Although hypnosis has been around for hundreds of years, it is still something that even the brightest among us cannot fully understand. The earliest references to hypnosis date back to ancient Egypt and Greece. In fact, the word "hypnos" means "sleep" and refers to the Greek god who is the personification of sleep.

Our definition of hypnosis refers to a trance state that is characterized by extreme suggestibility, relaxation, and heightened imagination. Most often, hypnosis is compared to a sort of daydream state - you're fully conscious, but you have tuned out most of the stimuli around yourself and are focused intently on a particular subject, most of the time through the power of suggestion

Along the way, there have been many pioneers in the feild of hypnosis research.

Photo by Brian A Jackson on Shutterstock

The "modern father" of hypnosis was Austrian physician Franz Mesmer, who gave us the word "mesmerism", which can be another word referencing a hypnotic state. Mesmer had an idea for which he called "animal magnetism" - and the idea was that there are these kinds of natural energy sources that could be transferred between organisms and objects.

Along the way, hypnotism has had many other pioneers who have furthered the fascinating phenomenon. One of the most notable is James Braid, an eye doctor based in Scotland who became intrigued with the idea of hypnosis when he discovered a patient in his waiting room had fallen under something of a trance after staring at a lamp. He gave the patient come commands, and the patient obliged, remaining in a trace-like state the entire time.

Braid's fascination grew and through more tests, he determined that getting a patient to fixate on something was one of the most important components to hypnosis. He later would publish a book on what we now know as the discovery of modern hypnosis.

Later, James Esdaile, a British surgeon based in India during the mid-1800s established that this kind of trance hypnotic state was extremely useful in pain relief practices. He performed hundreds of major operations using hypnotism as his only anesthetic. When he returned to England in an attempt to convince the medical establishments of his findings, they paid no mind to his theory in favor of new chemical anesthetics such as morphine, which was relatively new at the time. This is where the use of hypnotics for medicinal purposes halted and much of the reason why hypnosis is considered an alternative approach to medicine in today's society.

Jumping forward to the 1900s, Frenchman Emile Cou moved away from the conventional approaches that had been pioneered with hypnotism and began his work with the use of auto-suggestion.

He is most famous for the phrase: "Day by day, in every way, I am getting better and better." This technique was one of the first instances where affirmation hypnosis was used and it has been growing through various counseling programs and therapy techniques ever since.

In modern times, one of the most recognized authorities on clinical hypnosis remains to be Milton Erikson, a well-known psychotherapist who did most of his work around 1950-1980. He was fascinated with human psychology and devised countless innovative ways to use hypnosis in his clinical practices.

Scientists scanned the brains of 57 people during a guided hypnosis session.

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Changes found in three areas of the brain during hypnosis may suggest future alternative treatments for anxiety and pain management.

Over the years, hypnosis has gained a lot of traction and respectability within both the medical and psychotherapy professions. According to a 2016 Stanford University School of Medicine study, there are three areas of our brains that change during a state of hypnosis - and this could actually be used to benefit us.

Scientists scanned the brains of 57 people during a guided hypnosis session, similar to one that may be used to help treat anxiety, pain, or trauma.

First, there is a decrease in dorsal anterior cingulate activity.

This is part of the brain's salience network that is responsible for psychological functions like decision making, evaluation processes, and emotional regulation as well as physiological functions such as blood pressure and heart rate.

Next, there is an increase in the connection between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the insula.

The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is associated with executive functions such as working memory and self-control. The insula is a small region of the cerebral cortex that plays a significant role in pain perception, social engagements, emotions, and autonomic control.

This is described by the lead researcher of the study as a kind of "brain-body connection" that helps the brain process and control what's going on in the body.

Finally, there are reduced connections between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the medial prefrontal cortex.

The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex becomes less connected to the medial prefrontal cortex and the posterior cingulate cortex, both of which are strongly associated with neural activity and cognitive tasks.

This decrease very likely correlates to the disconnect between someone's actions and their awareness of their actions, according to the lead researcher on the project.

How does this change the way we view hypnosis?

Understanding exactly which areas of the brain are impacted during hypnosis can pave the way for groundbreaking research into the use of hypnosis for medicinal purposes.

"Now that we know which brain regions are involved," says David Spiegel, MD, professor and researcher on the project, "we may be able to use this knowledge to alter someone's capacity to be hypnotized or the effectiveness of the hypnosis for problems such as pain control."

While more research is needed, the study is certainly a groundbreaking head-start in what could eventually be known as hypnotic treatments for things like anxiety, trauma and pain management.

"A treatment that combines brain stimulation with hypnosis could improve known analgesic effects of hypnosis and potentially even replace addictive and side-effect-laden painkillers and anti-anxiety medications," explains Spiegel.

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How does hypnosis really impact the brain? - Big Think

A shocking Snapchat video has emerged apparently showing two young boys high on drugs.

The disturbing scenes appear to show a teenager and the younger lad, aged just 10, showing clear symptoms of drug use, GrimsbyLive reports.

At one point the younger schoolboy seems to be gurning - chewing his jaw with wide eyes wide open - as he and the teen listen to music in a bedroom.

In another scene the older boy can be seen in a trance-like state with flickering eyes, an involuntary movement which is a hallmark of drug use.

No adults appear in the video and the boys seem to be alone with a third person taking pictures.

The dark video, along with images of the lads, have been met with horror after being posted on Facebook.

The video was posted on social media late on Monday morning with the message: What must go on in your sick heads to give a 10 year old pills.

It is widely suggested the boys had taken the illegal drug MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy.

GrimsbyLive report that the clips were seen by around 10,000 people before being removed from the social media platform.

Comments were almost overwhelmingly of anger and despair at the scenes with people calling for the involvement of police and social services.

Someone claiming to be the younger boys auntie responded to the post saying: Imagine waking up to see your 10-year-old nephew off his face. Who the **** gave them him? Im fuming. The kid is 10-years-old you sick b*******.

She later appealed to people to stop sharing the video, saying: Can everyone on my mates list stop sharing the video of my 10- year-old nephew now please its getting sorted.

GrimsbyLivehas masked the pictures of the children to protect their identity.

The teenage boy is named by some social media users in Grimsby and was subjected to a series of threats. He responded to a number of people with taunts.

Videos and pictures were removed from Facebook at around 10pm but not before more than 1,000 people had commented and shared the post.

GrimsbyLive has contacted Humberside Police and North East Lincolnshire Council Childrens Services for comment.

For help and advice about drug use and abuse for young people you can find more information at talktofrank.com.

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Shocking video emerges of boy, 10, 'high on drugs' as he parties with teenager - Mirror.co.uk

The city of Mar del Plata it has always been the cradle of great names of the music of argentina and the world. From the tango revolutionary Astor Piazzolla, going by the alternative rock Rosario Blfari, and coming dream pop avant-garde of Altocamet, the music remained as a constant and one of the pillars artistic coastal city.

During this time of quarantine, many artists mar del plata found ways to stay active. Some already had material prepared; others ventured to create with the tools they had at hand. Be that as it may, the confinement does not prevent the musicians to share their songs, and in this list we collect 8 new releases of MDQ.

Supported in the solitude of your keyboard, Juan Manuel Hernando sings from his gut: were everybody in the same. Averaging half of the track adds Flax Ezequiel Parodi on guitar and the song explodes in a trance futuristic of nostalgia. Recorded, mixed and produced in quarantine by Augustine Bonecco, the third single from the project motorized by Hernando positions it as one of the promises of pop this year.

Jeanne Passeri is a marplatense of 19 years, under the name of Shitstemis positioned as the reference number one rap city. Wachas it is a feminist manifesto of court city with a base of reggaeton on the one that raps about his reality. Of the school of Sara Hebe, and Miss Bolivia, Shitstem is a challenge to his generation to be empowered and raise your fist against the objectification of women in the music industry urban: Now the hip-hop also is one of the wachas.

