Photo Credit: Julianne Thompson

 The atmosphere’s synergetic eager anticipation was enough to make everyone thrilled to be present at the show. The audience ranged from neon clad teenagers to middle aged DJ junkies donning mouse ears made out of glow sticks. Dubstep openers, Feed Me and Excision, fed the flame of excitement that the crowd already possessed. The light shows accompanied with looping background videos captured the essence of what it feels like to be present at a true dubstep or electronica DJ set. Beaming colorful splashes of light, heart thumping bass and the necessary spectator to DJ connection steered the show in the right direction before deadmau5 even made it on stage.

The lights blink off and immediately the audience screams and jumps as the Canadian producer and DJ enters the stage wearing his signature mouse head with glowing eyes. The set kicked off with “FML” and fuchsia laser lights. “Sometimes Things Get, Whatever” begins to play as layers of pulsating beats were mixed within the set. Just when I thought the crowd couldn’t get anymore crazed than it already was, deadmau5 kicked things up a notch with “Sofi Needs A Ladder.” SOFI (Some Other Female Interest) dressed in a sequined get-up struts onto the stage to partner with deadmau5 on one of the hottest tracks on his 4X4=12 album. SOFI remained on stage to perform another track from 4X4=12, “One Trick Pony”. Towards the end of the set, the background video showcased an electronic mouse playing in the circa 1985 Nintendo video game classic, Super Mario Brothers. The set ends with a backdrop of “Game Over” in illuminated block letters.

Overall, the show was intoxicating from both a visual and musical perspective. deadmau5 is the quintessence of what an authentic multi-talented DJ truly is.

Photo Credit: Julianne Thompson

True to those weather warnings, on Sunday, the clouds rolled in as the fans rolled up. The prognosis seemed gloomy. However, in the end, there was definitely a silver lining to the clouds.

While only about half of all the ticket holders actually showed up to the festival, it seemed as if the flood warnings managed to separate out the true fans from the rest of those who bought tickets. Even though Identity Fest was left with a half empty venue, it was filled solely with those die-hard electronic fans willing to brave the rain for the music.

And the music definitely made the rain (and possible contraction of pneumonia) worth it.

Starting at 2, music continuously played from the three stages set up in the PNC Banks Arts venue. Early in the day, Chuckie took the main stage. The house-master sampled everything from Nirvana to Adele and audience members responded with dancing and some Jersey-style first pumping. Datsik, LA Riot and DJ Shadow took over from there and followed through with equal success.

By the time the final acts, Steve Aoki and Kaskade, took their respective stages the rain had cleared and fans were ready to shed their rain jackets and dance. Kaskade spun from his tall tower on the main stage while Aoki bounced around and popped champagne from the Dim Mak stage. Both artists blessed their enduring crowds with fresh tracks and exciting performances. By the time the sets wrapped up, fans were dry, satisfied and exhausted.

Ultimately, the day could have easily been a wash out, but thanks to the devoted fans and the energetic artists, Holmdel’s Identity Fest was a thundering success.

Missed Identity Fest this past Sunday? Identity will be making stops at Camden this Friday and then Jones Beach on Sunday.

For tickets go to: http://www.ticketmaster.com/Identity-Festival-tickets/artist/159632

Perhaps the most highly anticipated tour of the season, the “Watch the Throne” tour celebrates the CD collaboration of
hip-hop superstars Jay-Z and Kanye West . Due to high demand, concerts had to be added to the tour- even before the duo’s CD dropped. Ticket prices are set to be in the higher price range but with this much talent these two are sure to deliver.

2. Meowingtons Hax Tour: Deadmau5

Kicking off on August 7 at Chicago’s Lollapalooza Music Festival, Deadmau5’s Meowingtons Hax tour is scheduled to take the US and

Canada by storm. The electronic music producer/performer has reached a new level of popularity in the last couple years, moving up from small clubs to selling out amphitheatres. The tour will feature a brand new production fit to match deadmau5’s rising popularity and supreme talent.

3. Jason Mraz

The soulful and spunky Jason Mraz is back. After spending months in the studio working on a new album, the tour will debut some of Mraz’s latest material. The tour will take the artist coast to coast, with about 20 concerts scheduled along the way. With a mix of the old and the new Jason Mraz is sure to not miss a beat.

