Dustin Fuselier (born 1969 or 1970), known professionally as D:Fuse, is an American producer, remixer, and DJ from Austin, Texas.[1]

D:Fuse
Birth nameDustin Fuselier
Born1969 or 1970 (age 54–55)[1]
Houston, Texas, United States
GenresHouse, Progressive House, Electronica
Occupation(s)DJ, Producer, Remixer, Drummer, Percussionist
Years active1996 - present
LabelsPerfecto Records, Virgin, System Recordings, 3Beat Records, Moonshine Music, Moist Music, Psychobaby Records, Skyline Records, Lost Angeles Recordings, Curvve Recordings
Websitewww.djdfuse.com Edit this at Wikidata

Career

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D:Fuse began his musical career in Austin, Texas writing and performing industrial music under the name "Culture Industry" as a drummer and singer before he turned to DJing. In 1998, he teamed up with his good friend Shane Howard to form Expansion. The two pressed their first two tracks themselves and circulated the vinyl at that year's WMC. Within months, the singles "Feel" and "Listen" were being played out by Timo Maas, Sasha, John Digweed, Chris Fortier, Danny Howells and other DJs. "Feel" was also selected by Dave Seaman for his Global Underground "Buenos Aires" compilation.

In 1998, D:Fuse was signed to the electronic music label Moonshine Records, releasing three mix compilations and selling over 120,000 CDs and singles on the imprint including his first solo club hit "Body Shock".[citation needed] In 2001, D:Fuse was plucked out of the Lone Star State for his DJ skills by Paul Oakenfold.[2] Two consecutive North American 'Perfecto' tours comprising over 50 sold-out dates ensued, plus DJ appearances in England, Scotland, Switzerland, Ibiza, Canada and Mexico. This was followed up with a double CD mix compilation for Oakenfold's Perfecto Presents... series (in conjunction with V2 Records in the USA).[3][4] Perfecto subsequently released "She Rides" by D:Fuse & Joy in 2001. This track appeared on numerous Perfecto compilations as well as the Gatecrasher mix series and peaked at number 85 in the UK singles chart.[5] His album People was released in February 2002 and entered the CMJ Chart at number 9.[6]

D:Fuse released People_2: Both Sides Of The Picture, a 2xCD mix for System Recordings, in 2003. This compilation proved to be one of D:Fuse's most successful works to date, and further established his name as a producer, since this release featured eight new D:Fuse productions. He was featured on the cover of both REMIX and URB magazines and joined the list of performers at the Coachella Festival that same year.

In 2004, D:Fuse was voted URB magazine's #2 Winter Music Conference DJ.[7] He also released his debut artist album Begin on System Recordings to positive acclaim.[8] Splitting recording time between England, Los Angeles and Chicago to create a varied musical landscape, Begin broke new boundaries. D:Fuse's signature fusion of electronic programming and organic instrumentation, coupled with its inspired lyric writing and vocals, re-wrote all the rules of the DJ 'artist album'. This long-awaited debut received four-star reviews across the board in the industry media, and the single release "Living The Dream" (featuring Jes of Motorcycle) achieved combined compilation sales over 140,000 units.[citation needed]

Begin provided D:Fuse with the artistic space he needed to carefully experiment with - and integrate - musical themes that had influenced him, and his sound, over the years: from downtempo to driving basslines, funky percussion, and memorable melodies. Accordingly, his live shows began attracting more varied audiences since his music was proving to be equally palatable to both house and progressive music aficionados. The accompanying Begin tour was a success and hit 75 cities throughout North and South America.[citation needed]

In 2005 D:Fuse saw his fan base grow significantly, being voted one of the Top 15 progressive DJs in North America per the influential BPM/djmixed.com poll. D:Fuse soon teamed up with Mike Hiratzka to produce what would become one of the year's most sought-after remixes: "The Days Of Swine And Roses", originally recorded by My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult. This became the biggest-selling single release from the popular My Life Remixed CD - a compilation of Thrill Kill Kult classic tracks remixed by various artists.[citation needed]

D:Fuse has been known to fuse live percussion with DJing. In 2005 he unveiled "The D:Fuse Live Experience", a DJ/live instrumentation hybrid featuring D:Fuse on a full percussion set up, Mike Hiratzka on guitar, bass, keyboards and vocals, plus vocals by MC Flint. The show coincided with the live CD release of People_3 on Moist Music, recorded at clubs in San Francisco, CA and Austin, TX.[9] The CD produced positive reviews in REMIX and M3 magazines.[10] The D:Fuse live tour was well received nationwide with capacity events in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Austin, Dallas, New York City, Kansas City, and a headlining slot at Miami's 2006 ULTRA Music Fest.[citation needed]

