Groove Junkies

Groove Junkies Bio

The here & now:
After 7 years of collaboration, and methodically gaining support from a ‘Who’s who” list of industry tastemakers and a legion of fans throughout the world, Evan Landes & Parrish Wintersmith (aka Groove Junkies) have amicably parted ways to pursue individual interests. Their collective success story and achievements have made an indelible mark on dance music’s history.

A new chapter though has unfolded as founding member Landes now represents the highly regarded Groove Junkies brand in a solo capacity. 2010 is shaping up to be a groundbreaking year for Evan. Groove Junkies debut artist album “In The Zone”, along with the many singles from the full length project are due for release towards the beginning of the year and in the months to follow. The early buzz from industry media gives indication that Groove Junkies have raised their game to yet another level as world class producers and artists. Numerous solo projects and collaborations produced and penned by Evan are also on tap for release in 2010 as he’s about to reveal his most diverse and finest work to date. Expect the same high level of writing & production on both original and remix endeavors, as well as Evan’s impeccable DJing skills that have been his trademark. Whether breaking cuts from today’s freshest talent on his syndicated radio show MoHo Stereo, dropping his personal arsenal of exclusive GJ’s edits & mashups at the hottest venues around the world, or producing time tested dance floor anthems, Evan has been and remains a pivotal player within the ‘House’ scene.

A little history:
There are many benchmarks by which artists in today’s climate can be judged upon to gauge their success; production profile, DJ skills, media presence, charisma. In a rare but fortuitous collision, the Groove Junkies have all of the above in abundance.

Having had previous releases on Virgin, and Champion, Groove Junkies founding member Evan Landes launched his own MoreHouse label in 2002. GJ’s have since gone from strength to strength with each subsequent release gaining strong support from industry icons Frankie Knuckles, Louie Vega, David Morales, Tony Humphries, Roger S., Ben Watt, Brian Tappert, and Dennis Ferrer to name just a few.

Nominated in the ‘Breakthrough Producers’ category at the 2005 House Music Awards, GJ’s have launched numerous assaults on global dance charts with original releases such as ‘Deeper’, ‘Gonna Get By’, ‘Oh Lord’, ‘Music's Gotcha Jumpin’, ‘Devotion’, ‘Free Your Mind’, Work It Out’, ‘Dr Feelgood’, and ‘In The Zone’ (the title cut from GJ’s forthcoming artist album) - all on the MoreHouse imprint. Additionally, they’ve contributed to the output on labels such as Island/Def Jam, A &M, Warner Bros., J Records, Ultra, Defected, Definity, Om Records, Soulfuric, Mn2S and Buzzin’ Fly. Original productions and remixes by Groove Junkies have also been licensed to Universal, Defected ITH, Hed Kandi, Ministry of Sound, OM, Seamless, and MN2S.

Their rich discography is high both on quality, and quantity. Groove Junkies have taken on such diverse projects as their highly acclaimed remix of Ben Watt's “Lone Cat (Holding On)” in 2003 (Buzzin' Fly’s debut single and one of their most successful releases to date), to their most recent treatments of Rihanna’s ‘Take A Bow’ (Island/Def Jam), Marc Evans’ ‘Giving Me Joy’ (Defected), Leela James’ ‘Good Times’ (Warner Bros.), and Pussycat Dolls’ smash hit ‘StickWitU’ (A&M). Legendary DJ / Producer Frankie Knuckles’ commissioned the boys to contribute three remixes to his 2007 ‘Dub J’s Delight’ LP, which featured their slamming update of Jamie Principle’s ‘Because Of Your Love’. Aside from chart topping original productions, and remixes, their discog also includes a host of Groove Junkies mixed compilations such as the best-selling Bargrooves ‘Mimosa’ CD (Seamless), the critically acclaimed ‘House of Om’ & ‘Summer Sessions’ (Om), the ultra hip ‘After Dark / Los Angeles’ (Kinkysweet), and ‘Late Night with Groove Junkies’ (Swank).

