[Deep-Disco] Bon Volta – Higher (Original Mix)

Upstart independent house & disco label French Press Records have demanded our listening attention through their brief, but deeply groovy output. We first heard label founder Allen French’s “Rosie”, the imprint’s debut release, back in November and after following up with a few more choice dance cuts, French Press are back again with a raucous deep-disco burner from L.A. based newcomer Bon Volta. “Higher”, Bon Volta’s debut release, wraps heavy synth lines, groovily swung analog bass progressions, and a pitched down vocal sample from queen Diana Ross inside a foundation of classic house sensibility. With its thumping club groove, it’s hard not to draw up comparisons to some of the earlier Nora En Pure & Croatia Squad records which rapidly swept through the underground, and we think that’s quite a good thing. Bon Volta’s already received early support from one of the most consistently tasteful artists in any corner of house music, Vanilla Ace, and he’s certainly received our full Ninja stamp of approval as well, marking what looks to be a pretty big 2016 for both Bon Volta and French Press. Stream “Higher” above.

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[Indie] Bishop – River

Music is a fickle medium. It has an incredible power that enables us to connect on levels more intimate than human contact. Through its sound, we experience a broad mix of emotion, ranging from any sort of small joy to an overwhelming sense of sorrow. That’s what keeps the mystery intriguing and beautiful. We don’t question it. We embrace the unknown.

Bishop, a newcomer to the scene of singer-songwriters, graces us with her latest work, “River,” a piece overflowing with an undeniable feeling of empowerment throughout. Whether it’s the conviction behind Bishop’s resounding voice or the vitality of the song’s rhythmic foundation, “River” demands your attention immediately, and with good reason.

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[Trap] Adam K & Slander – Breathe (feat. Matthew Steeper & Haliene)

When you get the chance to work with someone you look up to, there’s no better feeling in the labor or art realm. With Slander, music is their labor, and Adam K is someone they look up to. Both parties came together to work on a track, alongside help from Matthew Steeper and Haliene, called “Breathe.” Their heavenly take on trap is just the soothing record you need this weekend. It’s like what you want from a progressive house anthem, but packed into the trapstyle frame. Slander and Adam K did a superb job putting this one together, delivering something different from both their usual sounds. When we first heard that these acts were coming together, we had no idea what to expect. We knew however that it would be something that was incredible, and that’s just what we got. We were ready to dish out some money for it, but come to find out, it’s free!

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[Chill] Free n Losh – Kill My Lonely (ft. Allan Rayman)

It has been a minute since we posted some fresh Free n Losh, but we’re always amped when we do because these guys absolutely kill it. Every single tune of theirs is well above The Music Ninja’s expectations, effecting us in ways we never before thought possible.

Their music captivates listeners with each release sharing a common trait, one which embodies a soulful sound that brims with unmistakable passion. The shared trait is evident in the duo’s latest original, “Kill My Lonely,” which reaches an undiscovered level of artistry as they lock in in the flawless vocals of Allan Rayman. His heartfelt voice has listeners hanging onto every single word, creating an effect of intimacy and connectivity to the music.

In summary, “Kill My Lonely” is nothing short of beautiful. Its gentle textures provoke feelings of sadness, but it is the sort of sadness that nourishes us; the type of sadness that reminds us that we are human. So go ahead and allow yourself to get down with your emotions by checking out their latest.

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[Hip Hop] thrills- Same Ol’ (prod. Lone Kawan)

You’ll be hard pressed to find any hip hop reviews in my five-year tenure with The Music Ninja. Don’t get me wrong – it’s not that I don’t get down to some fresh beats and inventive rhymes – it’s just that I tend to gravitate towards other genres when I write. I spend my listening hours scanning the web for indie rock, folk, and a bevy of house tunes, which ultimately leaves me revisiting the classics when I’m craving hip-hop. That all got switched up today.

Enter thrills, who hails from Inglewood, California. After experiencing tremendous success with his smooth-as-silk re-work of Flume’s “Sleepless,” this burgeoning young talent has since released a handful of original pieces, including the days old “Same Ol.” And, “Same Ol” has caught my attention, leaving me brazenly grinning and nodding my head in approval.

What is it about this tune that has me replaying it over and over again? It could be the chilled-out, windows-down beat, produced by Lone Kawan. It could be the assertive, yet not overly-aggressive style thrills maintains in his flow. It could be because it beckons on the style from some of the storied artists I grew up listening to. Whatever it is, consider me, and the rest of TMN, the newest thrills supporters.

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[Get Crunk] Friday Party Playlist (Vol 180)

Another week has gone by with a whole lot of high quality free releases. We’ve gone through Soundcloud, and compiled many of our favorites for you today, as we do every Friday. We all need to decompress after a long week, and music is certainly a key to that. Today we share with you some solid future tracks from artists like Kaptain, Luca Lush, Infuze, along with some trap hits from Wildfellaz, Clips x Ahoy and the first single off the Jameston Thieves x YOOK!E EP. As if this wasn’t enough fire, we turn up the heat with freebies from Hasse De Moor, Lupe Fuentes and Rain Man. So whether you like funk, soft bass, hard bass, deep house or some breakbeat action, we’ve got you covered with this week’s party playlist. Don’t forget to download the tracks for free! More importantly, make sure tonight to #danceirresponsibly.

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Opus Orange – Anatomic [TMN PREMIERE]

It’s been a little over two years since we covered fresh new tunes from Santa Monica-based Opus Orange, which leaves us with this question: what the hell were we doing since then? This band has churned out some great music during our lapse, and somehow we missed the boat. Luckily, we found our orange colored glasses and are currently rocking them as we write this post.

“Anatomic” is the title track from this ever-evolving group, which can include one or more of the following at any given point: Lauren Hillman, Bernard Chadwick, James Neil, Piper Denney, Carlen Walth, Katie Hampton, Jo Pusateri, Rachel Chadwick, and Paul Bessenbacher. You can expect a healthy dosage of head-nodding goodness from today’s premiere, provided by the combination of driving percussion and a big, buzzing bassline. Accompanying those are some reverberating synths, frenetic guitar riffs, and delightfully distressed vocals which all come together in an extremely memorable experience.