The principle of the quarantine, found to Leo Ferro and company in full release Dialectfirst preview of what will be their sixth studio work titled Animal naked. The mar del plata continues his ceaseless search for new sounds, pointing now to the tribal rhythms and african from the perspective of electronic. During may we were also able to listen to the single Vortex, a song intimate and minimalist that develops between environments and ethereal vocal melodies deep. SLNT will publish a third progress during the month of June and promises the release of the album for the second half of the year.

Of the hand of Manu Tello and Gonza Perez Rojas Varese, Sheba Toyos premiered a track in the key of funk that manages to link the rhythms of the seventies with electronic sounds, which invite to put a rhythm to the days of running: dance becomes an obligation. The former Firpolar is another of the musicians of mar del plata located in the Federal Capital that has slowly established itself within the independent circuit in buenos aires.

If something was missing to Mar del Plata was the adrenaline of a band of surf rock that managed to musicalizar the afternoon of waves and wind on the beach. The brothers Cianciarulo came to time: in mid-2019 given entity Lost Marplas with the release of their debut EP. Some days ago they brought out the single The Parena along with the premiere of his first music video, all produced and released by themselves under the slogan DIY. In their songs, in addition to reflecting the culture surfer, Coco, Astor and Jay defend the rights of animals, militate veganism and the struggle for the beaches free of plastic garbage.

During 2019, the duo composed by Ignacio Bellusci and Lionel Quiroga took part in one of the editions of Sofar Mar del Plata with the participation of Ruben Montoya on violins and Linen Ezequiel Parodi on guitar. This intimate session was born Side BBa handful of songs, transformed to a format I live in where all the instrumentation and vocals are reproduced without additional amplification.

The trio of shoegaze from the spa town released few days ago In the arena, second preview of what will be their next album All the days are happy and that they plan to launch before the end of the year. In this track, Carina Monjeau, Ignacio Giobellina and Pedro Moscuzza Polish and deepen their sound is post-punk with gothic under the supervision of the English Graham Sutton in the role of producer. Accompanied the release with the premiere of a video clip diethylamide performed by Pearl audiovisual.

In this new single with video clip, the solo project of singer and guitarist from Forest Dystopia deepens his aesthetic of new wave that embraces the best of the eighties, while he builds a sonic landscape full of synths and lyrics that run through the human experiences. A descendant of Gus Dapperton and Connan Mockasin, Fede is one of the several musicians of mar del Plata that migrated to Buenos Aires in an effort to amplify your project, and to conquer new audiences.

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8 new songs from the indie marplatense that you have to listen to - Play Crazy Game

There arent a lot of artists out there who can turn one of dance musics greatest classics into a genre-crossing masterpiece, but Charlotte de Witte is clearly one of them and has outdone herself once more. Today, the widely acclaimed Techno starlet presented not one but two brand-new renditions of Jerome Isma-Aes Hold That Sucker Down, with both the Rave Remix and Trance Remix set to appease Techno lovers and Trance enthusiasts alike.

Listen to both versions of Jerome Isma-Ae Hold That Sucker Down (Charlotte de Witte Remix)

Already played by Armin van Buuren during his A State Of Trance 950 warm-up set, Charlotte de Wittes remix of Hold That Sucker Down is a timeless classic turned contemporary crowd favorite. Turning Jerome Isma-Aes spin on The O.T. Quartets 1994 original into a nostalgia-infused floor-thriller, the Belgian tastemaker does what she does best: crafting up records for the sole purpose of dance floor domination.

Charlotte de Witte: Remixing a classic is something that always feels extremely honorable and rewarding to me. While remixing Jerome Isma-Ae, I decided to aim for two different remixes. One would respect the massive trance lead and vibe of the original, while the other would be faster and more stripped down, bringing forward the techno that I love so much.

Originally posted here:

CHARLOTTE DE WITTE BRIDGES THE GAP BETWEEN TECHNO AND TRANCE WITH TWO-PART REMIX TREATMENT OF JEROME ISMA-AE'S 'HOLD THAT SUCKER DOWN' - - VENTS...

B(if)tek - We Think Youre Dishy

Hailing from Canberra and comprised of Kate Crawford and Nicole Skeltys, B(if)tek were associated with the Clan Analogue collective in the early 90s, which birthed a great many of the decades best acts. We Think Youre Dishy was one of the duos defining tracks, marrying a funky house groove with a cascading synth sequence, string stabs and icy vocoders to create one bizarre dance floor odyssey. The music video, filmed at Sydneys iconic Club Kooky, is an absolute hoot as well - it absolutely screams late 90s Rage.

Honeysmack - Walk On Acid

A world-recognised authority in the art of acid house, Honeysmacks knack for hardware and give-no-fucks attitude saw him become a bona fide hero of Melbournes electronic scene - a status that lingers even to this day. Walk On Acid saw Honeysmack sample Burt Bacharachs classic Walk On By and obliterate it with a thumping kick and slippery 303 bassline, and was so adored by the scene that it was nominated for an ARIA in 1999. If youre a keen electronic fan, be sure to check out his live hardware sets on YouTube: this mans an absolute master of his machines.

Zen Paradox - Say Goodbye To The Dark Place

Trance music might not be viewed favourably by todays critical consensus, but back in the day, it was all the rage - remember, these were early days for ravers. One choice cut from this era is Zen Paradoxs sublime 1994 track Say Goodbye To The Dark Place. Zen Paradox is considered an OG of Australian trance, and on this track its easy to tell why, with the artist utilising twinkling arpeggios, a heavy bass groove and droning, suspenseful strings to create a transcendental experience unlike any other.

Endorphin - Satie 1

Sometimes, even ravers have got to take it easy. Arriving to the scene amidst the trip-hop boom of the late 90s, Endorphins breezy productions became a favourite comedown soundtrack for many punters, and Satie 1, the first track from his 1998 debut Embrace exemplifies this. Driven by a IDM influenced beat and embellished with washy new-age pianos, Satie 1 is absolute post-rave euphoria of the finest kind, and sounds way ahead of its time: as if those synths dont sound like theyre torn straight from the Kevin Parker playbook?

DJ HMC - 6 AM

DJ HMC is regarded by many as the godfather of Australian techno, and was a pivotal force in the 90s scene. LSD and Marauder might be bigger club hits, but its the hypnotic squelch of 6 AM that takes the cake for me. Here, DJ HMC works with the bare essentials, pushing a very low corrosive bassline and a TR-909 drum machine to their limits to make one of the nastiest acid techno tracks of the era. Listen to the way the 303 is panned throughout the track: it's absolutely genius.These days, HMC makes funky disco edits under the moniker Late Nite Tuff Guy, a beloved project that even further asserts his legendary status in dance music.

FSOM - Track Six

Naming your group Future Sound of Melbourne could be considered as cocky to some, but FSOM were just that. The combination of Steve Robbins, David Carbone and Josh Abrahams were reponsible for some of the Souths filthiest techno cuts of the decade, a prime example of which is 1993s Track Six. While Track Six is a good 15-20bpm slower than most techno cuts today, theres no denying that its evil bassline and classic 909 hi-hat pattern would have been dangerous on the dancefloor.

Vision Four 5 Everything You Need

Formed at Queenslands Griffith University in 1990, Vision Four 5 fused hard-hitting electronic sounds with cutting edge visuals, utilising a live camera feed and interactive animation system to create a lucid backdrop for ravers to trip out to during their live performances. You can see graphic prowess this in action throughout the video for Everything You Need, a true late night Rage classic and a club stomper in its own right. Featuring a classic Detroit-inspired vocal sample and psychedelic synthesisers courtesy of some cleverly sequenced SH-101s, Everything You Need is peak 90s techno.

Chili Hi Fly Is It Love

Disco might have been a bit of a dirty word in the ears of most techno purists, but you cant argue against the universal appeal of Chili Hi Fly. Although it didnt achieve major chart success overseas until the new millennium, the Sydney collectives signature track Is It Love originally dropped back in 1998, and is considered by many as a certified standout of Australias late 90s house bloom. Of course, youve got to give credit to that irresistible sample from Kool & The Gangs Be My Lady, but man does this one slam.

