#RoadtoDreamstateSoCal2016

[musicisheartandsoul-blog]

Day 528 (1 Year, 163 Days): https://youtu.be/2sCwRaDF90E…

Road to Dreamstate SoCal 2016: Dreamstate Day 2

Day 27/27: Avalon

Artist: Avalon & Burn in Noise feat. Raja Ram Song: The Dance Temple

Genre: PsyTrance Label: NANO RECORDS

(Saturday) Because I most likely won't be around to cover Dreamstate Day 2, I'll do it now. Wrapping up the Road to Dreamstate SoCal 2016 series is the one and only full-on psytrance artist on the lineup, Avalon!

"Dance Temple" is an amazing collaboration track. The song starts off with Raja Ram's speech about consciousness. At 3:10, the plucks melody line create a very interesting surreal feeling. The climax comes in at 5:30. I honestly don't know how else to describe this song because you just have to listen to it and just feel it.

Avalon will be closing the Dreamstate festival on the Sequence stage, psy stage, from 1-2 am on Day 2, and know that I will be there for a part of it.

This Road to Dreamstate has been one of my biggest planned event as well as having a huge lineup with so many amazing artists. Trance music is not for everyone, but I encourage to at least give it a shot and listen!

As always, look out for and help each other out, and HAVE FUN!

[musicisheartandsoul-blog]

Day 527 (1 Year, 162 Days): https://youtu.be/yvBK1rSUzTc…

Road to Dreamstate SoCal 2016: Dreamstate Day 1

Day 26/27: Liquid Soul (official) & Vini Vici

Artist: Liquid Soul (official) & Vini Vici Song: Universe Inside Me

Genre: Progressive PsyTrance Label: Iboga Records

(Friday) It is officially Dreamstate Day 1! I originally wanted to showcase Liquid Soul as he was my most anticipated progressive psy artist, but since his visa didn't go through, this spot is for him and Vini Vici.

I first heard of "Universe Inside Me" during Armin's ASOT 138 tribute podcast, in which this song was first played followed by the "this tune is massive." Yes, this tune is massive. The climax is at 5:30, but I highly recommend listening from the beginning because it is just that good.

Because Liquid Soul can't make it, Ace Ventura and Astrix are teaming up to bring out Alpha Portal, which is insane. Although I was really looking forward to seeing Liquid Soul, this is a good replacement.

It's also my birthday today, and reflecting back, I've grown so much especially in the trance area. One year ago, I thought psytrance was too weird for me, and now I'm madly in love with the sound. There is a universe inside all of us, it is up to us to go out and search it.

Vini Vici will be playing at the Sequence stage, psy stage, from 9-10 pm on Day 2, and I really hope that they'll play this song in honor of Liquid Soul. Alpha Portal has been pushed into the 12-1 am timeslot conflicting with Paul van Dyk, but I think I'm sticking with Alpha Portal.

Day 1 is here as well as the Porter x Madeon tour. As always look out for and help each other out and HAVE FUN!

[musicisheartandsoul-blog]

Day 526 (1 Year, 161 Days): https://youtu.be/M3v3R_PlrhI…

Road to Dreamstate SoCal 2016: Dreamstate Week

Day 25/27: Astrix

Artist: Astrix Song: He.art

Genre: PsyTrance Label: HOMmega (Official)

(Thursday) Happy Thanksgiving everyone and please welcome Astrix! Astrix has become one of my favorite psytrance artist because of his popularity and his dedication to staying to his roots. He was amazing during the first Dreamstate, phenomenal during EDC LV - his b2b set with Ace Ventura - and now I want to see him again!

"He.art" is also the title of his album, and although I don't believe it is his best tune, it does leave an impression on you. The most notable part is the Buddhist hymn at 4:25; I think it holds a lot of emotion, especially with rising piano line.

Astrix will be playing at 11:00-12:00 am at the Sequence stage, psy stage, on Day 2, and Ace Ventura will join him after for Alpha Portal. He plays during the same time as the "Special Guest" at the Timeless Stage, so depending on who it is, I may be at that stage or the psy stage.