If you’re one of our ninjas in SoCal, head out to their free EP release show tonight in Pasadena! You can find all the necessary details here.

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Netsky on “Work it Out,” His Upcoming Tour, and Nobu’s Black Cod [TMN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]

At this point in the game, we would expect nothing less than a jam-packed, busy-as-hell 2016 from our Resident Artist. Tours, festival appearances, a new album, and some free time in the kitchen will line his calendar for the next 11 months, showcasing the dedication and brilliance of this uber-talented young artist.

With that in mind, we fired over a few questions to Netsky to get a better understanding of what exactly is on the way.

TMN: Hey Boris! Thanks for coming onboard for our Residency Program we’re excited to have you. Let’s kick things off by talking about what everyone is anxious for “Work It Out,” which is your second collab with Digital Farm Animals. You guys must have a good rapport. Talk to us about working with him.

Netsky: Hey! Thank you for having me. Nick (Digital Farm Animals) has to be one of my favorite writers/producers to work with. He’s got a unique take on vocal production. We both share a love for using crazy effects and techniques on vocals. I have a couple more songs with him in the pipeline and with every single song his voice sounds completely different. I love that!

TMN: The tune is simply gorgeous. What was the process like for this particular song? Melody first? Lyrics first?

Netsky: Nick wrote the chorus when he was in LA and showed it to me. I absolutely loved it from first listen and started working on the production straight away. The song started off as a 80s rock influenced half tempo track. It took us a while to realize that it sounded good on a drum & bass beat. But after a while it started sounding exactly like we both wanted. I think I’m gonna work on the original version to play live with the band.

TMN: You also have a DJ tour coming up, which is playfully named “Netsky & Chill.” You’re hitting up 16 different spots in a short amount of time. Are there any shows you’re looking forward to in particular?

Netsky: I think this whole tour is gonna be legendary. One of the venues I can’t wait to play again is Beta in Denver. That has to be one of my favorite spots. I’m also really excited to play 88 Palace in New York, it’s a dim sum place in China town haha! I want to play a broad variety of music throughout the tour and I’m bringing some friends along to help me with that (like DJ Craze in Denver
for example).

TMN: Are people encouraged to come in their PJs? If no, can we still come in our PJs?

Netsky: Yes!!!! That would be awesome. We need to do a group picture with the PJ crew

TMN: We talked to you not that long ago, back in 2014. You talked about how you got into music at a young age, but not who some of your early DnB influences were. We’re curious did you ever listen to the harder/more industrial acts? Or did you lean more towards the liquid acts more?

Netsky: I was into a lot of different genres and styles when I was younger. I remember loving an EP which had a Spor, Ewun and Counterstrike song on it. I definitely went through a phase where drum & bass couldn’t be hard enough

TMN: The first time DnB blew my mind was listening to the dual CD The 6ixth Session from Dieselboy. Do you have a song/mix/moment that made hooked you on the genre?

Netsky: One moment I still remember like it was yesterday was hearing High Contrast’s remix of Gold Digger at a club near where I grew up in 2006. That song changed drum & bass forever for me. It made me realize there are ways to speak to a wide audience with what I always thought was a genre for the underground only.

TMN: Back in the day, there were drum n bass stages at every major event in the states. Somehow that stopped. How did this storied genre seemingly skip over an entire generation in just the US? We know that’s not the case over in Europe.

Netsky: Drum & bass saw a rise in the states when Dubstep became big but it never really peaked as a genre. Which is a good thing I think! Drum & bass has always had a steady following with very loyal fans. There haven’t been any crazy ups and downs in the time I’ve been in the scene and I’m happy with that. I do hope that some of the bigger festivals will start taking more risks in the future. I’ve been very lucky with festival bookings in the US but there’s so much good stuff in Europe right now that doesn’t see the light of day at American festivals. I grew up going to festivals to explore new music and the only way I was satisfied was when I found out about a new band or DJ that I didn’t already know about. I don’t know if I could still do this at big festivals today. It seems like almost all mainstream festivals are booking all the ‘safe’ options that everybody knows already.

TMN: You’ve been a force for bringing these sounds into major festivals, which is greatly appreciated. Do you have some younger up and coming producers you’d like to see on more festival bills?

Netsky: Thank you! There are so many cool new artists around atm. Couple of my favorites: Mura Masa, MXWLL, Dombresky, Pomo. In drum & bass too: Bensley, Rameses B, Keeno, Ownglow.

TMN: Switching gears a bit, this has been a rough year for music lovers. We lost Lemmy from Motorhead and David Bowie back to back. Who are some of your musical heroes?

Netsky: Lemmy and Bowie were legends. I was really emotional when I listened to Blackstar for the first time. What a way to leave us. Two of my musical heroes must be Elton John and Prince. “Rocket Man” is my most played song
ever I think.

TMN: Speaking of legendary music, if you got the green light to remix any song, which would you pick and why?

Netsky: I was thinking about this a while ago. I love remixing songs but I couldn’t remix a song that means too much to me. Sometimes classics are better left alone. Collaborating is a different story though If I could choose anybody, Adele.

TMN: As you probably remember from our last interview, we like to shift gears and ask some random questions at the end. We’ve noticed you’re quite the chef, so we’re creating an all foodie section of questions. First up what’s the first thing you want to eat when you get home from a long tour?

Netsky: Ah! Now it getting interesting ;) There’s a restaurant in Antwerp called Pazzo, their specialty is simple Italian dishes with really cool use of truffle. Great wine too. This is my relax zone for when I get home.

TMN: Say you’re trying to impress with your culinary skills. What do you serve your guests?

Netsky: The stuff I cook and put on Instagram is very basic. I look at cooking as a way to relax and clear my mind. But if I’d have to impress I would try and make Nobu’s signature black cod. I think it takes a couple of days of preparation, though.

TMN: Every DJ has a secret weapon for their sets. What’s your secret weapon in the kitchen?

Netsky: Truffle and soy sauce (not together though haha). I love salty flavours and there’s so many interesting ways to use soy sauce in dishes you wouldn’t expect. And truffle is just sex on a plate.

TMN: Name three things that are always in your fridge, no matter what.

