Above & Beyond

Above & Beyond

Members:
Jono Grant and Paavo Siljamäki
Genre:
vocal trance/ progressive trance
Hometown:
uk london
Record Label:
Anjunabeats, Ultra Records

“The UK’s new dance superstars.” Pete Tong, Radio 1
“Few trance artists have reached Above & Beyond’s
stature in terms of integrity and respect.” IDJ
“A cut above.” Mixmag
“Above & Beyond’s vault from innovative trance trio to
globetrotting DJ superstars is now complete.” DJ Magazine
“A blend of sleek electronic rhythms, lush filmic textures and old-fashioned songwriting, ‘Tri-State’ is the fulfilment of any dance act’s ultimate album
aspiration: a padding-free, skilled, diverse long-player. In a word ‘brilliant’. 5/5” DJ Magazine
music business. The two met one beery night in university
halls and Jono proceeded to play his latest productions.
“I love this kind of music,” Paavo told Jono.
“Let’s write a track together.” Jono loved the idea. They
pooled their studio resources in one mad taxi dash,
and Anjunabeats was born. It is now one of the most
famous labels on the world stage.
When she phoned, requesting some minor
changes, Tony was in flagrante with his girlfriend.
Again, there’s a lyric
with universal appeal – which Tony wrote about Paavo
and his Japanese wife, when both were on opposite
sides of the world – coupled with melodies to make
you shiver and a vocal drenched in emotion. It too has
become a vocal trance classic and live favourite.
Yet Above & Beyond aren’t just consummate musicians
and songwriters, they are also world class DJs.
Their Trance Around The World radio show airs on over
15 FM, Internet and Satellite stations worldwide. They
began their DJing career in grand style in 2002, in front
of 8,000 people in Tokyo. Since then they have become
globetrotting DJ superstars. In 2004 they won
Essential Mix of the Year, proving just how deftly they
navigate the full spectrum of melodic dance music, with
sets that cross genres with ease and that encompass
the trancier side of house, progressive and techno. And
each year they rise inexorably higher in the prestigious
DJ Magazine poll: from 39, to 19, then down to nine,
then six, before reaching their current placing at four.
“To be among such great DJs is a real honour,” says
Paavo, with a humility typical of the band.