Record buyers, label executives, DJs and his production peers equally hail Axwell in high regard. “I think Axwell is a brilliant producer,” says Miami’s Robbie Rivera. “His music has so much energy, soul and depth. He makes music for DJs which is what I love.” Roger Sanchez is another admirer and champion of his current placing at the apex of dance music’s elite. “He’s on fire right now. His productions go from strength-to-strength and always rock my dancefloor!”

“Axwell is probably one of the best house music producers in the world,” says fellow Swede and occasional production partner, Steve Angello. Together the two retooled Bronski Beat’s ‘Smalltown Boy’ into the Data release ‘Tell Me Why’ as Supermode. With support from such illustrious DJs as Erick Morllio, Pete Tong and Judge Jules it peaked at number 13 in the UK singles sales chart.

Pete Tong has also recently crowned his upcoming single, ‘I Found U’, an Essential New Tune, helping it pick up additional Radio 1 support from Judge Jules, Annie Mac and the Trophy Twins. Positiva have it scheduled for release later in the year, and 2007 is already shaping up to be the producer’s biggest yet with remixes doing the rounds for an elite list of artists including Bob Sinclar (’I Feel For You’) and Faithless (’Music Matters’), following on from last year’s high-profile restylings for Madonna (‘Jump’) and Nelly Furtado (‘Pomiscuous’). Add into the equation a DJ itinerary that reads like a pilot’s monthly flight schedule – Miami, Paris, Barcelona, Moscow, Ibiza and such far-flung locations as Australia, South Africa, and even Morocco and Algeria – and the facts speak for themselves.

But as the adage goes, it takes many years of hard work to become an overnight success. Starting out on what would end up as his eventual career path, nine-year-old Axel Hedfors first took up the drums, before progressing to computers and music software when most kids were riding bikes and using jumpers for goal posts. Completely self-taught, he learnt to play keyboards and programme beats, and by the time he’d reached his late-teens was already delivering the fruits of his hard work, releasing acid techno tracks made with Fasttracker2 under the pseudonym Quazar (of Sanxion).

Born in Sweden, but a self-described native of house music, it wasn’t long before his recordings found an outlet on labels like Soulfuric, Guidance, and initially, as the newly dubbed “Axwell”, with fellow Scandinavian artist StoneBridge. “Axwell has found the perfect balance between underground and accessible, not to mention the sound quality, which makes him stand out,” says the man whose Stoney Boy label released his debut single, ‘FunkBoy’, in 1999.

After dabbling with Latin-infused house under the guises of Mambana (with Afro Medusa singer Isabel Fructuoso) and then Jetlag (with vocalist Noel McKoy and co-producer Brian Tappert), Axwell again changed stances.

The dawn of the new millennium saw him hone his house sound, and in the process not only his production stature, but also his demand as a remixer. The catalyst his pairing with Robbie Rivera and songstress Suzan Brittan in 2002 on ‘Burning’, a track that would eventually reach the summit of Billboard’s Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart two years later. In 2004 he also enjoyed a pan-European hit with vocalist Errol Reid on ‘Feel The Vibe’; a year later Ministry Of Sound re-released the song as ‘Feel The Vibe (’Til The Morning Comes)’ with additional vocals supplied by Tara McDonald. A top 20 UK chart position followed. 2005 also saw him issue ‘Watch The Sunrise’, sung by Sheffield’s Steve Edwards (the man behind hits for Cassius, Bob Sinclar and Xpress-2) peaking at number three in Dance Singles Chart on his Axtone imprint. Twelve months later Positiva gave it a domestic release to critical acclaim.

Mix-wise he’s been responsible for restyling club and crossover hits for Usher (‘Burn’), Room 5 (‘Make Luv’) Stonebridge (‘Put ‘Em High’), N*E*R*D* (‘Maybe’), Hard-Fi (‘Hard To Beat’), Moby (‘Slipping Away’), Deep Dish (‘Dreams’) and Pharrel Williams (‘Angel’). His versatility to be able to change from out-and-out disco to rock-infused indie beats, and then wordy hip-hop rhymes, helping propel him to most major label’s first port of call, in the process providing DJs with essential tools for their trade.

As with Axwell’s raise in profile, similarly a handful of his fellow Swedish dance producers have also raised the bar becoming part of an elite group of hit remixers-come-producers – or the Swedish House Mafia as the press has affectionately dubbed them. Amongst the aggregate StoneBridge, Steve Angello, Eric Prydz and Sebastian Ingrosso. Axwell collaborating initially with the latter on a remix of Ernesto Vs Bastian’s ‘Dark Side Of The Moon’, before delivering their original production, ‘Together’ – the debut release on Axwell’s Axtone imprint. While with Eric Prydz the two joined forces to produce ‘123’ and ‘321’ under their Axer alias on Eric’s Pryda Friends label. It reported sold a staggering 13,000 12-inch units – pouring water on the much-hyped death of vinyl debate.

