Latest news with #TheProfessional
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Top DJ Serge Devant reveals stunning new track – a decade after releasing global club anthem
SERGE Devant can count many of the best DJs in the world as fans. Tastemakers such as Jamie Jones, Lee Foss, Damian Lazarus and Seth Troxler who joins Nick Morgan on the remix of Serge's new track, 'Solace'. Advertisement 3 Serge Devant is a DJ legend Credit: Supplied A decade after 'Fearing Love' became a global club anthem, 'Solace' reunites Serge with vocalist Camille Safiya and the original cast from the first video, picking up the narrative thread in a stunning new chapter. Directed by Tobias Deml (Luc Besson's The Fifth Element, The Professional), the accompanying music video explores memory, distance, and the quiet power of reconnection, bringing emotional depth to the dancefloor in a way few artists attempt. You can watch it at the end of the playlist. To accompany the release, Russian born, NYC resident, Serge talks us through a playlist of personal classics. Records that inspired his earliest clubbing days in New York, influenced the energy of his DJ sets, and helped shape the minimalist, emotive sound he's now become famous for. 3 The singer is known for his emotive tracks Credit: Supplied 3 The new tracks are out now - August 7 Credit: Supplied These selections tell their own story, mapping the arc from underground beginnings to cinematic storytelling and label-building. Advertisement 'Each of these records marked a moment in my journey,' Serge says. 'Whether it was a turning point in my taste, a track that shaped the energy of my sets, or something that simply stuck with me over the years. From early discoveries that pulled me into DJing to deeper cuts that shifted my direction, these tracks all left a mark in different ways. Looking back, they reflect many experiences, places, and dancefloors that helped shape my taste.' 'Solace' is out August 7th via This Moment, with a remix from Seth Troxler & Nick Morgan. Orinoko – Mama Konda (Timo Maas "Low Budget" Remix) One of the very first records I bought. I remember hearing it destroy dancefloors at Twilo, Tunnel, and Sound Factory in New York as I started partying, and I realized I wanted to be on the other side of the booth. It had this raw, hypnotic energy that pulled me in completely. Nearly 30 years later, it still hits just as hard as the first time I heard it. Advertisement Danny Tenaglia – Elements I first heard Danny play this at club Tunnel in NYC while he was testing it before its release. I spent months hunting it down until I finally found it in a local record shop. The way it unfolds breaking down and showcasing each element I thought was genius. It deepened my love for this music and solidified my decision to keep going down this path. Chiapet – Westworld (Skylark Remix) This remix hit at the perfect time, with this amazing baseline and right groove for those long, late-night sets. I remember playing it during some of my earliest gigs, and it always shifted the energy in the room. This track was a blueprint for the kind of sound I was gravitating toward. Advertisement A-Studio ft. Polina - S.O.S. (Skylark Vocal Remix) When this came out in 2004, it felt like a secret weapon. The vocal had just the right amount of emotion and Skylark's remix gave it this rolling, hypnotic drive that locked people in. I remember playing it in packed basements and sunrise sets, it always created a moment and turned the room upside down when it dropped. It wasn't the loudest or the flashiest track, but it had a pulse you could ride for minutes. For me, it was a masterclass in restraint and groove, in combination with a sexy, uplifting vocal. Yello - Oh Yeah 'Oh Six (Booka Shade Remix) Everyone knew the original from Ferris Bueller's Day Off, that quirky, unmistakable vocal. But when Booka Shade remixed it in 2006, they turned it into something completely different. It was stripped-back, groovy, and surprisingly playable. I loved how it brought a bit of humour and nostalgia to the floor while still keeping that cool, minimal edge. It always caught people by surprise, and that's what made it so fun to drop. Advertisement Seuil - Ultravision (feat. Jaw) I first heard this record at Robot Heart during my first Burning Man in 2011. The setting it was played in, combined with the vibe of the track, left me emotional and curious for more. That year changed a lot for me both in my taste in music and the direction I wanted to take as a DJ. Serge Devant, Damiano feat. Camille Safiya - Fearing Love This track marked a real turning point for me. It was one of the first records where I fully brought my vision to life emotionally, musically, and visually. Working with Camille Safiya on the vocal gave it a raw, haunting feel that I hadn't tapped into before. It wasn't just about making a club record; it was about telling a story. I spent months crafting the sound, and later shot a full music video for it, which ended up winning a film festival. "Fearing Love" reminded me that dance music could go deeper that it could move people beyond the dancefloor. Advertisement Barac – Who Says Imagination Isn't Reality This one felt like a reminder of why I love this music, deep, trippy, and full of subtle emotion. Barac has a way of creating space in his tracks, and this one in particular always pulled me in. I found myself playing it during long, late sets when the crowd was fully locked in. It's the kind of record that doesn't scream for attention but says everything it needs to if you're really listening. Dan Ghenacia - Rouge ou Noir This one instantly stood out to me. The groove had that signature French funk, loopy, raw, and full of character. I remember playing it late one night and watching the whole room lock into it. Just one of those records that reminds you how much can be said with so little. Advertisement Serge Devant, Camille Safiya – Solace This was the first release on my label, "This Moment," so it carries a lot of weight for me. It's a stripped-back track with a heavy groove and Camille's vocal cutting right through the space. Everything sits exactly where it needs to nothing extra, just a tight, focused sound. It set the tone for the label and the kind of records I want to stand behind. I have been testing it for a few years and it hasn't failed once, so I'm really excited about this release. Out aug 7th on "This Moment"
