Meet the Pacemakers: Phillip

Say hello to Pacemaker’s new Community Manager: Phillip, who had a chat with Emőke to introduce himself. Meet your new best friend in the app – the amazing @phillip!

 

@phillip

 

Hey Phillip! Everyone is super excited to find out more about Pacemaker’s new Community Manager! Please tell us a bit about yourself, who is Phillip?

Thanks for the warm welcome Emőke! Back in 2008 I discovered Pacemaker when the company Tonium originally launched the Pacemaker Device, a handheld DJ device that let you mix music on the move. It was so unique, there was nothing else like it at the time. I love the original device and still use it today. At the time of course, I had no-idea that this device would lead to me eventually working for Pacemaker, but over the years I gradually met members of the Pacemaker team.

You’re no stranger to the community, since you’ve been already working with us behind the scenes…

That’s right. Since 2013 I’ve worked as a customer support assistant for Pacemaker, therefore it’s possible if you’ve emailed or tweeted us (@Pacemaker) with a technical question then we might have already spoken. Some members of the Pacemaker community might also recognise me helping out with testing in our Pacemaker Beta program.

What are you most excited about in your new role as Community Manager?

From helping with customer support, I know the Pacemaker community has always had some really talented and really passionate people within it and I’m really excited to meet more of these people in this new role. You’ve certainly made a lasting impact on the Pacemaker community Emőke, so I’m sure I’ve got a lot to live up to!

What do you do in your spare time outside of working for Pacemaker?

I love music and performing as a mobile DJ in my local area is something I’ve done for a number of years. As well as this I’ve helped out behind the scenes at a number of festivals and events, usually operating lights and sound equipment. Pacemaker is such an awesome company to work for because of all the new music you can discover on a daily basis.

 

 

What kind of music do you prefer and what kind of mixes can the community expect from you in the future?

I genuinely love listening to a range of different genres of music and having performed at weddings and private parties it’s great to be able to switch up the mood of a party by playing everything from 80’s disco to the latest House and RnB. Hopefully the community will see this in my mixes. If I had to pick a single genre or artist though, the genre would be House music. I might have a bit of an addiction to the duo known as Disclosure. I think I have seen them in concert about 3 times now. 🙈

What’s your favourite feature of the Pacemaker app?

I think the Pacemaker studio is awesome. Being able to zoom in and make manual adjustments to the transitions really allows for some serious creative possibilities. I can’t wait to share more mixes with the community like you’ve done Emőke.

You’ve also shared your very first mix as community manager in the app. What could you tell us about the selection?

That’s right! So with this first mix, my aim was to take you back on a musical journey through the years. I’ve tried to select some of my favourite tunes from each decade, starting with some 90’s classics and gradually bringing you back to the current day, perhaps with a few surprises on the way. 😛 Hopefully there’s something for everyone in there.

 

Top 10 Pacemaker Users with the Most Shared Mixes in 2017

How many mixes can you create and share in one year? According to our Pacemaker users… never enough! We were curious to see who posted the most last year, so here comes the top 10. It’s still not too late to start sharing if you want to make it to the top this year! 😎

If you tap on their profile picture, you can listen to their latest mix.

 

 

#10: lisekravin (102 mixes)

 

 

#9: mecyellow13 (102 mixes)

 

 

#8: tlr104300 (114 mixes)

 

 

#7: raffi (125 mixes)

 

 

#6: capturingphi (129 mixes)

 

 

#5: mjgonzap (154 mixes)

 

 

#4: samuelnatal79 (164 mixes)

 

 

#3: willwilsonotf (198 mixes)

 

 

#2: djrichard (206 mixes)

 

 

#1: mattnewman30 (222)

 

Top 10 Most Commented Pacemaker Mixes in 2017

We absolutely love it when the Pacemaker community has a lot to discuss. No matter if it’s just a supportive thought, an amazing transition or an outstanding track that needs to be complimented, comments are highly appreciated. Let’s see which 10 mixes sparked the most comments last year!

If you want to (re)listen, just click on the mix in your iPhone.

 

 

#10

 

 

#9

 

 

#8

 

 

#7

 

 

#6

 

 

#5

 

 

#4

 

 

#3

 

 

#2

 

 

#1

 

Top 10 Most Liked Pacemaker Mixes in 2017

Check out the most liked Pacemaker mixes from 2017, we’ve compiled the 10 most ❤️ ones.

If you want to (re)listen, just click on the mix in your iPhone.

 

 

#10

 

 

#9

 

 

#8

 

 

#7

 

 

#6

 

 

#5

 

 

#4

 

 

#3

 

 

#2

 

 

#1

 

Top 10 Most Played Pacemaker Mixes in 2017

Curious which were the most popular mixes last year in Pacemaker? We’ve compiled the 10 most played mixes from 2017, check it out to see if you’ve made it to the top. 😎

If you want to (re)listen, just click on the mix in your iPhone.

 

#10

 

 

#9

 

 

#8

 

 

#7

 

 

#6

 

 

#5

 

 

#4

 

 

#3

 

 

#2

 

 

#1

 

All We Want for Christmas is Your Mixtapes! 🎅🎄🎶

Create and share your Christmas mix to be featured in Pacemaker during the holidays.

 

 

 

Are you into cheesy Christmas songs? 🧀

Or you like a modern twist but keep it traditional? 🎄

Maybe you have your own crazy Christmas style? 😜

It doesn’t matter, we want to hear ALL your festive mixes! We will share the best ones with the world & feature them in the app.