Fruit, Soy sauce and Grand Marnier

TMN: This is a bit morbid, but if you could pick your last meal, what would it be?

Netsky: So hard to decide… Tuna sashimi or a great steak.

TMN: Last but not least, please complete this sentence. When I tour through the states, I can’t wait to eat…

Netsky: “Black Cod at Nobu”.

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[Indie Dance] Bobby Green – Lights (feat. Whitney Phillips)

Bobby Green is back with another magical original, this time featuring vocalist Whitney Phillips. Their work together on “Lights” resulted in a bright indie-dance single that has a strong tropical vale held over it. People have quickly fallen in love with this track, as we have. There’s just something pure and liberating about the composition with its bashfully exuberant melodies. “Lights” has potential to be played out hard on the radio, as it is one of those records that both lovers of electronic music and pop enthusiasts can get behind.

Hypem has been friendly to Bobby, as he has had a few charting songs. Don’t be surprised if you see “Lights” climb to the top. Besides it being a solid record, the message behind it is one that everyone can get behind. Bobby describes it as “about the disconnection we all feel, and about the great things that can happen when we open up and show the world who we are.” Robbins Entertainment released this track for purchase, so iTunes has you covered if you want a copy.

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Kid Froopy – FADED [TMN PREMIERE]

There’s something special about Kid Froopy. The music is touching, down-to-Earth and full of emotion. Kid Froopy’s expressions are extremely easy to connect to. Take for instance the newest track, “FADED,” a straightforward indie dance record that will pull on your feels and have you thinking back with a great sense of nostalgia. “FADED” is one of those slow grooving records that you take with you when you just need to get away, whether it’s popping it in your ear buds, taking a walk or taking a drive somewhere. Kid Froopy captured so much in this minimalist masterpiece, that we had no choice but to premiere it to our readers. With the weather keeping people inside, this is the perfect song to get you through the day. You’ll be happy to know that this was released as a free download, without a gate, so you can directly get it without any extra clicks. Do so through our media player!

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Two Can Deliver Official Remix For Oliver Nelson & Enter The Dojo For Q&A [TMN Interview]

For those of you who are unaware of the Australian duo of brothers called Two Can, you’re in luck. Even if you already are familiar with these talented family members, your luck is just as good, because we recently caught up with them for a quick Q&A as they released their official remix for Oliver Nelson. Two Can took on “Found Your Love,” a 2015 single that features musical act Heir. With Two Can’s revamp they chilled out the upbeat original with more deep sensibilities, making it a laid-back club-friendly record.

While you lend your ears to their emotional take on “Found Your Love,” you can find out a little about the Two Can project. The brothers entered the dojo to answer a few questions regarding themselves, their home country, along with what else we are getting from them this year.

TMN: For people who don’t know you, how would you describe your sound?

Two Can: Thats a question we get asked a fair bit actually! Its always rather tough too pin point it as we try too incorporate many elements of music and synthesis / sound design in our music. Basically how our process works when writing is we start 90% of our tracks with live instruments. We are musicians first, so we try too ad as many live elements we can into our music as we can. A lot of the time, for remixes etc, we will get an acapella and have a jam over the acapella playing some riffs and chords on guitar too get a gist of key and melodic elements which may work well with the song. Basically we would describe our sound as live electronica.

TMN: How is it working in a duo as brothers?

It’s very convenient too be honest. We don’t argue at all luckily, and never really have. Being brothers and living in the same house means we can write music for most of the day and bounce idea’s back and fourth too each other. Thats one key advantage of a duo we think is that at the end of the day two brains working together is more efficient than one.

TMN: What track is each of your favorite that you have made?

Two Can: Myles’ favorite track is ‘Fire’ because it was the first real song that really got people listening too our music. Oscar’s favorite is ‘Your Girl’ as he wrote a lot of the melodic side of the song, and put a lot of heart into it.

TMN: Has being from Australia influenced your sound? How?

I think it has yes. Right now in Australia, there is a lot of awesome music and really cool acts emerging. I think being in the community of this is something that keeps us inspired. Its great meeting up with cool artists on tour’s who all have great energy and great music. Being in Australia it makes it very easy too meet other artists and vibe off each other.

TMN: What can we expect from Two Can in 2016?

Two Can: We have ALOT of unreleased original content and a few big remix opportunities which have recently got approved so our priority is too share our new music with you! We are also speaking too our European agents at the moment about a tour in June/July, doing some soft ticketed shows and a support tour with one of the electronic acts on the roster at United Talent (previously The Agency Group). We spent a lot of 2015 discovering our sound and now we have found it and are at a point where we are extremely proud with it.

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Beauty Sleep – The Dark [TMN PREMIERE]

It might be time to chalk up Belfast as one of the world’s most notable cities for budding young talent, after seeing acts like Two Door Cinema Club, General Fiasco, Pleasure Beach, and now, Beauty Sleep delight indie rock lovers around the globe.

This is undoubtedly the first you’re hearing about members Ryan McGroarty, Cheylene Murphy and Aimee Williamson, as “The Dark” is their debut single. Born out of a local house party, these three young musicians bonded over a classic party prank of using alphabet refrigerator magnets for vulgar amusement. From there, the band was born, and they headed to the studio to define their sound, which is what you’re witnessing today.

“The Dark” glows with radiating beauty, led by a luscious bassline, clean guitar riffs, and gorgeous alternating male and female vocals. Most notably, all three voices come together in heavenly harmonies, adding to beautifully constructed crescendos. Impressively enough, this tune is completely self-produced, which should give way to more incredible tunes very soon. In the meantime, you can officially pick this one up as of February 19th.

If you’d like to be a part of their coming out party, we highly recommend catching them on February 26th, at Bar Sub in Belfast.

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[Electronic] Jelani Blackman – Submarine

When it comes to an artist such as Jelani Blackman, you never know what you’re going to get. Hearing “Submarine” for the first time is jarring. It’s a wake-up call. No pun intended, but it explores the depths of Jelani’s voice and molds together nicely with the chronically intoxicating production surrounding his commanding presence.