Voiteck - Corkscrew

Another Melbourne electronic stalwart, Voiteck was renowned for his furious improvised techno sets at institutions like Lounge and Revolver Upstairs, and held a fruitful collaborative relationship with the aforementioned Honeysmack: the duo even appeared together on ABCs Recovery in 1996. Corkscrew is one of the artists earlier cuts from 1992, but it might just be one of his hardest, with Voiteck pushing the tried and true 909/303 combination to electrifying heights for a heavy dosage of acidic techno.

Itch-E & Scratch-E - Point Of No Return

It goes without saying that Itch-E and Scratch-E are one of the most legendary electronic groups Australias ever produced. While many know the duo for their mighty 94 hit Sweetness and Light (to which Paul Mac dedicated to the ecstasy dealers of Sydney upon winning the inaugural ARIA Award for Best Dance Release in 1995), you cant go past the hypnotic trance of their 1993 track Point Of No Return. Its furiously rhythmic yet oddly melodic, and Ill pay any track that samples Russel Crowe and turns it into a raveanthem. Superb stuff.

Revisit our ten favourite deep cuts of Australian '70s rock.

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The 10 Best Aussie Rave Deep Cuts of the '90s - Mixdown

Today Charli XCX unveils the music video for 'claws', the Angel-selected second single from her forthcoming new album, 'how i'm feeling now'.

Watch below!

Directed by Charli and Charlotte Rutherford, the visual transports Charli to multiple alternate realities from the comfort of her home while she's self-isolating. Using a green screen, Charli parties with a metallic snake, hovers above groups of people below her, performs as a severed head and more, finding a place to leave it all behind in hyperreality before the video's glitched-out final moments.

Yesterday Charli held her fourth weekly Zoom conference for 1000 fans, taking questions on the album's songwriting process from the likes of Drag Race winner Aquaria, LA based musicians Simi + Haze, NME Radar award winner Beabadoobee and sex positive icon Sophie Anderson. Watch the session back here.

A short, sharp burst of energy, 'claws' crackles with futuristic spirit. Produced by Dylan Brady of 100 gecs, the track blends pop, hip hop, electronica and trance with Charli flowing dexterously over the top of the track's unrelenting instrumental. Exploring the feeling of being close to the one you love every day - 'claws' captures the manic jubilation of love in lockdown in a refreshing way; with synths teetering on the edge of discordance, full bodied 808s and Charli's innocent delivery juxtaposing and complimenting each other simultaneously before descending into a trance-infused euphoria.

To be released on May 15th 2020, Charli XCX's forthcoming new album 'how i'm feeling now' is a completely unique project. Written, recorded and released in quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the album invites collaboration in a new way, welcoming fans to give feedback on every aspect of the record; from contributing to videos, to songwriting choices, to single selection and more.

To support those suffering with the effects of COVID-19 if you are in a position to, please consider donating to the following charity:

LA ALLIANCE

LA Alliance are an organization that fights for the rights and protection of homeless peoples in Los Angeles who are currently campaigning for their protection from COVID-19. More info on what they do here.

To donate to the LA Alliance: click here

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Charli XCX Parties In An Alternate Dimension In The Video For 'Claws' - Broadway World

Van Helsing has spared its fans from estimating if the December 20 Season 4 finale will stay as the series finale, given Syfys announcement of a fifth season, which will fill in as the shows last packaging.

The TV series has demonstrated Van Helsing to take an exceptional turn. The show is set in a not all that far off future where vampires have managed over the world. The series has portrayed Vanessa Han Helsing to pursue the vampire basically like her predecessors.

The fifth season of Van Helsing doesnt yet have a precise release date yet is depended upon to show up at some point in late 2020. The series set to start production work in mid-2020, it is apparently on track to appear as a fall offering like its previous four seasons.

Source: Den Of Geek

The series stars Kelly Overton as Vanessa van Helsing.

The series is set very quickly, and the vampires have expected command over the world. Vanessa wakes from a 3-year long trance-like state like state and is the last trust in humanity. She is gifted with the ability to change vampires into individuals. The vampires are attacking her, be that as it may, she gets spared by Marine.

Also ReadHoley Moley Season 2: Release Date And The Amazing Story leaks.

She makes an outing far east to join her sister, and the pursuit of vampires continues. As revealed in Season 4, Vanessa isnt, now, the only one with stand-out vampire renewing capacities. Season 5 will be starting from a cliffhanger and will offer a response to all the requests from the past seasons. Season 5 Will be energizing to watch.

Read more here:

Van Helsing Season 5: Do We Finally Got The Release Date! - The Digital Wise

MUMBAI: There arent a lot of artists out there who can turn one of dance musics greatest classics into a genre-crossing masterpiece, but Charlotte de Witte is clearly one of them and has outdone herself once more. Today, the widely acclaimed Techno starlet presented not one but two brand-new renditions of Jerome Isma-Aes Hold That Sucker Down, with both the Rave Remix and Trance Remix set to appease Techno lovers and Trance enthusiasts alike.

Already played by Armin van Buuren during his A State Of Trance 950 warm-up set, Charlotte de Wittes remix of Hold That Sucker Down is a timeless classic turned contemporary crowd favorite. Turning Jerome Isma-Aes spin on The O.T. Quartets 1994 original into a nostalgia-infused floor-thriller, the Belgian tastemaker does what she does best: crafting up records for the sole purpose of dance floor domination.

Charlotte de Witte: Remixing a classic is something that always feels extremely honorable and rewarding to me. While remixing Jerome Isma-Ae, I decided to aim for two different remixes. One would respect the massive trance lead and vibe of the original, while the other would be faster and more stripped down, bringing forward the techno that I love so much.

Charlotte de Witte is a DJ and producer whose surge on the scene has resulted in her being one of the most sought-after names in electronic music today. With highlight performances across the globe, Mixmag and DJ Mag covers, high-ranking positions in a multitude of charts and lists, and her ownership of one of the strongest social media profiles in music today, she confirms her status as a nouveaux techno royalty on a day-to-day basis. Through her boutique label KNTXT, label head Charlotte de Witte organizes events, releases music and curates radio shows with no intention of slowing down, showing to all that she is quite the force to be reckoned with.

The Rave and Trance Remix of Jerome Isma-Ae Hold That Sucker Down (Charlotte de Witte Remix) are out now on Armada Music.

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Charlotte de Witte bridges the gap between Techno and Trance with two-part remix treatment of Jerome Isma-Ae's 'Hold That Sucker Down' -...

Paul van Dyks name is synonymous with trance. A pioneer of the genre before it even had a name, the German producer and DJ established its characteristics with his early productions and remixes. Most notable of these is his track, For An Angel, and his remix of Humates Love Simulation at the start of the 90s.

With these productions and the rise of Stateside DJ culture, van Dyk shifted into international superstardom. Forbes named him one of the worlds greatest DJs in 2012. He occupied a top 20 spot in DJ Mags Top 100 DJs for 15 years, hitting No. 1 twice, in 2005 and 2006. When the Grammys introduced the best electronic/dance album category in 2005, van Dyks Reflections was nominated. (He won a Grammy in 2008, for his remix contribution to The Dark Knight soundtrack, which won best score soundtrack album for motion picture, television or other visual media.)

In the past 16 years, van Dyk has released nine artist albums and sold millions of records. His 10th LP, Guiding Light was set for release this spring, but due to the pandemic, van Dyk is instead releasing his fifth remix album, Escape Reality.Many years in the making and out on his own longstanding VANDIT Records,Escape Reality reimagines some of van Dyks most memorable songs into non-dancefloor versions better suited to the at-home listening audiences are presently confined to.

During quarantine, Van Dyk has also been giving fans a weekly livestream -- Sunday Sessions, at 7 p.m. CET, from his home in Berlin. This program is in addition to van Dyks VONYC weekly show on Dash Radio, which recently passed its 700th episode.Upon the release of Escape Reality, van Dyk discusses growing up in East Berlin, the resurgence of trance and shifting gears in these unprecedented times.

1. Where are you right now and what is the setting like?

In Berlin, at home, in my home office/studio, cant go anywhere. Im in a different room than where I do the livestreams -- but its in the same, lets say, facility.