Happy Thanksgiving again and enjoy the company of your loved ones! See all of you dreamers tomorrow!

[musicisheartandsoul-blog]

Day 525 (1 Year, 160 Days): https://youtu.be/TN_wi_7rZGw…

Road to Dreamstate SoCal 2016: Dreamstate Week

Day 24/27: John O'Callaghan Official

Artist: John O'Callaghan Official Song: The Forging Of Steel

Genre: Tech Trance Label: GO On Air Recordings

(Wednesday) The great JOC has now arrived, and Dreamstate is only 2 days away! John O'Callaghan is one the few super popular trance DJs who still blow sets wide open. His Dreamstate set last year was phenomenal, and I sadly missed his EDC set in favor of checking out new hardstyle artists. He's back again to Dreamstate this year, and I know he'll still play a fire set.

"The Forging Of Steel" is one of his recent releases into the tech trance realm and is released under Giuseppe Ottaviani's record label 'Go On Air Recordings'. His collaboration project 'Key4050' with Bryan Kearney makes the bulk of the tech trance, but this song is equally addicting as the collaborated songs. In some regard, tech trance can be seen as more simplistic than uplifting since there's not many complex melody lines and instead are thumping basslines.

I highly recommend listening to this song from the beginning since the dark atmosphere and "factory worker" clanking sounds emulate that dark and gritty raw sound. The climax is at 5:20, although it is not as high as most other tunes - the atmosphere and mood really dictates the song not the climax.

JOC will be playing at the Dream Stage, mainstage, from 8:00-9:00 pm on Day 2, and between Richard Durand's 2nd half, Indecent Noise, or Perfect Stranger, there's no doubt that I will check out JOC or stay for his entire set. He is hella good and he will play an amazing set.

[musicisheartandsoul-blog]

Day 524 (1 Year, 159 Days): https://youtu.be/uES_I48spQk…

Road to Dreamstate SoCal 2016: Dreamstate Week

Day 23/27: Darren Porter

Artist: Sean Tyas & Darren Porter Song: Relentless

Genre: Uplifting Trance Label: FSOE Recordings

(Tuesday) Darren Porter has been an anticipated artist for such a long time. He was supposed to show up for FSOE450 LA show but because of visa issues was not able to attend. Now he is finally here!

"Relentless" is by far my favorite tune from Darren Porter. I truly love his sound because it's uplifting and melodic but carries high energy, the kind that makes you pumped up and dance and not the feels. Collabing with Sean Tyas is crazy too, giving that tech influence to the song. I would recommend listening from the build up at 3:05 to the end, as it will give some context to the monstrous and relentless climax.

Darren Porter will be closing Dreamstate at the Timeless stage (yeah not strictly a classics stage) from 1:00-2:00 am on Day 2. I am really not sure where I'll be during that time since this is a 4 way split of amazing artists: Gouryella, Darren Porter, Simon Patterson, and Avalon, but wherever I'll be, this Dreamstate will one of the best festivals I'll ever attend.

[musicisheartandsoul-blog]

Day 523 (1 Year, 158 Days): https://youtu.be/NUnnR7vpgg0…

Road to Dreamstate SoCal 2016: Dreamstate Week

Day 22/27: Paul Van Dyk

Artist: Producer Chris Bekker, Chris Montana! & Paul Van Dyk Song: Berlinition (PvD Club Mix)

Genre: Progressive Trance Label: Vandit Records

(Monday) Monday is here, and the set times are released! Paul van Dyk is one of my favorite trance DJs for his dedication and love of trance. He is back in full force after his injury, and will be rocking some new tunes at his Dreamstate set!

I used to think that Paul is an uplifting trance guy, but after hearing "Berlinition" and "For An Angel," he also produces progressive trance. This type of style feels like an older, more classic type of progressive than today's Anjuna sound.

Having the set times finally released, Paul van Dyk will be playing from 12:00-1:00 am on Day 2 at the Dream Stage. He sadly clashes with Astrix on the The Sequence stage (psy), John Askew on The Vision stage (uplift/tech), and M.I.K.E. Push on the Timeless stage (classic) all of whom are hugely respected in their subgenres and is one of the biggest conflicts for me.