His three releases are spread out over the last year, from the soft and sensual Twenty//Three to the boom bap inspired Repeater, and they each take on a life of their own, with “Submarine” striking a comfortable balance of elements between these previous two songs. The grit that Jelani Blackman portrays is magnetic. It’s most apparently in each tune’s construction and production, but the London native clearly is no stranger to illustrating his feelings through his lyrics as well. More exploration is certainly warranted, and the intrigue isn’t going away. Don’t miss out.

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Justin Bieber – Sorry (PatrickReza Remix) [TMN PREMIERE]

Some people have been waiting a while for our friend PatrickReza to deliver one of his classic dubstep tracks. Today, we’re happy to premiere a song of such character with his remix of “Sorry” by Justin Bieber. His melodic rendering of the highly popular single is sure to satisfy fans old and new. It’s been a refreshing experience for Patrick himself, who has been dealing out some quality house records for a year now. It just goes to show this cat’s versatility when it comes to songwriting, and he further establishes himself as a strong and unique force in the dance music scene. This is the kind of work that gets heard by the original artist, and gets some love and support, maybe even to the point of a re-release as an official flip. If that ends up happening, don’t be surprised. Besides this being a phenomenal remix, Patrick released it as a free download, which you can grab here.

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[Dance/Chill] Seafret – Wildfire (Autograf Remix)

One of the hottest acts in all of dance music, and a trio of gentlemen for whom we’ve been passionately consuming their uniquely invigorating dance sound since clear back in 2013, Autograf have returned to our hallowed pages armed with a tasteful flip of acoustic folk due Seafret‘s latest single “Wildfire”. The Chicago triumvirate craft another soothing electronic melody; pumping Seafret’s original vocal track with the deep mistiness of touchy reverb, while encasing them inside a foundation of two-step drum-machine patterning, flowing keys and buoyantly playful synths. It’s clear with each and every passing release the name Autograf finds itself sitting closer to the top of the mountain in regards to their rapid explosion, and it makes us crack a ninja smile to see the rest of the world begin to take notice of their immense talent.

 Along with their latest remix, Autograf have simultaneously announced their impending Metaphysical tour which encompasses sixteen live dates across North America starting in early February, for which you can purchase tickets for here. Be sure to check out Autograf’s tour dates below, and enjoy their sterling remix of Seafret’s “Wildfire” above.

Autograf ‘Metaphysical’ Tour Dates
02.05 | Sett | Madison, WI
02.06 | Miramar | Milwaukee
02.10 | Catalyst | Santa Cruz
02.11 | Soho | Santa Barbara
02.12 | 1015 | San Francisco
02.13 | Exchange | Los Angeles
02.17 | Q | Seattle
02.18 | MIA | Vancouver
02.19 | Euphoria | Portland
02.20 | Casbah | San Diego
02.25 | U St Hall | Washington DC
02.26 | Concord | Chicago
02.27 | Populux | Detroit
03.04 | Coda | Philadelphia
03.05 | Hoxton | Toronto
03.11 | Buku | New Orleans

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Kylie Odetta – High Dreamer [TMN PREMIERE]

At first listen, you probably wouldn’t guess that Kylie Odetta is just 18-years-old. Her voice, both commanding and dreamy, carries a heft of a very seasoned musician. In fact, that voice has landed her opening spots with acts like Colbie Caillat, Gavin DeGraw and Mat Kearney, which should elude to the fact that she’s coming up in the scene, and doing so at a rather rapid pace.

“High Dreamer” is the title track from her upcoming EP, and we’re elated to be the first to bring it to your ears. It’s captivating from the get-go, drawing listeners in with calming piano, light percussion, and Odetta’s entrancing vocals. The chorus is particularly impressive, showcasing feathery soft falsettos that delicately soar higher and higher.

We have to assume that a fair lot of you are experiencing your first listen to this budding young artist. Click here to keep tabs on upcoming releases, including her High Dreamer EP, which drops February 12.

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REIGHNBEAU – IDEALOVE [TMN PREMIERE]

Albuquerque-based REIGHNBEAU really takes the whole Land of Enchantment thing to heart, serving up an alluring plate of electronica, art pop, and the avant-garde from New Mexico. Visual and sound artist Bryce Hample is the brainchild of this burgeoning act, bringing along collaborators like Colleen Johnson (Twig Palace) and Madeline Johnston (Sister Grotto) to give the project added personality.

Premiering here today, “IDEALOVE” is a delightfully weird experience, giving way to thoughts of intricate dreamscapes where dark and light mix in beautiful consonance. Those thoughts are brought to life through calculated layering of haunting vocal samples, rolling hi-hats, and softly sung vocal harmonies, which create a textured, otherworldly experience. Simply put, expect to get blissfully lost in this tune. It’s almost impossible not to.

After you pop out of your REIGHNBEAU-induced daydream, make sure to head over and follow them on Facebook. There’s a full-length album on the way, and you definitely don’t want to miss it.

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[MP3 Playlist] Indie Dojo (January 2016 Round #4)

When the going gets tough, the tough get a little Ninja and play an Indie Dojo to pass the time.

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The Chill Dojo #165

Well some parts of the world certainly don’t need any help in the chill department this week, but for those not experiencing blizzard conditions, we’ve got a killer remix of GoldLink’s ‘Zipporah’ courtesy of a masterful beatmaker in Gravez. While the original definitely wasn’t lacking any punch, the smooth touch from the LA based producer takes this one to the next level. Still feeling those slow jam vibes, our next feature is a silky number from Beshken, combining his fresh atmospheric sound with some glorious male vocals from Gus Dapperton.

On the topic of male talent, 2015 was a massive year for Tom Misch, and while some artists would find it difficult to follow up such a stellar run, he has demonstrated his caliber once again with an early contender for one of the best mellow tunes of 2016. The vocal partnership between himself and Carmody is a pure delight to listen to, but that guitar solo is the real sweetener that solidifies this polished piece of musical brilliance. The Moving Castle Collective are another instance of established genius over the past year, and their incredible releases keep coming with a beautiful single from Melbourne’s Dugong Jnr. The lush vibe is reminiscent of Cashmere Cat at his smoothest, and the addition of Tashka’s dreamy voice is a prime example of pop music done so right.

Only one month down, but already this year is shaping up to be something special. Peace out.

