What has happend to Sasha!!!

[alejandroaz]

What the hell has happend to Sasha!!!:shock: He just to be my favorite all time DJ, I've seen him play 5 times... the last one was shameful. I remember the 2 first parties I saw him he had a complete different attitude, he seemed to be enjoying the party 100%, for almost 6 hours. Last time he just played for 3 and a half hours:( and he did not even look at the crowd. Is he going Tiesto? Is he going rockstar?

[Caley Martin]

he's a geezer now, going tone deaf ;)

[Kinetic]

What the hell has happend to Sasha!!!:shock: He just to be my favorite all time DJ, I've seen him play 5 times... the last one was shameful. I remember the 2 first parties I saw him he had a complete different attitude, he seemed to be enjoying the party 100%, for almost 6 hours. Last time he just played for 3 and a half hours:( and he did not even look at the crowd. Is he going Tiesto? Is he going rockstar?

What about the music he played?

I?m asking this because Digweed, for example, was never a guy who interacts much with the crowd yet that?s never stopped him being awesome. So honestly, I could care less how much he looks at the crowd.

[alejandroaz]

ok Bro I agree with you that many Dj's don't look at the crowd and interact with them, for example digweed, etc etc, but most of us agree that Sasha ain't playing like he just to... That's what I asked first...

[Glenn-Holmes]

well i must add another point hre - after a few years of partying and listening to djs from variety of styles i came to the fact (known fact, but accepting it is a huge relief) that house/minimal/tech-house/funky house/progressive house etc. dj's just pay less attention to the crowd - when it comes to a dj such as digweed for example who tend to play all the main genres i mentioned above it's just cause his attention is fully in the build up of the set - his sets are built so well and so right that you must understand it if he don't have much time to build a personal connection besides his connection threw music with the crowd - actually the same thing is true with most dj's of these genres - lets face it it's harder also to jump on stage all the set with one of this genres kind of sets. it's more about building up and downs to the crowd get the set to reach every few tunes a certain point and then build it or break it to the next point after a few more tracks - it's not the same with genres such as techno, trance, psy trance etc.
while progressive dj's try to create a mood, tell a certain story or just go on a musical journey, with these genres(techno & trance) it's all about controlling the energy and keep it high as long as possible, you can't do it in an house dj style i.e. trance/techno dj that just stands in the stage not smiling almost not moving and playing good will fail to deliver all the energy of his set to the crowd - it's just an essential part of being a trance/techno dj.

it always good to see even an house dj jumping on the stage. i only saw sasha a few months ago for the first time and the music was awesome! i believe the move to ableton that have helped him alot to focus more on the certain sound and certain mood he want to deliver on his sets didn't benefit him on stage as a performer. but when the mood he manages to create his more focused and touches people better than before maybe it's for the best.

thats my theory anyway

i saw dave seaman half a year ago playing electro house/progressive house set mostly and he was full with energy - i believe he jumped more than any clubber that night - it was nice to see it - and his set still sounded great

[djguillermo]

When Sasha came to mexico a couples of months ago, everybody was happy because he is so cool with his "whateverness" mood and what a great music.

[Kinetic]

Excellent post by Glenn-Holmes.

I must say though, I saw Sasha play last year with Ableton, and he was really in the mood, clapping, jumping, shaking his head, so that´s one more reason why I don´t feel the original poster was being completely fair.

Also, from a technical point of view, the type of stuff he mostly plays nowadays is harder to mix than the more straight ahead type õf sound he played in the past, so that also has to come in the equation.

[Lorn]

I saw Sasha twice last year using his Ableton setup. He definately seemed like he needed to concentrate more on what he was doing. His awareness of the crowds was negligable. But the experiences for me were very enjoyable.

[akashanelson]

Wow... the poor guy, with all the travelling and sleep deprevation he can't always be the person we want him to be 100% of the time. When you go out are you always in a positive, energtic mood?

I haven't heard Sasha play live since 98 (and I can't wait for his oz tour with diggers later this year), but seriously when he moved to Ableton it changed his interaction, purely based on the fact he moved to a computer that requires you to mix both by audio and visually ie a monitor. As many of others have already pointed out, I don't give an arse about the DJ jumping around, it's all about the journey, and that my friends can always be guaranteed in Sasha's performances.

:digweed:

[M?M]

i saw him 3 times this year at WMC in Miami ... MASSIVE.. EXELLENT ... cant really find the words

[fer_]

sasha is the best dj no one is even close

[max_7am]

sasha! sasha! sasha! i agree

[kassios]

Personally was influenced by the sounds of sasha&digweed but couple of years ago i've been more into digweed than sasha.......would love to see them rock it again like the old days .!!!

[kassios]

just testing

[bragadas]

Hernan Cattaneo is the best DJ :D

[adrian@1]

I prefer Digweed than Sasha... but both are awsome... are my fav.. :) They are the Best in this world... I can't explain it... :P Only understand it.

[kassios]

Sasha played in Cyprus last week and everyone went crazy!!!!!I haven't attempted the event unfortunately but the people who went say its the best event of the year so far...........