Whatever my decision will be, Paul will no doubt play his just announced new song "Everyone Needs Love" which is an uplifting treat!

[musicisheartandsoul-blog]

Day 522 (1 Year, 157 Days): https://youtu.be/RRfCpREuV3c…

Road to Dreamstate SoCal 2016: Dreamstate Week

Day 21/27: Pure NRG (Giuseppe Ottaviani & Solarstone)

Artist: Pure NRG Song: Scarlett

Genre: Uplifting Trance Label: Black Hole Recordings

(Sunday) Our next Dreamstate Week artist is the duo, PureNRG! These two guys have immense experience in the trance scene; Giuseppe has his Live 2.0 shows in which he takes the live performance aspect of DJing and creates new sounds and tunes live. Solarstone has one of the largest labels called 'Pure Trance,' in which he curates what is called the 'pure trance' sound (uplifting trance that carries that pure and uplifting feel). Teaming up, they wanted PureNRG to be a live experience, often times remixing live and having them go unreleased, making each of their set quite special and a once in a lifetime opportunity.

I have wanted to cover "Scarlett" for so long, but I knew I wanted to save this for Dreamstate. Released in July, I first heard of it at Beyond Wonderland 2016 during their 1.5 hour set - their first playing being FSOE400 in 2015. It was an incredible journey, and I have gone back to listen to this tune many times over. Their live performance of this has a bit more additions and off-timed piano notes, giving that live feel.

Rumored to be named after Scarlett Johansson, "Scarlett" is a beautiful tune and stands above many of the uplifting trance tracks. I have to recommend listening to the whole song as it flows so well and does not have any lull points.

PureNRG will be playing on Day 1 at the Dream stage, mainstage, and I hope they play this tune again and not have it phased out!

[musicisheartandsoul-blog]

Day 521 (1 Year, 156 Days): https://youtu.be/VhpTpIVMAXM…

Road to Dreamstate SoCal 2016: Dreamstate Week

Day 20/27: Ferry Corsten pres. Gouryella

Artist: Dimension Song: Dopamina

Genre: Uplifting Trance Label: Flashover Recordings

(Saturday) It is officially Dreamstate Week, and these last showcases are my personal favorites or have gained a lot of hype such that I really want to check them out. To start things off, we have Ferry Corsten touring as Gouryella. I have seen his set before, and it's life changing. His set is mainly the same each time, but many watch him again and again just because this is a limited time offer - believe I heard the rumor that he's only touring as Gouryella for a year - and it is by far the most uplifting set I have ever heard.

I covered "Anahera," the song that revived Gouryella and brought trance back in the US, as well as all the other Gouryella tunes when I was preparing for his first official appearance at Beyond 2016. While Dimension's "Dopamina" is not produced by Ferry, Ferry specifically asked him to produce a track to fit into the Gouryella vibe.

"Dopamina" is a well crafted tune that captures the energy after a banging drop. This song doesn't outshine the Gouryella tracks, but it is equally as blissful and uplifting in the climax at 3:30.

Ferry Corsten pres. Gouryella will be playing on the Dream Stage, mainstage, on Day 2 and I will try my hardest to be there, depending on time conflicts. His set will most likely be the most packed since everyone going wants to see him, veteran and new trance lovers.

[musicisheartandsoul-blog]

Day 520 (1 Year, 155 Days): https://youtu.be/c3qKB932avM…

Road to Dreamstate SoCal 2016

Day 19/27: Simon Patterson

Artist: Simon Patterson and Waio Song: Smack Remix

Genre: PsyTrance Label: VII

(Friday) HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE! It is officially one week until Dreamstate 2016, and I honestly can not wait for this event. Closing the psy artist showcase is non other than "Psy"mon Patterson! He is mainly a tech trance DJ but isn't afraid to drop sick psy beats in his sets either. He is a pretty reputable DJ, recently signing onto Insomniac Records as well as starting a brand new label with John Askew called "VII," featuring well known artists from both the tech and psy trance scene - Astrix is on this label too.

