Music, like all things, is constantly changing. New trends are always taking over the spotlight. Once beloved artists fade into memory, leaving fans waiting for a comeback.
That doesn’t mean artists necessarily retire (or die). Sometimes they just want to do something else. After all, one of the perks of their job is the freedom to pursue new projects on a whim. Unfortunately, with every venture left behind there is a following of dedicated fans.
Here are a few dance music artists that need to make a comeback….for the sake of the fans.
1. Clockwork
RL Grime always does trap right. RL Grime used to go by another name though. That name is Clockwork. Clockwork has been gone for a while now, but those that remember him know his sets were not to be missed. The primary difference between RL and Clockwork is their diversity. While an RL Grime set is guaranteed to be mostly trap, a Clockwork set was guaranteed to be different every time. As Clockwork, no track was off limits. Anyone who has seen Clockwork or RL know he’s one of the best there is on the decks. We need more people like that playing every kind of music under the sun.
2. Duck Sauce
The last time people saw a giant inflatable duck at festivals was around the time Duck Sauce released their album “Quack!”. Since then, Armand Van Helden and A-trak parted ways. Both are exceptional DJs and producers with plenty of solo ventures to take up their time. However, retro dance music is making a comeback, and no modern dance group represents retro dance music like Duck Sauce. A-trak has described the group as a “New York-centric project” and rave culture was born in dirty NYC disco clubs. Seems like a perfect time for the pair to “put the sauce on it” once more.
3. Dog Blood
Anyone who has followed the career of Skrillex knows he’s always changing things up. As soon as he started developing a reputation as a dubstep DJ he went and did something completely different. He started working with Boys Noize on a project called Dog Blood. Soon after Dog Blood was through knocking back heads with its “electronic-core-rave-metal,” Skrillex started working on his debut solo album. Shortly after that he was topping festival bills with Diplo as Jack U. All of these projects are different in sound and scope, but none were as unique and unexpected as Dog Blood. Here’s to hoping they release more music soon. (Their presence on the HARD Summer 2017 lineup is definitely a good sign.)
4. J.E.S.u.S.
These four house masters (Jackmaster, Eats Everything, Seth Troxler, and Skream) are the newest dance music supergroup. They have been tearing up European Festivals and the beaches of Ibiza for a while now, but they are rarely seen in the U.S.. The only time they’ve been on the west coast together was for an appearance at Coachella 2015 (amazing). Coachella always pulls rare bookings like this, but there is surely enough demand to bring the quartet back for round 2. The four of them have an undeniable chemistry behind the decks that any fan of house music will appreciate.
5. Caspa & Rusko
Regrettably, an inside source told us the two dubstep dons won’t be gracing the stage together for a while. Sentimentality may be premature, but it’s always sad to lose an epic duo. Their first American show at Exchange was legendary.
6. Gesaffelstein
Although this French mystic did a whole slew of DJ sets after he announced his departure from live shows, he has since disappeared. Perhaps when he said “last Gesaffelstein live” he meant he was done doing live sets specifically. If that’s the case, it’s still a tragedy. Gesaffelsteins live sets are the absolute best.
7. Hot Natured
If you haven’t heard of Hot Natured, it’s what happens when Jamie Jones and Lee Foss take disco on a journey through space. The two of them are first rate curators of house, and with Hot Natured their talent goes beyond DJing. Both Jones and Foss man consoles with multiple keyboards and laptops while leading a full band through cosmic grooves. At the back end of their latest tour, they were taken off the lineup for HARD Day of the Dead 2015 at the last minute. They definitely owe LA for that one.
8. The Bloody Beetroots
The heart and soul of the Bloody Beetroots is Sir Bob Cornelius Rifo. This guy has done a better job of hiding his face to the public than Daft Punk. Unfortunately, his electronic rock group has also been hiding with him. In all honesty, it’s hard to call the Bloody Beetroots electronic. SBCR plays piano, guitar and sings for the project with a full band of musicians behind him. It is truly a spectacle to witness. Let’s hope they’ll be back soon.
9. Swedish House Mafia
Other than a Daft Punk tour, Swedish House Mafia is the electronic group with the most rumors surrounding them. Ever since they announced their split with their closing set at Ultra 2013, fans have clung to each and every glimmer of hope that a reunion might happen. With the success of their separate projects it still seems unlikely, but if the trio ever does make a comeback the entire dance music community will rejoice.
Photo Credit: Rukes
