By Geoffrey Rowlands


A music prodigy who rarely plays an instrument. Step forward Russian-born but Germany-based Anton Zaslavski, better known as Zedd.
The 23-year-old electronic dance music producer and DJ is enjoying a world-wide hit with Clarity, the title-track from his 2012 debut album. The song, which features vocals from British singer Foxes, has topped the US dance charts and is currently at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100. But how many of Zedd’s fans would imagine he was a classically trained multi-instrumentalist?
“Some enormously popular dance music producers don’t play instruments,” Zedd remarked. “They can still create fantastic songs but have basically learned what they need to click to get the right sounds from their computers. I feel my ability to play instruments is an advantage in that it helps me to write more musical songs.”
Born to classical musician parents, Zedd was an accomplished pianist at four and recording his own compositions by the time he turned six. He later began playing drums and developed an interest in rock music.
“I was performing in a post-hardcore, rock and metal trio named Dioramic when I was 12. I also wrote and produced most of our songs. The only electronic music I was listening to at that time was Daft Punk’s album, Discovery. It wasn’t until as recently as 2009 that I really got into electro dance through hearing Justice’s Cross album.”
He made an immediate impact on the dance scene winning two prestigious Beatport remix contests. This success led to deals with Skrillex’s OWSLA label and a major contract with Interscope Records.
“I made more remixes at first before creating my own tracks, Shave It and Slam The Door. Both songs topped the Beatport chart. I then had the opportunity to do remixes of tracks by some very famous artists such as Black Eyed Peas, P Diddy and, particularly, Lady GaGa. My remixes of her songs, Born This Way and Marry the Night, brought me to the attention of a much wider audience.”
Zedd found himself in demand not just to remix tracks but produce original songs for other artists.
“I was so busy working on the songs for my own album, making remixes and producing. But I was also having a fabulous time doing all this work and felt honoured to have been accepted so readily by everyone on the dance music scene.”
Although everything he releases seems to hit number one on the Beatport chart, Zedd’s own work has taken time to find a significant mainstream audience.
“Clarity has been on the market for nearly a year. It was an iTunes ‘Single of the Week’ last October. I think I’m another artist who can thank television for leading people to my song. Covers of Clarity were performed on Glee and The Voice so it was heard by many more people than just dance music fans.”
Zedd’s next single, Fall Into the Sky, is a collaboration with his friend and fellow producer Lucky Date, real name Jordan Atkins-Loria. The song features vocals by Ellie Goulding.
“We keep pushing back the release date because Clarity is doing so well. I was amazed when it went gold and now platinum. I’ll be only too pleased if Fall Into the Sky isn’t released for a good while yet.”



in
brief

One Direction

With One Direction’s 3D movie, This Is Us, set to go on general release later this week, the British boy band’s fans can also read all about their heart-throbs in a newly published book, One Direction: Where We Are: Our Band: Our Story.
Described by publisher HarperCollins as “the only official book from One Direction charting their journey,” it is packed with previously unseen photos and tells the group’s story in Harry, Zayn, Niall, Louis and Liam’s own words.
The book not only chronicles their rise to fame and subsequent world-wide stardom but also offers fans an insight into each band member’s reaction to their spectacular success.

Sir Elton John

The British Phonographic Institute have added a new Icon category to their BRIT Awards. Reserved only for those artists whose songwriting, recording and performances have made a lasting impact on UK culture, the first recipient will be Sir Elton John.
Elton does not have to wait until the 2014 BRIT Awards ceremony to receive this honour. It will be bestowed upon him during a stand alone event on September 2.
However, he will have to metaphorically sing for his supper. The ceremony will take place at the London Palladium theatre with Elton giving a performance of classic hits and new material which will be filmed for television broadcast later that evening.
A delighted Elton said; “It’s a tremendous honour and a real thrill for me to have my work acknowledged in this way. I’m really looking forward to participating in what promises to be a very special occasion.”

Eminem

Eminem has created a new song for use in the forthcoming video game, Call of Duty: Ghosts.
Survival will feature in the marketing campaign as well as the game. But Eminem’s fans who do not play video games can still buy the track as part of his as-yet-untitled upcoming eighth studio album. It is also available to hear now at www.youtube.com/watch?v=isutFv7ORHA.
The Survival chorus is performed by largely unknown vocalist Liz Rodrigues, singer with Canadian band The New Royales. A free download of their version of Jefferson Airplane’s 1967 song, Today, is available from (no www.) thehastingsset.bandcamp.com/track/today-2.
The band, with Liz featured front and centre, can also be seen in the video for their collaboration with Pitbull on Don’t Stop Me Now. It is posted at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty6ceMTA9KM.

Asgeir

Asgeir Trausti Einarsson has become Iceland’s latest musical sensation.
The 21-year-old singer / songwriter’s music has been described as melodic folk. His debut album, Dyro i dauoapogn, has broken sales records for an Icelandic artist in Asgeir’s native land. It has also spawned three chart-topping singles.
He is now hoping to find world-wide success by literally translating his songs for the international market. American singer / songwriter John Grant, who is currently living in Reykjavik, Iceland, is helping Asgeir to translate his lyrics into English.
The first fruits of their labour can be seen in the video for Asgeir’s first English language single, King and Cross. John also appears in the video which is posted at www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-dHIkF_lO4.

The Vaccines

English indie rockers The Vaccines have just released their first EP. Melody Calling contains three new songs plus a remixed version of Do You Want A Man? created by producers John Hill and Rich Costey.
A video for the title-track is posted at www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJPqJwdCXpw. The rest of the EP can be heard at (no www.) soundcloud.com/the-vaccines. Many more of the band’s songs can also be found on this webpage.
Both of their albums are posted in full on YouTube. What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? is at www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fgvlQZJl1M while the URL for “Come of Age” is www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Q5u7AGk40w.