Sylvia Tosun: From the Opera to the Top of the Dance Charts

SYLVIA TOSUN / Photos by Hyuna Shin, styled by Carlos Davis, makeup by Jasmine Lee

SYLVIA TOSUN / Photos by Hyuna Shin, styled by Carlos Davis, makeup by Jasmine Lee

She has an angelic voice and a golden touch. When Sylvia Tosun isn't making home at the top of the dance music charts - #1 to be precise - she's gracing the NYFW runways. The musical genre-crossing singer/songwriter has talents the rest of us only dream about. From opera to trance, her voice will captivate and mesmerize. The vocalist is in high demand by some of the world's biggest DJs but she's also leaving a mark in the world of fashion, which is one of her other loves. 

This classically trained opera singer has a golden heart too, as beautiful as her voice. Sylvia Tosun uses her public platform to fight for human rights, specifically for the LGBT community. I was fortunate to ask Sylvia questions about her music, fashion and life. Her responses make you love her even more.

Sylvia Tosun Malan Breton NYFW

You recently performed and walked-the-walk at Malan Breton's NYFW show. How did this come about? Describe the experience. Also, how much did you love that dress?! It was gorgeous on you.

Sylvia Tosun: Thank you! Malan is such a delightful and talented friend.  We were introduced a few years ago through our mutual friend and fashion stylist, Carlos Davis. I have always admired Malan’s work and he has been very generous to me with his creations. I wore his designs in a few of my videos and photoshoots including an image that was featured in a recent issue of British Vogue. In that image, photographer Barry Hollywood captured me wearing an intricate brocade Malan couture gown as I held an antique pruning saw in front of a 300-year-old red barn. We loved the contrast of high fashion and rustic farm life. Regarding this recent NY fashion week, Malan totally surprised me with a phone call while I was on my way to the airport to catch a flight to Toronto for Armin van Buuren’s A State of Trance (ASOT) 750 event. I was heading there to join Andrew Rayel onstage for the finale of his set when he closed with our collaboration, “Winterburn.” Coincidentally, Malan was calling me because he had just heard “Winterburn” and said he loved it and had an inspiration for it to be the musical theme for his upcoming show! He wanted to know if I would be willing to do a special performance at his event. Of course, I was thrilled and honored so I said, “Yes!” The experience of the show was memorable: The event was held at Gotham Hall, which is an impressive and grand space, replete with its gorgeous and ornate cathedral ceiling, classic columns, and so on. Showtime was exhilarating! The venue was absolutely packed with reporters, cameras, celebrities and fashionistas. Suddenly, the room went dark and silent as the music began. The musical director for the show, Anton Bass, began the show’s sound by playing the orchestral version of “Winterburn” over the PA; that version was arranged by composer Geert Huinink. This was the very first time anyone would be hearing this version so it was extra special and dramatic.  As the orchestral track swelled, I entered stage-right, illuminated by a spotlight and, wearing Malan’s magnificently hand-stitched white winter gown. I focused on hitting my notes. Internally, I channeled the character of a lovestruck, heart-broken ice queen. The show felt quite theatric. Without missing a beat, the song completed by slamming into the high-energy original version, which was produced by Andrew Rayel & Digital X. The room erupted with energy as the lights flashed brightly and the first model stepped onto the runway! The rest of the show was as dynamic and spirited, musically, thanks to Anton. The show’s director, Luis Villabon, told all of us to have a good time up there and to act as if it was a dance party and that is exactly the type of fun it was.

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In your music videos, your style seems to be a balance of glamour meets edgy. How true to life is that? Do you have favorite designers? Who are your go-to’s?

Sylvia Tosun: That is an accurate description and intentional. In real life, I am a tomboy and I love gardening. I’m a do-it-yourself builder by day, however, I love playing dress-up and being styled in cool fashion at night or when hitting the town, be it New York City or wherever/whenever I’m traveling. I am lucky enough to have my friend and fashion-stylist, Carlos, set me up for any public appearances or photoshoots. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of wearing edgy couture fashion designs of designers like The Blonds and Michael Bevins, and my all-time favorite designer is Alexander McQueen! I have always loved the art of “de-constructed glamour.” It’s certainly an expression of art imitating life. Creation and survival, to me, go hand-in-hand.

