Depeche Mode ‘Peace’ remix winners

Depeche Mode ‘Peace’ remix winners

19 August, 2009 | 11.04AM

• Written by: Beatportal
• Filed under: Music News: depeche mode, remix contests

After weeks of deliberation, Depeche Mode have finally chosen a winner for their ‘Peace’ remix contest. Over 1000 producers entered the Beatport-sponsored remix contest, and over 51,000 votes were cast by the public making it the biggest remix competition ever held on Beatportal.

Altogether the band received 20 remixes, 10 chosen by the public via a vote, and 10 chosen by Beatport’s judges (who listened to, and debated each and every remix).

Depeche Mode then listened to and scrutinized each of the 20 remixes, and spent many days deciding which mix would be crowned their eventual winner.

In the end, they found their champion.

Winner: Hakan Lidbo

Swedish producer Hakan Lidbo wins our Depeche Mode remix contest with a dark and layered tech house remix. “I built my remix around the harmonies and vocals as they were the strongest part of the song, and I also made sure my remix was functional and upbeat for the dancefloor,” said Lidbo, whose first release was in 1998.

“I added my own twists and used multiple bass sounds to create something interesting and unique, I hope.”

Lidbo, who has released more than 200 records on labels like Pokerflat, Force Tracks, Shitkatapult, and Tommy Boy, was still surprised to win the contest. “I am a bit shocked to be honest, as I made my remix and then pretty much forgot about it.

“So many remixes were submitted, and so many producers were spamming the contest asking for votes, so I didn’t think I had a chance as I didn’t tell anyone that I had submitted a remix. However, I’m happy that the contest wasn’t solely decided on public votes.”

Lidbo used Logic to produce his remix, and kept his production simple. “Rather than use complicated synths, I layered three or four simple synths on top of each other to create a unique sound,” he said.

What does it mean for Haken Lidbo to win this contest? “Depeche Mode mean a lot to me, I am a fan,” he said. “I think it was quite easy for me to know what the band wanted, as I know the band’s history and I have most of their records. So I kept the darkness and moody sound they’re known for.

After a prolific period of releasing dance music Hakan Lidbo has in recent years concentrated on conceptual music projects that cross over into sound art, and his own radio show on Swedish radio. He also runs Volt, a new Swedish festival for electronic music.

“I don’t have a clue what it will do for my career, but I hope that Mute and Depeche Mode will consider me for more remixes in the future,” concluded Hakan.

2nd place: Ladies On Mars

Up and coming Argentinean producer Ladies On Mars aka Jonathan Douglas Braverman has released music since 2006, and recently had an EP on Definition Records.

His stripped back tech house remix used the vocal cleverly by interspersing it between runs of throbbing minimal rhythms.

3rd place: Monosurround

Berlin duo Monosurround aka Erik Schaeffer and Ramtin Asadolahzadeh formed in 1999 and have released successful EPs and albums in France, Germany, and Japan on Vitalic’s record label Citizen Records since 2006.

They brand their music and the concept behind it “maximalism”, and their remix of ‘Peace’ sees high octane synths collide with driving electro house beats. 

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