Five More Hours a smash hit for Deorro

By Geoffrey RowlandsDance music continues to dominate the mainstream charts. As Lost Frequencies climbs to top spot on the UK singles chart, Los Angeles-based DJ/producer Deorro is enjoying his first UK smash hit with Five More Hours.The original instrumental mix, Five Hours, was released more than a year ago. The track became a top ten hit in France and Belgium as well as charting in several other countries. A second version, featuring vocals by Diana Ceja, better known as DyCy, reached pole position on Billboard’s Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart under the title of Five Hours (Don’t Hold Me Back).These first two versions tend to be favoured by pure dance music fans. But it is a third version, with totally different lyrics co-written by John Ryan, Julian Bunetta and featured vocalist Chris Brown, which has caught the imagination of mainstream music fans. In addition to enormous chart success in Britain, Five More Hours has become a huge hit in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, most of Europe and all across the Scandinavian countries.“I’m so happy to have such a big mainstream hit,” smiled 23-year-old Deorro, real name Erick Orrosquieta. “I made my name as a DJ but my true musical love is producing tracks. It doesn’t have to be dance music, I enjoy working in all kinds of genres.“Getting hit records justifies the decision I took last year to severely reduce my DJ work. Many of my fans were upset by this but I’ve never really felt comfortable about being the centre of attention as a DJ. I’d much prefer to just work in the studio creating lots of different tracks.“I also didn’t like all the travelling involved in playing DJ sets. I have two young children and really missed being with them while I was on the road. I’m happier now working in the studio and being at home to spend much more time with my kids.”The son of Mexican immigrants, Deorro began his DJ career at just 14 playing local venues around Los Angeles. At that time, he was calling himself TON!C.“I was known as TON!C until 2012. I’d actually become quite well known in dance music circles both as a DJ and producer. I’d put several of my own tracks on SoundCloud and had songs like Fire and Voodoo hit over a million downloads.“But there were legal problems about me using the name. We kept trying to see if I could remain as TON!C for about a year before realising it was too complicated and potentially way too expensive.“My old stuff can still be heard but I hope any new listeners will compare it unfavourably with my output as Deorro. I tried to use my name change as a positive thing in the sense of taking my game to a higher level. I feel I have been able to achieve this objective.”His collaborators certainly agree. Steve Aoki, Diplo, R3hab and Adrian Delgado are just a few of the artists with whom Deorro has worked.“I love working with other artists. It’s great to have people I admire actually want to work with me. Some people in dance music frown on collaborations. I don’t know if maybe this comes from ghost producing when people are not credited for their work. But I figure if you can come together, make something good and share the credit equally then why would anyone be against that.”Unlike so many artists, Deorro does not concentrate exclusively on his own interests.“I’m very grateful for the success I’ve had and I want to help others to follow in my footsteps. My parents were by no means rich. In fact, we were homeless at one time. But they always did whatever they could to help me fulfil my musical ambitions.“I want to do the same kind of thing for other young people who are trying to find their way in music. That’s why I created my PandaFam crew and PandaFunk record label. I do what I can to help my crew and the label is there for them to release music when they are ready.”“It’s developed over the years to where older crew members are now teaching the younger kids. It’s all about people who don’t do things for money or success but for the love of music and their ability to help others.”IN BRIEFDemi LovatoAmerican singer /songwriter Demi Lovato has just released her latest single, Cool for the Summer.The song is the lead single from 22-year-old Demi’s as-yet-untitled forthcoming fifth studio album. It is also her first release on Safehouse Records, the label she co-owns with Nick Jonas and her manager, Phil McIntyre.“Recording on my own label means I’m free to experiment and push back what have been my musical boundaries,” Demi stated. “I think at least some of the songs on my album will surprise quite a few people. I can’t wait for my fans to hear them.”No Cool for the Summer video is available yet but an audio posting can be heard at www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6rzaUn_PsQ Some live performances of the song can also be found on YouTube.Not quite so cool was an incident during Demi’s performance at 102.7 KIIS FM’s “Cool for the Summer Pool Party” in Los Angeles. While teetering on high heels along a water-soaked platform, Demi took what looked to be a painful fall. However, she got up, laughed it off and jumped into the pool. She even shared a video of her fall at (no www.) twitter.com/ddlovato/mediaHell or HighwaterIt was August, 2011, when Hell or Highwater released their debut album, “Begin Again.” Formerly known as The Black Cloud Collective, the band is Atreyu drummer vocalist Brandon Saller’s side project. An EP, “The Other Side,” was issued two years ago but Hell or Highwater will soon return with their second album. Lead single, I’ll Be Waiting, has just been released. The video can be seen at www.hellorhighwaterofficial.com If you enjoy the song, it is offered as a free download at the website in exchange for your email address. Videos for their previous singles can be found on YouTube. Each song from “The Other Side” is posted individually but “Begin Again” is available to hear in full at www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3G2d_KOzI0&list=PL545830CF993E21E9ShinedownHard rock quartet Shinedown have so far enjoyed eight number ones on Billboard’s Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. They have also reached the top five with all of their 18 singles.This pattern looks likely to continue with their latest release, Cut the Cord. It is the band’s first new material for three years and the lead single from their forthcoming fifth studio album.Reviews have been universally positive with one critic even going so far as to say “Rock lives because of Shinedown.” Fans have been equally effusive in their praise for Cut the Cord. Judge for yourself by checking out the video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=9itwt_opsvQShinedown’s new album should hit the shops some time in September.Vanessa CarltonVanessa Carlton shone like a star with her 2002 debut single, A Thousand Miles, and album, “Be Not Nobody.” But the 34-year-old singer/songwriter has never been able to repeat her initial success.Perhaps Vanessa can recapture the magic with her fifth studio album, “Liberman,” which is set for release in October. Available now though is a four-song EP, “Blue Pool.” The title-track can be heard at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj7xRVl6zOs