Groove Junkies intense DJ touring has showcased their talent on an international level at some of the hottest venues and festivals to an ever growing fan-base. Having headlined extensively throughout the world, GJ’s hold an impeccable reputation throughout clubland’s most discerning dance floors. Their nomination for ‘Breakthrough DJ(s)’ at the prestigious Ibiza DJ Awards in 2006 offered well deserved recognition of Groove Junkies exceptional DJing skills, and flawless programming ability. GJ's unique ability to adapt to any type of setting has afforded them a host of opportunities ranging from main room peak hour beatdowns, to sexy, soulful and deep sets in more intimate venues. They have appeared at such diverse venues/festivals/parties as Def Mix @ Pacha, Ibiza with friend and mentor Frankie Knuckles & Hec Romero, Club Essential in Riga Latvia, Catwalk in Barcelona, Turmills in London, SHE @ Trademark in Sydney Australia, The Smart Bar in Chicago, Mansion in Miami, Detroit’s Electronic Movement Festival, and the Electric Daisy Carnival & DEEP in Los Angeles to name a few. Annual appearances at WMC in So. Beach Miami have found them rockin’ the decks at premiere events such as Bobby & Steve’s ‘Soul on the Beach’ at the Clevelander, Om Records ‘10 Year Anniversary’ Party at Mansion, the famed MN2S Party at Amika. and their own MoHo in Sobe Party at the Shelborne Hotel to a packed room of GJ’s faithful.

The final word
There’s no shortage of US based house producers, so it takes something quite special to rise above the rest and shine. The fact that Groove Junkies have cultivated such a strong reputation in such varied corners of this industry is testament not only to their enormous talents as producers and their unbridled skill as DJ's, but a combination of both, intertwined with that rarest of things; true star quality.

Excerpts from reviews of Groove Junkies forthcoming Artist Album “In The Zone”

Ian Thompson – M8 Magazine
It’s a musical master class littered with hair raising vocal performances, social and political comment, uplifting gospel anthems and soothing soulful house, all marshalled expertly by Groove Junkies, and oozing their infectious, likeable personalities.

Russell Deeks – iDJ
The ever-prolific Groove Junkies' singles have taken Top Tune and Recommended gongs on iDJ's house pages so many times over the years, it's almost embarrassing. ‘In The Zone’ has enough of the Groove Junkies’ trademark goodtime funky, soulful house grooves to delight existing fans, but also breaks enough new territory (see mellow downtempo cut ‘Don’t Ask’ or the electrohouse-infused ‘Deeper Rework’) to keep things interesting. Sheer class!

Tony Garvey - (Go-Music Promotions)
It’s this flare and feeling for the vibe and spirit of ‘Dance’ Music that have hypnotised fans, from House Music veterans like myself through to the newly baptised beatfreaks all searching for the ultimate Groove Junkie fix. One of the key factors here is that GJ’s have evolved and developed a strong musical range. Playing a multitude of main rooms at 3am have left an impression on their direction. This is reflected in the Album we have in front of us, a long player that achieves great balance……

Lewis Dene (DJ Mag, Update, M8 magazine)
…over the years I’ve probably added more superlatives in juxtapose to the Groove Junkies, and their various MoreHouse releases, then any other house act. Little wonder then that their music has amassed an equally varied number of followers, and their productions offer considerably more depth and palatability then many of today’s disposal dance recordings;

Dean Serafini – jjazproject.com
What sets Groove Junkies apart from so many production teams is their ability to move the audience both physically and emotionally. Whether it's the funky grooves that have proved so successful on dance floors around the globe or the passion and soul within their music that has people singing along exuberantly, these guys know how to get you going. It's no accident that Frankie Knuckles has been such an ardent supporter of their work. “In The Zone” captures the full spectrum of their musical evolution with tracks ranging from the deeply spiritual “Inside My Soul” to edgier floor fillers like the title track.