WE HAVE A WINNER!
Jul 1, 2006 12:00 PM, Kylee Swenson Remix Editor
Sometimes I sit in my dark cave of an office — I hate fluorescent lights with a full-on passion, especially blinking pink ones — writing my monthly “Editor's Note,” and I wonder if I'm just talking to myself. That's not to say that I'm feeling self-pity; I have certainly appreciated the kind words from readers over the years. It just gets a little lonely when you sit in front of the computer by yourself for hours.
Contrary to my hermitlike nature in the office, I tend to have a “go, team!” attitude that makes me wonder if I'm too much of a cheese ball on this page at times. I just want us all to be happy making music, so I get a little pushy when I feel we all could use a little motivation.
A few months ago, our April cover boys Josh Gabriel and Dave Dresden had the brilliant idea of doing a remixing contest, which we of course jumped at the chance to do. Together with Ableton's help and some awesome prizes, including an Apple video iPod and Ableton Live 5, we gave you all the stems for G&D's “Tracking Treasure Down” and asked you to get to work. About a month after announcing the contest, I realized that the words of Remix are not lost on deaf ears.
At first, a few nonprocrastinator remix entries trickled in, and I thought we'd have a handful of cool tracks to check out. Then, after a couple weeks, I started tripping over dozens of Fed Ex packages in my cave office, acquiring a few bruises from the corner of my desk.
What was shocking was how global the entries were (Antarctica, where were you?). Shout-outs are in order to those of you who took the time and money to create and send remixes from places as distant as Magshimim, Israel; Muzha, Taipei; Jönköping, Sweden; South Yarra, Australia; Lucan, Ireland; Olsztyn, Poland; Lille, France; and so many other far-reaching places. Then there were all of you stateside friends as well, from Texas and Kentucky to our own backyard in California. And although some of you procrastinators missed the deadline and the trip to G&D's studio, your remixes will still end up in the guys' hands for them to check out. As for the judging, we hear it wasn't easy. Josh and Dave definitely had their work cut out for them.
And now, for the words you've been waiting for — the winners! Second prize goes to Robert Persaud (aka Robbie Styles) from Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies! Soon enough we'll be getting you a copy of Ableton Live 5 (or, if you have 5, an upgrade to 6 coming up later this year); a signed copy of G&D's debut artist album, Gabriel & Dresden (Organized Nature, 2006); and a year subscription or renewal to Remix.
As for our big first-prize winner, congratulations to 19-year-old Chris Vanderkolk (aka Retrobyte) from Ann Arbor, Mich.! You'll be getting the video iPod, Live 5, a signed copy of Gabriel & Dresden, more Remix issues at your doorstep and VIP tickets to a Gabriel & Dresden show. As a surprise extra superprize, Josh and Dave played Chris' remix on their “May Essential Mix” on BBC1, and the duo also signed one of Chris' original tracks, “Going Down,” to its label Organized Nature.
Thanks to everyone who participated. We'll definitely do this again. And now it doesn't feel so lonely here in the dark.
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