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Top DJ Serge Devant reveals stunning new track – a decade after releasing global club anthem
SERGE Devant can count many of the best DJs in the world as fans. Tastemakers such as Jamie Jones, Lee Foss, Damian Lazarus and Seth Troxler who joins Nick Morgan on the remix of Serge's new track, 'Solace'. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Serge Devant is a DJ legend Credit: Supplied A decade after 'Fearing Love' became a global club anthem, 'Solace' reunites Serge with vocalist Camille Safiya and the original cast from the first video, picking up the narrative thread in a stunning new chapter. Directed by Tobias Deml (Luc Besson's The Fifth Element, The Professional), the accompanying music video explores memory, distance, and the quiet power of reconnection, bringing emotional depth to the dancefloor in a way few artists attempt. You can watch it at the end of the playlist. To accompany the release, Russian born, NYC resident, Serge talks us through a playlist of personal classics. Records that inspired his earliest clubbing days in New York, influenced the energy of his DJ sets, and helped shape the minimalist, emotive sound he's now become famous for. 3 The singer is known for his emotive tracks Credit: Supplied 3 The new tracks are out now - August 7 Credit: Supplied These selections tell their own story, mapping the arc from underground beginnings to cinematic storytelling and label-building. 'Each of these records marked a moment in my journey,' Serge says. 'Whether it was a turning point in my taste, a track that shaped the energy of my sets, or something that simply stuck with me over the years. From early discoveries that pulled me into DJing to deeper cuts that shifted my direction, these tracks all left a mark in different ways. Looking back, they reflect many experiences, places, and dancefloors that helped shape my taste.' 'Solace' is out August 7th via This Moment, with a remix from Seth Troxler & Nick Morgan. Orinoko – Mama Konda (Timo Maas "Low Budget" Remix) One of the very first records I bought. I remember hearing it destroy dancefloors at Twilo, Tunnel, and Sound Factory in New York as I started partying, and I realized I wanted to be on the other side of the booth. It had this raw, hypnotic energy that pulled me in completely. Nearly 30 years later, it still hits just as hard as the first time I heard it. Danny Tenaglia – Elements I first heard Danny play this at club Tunnel in NYC while he was testing it before its release. I spent months hunting it down until I finally found it in a local record shop. The way it unfolds breaking down and showcasing each element I thought was genius. It deepened my love for this music and solidified my decision to keep going down this path. Chiapet – Westworld (Skylark Remix) This remix hit at the perfect time, with this amazing baseline and right groove for those long, late-night sets. I remember playing it during some of my earliest gigs, and it always shifted the energy in the room. This track was a blueprint for the kind of sound I was gravitating toward. A-Studio ft. Polina - S.O.S. (Skylark Vocal Remix) When this came out in 2004, it felt like a secret weapon. The vocal had just the right amount of emotion and Skylark's remix gave it this rolling, hypnotic drive that locked people in. I remember playing it in packed basements and sunrise sets, it always created a moment and turned the room upside down when it dropped. It wasn't the loudest or the flashiest track, but it had a pulse you could ride for minutes. For me, it was a masterclass in restraint and groove, in combination with a sexy, uplifting vocal. Yello - Oh Yeah 'Oh Six (Booka Shade Remix) Everyone knew the original from Ferris Bueller's Day Off, that quirky, unmistakable vocal. But when Booka Shade remixed it in 2006, they turned it into something completely different. It was stripped-back, groovy, and surprisingly playable. I loved how it brought a bit of humour and nostalgia to the floor while still keeping that cool, minimal edge. It always caught people by surprise, and that's what made it so fun to drop. Seuil - Ultravision (feat. Jaw) I first heard this record at Robot Heart during my first Burning Man in 2011. The setting it was played in, combined with the vibe of the track, left me emotional and curious for more. That year changed a lot for me both in my taste in music and the direction I wanted to take as a DJ. Serge Devant, Damiano feat. Camille Safiya - Fearing Love This track marked a real turning point for me. It was one of the first records where I fully brought my vision to life emotionally, musically, and visually. Working with Camille Safiya on the vocal gave it a raw, haunting feel that I hadn't tapped into before. It wasn't just about making a club record; it was about telling a story. I spent months crafting the sound, and later shot a full music video for it, which ended up winning a film festival. "Fearing