DAM SWINDLE

It was in 2011 that Dutch pair Lars Dales and Maarten Smeets quickly broke through in the electronic music scene. Since then, they have become known for their widescreen approach to making and playing club-ready grooves. From deep to disco, tech to soul, they join the dots between the past and the present with their own sense of storytelling and do so in clubs around the world, as well as in their own studio. House might be the root of the Dam Swindle sound, but it takes nourishment from a much wider world of music.

It was their early, high-impact tunes, such as 'The Wrap Around' and 'The Break Up', that got dancers all over the world in a frenzy. Since then, the pair has constantly evolved, matured and continued to draw on all musical niches. Building bridges between them, their landmark 2018 album High Life or their‘Coffee in the Morning EP' both furthered their take on house music with a real sense of timelessness and class.

Since 2013, the pair has also established their own Heist Recordings as a well-respected label that is home to the majority of their own originals, though other underground mainstays such as Aus Music and Classic Music Company have also come calling. Heist is more than just a label; it is a breeding ground for talents old and new; somewhere talent is nurtured and allowed to develop. Label showcases and special projects such as the yearly Roundup EP; where all artists from the past 12 months remix each other after a random selection process, further the family vibe and help Heist stand out from the crowd. Artists such as Cinthie, DJ Sneak, Nebraska, Orlando Voorn, Kassian, Demuir, Makèz, Max Graef, Adryiano, Pépé Bradock, Nachtbraker, Matthew Herbert, Ge-Ology, Byron the Aquarius, and many more, have all contributed, proving that it is a place for unrestrained creatives to be free with their own sonic visions. The label looks as good as it sounds, too, thanks to visual artist Bas Koopmans's standout artwork designs.

Proof of Dam Swindle's widescreen approach to production is their long and talented list of collaborators, which includes the likes of acclaimed musician, Eric Clapton, John Mayer collaborator and Blue Note artist Tom Misch, US talent Seven Davis Jr., instrumental collective Jungle by Night, Marc de Clive-Lowe, Jitwam, and Lorenz Rhode. Next to their own originals, a broad spectrum of artists have asked Dam Swindle for some of their special remix magic: on labels like Strut and Soundway, they have reworked the legendary Pat Thomas, aka the ‘Golden Voice of Africa,' and gave his single ‘Yamona’ a contemporary electronic edge, as well as The Mauskovic Dance Band’s track ‘Space Drum Machine’ and plenty more artists like Kerri Chandler, Mayer Hawthorne, Tom Misch, and Dave Lee’s Sunburst Band. As their talent for bridging genres from all over the world continues to attract global attention, high profile projects keep rolling in from all points on the musical globe.

Dam Swindle are famously avid collectors of both old and new records, and it shows in their DJ sets, which keep you on your toes as they move freely and skillfully through different times, places and sounds. Rather than limiting themselves to a certain feeling or mood, Detroit Swindle can call on classic house, obscure disco, African funk, soulful techno and plenty in between, all with the aim of making those special moments that crowds never forget. It is for that reason that their name has become a real stamp of authority and invention in the dance music world. Whatever they do, then, this pair do with irresistible charm.

SOUNDS LIKE

DONALD GLAUDE (US)

A veteran DJ for over 15 years, Donald Glaude has cemented his reputation as a crowd-rocking favorite and one of the most in demand artists in the country. He is one of those rare DJs who perceives their role to be that of an all-around entertainer and performer. He exudes energy, dropping track after funky track, arms aloft, and has been known to join the dancers on the floor. It is the combination of these ingredients that have helped him create a unique connection with his audience. His DJing career began inauspiciously in his hometown of Tacoma, Washington, just outside of Seattle, with a pair of mismatched turntables and a Radio Shack mixer. In the clubland vacuum that existed in Tacoma, Donald had to teach himself to mix. After mastering the basic skills, Donald began DJing in various clubs around Tacoma and Seattle. He made several important connections during that time, including a friendship with another aspiring DJ by the name of Dan. Later, DJ Dan would convince San Francisco's Funky Tekno Tribe to let him play at one of their parties. Donald soon became a permanent resident of F.T.T. Donald's knack for working the crowd has earned him a huge underground following and has positioned him as one of the hottest DJs on the rave circuit. Alongside crowd pleasers like Carl Cox and DJ Dan, Donald whips the crowd into a frenzy at such annual events as Together As One, Cyberfest, Audiotistic, and Cool World, to name a few. Donald is consistently one of the biggest draws of the annual Moonshine Overamerica tours and with his popularity, can be routinely found spinning in such cities as Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Denver, Vancouver, Toronto and in his home town of Tacoma. Off The Hook was Donald's first mix for Moonshine Music and was the first mix CD that Donald has produced where he has been able to select and mix his own choice of tracks. This mix unleashes Donald's own inimitable style, displaying the skills and energy that have made him one of the most exciting DJs to emerge in recent years.