Deepsky
Encyclopedia
Deepsky is an electronic music act based in Los Angeles. Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico
, Deepsky formed in 1992 when its two founding members, J. Scott Giaquinta and Jason Blum, met at the University of New Mexico
. Between 1994 and 1996 they concurrently comprised the Dayspring Collective with Shawn Parker, whom together released a CD on the Fragrant Music label titled Spark in 1997. Giaquinta left the band in November 2006 to focus on solo projects as well as start the group Summer Channel; Blum continues to produce and perform under the Deepsky name.
, was released in 1996 on Rampant Records. The title track was picked up by Nick Warren
for inclusion on the Cream Live 2 compilation and set the stage for recognition by other international DJs. After moving to Fragrant Music, Deepsky released the "Stargazer" single in 1997, a hugely successful track which enjoyed global success and made appearances on compilations like Fragrant Sense
by top DJs including John Digweed
, DJ Micro
, and John '00' Fleming. Their song "Tempest" was used as the theme music to the MTV
electronica video music show Amp
from 1997 to 2001. They released their first full album on Kinetic Records in 2002, titled In Silico, which features a progressive sound that differs greatly from their early work.
With the closure of Kinetic Records
in 2003, Deepsky's follow up record, tentatively titled Future Perfect, found itself in limbo. Nevertheless, a handful of singles from Future Perfect have found their way to market in spite of this setback. Yo! Records, a sub-label of Deep Dish's Yoshitoshi Records
, released "Talk Like a Stranger" in August 2004, with vocals performed by Jes Brieden. Proton Music
distributed "Lost in the Moment" as a digital-only release in 2005, Toronto-based Release Records
released "Ghost" in July 2006, and Baroque Records
released "Brambledog" in November 2006. "Ghost" also features Brieden on vocals and reached the top twenty on both the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play and Hot Dance Airplay
charts in early 2007.
, Seal
, David Bowie
, America
, Paul Oakenfold
, The Crystal Method
, and more. They achieved #1 slots on 2003's Billboard dance singles chart with remixes of Madonna's "Die Another Day
" and "Hollywood".
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As...
, Deepsky formed in 1992 when its two founding members, J. Scott Giaquinta and Jason Blum, met at the University of New Mexico
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
. Between 1994 and 1996 they concurrently comprised the Dayspring Collective with Shawn Parker, whom together released a CD on the Fragrant Music label titled Spark in 1997. Giaquinta left the band in November 2006 to focus on solo projects as well as start the group Summer Channel; Blum continues to produce and perform under the Deepsky name.
History
Deepsky's first commercial vinyl, the In My Mind EPExtended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, was released in 1996 on Rampant Records. The title track was picked up by Nick Warren
Nick Warren
Nick Warren is an English house DJ and producer. He is well-known for his eight albums released in the Global Underground series and as a member of the duo Way Out West...
for inclusion on the Cream Live 2 compilation and set the stage for recognition by other international DJs. After moving to Fragrant Music, Deepsky released the "Stargazer" single in 1997, a hugely successful track which enjoyed global success and made appearances on compilations like Fragrant Sense
Fragrant Sense
Fragrant Sense is a 1999 progressive trance album by Los Angeles-based DJ Doran.- Track listing :# Joshua Ryan - "Pistolwhip" - 8:35# Jimmy Johnson - "Fear Of Flying" - 6:05# Deepsky - "Cosmic Dancer " - 5:53...
by top DJs including John Digweed
John Digweed
John Digweed is an English DJ, record producer and acclaimed actor.-Biography:John Digweed began DJing around age 4...
, DJ Micro
DJ Micro
DJ Micro is an American trance DJ and producer.-History:DJ Micro began on the East Coast, where in 1991 he helped form the Caffeine Records collective in Deer Park, NY. Caffeine began as a weekly club night, and started building a brand. Micro spun at many of Caffeine's parties, specializing in...
, and John '00' Fleming. Their song "Tempest" was used as the theme music to the MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
electronica video music show Amp
Amp (TV series)
Amp was a music video program on MTV that aired from 1997 to 2001. It was aimed at the electronic music and rave crowd and was responsible for exposing many electronica acts to the mainstream. When co-creator Todd Mueller left the show in 1998, it was redubbed Amp 2.0. The show aired some 46...
from 1997 to 2001. They released their first full album on Kinetic Records in 2002, titled In Silico, which features a progressive sound that differs greatly from their early work.