Love" reminded me that dance music could go deeper that it could move people beyond the dancefloor. Barac – Who Says Imagination Isn't Reality This one felt like a reminder of why I love this music, deep, trippy, and full of subtle emotion. Barac has a way of creating space in his tracks, and this one in particular always pulled me in. I found myself playing it during long, late sets when the crowd was fully locked in. It's the kind of record that doesn't scream for attention but says everything it needs to if you're really listening. Dan Ghenacia - Rouge ou Noir This one instantly stood out to me. The groove had that signature French funk, loopy, raw, and full of character. I remember playing it late one night and watching the whole room lock into it. Just one of those records that reminds you how much can be said with so little. Serge Devant, Camille Safiya – Solace This was the first release on my label, "This Moment," so it carries a lot of weight for me. It's a stripped-back track with a heavy groove and Camille's vocal cutting right through the space. Everything sits exactly where it needs to nothing extra, just a tight, focused sound. It set the tone for the label and the kind of records I want to stand behind. I have been testing it for a few years and it hasn't failed once, so I'm really excited about this release. Out aug 7th on "This Moment"
Otago Daily Times
06-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Need seen to build builders' wellbeing
Marti Amos is the New Zealand-based head of The Professional Builder. PHOTO: SUPPLIED It was the stuff of Boy's Own lore. Growing up on Stewart Island, business owner and entrepreneur Marti Amos enjoyed a childhood which was "just one big adventure, one after the other". Fishing, hunting, learning to fire a rifle, bush walks and heading across Foveaux Strait to play schoolboy rugby at Bluff or Waikiwi. One of his earliest memories was sitting in the rear of a sea-plane as it taxied off the beach and was half-submerged under water. He looked out the window and saw fish. Following his parents' separation, he moved with his mother to the hustle of Nelson and says it was "jarring" being taken away from everything he ever knew. From 10, he worked multiple jobs to help his mother out — from a fish factory to a service station, cardboard factory to mowing lawns — and he both inherited and developed a strong work ethic. All those experiences in his early years helped give him an affinity with the working man — "just the best kind of people to be around". Mr Amos (Ngāpuhi) spent a decade at the University of Otago, from 1989 to 1999, which he described as some of the best times of his life. He studied commerce and pursued PhD research on branding. He lectured in marketing and MBA programmes, examined MCom theses and worked as a Māori students tutor and thesis officer in the commerce division. He then moved to Auckland, where he was marketing director for Honda Motorcycles NZ and country manager for Pirelli Tyres NZ, and where he has lived for 25 years. Becoming tired of working for someone else, he bought a business-coaching franchise and noted the number of builders among his clients. He discovered many were great at building but needed help to build a great business, so he decided to concentrate on the construction industry — helping "some of the hardest working, down-to-earth people I know". Since 2004, Mr Amos has focused on helping residential construction companies to systemise and scale their businesses, take control of their finances, increase revenue and buy back days of their personal time each week. He and his team at The Professional Builder — which has grown from three to 65 — have coached more than 3000 building company owners in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The business is projected to reach 100 employees within the next 18 months, while revenue is projected to double to $30 million within the same timeframe. Members have included Deloitte Fast 50 winners, builders featured in television shows The Block and Grand Designs and many Master Builders award winners. Mr Amos said more needed to be done to address high rates of suicide in the construction industry. Recent research showed New Zealand's construction sector was facing a mental health crisis; suicide rates were 25% higher than other sectors and Māori, Pasifika, women, migrant workers, apprentices and labourers were among those at higher risk. He attributed that to various factors including financial instability, low pay and poor mental health, saying those issues were amplified by the industry's boom-and-bust cycle, cost-of-living crisis and a training model that prioritised trade skills over business acumen. "Kiwi tradespeople are trained to excel on site. They are underprepared to manage the multimillion-dollar business aspects of their work, with dire consequences for their mental wellbeing. "Our construction workers account for about 7% of working-age male suicides — with nearly one worker losing his life to suicide each week and the avoidable burden and impact of suicide in the New Zealand construction industry has been estimated at $1.1 billion per annum," he said. A radical overhaul of the country's traditional construction model was needed, with greater emphasis on financial literacy being a priority, he said. "The New Zealand building industry is seeing its lowest levels of annual growth over a decade with a rate of just 0.6% in the second quarter of 2024 — a factor that is likely to exacerbate mental health concerns for many in the trade. "Kiwi builders have been taught how to create outstanding projects. They're brilliant with the tools — but no-one has taught them how to