[mamut]

What the hell has happend to Sasha!!!:shock: He just to be my favorite all time DJ, I've seen him play 5 times... the last one was shameful. I remember the 2 first parties I saw him he had a complete different attitude, he seemed to be enjoying the party 100%, for almost 6 hours. Last time he just played for 3 and a half hours:( and he did not even look at the crowd. Is he going Tiesto? Is he going rockstar?
I tink all humans have bad days. maybe he just have a bad day

[mamut]

gabriel & dresden. the best of this times. i hear about 8 sets or them and all are perfectly mixed... wowww!!!

[Kinetic]

gabriel & dresden. the best of this times. i hear about 8 sets or them and all are perfectly mixed... wowww!!!

Funnily enough, they use Ableton too :lol:

[Miguel]

sasha rules !!! but whe sasha and diggers are playing together .... uf !!!!!

[ithink]

I really dont have a clue what are most of you talking about,

Sasha+maven=:D


Sasha has never been better ,his way with ableton is amazing, fantasty....

On the other side, that that he is not so into people like he was before is true,he is 36 years old...All the traveling can make a man very tired,so i cant lay against him on that....

I listened to him 2 this year and every time he was f.... great.....

Avalon is great cd, great tunes,mixing skills,everything.....

Hoping to see sasha again very soon...

[andyniko]

Before I continue, I have to point out that Involver is a masterpiece. But having said that, I haven't heard one good set or compilation since he's been using his maven. I saw him last year in Melbourne, and wasn't impressed at all. I mean, alot of his tracks indivdually are great (or atleast have potential). You can't deny his sound now is drastically different, and I think that's a good thing... but I think his programming is lacking alot. Some may find that hard to swallow, but his sets dont go anywhere.

Digweed at the moment (and possibly always) is by far the best. His latest release on renaissance is amazing, and in my opinion the compilation of the year thus far. Compare that to Sasha's digital avalon release. Even though its a live set and you can't entirely compare... the only part I liked about it was the intro and first track. Because his using ableton, "mixing skills" are pretty much irrelevant, and because of this, you'd expect some better track selection and programming.

His earlier stuff is great though, and I have faith in him to come through in flying colours. And when he does, I think Sasha and Digweed should join forces and release a compilation like that of northern exposure (if that's even possible) :D

I now await attacks :)

[Kinetic]

Digweed at the moment (and possibly always) is by far the best. His latest release on renaissance is amazing, and in my opinion the compilation of the year thus far. Compare that to Sasha's digital avalon release. Even though its a live set and you can't entirely compare... the only part I liked about it was the intro and first track. Because his using ableton, "mixing skills" are pretty much irrelevant, and because of this, you'd expect some better track selection and programming.

I now await attacks :)

Actually, even though I like most of what he?s done since he started using Ableton, I do agree with you in that what really matters with Sasha (and, at least to me, with any DJ) is just that : track selection, programming and sequencing.

So congratulations on having a fair and balanced view and not just whining "boohoo, he uses a computer, boohoo why doesn?t he go back to vinyl, oh how I miss the old days..." ;)

[chuy]

i agree with kinetic, nikolic & ithink.

Let's not forget about one more factor -perhaps, not the most important/relevant to this subject, but definitely a big one: he is married now.

Those lucky ones of you who are recently married won't let me lie on this: you are not the same anymore. For bad or good (worse might say a few ones) you change, not only your marital status nor the way your friends sense you are changed. You change.

You change. Evolve, Progress. You name it. It's our nature. Thank God the djs i like do change as well. Thanks to that fact, they don't sound the same year after year. Thank God, electronic music/scene is a continuum of changes.

[undrwrld]

I agree about Hernan being the best in the world!!

[ithink]

We can discuss for days about sasha, but that cant change the fact that he is changed in almost everything.

Start with music ,i agree with nikolic ,his music is changed a lot ( to me evolved), its all about tast ,some1 liked him in old days,someone now (me:))...

But i dont agree that his mixes are going no where. Name one of his latest mixes that was bad, beside that in wmc (which is not bad ,just hes different,you know).

You cant say that avalon live is a bed mix cant you????

[andyniko]

Not bad. Just boring.

[etincelles]

haven't seen him play in a long while, but i'd have to say sasha is amazing for what he has done and will probably continue to do...

maybe sometimes an artist will come to a point where they might be unsure as to what direction to take. especially an artist who has done so much already...

anyhoo, he is coming through dallas next month i believe and definitely will be good to see him again.

[seanbry]

sasha is still da man
i thought it went a bit pear shaped for 2 or 3 years there - I just relied on older sets to get my fix-but now seems to be playing musical journeys again and thankfully has dispensed with the muzak.
keep 'er lit sasha
thats what i say

[jeffrey collins]

i'd rather just go back and listen to GU09...that's my fav from him...i'm the minority on that one.

[federicocharles]

Funnily enough, they use Ableton too :lol:


I love how they use Ableton, in their own style they are the best. And Sasha is the best in what he does, he has a very eclectic style and I think Abelton helps him portray his vision.