Can we talk about your vocals? Such an angelic yet powerful voice... How much of an influence is your classical training within the world of EDM?

sylvia tosun

Sylvia Tosun: My classical training certainly comes into play as far as technique.  However, a lot of what brings out the results in my EDM/trance music recordings is the approach taken during the studio sessions. My vocal producer and collaborator, Anton [Bass], has a knack for knowing which buttons to push, both literally in the recording studio and figuratively in helping me use my voice as an instrument in order to create different textures and sounds. I think the training definitely helps with endurance and overall vocal stability but I also believe that singing is a feeling and not necessarily something one has learned. On that level, when I am singing, I am feeling, and that is my influence.

Your latest song, “Winterburn" with Andrew Rayel & Digital X is so beautiful, soothing and poetic.  What can you say about it?

Sylvia Tosun: Thank you! I love that you think it is soothing. “Winterburn” symbolizes a deep, nurturing mother spirit who can be both soft and blanketing like a gentle snowfall or as harsh as an arctic blast that even the mighty sun cannot thwart. The phrase, “I am your Winter,” is an expression of a woman who is confident, nurturing and resilient in the face of adversity.

You've worked with so many amazing artists, including Armin van Buuren. Will you talk about the process of collaboration? Does it differ from artist to artist?

Sylvia Tosun: Well, I haven’t had the pleasure of directly working with Armin yet, but I am so grateful that he has taken an interest and been a supporter of some of my songs, most notably “An Angel’s Love.” It has been a pleasure to collaborate with Andrew Rayel on few songs recently. He is supremely talented and I think we have made a good team with our collaborations because of our shared appreciation for the classical element in the music. The song that I did with Aly & Fila and Roger Shah, “Eye2Eye” was a joy to help create, and as well, having it chosen as the official anthem for their Future Sound of Egypt 350 world tour.  It was a fantastic experience to perform the song, live, at Hammerstein Ballroom, opening Aly & Fila’s set in NYC!  

It makes me happy when people use their public platforms to do good. Please talk about Love Is Love.

Sylvia Tosun: Love is Love was inspired by the moment we were living in. There was this underlying tension in the world with Russia’s intolerant and abhorrent public mistreatment of the LGBT community, while the political debate in the U.S. was showing uncertainty and strong pushback against our social progress. French producer David Vendetta and I were already working on a musical project together known as VenSun at the time and he sent me the track that became “Love is Love.” It’s a universal concept that love should be a freedom which is honored and respected for all.  Coincidentally, the Supreme Court made its ruling on DOMA the exact same month that we began to promote the song.  What are the chances of that? We had no idea that that was coming, and even more serendipitously, President Obama sent out a tweet following that decision using the hashtag #LoveIsLove !  "Today’s DOMA ruling is a historic step forward for #MarriageEquality. #LoveIsLove." It was such a happy moment to be in NYC during gay pride festivities that year.

sylvia tosun

What's in your fashion and musical future?

Sylvia Tosun: I have been preparing and rehearsing to perform live shows where I play piano and sing my EDM/trance songs acoustically (in the form that I write them). I will have special guest musicians joining me onstage as well. We’re planning to announce some dates starting in the early summer and hopefully, my friends in the fashion industry will help me out with my look.  Trance in fashion, anyone?

Can't get enough?! For more information on Sylvia Tosun, visit: http://sylviatosun.com/

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Best of 2015

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2015 was a fabulously busy year for fashionado. From travel to Cuba to designer runways to epic music festivals, we were in the thick of it and loving it. I went through more than 300 posts to select my top ten. It wasn't easy! After the slideshow below, there are ten links to my 2015 faves. Thank you to all for the loving support. Happy New Year! xo

We moved on up to Buckhead, The Shops Buckhead to be exact! This was a major year for Doggies on the Catwalk: new upscale venue, amazing designers and a huge audience. Our collective efforts raised more than $37,000 for the Atlanta Pet Rescue. DOGGIES ON THE CATWALK

While Cuba continues to be in the news, on a more personal level, I've travelled to Cuba twice now to visit with my elderly father. We spent 43 years apart. CUBA

This was a big year for Jeffrey Kalinsky. As a celebration of twenty-five years at Phipps Plaza, Jeffrey Fashion Cares held their annual bash and runway show at Phipps. The fashion was behind amazing! JEFFREY FASHION CARES

The third annual TomorrowWorld got to a rainy start and only got worse, but hey, we made the best of it. When we couldn't get to the festival grounds on Sunday, we met up with Armin van Buuren in his hotel suite for an interview. Not too shabby! ARMIN VAN BUUREN AT TOMORROWWORLD

