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Boys Noize

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"iFEELSPACe!"

Location: Berlin, Germany

Website: http://www.myspace.com/boysnoize

Bio: At age 26, Alex Ridha (AKA Boys Noize) has already accomplished more than most: as a teen he DJed alongside Felix Da Housecat and DJ ... (more) Hell, he then started his own record label and released the influential debut album, Oi Oi Oi, which landed him remixes for Snoop Dogg, Marilyn Manson and Depeche Mode. Today he is a sought after producer, and his work with Kelis, Black Eyes Peas and Gonzales has only added to his decade of experience as one of the world’s most respected DJs. Ridha presents his much-anticipated second album, “POWER”, in October, a masterful exhibition of his evolving talent in the fusion of electronic-dance, techno, disco and even minimal.

Born in Hamburg, Germany, Ridha began playing drums at a young age and by 16 was already mixing beats at local clubs. He soon after relocated to Berlin in 2003 and his faceless alter ego Boys Noize was born, , with early releases on International Deejay Gigolos, Kitsune and Turbo. In 2005 his remixes of Bloc Party and Kaiser Chiefs became ubiquitous and he found himself on bills with likeminded producers and DJs Soulwax and Erol Alkan. It was around this time when he founded his own imprint Boysnoize Records (BNR).

Alex launched BNR in order to retain full artistic freedom and to offer the same independence of spirit to a variety of artists; friends whose work he admires (D.I.M, Housemeister) along with artists he’s discovered (Shadow Dancer, Strip Steve). All have their own sound, though they often share Boys Noize’s frantic nature. After ten years of producing, Alex began seeking out new and individualized artists. He gives them freedom explore and craft their own unique sound.

Despite offers from other labels Alex released his debut Boys Noize album, Oi Oi Oi, in 2007 on BNR. It featured febrile club favorites like “& Down” and “Lava Lava” and also more soulful techno tracks like “Shine Shine.” The album also featured – as an extra track - what many regard as one of his finest works, his remix of Feist’s “My Moon, My Man.” This was also the beginning of the relationship with the song’s co-writer – Gonzales – who would later ask Alex to produce his next album. At a time when Alex was generally known for his banging Boys Noize tracks he further proved how versatile he could be with his remix of Apparat’s “Arcadia,” a 12 minute long excursion into melody and atmospherics. There has always been more to Alex than his techno style, his roots are in hip-hop, pop and disco and these productions reflect his formative passions.

Alex is looking to the future by taking an active role as a producer for other projects than his own. He has recently leant his beats and pieces to Black Eyed Peas as well as his current collaboration with Gonzales album to be released in 2010.

His second album “POWER”, to be released in October, shows how far Ridha has come as a producer since “Oi Oi Oi.” Though his signature sound is still present the approach is more experimental, versatile and with a slower pace so the intricacies of his production shines through. Though often steely edged and sometimes sinister it’s also often melodic and playful. (less)