ADE NEXT

A few weeks back, I attended the Amsterdam Dance Event NEXT conference. The Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) is the world's premier dance music conference, a 4 day conference and performance festival that attracts all the biggest names in the dance scene. ADE NEXT is their platform for new talent, and takes place on the last day of the conference.

I attended a few workshops to learn more about the ins and outs of the music biz, and had 2 one-on-one review sessions with A&R reps. They both gave me good reviews, and confirmed what I already knew: that the most suitable commercial application for my music is synching to film and TV, and not really suitable for mainstream dance floors/DJs.

The best part of the day was ironically the part I was most nervous about: the Demolition Room. At the end of the day, a panel of 5 industry heavyweights (Moderator: Dave Clarke (GB) With: Hidde Pluymert (Melkweg, NL), Stacey Pullen (US), Jonty Skrufff (Skrufff Media & Skrufff.com, DE) and Tommie Sunshine (Brooklyn Fire, US), pictured above) auditioned demo CDs that the attending producers submitted earlier in the day. Their favorite track would win a prize package including studio time and a bad-ass custom bike.

They had pre-selected about 12 demos. As they cued up the first one, Dave Clarke asked if the producer was in the crowd of about 200 people. No one answered, and as he proceeded to critique the track, Clarke sneered, "you'll probably be here if we decide we like it". Now I was really nervous. Lo and behold, my CD was next up! I cautiously identified myself and answered a few questions, and they played the track "Ghost". I thought it sounded like shit over that sound system - too much high end - but to my surprise the entire panel liked it and gave it high reviews!

After going through the rest of the other CDs, 2-3 of which I would have voted for over my own, they announced the 4 finalists, and I was one of them! I'll be honest, I didn't go there expecting or even wanting to win anything, but now that bike was looking awfully nice. They gave each of the finalists another listen, and mine got another round of favorable head nods, but in the end they chose one of the other tracks, all of which were quite deserving.

I left with some new contacts and a good feeling in my heart. I have a better idea of where I fit into the music world, and the whole experience re-confirmed that I'm exactly where I want to be. See you at ADE NEXT year.