4. Pretty Lights

Pretty Lights

Coming off of a massive summer tour, Pretty Lights recently announced plans for an even more massive fall tour. Pretty Lights aka Derek

Vincent Smith, has been hard at work preparing new tracks for the 6-week, cross-country fall tour. Meanwhile, the creation of the new Pretty Lights set is underway, bringing with it a promise of new level of sophistication and excitement. The combination of new music and a new set will make Pretty Lights a must-see for fall, and with the DJ stopping in almost every major city in the country, there’s no excuse to miss him.

5. Empire of the Sun

Since making their US debut last August, this synthpop duo from Down Under has been welcomed with open arms and enthusiastic fans. Their electronic, new wave sound is bizarre and fun- guaranteeing a dance party no matter what concert you choose to attend.

Also check out: The Head and the Heart, Phish, Sade, Bright Eyes, Lotus, Peter Bjorn and John, Ben Harper

Previously banished to basements and underground clubs, electronic music has reached a new level of popularity over the last couple years. With the explosion of the genre, this sort of festival was just waiting to be created. And the creation of Identity Fest officially allows electronic music to be recognized as a force to be reckoned in the mainstream music world.

Despite its infancy, Identity plans to debut big. The tour kicks off in Indianapolis on August 11 and will make stops in 20 cities including San Francisco, Miami and Dallas until its final show in Seattle on September 10. Each stop will feature some of the biggest artists in the electronic world.
Veteran artists Kaskade, Booka Shade and Steve Aoki will be joining other fan favorites, such as Chuckie, Holy Ghost! and Datsik. Different destinations will feature a variation of this lineup. Philadelphia, for instance, will also feature Rusko, Skrillex and the Disco Biscuits.

The Identity Fest tables don’t start spinning until August. Until then, electronic music fans will just have to wait in anticipation for the beat to drop.

For tickets go to: www.IDFestival.com

Mauvais Langue: From all the places you have played, what is your favorite city and why?
Drek Martinez: I love traveling to new places and feeling out the energy of new and different crowds. Picking a specific city is kind of difficult because every city has its own particular vibe. I’ve been in New York for two years and I have not been bored even once. It’s the type of city where you can instantly belong, whether it’s in the first two minutes of touching down at the airport or after two years of living here. So, as of right now, I’d say my favorite place to play is New York, but I’m also drawn to Australia and Asia.
ML: In regards to inspiration, there are plenty of sources: other DJs, the crowd, different cities, places and so forth. Name some DJs/producers, places and things that inspire you.

DM: Quite honestly, pretty much everything around me can act as the source of a beat. Musical inspiration can stem from anything and pop up everywhere as long as you’re tuned in to catching it: From something as predictable as the work of other musicians, to a memorable line in a book, to something as simple as a walk down the street; every source kind of works in unison. I’m fortunate enough to live in downtown Manhattan, which is alive and kicking at all hours of the day/night, everyday, year-round. The amusing characters on the streets, the art, and the parties, all make the city a rowdy and intriguing playground of ideas.
ML: Are there any particular DJs or musicians you would like to work with in the future?
DM: There’s an endless list of musicians in my head with whom I’d like to collaborate. With such a huge roster of talent out there, it’s sometimes tricky to settle on one person or to get connected with them, depending on who they are. The future is like the Wild Wild West, anything goes. Let’s see what’s in store for me! Can I have Thomas Mars from Phoenix on a track??! In terms of DJ’s, I’d love to do something with Eric Prydz to see his skills and techniques at work.

ML: Do you currently have any side projects you are working on? If so, do tell.
DM: Right now, 110% of my focus is channeled on my own tracks. I went into hibernation this winter and stayed in my apartment the majority of the time banging out tracks. Some are finished and some are a “work in progress.” You’ll soon get a chance to listen them!
ML: What have been some of the biggest challenges you have faced while building a name for yourself in the music industry?
DM: I always say “never stop learning, always challenge yourself and seek to create an experience.” Challenge is omnipresent in life and especially when it comes to building up a name in the music industry. The key is embracing every challenge, whether big or small, because nothing easy is worth shooting for. The bigger the challenge, the bigger the reward. Music is like a powerful drug, you become easily addicted to the creation and the game around it.
ML: Tell us a bit about your residency at LAVO NYC.
DM: It’s truly an honor and a pleasure to have a residency at LAVO. Friday nights are gaining steam and continue to get better and better. I couldn’t ask for better people to work with because they give me free reign to fully express myself while we all strive for one thing: to make LAVO THE club people crowd to on Friday nights.
ML: What is one of the biggest perks of being the resident DJ at LAVO NYC?
DM: I get to do what I love to do in one of the most exciting places in the world while also being given the chance to DJ with the best of the best, renowned DJs from around the globe that I’ve always had shortlisted in my mind as people I’d want to work with.

