Stargazers: Moska, Tiesto’s new protégé

We at Dancing Astronaut have realized that our readership is teeming with talent that has yet to be discovered. We’re also incredibly enthusiastic that so many of you have begun to contribute to the EDM community with your own tracks and musical styles — and the incredible amount of promos we get on a daily basis can attest to that. Stargazers is a column that will showcase members of the DA community and recognize their talents as original EDM producers! We encourage all of you to support your fellow DA fanatics- any of you could be headlining Ultra’s Main Stage someday.

Not many 19-year -old DJ/producers can say they’ve played back-to-back with Tiesto in Ibiza during their first professional appearance. Moska can. Dancing Astronaut‘s latest Stargazers showcases Colombia-born Daniel Amezquita – otherwise known as Moska. Apparently, the South American country not only exports coffee, emeralds, and cut flowers, but also Dutch house. How did Daniel catch his big break? Find out and listen to his unique productions after the break.

In this industry, getting noticed starts with having a novel sound. From there, ambition, persistence, and a bit of luck can bring aspiring producers to places they never thought possible. We can thank our favorite Filipino DJ and responsive tweeter, Laidback Luke, for acquainting Moska with the limelight. After joining Luke’s active forums, Daniel slowly caught the ear of the Mixmash founder by posting a series of small label releases. It wasn’t until he delivered a bootleg of Jordan Ferrer’s “I Need You,” during late 2011, that Luke finally reached out. Funny enough, the label manager had previously dismissed the track as an amateur cacophony, rebounding to apologize after Lucas’ feedback. Moska’s remix got its official release.

Jordan Ferrer – I Need You (Moska Remix)

Laidback then provided Daniel with a private email for demos; going on to play many live, including a bootleg of “We Found Love.” Rihanna’s vocals and Calvin Harris’ melody served as the perfect backdrop for Moska’s second big tune. During a performance at club LIV in Miami, Luke trotted the remix’s massive big room wallop out to an ardently reactive crowd. Tiesto was a member of that crowd. The Dutch powerhouse was intrigued by Moska’s unique brand – a blend of big room, dutch house, and Colombian tribal.

Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris – We Found Love (Moska Bootleg)

To say Tiesto supported this track would be an understatement. Becoming a staple in Club Life podcasts and Tiesto live sets is one hell of a way to start of 2012. In fact, many of Moska’s productions became familiar among Club Life episodes. With a stream of unreleased originals and bootlegs, the burgeoning Colombian was able to display a diverse yet native technique. Deviating from the Dutch house typecast, Daniel demonstrated a sense for progressive. Moska’s bootleg of “The Veldt” received airplay from not only the Club Life aficionado, but also Paul Oakenfold.

Deadmau5 – The Veldt (Moska Bootleg)

Daniel kept the momentum going into dance music’s biggest season – Miami Music Week. After being offered the opportunity by Luke, Moska’s remix of “Speak Up” marked his first Beatport release of the year on Mixmash Records. The pulsating rendition further solidified Moska’s handle on big room Dutch house. Receiving sweeping support during Ultra Music Festival and MMW, Moska was ready to take his show on the road.

Being friends with Tiesto can’t hurt a DJ’s career. Last July, the Musical Freedom maven invited Daniel to open for him in Ibiza; even helping him secure a European visa. With only a short career DJing local venues, opening for one of the world’s most recognized DJs at Pacha, Ibiza, must have seemed like a daunting task. We asked Daniel his reaction. (He’s working on his English. Tiesto is probably teaching him).

“I felt so lucky to have the support of the best DJ of all times. I felt really honored and this make me really happy! When I receive this big news I just enter in a big silence. I was so happy, so excited, that i just enter in this mood of silence. In that moment I realize that my hobby become now my job and that is soooo cool!”

Don’t you just love him? Moska closed out 2012 boasting support from Tiesto, Afrojack, Laidback Luke, Dillon Francis, Clockwork, Angger Dimas, Congorock, and many more. He also racked up two official releases on Mixmash and one on Mad Decent. Already starting this year having opened for Tiesto twice and releasing a lofty remix for GTA, it is safe to say 2013 is looking bright for the rising star. Actually, after listening to previews of five tracks Moska expects to release this year, we can say that with unflinching confidence. Tiesto’s new favorite, “Insane,” starts at 2:45.

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Categories: Music