New York, NY. (The Windish Agency)--When DJs defect booking agencies it might seem like the equivalent of tectonic plates shifting in the electronic dance music world to some, a quick game of musical chairs to the thumping basslines of EDM , or just a slight hiccup as business returns to its normal course of promoter/venue/agency wheeling & dealing. Just this week we saw UK titans
Sasha &
John Digweed join Chicago-based The Windish Agency after leaving their home of Vital Talent, which was recently formed after the consolidation of NYC-based Chaotica and The Collective Agency (TCA).
In an era of mergers and consolidations, DJ booking agencies are starting to resemble the mammoth behemoths that operate the concert venues. In the last few years we saw longtime mainstay Chaotica, responsible for most of the original titans of live electronic music acts; The Chemical Brothers, Underworld and the Prodigy merge with traditionally progressive-house oriented The Collective Agency (TCA) to create Vital Talent. On another front, newly formed agency Division One (Steve Lawler, Craig Richards, M.A.N.D.Y., Lee Burridge, and many other Artists originally from TCA) was quickly absorbed into the Contemporary music division of powerhouse William Morris Agency (Amy Winehouse, Barry Manilow, Roger Waters), meanwhile AM Only's roster of Artists (Carl Cox, Tiesto, Richie Hawtin, Steve Bug) just seems to be growing by the day.
The Windish Agency is the home of more avant-garde electronic music acts (Boards of Canada, Herbert, Plaid) and has a sizable live music division including many indie-bands (Deerhunter, Chromeo, VHS or Beta) and buzz-acts (Girl Talk, Justice, Jamie Lidell), along with a roster of fine DJs (Matthew Dear, Superpitcher, Michael Mayer). Some of the Artists following Sasha and Digweed into the Windish fold include; Adam Freeland, Darren Emerson, Dave Seaman, Mauro Picotto, Nick Warren, and Paul Oakenfold.
What does this mean for the average clubber? Not much for now - (possibly) bigger North American tours, (hopefully) elevated production values, and (fingers crossed) more innovative Artist bills. Booking traditional DJ acts with more indie-oriented acts could create more legitimacy and win over new fans back into the dance music and clubbing world and maybe us DJ fanatics will discover a new favorite band or two. Get ready when worlds collide. This could be the brave new world of clubbing where indie-hipsters and hard-core clubbers all get along on the common dancefloor.
Who's on First?
Matthew Dear plays Ete D'Amour at Santos Party House on August 14th.
Craig Richards plays Cielo on August 15th.
Mauro Picotto plays Pacha NYC on August 29th.
Steve Bug plays Made Event Sunday School For Degenerates on August 31st.
M.A.N.D.Y. & Richie Hawtin play minitek Festival held on September 12-14th.
Michael Mayer & Superpitcher play Ete d'Amour closing party at Santos Party House on September 25th.
