House - Where we stand?

Hey there

I guess no one here know who I'm so a brief introduction. I can say that I'm a music lover but that we all are. So, my passion for music comes in form of fast paced beats and the likes of big producers (Mark Knight, Fedde le Grand, Dirty South and so on) and other not so big, but still good - Barty More yeahh ;) I always have a nostalgic feeling from those house tracks from back in the days and I will post every now and then a banging tune from the 80's and 90's (the best soul foul house era). You can always follow me on twitter/ivancardoso or add me on facebook.com/ivancardoso.

We know that have been a while since the last post. Our front man is dealing with new projects but hes still on board (I'm just helping a bit) and hopefully he will post something for you guys very soon.

Now, let's agree that in the past few years electronic music have evolved and gained more and more fans around the world. To be honest, the kids love the raves, the drugs and the sex (and anything else that their parents wont let them do at the back garden). Ibiza is still hot, but the Greeks are catching up. Miami, LA is a getting hotter and hotter and the UK baby, the country that spread house music trough the old continent, is sill banging. However, the raves that we see nowadays are nothing compared with when people would have to travel along dark roads to find the location of a secret rave (and when u get there you would have 1000+ ravers already ... awesome). Yes, now we have a different party every day of the week in every city of the world and some of them are banging as hell, with endless queues (like EDC in LA last weekend) and other's, ho well, 400 people in a 1500 venue doesn't sound so great, does it?

This makes me think that the concept of going out is changing a bit, in fact, some of my friends are telling me that now they prefer to go to the smaller parties with 100 people and enjoy the pleasures of a full house but with good behavior from fellow ravers (what a pleasure to enjoy the music with someone that you never meet before but that makes you feel like you were friends since childhood). I miss that to be honest. But I also love a packed outside area in a summer time with ravers singing along the tunes that the DJ brings on. (YEAP... I'm packing for SW4 :D )

To be honest that doesn't surprise me too much. We have witnessed a boom in the night club industry with so many clubs being open (and now being closed or sold) that we skipped the most important thing, the MUSIC. With companies so focused on making money we tend to forget the basic steps of a good night. Drinks are overrated, djs are overrated, venues are overrated. I go to a big club and I cant move and when I do so I have someone asking if I have pills LOL. You know what? I'm gonna start to trow my house parties again and you are all invited :)

Now a reflection question. Where would you prefer to go? A club that is always packed and with the best line-up possible or to a small gathering of people (let's say my house lol) where you know that you will fit and still have a good time?

PODCAST: Random Access - Episode 002

Wow, we really smashed it last month! Over 10,000 downloads and several appearances in the Podomatic 'Movers & Shakers' chart - Nice one people! This month Random Access returns with more of the hottest tunes not to make it to the blog. Enjoy!

Download / Playlist / RSS Link

PODCAST: Future Technology Phase Three Episode I

As promised last week, Future Technology has evolved! Phase Three of Hikari No Sato's podcast promises the same quality music from all reaches of the house genre, from the tweaking and rumbling of deep and tech-house, through to the feel-good rhythms and upbeat soul of funky house, and all that comes in between!
Episode I is a bit of a tech affair, taking notes from Sasha's emFire label, The Timewriter's 'Deep Train' series, and the darker edges of some of Global Underground's releases. This one is a bit of a journey...


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Hikari No Sato has a Paypal for this podcast. If you've enjoyed what you've heard then now's your chance to give back! Follow the link to the playlist, the donate button is located on the right.

INTERVIEW: Sander Van Doorn

The last few years have seen one particular Dutch DJ rise like no other. Although having had brief success with several releases way back in 2004 (Dark Roast, Loaded, Punk'd) it wasn't until 2008 that the new maestro of both house and trance received worldwide recognition for his efforts debuting at #13 on the reputable DJ Mag Top 100 list and receiving rave reviews for his album, Supernaturalistic.

Fast-forward two years and Sander Van Doorn is considered one of the finest DJ's in the world. Every release is a hit, his label Doorn Records is quickly picking up pace, and Sander's latest adventure entails tearing up the American continent on a massive six-week tour.

So, what does being a superstar DJ actually entail? Best of House goes digging..


