:2011 Year In Review: Drln Nki Nicosia â€“ COMA Staff

Drln Nki Nicosia – DJ, CD Reviews and Mistress of The Castle

Favorite Release

XP8 – X: A Decade of Decadence and Re:\Legion – 11.11.11

Both of these CDs featured a combination of original tracks and remixes, and while I love remixes, it was the original tracks that blew me away with both of these releases. As a DJ I look for â€œspinnableâ€ tracks, and if I find 2 ( or wow, 3) I am happy. Both of these albums delivered multiple tracks that could keep a dance floor packed. However, on each I had a clear #1 trackâ€¦ XP8 – â€œBurning Downâ€ and Re:\Legion â€œEn:tranceâ€

Favorite Concert

Legends of Synthpop – Iris/Mesh/Devision – April 22, 2011 San Francisco

As much as I hated the venue (I will likely never see another show there because of multiple safety concerns), this show was amazing. I had seen Iris before and they gave a solid performance, although I have yet to hear â€œAnnie, Would I Lie to Youâ€â€¦ Mesh was fun and it was my first chance to see them live. Their performance made me appreciate their music even more and that is a good thing to be able to say. It was my second experience with De/Vision that made the night vault into my top position. It was the perfect cap to a night that easily could have been ruined by the venue. Showing much more energy and personality than the first time I saw them, they gave each song more life and managed to draw in a crowd I had thought was too tired, too hot, and too crowded into too little room to be reached. Such a great show, at such a horrible venue.

Favorite newly discovered artist

I canâ€™t possibly pick one so here is my list of who I found (or who found me) and made my year better because of it (alphabetized so that I do not play favorites)

Alpha PointÂ Â Â Â – Â Â Â Â ElectrovotÂ Â Â Â – Â Â Â Â Endless ShameÂ Â Â Â – Â Â Â Â Freaky Mind
Frontal BoundaryÂ Â Â Â – Â Â Â Â Kommand+KontrolÂ Â Â Â – Â Â Â Â LoweÂ Â Â Â – Â Â Â Â Mental Discipline
Necro FacilityÂ Â Â Â – Â Â Â Â Project RottenÂ Â Â Â – Â Â Â Â reADJUSTÂ Â Â Â – Â Â Â Â Re:\Legion
R.I.P.Â Â Â Â – Â Â Â Â TraKKtorÂ Â Â Â -Â Â Â Â Unity One

With new releases expected from many of these bands in 2012, I think my Best of 2012 will be even more difficult to choose next year!

I have to say that 2011 was an absolutely stunning year for me, and I am so happy that I have been able to be in a position to help promote so many bands.Â Moving forward , I hope to continue to prove there is good, new music out there and to bring it to the attention of fans and DJâ€™s. To all of you reading this, donâ€™t settle for the same songs every week â€¦ look for whatâ€™s new and bring it to your sceneâ€¦