Nominee Grammy Award 2004 Remixer of The Year (Non-Classical)
FALL 2009
“Bill Hamel has the extraordinary rare gift of balancing the deep and subtle with the melodic…a shining star in a sea of faceless DJ’s and producers.” – Brian ‘BT’ Transeau
“Bill’s production prowess and his keen sense of melody and song structure has never ceases to amaze us. His impeccably-detailed yet ‘human’ approach to music-making is a breath of fresh air from the seemingly emotion-less and barren soundscapes which permeates much of our brand of electronic music these days” – Ali ‘Dubfire’ Shirazinia, Deep Dish
“Bill is currently one of my favorite re-mixers because he really understands melody and song” – Paul Oakenfold
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The best kind of reward in any field of work is to receive the respect and praise of your peers. In the close knit world of dance music Bill Hamel is without question “The Producer’s Producer.” This Grammy-nominated artist slickly tows the line between crafting forward-looking dance music tracks, remixing internationally acclaimed pop stars and cutting original musical productions for beloved video games. Bill Hamel’s work is always first class and that’s why he’s the go to guy for top dance music artists like Paul Oakenfold and BT; mainstream acts like Madonna and U2; and Dance Dance Revolution video game creator Konami.
Bill Hamel’s assent through the music industry coincides with the electronic dance music phenomenon of the early/mid-1990’s. While most people associate America’s dance music hotspots with New York City, Chicago and Detroit, there was also a very healthy scene developing in Bill Hamel’s hometown of Orlando, Florida. In fact, many consider the city to be the home of the Progressive House Music scene; a style that continues to be one of the most viable in dance music. Attending college in Orlando provided Hamel with unparalleled access to some of the hottest DJs of the time. One any given night, local club night Ahhz at the Beecham Theater played host to the names – including Sasha and Kimball Collins – that had a profound influence on Bill Hamel’s future.
Hamel now immersed himself in the local scene. He built a home studio and took up employment at the local record store - Under Ground Record Source – working alongside future dance music star Chris Fortier. Learning the “ins and outs” of the business, Hamel launched his own record label Sunkissed Records in 1996. Almost instantaneously, top UK progressive house DJ and former Mixmag Magazine editor Dave Seaman asked to sign Hamel’s first original production and Sunkissed release, Insight “Prophecy” to his own Stress Records. By 2001 Hamel was a featured artist in URB Magazine’s prestigious “Next 100” issue and a year later he released his second mix album - Balance 3 (his first Nokturnal Mix Sessions was released in 1999) - delivering a fresh style to the progressive music of the time.
Another artist starting to pay close attention to Hamel and Sunkissed Records was Brian “BT” Transeau, a prodigy in the world of dance music production. Transeau was a fan of the label and phoned Hamel in Orlando asking to be placed on its promotional list. A great friendship soon evolved and Hamel was recruited to work on two tracks (most notably “Last Moment Of Clarity”) on BT’s 2004 LP, Emotional Technology. This collaboration opened up even more doors as it led to Hamel gaining a slot as opening tour DJ for over two years and his first foray into the world of big time remixing.
Hamel had already gained a reputation in the industry as a gifted remixer thanks to his retooling of tracks from talents including Gabriel & Dresden, Sander Kleinenberg and Jacques Lu Cont. Things stepped up to the big leagues, though, when BT recommended his friend to Jive Records to create a remix of Justin Timberlake’s chart topping “Cry Me A River.” Hamel was experienced as a remixer – but – needed a pop remix to prove Jive as an example of what he could do for the Timberlake track. There was really only solution for Hamel since to this point his remixes were of dance music tracks – all but one. His bootleg of Lamb’s trip-hop masterpiece “Gorecki” was submitted to Jive and it helped him to land the Timberlake remix which subsequently went to number one with a bullet on the Billboard dance charts in 2001. In fact, this bootleg really helped Hamel build a great career remixing Billboard Top 200 chart topping acts such as U2, Madonna (Hamel was hand picked by Madge to remix the track “Hung Up”), New Order, Marilyn Manson, Gwen Stefani & Pharell and Rihanna. Though, without question, Hamel’s signature moment was his 2003 Grammy Nomination for a remix of Seal’s “Amazing.” To date, Hamel has achieved a whopping fifteen 1 remixes and another fifteen top 10 placements on the Billboard dance chart. Additionally, he was hand picked by Warner Bros to DJ at the label’s official 2009 Grammy After Party for their platinum-only artists. Hamel DJ’d for everyone from Madonna to Sugar Ray.
