Incredibly smooth and embraced by lovers of electronic dance music (EDM), R&B and pop, Bruno Martini’s “Bend The Knee” with Iza and Timbaland is the lead single off Martini’s forthcoming full-length studio album, Original (Universal Music). The sound of now, “Bend The Knee” is positively primed for FM radio, a pop hit in-the-making, an exquisite song capturing that summer-into-autumn vibe. The song’s expertly crafted studio production yields a result that’s hypnotic, alluring and intoxicating. “Bend The Knee” is an addictive mid-tempo song that’s creamy and silky smooth, a must-have for the latest playlists.

Interview Questions

EDMTunes: We’re digging your new single, “Bend The Knee” with Iza and Timbaland! How did this song come to be? Who did what on this song (i.e. who wrote the melody, who wrote the lyrics, who did the production, etc.)?

Bruno Martini: I started this project when I met Timbaland in Los Angeles. We recorded in a studio called West Lake Studios and it was a huge experience in learning and creating music with this icon. Being able to work with him is a huge blessing. I wrote this song with Mayra, my writing partner in Brazil and she actually cut the vocals on the first version we did. Timbaland and I were in the studio having a lot of fun doing this one, we actually worked with one more producer called Angel Lopez, it was us three at West Lake Studios. We had so much fun that when I came back to my country [Brazil], I knew it was a special song. I wanted to have a power voice and also a voice that means a lot for Brazil. First artist that came to my mind it was Iza. Also because the lyrics of “Bend The Knee” talk about women’s empowerment in an easy way. It had to be her on the record! I showed her the project, she fell in love and cut the vocals for “Bend The Knee” and another song that is coming out soon. 

EDMTunes: You have an immense amount of streams on this song – over 1.3M of the music video for this song – in just a few short days of its release! That’s impressive. To what do you owe the instant popularity of this song?

Bruno Martini: Thank you! Everything I do I put my heart on it… this song is special to me. Is hard to stay honest to yourself. I think that’s the main secret, stay honest to yourself, know who you are, and then you’re “original.”

EDMTunes: What’s the music and clubbing scene like in your native country of Brazil? How do the fans in Brazil contrast or compare with the music fans in the U.S., from your experience? 

Bruno Martini: In Brazil, music is deeply rooted in our culture and there many different styles of music and different types of clubs. There is this one specific electronic genre that people really like here which is called Brazilian Bass. Nowadays because of all the streaming platforms the whole world is accessible so we can listen to all the top charts around the world, but in the U.S. I think the electronic scene meets a bit with the hip hop culture, so there’s more trap in it. 

EDMTunes: Do you like performing live in the U.S.? You’ve played a lot of live shows in the U.S. before the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world. What were some of the most memorable U.S. shows you played? What made them stand-out in your memory so much?

Bruno Martini: Yes I love to perform in the U.S.! I really miss having contact with my fans and I hope I can return soon. It’s difficult to name a few highlights because the U.S. audience is such a nice crowd to play for, but the shows I did at Electric Zoo NY and EDC Las Vegas were an amazing experience.

EDMTunes: “Bend The Knee” is the lead single off your forthcoming full-length artist album, Original (Universal Music). Can you talk about the album a bit? Why did you choose “Bend The Knee” as the lead single?

Bruno Martini: I’ve been working on this for two years already. I recorded all over the world but most of the records were recorded in my studio in Sao Paulo. I also recorded some records in Holland and in L.A. with Timbaland. When Iza was in my studio to record “Bend The Knee,” it was quite clear to me that this should be the first single. Iza is one the biggest performers in Brazil and having Timbaland on the track seems like the right choice.

EDMTunes: Timbaland is obviously a huge name here in the U.S. and all around the world. Tell us the story behind your getting together with Timbaland? When and how did you “hit it off” and what’s the chemistry like working with Timbaland?

Bruno Martini: Timbaland is my idol, true thing. I’ve been listening to music my whole life. Actually, he’s responsible for me falling in love with music. It was one of my dreams working with him. I received a message from his team saying they liked my stuff, so next thing I know, I am on a plane heading to L.A.! We stayed in the studio for almost the whole week! We made so many great songs together. 

EDMTunes: What are you doing to keep your career fresh and alive during this global health pandemic? How do you see your role as an artist/musician/performer in light of the current climate?

Bruno Martini:  I stay positive and try to focus my mind on the positive things. I’m lucky to have my own studio really close to my house, so I was able to keep creating and making music. It was a really important moment to look into myself and re-think about life in general. I also got closer to my family, even with the distance. I think music has huge power in times like these. 

EDMTunes: Are you trying to make a political statement by saying “Bend The Knee,” as in a Black Lives Matter type of social awareness statement? 