BoH - You’ve just started a huge six-week tour of America. What was it that attracted you to play there?

Sander - I have never done a big long American tour and thought it was about time I did! It’s a long trip to the US as well so rather than spending most of my time flying over the Atlantic I thought it would be much better to get a decent tour sorted where I play in a variety of places throughout the country in one go and not just the same clubs as can often happen when I come over to play one or two gigs.

BoH - Is there anywhere in particular you’re looking forward to playing on your tour?

Sander - I think a couple of highlights will be playing the Boombox at Bal en Blanc and of course my own night Dusk till Doorn back at The Guvernment in Toronto which was amazing last time. Of course Miami is going to be great as well but to be honest I’m looking forward to the tour as a whole, it will be brilliant spending so much time especially in the States.

BoH - You’re a few gigs in to the tour now. Has it gone as well as you hoped?

Sander - Well I’ve only done 2 gigs so far but Beyond Wonderland really was amazing – one of the best gigs I’ve done in the US, so it’s a pretty good start so far!

BoH - Miami’s coming and you’ve got some big parties to thrill. Are you excited?

Sander - Yes I’m very excited! Miami is always great fun. It’s going to be great playing the parties but also hanging out with people and discovering some new music.

BoH - How will you spend your free time in Miami?

Sander - I’ll be checking out a few parties here and there but I’ll definitely be trying to stay pretty chilled in preparation for the tour ahead. Hopefully catch some time in the sun while I’m here after a long winter back in Europe!

BoH - Do you tan in the sun or burn?

Sander - I’d like to think I go more golden brown than lobster red!

BoH - After a set do you join in the fun on the dance floor or do you prefer to relax?

Sander - I generally like to chill out after DJing but on special occasions I’ll definitely get involved in the after parties. I’m sure a couple of these occasions will pop up over the next month as I’m on the road!

BoH - We have to mention your latest work, Daisy. Can you tell us a bit about how it came to be?

Sander - I made it in my studio in Eindhoven. I think it started when I made the eerie lingering sound that you hear throughout the tune and it just developed from there. I guess that initial sound was the inspiration for it. Some tunes just happen and you can’t really explain how!

BoH - After winning Best Breakthrough DJ in 2008 and Best Electro House DJ in 2009 for your sets in Ibiza, what are you looking to achieve in 2010?

Sander - I’m going to be really focusing on writing my album this year so I’ll be spending a lot of time in the studio between gigs.

BoH - Several artists have been sharing tracks they’ve made for fun in their spare time. Do you ever try your hand at other genres and have you thought about sharing them with your fans?

Sander - I sometimes play around with ideas in the studio but they don’t always develop into finished tracks. As I work on my own and travel a lot I try to focus on writing tracks for release. There aren’t enough hours in the day!

BoH - One release coming up will be the long-awaited follow up to your 2008 album, Supernaturalistic. How will this one compare?

Sander - One main difference is that there will be more collaborations on this album. I can’t reveal anything yet but there are a few in the pipeline which should give an interesting angle to it. Mainly though it will hopefully reflect my development as an artist over the last 2 or 3 years.

BoH - Finally, do you have any words of wisdom for your fans and the readers of Best of House?

Sander - Thanks for all the support and hopefully catch you at one of the gigs on this tour! Cheers!


All details of Sander's tour can be found on his website. If you're lucky to be an-route be sure to catch Sander at his best!

PODCAST / NEWS: Future Technology 2.0 becomes Future Technology Phase Three

You remember Hikari No Sato's Future Technology, don't you? And then FT2.0? Well, after a second year of podcasts, he's updating it all over again. Future Technology Phase Three graces our pages and enters your ears at the end of the month, promising a continued look into all genres of house and beyond. Keep those eyes (and ears) peeled.

PODCAST: Bow'cast - Episode 010/011

The Best of House resident DJ and podcaster is back with two mixes this month to get you dancing in your chair, and hopefully out of it too! Playing the hottest beats around, Nick Bowman's selection is once again top notch. Subscribe by clicking the RSS link below!