When you get nominated for a Grammy Award doors swing open wide and the opportunities flow. This is the case with regards to Hamel’s endeavors in the world of video games; more specifically Konami’s smash game series Dance Dance Revolution. Hamel is currently signed to a production deal with the studio whereby he has written over 25 songs for the line and in the summer of 2009 he finished work on the third Dance Dance Revolution game.
Is there a key to Hamel’s success? Sure, right place, right time does help. He did land in the epicenter of the progressive house universe at its most bountiful time. However, there is no such thing as a favor or handout in the music industry. Hamel is a hard worker, and above all, a skilled studio technician. His original inspiration came from the world of 80’s/90’s British alternative music and the work of The Cure, Depeche Mode, The Cult and New Order with a little Nine Inch Nails, The Police and Pink Floyd sprinkled on top. To this day, Hamel still utilizes his Roland Jupiter 8 synthesizer when producing tracks. This is the same piece of gear that helped The Cure and Depeche Mode achieve their signature sounds and it really works on the type of remixes Hamel looks to produce. His signature remix style is one that incorporates indie rock and electro with live sounding dirty bass, quarky electro riffs and nice warm vintage pads. The goal is to be driving but danceable at the same time.
Hamel has also been a part of several side projects/collaborations and is known for recording under a number of pseudonyms including Apparition, Arrakis, Mezz, Insight, Submission, Quadrant, Ritmo and Subliminal. In 2005, along with close friend and fellow electronic music artist Barry Jamieson (of Evolution and Sasha fame), Hamel formed a side project called Audio Magnetics. Their first song, “Ghetto Blasta Deluxe”, was Pete Tong's ESSENTIAL TUNE in February of 2005. It instantly became one of the anthems of that year's Winter Music Conference and legendary DJ Sander Kleinenberg signed it to his Little Mountain label. In 2006 Hamel joined the rock band Spacebar; writing and touring with them for over three years while producing an album (available for purchase on iTunes.)
The future is bright for an artist who seems to have already occupied the space of several careers. Besides his work for Dance Dance Revolution, Hamel is working on a remix for Zoot Woman (Stuart Price aka Jaque Lu Cont’s band), is wrapping up original music created with several vocalist (including renowned dance music singer Jayne Hanna) and it recording music for major movie trailers. His recent signing to Citrisonic remix and artist management company (operated by former Warner Bros Records dance guru Orlando Puerta) ensures that Hamel’s output will increase exponentially. You’re bound to find Bill Hamel’s name attached to your favorite remix, club hit or video game – so keep your eyes and ears peeled!
haven't talked to you in a while.. Hope your sat night goes well, i'd love to come, but no ride. Anyways wanted to let you know i'm down in FL out near zephyrhills so not that far...
I called U yesterday...U avoiding my calls? Sorry, ur not getting outta this 1 mate, I'm back from Mexico and headed ur way Sat...with my new Novation Launchpad in hand 2 help U find ur flow...LoL...and check out my bulletin I posted just now 4da party...damn I'm funny...and we got ur 10, so I'm stayin' for 4 days Nigga!
Happy Danksgiving, U Turkey! Me off en la manana 2 Miami, then on to Playa del Carmen, MX till Dec. 8th (my b-day)...we are doing the Herbie Hancock show @ Riviera Maya JazzFest this Sat., stoked 2 meet him! Be ready 4me on Dec. 12th and football da nxt day, we are gonna fire up da engines...Hameltoez!
Hola Senor Hameltoez, itz ur ruckus-causing amigo Kurtmundo and I'm currently in Florida...jus got back from da Lauderdale Boat/Yacht Show w/ Lazzara Yachts, mucho fun...and I will be in Orlando Friday night if U wanna hang out, my # is 7272714268 and I DO NOT have urz any more, so call me Fool