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[Indie Dance] Gryffin – Headed Home ft. Josef Salvat

New York based producer Dan Griffith, aka Gryffin, has been making a whole bunch of light-hearted and fun remixes over this past year. The ascension he’s made in this short of a time period is telling of where he’s headed—~*~*among the stars~*~*~. For the longest time his remix of Tove Lo’s “Talking Body” was something we had to blast in our lives at least 5 times per Friday, so we’re so excited and happy to see that he’s finally released his first very own track, “Heading Home” featuring Josef Salvat.

A familiar start for a Gryffin track, he begins with a piano intro complete with some faint pulsing delay and then brings in the smooth like butter vocals of London-based Josef Salvat, an artist whose work brings the perfect amount of soul into the track. The happy snaps come in and we know a blissful drop is coming, but not before Salvat leaves us with some words of wisdom: “People gonna judge, people gonna talk, they can say what they like, won’t keep me up at night.”

The tune delivers happiness, vibes, and the need to dance, and we can tell you that this is definitely one we’re going to be blasting at our camping spots come this festival season, and all of our friends will be smiling and jumping and giddy and all will be good in the world. Luckily many of you will be able to do that in front of a stage he’s playing, too, because he’s going to be all over this year’s festival circuit.

Stream the tune above or check it out on Spotify’s electroNOW playlist!

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[Trap] JayKode X Party Thieves – Origin

JayKode and Party Thieves are two of dance music’s premiere producers, and they have recently come together to prove without a doubt that they mean business. Together they turn up an aggressive original called “Origin,” a hybrid trap anthem that takes the best of both dubstep and trapstyle and mixes them into one incredible production. “Origins” also has classical elements worked into its ripe soundscapes for a complete and udder beast of a record. Buygore Records got their hands on this release, as it is right up their alley.

2016 is going to be filled with some high quality songs, but at the end of the year, don’t be surprised when this one sticks around. JayKode and Party Thieves, we thank you for this work, and we love you. The next drink we have will certainly be for your excellence. And the next time we turn up, this will definitely be one of the first tracks we throw on. For fans that want to take this monstrosity home with them like we did, head over to Beatport.

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[Deep House] SNBRN – Gangsta Walk feat. Nate Dogg

I don’t think the late great Nate Dogg ever imagined one of his unreleased acapellas would be used for a house record, especially of the sort that SNBRN cooks up. “Gangsta Walk” is the result of SNBRN getting his hands on a special vocal that producers around the world would probably give their right arm for. Although this original is of the deep house style, SNBRN keeps things extremely upbeat and lively which we’ve come to observe in many of his “sunset house” tracks. With SNBRN adding natural elements to his track, including the horns and the unforgettable piano, this track’s dynamic capacity is like few other dance records out right now from up and coming prodigies. “Gangsta Walk” was released by Ultra Records a few days ago, and since it’s already amassed tons of love from hip-hop heads and ravers alike. Grab it on iTunes now!

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[G House] Destructo, Ty Dolla $ign, iLoveMakonnen – 4 Real

Destructo just keeps taking the scene by storm. Seriously, this dude throws some of the sickest parties with anything HARD touches, and rosters that are always super on point. His lineups always do a great job of meshing a number of different genres, and that’s exactly what he’s done in his latest track release, “4 Real.”

When the song first started we weren’t sure what to expect—it didn’t show any signs of being an electronic track per se, but it’s 2016 y’all. Ty Dolla $ign blesses us with his dreamy vocals and iLoveMakonnen provides the hype, and a few seconds later Destructo starts to tease us with his melodic tones, which lets us know that this will most definitely be an electronic track. This all builds into what might be one of the more unexpected drops we’ve heard in a while—a tech house wonderland filled with a sped up take on the quintessential hip hop sample (aka G House 2.0). The end product is an impressive and well-done fusion of two entirely different genres, something that we’ve seen Destructo do before and hope he continues to do as long as he’s making music.

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[House] The Weeknd – Tell Your Friends (Just Kiddin Edit)

U.K. duo Just Kiddin have been hot on our radar since their 2014 club smash “Thinking About It” took both the underground and commercial dance halls by storm. In the years since, the pair have entrenched themselves as one of the fastest rising acts in house-land behind their lush, contemporary take on classic house melodies, including their last single “Only For You” claiming the top spot on numerous blog charts. The pair’s latest tune comes in the form of a soul-quenching edit of The Weeknd’s “Tell Your Friends”. Shuffled hi-hats, filtered grand-piano and some succulent vocal shops form much of their revisions foundations, but a perfectly seung, rolling house bass line and backing synth pull everything together in a syrupy sweet heap of dance rhythms. About their revision, Just Kiddin shared: “As soon as we heard this original, we knew it needed a JK edit! We’re giving this one away for free as a thanks for your continued support.” We’re certainly glad The Weeknd inspired yet another creative take on his beautifully malleable music.

Along with their latest edit, Just Kiddin have also announced their first North American tour of 2016 with support from the likes of The Magician, Le Youth and Shiba San on their ten-city run, so be sure to check the dates below for a chance to catch their seductive brand of proper house. Grab your tickets at the link here, and in the mean time, check out their edit of The Weeknd’s “Tell Your Friends” above.

Just Kiddin North America Tour Dates:

02.05: Primary, Chicago
02.06: Alexander Gastown, Vancouver
02.10: La Cave, Costa Mesa, CA
02.11: Elevate, Salt Lake City
02.12: Avalon Hollywood,
02.13: Bang Bang, San Diego
02.19: Webster Hall, NY
02.20: Kingdom, Austin
02.25: 1050 Folsom, San Francisco
02.27: Vinyl, Denver

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[Get Crunk] Friday Party Playlist (Vol 179)

Although the weather has most of us down, that doesn’t mean that we can’t turn up. In fact, most parties are held inside anyways, so the dark and stormy weather shouldn’t hinder your plans too much tonight. If you have plans, we hope to be a part of them via our weekly party playlist that we publish for your weekend get-togethers. As with many other weeks, we start things off a bit on the chiller side with some future sounds to ease you into the night. Some of those tracks include works from Mija and Tasty Treat. From there we get a bit more in-your-face with energetic works from the likes of 1DAFUL, ETC! ETC!, Ditta & Dumont and more. As always, all of these tracks are free downloads, so if you’re not the streaming type, you can add them to your digital library, and infuse them into a playlist of your own. No matter how you absorb them, make sure to #danceirresponsibly.