Download Ep010 / Download Ep011 / Playlist / RSS Link

Prok & Fitch pres. Nanchang Nancy - Walk With Me (Axwell vs. Daddy's Groove Remix)

The English duo from Brighton (that's Ben Prok and James Fitch) have been busy of late. The last two months have seen twelve of their productions released and this one has got the extra special Axwell treatment. Repping Italy is Daddy's Groove (another duo, Giovanni Romano and Giuseppe Maresca) so all in all six people have worked on this track including the enchanting vocal talent of Londoner Nanchang Nancy. With that amount of man (and lady) power you'd expect this track to turn some heads and it sure has done, featuring on every radio show/podcast and dance floor for the last few months!


Prok & Fitch's MySpace / Nanchang's MySpace / Axwell's MySpace / Daddy's Groove's MySpace / Buy

PODCAST: Future Technology 2.0 Episode 012

FT2.0 returns with its twelfth episode, marking a full year's cycle for Hikari No Sato's podcast series. Over an hour's worth of seamless tracks fill this month's mix, opening on some fresh new mellow synth works before diving headlong into the world of tech-house and techno.


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Hikari No Sato now has a Paypal for this podcast. If you've enjoyed what you've heard over the course of the year, now's your chance to give back! Follow the link to the playlist, the donate button is located on the right.

Catch Up!

It's been a while, hasn't it? Well it turns out a change of lifestyle (the result of a new job) leaves one with little time for anything else! But since so much has happened in the last month it's time for a house music catch up!

1. About a million festivals have announced their line ups including the huge Ultra Music Festival being held at Miami's WMC in a few weeks. They host Tiesto, Deadmau5, Armin van Buuren, David Guetta, Carl Cox, Eric Prydz, Paul Oakenfold, Above & Beyond and, well, you get the picture.

2. London's most successful club Ministry of Sound may be forced to close. Actually that's a far-fetched possibility, but according to an official statement if the proposals of a new residential block opposite the club go ahead Ministry could lose its entertainment licence.

3. Calvin Harris launched his new label, Fly Eye. According to the high-flying Scot, "My goal for Fly Eye is to release the most exciting club music I can get my hands on. There will be absolutely no shite."

4. Deadmau5 continued to grab the headlines, first playing to a huge crowd at his home-nation's Winter Olympics, taking over the charts and clubs (again) with Michael Woods' remix of I Said, unveiling another tattoo, and finally taking over our TV screens with his hit Ghosts 'N Stuff. Phew!

5. Of course, this is all nothing, because the biggest news of the month is owed to the following tunes becoming HUGE! Enjoy..

Groove Armada - Paper Romance (Urchins Remix)

Groove Armada's MySpace / Urchins' MySpace / Buy

The Black Project - In The Disco

The Black Project's MySpace / Buy

Reboot - Enjoy Music (Riva Starr Remix)

Reboot's MySpace / Riva Starr's MySpace / Buy

Tensnake - Coma Cat

Tensnake's MySpace / Buy

PODCAST: Future Technology 2.0 Episode 011

It's that time again, for FT2.0 to fill your ears with some aural pleasure. This time around, we open up with some tribal house before moving into soulful territory. And just when you think you know where this one is going, Hikari No Sato turns the podcast on its head and delves into electronica territory, splitting the mix into two diverse parts. Think of it as Episode 011a and Episode 011b!


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PODCAST: Bow'cast - Episode 009

Best of House resident podcaster DJ Nick Bowman rounds up 2009 and kick-starts the new year with a big slice of house and techno just for you. Featuring Pitto's biggest track of the year this one's a real cracker.. You can subscribe by clicking the RSS link below.


Download Ep009 / Playlist / RSS Link

Alex Metric - Discotron

Fresh of his It Starts EP, Metric's new electro-disco (or Nu Disco as some say) thumper is yet another floor-filler the British DJ can add to his repertoire. Quickly becoming one of Europe's hottest prospects for 2010, Metric was signed by BBC Radio 1 last May to be part of their famous In DJ's We Trust show. This tune came in 3rd in German DJ Sharam Jey's own Beatport chart. Tired of DJ sets? Catch Alex Metric's live show in Bristol on the 22nd and London on the 28th. More info over at his MySpace (link below).


Alex's MySpace / Buy