andPOP - Pop Culture With Substance

With the touch of a button, Nicolas Dresti delivers a shot of adrenaline to the sea of 30 thousand fans. Their screams are met with his quick rhythmic jumping and head bobbing to the beat on-stage. He’s not the main event, heck he’s not even a co-headliner, but he’s still the man orchestrating one of the hottest concerts on the planet – all from a laptop. This may be Lady Gaga’s party, but DJ Space Cowboy is the event’s power source – the battery that keeps the beat alive.

He’s now on top of the world.

On that night Dresti was the European energizer bunny, but now he’s recharging his own batteries at his hotel. It’s hard to believe that he is the key to Lady Gaga’s live performance successes. The man in the neatly-cut dark-suit and sparkling rhinestone skinny-tie seems sophisticated and quiet – the complete opposite of what a Gaga concert is notorious for.

But it’s true. Look at Dresti and his alter ego DJ Space Cowboy like you would Clark Kent and Superman – they’re both the same person, yet totally different at the same time. Put Clark Kent into a phone booth and he’ll become Superman. Well, put Dresti in front of an audio mixer and laptop, and he’ll suddenly transform into the backbone – or backbeat, if you will – as DJ Space Cowboy, Gaga’s DJ and head maestro responsible for explosive energy in any crowd.

His new album Digital Rockstar dropped earlier this week, and it’s one of the rare chances to really hear Superman-like energy harnessed into one CD.

“Raising the energy bar is one my main jobs as a DJ,” Dresti tells andPOP in the martini bar of Toronto’s Pantages Hotel.

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The initial wave of performers has been announced for the third annual iTunes Live: London Festival, which will run throughout July at the Roundhouse in north London.

Flo Rida, Oasis, Kasabian, Snow Patrol, Paolo Nutini and the Saturdays are among the confirmed acts, with more artists expected to be announced shortly.

In total, 62 bands will play over 32 consecutive nights starting July 1.

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5. Summer Lovin’  – Grease

Call me nostalgic, but admit that this upbeat shoe-tapper from the epic movie is irreplaceable. I’ve yet to meet a person that doesn’t know the chorus from this song, let along the funky dance actions to accompany the lyrics. This throw-back is guaranteed to get some hips twisting and some put you in the mood to throw on those tight leather pants that used to fit so perfectly.

4. Summer Breeze – Jason Mraz

This representation of Mraz’s remarkable voice is better than Xanax on a particularly tough day.  It’s laid back lyrics and acoustic guitar combine to weave a relaxing melody that anyone can enjoy. When it’s time to lay out in the sun with accompanying music, “Summer Breeze” is a quintessential fit.   

3. Don’t Trust Me – 3OH!3

Okay, I’ll admit that this seems completely irrelevant to the whole summer thing. Yet, the first time I heard this catchy alternative tune, I happened to be driving down a teeming street in the throes of road rage. As song as I heard “Don’t Trust Me” come on the radio, all anger dissipated, the window rolled down, and the head started bobbing to maximum volume. What better way to introduce summer? 

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Discovering new talent is often a daunting task; however, when the formula is complete, all parts, synergetic, the sky is the limit. With a noted machine behind him, coupled with his distinct originality, Flo Rida has captured the attention of many while simultaneously making a significant impact early in the game.

Flo Rida has already garnered more accolades than most artists see in their entire career. Months before his Poe Boy/Atlantic Records debut, “MAIL ON SUNDAY,” was even released a couple months ago, his explosive first single, “Low,” shot to the top of nearly every chart—Top 40 radio, Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and Hot RingMasters chart, Soundscan’s Digital Song chart, iTunes, Napster, Rhapsody, MySpace, MTV’s TRL, BET’s 106 & Park.

andPOP spoke with Flo Rida during a recent trip to Toronto.