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[Alternative Pop] Imad Royal – Down For Whatever (feat. Pell)

Imad Royal and Pell are both at a turning point in their respective careers. “Down For Whatever” marks the second single of Imad Royal’s on the Nice Life label, and Pell is following up his widely praised album, LIMBO. There’s no shying away from the straightforward message on this tune, and these two are steadfast in their ways amidst an airtight assembly of pop, R&B, and hip-hop influence.

A song like this certainly marks a deviation from the usual sound of Imad Royal, even from his previous effort, but it’s a seamless transition for this multi-faceted artist. Having Pell come along to bring the track home with his rapid-fire delivery is just the icing on the cake. Imad Royal’s fairly recent name change also came with a shift in style, and it’s immediately evident that he refuses to take any shortcuts to showcase exactly what he strives for and cares about in his music. 2016 may have just begun, but, however bold of a claim this may seem, you’re already hearing an early contender for a top release of the year. There’s an undeniable catchiness and magnetic attitude throughout “Down For Whatever,” and it’s a sound that’s here to stay. Give it up for this dynamic duo and be sure to show them support in every way you can!

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Sleeping At Last – Smell [TMN PREMIERE]

For those of you who have been anxiously awaiting the next song from Sleeping At Last’s year-long collection, Atlas: Year Two, you’re about to start your weekend off in the best of ways. For those of you who are just catching onto this golden-voiced Chicagoan, well, you’re a little late to the party, but this song will certainly kickstart a new-found musical love affair.

“Smell” is a part of the Senses EP, which will accompany other themed EPs like Life, Emotions, Intelligence, and Enneagram. As expected, each have their own distinctive flair, while still maintaining Ryan’s emotionally-charged style. Speaking of that impassioned approach, it certainly sits front and center in today’s premiere. The song welcomes listeners in with pensive, artfully crafted lyrics carried in on fluttering vocal vibratos. Light finger-picking accompanies the track, starting what will soon become a soaring gathering of piano and strings.

From start-to-finish, “Smell” is a highly engaging and winsome experience, leaving anyone who listens with the imminent need to dig deeper into past releases. We’ll make it easy on you. Click here to start that journey.

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[Secret Ninja Pass] This Week at Beta 1/21 – 1/24

As we cross into 2016, we’re excited to bring you more opportunities to check out our favorite club. As you probably already know, we’ve been hooking you up with free entry to Beta for over three years now. We know you’ve had some epic times, catching some of the most legendary talent EDM has to offer, and we’re on board to keep this thing going. So, we’re once again giving you an opportunity to check out the best night club in North America for free. What all do you have to do to get in? It’s pretty damn easy. Just follow these steps:

– Head to the front door and enter the club before 11 pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Get there before 9PM on Sundays.
– Show this post to the cashier (Valid for 21+ only).
– The deal is valid for Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

See you on the dance floor.

Destructo / Justin Martin - 1/21

LOUDPVCK - 1/22

SWEAT - 1/23

Eats Everything / Patrick Topping - 1/24

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[Melodic House] Monogem – Gone (INSTRUM Remix)

Brooklyn-based producer INSTRUM has been one of our favorites for quite some time now. With this remix of Monogem‘s massive hit “Gone”,  he showcases his versatility  by rearranging it into a melodic dance track. With the addictive melody provided by singer Jen’s unique vocals, the deep house change-up definitely complements and takes it up a couple notches. Towards the end of the track, there’s also something we’ve never seen in his music before – a breakdown with a hip-hop inspired trap beat, which spices things up for us quite a bit.

INSTRUM’s production style is still evolving. Having millions of Soundcloud plays and a handful of #1 tracks on HypeM, it’s safe to say that sky is the limit for this talented producer. Make sure to grab a free download if you dig the track!

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[Future] A R I Z O N A – Let Me Tøuch Yøur Fire (Snøwmass Remix)

Chicago producer Snøwmass brings his future bass sound to the A R I Z O N A single “Let Me Touch Your Fire.” He keeps the soft, yet immersive vibe of the original, but brings it forward into a new form that is enticing to electronic music lovers. Snøwmass dishes out a ethereal soundscape, filled with lush pads and supple synths that sooth the listener to the point of pure relaxation. One of the criteria for a good remix is if it did the original justice, and in this case, the reinterpretation passes with flying colors. Usually we hear some sultry house music from this Chicago resident, but we’re glad he dipped his toes into the future bass sound because this remix is simply magical. We suggest you grab this one for your digital library, as it has been released as a free download for fans.

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[Fresh] Different Sleep – Lost Profit feat. Angelina Lucero

Delicious break beats? Check. Radiating beautiful vocals? Check. Dance-inducing bassline? Double check. Yes, it would seem that Chicago-based Different Sleep and singer/songwriter Angelina Lucero (from IDYLL) certainly have all the necessary elements to give electronic music lovers something that’s as refreshing as an ice-cold Lipton Brisk tea on a hot day.

As we’ve come to know from this young, up-and-coming producer, boundaries don’t exist. Elements from all musical genres can come into play at any time, giving way to both euphoric ambience and up-tempo party moments. “Lost Profit” certainly addresses both of these, and does so through some articulately crafted synths, inventive percussion, and well placed vocal chops.

Ok, enough gushing. We love Different Sleep and we’re pretty damn sure you do too after this track. Click here to stay in touch with all of his goings-on.

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[Denver Giveaway] TMN Presents: Inner Oceans w/ Plume Varia, Lizzy Rose @ Lost Lake – 1/29

While much of our writing staff here at TMN is spread across the entire world, we’ve maintained an active presence in the great city of Denver for good reason. For years now some of our favorite producers, DJ’s and bands throughout countless genres have emanated from the Mile High City, and every chance we have to get behind talent which may not have quite crossed over yet to a national audience, is a special one. Inner Oceans have long been a warm staple inside of the talent-rich Denver indie scene with their brand of haunting, synth-fueled minimal indie-pop; and over the course of a few years and several live shows, we’ve seen their project blossom into one of the most exciting bands heading into 2016. In the past few weeks, the Denver based quartet have dropped a pair of singles, “These Dreams” & “Sunbathe” (both of which are included in our mini-playlist below), which both wield more of an upbeat, drum-machine assisted structure which we can tell will add another engaging layer to their already impressive live show. Needless to say, we’re excited about this one.