build a great business. Without a proper understanding of financial management, many building company owners were left grappling with severe cash-flow challenges, working long hours and sacrificing their personal lives. In many cases, that led to overwhelming stress and deteriorating mental health. "When you're constantly worrying about how to pay your subcontractors or secure payroll for the next week, it isn't just your business that suffers — it's your whole life," he said. A business like The Professional Builder could help but it also needed to be part of a wider mandate. A government focus on big projects such as KiwiBuild had not had the desired outcome, he said. A focus on the likes of reducing red tape in the industry would help significantly at a macro level but not at a micro level, where business owners were "struggling to understand their numbers". Groups like Mates in Construction NZ and Mike King's Gumboot Friday did some "phenomenal work" and he believed the government could be doing a lot more at grassroots level and also industry body and commercial level. Last month, Mr Amos launched a book The Profitable Builder's Playbook to help business owners improve their financial management. The company has launched an expansion programme to grow the market in the US, and there are plans to increase its physical presence there and establish partnerships with hardware wholesalers, similar to its relationships with Carters, ITM and Mitre 10 in New Zealand. The Professional Builder will be exhibiting at a roadshow in Texas in several weeks, to be followed by six seminars in the state. Need help? Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust 027 240-0114 Need to talk? 1737, free 24/7 phone and text number Healthline: 0800 611-116 Lifeline Aotearoa: 0800 543-354 Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828-865 (0508 TAUTOKO) Samaritans: 0800 726-666 Alcohol Drug Helpline: 0800 787-797 General mental health inquiries: 0800 443-366 The Depression Helpline: 0800 111-757
CNN
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Natalie Portman says ‘bookish' persona was ‘my way of protecting myself' as a child star
Natalie Portman, a movie star for over 30 years, doesn't think the public knows her as well as they think they might. In a new conversation with actress Jenna Ortega published in Interview this week, Portman said that as a child actor, she was 'really sexualized,' which she felt 'very scared by.' It caused her to develop an outward persona as a strategy to shield herself. 'And I felt like my way of protecting myself was to be like, 'I'm so serious. I'm so studious. I'm smart, and that's not the kind of girl you attack.' I was like, if I create this image of myself, I'll be left alone,' she said. The Oscar-winner added that she reasoned at the time, 'if I create this image of myself, I'll be left alone. It shouldn't be a thing, but it worked.' Portman said that this conception of her has led to a 'disconnect' in how she actually can be 'stupid and silly in real life, and people thinking that I'm some really serious bookish person.' Portman even told Ortega that in real life, 'I'm not a particularly private person,' adding 'I'll tell you anything.' In public, however, 'it was so clear early on that if you tell people how private you are, your privacy gets respected a lot more.' Ortega admitted, 'I don't really know what that line is. I guess I'm still figuring that out.' Portman's career took off when she starred in Luc Besson's 'The Professional' at 13 years old. She played a hard-boiled orphan in New York City who becomes targeted by gangsters, ultimately gaining protection from an Italian hitman (Jean Reno). Portman is next set to star in 'Fountain of Youth,' a movie premiering on AppleTV+ next month. She will also be costarring opposite Ortega in upcoming film 'The Gallerist.'
CNN
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Natalie Portman says ‘bookish' persona was ‘my way of protecting myself' as a child star
Natalie Portman, a movie star for over 30 years, doesn't think the public knows her as well as they think they might. In a new conversation with actress Jenna Ortega published in Interview this week, Portman said that as a child actor, she was 'really sexualized,' which she felt 'very scared by.' It caused her to develop an outward persona as a strategy to shield herself. 'And I felt like my way of protecting myself was to be like, 'I'm so serious. I'm so studious. I'm smart, and that's not the kind of girl you attack.' I was like, if I create this image of myself, I'll be left alone,' she said. The Oscar-winner added that she reasoned at the time, 'if I create this image of myself, I'll be left alone. It shouldn't be a thing, but it worked.' Portman said that this conception of her has led to a 'disconnect' in how she actually can be 'stupid and silly in real life, and people thinking that I'm some really serious bookish person.' Portman even told Ortega that in real life, 'I'm not a particularly private person,' adding 'I'll tell you anything.' In public, however, 'it was so clear early on that if you tell people how private you are, your privacy gets respected a lot more.' Ortega admitted, 'I don't really know what that line is. I guess I'm still figuring that out.' Portman's career took off when she starred in Luc Besson's 'The Professional' at 13 years old. She played a hard-boiled orphan in New York City who becomes targeted by gangsters, ultimately gaining protection from an Italian hitman (Jean Reno). Portman is next set to star in 'Fountain of Youth,' a movie premiering on AppleTV+ next month. She will also be costarring opposite Ortega in upcoming film 'The Gallerist.'