[masterdam]

I live in ny and have been listening to sasha since his twilo days. Obviously the person who wrote this post doest know what kind of genius sasha is. He has changed his SOUND, the new digital sound revolution has just begun. Have you noticed every dj copys his sound??... (Except digweed)=) Every dj takes sasha sound and mixes it with their own sound. For ex. Hernan cattaneo... he can camflouge it well b/c his funky/trancy beats are mixed in well. Eventhough Hernan's sound is more dominant, HE'S SOUND IS STILL INSPIRED by SASHA. I dont need to tell you more about other dj's that copy him. Sasha is still the BEST every dj follows what he produces. "SASHA IS MASTER OF REMIXES" - Digweed

[freddy00]

sasha & digweed are the best, they truely represent electronic dance music because they haven't sticked to only one sound but they have created an underground scene over the years of great electronic music (non-comercial stuff).

[JahRasta]

HAHAHAHAHAH! I have been listening to Sasha since the 1990's....back in those days....he REALLY tore a club apart...he seems to have lost his touch...but I have heard some sets that gives me the impression that he is on his way back up to the top! Diggers.....well....he has always kicked ass...not AS drastic as Sasha...
but I agree with Bragadas....HERNAN is DA MAN!!! followed closely by Sasha & Digweed.

[JahRasta]

Masterdam...sooo true...EVERYONE is embracing digital DJism after Sasha started the revolution...now I see Paul Van Dyk....Armin...and alot of OTHER DJs trying to do what Sasha has been doing ....Ableton and Maven.....GO SASHA!....on the same note...GO DIGWEED!

[thesightless]

fuck that balding twat... and masterdam, how in the world were you attending twilo? you were 19 when it shut, were you going there when you were 14?

[Lorn]

fuck that balding twat... and masterdam, how in the world were you attending twilo? you were 19 when it shut, were you going there when you were 14?

Maybe he was only listening at the door.

[JahRasta]

OOOOH!...HERNAN CATTANEO...and SASHA!...and DIGGERS! My 3 Fav DJ's!!!

[andyniko]

Platforms aside, it's what comes out of the speakers that matters. Having said that, Sasha's sets arent what they used to be, regardless of style or genre. However, what he's playing more recently I'm liking... hopefully more of what's to come.

Haven't listened to much Hernan stuff, but recently got some sets of his... and damn, i'll be getting more! I love the fusion of deep prog with newer genres. Keeping it fresh, and keeping it deep.

[Miroslav]

gabriel & dresden. the best of this times. i hear about 8 sets or them and all are perfectly mixed... wowww!!!

I saw these guys, too, sitting behind their laptop screen...sure, they'll work the mixer knobs, but I'm suspicious - I'm not even convinced that they actually even beatmatch anything they play. :what

could be wrong...correct me if so...

[Miroslav]

Mind you, I'm not opposed to people using ableton or any other technology in their live sets...as long as there is true artistic peformance going on. Else, we can just throw on a mix CD.

[Leonard Scott]

Personally, for me on stage, I have noticed that as a DJ...you are the entertainer! Crowds want to see the performer get into their music and sound. If you don't have the crowd interaction you might as well just put on a CD of the last set the DJ released and let it play. So you cant just say its all about the music. Because its not. People want and need that interaction to complete the journey or the story being told.
Honestly up here in Seattle, it is very difficult to see a truely amazing show from any DJ. Most of these clubs have horrible sound systems and low capacities. I can however say that the best show we had up here in 2006....wasn't Digweed or Sasha, it was hands down was Sharam show at Element.

[fer_]

For those who criticizes Ableton...Involver wouldn't have been possible without ableton... that was the main tool sasha used to creat the cd. I agree that now many guys are using this because they dont need to beatmatch and I think that's shit but Sasha doesn't use the soft for this, he is able to do such amazing things with it an is always advanced he has a special talent.... those who say he has changed of course he has! or digweed hasnt? or anybody? Music changes all the time..and some of you could not love the new stuff so Its a matter of personal likes.


Like Digweed said "sasha is the master of musical mix"

[Avalanche]

Yeah mate, Hernan Cattaneo is the best, at least for me, Sasha is also great.

[subterFUSE]

Personally, for me on stage, I have noticed that as a DJ...you are the entertainer! Crowds want to see the performer get into their music and sound. If you don't have the crowd interaction you might as well just put on a CD of the last set the DJ released and let it play. So you cant just say its all about the music. Because its not. People want and need that interaction to complete the journey or the story being told.
Honestly up here in Seattle, it is very difficult to see a truely amazing show from any DJ. Most of these clubs have horrible sound systems and low capacities. I can however say that the best show we had up here in 2006....wasn't Digweed or Sasha, it was hands down was Sharam show at Element.


You are proven wrong by John Digweed.

John doesn't show any emotion. He doesn't even bob his head to the beat. Pure concentration. If you wave to him, and he looks at you for a second.... you might get him to crack a smile..... but only for a second. He will instantly focus back on his work.



So.... I think the whole "crowd wants to see the DJ" argument isn't exactly universal.