With ‘I Found U’ generating a massive buzz, you’d think it might overshadow ‘Get Dumb’, Axwell’s all-star pairing for Data Recordings with Angello, Ingrosso and Laidback Luke that is already creating a huge buzz in its own right, and similarly is set to take Ibiza by storm. But the two compliment one another perfectly and further underline why 2007 is shaping up to be a very good year for the native of house music.

One of two key announcements for Ingrosso in 09 is his brand new slot at Sensation, where is the main resident, playing to 25 000 people per week in May and June alone. Consequently, Sebastian himself is super excited about the summer of 2009. ”Musically, this year has been number one,” he smiles. “The MGMT ‘Kids’ bootleg I did just got cleared and it’s going to be released officially on Refune now. Plus we did a record with Pharrell Williams – it doesn’t have a name yet, I’m not finished with it! – but it’s going to be good and not what people expect. When the breakdown comes its still very N*E*R*D*! You know, it’s the biggest thing for me in my career ever, I never thought I would be in the studio with them, those guys are great.” Anyone who knows Ingrosso will tell you this collaboration is a dream come true.

And if you’re wondering why the song came out so well, again it’s simple: having performed at the same series of festivals date in Australia in winter, the Mafia boys and the N*E*R*D*s bonded over a basketball game in Sydney. “It’s true!” laughs Ingrosso. “We fought together against hooligans and then worked together!” Could you please clarify? ”We had a fight – we were playing basketball together against another team and one of the guys on the opposition scrapped Chad so I knocked this guy out. And a slap turned into a friendship.” Luckily, Chad and Pharrell taught him something a little deeper. “It was one day of work and of course you learn every day – but they reminded me that melodies are still number one.”

Sebastian has been behind many smashes in the past five or six seasons. Leave The World behind on Axtone, Umbrella on Data, Laktos on Refune, an amazing re-edit of Swimming Places from Julian Jabre on Defected, Royksopp and Hard Fi’s ‘Suburban Knights’ and of course the searing remix of ‘Jack You’ with Steve Angello for Diddy and Felix which was approved by Sean Combs himself. But aside from the dark energy, there’s another side to Seb. And if there’s one song that sums up the sweet melodic soul of house music, it’s Kings Of Tomorrow’s ‘Finally’, sung by US gospel-soul vocalist Julia McKnight. “I’ve been working a lot with Dirty South,” explains Ingrosso. “But me, Dirty South and David Guetta just
did a record called ‘How Soon Is Now’ with Julia McKnight and that’s probably the biggest record I’ve worked on. Julia McKnight sings directly from her heart. We all know that she sung ‘Diamond Life’ and ‘Finally’ – but this song is CRAZY. For me, this is one of the top 3 songs this summer.” Also look out for another Seb collaboration with Kid Sister. “I worked on the first single from Kid Sister’s album ‘Right Hand High’ which is a really good record – it’s an honour to work with such an innovator.”

There’s been one more seismic club shift this year. Since Sebastian’s epic Mixmag Cream Terrace cover-mount last summer, the Swedish House Mafia have upped sticks to Pacha, where they will be holding down a weekly residency all season long. Are you excited, Seb? “OOOF! That’s the biggest, the BIGGEST! I am so happy that I got this thing and that we have SHM at Pacha, that’s the biggest. We have some really great guests
- everyone from Funkagenda and Dizzee Rascal to Basement Jaxx and Bob Sinclar. It’s a really cool line-up and that’s hard when everyone has their own night. We’ve managed to come up with something weird but wonderful as a concept too: Dark Forest, come on in!”

And what vibe can we expect to hear from Sebastian and the Swedes in their Dark Forest, we wonder? There now follows a mission Statement from
Sebastian Ingrosso. “Dance music is growing and growing and it already took over America. Dance music is definitely taking over as an influence
in hip hop and r ‘n’ b. Like I’ve been saying for a while now, trance and melodies are coming back and they’re also combining. I think people
are tired of big breakdowns and then it comes back to nothing… Everybody loves a great kick-drum and a killer bass-line but people also
want to hear pianos stabs! Plus, vocals are definitely coming back! But not cheesy vocals – they have to be real.”

Melodies – and memories – are made of this.

