Artists

Jonas Kopp is an industrial strength techno producer from Argentina. By industrial strength I mean strong, deep, dark, hypnotic 3am kind of techno. Kopp has been charted and supported by some of the world’s finest techno wizards including Matthew Dear, Adam Beyer, Richie Hawtin, Sven Vath, Chris Liebing, Par Grindvik and more. When he’s not cranking out tunes on Spectral sound, his own Traut Muzik, Net28, Weave Music and more, Jonas is busy working crowds all over the globe as a full time DJ monster.

If you want to experience the future of electronic dance music today there is one artist that fuses together tech, glitch, funk and melody in a fashion so astounding that it will require jaw surgery before you can close your mouth again. Jamie Watts is the perpetrator of some of the coolest techno, idm and glitch hop you have ever heard, and spreads this music to the masses via his prolific Kilowatts moniker along side the techno duo Voodeux (with Tanner Ross), Skeetaz (with Bill Bless) and Super Galactic Expansive (with MC Amagine). Mr. Watts has also been responsible for the founding of Soulseek Records and has released music on some of today’s finest experimental (and established) labels including Native State Records, Artificial Music Machine, Harmonious discord, Thoughtless Music and, of course, Kilowatts music.

Exercise one consists of the intrepid Marco Freivogel and Ingo Gansera who have been storming the Berlin Underground in the four years and are quickly ascending in status as one of the city's more interesting live acts and producers. These gents are responsible for many an unconventional liquid techno masterpiece and are the founders and managers of Lan Music which they founded after meeting at !K7. Additionally, they have released and bevy or influential remixes and are apart of the core Mobilee roster.

Stefny is a woman for the moment. She is fueled by emotion, desire, and radiates a humble love for music found in everyday life. Her urges are to express herself creatively, recreating what she defines as existence, delivered with deep and resonant undertones. She harbors a definitive and distinct sound that holds true to her shining character – always with depth and always with meaning. Stefny's catalysts include live musical performances and in-studio creations. She's an active contributor of musical talent in her hometown of New York City, both through regular appearances on the decks, and through supporting fellow musicians by being in the crowd. Her debut single was released in 2007 on Dietrich Schoenemann's Label, "Addon" – and in winter of 2008 her 2nd EP was showcased on Pheek's label Archipel. Still rightfully a new face, Stefny adds a breath of fresh air to the industry, and is surely going to turn many heads in the near future. A woman who's true not only to the music – but to what lies behind it --- and that's where it matters most.

Billy Dalessandro is one of Chicago's brightest and most influential electronic dance music producers.  Having graced the decks of some of the world's largest clubs and released a frenzy of quality production on a variety of choice labels including Siteholder Records (of which he is a co-owner), Soniculture, Disco Inc., Force Inc., Forcetracks, Harthouse, Resopal, and Relax, Dr. D has built up enough gunpowder in the canon to launch his career to a whole new level in 2009.  With a busy production schedule and the much anticipated release of his full length album titled Polis (Due out in April) its a treat to have him on board the FWD roster as well.

Music has been an integral part of Brian Ffar’s life for as far back as he can remember. As a child, he recalls when it was impossible to sleep without the soothing sounds of his radio turned on by the head of his bed. Brian began to take piano lessons at a young age and eventually joined the school band. It wasn’t until a then unknown CD, entitled “Homework”, by a then unknown group named Daft Punk was released that Brian would realize his future in music.

Those of you aware of the bleeding edge of effective, tunnel vision, minimal techno should be well served to know about Camea. The good lady has put the engine on mach 5 and jumped off into the forefront of the scene with inscrutable good taste and flawless organization. In addition to headlining top shows around the world, she has released music on her own fresh label Clink and Minus, Einmaleins, Sunset Diskos, Klickhaus and more. With upcoming shows with Loco Dice and Ambivalent we are happy that Camea has taken time out to provide an exclusive mix and interview for FWD!

LE_Cantin is the pseudonym for one Patrice Cantin, a denizen of Montreal, Canada and a feisty music production machine. Cantin's techno adventures are unorthodox and richly hypnotic with a stripped down micronic attention to detail. The good sir is involved primarily with the noble Archipel (Canada) but has also released music on One-Bit-Wonder and Pentagonik (Germany), Subtropical (Sweden) and Pinksilver (Australia). In addition to his refreshing production, Cantin is also an excellent DJ and the latest guest for FWD.dj.

Right now is a perfect time for Roberto Rodriguez. He has been steadily building his career since 1997 with a pertinent mix of housey techno grooves and finally the international techno markets seems to be currently barreling toward this sound. This scene shift stands to place Rodriguez on the top of the pile and his effective production and impeccable DJing capacity make it well deserved. Having collected releases on Freerange, Laka, Ostwind, Frisbee Tracks, Sonarkollektiv, Compost, Plastic City, 2020 Vision, Moodmusic and more, Roberto Rodriguez is well established as a dance floor mover and shaker with a increasingly bright future.

In a world that is abundant with creators, we can't help but wonder what lies behind their intricate minds. We can't help but wonder what fuels their passion, and delivers their motivations. Music; being the glue between societies, cultures, and relationships, as well as a primary way to communicate; we cant help but wonder what role an artist plays in human development and personal identity. What message are they trying to convey? Is the message significant? Is it worth listening to, and dissecting? The very work of Marc Neyen screams introspectiveness - a mind with much to say, and a talent that's very influential. Multi-layered in depth and laced with his uniqueness and personality, you can't help but want to know more about this artist who is stopping people dead in their tracks with his sound alone. With his creations already featured on Archipel, Eminor and Synket - we can only hope a mind like this will forever continue creating music.