D:Fuse's live show concept led to a team-up with The Scumfrog in 2006 to create their project "DJs Are Alive", alongside DJ Skribble, Kristine W and Static Revenger. The project promoted the idea that DJ sets can be more exciting than watching a staid mix.[11]

In 2006, D:Fuse relocated to Los Angeles to launch a new record label (Lost Angeles Recordings) and produce a full-length album, with his new production partner Mike Hiratzka. A full year of studio sessions produced "Skyline Lounge". The album delved even further into the use of live instrumentation with guitars, bass and percussion. It also included violins by Govinda of 18th St. Records fame and featured guest vocal performances by Kristy Thirsk (Delerium) and DJ Rap, plus vocal performances by D:Fuse and Hiratzka themselves. "Skyline Lounge" stayed in the top 15 on the iTunes electronica chart five weeks in a row and was a heavy rotation pick on XM/Sirius chill, Below Zero FM in San Francisco, and Smoothlounge.com as well as a host of club mix shows worldwide.[citation needed]

Later that year D:Fuse unveiled his new live concept "Bring The Drums" residency to a capacity crowd at San Francisco's renowned Ruby Skye. The new show spotlighted D:Fuse performing on his drum kit, featuring his blend of congas and bongos plus tom-toms, snares and cymbals. D:Fuse rolled out the tour to cities across the nation and later brought "BTD" to tours in Asia and Eastern Europe; concluding the tour as a headliner at the massive closing party of the Kazatip festival in Ukraine drawing over 10,000 people.[citation needed]

In 2007 D:Fuse released the retrospective album Thanks for Listening (The Club Singles '98-'08 Re:Mixed Re:Mastered). This included reworking, remixing, and remastering his tracks into a twelve-song package including "She Rides", "Everything With You", "Living the Dream" and a collaboration with The Scumfrog titled "Stereo & Video". Album reviews were not all positive, with Sean-Michael Yoder of Alarm Magazine stating that, although D:Fuse and Hiratzkamake have previously produced talented releases, the album is not only dated but has "laughable" melodies.[12]

D:Fuse hosts the "The People's Mix" show on XM satellite radio.[13] In 2009 D:Fuse worked with Mike Hiratzka to complete the mix album series titled Clubbing in Lost Angeles which featured eleven tracks from the Lost Angeles recordings catalogue.[14] It intertwined club tracks like "Massif", "Perfection", and "Everything With You" with all new productions including "Tobias" and D & H remixes of Govinda's "Can't Forget The Day" and Nosmo & Kris Bís "One For The Road".

Discography

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Albums

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  • 2001: Progressive Mix Session 1.0
  • 2002: People
  • 2003: People 2: Both Sides of the Picture
  • 2004: Begin[13]
  • 2005: People 3: Both Sides of the Picture
  • 2007: Skyline Lounge
  • 2009: Human Frequency
  • 2011: Human Frequency 2.0

References

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  1. ^ a b Savlov, Marc (12 April 2002). "Mind Wide Open Blowing up with Austin's world-class, 21st-Century turntablist, D:Fuse". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  2. ^ Katz, L. "D:Fuse Biography by L. Katz". Allmusic. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  3. ^ Harrington, Richard (14 February 2002). "D:FUSE "People" V2 Texan D:Fus ..." Washington Post. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  4. ^ Miller, Louis (25 March 2002). "D:FUSE People (V2)" (PDF). CMJ. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  5. ^ "SHE RIDES – D:FUSE & JOY - Official Charts". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  6. ^ Sherwood, Seth (29 April 2004). "D:Fuse". The Pitch.
  7. ^ Selah, Makkada (17 March 2005). "D:Fuse - Music - Miami - Miami New Times - The Leading Independent News Source in Miami, Florida". Miami New Times.
  8. ^ Savlov, Marc (4 February 2005). "D: FUSE: Begin Album Review - Music - The Austin Chronicle". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  9. ^ "D:Fuse Live with his People". Resident Advisor. 14 September 2005. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  10. ^ Taylor, Ken (October 2005). "HEADLINERS". Remix. ProQuest 197953805. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  11. ^ "Five artists have formed a collective to try and shake things up on the stage and dancefloor and stand united as the 'DJs Are Alive'". Resident Advisor. 18 January 2006. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  12. ^ Yoder, Sean-Michael (2008). "D:Fuse-Thanks For Listening (Lost Angeles)(US)". Alarm Magazine. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  13. ^ a b Bledsoe, Wayne (10 June 2005). "Shaking things up ; Nontraditional background, eclectic mixes distinguish star DJ". News Sentinel. ProQuest 393633928.
  14. ^ Hogwood, Ben. "D:Fuse & Hiratzka Present Clubbing In Lost Angeles (Early Hours Vol. 1)". DMC World. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
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