Bruno Martini: To be honest, “Bend The Knee” was never meant to be a political statement. It does speak about empowering women, though.

EDMTunes: From all your videos and social media clips, it seems that you have a very open, warm and welcoming vibe. How are you able to keep such a positive attitude in a time of so much uncertainty? 

Bruno Martini: I always try to stay positive no matter what the situation is. But I do realize that these times are not the best for a lot of people. We just need to hope and pray that brighter days are around the corner. I know a lot of people, like myself, use these times to get even more creative but also stay healthy. I noticed doing a lot of exercise helps me to stay clear in my head.

EDMTunes: What’s next for Bruno Martini? What’s the most important thing you want readers to remember about you?

Bruno Martini: I really hope I can share my music and perform live shows with all my fans really soon. For now, my focus is on the release of my upcoming album, Original (Universal Music), which will be on October 2^nd, and I hope your readers stay healthy and happy. I hope they will remember my music and that when they play it, it will bring a little sunshine into their lives.

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ROME – As the lockdown restrictions around the world are slowly being loosened, Italy (a country who was hit the hardest by Covid-19) is noticing that the novel coronavirus is weakening.

“In reality, the virus clinically no longer exists in Italy,” A statement made by Alberto Zangrillo, the head of the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan.

“The swabs that were performed over the last 10 days showed a viral load in quantitative terms that was absolutely infinitesimal compared to the ones carried out a month or two months ago,” Zangrillo said

Opposition to the idea that the coronavirus is weakening

There has been opposition to the idea that the coronavirus is weakening.

According to Maria van Kerkhove, the technical lead at WHO, the coronavirus continues to infect people at the same rate as when the pandemic started, and the same proportion of people — about 20% — develop severe cases.

“Pending scientific evidence to support the thesis that the virus has disappeared … I would invite those who say they are sure of it not to confuse Italians,” stated Sandra Zampa, an undersecretary at the health ministry, reported by Reuters.

“We should instead invite Italians to maintain the maximum caution, maintain physical distancing, avoid large groups, to frequently wash their hands and to wear masks.”

Furthermore executive director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Program, Michael Ryan commented that it is unlikely that the virus has mutated.

“It may not be that the virus itself is becoming less potent,” Ryan said. “It may be that we are — as a community and as a global community — successfully reducing the number, intensity, and frequency of exposure to the virus, which, on the face of it, the virus then looks weaker.”

H/T: Reuters, Business Insider

The post Coronavirus Weakening Says Top Italian Doctor appeared first on EDMTunes.

The ‘Titanium‘ DJ came under fire on social media for the tribute which he made during his live-streamed fundraising event this past Saturday. The event took place on a New York City rooftop to raise money for coronavirus relief charities.

“The world is going through difficult times and America, too, actually,” Guetta said during the performance. “Last night, I knew we were going to do this and I made a special record … in honor of George Floyd. I really hope we can see more unity and more peace when already things are so difficult.”

Me when I’ve DEFEATED RACISM pic.twitter.com/iqLM345U23

— AdequateEmily (@AdequateEmily) May 31, 2020

Viewers had strong and slightly amusing opinions about Guetta’s tribute on Twitter.

One user tweeted,”They really gonna oontz oontz racism away”.

“There’ve been a lot of crimes committed against my ppl this weekend, but David Guetta putting a drop behind MLK’s ‘I have a dream’ speech is up there,” tweeted Rolling Stone writer Charles Holmes.

“Yes David Guetta,” wrote Irish journalist Áine McMahon, “I’m sure that’s exactly what George Floyd would have wanted… an EDM banger sampling Martin Luther King.”

*400 years of systemic oppression*

David Guetta: pic.twitter.com/fcwskvW0lu

— Kyle (@decent_posts) May 31, 2020

All jokes aside Guetta did raise an impressive £540,000 ($670,000) during the livestream. View the full broadcast below.

The post David Guetta Mocked for George Floyd Tribute During NYC Livestream appeared first on EDMTunes.

Enrico Sangiuliano has been one of techno’s leading forces for a number of years and is a name that needs no lengthy introduction

Recently, The Italian producer teamed up with lockdown partner Charlotte de Witte for monumental B2B stream earlier this month which amassed well-over 2.5 million views. Now, he’s back with a new conceptualized stream project of his own.

Commencing on Thursday 28^th May from 19:00 – 20:00 CEST, the ES System Livestream will launch in Belgium, with Ghent’s idyllic vistas on full display. Available to watch via Enrico’s Facebook, YouTube and Twitch pages, make sure not to miss this unique opportunity to catch the sound designer in action. You can also catch his livestream on EDMTunes’s Facebook page tomorrow as we’ll be hosting the event as well.