With the closure of Kinetic Records
Kinetic Records
Kinetic Records was a New York City-based record label founded by Steve Lau , that launched the careers of artists and DJs such as Paul Oakenfold, BT, Deepsky, Kosheen, Tilt, Timo Maas, Grace, Sandra Collins, Billy Thermal, Binary Finary, and Shpongle...
in 2003, Deepsky's follow up record, tentatively titled Future Perfect, found itself in limbo. Nevertheless, a handful of singles from Future Perfect have found their way to market in spite of this setback. Yo! Records, a sub-label of Deep Dish's Yoshitoshi Records
Yoshitoshi Records
Yoshitoshi Recordings is a dance music record label which is owned and operated by house producers Deep Dish. It was founded in 1994. While pigeonholed as a progressive label, its releases in fact cover a broad spectrum of modern dance music, reflecting the eclectic tastes of its owners...
, released "Talk Like a Stranger" in August 2004, with vocals performed by Jes Brieden. Proton Music
Proton Radio
Proton Radio is an internet electronic music station. Founded in 2002 by Sam Packer, Alex Ambroziak, and Eric Liberda, the station features over 200 exclusive shows from various DJs around the world. They have featured guest DJ sets from such DJs as Sasha, Luke Chable, James Zabiela, Anthony...
distributed "Lost in the Moment" as a digital-only release in 2005, Toronto-based Release Records
Release Records
Release Records is a progressive music record label run out of Ontario, Canada. They have released singles from such artists as Medway, Peace Division, Benz & MD, and Flash Brothers...
released "Ghost" in July 2006, and Baroque Records
Baroque Records
Baroque Records is an electronic music label created by Mick Parks and Mick Wilson of Tilt. It has featured singles from Quivver, Tilt, Benz & MD, and Shiloh....
released "Brambledog" in November 2006. "Ghost" also features Brieden on vocals and reached the top twenty on both the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play and Hot Dance Airplay
Hot Dance Airplay
Dance/Mix Show Airplay is a monitored electronic dance music radio chart that is featured weekly in Billboard magazine. The chart came about as a result of the small but influential impact of electronic dance music on the radio in the United States and the stations that program it...
charts in early 2007.
Recent work
Since 2002, Deepsky has moved heavily into the remix market, producing progressive trance, progressive house, and progressive breaks remixes for pop artists including MadonnaMadonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
, Seal
Seal (musician)
Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel , known simply as Seal, is a British soul and R&B singer-songwriter, of Nigerian and Brazilian background. Seal has won numerous music awards throughout his career, including three Brit Awards—winning Best British Male in 1992, four Grammy Awards, and an...
, David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
, America
America (band)
America is an English-American folk rock band that originally included members Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell and Dan Peek. The three members were barely out of their teens when they became a musical sensation during 1972, scoring #1 hits and winning a Grammy for best new musical artist...
, Paul Oakenfold
Paul Oakenfold
Paul Mark Oakenfold is a British record producer and a trance DJ.-Early Career: 1979–84:Paul Oakenfold's career was set to be a chef, after having hopes of becoming part of a band. He describes his early life as a "bedroom deejay" in a podcasted interview with Vancouver's 24 Hours, stating he grew...
, The Crystal Method
The Crystal Method
The Crystal Method is an American electronic music duo that was created in Los Angeles, California by Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland in the early 1990s. The Crystal Method's music has appeared in numerous TV shows, films, video games, and advertisements. The most prominent is the US television...
, and more. They achieved #1 slots on 2003's Billboard dance singles chart with remixes of Madonna's "Die Another Day
Die Another Day (song)
"Die Another Day" is the theme to the James Bond film of the same name recorded by Madonna. The single was released in late 2002, marking Madonna's 20th career anniversary, and peaked at number eight in the United States and number three in the United Kingdom, selling 167,863 copies - making it the...
" and "Hollywood".
Albums
- Spark (1997) - As part of 'The Dayspring Collective'
- Stargazer EP (1999)
- In Silico (2002)
Selected singles
- "Tempest"
- "Stargazer"
- "View from a Stairway"
- "Lost in the Moment"
- "Ghost" (credited to 'Deepsky featuring Jes', Billboard Hot Dance Club Play #20, Hot Dance Airplay #17)