Add #mixmas2017 in the title or description, so Santa can find your mix on his iPhone. 🎅

 

Click here for some inspiration: http://bit.ly/mixmas2017

80’s Slush Funk Mix with John Acquaviva

John Acquaviva (Photo: Tasya Menaker)

 

Legendary Italo-Canadian DJ/producer John Acquaviva has been behind the decks and music scene for decades now.  Having amassed one of the greatest collections of vinyl as well as at the bleeding edge of technology having introduced Final Scratch and Beatport to the world. With his latest Pacemaker mixtape the techno pioneer returns to some of his favourite club tunes from the glorious 80’s with thick slabs of soul, disco and funk.

You can see the master in action both speaking and performing at Slush Music in Helsinki  this coming week along with Solidaritet in Stockholm, Sweden (Dec 1) and One Twenty Stars LTD in Tampere, Finland (Dec 2).

 

Techno, Deep House & Underground Trap 🚀

Label Worx are back with an uncompromising, heavyweight techno mixtape

 

 

UK-based Label Worx are back with an uncompromising, heavyweight techno mixtape. Featuring some proper warehouse anthems, this selection is a gold mine with lots of underground gems to discover. More than two hours of seriously intensive techno business with raw, heavy drum grooves and basslines. Ready to jump into the darkest corners of electronic music?

 

 

Fans of all music genres should check out @powertothefish’s latest sound bouquet, because it basically contains everything you can imagine. Everything. From abstract trap music through bass, techno and electro to the most underground and obscure hip-hop gems. An impeccable and crazy mixture!

 

 

@iva9 has proven himself to be a deep house aficionado, finding lots of like-minded followers in the Pacemaker community. For his latest mix he’s picked tracks from Enormous Tunes, the amazing Swiss house music label. In this soothing selection you can find gems by Nora En Pure, Sons of Maria and Croatia Squad.

Guest Mixtape & Interview: Dawn Richard

Dawn Richard aka D∆WN is one of the most electrifying phenomena in the independent music scene. Hailing from New Orleans, currently living in Los Angeles, the queen of pop new wave has been releasing some of the most forward-thinking music of our times. When Dawn is not busy breaking pop star narratives, she loves to play around with Pacemaker and drop some kick-ass mixtapes. Read our interview with the fabulous and super inspiring Dawn while you’re listening to her latest selection.

 

Dawn Richard / D∆WN

 

You’ve recently finished your North American Redemption Tour, how did it go?

Everything went well. We curated a stadium show in small venues, it worked out amazing. Each city brought its own flavour!

‘Redemption’ was the final chapter in The Heart Trilogy. How did it feel to close this circle

It felt like taking a large exhale. I did what I said I would do and with no major machinery. I’m proud of that.

What are you working on currently?

I already have a new album on the way as well as some creative and tech business endeavours.

You came a really long way from working with P. Diddy in Danity Kane to collaborating with Machinedrum in your latest releases. How is your audience keeping up with you?

I have an amazing movement that is open to evolution and transformation. It’s who I am as an artist and I’m grateful they rock with me!

Going independent after topping the Billboard is definitely a ballsy move. What do you think, after trying out both sides, are the biggest challenges and benefits of having control over all the aspects of your work?

I like both sides, I appreciate being my own boss though. I like to have creative freedom to not only perform but work in design, animation, tech and film.

Do you have a dream collaboration you would like to make it happen?

Hans Zimmer would be a dream. I’d like to collab on scoring an independent film.

We will also soon be able to see you on the silver screen as the main lead in Jean-Claude La Marre’s ‘Kinky’. How did you end up in this role and how did you enjoy yourself in this new challenge?

I wanted to try something out of my comfort zone. This was an opportunity to do that.

How do you relax when you’re not doing anything music-related?

I’m always working. Always!

You were born in New Orleans and you’re currently living in Los Angeles. Is there anything you miss from home sometimes?

I miss everything about New Orleans. LA and NOLA are two completely different waves. LA is my work home, NOLA is my soul home.

What are your favourite spots in LA?

Love The Broad, The Last Bookstore and Real Food Daily.

How does a regular day of yours look like when you’re not touring?

Designing set designs, animating for my series, djing for my NTS radio show and yoga if I have the time.

How do you discover new music nowadays? Do you buy records or you prefer digital formats and streaming?

I still buy records, I’m in love with the vinyl sound.

Name 3 artists whose sound you really like at the moment.

Afefe Iku, Kaytranada, Sampha.

Tell us a bit about the selection in your latest Pacemaker mixtape ‘NewSchool’.

I wanted to show love to the different females killing the game. Some indie, some major, all needed.

You’ve been playing around quite a bit with Pacemaker. What do you like the most about the  app, what are your favourite features and what would you like to improve?

I love the mixing options! I love that it gives you references on what compliments your picks. I’d love to be able to speed and slow tracks down in the app, really hoping that can be added! 🙂

 

Follow Dawn:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Website

Spotify

Soundcloud

 

Tech & Deep House Rhythms 💥

Meet the Pacemakers! Read our chat with @joebrokken + listen to some great tech & deep house

 

 

Ever wondered who your Pacemaker friends really were? Where do they live, what do they do when they are not busy creating amazing mixtapes? Well, it’s time to get to know them a bit better! To break the ice, we spoke to everyone’s favourite @joebrokken. Read our chat & play his latest mixtape, where vaporwave meets Jimi Hendrix and experimental electronica is the new funk!

 

 

We just can’t get enough of @stevemodz’s heated tech and deep house selections. Expect the unexpected, effortless transitions and some of the hottest vibes with Hot Since 82, Sonny Fodera, Lupe Fuentes etc. Play this at your house party for maximum satisfaction!

 

 

@gbread’s first Pacemaker+ mixtape totally deserves a spot in this week’s best of the best. Just like your favourite double shot espresso – it’s hot and simmering, packed with super energetic bass & tech house grooves, deep bangers and a blast of club-ready beats.