Since we last looked, Steve Angello decamped to Los Angeles where he’s been living at least 50% of the time, boosting his creativity and inner confidence to all-new levels. “I love playing in The States, it’s a scene that’s ready to explode,” he states. “They’re getting kind of bored of American DJs so I go one week a month to keep them interested in us. The scene in LA is huge – we used to play to 1500, now it’s closer to 4000. I play at Mansion and Avalon in LA and Pacha in New York. I love Pacha New York too – it’s Erick’s club!
– they got the place up on its feet and it catches that typical New York feeling. You also remember every face on the dance-floor.”

But L.A. is Steve’s new home and he despite having played pretty much every club on the American circuit, he says Avalon remains his favourite club spot. “The vibe in there is just ridiculous! It’s the only club that goes past 4AM. When the light comes in at 6AM, I still have 4 hours to go. And then I can jump in my car and go home.”
Needless to say, music is Steve’s main priority in 2009. “You know, I think if you come to LA and want to work, it’s important… they’re tired of producers doing one track and disappearing – I’m a workaholic!”

But when he’s not spinning or driving, there’s still much to do. When he wakes up, Angello is still very much the A & R supremo for Size Records, wherever he lays his hat that night. The label is now firing with released by himself, Kim Fai, Funkagenda and Marcos Schauss upcoming this year alone. “Marcus is doing well, he’s a great DJ and he plays a little darker than me which is great,” says Steve. “I also signed my brother Antoine to the label. He’s 19, he’s young and fresh
- he’s like me when I was 19, he’s really determined – I gave him a taste of the DJ life and he loved it!” Well, who wouldn’t? “At least I can steer him the way I want him to go,” reasons his big brother.
He’s also working with Funkagenda – “such a great producer! He’s already done a couple of pieces for the label,” states Steve. “I love having him at my parties.” Steve is ready for the Mafia summer to begin. Mondays at Pacha with Seb and Axwell – what more could he ask for? “It’s so good to be having our own night and finally we got it.
Every Monday will be like New Year’s Eve!”

And what about Steve’s own album? “I’m doing the Mescalkid album which is more techno – I have a Mescalkid track coming out on Sci- Tec, a dark techno track I really love but you know, I’m still making three new tracks a week! But my album is going to be really house and techy…. I got a couple of vocals in the bag but it’s too early to say.”  And then of course there’s the small matter of the upcoming
N*E*R*D* collaboration they’re about to finish. “We met in Sydney. We started to talk and ‘Be’ was playing in the background and Pharrell said he loved the track. We had four days off and that’s when we nailed it. I think everything is moving towards electronic dance music. Everybody is interested in what we are doing.” And what of the song, Steve? “It’s a very simple vocal – there are some really nice harmonies and then it has a banging bassline.” And what did Steve learn from N*E*R*D*, we wonder? “The guy is a workaholic and you can definitely tell. He doesn’t drink or party, he works 24/7… I was surprised how hard he could focus. And I thought I worked hard.”

2009 is Luke’s craziest year yet. His collaboration with the Swedish House Mafia, ‘Leave The World Behind’, was an Essential New Tune on Pete Tong’s Miami show – and, as of July 2009, is Beatport’s best-selling track of the year. His Super You&Me party at club Louis during WMC was also an incredible success, starring some sick tag-team antics from Diplo & A-Trak before Luke closed the show. Plus, Luke & Diplo have produced a dancefloor slayer called ‘Hey’ on Southern Fried. This is supported by DJs like Kissy Sell Out, on his Radio 1 show, where Luke’s track with Lee Mortimer, ‘Blau’, received airplay. Naturally, Luke’s remix talents are equally in demand – just see Martin Solveig’s ‘Boys & Girls’ and MSTRKRFT featuring John Legend’s ‘Heartbreaker’. To top it off, he has remixed David Guetta and traded remixes with Tiësto. Meanwhile, Luke’s own killer track ‘My G*O*D* (My Guns On Demo)’ is scorching floors, and he’s always testing new artillery on his travels. Touring in 2009 has seen Luke continue to blaze a trail from Australia to Ibiza, where he played for David Guetta’s Fuck Me I’m Famous party at Pacha, and with Roger Sanchez for Release Yourself at Amnesia. Further marking his transition to major league status, this year has also seen him nominated for best House DJ in Ibiza’s DJ Awards.