2. What was the first album or piece of music you bought for yourself and what was the medium?

I grew up in East Germany, but my grandma was allowed to travel to the West. She smuggled a record back for me. It was the vinyl album of Orchestra Manoeuvres in the Darks [1980 synth-pop album]Organisation. It was extremely influential. Early electronic, but also melodies and poppy elements, the general imprint of what later came for me in music.

3. What was distinctive about where you grew up and/or where you spent the specific years that shaped you as a musician?

Where I lived in East Berlin was 600 meters away from the Berlin club, UFO. The Berlin Wall was between me and the club, which created a certain hunger to experience this music live. I was listening to the radio all the time and hearing about whats going on in the clubs in West Berlin, and I could never go. That energy and that vibe definitely had an impact on me. Music wasnt just a sound I was excited about. It was also the gateway to a free society for me. Listening to this music behind the Iron Curtain connected me to the world.

4. What did you parents do for a living when you were a kid and what do they think of what you do for a living now?

My mom was an interior designer. I had an apprenticeship in East Germany as a broadcast technician, which stopped when we moved to Hamburg when I was 17 and I started an apprenticeship as a carpenter. My mom raised me very grounded, to have a proper profession, to have a job. When I told her Im not going to do this carpenter thing anymore, Im going to do this music thing, she said she trusted me. The way she raised me, she was sure I wouldnt do this lighthearted.

5. What was the first track you made?

It was a remix for a project called Effective Force called Illuminate the Planet in 1993. The remix was called New World Order Mix, because I was a fan of New Order and because it was two years after The Wall went down and everything was different. My first own track is called My World in 1994. To me, all music fills the room. Trance music goes through the world, all the way to the horizon. Maybe that has to do with where I grew up and how I grew up. When you grow up in a confined space, the world and the universe is what you dream of.

6. What was the first thing you bought for yourself when you started making money from music?

I didnt have any money at all, so when I was booked to play my first paying show, I went to the promoter and asked him if he could pay me some of my fee upfront so I could buy some more records to play a better set.

7. What was your first ever gig?

At Tresor in Berlin. I wasnt paid for that. I was just invited to play in the beginning when nobody was there. That was my first gig in front of a few people. But my first real booking was at a club called Turbine in Berlin.

8. What moved you toward dance music as far as a particular club, party or raving experience?

When I was a kid, I used to listen to the West Berlin radio stations when I did my homework. When I heard The Smiths for the very first time, I thought, Wow, this is awesome, its so different. At the same time, I had this taste for electronic-sounding stuff like OMD and Depeche Mode and Yazoo. I started to listen to specialized radio shows and heard stuff we would call early house music. It was interesting, because there wasnt actually anyone singing and telling you to be sad or to be happy or whatever the lyrics might say. It was the instrumentation and the energy that moved me. That was so exciting to me, especially since I didnt speak any English anyway -- we learned Russian in school in East Berlin -- so I didnt understand what they were saying.

9. Do you remember how it felt when you got a reaction in terms of people actually dancing?

My first emotional memory is fear. I was a typical bedroom DJ. I was at home, never turning the music up really loud, turning the bass down. Then suddenly I was in the club, where I heard the same records very, very differently. I heard all these things that I was never able to hear before at home. It was frightening. The thing was, I believed so much in the music that I was playing that I didnt doubt that people would like it. At that age, when youre just beginning, youre so nave, you think this is the best music ever, everybody must love it. Until you realize a lot of people have different tastes and different approaches to things. No one left the club when I was playing. That made me happy and gave me hope.

10. If you had to recommend one album for someone to get introduced to dance music, what would you give them?

Gargantuan by ['90s progressive house duo] Spooky. They laid a phenomenal groundwork with this album in regards to sound and a different approach to music. Its a very inspirational record. In regards to production, BT Ima is phenomenal. It was because of that album that we got introduced and made music together.

11. What was the last text message you sent and to whom?

The last text message I sent was to my IT guy because one of my software plugins wouldnt work. There are these programs where you can remotely log into the studio system and go on to the computer and see the problem. I wanted to see if he could do that.

12. You were originally scheduled to release a different album, Guiding Light, this spring. What was the idea behind releasing the ambient remix album, Escape Reality, instead?

I was finalizing everything for Guiding Light, and at the same time, the lockdown became more and more intense. Im banging 138 BPM. Im really excited. I would love to go out on the weekend and play in front of people, see their reaction, but its not possible when everyone has to stay home.

Im a huge fan of straightforward club music, but thats not necessarily what Im listening to right now. I thought it would be a good moment in time to finish the Escape Reality project and release it now when people are posted at home and actually listening to and enjoying music. Releasing club music right now is like going fishing in a pond where there are no fish. You throw the bait in, but it cant be consumed when there is nothing there to consume it.

13. What was your intention with the creation of Escape Reality?

I compose a lot of music on keyboard or guitar with proper songwriting. In the clubbing context, sometimes the actual song is undermined by the electronics of the music. I wanted those tracks to feel like individual parts of the composition rather than the energetic vibe. Someone like Luke Howard or Niklas Paschburg, who make very reduced piano-based, electronic-influenced music that is meant to be sat down and listened to -- I find really inspiring, and thats what I tried to achieve.

14. What effect do you hope the album has on people during this specific point in time?

As the title says, maybe a little escape. Maybe sit and look out of the window and listen to the music and get some hope. It will be better. We just have to be patient. We have to get through this together. Maybe the whole album, or just one or two tracks will become something that give that little glimpse of hope in rather miserable times.

15. The general opinion is that this is a productive time for making music, without knowing when, or if, your music will ever be released. Does that feel true for you?

I would make music without it ever coming out. Thats one of the reasons why Escape Reality took so long. I was working on it whenever I felt like it. I finished each individual track without ever having a plan about if its going to be released or when it will be released. Every artist is different, so every approach to art is different.

16. Youve had your tour dates postponed indefinitely. What are some impacts of these changes?

The uncertainty, not just for me, but for everyone, is whats nerve-racking. For example, in Germany yesterday they said there are no big events allowed until the 31st of August. The next sentence was: "then we will see." It doesnt give you anything. The only way to stay sane is to be active and communicative. The term social distancing is incorrect. We have to distance ourselves physically, but, if anything, we should socially stay far closer together these days. We should be there for each other and communicate with each other.

17. You do a weekly livestream, Sunday Sessions. What do you hope your fans will get out of these?

My main aim for the people on there is that they all communicate with each other. They all logged on together, at the same time, a big community that is together, connected through the music. Im just the vehicle they use to communicate through and be together. Playing music is the only thing I can do right now and through that create a communication platform. It feels good to see people from all over the world talking to each other.

18. Youve always been active and articulate about politics. How do you feel you can use your position to create awareness and have influence?

The complexity of the world and especially the political decision-making process needs much more than [the number of characters you're allowed] on Twitter. It doesnt make much sense these days to use social media to make a statement. First, you will be ripped apart. No one takes the time anymore to really think twice about why I may have made a statement and what led me to think in a certain way. It seems that the world is conditioned to no longer read. I learned that it makes more sense to connect behind the scenes with politicians and decision makers to work on changing things and initiate a positive thinking process.

19. As a trance pioneer, what are your thoughts on its recent resurgence?

Trance was never gone. I love this music, and I listen to it every day. I hear all the amazing up-and-coming talent. To me, its still the most creative electronic music form -- because artisticallyyou have to be able to bring an idea across through a composition, not just a soundscape that is created by plucking on a filter. You have to be able to play a melody, to play chords and also to produce. It takes much more from someone to make this kind of music.

It goes back to my nave way of thinking when I started: "I love this music so much, everybody must love it." Its good for the musical genre as a whole that its coming back and gaining more popularity again. A young kid who starts making trance music, its not the latest, super-duper-popular stuff. They know theyre in a niche, and you know theyre in it for the music.

20. What piece of advice would you give to yourself at the beginning of your music career?

Dont take disappointment too close to heart. If youre a passionate musician, if youre a passionate DJ, one way or another, you will run into a situation where somebody rips you off or sidelines you or does other things to you. Dont take it to heart, and believe in your music.

