The Hot Six #27 – Russia Come Alive

In 2011, Sweden and Holland absolutely dominated the electronic dance music scene. With acts like Armin Van Buuren (Holland), Swedish House Mafia (Sweden), Tiesto (Holland), Avicii (Sweden), Afrojack (Holland), Dada Life (Sweden), Chuckie (Holland), Alesso (Sweden), Hardwell (Holland), Adrian Lux (Sweden), Laidback Luke (Holland), AN21 (Sweden), and Fedde Le Grand (Holland) it’s no wonder why.

In fact, at the Winter Music Conference in Miami, the Swedes and Dutch dueled in a soccer match for the DJ ages. Here is a clip:

2012 is a new year, and although the Swedes and Dutch still reign supreme, there is a new star rising from the east. With up-and-coming artists like Arty, Swanky Tunes, Matisse & Sadko, Russia is surging in electronic dance music with a sheer opulence I haz it.

Let’s go to the tracks…

When Yasi June emailed me this track in August, the first thing I said was “this is a good track, but to be great, it needs vocals.” Yasi then asked me if I was growing too critical of dance music. I said no, but it would be a great track WITH vocals. Well, we were both right. The original posted here back in September is a great track. The one with vocals is also fantastic.

Calling (Lose My Mind) – Sebastian Ingrosso & Alesso ft. Ryan Tedder

Swedes: +1.

Now the Russians. Swanky Tunes is a Russian trio formed in 1998 that has been making splashes internationally in the last year or two with some crazy remixes. Here is a collabo with Dutch DJ R3hab.

Sending My Love – R3hab & Swanky Tunes ft. Max C.

Russians and Dutch: +1

This track was featured on The Hot Six #26, and after it was, I heard it on every DJ’s podcast set afterward. Obviously, we had something to do with it. Here is a Russian track through and through.

Trio – Arty, Matisse & Sadko

Russians: +2

Sebastian Ingrosso posse-member Otto Knows makes a grand entrance with this fresh track.

Million Voices – Otto Knows

Swedes: +2

Swiss-born Persian DJ, Avesta, a.k.a. Farshid Abdi, makes this introductory splash on Tiesto’s label.

Arena – Avesta

Swiss/Persians: +1; Dutch: +2

And now for a little twist:

Timati, a.k.a. the Black Russian, was first featured on Happy Mondays with his European smash, Welcome to St. Tropez, a Hot Six nominee for 2011 track of the year. Timati first came to public light on the fourth season of the American Idol-esque Russian TV show, Star Factory. Now he’s making music videos with P. Diddy.

I’m On You (DJ Antoine vs Mad Mark RMX) – Timati & P. Diddy, DJ Antoine, Dirty Money