Luke (Luke van Scheppingen) was born in Manila, Philippines, but grew up in the Netherlands. He loved guitars, graffiti, hip-hop and house, and found a mentor in Dobre (Chocolate Puma). He was just a teenager when he began producing, taking the ‘laid back’ tag from Snoop Dogg’s ‘Gin & Juice’. Yet by 1995 he was putting out tracks and from 96 was remixing for established artists, in addition to DJing professionally. Once beating a Dutch DMC champ in battle, Luke showed the world how he rolls: skilfully fusing an array of flavours, edits, bootlegs and a cappellas into a slick signature style. He even released an album, Psyched U, in 1999. But it wasn’t until Virgin signed ‘Rocking With The Best’ and released his 2002 album, Electronic Satisfaction, that his profile soared. Luke’s Dance Valley anthem, ‘We Can Not Get Enough’, then blew up. He also mixed his first compilation, Windmill Skill. His discography was therefore already looking prolific as he remixed Daft Punk (who were a huge early influence), Murk, Oliver Lieb and Tom Stephan. And to up the output in 2004, he introduced his own label, Mixmash.

Luke’s alliance with the Swedish House Mafia first came to fruition when he remixed ‘Sexy F**k’ for Steve Angello’s Size in 2006, and with Angello produced ‘Otherwize Then’. These marked the start of an annual tradition of making music with the Swedes. Thus in 2007 Luke joined forces with the guys for ‘Get Dumb’, while his other tracks exploded on Size and Stealth. He then revitalised Mixmash via ‘Rocking With The Best 2007’, before showcasing a deeper sound on his Afterdark Vol. 3 mix for Stealth alongside Roger Sanchez. Around this time, his new residency at Amsterdam club Paradiso – Super You&Me – also started poppin’.

In 2008 Luke released 5 tracks, 18 remixes and played almost 200 DJ sets – including his first Radio 1 Essential Mix. Another Mixmash smash, and one more Essential Tune, came from his working with Kanye West’s tour DJ A-Trak for ‘Shake It Down’. Others making the Essential grade included his remixes of Underworld and Chromeo. It was a year that also saw him make an enormous impact on Ibiza. After playing at Amnesia, Pacha and Eden, he produced/remixed every track on his Ibiza Closing Party mix for Mixmag. And he ended the year with ‘Show Me Love’, by Luke & Steve Angello featuring Robin S, which entered both the Buzz and Cool Cuts Charts, and even reached # 11 in the UK’s official singles chart.

DJing and producing relentlessly, and innovating musically like nobody else, more chart-busting, club-shaking times lie ahead for Luke. At this point, scrolling through his achievements may be exhausting enough, but imagine living that diary, my G*O*D*. His secret? Well, a clue is in the pure energy that he transmits and the martial arts that he practises. Yes, Luke has good ‘kung fu’, always keeping an ear to the ground while his music rockets skyward!

Chuckie was born in 1978 in Suriname (South America), where he developed a love for music at a very young age. His musical taste embraced various genres which enabled him to appreciate the range of artists he was exposed to. When Chuckie decided to expand his horizons and move to The Netherlands, as did his knowledge and passion for music. He started Dj-ing at private parties for friends and before he knew it, he slowly began making his mark as a prominent hip-hop DJ that continued evolving into the electic house DJ we’ve all grown to love and appreciate. Nowadays he has proven to feel really comfortable in the House scene. Chuckie’s drive to explore and discover new techniques and sounds is what helps him push the envelope and challenge his colleagues and listeners one step at a time. His accomplishments did not remain undercover for long, this young man pulled down 4 awards (2004-’06) as well as a nomination for “Best Dance DJ” boosting his credibility alongside heavyweights like Armin van Buuren & Tiësto.

Chuckie has laced audiences with his unique “dirty” house sound at various platforms and clubs around Europe, including major festivals as Mysteryland, Loveland, Dance Valley and his own pride and joy – Dirty Dutch (a concept that he designed to expoit all of his musical influences under one roof). 2008 marked the 4th year (back2back) that Dirty Dutch sold out prior to its showdate, in addition – it also has its on stage within the Mysteryland festival. What started out as a highly successful concept at the Heineken Music Hall (cap. 5,000), has now moved to the Amsterdam’s RAI (cap. 20,000).

