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Founded in 2013, Progressive Astronaut is a carefully curated platform, operating at the heart of the electronic underground. Initiated with the intent of musical exploration, we set out to showcase innovative content to our ever growing community. Established globally our loyal following embraces our contemporary vision for cutting edge electronic music, as seen through our premieres, podcasts, interviews, free downloads and more. Progressive Astronaut is a platform for discovery, with a healthy blend of emerging artists, along with the scenes most revered names, operating as a central hub where music aficionados, DJs, artists and label managers unite in a thriving environment bound by a passion for music. The continued evolution of dance culture resonates from the core of our platform as we move forward into the future. Come join us.

www.progressiveastronaut.com

Contact & Promos: progressiveastronaut@gmail.com

Gabriel Ananda has been an established institution in the electronic music scene for countless years now and produces from emotionally playful, to primetime Techno a wide range of styles, without ever forgetting the organic groove in it. In recent times he has attracted attention especially through his radio show and same named label "Soulful Techno" in the emotional, melodic segment. Through several releases on his more dancefloor oriented label "Basmati" and further collaborations, as well as remixes by and for various well-known artists, Gabriel can now look back on over 300 productions. In addition to that, he fascinates with his gripping and varied sets, which take people around the globe on an emotional ride. Either from behind the DJ desk, or with his monthly Soulful Techno Podcast.

microcastle | est. 2009

microcastle is an electronic music imprint from the north, Canada. Releasing on vinyl, cassette and digital, the label is an outlet for borderless creation. The selective nature of the platform allows each artist to operate freely, where stylistic blueprints and conventional dance floor dynamics are lifted. A home for anyone who carves their own path, each microcastle project is unique unto itself, unmindful of trends, refreshingly organic and initiated with the intent of entering the unknown, from leftfield headphone listening to rebellious dance floors around the world. 

Label Artists: 16 Bit Lolitas, Spooky, Cornucopia, Guy J, Eagles & Butterflies, Echonomist, Upercent, Olaf Stuut, Ivory, Adrian Roman, MULYA, Ditian, Yubik, Radeckt, Solique, Presia, Auggie, Colossio, Shiffer, Speaking In Tongues, Kadosh & Nariz, Ruede Hagelstein, Santiago Garcia, Marvin & Guy, Chaim, Darlyn Vlys, Zombies In Miami, Mathias Schober, Love Over Entropy, Luca Bacchetti, Brian Cid, Khen, Chicola, Sahar Z, Cid Inc, Jamie Stevens, Henry Saiz, Monkey Safari, Third Son, Jeremy Olander, GROJ, Fairmont, Charlie May, Max Cooper, YokoO, Petar Dundov, Nhar, Clarian.

SUBMIT YOUR REPOST: https://progressiveastronaut.com/submit-your-repost

Founded in 2013, Progressive Astronaut is a carefully curated platform, operating at the heart of the electronic underground. Initiated with the intent of musical exploration, we set out to showcase innovative content to our ever growing community. Established globally, our loyal following embraces our contemporary vision for cutting edge electronic music, as seen through our premieres, podcasts, interviews, free downloads and more. Progressive Astronaut is a platform for discovery, with a healthy blend of emerging artists, along with the scenes most revered names, operating as a central hub where music aficionados, DJs, artists and label managers unite in a thriving environment bound by a passion for music. The continued evolution of dance culture resonates from the core of our platform as we move forward into the future. Come join us.

http://www.progressiveastronaut.com

Contact & Promos: progressiveastronaut@gmail.com

PS. we do not answer to SoundCloud messages

No one could have imagined at that time what to expect - like Xavier de Maistre himself, when he decided to change the face of the harp 16 years ago. Today he plays pieces like "Moldau" by Smetana in breathtaking precision and presents masterful pieces of music that are usually played by an entire orchestra.

Meanwhile, a worldwide audience listens to his virtuosity and enjoys the unprecedented sounds. Pieces, that no harpist played before, or even thought about - like the Haydn piano concertos. Not only that makes him one of the most extraordinary musicians, even masters of this time.

Xavier de Maistre began to study harp with 9 years. Like many other famous musicians, all started with love - but in this case not as expected the love to his harp. It was rather the love for his former teacher, who offered extra harp lessons. Early, it turned out that Xavier has a great talent and no wonder he started with 25 years to play for the Vienna Philharmonic. Before that he played 3 years for the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and in 1998 Xavier won the first prize of the "USA International Harp Competition“, the major harp competitions in the world. But since Xavier´s family is not from a traditional harp-playing dynasty they put great importance to a solid education. So Xavier started his study of politics at the „Institut des Sciences Politiques“ in Paris and spent 1 year in London at the „London School of Economics ", when he finally decided to prefer music to the political studies. For a musician, he achieved very early what all harpists dream of – a position in one of the best orchestras in the world, the Vienna Philharmonic.

However Xavier de Maistre was about to go on. To see this point as the highlight of the career, which would definitely be a great honor for most of the harpists, and aslo for Xavier, but it was also a kind of sad moment. He achieved the ultimate goal of a harpist at age 25. Through his countless appearances and his keen ambition he has always wants to refute the long-existing bias of the harp - played in the background by angel-like women. Thanks to his his quick anticipation, intelligence and tremendous skill, he has played many pieces as a soloist with the harp and delighted thousands of listeners. Finally, he succeeds to establish the harp as an independent instrument. During his career, many great conductors such as Riccardo Muti, Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Andre Previn, and Daniele Gatti became curious on him and his passion and asked him to play with them. A long series of concerts follows, convincing the audience that Xavier de Maistre is undoubtedly the master of his instrument. Not for nothing, beside famous conductors, also the most successful singers like Barbara Bonney, Kathleen Battle and Diana Damrau played with him. Likewise, of course, the long list of world-renowned opera houses which he had already visited: Theatre des Champs Elysees Paris, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Musikverein Vienna, Tokyo Opera City, Lincoln Center New York, Salzburg Festival, La Scala Milan and many others.

No wonder, Xavier´s enthusiasm and his gift to play will not put an end to this success story. Awarded with the Echo Klassik Award 2009 for his album "Nuit d'Etoiles" as "Instrumentalist of the Year" (Sony Music) he reaps the fruits of his labor.

For more than 9 years Xavier de Maistre is working as a professor at the Musikhochschule Hamburg and now also teaches at the Julliard School in New York, at the Toho University in Tokyo and in London at Trinity College. After 11 years with the Vienna Philharmonic Xavier leaves his position in order to devote himself to his international solo career - a step that no harpist has done before.

Sameer Hasham is following