'Alpha'" has been rocking out sets for months!!"

MC Flipside - "Sentinels remix is slamming."

Blake Jarrell - "Very nice first release...JG remix for me."

Guy J - "Nice one, thnx good luck."

Dan Tait - "Just the right shade of prog. Nice."

Josh Dupont - "Love it. FULL Support from Nightshade Music!"

Tyler Michaud - "Josh Gabriel & Sentinels mixes are both great! 8/10"

As Academik's first release, William A's "Alpha" is a bold new step into prog-tech territory. 

SOUNDCLOUD PREVIEWS:
Exclusive Preview: Alpha - Original Mix - William A
Exclusive Preview: Alpha - Josh Gabriel Remix - William A
Exclusive Preview: Alpha - Sentinels Remix - William A

CLICK TO BUY AT BEATPORT