On Friday, 1/29, The Music Ninja is proud to present Inner Oceans’ uniquely entrancing sound at the Lost Lake lounge in Denver, CO along with the downtempo dream-pop of Plume Varia and the eclectic stylings of Lizzy Rose. If you haven’t caught on yet, there’s nothing we love more than giving our readers a chance to come groove with us at every ‘TMN Presents’ showcase, so we’re giving away not one, but THREE pairs of tickets to see Inner Oceans. Entering our contest is as always, beyond easy. Just “like” The Music Ninja on FB, click on this post header if you’re still on the TMN front page, then comment below with your favorite Inner Oceans song, and boom, that’s it! And of course we want as many people as possible to come dance with us, so for our friends looking to secure their spot, tickets are only $8.00 and can be purchased using the ticket link here.

There are a few rules, of course:
– The event is 16+ Be sure to tell all of your friends to increase chance of winning!
– You are responsible for your own transportation.
– You must bring a valid form of ID to pick up your tickets at the Lost Lake door.

Check out our preview mini-playlist, start commenting below and best of luck ninjas!

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[Indie] MONEY – Three Days Drinking and as Many Lovers Too

Manchester-based indie rock band MONEY has become one of our favorites here at TMN. From the emotion they put into every composition to the romantically distorted lyrics, they deliver one song after the next. For them, though, it doesn’t ever seem to be about “delivering.” They’re more just one of those bands that make whatever they want to, and it happens to be …. money… every time. Wow. You may have just witnessed a live-blog epiphany.

Their newest single release came after some long awaited anticipation by TMN but we’re here to say that it was worth the wait. “Three Days Drinking and as Many Lovers Too” is a track that further solidifies the band as true melancholic talents. This almost 8-minute long epic sets the stage for a crescendo that never comes with faint vibrato strings, dry acoustic guitar and falsetto vocals from Jamie Lee who’s considered to be the driving force of the project. This ballad stays true and gets deeper rather than louder, remains consistent in its stringed components throughout its duration, and gives the listener theatrical vocals that will have you feeling just as heart-wrenchingly, pensively low as the group suggests.

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ERIEL INDIGO – Every Little Thing [TMN PREMIERE]

You don’t have to scan far through my posts to know that I appreciate a solid pop tune. Will you find any Taylor Swift or the Biebs? No. Not to say that I don’t appreciate their craft, but I like to find stuff a little more inventive, a little more under-the-radar, and a little fresher to the scene. That’s where ERIEL INDIGO comes in.

Racing into the industry at the young age of 19, this LA-based songstress/creative director/activist uses her art as a means to promote well-being, productive rebellion, intentional evolution and communal consciousness. After only a couple of releases, she’s already drawing on associations of Charlie XCX and Tove Lo, yet maintaining her own eclectic style. Now, she’s ready to drop her debut EP, Elevate.

“Every Little Thing” is just the second release from that EP, and it’s nothing short of pure pop bliss. Expect a groovy little beat, memorable lyrics brought forth by a unique vocal tone and some infectious synths that instantly latch on, leaving you craving for just one more play through.

Keep tabs on this budding young chanteuse by following her on Facebook. I can assure you that the rest of the upcoming EP will more than impress.

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[Indie Rock] Viola Beach – Boys That Sing

It’s been nearly six months since we premiered Viola Beach’s debut single, “Swings & Waterslides.” From there, the track went on to experience tremendous success, hitting the Hype Machine’s Popular charts and racking up nearly a million plays across SoundCloud and Spotify. After all that success, it’s not hard to see why a lot of people had it pegged as one of the best tracks from 2015, including myself.

The band has since released “Cherry Vitmo,” a few months back, and are now keeping up the pace with “Boys That Sing.” Once again, listeners are blanketed by a warm familiarity that’s draped in classic songwriting structures, infused with well-executed guitar work and extremely catchy lyrics. Expect to catch catch yourself drifting between decades, blissfully singing along after only one listen through.

The release also launches the Communion Singles Club, a new platform for the much respected indie label to echo some of the magic generated in the early days around their first 7” and 12” offerings. After you pick it up, I highly recommend checking their tour dates below to see if you can catch a live show.

Tour Dates:

29th January – Koko, London (BBC Introducing and Club NME)

30th January – Carsons, Middleton

4th February – Cyprus Avenue, Cork, Ireland (w/ Blossoms)

5th February – Green Room, The Academy, Dublin (w/ Blossoms)

6th February – Limelight 2, Belfast (w/ Blossoms)

10th February – Sub89, Reading (w/ Blossoms)

11th February – Zephyr Lounge, Leamington Spa (w/ Blossoms)

12th February – Where’s The Music Festival, Sweden

13th February – Boiler Room, Guildford (w/ Blossoms)

18th February – The Old Fire Station, Bournemouth (w/ Blossoms)

19th February – Concorde 3, Brighton (w/ Blossoms)

20th February – The Bullingdon, Oxford (w/ Blossoms)

23rd February – The Townhouse, Middlesbrough

24th February – The Welly Club, Hull (w/ Blossoms)

26th February – O2 Academy, Leicester (w/ Blossoms)

27th February – Albert hall, Manchester (w/ Blossoms)

3rd March – The Liquid Room, Edinburgh (w/ Blossoms)

4th March – Kasbah, Coventry (w/ Blossoms)

5th March – The Sugarmill, Stoke On Trent (w/ Blossoms)

11th March – Opium 10, Barnsley

12th March – The Pyramid, Warrington (w/ Blossoms)

25th March – The Academy, Liverpool (w/ Blossoms)

26th March – Stockton Calling, Stockton On Tees

1st October Parr Hall – Warrington (tickets available from 22 Jan)

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The Sleep Millennium – The Sky Is Zero [TMN PREMIERE]

Before you press play, go ahead and throw on some blue tinted sunglasses, fire up the lava lamp, and partake in your favorite adult indulgence. The Sleep Millennium is bringing you a taste of the psychedelic 60s, shaded with modern production techniques that will fuse music nerds from past and present.

