X-Factor / American Idol mastermind and top 40 svengali Simon Cowell has a new project allegedly cooking: a show which will see people competing for a music career. Not as singers, mind you–as DJs.
That’s kind of hard to imagine, especially in the context of a 40-minute live TV show. Most DJs play for upwards of two hours, and with at least a dozen contestants, each DJ would only be able to spin for two minutes a week–not even enough time to play a single song.
It’s safe to say that if anyone can pull it off, Simon can. But who might end up on the judges’ panel with him?
Tiesto, as (arguably) the world’s biggest DJ right now, seems like a sure bet. He’s telegenic, has the name recognition, and has a ton of fans. There are those who aren’t wild about the kind of music he plays, but they’re outweighed by those who are. Likelihood: almost certain.
Steve Aoki is a little more underground, but with success after success on his Dim Mak label, maybe Simon will see a smaller version of himself in this long-haired electro/hard house DJ. Plus, he’s friends with a TON of celebrities. Likelihood: probable.
Deadmau5 went from geek to chic in the past couple years, helped largely by a massive pop single, “Ghosts n Stuff.” He’s moved from minimal/progressive house toward a more mainstream sound, and his tours have sold out increasingly massive venues across the world. He isn’t a “disc jockey” in the strictest sense, though: he mixes his own music live, using a sophisticated computer setup. Plus, how would they fit his giant light-up mouse head in the judge’s area? Likelihood: mmmmaybe.
Daft Punk, legendary French house DJs responsible for hits like “Harder Better Faster Stronger,” “Technologic,” “Around The World,” and “One More Time,” would ensure a massive audience for the show. The trouble is, they’re not exactly suited to reality television: they wear robot helmets all the time and usually don’t speak. Also, they don’t “spin records” when they perform so much as they “remix their own albums from a giant laser pyramid full of synthesizers and computers.” Likelihood: if only.
Who do you think should be tapped to judge this contest? Let us know in the comments section below!
Set to release in 2012, the new Mars Volta album is apparently titled Noctourniquet, a combination of the words “nocturne” (a musical composition inspired by the night) and “tourniquet,” a type of bandage used to control bleeding.