Connection.
If one word sums up the phenomenon of Above & Beyond
then that is surely it. Whether it’s the thousands of A&B fans
singing their lyrics back at them at gigs from Beirut to Brixton, or the
millions that tune in for their weekly Group Therapy radio show, connection – real human connection – is at the heart of all things that define Above & Beyond.
Much like acts like The Smiths or Joy Division before them, Above & Beyond
find themselves embedded at the heart of their fans’ lives. Some walk
down the wedding aisle to their songs, others ink their bodies with
their lyrics, often a proud couple will choose to get engaged at one of
their gigs. All that pledge their loyalty to them are moved in a way
that goes beyond most electronic music out there.
Above & Beyond is Jono Grant, Tony Mcguinness and Paavo Siljamaki
and their story is one of constant movement. From their early days as
hotly tipped producers to their current global standing, Jono, Tony and
Paavo have remained as down-to-earth and determined as ever – always
focused on the next goal. Over their 13-year history, this dedication
has continually paid off.
The only dance act in history to win Essential Mix Of The Year twice (in 2004 and 2011), the London-based trio have remixed greats like Radiohead and Madonna,
played to one million people on Barra Beach in Rio de Janeiro (New
Year’s Eve in 2007) and even had their track “Buzz” chosen to soundtrack
the launch of Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo in the
Mojave desert. And as these landmarks rack up the non-stop pulse of
their global touring keeps them connected to their growing international
fanbase. Each week brings another crowd, another country and often
another continent, while their weekly Group Therapy radio show now
reaches over 30 million people worldwide.
A band first and foremost, Above & Beyond
are songwriters as much as they are DJs and their second album “Group
Therapy” has taken their sound to new heights. The follow-up to 2006’s
widely acclaimed debut “Tri-State”, the album draws on musical reference
points as diverse as French cosmic pop heroes Air, American
singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley and soundtrack master Hans Zimmer.
“We are always looking to explore new territory but try to operate in
our own way rather than just trying to follow trends,” explains Jono.
The combined result on “Group Therapy” was unmistakably Above & Beyond – a cohesive album that was described by Mixmag as “the artist album of the year”.
At the heart of the album’s allure, of course, were songs of loves
lost, confused and found. “Songs have an impact which is quite
unparalleled in art,” believes Tony. “Poetry can be powerful, great
literature is another great informer and educator, but few of us can
remember any significant words from the great books or poems we read.
But something amazing happens when you put words to music.”
Featuring two BBC Radio 1 playlisted singles (“Sun & Moon” and “Thing Called Love”) and a Sirius BPM
Chart #1, the album’s many songs have connected in a way that so few
dance tracks – vocal or otherwise – ever manage. “Since releasing our
Group Therapy Album in 2011, it’s brought us even closer to our audience
around the world,” explains Paavo. “The one thing I didn’t expect to
happen on the scale it has, is how people from around the world have
shared their stories with us as they go through amazingly positive or
incredibly difficult times in their lives. It’s really touched us all
and feels like a driving force for new creativity.”
Since the release of Group Therapy, the intense atmosphere at Above & Beyond’s
increasingly ambitious live performances has redrawn the parameters of
the DJ set. While so many superstar DJs place themselves at the centre
of the show, Above & Beyond’s focus is always on getting closer to
their crowd and making them part of the action. Whether that is by
bringing fans up on stage to press the play button on their CDJs or
communicating with the fans via their visual screens, the effect is to
make everyone in the room feel like they are part of an experience that
is at once epic, immersive and interactive.
“Some time ago we realised that on the best nights we have it’s
always a three way thing: us, the music and the people, and we see
improving the communication between all three as helping a good party
turn incredible“ explains Paavo. “The soundsystem, lights and visuals
are all there to help people connect to the music, with each other and
with us, better. A Group Therapy experience, ideally, is positive,
uniting and life-affirming for all involved.”
Having celebrated TATW milestones in Moscow, Miami and Beirut, 2012 saw Above & Beyond call time on Trance
Around The World, as they launched their new radio show Group Therapy
at a spectacular live broadcast event at Jayamahal Palace in Bangalore,
India. Evolving from the foundation built by TATW,
Group Therapy is broadcast weekly to 30 million people worldwide, and
features guest mixes from the biggest names in electronic music. This
year Above & Beyond
celebrate the 50th instalment of Group Therapy Radio with their biggest
ever UK show at the historic home of broadcasting, Alexandra Palace.
In the summer of 2013 Jono, Tony & Paavo launched another bold musical project, Above & Beyond
Acoustic. Rewriting a selection of their back catalogue for a 15 piece
ensemble, complete with a full string section, a harp and even a broom,
they sold out three intimate shows at the impressive Porchester Hall in
London, and in October 2013 will bring Above & Beyond Acoustic to
Los Angeles.
Throughout this process, Above & Beyond
have continued to release forward-thinking instrumental club music –
such as their own tech-fused rollercoaster “Walter White” – on their
renowned Anjunabeats
label. An essential part of their story, the label is now in its 13th
year and has helped to nurture artists like the London-based innovator Mat Zo, the eclectic genius Andrew Bayer
and Russian star Arty. Independently spirited but run with ambitious
vision, the label has grown like a family.“Dance music tends to be very
short term, but we aim to release records that will leave a lasting
impression on people and are listened to in years to come” explains
Jono. “We try to operate in our own way rather than trying to follow
trends.”
Like just about everything they turn their attentions to, it is
a labour of love as well as a collaboration of the trio’s energies. De
La Soul weren’t wrong. Three really is the magic number: and in Above & Beyond’s case the magic is spreading faster than ever before.
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More info: http://thedjlist.com/djs/ABOVE_&_BEYOND/bio/