ML: Did your DJ career begin in your hometown in southern France?
DM: Yes, I started when I was 13 years old. I worked nonstop for an entire summer so that I could purchase equipment. In the beginning, I only had one turntable and one mixer so I spent hours and hours scratching. I preferred doing that over anything else and was willing to spend every waking moment practicing. One year later, the time I put in paid off and I won a DJ contest that went down in my hometown. After the contest, a club owner asked me to DJ and, well, the rest is history. I never stopped since then and here I am today.

ML: Besides an obvious love of music, what other factors compelled you to become a DJ?
DM: Music is a powerful force that can instantly perk up anyone’s mood. At the end of the day, my job is to make people happy. What better feeling is there than knowing that not only are you doing what you love but that its effect is making people have a good time? ◊

The festival, which takes place from June 16th-19th, gets things going tonight with a sold out performance from Theophilus London at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. Throughout the weekend, artists such as Beirut, Twin Sister, Root’s front man ?uestlove are also set to take the stage at various venues.

Beyond the musical performances, Northside will also be screening short and feature length indie films. Additionally, there will be a film competition. The Northside  Do-It-Yourself Film Competition is a first for the festival and aims to attract amateur filmmakers. The films will be judged by a variety of Brooklyn celebrities and directors and the winners stand to win an exclusive screening for Rooftop Films.
Furthermore, in an effort to showcase the Brooklyn art scene, artists are scheduled to show off their work in galleries throughout the festival. During this initiative, called Northside Open Studios; painters, photographers and sculptures will get the chance to exhibit their talents while showcasing the community’s thriving art scene.
Finally, the fest completes its smorgasbord of creative talents with a panel discussion centered around the “innovators” of the creative world. This creative brainstorm portion of Northside will feature panelists such as Alyson Shontell from Business Insider and Foursquare founder, Alex Rainert. They will speak on a number of topics including: how to come up with fresh ideas, how to execute them and how to spread the word. These discussions will take place on the Thursday and Sunday of the festival at the Brooklyn Brewery (every ticket includes a free beer!).
With an assortment of artists to match everyone’s taste, it seems like not only is Northside back, but it’s going to be better than ever.
For tickets and complete schedule: http://www.thelmagazine.com/blogs/NorthsideFestivalNews.

Image courtesy of pinkmemo.com

Tickets are selling out for the 16^th Annual Gen Art Film Festival, a week-long celebration in New York City, showcasing emerging stars in the film industry. The event-filled extravaganza premieres one short film and one feature film by nouveau filmmakers each night, followed by glamorous after-parties at New York City hotspots.

This year‘s rising acting talent includes Zoe Kravitz, Dan Byrd, Emily Van Camp and Gabourey Sidibe. These emerging actors will share the spotlight with veteran Hollywood royalties such as Jennifer Connelly, Pierce Brosnan, and Marisa Tomei.

The festival is set to run June 8-14^th with the run-of-fest taking place at the Visual Arts Theatre in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. Each event will be preceded by a complimentary pre-reception.

In addition to celebrating emerging talent in the film-making industry, the festival also showcases new and exciting accomplishments in fashion, music and art by providing emerging designers and artists with opportunities to showcase their works to members of the industry. These opportunities help provide a platform for break-through talent, eager to break out into their fields.

The organization was recently acquired by publishing company Sandow Media, and will be making its first comeback since declaring bankruptcy in 2010.  Longtime Gen Art executives, Elizabeth Shaffer and Jeffrey Abramson, are currently serving as the company’s co-presidents.

