Disney Sues DJ Deadmau5

Disney has filed a trademark claim against popular DJ and EDM artist Deadmau5, alleging that his famed headpiece logo is too Mickey Mouse.

According to Deadmau5’s lawyer, Dina LaPolt, the DJ’s logo is already a registered trademark in 30 countries, including the UK, Ireland and Germany. But not in America: Deadmau5 applied to the US patent and trademark office in June 2013, and Disney’s 171-page opposition papers were submitted this month, according to TMZ. “Given that the mau5head, and other identifying deadmau5 trademarks, have been used in the US and around the world for almost a decade, we wonder why Disney is only now coming after Deadmau5,” LaPolt said in a statement. Deadmau5 was much less polite: “Disney thinks you might confuse an established electronic musician/performer with a cartoon mouse,” he tweeted. “That’s how stupid they think you are.”

According to Forbes, Deadmau5 is earning $16M annually from merchandising and DJ gigs.

This Is An Ad For Something

(Via Towleroad)

NEW YORK CITY: Anti-Drug PSA To Air During Electric Zoo EDM Festival

Last year Mayor Bloomberg's office canceled the final day of New York City's Electric Zoo EDM festival on Randall's Island after two drug-related deaths and numerous overdoses took place despite repeated cautions to the 100,000+ attendees made by the promoters over the event's sound system. This year the organizers are stepping up their warnings with an anti-drug video that will be played "regularly" during the three days of Electric Zoo.

EDM fans going to Electric Zoo in New York City will have to watch a film about the dangers of drugs in order to gain entry. It’s all part of the “Come To Life” micro-campaign. Electric Zoo organizer Made Event announced the program this morning. Promoting the healthier aspects of dancing ‘til dawn, the program warns fans about illicit drugs, particularly MDMA, aka Molly or ecstasy. The two- minute film “The Molly” was created, written and produced by “Dexter” creator/writer James Manos, Jr., and his 19-year-old daughter Ellie Manos. “Ellie represents the target audience and she’s been to EDM concerts and seen the behavior of her peers on Molly,” Manos said. “She was the perfect partner to help me write the spot. “This is a really interesting and volatile time of life for teens and young adults, and I was up for the challenge of crafting the right tone, manner and overall approach to creating a PSA that would have a net positive influence in their behavior and lives, in an entertaining and authentic way.”

Electric Zoo takes place over Labor Day weekend. A three-day pass is $369 and single-day tickets are $139. Headliners include David Guetta, Kaskade, Armin Van Buren, Sasha, Danny Tenaglia, Victor Calderone, Pete Tong, and Paul Van Dyk. Watch The Molly below.

RELATED: Last week federal investigators arrested a 23 year-old man they allege sold drugs to one of the Electric Zoo attendees who died at the event.

Bright Light Bright Light - I Believe

Normally moody and introspective scruffy Welsh cutie Rod Thomas is back with an uncharacteristic EDM stomper. The single and a great 12" remix are up on iTunes today. Thomas is currently on tour opening for Elton John and his new album, Life Is Easy, debuts on Tuesday. Man, I love this track. Play it loud, you're at home today.

Swag Tuesday

This week's Swag Tuesday prize is Forget The World, the debut album from Grammy-winning EDM artist Afrojack, which is now available for download and at physical retailers nationwide. Magnetic Mag has a review:

Afrojack’s debut album Forget the World may feel long overdue for the Dutch DJ seeing how he’s been in the game for four years now and is already one of the top 10 highest grossing DJs in the world. Oh… and a Grammy award winner. And he is one of only two DJs to have their handprints on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Accomplishments aside, it’s time to let the debut LP speak for itself. Afrojack definitely created an eclectic and well-rounded LP with Forget the World from the pop-hits that catapulted him to mainstream success to out-of-the-box collaborations with Sting, Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa to name a few and, of course, the Afrojack big beat drops we’ve all grown to love. Once you press play with the opening track “Ten Feet Tall,” you’ll be taken on an audible journey with everything from vocal party anthems, chill back songs, instrumental tracks and even a power rock song.

We have three copies of Forget The World to give away. Enter to win by commenting on this post. Only enter once and please remember to leave an email address in your comment. Entries close at midnight on Thursday, west coast time.

When Will The Bass Drop?

This weekend Saturday Night Live mocked EDM's superstar culture in DJ Davvincii, a character meant to be a mash-up of David Guetta and Aviici, both of whom earned tens of millions last year according to Forbes.

Percussions - Ascii Bot

Jean Michel Jarre + Giorgio Moroder + Kraftwerk?

Swag Tuesday

Courtesy of the Karpel Group, today's Swag Tuesday prize is Dconstructed, an album of Disney tracks remixed by globally famous EDM acts including Armin Van Buuren's take on Idina Menzel's smash hit Let It Go.

Enter to win a copy of DCONSTRUCTED and a pair of Urbanears headphones! DCONSTRUCTED: A brand-new compilation of classic and current Disney music remixed by today's hottest international DJs/producers including Avicii, Armin Van Buuren, Kaskade and more! Featuring fourteen tracks including "Let It Go" (Armin Van Buuren Remix). One lucky grand prize winner will receive a copy of DCONSTRUCTED plus a pair of Urbanears headphones! Two runners-up will receive a copy of DCONSTRUCTED.

We have three copies of Dconstructed and one set of Urbanears headphones to give away. Enter to win by commenting on this post. Only enter once and please remember to leave an email address in the text of your comment. Entries close at midnight at Thursday, west coast time.

Mark Knight: The Return Of Wolfy

Knight earned a 2010 Grammy nomination for his work on the Black Eyed Peas smash album The E.N.D.  The new track is very much a mid-90s throwback.

The World's Highest Paid DJs

From Forbes' just-released 2013 rankings:

1. Calvin Harris ($46 million)
2. Tiesto ($32 million)
3. David Guetta ($30 million)
4. Swedish House Mafia ($25 million)
5. Deadmau5 ($21 million)
6. Avicii ($20 million)
7. Afrojack ($18 million)
8. Armin van Buuren ($17 million)
9 (tie). Skrillex ($16 million)
9 (tie). Kaskade ($16 million)
11. Steve Aoki ($14 million)
12. DJ Pauly D ($13 million)
13. Diplo ($13 million)

Keep in mind that these guys make the bulk of their money not at nightclubs, but at gigantic dance festivals and "concert" events that can draw up to 100,000 attendees. Several months ago I went to the Swedish House Mafia's sold out show at Brooklyn's Barclays Center. (My friend works for the label, so free tickets, plus I wanted to see the new arena.) Aside from the fact that we were pretty much the oldest audience members there by three decades or more, I quite enjoyed it, especially the truly astounding visual effects.  The clip below will give you a sense of where all these millions come from.