This is one of the best fashion films I have seen. Beautifully shot and a good story told. Inspiring and moving.  DIOR AND I / RAF SIMONS

In big fashion news, we saw the "return" of Galliano. JOHN GALLIANO FOR MAISON MARGIELA

One of my most popular features... designer Libby Langdon shared last minute decorating ideas for the home. LAST MINUTE HOLIDAY

New York, LA, Miami... Erik Rosete's Mister Triple X is a fashion powerhouse that is making its mark on the industry with stellar runway shows. I hope to catch up with them in 2016 at NYFW. MISTER TRIPLE X

The first ever fashion exhibit at the High Museum of Art. I had the privilege of interviewing the curator of this groundbreaking show. The show is stunning. IRIS VAN HERPEN AT THE HIGH

The way men should dress. See for yourself. THE BEST OF PITTI UOMO

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Sarah Charness & her electric Pink Violin

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When you've been playing the violin since the age of four and now your musical instrument is electric, well, then so are you - as in HOT! As hot as a pink violin in the hands of an artist, musician and fashionista. Sarah Charness is a wickedly talented artist musician living in New York City. She electrifies us with her violin and personal style. I first introduced you to Sarah this Fall and her new hit single with the Disco Killerz called GRIP. Her collaboration with the Disco Killerz continues with "Beautiful Life" and "Running For Our Lives." Both tracks are awaiting release and though Sarah was enthusiastic about the new music, she didn't say much about them, keeping the suspense high. We did chat about many other fabulous things, including her involvement with NYFW. See below:

sarah charness

Tell me about the transition from classical to electronic? I'd like to say that it was something that happened overnight, but was this gradual thing that started happening when I was 16 at a summer intensive program. A guy named Mark Wood came in and he showed off all of his gorgeous electric violins and I'd never heard of such a thing. And I was so pumped. Slowly but surely I got myself an electric violin.

sarah charness pink violin

How does living in New York City inspire and influence you, your music, your style? New York has allowed me to flourish as an artist because NYC is such an accepting place. You can be any color, any race, any gender, any anything - any artist has a place here and it's very unique. That's sort of what's allowed me to grow. To be in a totally wonderful, accepting city.

Tell me about the hot pink violin, it's fabulous. I did not design the instrument but the color I chose. I was only sixteen when I did but I think I would still choose the same thing. (She laughs). I wanted a violin that look like a Barbie violin.

Let's talk fashion... From a very early age I have loved clothes. As a performer I have to be comfortable. I have to be able to move around. Off stage I can wear all sorts of fun things. (...and she's does.) And NYFW? I don't have the schedule just yet because not all the designers have made their schedules, but for sure will let you know once I know which will be a few weeks before fashion week.

You've worked with such a diverse group of artists, from Josh Groban to Flo Rida. It's impressive. When you do something as totally obscure as I do you, really need to be versatile. It's good for your style and it's good overall.

What is your career wishlist? I'd love to work with some of the artists on the Armada label. For sure, Armin van Buuren. He's someone I have enormous respect for and his music is so classically influenced in so many ways that I think it would be really really cool to do that.  

It was such a pleasure chatting with Sarah. Maybe next time it'll be over a bourbon during NYFW?! Lookout for Sarah Charness and make sure and visit her website!

fashionado

Out Now: Armin van Buuren 'A State Of Trance Year Mix 2015' (Armada Music)

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Armin van Buuren is the GRAMMY® nominated electronic dance music DJ and producer who hosts the enormously popular ‘A State Of Trance’ (ASOT) weekly radio show, heard by over 37 million listeners each week via 118 radio stations in 84 countries. Armin van Buuren’s A State Of Trance Year Mix 2015 (Armada Music) compilation is out now. The live worldwide broadcast of the A State Of Trance Year Mix 2015 is expected to draw all 37 million listeners on December 31st.

First broadcast in 2001, the ‘A State Of Trance’ radio show is the longest-running weekly radio program devoted to the finest in electronic dance music (EDM). The ASOT radio show format has been widely imitated over the years and a feature of the touring ASOT live events is that the performances are broadcast in real-time from professional radio studios custom-built onsite. In the weeks leading up to the compilation’s release, van Buuren enlisted the feedback of his listeners and encouraged them to vote on their favorite tracks of 2015; the result is 105 of the year’s most important trance tunes expertly mixed into a two-hour release. The ASOT Year Mix 2015 is the 12th in a series. The latest release captures van Buuren’s enduring ability to launch careers and uncover the best new music as no other radio DJ can.