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20 Questions With Paul van Dyk: The Trance Icon on Growing Up in East Berlin & Why Social Distancing 'Is Incor - Billboard

Tony McGuiness, British DJ and producer, one third of Above & Beyond, has shaken up the trance community with some amazing news last week. He announced that he will be recreating the very first episode of the signature Trance Around The World radio show, that aired for the first time in 2004. Livestreams have recently replaced parties and festivals due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Artists from all around the world are currently transforming their bedrooms and living rooms into trendy club settings and entertaining fans with their amazing performances.

Tony McGuiness took his time and prepared a special two hour set, mixing the original tracklist of the first Trance Around The World radio show on his Twitch account. Apparently the original episode was just a test broadcast and the tracks were unmixed and separately trimmed out in a playable list. Somehow Tony managed to save it on his card, just in case they might do something with it. It was streamed back in January 13th, 2004 onMinistry of Sound Radioand was never recorded or archived, so the re-do that McGuiness did was highly appreciated.The weekly Trance Around The World show aired between 2004 and 2012, attracting approximately 35 million listeners from more than 35 countries.

He started out this memorable set with a nostalgic remake of OceanLabs track Satellite, nicely mixing it into Filo & Peri Bangin Mix of Whirpools Under The Sun. Some other highlights of the set were definitelly Above & Beyond remix of Chakras I Am, Robert Nicksons remix ofEndresKallocain, Super8s Alba, Gabriel & Dresdens mix of Sarah McLahlans Fallen, Envios Touched By The Sun and much more. The full tracklist of the set can be found here.

TATW 001 was definitely a very important milestone for Above & Beyond, now the re-creation set is finally here and people can enjoy this masterpiece anywhere and anytime. Tony also hinted that he might be bringing back theTrance Around The World 002 next week, but for now we will just have to wait and see what happens.

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Above & Beyond's Tony McGuiness re-creates the first episode of 'Trance Around The World' - We Rave You

Widely acclaimed Techno starlet Charlotte de Witte presents not one but two brand-new renditions of Jerome Isma-Aes Hold That Sucker Down. The two versions come in the forms of a Rave Remix and Trance Remix set to appease Techno lovers and Trance enthusiasts alike.

Charlotte de Witte: Remixing a classic is something that always feels extremely honorable and rewarding to me. While remixing Jerome Isma-Ae, I decided to aim for two different remixes. One would respect the massive trance lead and vibe of the original, while the other would be faster and more stripped down, bringing forward the techno that I love so much.

Turning Jerome Isma-Aes spin on The O.T. Quartets 1994 original into a nostalgia-infused floor-thriller, the Belgian tastemaker does what she does best; crafting up records for the sole purpose of dance floor domination. Charlotte de Witte has further solidified herself as one of the most exciting techno projects right now and with these remixes, she has expanded her artistry to Armada and their fans, especially with her trance mix.

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Charlotte de Witte Showcases Two Sides of Her Production Abilities With 'Hold That Sucker Down' Remixes - CULTR

It is hard to ignore the sheer talent that is Trivecta. This Florida-based producer has an incredible work ethic that shines bright with the number of genres that he is able to produce. Incorporating influences from melodic dubstep, trance, and drumstep theres no limit to the creativity he expresses in his music. Now, on the Everyday EP, Trivecta takes listeners on a journey and lets them in on his new genre he has coined called folk bass.

While he had blown away his fans with tracks like Island and Oxygen as of late, its clear that Trivecta saved his best production for his debut EP.Through the four tracks that make up this project he takes listeners on a journey filled with indie-folk chords and melodic bass-infusions, its something fresh, to say the least.

The intro track and Leave It All Behind is the perfect example of this new genre Trivecta has coined for himself. While Wasteland and Everyday fuse emotional vocals with thumping dance basslines. This EP is something that will instantly connect with old fans and new ones alike!

Ahead of the EP, Trivecta chatted with us about his process making the EP, his take on approaching collaborations, and his take on the Marvel Comic Universe films. So listen to Trivectas Everyday EP on Spotify below, download or stream the EP on your favorite platform, and read on for an interview with Trivecta himself!

Yeah! It actually differed a lot, thats a great question. For a long time, I have been in the melodic bass sphere. I felt that it was really fresh when it came out melodic bass music. But I feel like even in the past couple years, it could use a little burst, a little fresh injection of influence. Personally, I had been listening to a lot of indie-folk music like Of Monsters and Men and Mumford & Sons. I thought to myself, dude! This music is very immersive, this music takes me somewhere. Just like trance and melodic bass take me somewhere. There has to be a middle ground here!

That was the starting point of how I could figure out how to start to mold something that folks felt uniquely powerful. That laid the blueprint for this EP to be made.

It differs from track to track on the EP, but to answer your specific question about Leave It All Behind. I had been touring a lot (RIP touring for now) and started to get this feeling it was the first concentrated batch of touring that I had done on my own. You would be sort of nostalgic when youre out on the road, really far from home.

Sometimes those songs in the airport that they play over the speaker can be a little bit more effective when you havent seen your friends in a while. And I would hear some of this folk music on the radio in the airports actually, and there was actually one song I kept hearing at Tampa International Airport. I think it was by Manchester Orchestra. It just had this big acapella vocal hook, this big stack of vocals super nostalgic and super powerful and I was like man I want to do something like that! That sort of informed how I incorporated those influences in Leave It All Behind.

As far as collaborations for example, Wooli came at me and he was so pushy. He was like lets make something, lets make something. Finally, we got something together and that was one of my first real collabs I had done. Hes a really easy guy to collab with. Ever since then it has been easier. Its fun, man!

Seven Lions has been great to work with, we have a couple of other ones we are working on. A lot of the Ophelia artists are sort of cross-pollinating during this quarantine, so there will be a lot more collabs for sure.

I would love to work with Of Monsters and Men and Mumford & Sons in the future!

So Wooli had been working with a lot of stuff with Excision at the time, who I did not know personally yet. And Wooli and I started working on the tune Oxygen since he found the vocal for the tune, which was really nice. He was working on a bunch of stuff with Excision and he had a bunch of ideas for the tune too and we decided to work on the whole thing together. That was a pretty easy one to get done, that was one of the easier wrap-ups I have had for a tune. Everybody was on the same page. We all contributed and made it work!

Yeah, I do! There are a few things. One is whenever I start feeling inspired, I try to jot down a lot of sketches, rather than okay Im inspired, Im going to start one song and only work on one song. At any given time, I have at least a good ten tracks that I am actively thinking about or trying to get done. So if I have writers block, its like I am not coming up with anything creative, but I have songs that need tending to. I have songs that need to be tightened better, I have songs that need to sit better sonically, I have songs that need sound replacement. Things like that.

Another thing if I have writers block I will find music that really just inspires me. Especially if it is not EDM and just listen to it and find inspiration. Usually, something will come from that eventually.

There have been a few. Honestly, there are some that are more concrete. Like one was getting the hang of playing live shows. I went from a place where I thought I had all this cred, I had half a million listeners at the time online, but I would go play shows and no one knew who the hell I was. Thats when I realized its totally different spheres. That was definitely a big challenge to overcome that.

Lately, a struggle I have been having is the quarantine and finding creative ways for this EP to have its time of day and get its legs and is able to create experiences with the fans. Another one that feels overarching is the struggle of when you start off making live music online and you do not actually see these people. It can start to feel disconnected, for a while Trivecta and me, Sam, were such wildly different things. I was portraying a different person online and I didnt know any of my fans personally and it was all very disconnected. Im a goofy dude and the music was very serious, I didnt know how to connect the two, but lately more so things have been a lot more connected where it all feels like the same thing. Where people can go yeah hes a goofy dude, but the music is serious and thats okay. Through communicating with the fans at shows and online everything feels a lot more connected than ever. Thats been a struggle thats lately been a lot more together.

It feels like as soon as this all happened, I figured I was going to start streaming. Im a guitar teacher by day so Im used to communicating about music with people. So I figured I was going to set up everything Twitch, Discord, OBS.