Top Three Films on the Radar:

“A Beginner’s Guide to Endings”- The debut film from 35-year-old filmmaker, Jonathan Sobol, tells the story of a father who has left his three sons with the burdens of his gambling problem. Upon understanding the terrible fate that awaits them, the brothers aspire to mend a lifetime of horrible mistakes in a single day. “A Beginner’s Guide to Endings” stars Scott Caan, J.K. Simmons and Tricia Helfer. It made its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival and will be making its New York debut on opening night at the Ziegfeld Theatre; 141 West 54th Street. The after-party will be held at Vermilion Restaurant; 480 Lexington Avenue.

Jason Jones, Paulo Costanzo, Siam Yu and Jared Keeso; Image courtesy of Darius Films

Scott Caan (Cal) and Tricia Helfer (Miranda); Image courtesy of Darius Films

“Yelling to the Sky” – This film is directed by Victoria Mahoney and tells the story of biracial Sweetness O’Hara (Zoë Kravitz), a 17-year-old girl growing up in Queens, NY. In addition to seeking acceptance in a less than tolerant community, Sweetness must deal with family problems, such as her alcoholic and abusive father, mentally unstable mother, and her single, pregnant older sister. Sweetness must tackle the obstacles of her unfortunate life, while transitioning from a being teenager into an adulthood. The film also features actors Tim Blake Nelson and Gabourey Sidibe. It premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival. Its viewing will be held on June 9th at the Visual Arts Theatre; 333 West 23rd Street. The after-party will be held at Griffin Nightclub; 50 Gansevoort St.

Zoe Kravitz, Hassan Manning, Shareeka Epps, EJ Bonilla, Gio Perez, Sonequa Martin; Photo by Kirsten Johnson

Zoe Kravitz; Photo by Kirsten Johnson

The festival will close with “Salvation Boulevard,”a satirical take on Christian fanaticism. Based on the novel by Larry Beinhart, this film follows the moral and spiritual transformation of Carl (Greg Kinnear), a former Grateful Dead follower. His road to salvation is based on the teachings of Evangelical Preacher, Pastor Dan Day (Pierce Brosnan), a charismatic manipulator, who has captivated a small westernized American town. After learning of Preacher Dan’s sinful wrongdoings, Carl is at a crossroad: does he expose the beloved preacher’s sins or does he continue his path to Christian salvation based on lies and hypocrisy? He finds himself on the run as a victim of a scheme to cover up Dan’s sins. The film is directed by George Ratliff and stars Jennifer Connelly, Marisa Tomei, Ed Harris, Pierce Brosnan and Greg Kinnear. It first premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Screening will be held at the Visual Arts Theatre. The after-party will take place at Hiro Ballroom; 88 9th Avenue.

Pierce Brosnan; Image courtesy genart.org

Greg Kinnear; Image courtesy of imdb.com

For ticket information and pricing visit http://genart.eventbrite.com.

Aoki’s premiere set at the scene of LAVO NYC last Thursday night proved to be nothing short of entertaining with a shot (literally) of Lemondrop induced thrills. The crowd followed suit of Aoki’s excitement by taking part in continuous dancing. Aoki did not sit during his entire set! Finding a musician, DJ or designer that exudes passion in a skill that they are truly talented in is as rare as spotting a unicorn in your front yard. His intensity and obvious love of music caused giddy smiles in the crowd that you usually only witness when one begins to fall in love with their significant other.

Also notable was the snazzy Aoki decorum in the form of alphabet letter blocks that spelled “Aoki” and pictures of the DJ engaging in a salute. Oh, and who can forget the surprise guest, L.A. based DJ Marshall Barnes? I am more than certain that you wish you were there. Snag your tickets to see him this summer at the IDENTITY Festival (www.idfestival.com).

Join The Hangover and The Hangover Part II director, Todd Phillips, actor Bradley Cooper and more for the live red carpet premiere. The star-studded list of attendees consists of Jay-Z, Will Ferrell, Rihanna, Kristen Bell, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Eli Manning, Holly Madison and many more. You will have to watch to see who else you can spot! The streaming takes place tonight, Thursday, May 19th at 9:30 PM E.S.T. Grab a glass of champagne and join Mauvais Langue for front seat red carpet action from the comfort of your own luxe divan.  Click  http://www.mauvaislangue.com/live-coverage/ to watch live NOW (May 19th at 9:30 PM EST)! Afterward, shake and pop with MauvaisLangue.com at LAVO NYC for Steve Aoki’s DJ set. You never know who might show up…