Worldwide EP Release Showcases NZ Electronic Music

Media Release 3 May 2007

Worldwide EP Release Showcases NZ Electronic Music

Electronic music is enjoying its share of the limelight during this year's New Zealand music month, with up-and-coming producer and DJ Luke Walker releasing his second solo EP, 'Mayhem', worldwide.

The EP, released through Gung-ho Recordings UK, has already made waves at the world's largest electronic music conference, the Miami WMC, with international DJ brand DMC including it in their buzz chart of the 'coolest and biggest' tracks of the conference ( http://www.dmcupdate.com/miamibuzzmixshow.asp). Mayhem will also feature on a compilation for the biggest brand in Dance Music; Ministry of Sound UK.

The tracks will first be available online on beatport.com, itunes and djdownload.com from 14 May, while a vinyl edition will be released 21st May.

Walker's music, both solo and produced in conjunction with DJ Loki, has featured in compilations released by Cream UK and Ministry Of Sound UK, including the +100,000 selling Ministry Of Sound UK House Sessions Compilation.

Walker sees his latest work as part of the new wave of New Zealand producers releasing tracks on international labels.

"New Zealand production is cutting edge, and alot of the pioneers of the genre are fully aware and excited by the production going on down here. When they come down touring, they ask after the producers and are into the tracks. "

"The NZ sound is very popular at the moment, particularly in Europe, where electronic music is always evolving and a lot more mainstream."

The Mayhem release party will be held on May 18 at the newly refurbished Calibre, and sees Walker join some of Auckland's finest DJ's celebrating the music they love through performing their biggest tracks.

Tickets cost $10 and are available on the door from 11pm.

Link to download the EP http://www.yousendit.com/download/WUJaTXRUMGM5RlkwTVE9PQ

Luke Walker Bio

Luke's first break came in 2004 when NZ's #1 DJ Greg Churchill forwarded his tracks on to the widely renowned Underwater Records UK, the label owned by former Underworld member and international DJ/producer Darren Emerson. They immediately signed the then 21 year old's first EP 'Alias'.

This release was critically acclaimed receiving major support from all the major players. 'Alias' was the number 3 highest selling download on Beatport.com for 2005 with over 3000 copies sold on this site alone. From Glastonbury to Gisbourne, the track was played by the biggest and best in the World Dance Music Scene with iDJ magazine describing the record as 'a perfectly produced blend of heavy duty techno, electro, house and breaks'.

From here, Luke wrote two EP's with production and DJ partner DJ Loki for his current label Gung-ho Recordings UK. Their first release, 'Seamrider' was a bonafide club anthem which featured on the +100,000 selling Ministry Of Sound UK House Sessions Compilation and included by Steve Lawler on his Essential Mix for BBC Radio1 UK. Their second EP, 'Alpaca' (named after the abundance of Alpaca farms in Wanaka where they were touring at the time) smashed dancefloors around the world and was chosen by Greg Churchill for his Ministry of Sound 'Its Just a Mixtape' compilation. It had also featured on Cream UK's 2006 Summer Compilation and another Ministry Of Sound UK House compilation.

Luke has also been in demand as a remixer with Luke's mix of Dick 'Magik' Johnson's (Underwater, NRK) 'Naughty Girl' just released on German label Electribe. His big room mix of Angela Fisken's 'Trash Test' is forthcoming on Italian label Cosmonote Blue. He has also just finished remixing seminal Icelandic band GusGus with DJ Loki for Gung-ho.

Luke was recently involved in a promotion with V Energy Drink where people entered into a promotion to have a 'theme song' written for them. Of the eight bands/musicians to choose from Luke and Loki received the most entries and went on the produce the song for the winner whilst touring in Australia.

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