Through doing that and going through unreleased tunes that I dont want to put out because they are so wildly different from what I do and showing my fans them on stream and they are like yo, we love this! My fans are already seeing that side, so I feel a lot more connected with them just about the material itself. Even through Discord and talking with them all the time and through streaming and talking with them all the time. Especially even with the Ophelia label group all of us have this WhatsApp and we chat all the time. So I feel closer to all of my close artist friends as well.

Its completely changed a lot of things, but some things are still the same. For example, we are still moving forward with the EP and we are still putting all of that out. It feels weird to feel like I just have arrived at this unique folk bass and Im putting it out there in the middle of a pandemic. Im not able to tour around it, unfortunately.

So everything has been clearly disrupted, but I think an interesting caveat to all of this, is that the board is shifting and the playing field is changing. I think that we may find that artists who have something to offer, whether its their personality or artists who are more focused on creative music versus artists who maybe arent making their own music and are just out there throwing parties every night and are now like oh no, what do I do now.

I feel like a lot of us are more engaged in the music and more engaged in the content. As long as they are down to communicate to the fans, I feel like guys like us are in a position to come out of this whole thing in better relative standing than where we started. Rather than trying to compete with all of these guys who are throwing parties every night, we may be able to leverage our creativity, music, and content during this time and give people things that they can connect with. Turn this into a net positive.

Oh, man! My secret okay, there are a couple of things. I like to get thick steaks because then I can really focus on how I want the middle to be cooked, compared to the outside. I need to get my middle to a nice medium rare and a hard sear on the outside and not compromise either of them.

Honestly, another secret is. and people sleep on this a damn good meat thermometer! People talk down on meat thermometers and youll find purists that dont like them and to me, its like producing music without using visual guides like spectrum analyzers. Every producer uses that stuff because it gives you another way of understanding what it is that you are doing. Meat thermometers are so cool because it allows me to know what temperature different parts of the steak are at. Thats great because I can really sear hard and not have to worry about all of that.

It also starts with the cut too! You have to select a nice cut. My favorite cuts to cook are typically a rib-eye or a filet or a strip. I love the fat content of the rib-eye. I love strips for sharing with people. I love a good filet because they are just so tender. It depends on the context!

I wasnt actually. I had no interest until I sprained my ankle and was in bed for a while. Then I figured I was just going to watch all the MCU (Marvel Comic Universe) movies and just see what this is about. As I was watching though I was like okay this good.okay this is pretty good.okay this is good! I was really buying in, but let me tell you, by the end, by the Infinity War and Endgame I was like dude! This is the craziest thing I have seen in my entire life. When I saw Infinity War and Endgame, it had completely validated everything I had seen.

To me it was the anti-Game of Thrones, I was so obsessed with GoT, but it was so clear they were trying to figure out what they were trying to do at the end. Whereas MCU, you really got this sense they knew where they were going. Everything led to that ending. I have never felt more engaged by any sort of media content as I felt watching Infinity War and Endgame.

After watching all of that, I would say its tough, I would say out of all of them I like a few of them for different reasons, but I would say the character whos lore and the world they live in I like the most would be Thor. I love Norse folk mythology and sort of having that aspect intertwined in the Thor universe I felt was really cool. Im a big Scarlet Witch guy too!

Oh, thats a good question. Let me think..dont leave it all behind! [Laughs]

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Trivecta Discusses the 'Everyday' EP and Connecting with Fans - EDM Identity

The pandemic has brought our lives to a standstill and it might be a while before we could freely step out of our homes. The probability of spending our next few weeks indoors is high and, by now, many of us have lost our cool.

Thankfully, the online streaming platforms are dropping new releases every week, which you would have missed catching up in theatres this year. Some films, despite having good content, were not fortunate enough to have a long theatrical run. However, they are now available on OTT platforms, reaching a wider section of the audience.

We have compiled you a list of 12 new South Indian films, available on various streaming platforms, that might help you cheer up in quarantine. All these films made it to the big screen in 2020 - a few days before the shutdown.

Tamil

Film: Kannum Kannum KollaiyadithaalWhere to watch: Netflix

Two con artists fall in love with orphan girls and decide to settle down with them after performing one last heist. Trouble begins when they discover the identity of the women in their lives. Directed by Desingh Periyasamy, the film is a promising entertainer with some clever writing.

Here's the trailer:

Film: Dharala PrabhuWhere to watch: Amazon Prime

A fertility clinic doctor forces a young happy-go-lucky guy to take up the job of a sperm donor. Things fall apart when his life partner learns about his profession. Dharala Prabhu is the faithful Tamil remake of hit Hindi film, Vicky Donor. The film features Harish Kalyan and Tanya Hope in the lead roles.

Here's the trailer:

Film: DarbarWhere to watch: Amazon Prime

Adhithya Arunachalam, a ruthless cop, goes on a mission to clean up the drug mafia in Mumbai city. The process leads him to an unsolved case that shook the police department in the 90s. Starring Rajinikanth and Nayanthara in the lead, the film is a commercial cocktail of action and drama.

Here's the trailer:

Film: Oh My KadavulaeWhere to watch: Zee 5

A young man, who marries his childhood friend, lands in a family court asking for a divorce. What happens if he gets a golden ticket that helps him to rewrite his fate? Directed by debutant Ashwath Marimuthu, the film is a heartwarming love story with enjoyable moments.

Here's the trailer:

Telugu

Film: World Famous LoverWhere to watch: Netflix

A struggling writer, who gets dumped by his girlfriend, creates a world of his own and pens down some emotional love stories. His thoughts make him realise the mistakes he had made and repent for it. Directed by Kranthi Madhav, the film has Vijay Deverakonda in the lead.

Here's the trailer:

Film: MadhaWhere to watch: Amazon Prime

A proof-reader falls in love with a cinematographer unknowing of his devious plans. Can she escape the trap laid by him? Madha is a gripping thriller directed by Srividya Basawa. The film has won appreciations among the audience.

Here's the trailer:

Film: Ala VaikunthapurramulooWhere to watch: Netflix

Valmiki swaps his newborn baby with his boss Ramachandran's baby in a hospital. However, after 20 years, Bantu, who grows up in a middle-class family, realises that his real father is a multi-millionaire. What happens next form the crux of the story. The film has a little bit of everything - romance, action, comedy and emotions. Directed by Trivikram Srinivas, Allu Arjun plays the lead in the film.

Here's the trailer:

Film: Sarileru NeekevvaruWhere to watch: Amazon Prime

An army officer decides to confront a corrupt ruthless politician after realising that his colleague's family is in trouble. This Mahesh Babu's film is a commercial potboiler that often ladles out doses of patriotism. Directed by Anil Ravipudi, the film features Rashmika Mandanna as the female lead.

Here's the trailer:

Malayalam

Film: TranceWhere to watch: Amazon Prime

A motivational speaker, who loses his younger brother due to mental illness, takes up the job of a pastor to mint money. However, one of his live interviews on television puts him under trouble. Trance, is a psychological thriller, with some brilliant performances. Fahadh Fasil, Nazriya Nazim and Gautham Menon play the lead roles.

Here's the trailer:

Film: Varane AvashyamundWhere to watch: Netflix

Varane Avashymund is a feel-good film that revolves around the story of a single mother and her daughter. It's about how their lives take a turn after meeting a youngster and a middle-aged man who resides in their apartment. Directed by Anoop Sathyan, the film is Dulquer Salmaan's first production venture.

Here's the trailer:

Kannada

Film: DiaWhere to watch: Amazon Prime

Dia, a pretty young girl, falls head-over-heels in love with her college senior. However, her introverted nature puts her relationship in trouble. Would it be possible for her to move on from her past? Dia is a well-crafted film, with a lot of surprises in store for you.

Here's the trailer:

Film: Love MocktailWhere to watch: Amazon Prime

After rescuing a woman, Adi reminisces about his love life and tells her about all the heartbreaks he has endured in his quest to find true love. This film is fun-ride and lets us forget our own problems in life.

Here's the trailer:

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Quarantine curation: 12 new regional films that made it to streaming platforms - India Today

Rising comboStenyand Swiss producerReplay Mhave joined forces for "Nightshift," an anthemic deep house tune out via Karonga Records.

