Releasing "The Sad Piano" on Ben Watt's Buzzin' Fly label immediately sent Justin Martin's music across the spectrum of dance, making waves with A List DJs like Derrick Carter and Pete Tong who often played the track as well as receiving rave reviews from the international music press. For Justin Martin, he really could not have hoped for a more successful first record, striking gold and establishing himself on the dance scene.
Alongside fellow San Franciscan producer Claude VonStroke, the pair were heavily involved with the early days of dirtybird records, appearing on its first lot of releases. Having developed his unique sound through a number of solo EPs, Martin had gained the respect of his peers and was quickly looking like becoming one of the most popular house DJs in the world.
In 2010, he was invited by Pete Tong to create a DJ mix for his famous, regular "Essential Mix" series, bringing Martin to a wider audience. His appearance on the front cover of DJ Magazine equally helped raise his profile. Releasing more solo EPs on dirtybird, Martin gained critical acclaim from a number of music media outlets, with his singles "Mr Spock" and "Lezgo," the latter becoming a big hit and fixture on many DJ's playlists that year (2011).
Alongside his solo productions, Martin also formed a duo with his brother Christian, as The Martin Brothers, creating hip hop influenced tracks, with hits including "Duckface," "Dum" and "Stoopit." Martin has also established himself as having a quality ability to remix, re-envisioning classics such as Radiohead's "Nude" and TG's "Revox," garnering further attention in the dance music scene.
His debut album, "Ghettos & Gardens" was released in 2012, alongside a number of successful singles in support of the album. SInce this success, he has become an internationally sough after DJ, performing at places such as Panorama Bar in Berlin, Fabric in London and Space in Ibiza.
Lee Foss is an American-Born DJ from Chicago, Illinois. This gig tonight is an eagerly anticipated show that was declared sold out within a week of the tickets being on sale. He comes from humble beginnings, as his success wasn’t quite over night although, it did all happen rather quickly. Apparently he would be at his home in Chicago working on Logic but nothing much would happen. It was after a meeting with Jamie Jones in Ibiza in the early 00s that changed everything for this artiste. They became close friends and started their own record label called “Hot Natured”.
Tonight is his hometown comeback show, as he takes to the stage, he receives such a great amount of applause and then launches into some of his mixes. Tonight is all about the “Hot Natured” – Different Sides of the Sun full length studio album. Throughout this performance there isn’t a moment where the atmosphere drops significantly. It has all the rises and falls of any set, just with the most animated audience.
An unhealthy obsession with pizza isn't all that Justin Martin should be known for. He's also the co-label boss of American label Dirtybird which he runs with Claude Von Stroke. And a bloody good techno and house music producer who gives equally brilliant DJ sets. Releases such as 'Don't Go' which you may know through the Dusky remix, 'The Gettup' a collaboration with Bristol's Eats Everything and 'Ruff Stuff' go down a storm whenever they are dropped during his hotly anticipated, heavily attended DJ sets. Lots of bass and head-bopping and smiles come from behind the decks when he plays. I had missed him on several occasions while he was on tour around the UK so you can imagine how excited I was when I saw him play TWICE IN ONE DAY at Hideout festival. The first time, performing at a pool party, he provided the set of the day dropping tracks from the Dirtybird lebel back catalogue as well his own productions. Shiba Shan's 'Okay' and Second City's 'I Enter' are highlights with a building bass beat on each. Later, during an evening set at Aquarius club, it's just as good, this time reaching a one in, one out attendance policy while the lucky fans who get in are on each others and shoulders shuffling away throughout. Unexpectedly, on the last day of Hideout, we found ourselves observing Shy FX's genre-bashing set, with Justin Martin raving away practically next to us!
J. Worra is a can’t miss DJ. If you ever find yourself at a festival where she’s on the lineup do yourself a solid and make sure you’re there front and center for her set. You won’t be able to stop dancing because she drops heat tracks the entire time, deep house with some dirty bird tracks mixed in and her original tracks that will make you bounce. She’s super rad and personable and cares about her fans.