"Smack" was released back in 2008, but this psy remake by Waio is worth bringing back the song as the first song on the new label. This song blends the sounds of both tech and psy trance really well, and it's probably why I like it so much more compared to the past progressive psy songs I covered. The opening at 1:30 has many tech style influences.

The main point of interest and what everyone remembers is at 4:45, where there is a back and forth rising pitch line straight into the psy drop. This section definitely has the most hype.

There is also a Mario-mushroom sample at 6:10, which then transitions into the more tech side of the song again, and is my personal favorite section of the piece.

Simon Patterson will be playing on Day 2, possibly on the tech stage, and he will definitely play this song. If I have time for him, you will definitely see me dancing to some sick beats!

[musicisheartandsoul-blog]

Day 519 (1 Year, 154 Days): https://youtu.be/LaC6WQ6zX1Q…

Road to Dreamstate SoCal 2016

Day 18/27: RITMO

Artist: Astrix & RITMO Song: Agate

Genre: PsyTrance Label: HOMmega (Official)

(Thursday) As we approach the end of the psy artist showcase portion of my Road to Dreamstate, this song is pretty special to me. I may not know Ritmo very well, but if he collabed with Astrix, he is talented in my book and "Agate" shows that too.

I actually didn't think much of "Agate" until hearing it live during Ace Ventura b2b Astrix at EDC 2016, and from then I was hooked. The first point of interest is the voice manipulation at 3:10, which I believe Astrix uses as a starting transition point. The song builds up to a dramatic "I can see everything in color" at 4:25 into the catchy riff.

Everything past that point becomes really weird with an indecipherable line at 6:25 (and 5:45 too) and the female vocal going "oh god...not like this..please..." and a robotic voice following up with "it was just a magic moment" at 6:30-6:45. To what I can guess, the magic moment is referring to when she could see everything in color - possibly a drug reference.

It's a very interesting song overall with its catchy melody and otherworldly contextual dialogue.

Ritmo will be playing at the psytrance stage on Day 1, and I hope he plays this tune!

[musicisheartandsoul-blog]

Day 518 (1 Year, 153 Days): https://youtu.be/NiGuJ--EfmA…

Road to Dreamstate SoCal 2016

Day 17/27: Ace Ventura by Yoni Oshrat

Artist: Zentura Song: Sonic Masala

Genre: Progressive PsyTrance Label: Sourcecode Transmissions

(Wednesday) Finally bringing up the heat, Ace Ventura comes back to Dreamstate again! I covered his collaboration song "Ingonyama" with Juno Reactor, for the last Dreamstate showcase and he was the first artist to play Hilight Tribe's "Free Tibet (Vini Vici Remix)," which soon became Dreamstate 2015's anthem.

Zentura is a project team of Ace Ventura and Zen Mechanics. I personally liked listening to "Sonic Masala" live, Ace Ventura b2b Astrix EDC 2016, but the bulk of the song comes in at 5:30. I also like the arpeggiated synths at 7:05 and then the addition of that sound at 7:20.

Ace Ventura will be playing at the psytrance stage on Day 2.

[musicisheartandsoul-blog]

Day 517 (1 Year, 152 Days): https://youtu.be/chFYOsez7rA…

Road to Dreamstate SoCal 2016

Day 16/27: Captain Hook

Artist: Captain Hook & Liquid Soul (official) Song: Liquid Hook

Genre: Progressive PsyTrance Label: Iboga Records

(Tuesday) Featuring a double whammy, here is Captain Hook! I will cover Liquid Soul later, but both are going to be at Dreamstate. "Liquid Hook" is a collaboration song between the two artists and the name literally borrows from the names of the respective artists.

"Liquid Hook" is a much slower psy song, and you can tell that this tune focuses much on the atmosphere instead of building to some high energy climax. The tune revolves around playing with the riff at 3:10; the use of reverb helps create this ominous and spacial tone.

Captain Hook will be playing at the psytrance stage on Day 1.