Championing a mastery for emotively driven anthems, 2019’s ‘Best Producer’ as voted by the DJ Awards, is a tastemaker of the scene and continues to pioneer the melodic techno sound through his own production output, as well as via his performances on global stages, Awakenings, Creamfields and Tomorrowland, to name just a few. Curating his own all-night-long SOLO series in 2019, the Beatport chart-topper enjoyed sold-out editions in selective clubs all over the world and now looks to connect once more with his dedicated global following through the ES System Livestream. 

The post Enrico Sangiuliano Announces ES SYSTEM Livestream appeared first on EDMTunes.

The global entertainment industry is set to “lose $160 billion of growth” as a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic over the next five years, research firm Ampere Analysis estimated in a report last Thursday.

The pandemic will hit 2020 and 2021 the hardest. This will be followed by a reduction in growth for each year in the five-year forecast. The firm stated,”While gross loss (the total amount of lost growth in dollar terms) will be greatest for the advertising sector, it’s also important to look at the relative impact pegged to the size of the sector. On that basis, theatrical will be hardest hit, set to lose $24.4 billion over the next five years, with its revenue growth down more than 11 percent over Ampere’s previous forecasts.”

Adding to their analysis is the financial loss the advertising industry will face. Advertising for TV and Online alone will lose $40 billion in revenue growth in 2020 and $43 billion in 2021.

“Advertising is hit hardest both near-term and overall, but drilling down into entertainment sectors shows that areas like theatrical are hit proportionally harder,” explained Guy Bisson, research director of Ampere Analysis. “The interconnected nature of the entertainment value chain means that will have a number of effects in other areas of the value chain … some of which will not be fully felt for several years to come.”

For example, shuttered cinemas mean an immediate impact on theatrical revenue. “The longer-term effects mean a glut of movies vying for release windows next year could ultimately lead to a slowdown in film production that impacts content acquisition and distribution further down the line,” Ampere highlighted.

Streaming is the “Big Winner”

Meanwhile, streaming services are “likely to come out on top here as viewers are leaning on streaming content providers heavily, just as a slew of new platforms enter the market,” Bisson argued. “Yes, there will likely be a temporary post-lockdown backlash. The key to the longer-term prospects is the acceleration of consumer behavioral change, which will benefit streamers.”

Ampere concluded that streaming will be the “big winner.” It’s forecasted that streaming will gain an additional 12 percent of revenue growth over the five year period. Lockdowns around the world have led to “a huge surge in streaming consumption and new subscriptions, benefiting subscription video-on-demand, broadcaster video-on-demand and other catch-up services,” the firm said. In contrary, streaming for music was seen dropping during the pandemic back March.

H/T: The Hollywood Reporter

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In response to a tweet from Dancing Astronaut, it was revealed that Calvin Harris’s heart had to be restarted in the emergency room. The tidbit of information was commented by Harris on a video of him “going off” during his EDC set that summer (May 19).

“Interesting year for me, 2014,” the “Summer” artist began. “Started with me knocking myself off number 1 in the U.K. and ended with my heart getting restarted in the ER … This sort of stuff happened in between.”

Interesting year for me 2014, started with me knocking myself off number 1 in the UK and ended with my heart getting restarted in the ER…this sort of stuff happened in between https://t.co/BS0JqXmyhY

— Calvin Harris (@CalvinHarris) May 20, 2020

According to a since-deleted tweet from the BBC News, that same year Calving Harris pulled out from the MTV EMA’s citing “heart problems” for his absence.

Later in 2018, he revealed that he was diagnosed with arrhythmia—a condition where the heart beats too fast or too slow, or at an irregular pace.

Fast forward to 2018, Harris opened up about his sobriety in a Twitter Q&A. “The last thing I want to do is down 2 bottles of jack daniels a night, live on Greggs pasties and sleep on an absolutely stinking bus all year, scream down a mic for 55 minutes and pretend to play a keyboard 5x a week those days are behind me son [sic]”.

Calvin Harris’s heart seems to have improved since the scary experience. When a fan praised Harris for being sober he responded, “Aye things are a bit less fun but haven’t had an arrhythmia since 2014”.

H/T: US Magazine

The post Calvin Harris’s Heart Had to be Restarted in ER in 2014 appeared first on EDMTunes.

The survey included 130 UK businesses and centered around two core topics. These include problems nightlife businesses faced during the lockdown and concerns of reopening under current social distancing measures.

Following lockdown measures being eased, nightlife and hospitality businesses are expected to operate with limited capacity. How will this contribute to the overall performance of the business? In the overview of the survey, businesses stated they will only be able to operate at 40-43% capacity. Additional survey insights state the only 55% of the workforce will return therefore leaving a huge hole in the industry.