With its pulsating bass lines and spacey pads, "Nightlife" is a hypnotic house number that harkens to the dark bliss of late-night Ibiza club revelry. Steny and Replay M did a fantastic job of maintaining the energy throughout, introducing subtle production techniques as the arrangement progresses. Crisp leads and driving, trance-inspired plucks take over after the break, building tension before eventually culminating in a synth-laden second drop, which is a refreshing change of pace on the one that precede it.

The two members of the Steny tandem are based in Switzerland and South Africa, respectively, but the artists collaborate frequently, building a unique chemistry over the years. This eventually led to a landmark signing with progressive house and trance heavyweightArmada.Their music has been supported by a slew of the industry's biggest players, includingLost Frequencies, Morgan Page, Lucas & Steve, and EDX, among many others.

International DJ Replay M has made a splash on the scene as well, making performances at The Street Parade, Openair Gampel, Oceanbeat Boat Ibiza, and Braslav Festival, among other notable shows. He has also received support from a number of electronic bigwigs, like Kris Kross Amsterdam, DJ Scene and Jan-Christian Zeller.

Facebook: facebook.com/stenymusicInstagram: instagram.com/stenymusicSoundCloud: soundcloud.com/steny-music

Facebook: facebook.com/djreplaymInstagram: instagram.com/replaymSoundCloud: soundcloud.com/replaym

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Glide Into the Weekend With Steny and Replay M's Pulsating Deep House Single "Nightshift" - EDM.com

From class conflict and hierarchy inSaurabh Bhave's Bonus, to Dia, athe mind-bending psychedelic trip of Trance, here are our picks:

Language: Telugu

Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video

An edge-of-the-seat watch, this February 2020 release ticks all the thriller boxes murder, mystery and macabre. Directed by newcomer Sailesh Kolanu, Hit stars Vishwaksen Naidu as a dynamic cop called Vikram who is battling post-traumatic stress disorder after an incident in his past has left him permanently scarred. The 128-minute box-office winner an acronym for Homicide Intervention Team, which Vikram is a part of starts off with a girl going mysteriously missing and then spins off into a rollercoaster ride that forces Vikram to confront his own demons.

Hit works because it remains taut for the most part, oscillating between a Se7en-styled investigative thriller and a police procedural, and doesnt pull any punches when it comes to showing stomach-churning stuff. The end may or may not work for you but the money shot in the films final moments sets the tone for at least a sequel, if not more films in the Hit franchise.

Language: Tamil

Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video

Released in theatres on the second Friday of March this year, the Tamil remake of Shoojit Sircars Vicky Donor has Harish Kalyan stepping into Ayushmann Khurranas shoes to play a young man who teams up with an infertility expert to turn into a sperm donor. Largely operating on the same beats as the 2012 Bolly original, Dharala Prabhu introduces minor tweaks in its plot and players in accordance with its milieu, but retains the froth and freshness that marked Vicky Donor. The film benefits from the comedic chemistry between Harishs Prabhu and Vivek (who plays Dr Kannadasan) and works, despite a meandering second half, on the strength of its light-hearted and optimistic look at taboo topics like infertility and sperm donation.

Language: Telugu

Streaming on: Netflix

Hitting theatres on Valentines Day this year, World Famous Lover as is evident from the title has heartthrob Vijay Deverakonda playing an intense lover, similar to the retrograde rebel he essayed in his breakout film Arjun Reddy. World Famous Lover that also stars Raashi Khanna and Aishwarya Rajesh, encapsulates many love stories in one and transitions between fantasy and reality, albeit with inconsistent results. Though the intention is clear the film strives to focus on the selflessness of love as seen through different characters in different circumstances the execution of what must have been a great idea on paper isnt as seamless. But whats not to love about a love story, especially in these times, and one which showcases the ever popular Deverakonda in a role he can now possibly play with his eyes closed.

Language: Marathi

Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video

Class conflict and social hierarchy explored winningly in the multiple Oscar-winning film Parasite is also the driving force behind Bonus, that hit theatres in end February. Saurabh Bhave directs this big story of small moments that tells the story of young Aditya (Gashmeer Mahajani) who accepts his grandfathers challenge of giving up his lavish life and living on meagre means after he refuses to pay bonus to his employees. A critique on class divide, Bonus works largely within the format of a fun watch, combining humour and romance. Though formulaic in parts, the film scores big on relatability.

Language: Malayalam

Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video

One of the most talked about films in recent times, Trance should make it to your watchlist simply for the fact that its frontlined by Fahadh Faasil. The actor whose given us films like Super Deluxe and Kumbalangi Nights is sensational in Trance. The February film a mind-bending, psychedelic trip that traces the transition of a small-time motivational speaker (Viju, played by Fahadh) into a televangelist who performs hoax miracles and helps his business grow into a global phenomenon Trance starts off strong and becomes increasingly shaky, but we recommend you catch it for Fahadhs uninhibited central act. Directed by Anwar Rasheed, Trance falters in parts the ending lacks a satisfactory payoff, especially given the film runs at a butt-numbing 170 minutes but is an avant-garde piece of filmmaking that deserves at least a one-time watch.

Language: Gujarati

Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video

If an easy-breezy watch is what you have your eye on, then look no further than this feel-good Gujarati film that traces its young protagonists rollercoaster ride through multiple relationships before he discovers the true meaning of love. Scoring big in the departments of music and cinematography, Luv Ni Love Storys is powered by Pratik Gandhis (who plays Luv) natural charm and a strong supporting cast that bring on the laughs as easily as tease a tear out of the viewer.

Language: Malayalam

Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video

Resting on a dialogue-driven narrative where the verbal is as impactful as the visual, this Malayalam film has Prithviraj and Biju Menon scorching the screen as sparring partners in this duel of ego and one-upmanship. A compelling look at misplaced machismo and toxic male entitlement, Ayyappanum Koshiyum the title is drawn from the names of the characters played by the two men in the middle released in February and received unanimously positive reviews, with critics praising it for its sharp story and its ability to engage the viewer consistently without resorting to gimmicks. Give the film a watch if you are a Prithviraj fan. And even if you arent.

Language: Tamil

Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video

Translating to burden in English, Baaram has received widespread critical acclaim, including a National Award. The mysterious death of a night watchman forms the bedrock of the February film both real and relevant directed by Priya Krishnaswamy, who also does the writing and editing duties here. Baaram doesnt lose sight of its strong emotional core despite its documentary-style look and feel. The film lays bare the practice of Thalaikoothal, a type of euthanasia that still has social sanction in some parts of Tamil Nadu. Fashioned as a thriller in parts, Baaram runs at a pacy 90 minutes and should make it to your watchlist if you are looking for something more than the usual light-hearted fare.

Language: Malayalam

Streaming on: Netflix

Honest and relevant, Vikruthi is a mirror of the times we live in, chronicling the downside of the obsession with social media. Translating to mischief, the film is sourced from a real incident and tells the story of a man who becomes the victim of a viral social media forward. What works for Vikruthi is the relatable way in which it tells its story and the non-judgmental stance it takes on to view its characters. Suraj Venjarammoodu and Soubin Shahir carry the film that released in October last year, winning us over with a mix of humour and heart.

Language: Kannada

Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video

A simple love story simply told is what makes Dia stand out at a time when audiences are being fed convoluted storylines in seemingly woke films which are anything but. This February film focuses on a love triangle and is a refreshing romance told from the point of view of the woman. An engaging blend of feel-good romance and the hopelessness that love sometimes brings in its wake, Dia powered by its emotional core and strong performances is worth a watch.

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Looking for options other than Holly, Bolly and Tolly to stream this lockdown? - Telegraph India

The intervention of the coach in an individual sport such as tennis appears as a sort of diminutio of the player himself. The competitive trance, the ability to bring home a match that goes wrong is all of the tennis player, and would be mortified by the active intervention of the coach during the competitive act, giving the coach an additional role during the game, making him become protagonist almost as much as the player himself, perhaps bringing tennis coaches to an even more evident role, as happens in the reviled world of football.

Talking with his close friend Fabio Fognini, Novak Djokovic believes tennis should start allowing on-court coaching, but with one major condition. Im always in favour of innovation, World number one said.