Said Armin van Buuren, “The A State Of Trance Year Mix has become a yearly tradition since 2004. As a kid, I was always a big fan of these mega mixes, so every year, I ask the fans of the show to vote for their favorite tracks of the year. All of those votes combined give me a good overview of what the hot tracks were that year, and I blend in a few of my own favorites that were big at festivals, as well. Since a couple of years, I also decided to do a little skit at the beginning of the year mix, which shouldn’t be taken too seriously and should make you laugh a little.”

Full ASOT tracklist - Listen or download free: https://asot.lnk.to/asotyearmix2015

asot a state of trance

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DJ MAG ANNOUNCES TOP 100 DJS POLL 2015 RESULTS… AND A NEW NO.1 DJ(S)

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The DJ Mag Top 100 DJs Poll powered by 7UP has a new winner(s). Belgian brothers, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, the first duo to win the annual Poll, were announced at the Amsterdam Music Festival (AMF), before performing in front of tens of thousands of dance music fans.

Commenting on the award, Dimitri and Mike said: “Thank you so much! Since day one we’ve put every bit of energy and time we can into our music and our shows in order to give the fans the greatest experience any DJ could offer. So it’s such an incredible honor to receive this award knowing it’s from the guys that matter most to us.”

The pair moved from No.6 to No.2 in the 2014 DJ Mag Top 100 DJs Poll. During the past year their dominance in the festival scene has been unrivaled, playing Tomorrowland, EDC Las Vegas, Miami’s Ultra Music Festival, Creamfields, and Mysteryland. All 40,000 tickets for the launch of their ‘Bringing The Madness 3.0’ shows at Belgium's Sportpaleis Antwerpen sold out in under 40 minutes; a feat previously only managed by U2, Madonna, Beyoncé, and Michael Jackson. The pair has also sold out 3 forthcoming UK shows, including London’s O2 Brixton Academy.

With their debut artist album in the making, the pair’s recent hit with Ummet Ozcan, ‘The Hum’, is joined by current single, ‘Higher Place’, featuring Grammy award winner Ne-Yo, the track that’s further shown their crossover status. It spent 6 weeks at the No.1 spot in the Belgian Charts, amassed views in excess of 7 million, and was one of the most worldwide Shazamed tracks at this year’s festivals.

For the third consecutive year, the Top 100 DJs Poll Awards powered by 7UP was held at the two-day Amsterdam Music Festival (AMF); returning for the second time to Amsterdam ArenA, the stadium for Ajax football club.

