It seems cool labels around the world just can’t get enough of boy/girl duo Deadbots. The Dublin-Canadian tag team of Paul Kelly and Nina Knezevic have had releases on labels as far afield as Australia’s Bang Gang 12” and New York’s Satan’s Circus, now their anthem and live favourite 'Pussah' has being picked up for a full release on uber-cool German label Freakz Me Out. Deadbots are also one of the many homegrown acts billed to play on the first day of a bumper Paddy’s Day Mini-fest at The Good Bits on March 16 and 17.

Another mini-festival packed with home brewed talent is the 3-room Yes Festival in East Point Business Park, Dublin. Tickets are €25 from Spindizzy, Beatfinder and All City Records in Dublin or at www.elephantevent.com/yesfestival. Last month He’s Electric gave you the heads up on a one day festival featuring Irish house, techno, electro and bass DJs, we can now confirm it will be happening on March 31 in The Button Factory. Also in Dublin, a new monthly electro indie crossover clubnight begins this Saturday March 13 in Wax – Night Moves is the baby of our own Gavin Feeney, who’ll be joined behind the decks by fellow Hot Press-ite Maria Verrecchia.
One of the world’s biggest DJs, Sander Van Doorn, has arrived at RTE’s Pulse dance digital channel. The station is now broadcasting the Dutch trance legend’s syndicated show Identity – which has a massive global following – exclusively for Ireland on Tuesdays between 7.30 and 9 pm. Also tune in to Pulse to find out how guessing some of the station DJs’ weights can win you a place on a sound technology course at The Button Factory worth over €1,000. To find out more on both, go to www.rte.ie/digitalradio/pulse/
CD jocks across the pond have been mourning the decision by Pioneer UK to discontinue the seminal, industry standard CDJ 1000 CD turntable model.
Another international DJ enjoying some Irish hospitality is French electro enfant terrible Ivan Smaaghe. He’s just signed up with Dublin’s BigDishGo promotions for a residency at their latest clubnight, built around him. Called What’s Your Pleasure Jerry? the night kicks off on April 30 with a 5 hour set from the man himself along with Kompakt Records boss Michael Mayer.
However, Irish DJs shouldn’t panic. A spokesperson from Aquarius Sound, one of the countries biggest DJ equipment shops confirmed they will continue to stock and sell the model into the foreseeable future. Speaking to Hot Press, he said, ‘We just got 140 in stock and have made more orders with Pioneer, the CDJ1000 isn’t going anywhere as far as we’re concerned’ Phew!
It’s that time of year again. The Slick DJ Irish Dance Music awards 2010 is rolling up on April 10. The event is nationally recognised and respected home and abroad, with the Lifetime Achievement Award particularly notable. Last year’s winner was former Hot Press dance music columnist and Irish dance kingpin Mark Kavanagh – who will it be this year? To vote on this and other categories, email your nominees to [email protected].
Finally, Irish fans of Tiesto have done the Dutch uber-jock proud and made his March 19 appearance in The O2 Arena officially the single biggest Irish DJ date ever by selling out the venue in advance. Get your coats early and make your way to Tripod for the afterparty as your Tiesto ticket will get you in free!