Featured Electronic Artist – Mike Relm

Mike Relm – what can I say? This guy stole the show at Coachella this year – at least for me. And apparently a few other people as well. Ever since I saw the Pioneer DVJ’s debut, I’ve been waiting to see someone incorporate them organically into their set without coming off as gimmicky.

Ok, I’ll admit, the 2nd YouTube clip below showcases one of the more gimmicky aspects to his performance, but it’s not all bells and whistles when the guy plays. He dropped a ton of dirty bass yet had this crazy visual component to his show. And he’s not a bad turntablist either.

But it really was the visual element that put it over the edge because he infused pop-culture cinema into his performance, giving it equal appeal to the serious electronic/hip-hop/turntablism fans as well as the die-hard hipsters looking for the next uber-kitsch. He spliced up everything from Led Zeppelin to Rage to Bjork to Office Space, even throwing in his own little interactive flash-card coversation with the audience.

By the end, something strange happened to the crowd: most people found themselves standing still, staring in awe rather than dancing for large portions of the show.  People were begging for a encore.  It was insane.

In other words, don’t miss this guy if he is playing anywhere near you.  He will be at Rock the Bells this year for anyone in the vicinity this summer.