[musicisheartandsoul-blog]

Day 516 (1 Year, 151 Days): https://youtu.be/Zk3Inus-yh4…

Road to Dreamstate SoCal 2016

Day 15/27: Berg

Artist: Berg Song: Bayaka

Genre: PsyTrance Label: Blue Tunes Records

(Monday) Our next psytrance artist is Berg! Like Animato's "Tuvan", "Bayaka" has risen in popularity such that other DJs started including it in their sets.

I'm not a big fan of the song as it lacks energy except until 5:30. But I want to highlight the vocal sample that is used in the beginning and throughout the song; it's odd and funny to listen to.

Berg will be playing at the psytrance stage on Day 1.

[musicisheartandsoul-blog]

Day 515 (1 Year, 150 Days): https://youtu.be/s94LsmER-u8…

Road to Dreamstate SoCal 2016

Day 14/27: Animato

Artist: Animato Song: Tuvan

Genre: Progressive PsyTrance Label: HOMmega (Official)

(Sunday) Here is the day when I can finally showcase the amazing psytrance lineup for Dreamstate! I want to preface that I do not know all my subgenres, so don't expect them all to be right. Our first artist up is Animato.

I actually do not know much about him since there's no uploaded sets on 1001tracklists and Spotify doesn't show many released tracks. "Tuvan" may be his most notable song, and it is the one that caught onto some of DJs' sets. Note that this has the same name as Gaia's "Tuvan" but are completely different songs.

Psytrance is not for everyone, but the main point of interest is at 5:50, basically where most DJ's include in their sets. The passages at 6:30 and 6:45 are also quite interesting to listen to.

Animato will be playing at the psytrance stage on Day 1, and he will probably play this tune!

[musicisheartandsoul-blog]

Day 514 (1 Year, 149 Days): https://youtu.be/e7Q2ZTku_tA…

Road to Dreamstate SoCal 2016

Day 13/27: Richard Durand (ISOS Set)

Artist: Richard Durand Song: Always The Sun

Genre: Classic Vocal Trance Label: Magik Muzik (Black Hole Recordings)

(Saturday) Closing our Timeless Classics artist showcase is Richard Durand, and there is a lot of hype for him and his ISOS set. In Search of Sunrise (ISOS) is a compilation album series originally run by DJ Tiesto until 2010, in which he went to start a different series, and Richard Durand took over and continued it.

I actually heard of Richard Durand from the new released remixes of "Always The Sun," but I wanted to showcase the original in honor of him playing a classics set. Released in 2009, you can hear the difference in instrumentation compared to today's synths. The accompanying plucks heard throughout the song is muted in such a way that it sounds like bubbles.

Richard Durand will be playing a In Search of Sunrise (ISOS) set on Day 2 at the Timeless Classics stage and is by far the most anticipated act on that stage.

[musicisheartandsoul-blog]

Day 513 (1 Year, 148 Days): https://youtu.be/uvntPxRkkLY…

Road to Dreamstate SoCal 2016

Day 12/27: The Thrillseekers

Artist: The Thrillseekers pres. Hydra Song: Amber

Genre: Progressive Trance Label: FSOE Recordings

(Friday) Our second Timeless Classics artist is The Thrillseekers! I personally haven't listened to much of his works, but he is well received by the trance community and has played numerous extended and open-to-close sets.

He has also just released his album 'Escape,' for which he has worked on for many years. This song is included in the album and the theme is centered around "escaping from it all, and getting lost in the emotions conveyed within it."

"Amber" is a tribute to the classic trance style with the instrumentation and production tools of today. I highly recommend closing your eyes and letting this song take you on a journey. For points of interest we have the first passage at 1:32. My personal favorite is the breakdown at 4:10 with the plucks; it is just so ethereal and out of this world. The reverb definitely helps create the atmosphere of being in the clouds.

Among all the releases in 2016, "Amber" is one song that I keep coming back to when I need a chill song. I do believe that this tune is a contender for Tune of the Year 2016; "Evoke" is more catchy and has better crowd hype, but "Amber" stands out so much more, not to mention appealing to the classic sound and having a more complex song structure.

The Thrillseekers will be playing at the Timeless classics stage on Day 1, and I hope to catch a part of his set!