The sun is beginning to take its time as it arcs across the sky; the temperatures are inching, ever so slowly, towards something approaching comfort; daffodil shoots are pushing their way through thawing soil. That’s right, it’s almost spring! And while clubbing is primarily a late-night-in-a- dark-room kind of thing, thoughts are already beginning to turn towards the occasional bout of dancing like a maniac under the blazing sun. For those of us in northern climes, we’ll still have a few months to go before we turn those dreams into reality — but one could always speed the process along by heading south for Miami Music Week, which this year runs from March 21st through the 26th.

As of press time, many MMW events have yet to be announced, but this year’s edition already looks to be massive — and once again DJ Mag will be a big part of the musical maelstrom via our Epic Pool Party takeover at the Sagamore Hotel. Taking place on Wednesday, March 22nd, the party features an all-star lineup that sees Germany’s Purple Disco Machine joined by the Grateful Dead–loving LP Giobbi and the clubland lifer Cassy, along with Dombresky, Mau P, Jaden Thompson, Heidi Lawden and KASIA. They’re all featured in these pages, as is another big name playing the pool party, cover star Dom Dolla. The one-time architecture student sat down with Megan Venzin to talk about honing his songwriting chops, the joys of producing at low volume, and his shock at where his music has taken him.

Dom Dolla would likely be among the first to pay thanks to the original architects of that music, and in this issue, one of the best of them — NYC house hero Victor Calderone — tells DJ Mag about a new compilation focusing on his hugely influential early-’90s output. And sticking with the theme of house music’s foundations, you’ll find Harold Heath diving into the complicated history of one of the genre’s seminal labels, Chicago’s Trax Records. Tons of interviews, reviews, tech news and lots more await. As does Miami Music Week — see you there!

Bruce Tantum

Editor

DJ Mag October 2020 (North America) - printed