I think that the tennis industry needs to keep evolving. One thing Id like to work on is lowering the age of the fan-base, since Im told that in the US and in Europe its usually above 60 years old.

As for rules, I like the experimentation done during the NextGen Finals in Milan. I think that on-court coaching should be implemented, but without letting the crowd hear what is being said, because it would certainly reach the ears of the opponents team.

This past Sunday, the 17-time Grand Slam champion spoke openly about his concerns of potentially being mandated into taking a COVID-19 vaccination before returning to the ATP tour. "I have expressed my views because I have the right to and I also feel responsible to highlight certain essential topics that are concerning the tennis world," the 32-year-old explained to the Associated Press.

"I am no expert, but I do want to have an option to choose what's best for my body. I am keeping an open mind, and I'll continue to research this topic because it is important, and it will affect all of us."

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Novak Djokovic: 'I think that the tennis industry needs to keep evolving' - Tennis World USA

Rana Siddiqui Zaman

Dont leave music, whatever may happen... Smita Bellur had been told by her mother just a few days before her death. She was still a teenager then, unable to take decisions for herself. Life moved on, but her mothers words remained. No wonder she was to leave her career as a software engineer and take to singing Hindustani classical vocals and Sufi renditions when the time came for it.

Despite almost no financial returns compared to what she was earning as a corporate honcho, Bellur is happy. Making no pretensions, this rising star on the firmament of classical vocals and Sufi rendition says, Music was always my calling. I have always seen myself performing on stage before a large audience. At the recent International Sufi Music Festival, Jahan-e-Khusrau, in New Delhi, one saw her singing a combination of classical and Sufi Amjad Hyderabdi and Warsi Brothers kalaam to immense applause.

But before she took up music full time, she was employed with the Bits-Pilani. On her way to and back from office, she would listen to her gurus and classical maestros. A time came in her life when she quit her high-paying career and engaged in music full time. The trigger was a Sufiyana kalaam by Hazrat Ameer Khurau playing in her car. I went into trance. That day, I quit my job and devoted myself to music, she recalls. That was almost two decades back.

Her passion bore fruit and she cut a few albums while doing shows across the globe. An association as senior faculty for Shankar Mahadevan Academy, a fellowship from Karnataka Sangeet Nritya Academy and the India Foundation for the Arts, etc. further honed her skills. She is now a regular on music festival circuits, television channels and radio stations.

However, for any woman, a journey into classical music and Sufiyana kalam isnt an easy task in India yet. That gaana-bajana sarcasm still doesnt spare them. Fortunately, Bellur has lived most of her life in Bengaluru where training in music and arts is considered equivalent to worship of vidya. My parents were keen on my learning music. But I knew it wont get me much financially. To survive, I trained in a technical field.

So, what does it mean to be a Sufi singer? I learnt Hindustani classical to be better at basics and Sufiyana to reach a wide range of audiences. Thumri and khayal have too limited an audience. Ghazals are about beloved, love lost and found and wine. But I find Sufiyana kalams uplifting. They talk about love for humanity, and in unique ways. Hence, it has local as well as international reach, says Bellur who followed up her training in Hindustani vocals with Sufiyana, which is both entertaining, meditative and spiritual and has a much wider reach than just classical and ghazal singing.

Bellur agrees it is also about how you package your music. She says Rekha Bhardwaj and Richa Sharma may not be trained in Sufi gayaki but have the skills and are among the most well-known women singers in India. In the recent past, Nooran Sisters and Roohani Sisters have brought some stir in the calm waters of Sufiyana kalam which remained largely unoccupied by women, but for Abida Parveen.

Aaj kal achchi gayaki ke alawa bhi bahut kuch chahiye hota hai stage presentation ke liye. Famous Sufi singers from Pakistan, like Sanam Marvi, are young, beautiful and presentable. People like listening to them. However, it is true that legends like Begum Akhtar, Shanti Hiranand and Abida Parveen never had to think about presentation, only gayaki. Times have changed. Mumbai, where I live, gives much attention to presentation, and even at all festivals, a singing artsite has to be a complete package.

Even if you fit the bill, Smita says, financial viability is a challenge. For an independent singer, survival is very difficult. Organisers dont want to pay well despite your skills. At times, it goes as low as Rs5,000-10,000 per concert, a fee that the artiste has to share with accompanists. The latter still get a lot of chances with various vocalists, but for the main artiste, payments have always been a challenge, she minces no words.

Lockdown blues

The shutting down of the country due to Covid-19 has led to cancelling of various concerts and it is the beginning of a tough time for artistes. Bellur is keeping herself busy by taking classes and still keeps releasing her ghazals, Sufi kalaams and classical (Hindustani and Carnatic) renditions on social media. God is razzak (the one who gives rizk, the food). He will take care of us, she smiles.

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Smita Bellur: The bridge between Hindustani and Sufi singing - The Tribune India

by: Rugby ScruggsApr 7, 2020

Legendary producer Armin van Buuren has joined forces with Dutch trance artist MaRLo on a beautiful, emotional number titled This I Vow. Last year, MaRLos track Lighter Than Air was named the 2019 Tune of the Year on Armin van Buurens popular radio show A State of Trance, so its only natural that this impressive collaboration was soon to follow. The two talented artists sounds mesh together flawlessly in this new piece that is likely to cause a tear or two to be shed.

Released courtesy of Armins own Armada Music, This I Vow features the emotionally-charged vocals of Mila Josef. Following a few weeks of consistent teasers from both Armin and MaRLo, the release of This I Vow also contains a Tech Energy Mix re=work from the latter producer that is equally as enthralling.

Tags: armada, Armin Van Buuren, MaRLo, mila josef, Trance

Categories: Music

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Armin van Buuren and MaRLo team up for trance perfection on 'This I Vow' - Dancing Astronaut

Director KV Anand heaped praise on actor Fahadh Faasil for his performance in recently released Malayalam movie, Trance starring Gautam Vasudeva Menon, Nazriya Nazeem, Aswathi Menon, Joju George and Soubin Shahir in important roles. The film directed by Anwar Rasheed was released in February this year.The director took it to twitter to praise the performance of the actor and also said the film is a creative amalgamation of cinematography, editing & sound. Fahadh Faasil will be next seen in Take Off director Mahesh Narayanan's upcoming film Malik, which also has Nimisha Sajayan, Joju George, Vinay Forrt in important roles. Earlier actress Kalyani Priyadarshini praised the performance of the actor. Even though the film received mixed reviews the performance of the star is widely appreciated.

Watched #Trance Outstanding performance by #fahadhfaasil -Title card to the End, Perfect Creative amalgamation of https://t.co/NzVb7UNo5l

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Director KV Anand praises Fahadh Faasil's performance in Trance - Times of India

by: Jessica MaoApr 3, 2020

In accordance with Anjunabeats twentieth anniversary, a new trance supergroup has emerged. Joining trance heavyweights Ilan Bluestone and Maor Levi with one of the genres most recognized vocalists, Emma Hewitt, Elysian is the latest act to materialize on the cornerstone label. With virtually zero details disclosed about the project leading up to its reveal, the trios debut single, Moonchild has arrived fortuitously on April 3 courtesy of Anjunabeats.

Moonchild finds the two label-mates coalesce on their signature tronce sounds with electrifying pulsations as Hewitts inspiriting vocals glide atop. Bluestone and Levi have collected a lustrous amount of collaborations together including tracks from the formers 2018 Scars LP like Will We Remain and Everybody as well as Can You and The Distance. The Frozen Ground innovator also crossed paths with Hewitt on his new Monstercat release, Hypnotized.

Sporting an undeniable synergy between the trifecta, Elysian will follow up on their debut with a full EP and live show dates later in the year. Stream Elysians Moonchild below.

Tags: Anjunabeats, debut, elysian, Emma Hewitt, Ilan Bluestone, maor levi, Trance

Categories: Music, News

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Ilan Bluestone, Maor Levi, and Emma Hewitt join forces as Elysian on their Anjuna debut [Stream] - Dancing Astronaut