Making reopening more of a struggle is the reopening cost. The average cost to reopen a business within this sector is £31,131. For nightclubs, the cost is calculated to be double the cost at £61,545.

Only half of the responders stated cashflow as the economic benefit of reopening. Employment followed second, and rent/bills trailed in at third.

Key Quotes

Key quotes from responders included, “Social distancing is incompatible with businesses selling social interaction. You do not go to a bar to get drunk. You go to a bar to socially interact with people. Asking hospitality businesses to practice social distancing is a bit like trying to sell someone a car they cannot drive.”

In the survey overview, Business Owners and Operators are concerned that the Social Distancing will reduce venue capacity, where it will become financially unviable.

“They need to realize we cannot open partially whilst still paying all our bills, i.e. electricity for 10 people the same as 100. The atmosphere in pubs will be damaged and will do more harm than good”

Many feel that once it is safe to release the lockdown the Government needs to ensure that they reverse the narrative in terms of the nightlife sector being “Safe & Open”. Most businesses believe they will be able to re-engage within 3 weeks (22.9 Days)

Read the full results of the survey here.

The Nighttime Industries Association is currently running a campaign called “The Big Freeze”. #TheBigFreeze aims to have the UK government freeze loans/mortgages and allow landlords the financial freedom to give rent-free periods during the Covid-19 crisis.

H/T: DJ Magazine

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Instagram described this change as a massive potential impact on users’ mental health. Although social media can be all fun and games, sometimes social media apps can unfortunately get competitive. Instagram wants to end the hostile and competitive attitude on their application. Despite the fact that consumers enjoy getting new likes on their photos, Instagram’s goal is to reduce pressure and make Instagram a safe place for users to share content.

“We want your followers to focus on what you share, not how many likes your posts get. During this test, only the person who shares a post will see the total number of likes it gets.”

Instagram explains how removing like counts has the ability to reduce negative feedback while using the app. While Instagram has been simultaneously been going back and forth about what the future holds for social media, this change might be the next big thing for the next generation. Being aesthetic has always been a big trait for Instagram users. Now, Instagram is looking into creating ways for users to show their true creativity.

Although Instagram is proposing a change that will be out of the ordinary, how will this impact Instagram Influencers? If Instagram decides to move further with this new change, maybe it will be an opportunity for social media to grow in a positive way.

The post Instagram Plans to Hide Like Counts to Improve User’s Mental Health appeared first on EDMTunes.

Deciding which shuttle stop to take – A, B, or C?

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Ubering to the shuttle stop for $5, seeing the line, and ubering the rest of the way to Ultra for another $8.

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Asian Trains

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Checking your watch to decide the last moment you can leave Armin’s set to get to testpilot.

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That choreographed dance (and outfits) by an army of gay gays. GET IT BOYS.

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These idiots during deadmau5 who could’ve gotten killed

Dealing with outages at Cube 3.0 AND Armin’s ASOT set

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Getting stuck behind somebody really slow while walking on the road bridge.

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The Outrageous 280+ Sushi Platter. Um…

Ubering to Virginia Key in 10 minutes, and then spending another 15 figuring out when/where you can get out of the car.

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Walking from Resistance to Marine Stadium and hearing the speakers switch from Techno to mainstage music.

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Those hammocks over by the Megastructure. #UltraComfort

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The amazing pizza in VIP. NOM!

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Those Afterhours Sets to control traffic leaving the festival.

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The sudden craving for KFC…but realizing none was available

History being made. New location, new experience.

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The post 16 Things You Know If You Went to Ultra 2019 appeared first on EDMTunes.

 Ekali– Awakening 7

Ekali is back and has finally continued his legendary Awakening mixes. Although Ekali is consistently either in the studio or playing a show somewhere around the world, he truly knows exactly how to please his fans even with a busy schedule. Awakening 7 is a melodic and smooth mix that is perfect for the upcoming summer.

This morning, Ekali tweeted the track list for Awakening 7 to get fans even more excited for the remarkable come back. This episode of Awakening has a little bit of everything to show off Ekali’s personal taste in music. With features from new songs from Flume and remixes from DROELOE, Just A Gent, and Medasin, this Awakening episode is one for the books. To put the cherry on top, Ekali also featured some unreleased tracks of his. He even played his brand new remix of Alina Baraz and Khalid’s classic track “Floating“.

Awakening 7 is truly a vibe, so take a break and listen to the hard work Ekali put into this magical mix.

Going up in an hour. Enjoy.

Tracklist bellow (Spoiler Alert) pic.twitter.com/nTQDHLnznE

— Ekali 🥀 (@EkaliMusic) April 16, 2019

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