The international music scene officially took notice of Chuckie when he opened ID&T’s much revered and publicized festival – Sensation White (worlds leading Dance Event) in July 2008. David Guetta openly expressed his affinity for Chuckie’s talent and invited him to spin at his “F*** Me, I’m Famous” party in Ibiza’s Pacha club. In addition Guetta also added Chuckie’s “Toys Are Nuts” (a co-production with Gregor Salto) on his highly praised sophomore compilation album distributed by the Ministry of Sound label.
Chuckie’s charisma and undeniable talent has made an impression at every international festival and club he’s had the privilege of playing. The SOHO Rooms  in Moscow is a prime example of how he was able to take audiences to a new level of euphoria (something his peers were unable to accomplish). Chuckie is committed to simply doing what has worked for him his entire career – “his thing”, in other words his unique ability to mesh styles along with his passion and boldness.
Chuckie’s production skills are ones with tremendous longevity and promise.  His dancefloor banger, “Guess What” along with his recent release “Let The Bass Kick” have dominated Judge Jules’ weekly playlist on BBC’s Radio 1 – garnishing him praise from his accomplished peers (ie Joachim Garraud, Graham Gold, Laidback Luke en Big Al (Kiss 101 FM, UK). In addition, tracks like “Pong to This” and “Any Noise” are
due to be released and distributed through international channels.
This is a sure fire way for Chuckie to engrave himself on the international music map upon which he’s strategically navigated himself throughout the years. His fate is in his hands and he’s just getting started.

Resident DJ in different radios worldwide like FG DJ Radio in France, his Dj sets are available in podcast every week and are becoming more and more popular… Greg just celebrated his 100th Podcast which is now a reference in French electro scene.

Concerning Music Production, the past year was full for Greg, founder of the label “On The Air Music” : 2 tracks stand out :

“PILLING ME” released in January 2007 with a famous remix by Klaas (one of his first), the track works worldwide and is licensed in many territories like Australia, Spain, Canada…

“INVINCIBLE” in October 2007 including a great remix by D.O.N.S. gets playlisted by many international top Djs : Pete Tong (BBC1) / Axwell / Sebastian Ingrosso / Steve Angello / John Dahlbäck / Tom Novy / David Guetta / Wally Lopez…

In 2008, his last tracks « Schyzo » and « Darkness », mark the evolution of his own sound, in his productions and in his DJ Sets, always with big audience support.

Greg is also about to release his last production for this summer “Bullit” with big remixes from Miles Dyson (Ger) and dA fresh (Fr)

Greg announces the taste of his first personal album, just achieved, which should be released in 2008.

Music addicted since his early childhood, Greg starts Djing House Music in the early 2000’s at the age of 21. He then gets closer to his father in 2002 for a great artistic work on the opus : “Hysteria” by Marc Cerrone. At the release event Hysteria Party at Olympia de Paris, Greg DJ’s through the entire event in front of more than 3 000.

He then contributes to significant events :
- Techno Parade Paris, on the FG Radio Tank in Sept 2004, then in 05 & 07. In front of huge crowd in the streets of Paris.
- July 1st, 2005, Greg takes an active part, mixing and working on the music production of “Cerrone’s Dance Party” given on the grounds of the Versailles castle, gathering over 100 000 people.

In 2005/2006, his monthly residency @ Queen Club Paris, called “Game Over Party” is a success.
Then, permanent DJ events across France and Europe drive him to become a monthly resident in one of Moscow’s trendiest club : The First Mansion.
2007, Greg becomes DJ resident in an another big Parisian electro club : The Redlight for the popular “On The Air Music” Party.

As a sign of his rise, he played twice last summer in one of the best after party in the world @ SPACE Club in Ibiza.
Greg is also booked for electro festivals to play in front of huge crowd.

Today, Greg has already played in many countries like : UK (London), US (Miami/Las Vegas), Russia (Moscow), Spain (Ibiza), Italia(Milan), Monaco, Morocco (Casablanca/Rabat/Marrakech), Ukrainia (Kiev/Yalta), Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Tunisia, Algeria, Mauricius

He has also played for prestigious events like Film Festivals of Cannes, Marrakech or Deauville, and for big companies events like Apple Private Party, Microsoft X-BOX Party, Nokia tour, Playboy Party, Moët&Chandon…

David Guetta even used the instrumental version of the remix for an official bootleg version of his first hit “Love Don`t Let Me Go”.
Television even picked up on the track, Citroen used the remix for its worldwide car add. But everybody is probably wondering by now: When will this man release his first album?! Well, let me tell you, soon! He has just finished putting the final touches on his full-length LP. “Solo” will finally be available by January 2008. The first single “Better Begin” will showcase the Sono vocalist Lennart A. Salomon. That not being enough, Tocadisco launched a new underground series: The Black Series”, expect numerous outputs under this anonym in your local record store. Self- evidently he is also still more than busy remixing artists such as Tiga, Bob Sinclar, Tommie Sunshine, Amo & Navas, Axwell, DY10, Mighty Dub Katz (Fatboy Slim) and Culcha Candela. Tocadisco also helped out David Guetta on his new album, co-producing the piece “Tomorrow Can Wait” with him.  Does this man ever take a break? I guess not, but living in Cologne, this hack has got all the time in the world to work himself to the top of the mountain. This is just the beginning…