THE DJ MAG TOP 100 DJS POLL 2015 POWERED BY 7UP – THE FULL LIST

**Click on ARMIN, ANDREW RAYEL & MARLO to view my TOMORROWWORLD Interview with them!

 1. DIMITRI VEGAS & LIKE MIKE - NO.1 + HIGHEST DUO – UP 1

2. HARDWELL – DOWN 1

3. MARTIN GARRIX – UP 1

4. ARMIN VAN BUUREN – HIGHEST TRANCE – DOWN 1

5. TIESTO – NON- MOVER

6. DAVID GUETTA – UP 1

7. AVICII – DOWN 1

8. AFROJACK – UP 4

9. SKRILLEX – HIGHEST DUBSTEP – NON-MOVER

 10. STEVE AOKI – NON-MOVER

11. CALVIN HARRIS – NON-MOVER

12. OLIVER HELDENS – HIGHEST HOUSE – UP 22

13. ALESSO – UP 2

14. W&W – UP 4

15. DASH BERLIN – DOWN 1

16. DVBBS – UP 4

17. AXWELL /\ INGROSSO – HIGHEST COLLABORATION - N/A

18. NICKY ROMERO – DOWN 10

19. BLASTERJAZZ – DOWN 6

20. DIPLO – UP 12

21. R3HAB – UP 2

22. ZEDD - NON-MOVER

23. KSHMR – HIGHEST NEW ENTRY – NEW ENTRY

24. NERVO – DOWN 3

25. DEADMAU5 – DOWN 9

26. DANNIC – UP 4

27. DYRO – NON MOVER

28. DEORRO – DOWN 9

29. ABOVE & BEYOND – DOWN 4

30. DON DIABLO – HIGHEST CLIMBER – UP 52

31. STEVE ANGELLO – DOWN 5

32. DJ SNAKE – HIGHEST TRAP – UP 33

33. KYGO – NEW ENTRY

34. YVES V –UP 21

35. FEDDE LE GRAND – NON MOVER

36. UMMET OZCAN – DOWN 5

37. SHOWTEK – DOWN 20

38. ANGERFIST – HIGHEST HARD – DOWN 1

39. BASSJACKERS – NEW ENTRY

40. ANDREW RAYEL – DOWN 16

41. PAUL VAN DYK – DOWN 3

42. ALY & FILA – DOWN 14

43. VINAI – UP 19

44. ALOK – NEW ENTRY

45. JACK U – NEW ENTRY

46. TOM SWOON – NEW ENTRY

47. SHOGUN – NEW ENTRY

48. HEADHUNTERZ – DOWN 8

49. COONE – DOWN 1

50. VICETONE – DOWN 14

51. RICHIE HAWTIN – HIGHEST TECHNO – UP 39

52. WOLFPACK – UP 32

53. BRENNAN HEART – DOWN 6

54. MAJOR LAZER - NEW ENTRY

55. PORTER ROBINSON – UP 2

56. MARKUS SCHULZ – DOWN 12

57. ERIC PRYDZ – UP 3

58. DIEGO MIRANDA – UP 12

59. DJ CHETAS – NEW ENTRY

60. DANNY AVILA – NEW ENTRY

61. KURA – DOWN 19

62. TCHAMI – NEW ENTRY

63. CARL COX – DOWN 4

64. LAIDBACK LUKE – DOWN 14

65. DISCLOSURE – NEW ENTRY

66. FIREBEATZ – DOWN 10

67. DILLON FRANCIS – DOWN 13

 68. BORGORE – DOWN 27

69. DAFT PUNK – DOWN 26

70. UMEK – UP 5

71. TENISHIA – UP 2

72. RADICAL REDEMPTION – DOWN 8

73. FRONTLINER – DOWN 28

74. BORGEOUS – UP 13

75. NETSKY – HIGHEST DRUM & BASS – RE-ENTRY

76. YELLOW CLAW – NEW ENTRY

77. CHUCKIE – RE-ENTRY

78. WILL SPARKS – NEW ENTRY

79. DA TWEEKAZ – DOWN 13

80. QUINTINO – UP 6

81. KREWELLA – DOWN 48

82. ATB – DOWN 24

83. MAKJ – DOWN 20

84. KASKADE – DOWN 38

85. FERRY CORSTEN – UP 6

86. FLUX PAVILION – NEW ENTRY

87. ZATOX – DOWN 16

88. CARNAGE – DOWN 20

89. ROBIN SCHULZ – NEW ENTRY

90. SANDER VAN DOORN – DOWN 39

91. MARLO – NEW ENTRY

92. ANDY C – RE-ENTRY

93. QUENTIN MOSIMANN – DOWN 21

94. MISS K8 – NEW ENTRY

95. TUJAMO – NEW ENTRY

96. MIKE CANDYS – DOWN 11

97. SWANKY TUNES – NEW ENTRY

98. GALANTIS – NEW ENTRY

99. COSMIC GATE – DOWN 30

100. KNIFE PARTY – DOWN 47

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ARMIN VAN BUUREN : "Making music is very organic."

Armin Van Buuren at TomorrowWorld 2015. Photo: Marc Van Der Aa

Armin Van Buuren at TomorrowWorld 2015. Photo: Marc Van Der Aa

One of the most exciting and most anticipated sets at TomorrowWorld is, without a doubt, Armin van Buuren's. He's seasoned, talented, passionate about music and really loves his fans. It was a thrill for me (being a fan myself) to have the opportunity to sit with Armin just hours before his closing set. He had flown in from the west coast earlier in the day and though he should have been quite tired, you wouldn't have known it. Armin was welcoming, friendly and inspiring. We had a candid chat about EDM, the creative process and playing for massive audiences. Armin van Buuren's latest studio album, Embrace, drops October 29th. Visit his website and pre-order yours today!

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Interview with DJ ANDREW RAYEL at TomorrowWorld 2015

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DJ / Composer Andrew Rayelwho  is signed with Armada Music, Armin Van Buuren's label, played a dynamic set on the first night of TomorrowWorld. Andrew is young, talented and a classically trained pianist - skills that reflect within the complexity of his beats. Ninety minutes before his set, Andrew and I got a chance to sit and chat about TomorrowWorld, his musical sound and performing live. I also teamed up with my friends at Raannt.com to ask Andrew his feelings about trance.

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