This is the first single from this brand-new act from Portland, Oregon, which brings us yet another reason to hail the Pacific Northwest. In addition to tasty craft brews, top-notch wines, and the legendary Voodoo Donuts, “The Sky Is Zero” expresses another layer to the culture, and counter-culture, that’s so well defined up there. It’s slow-building, providing a perfectly dreamy build up with delightfully hazy guitars. Booming percussion comes in at about the 2:00-minute mark, giving way to a spiraling crescendo of powerful lyrics and layers of entrancing instrumentals.

As you enjoy this tune, know that it’s the first time the planets have aligned in over a decade. Coincidence? We’ll let you decide. As far as the rest of the debut EP goes, you can expect it on February 26th, 2016. It boasts strong messages of heartbreak, struggle, and triumphs – something we can all associate with.

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[Vibes] Paces ft. Jess Kent – 1993 (No Chill)

If you’re not hip to Paces just yet, now’s the time to get acquainted. This Gold Coast producer has a unique approach, fusing together tropical, future bass, and pop elements to create something that has listeners eagerly awaiting their next pool party. “1993 (No Chill)” is Paces first original in five months, following “Bamboo.” This time around, the future bass influences are long gone, giving away to pure pop bliss.

Sydney-based singer/songwriter Jess Kent helps further that pop prowess with her casual swagger, leaving us with a burning desire to nod our head and sing along. From the sounds of it, Paces was hit with the Jess Kent bug after hearing her debut release.

I first heard Jess Kent via her track ‘Get Down’ on Triple j Unearthed. I could tell right away that it was the feel-good hit of the summer and that Jess and I were on a very similar musical vibe. Luckily the timing was right and everything else just fell into place!

If you’re stuck indoors, looking at those untamable snow drifts that just won’t melt, throw this on, make yourself a margarita, and crank up the heat. Just because it’s winter outside, doesn’t mean you can’t have your own tropical getaway inside.

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Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pedersen

bluegrass

Barefoot in grass or dirt. Sunshine or candlelight. Worries whisked away in a breeze of wisdom. Acceptance. Troubles are nothing more than lint caught in your pockets. So empty them. Be lighter. Refreshed and humbler. Brothers Larry and Tony Rice, friends Herb Pedersen and Chris Hillman, a founding member of The Byrds, collaborate on their debut album; Out of the Woodwork.

Lighthearted harmonies.
Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pedersen – Hard Times
Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pedersen – So Begins The Task
+ Purchase/Visit

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Louis The Child – It’s Strange (Candyland Remix) [TMN Premiere]

Candyland is an act that can do anything. Any sound that she sets her mind to, she can attain in jaw-dropping fashion. Today we share with you, for the first time, Candyland’s official remix for Louis The Child of “It’s Strange.” With it comes a soft sounding future production that is one of her most riveting tracks yet. Everything about this flip is tasteful and full of emotion. She matches the deep intrigue of the lyrics with an equally powerful composition that mirrors the tone and mood of what is sang by K. Flay. Candyland absolutely nails the future style, with exceptionally crafted synths and soundscapes that rival even the best tracks out there. Leave it to Candyland to blow your mind every time something is uploaded to Soundcloud. iTunes has the single for sale, so if you need it, head there and get it. Don’t forget that Candyland has her Candy Clvb tour going on soon that is a must see. Check out the dates here and head to a show in your area.

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[Indie] Klangstof – Hostage

As you’ve come to know through the years, there’s nothing I enjoy more about blogging than sharing an artist’s debut single. While a lot of the up-and-coming artists take a little while to build up steam after releasing their first track, I have a feeling that this one will move a little quicker. Why’s that? Amsterdam-based Klangstof is the fourth artist off tastemaker label Mind of a Genius, and they’ll follow in the footsteps of acts like ZHU, Gallant, and THEY.

Premiering early today on Zane Lowe’s Beats 1, “Hostage” is a delightfully dreary indie rock tune that infuses elements of shoegaze, indie rock, and tidbits of electro pop. These elements are brought to life through glowing guitar work, understated drum pad hits, and progression that latches on early, refusing to go throughout. The last section of the song is particularly impressive, highlighted by a crescendo of crashing percussion and soaring synths.

Make sure to keep an eye for future releases by following Klangstof on SoundCloud, Facebook and Twitter.

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Night Lurkers – Make it Hot ft. GDP, Fame School Star City, Tigga Calore, Kevin Hussein [TMN Premiere]

MopTop‘s hip-hop side project, Night Lurkers, is dishing out their new single through a Music Ninja premiere. We’re happy to present to you “Make It Hott” this Friday evening, as it is the perfect track to get the weekend started with. Although this is under their hip-hop project, with features from artists GDP, Fame School Star City, Tigga Calore and Kevin Hussein, this single sports a rather dancy, electronic instrumental. A synth heavy breakbeat background is where these emcees spit their heat. With a more minimal composition, MopTop were able to focus in for some well-produced percussion that is both thick and crisp. It’s a smashing crossover record that continues the fusion between dance and rap in epic fashion. As we see music transition in the future, you’re to be sure to hear more jams like this, however, “Make It Hott” sets the bar high. Make sure to download this hit for free before you check out some other new tunes on the website!

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FAIRCHILD – Nom de Guerre [TMN VIDEO PREMIERE]

Paying an artful homage to some deep-rooted musical influences, Australian-born, Manchester-based FAIRCHILD IS giving the 1980s a modern facelift with tracks like “Nom de Guerre.”

Dropping on their Breathless EP, this tune features some delightful New Wave influences, brought into the spotlight with some booming percussion work and wavering keys and guitar. The instrumental combination provides a highly engaging soundscape which acts as the perfect backdrop for the alternating slow-n-seductive verses, and stadium anthem choruses.

If you’re digging those lyrics, you don’t need to scramble across the internet to find them. Below you’ll find live footage from their first ever UK show at the Sebright Arms and it features perfectly sequenced lyrics. Aside from being able to belt this out in your car or bathroom mirror, you’ll also have a leg up for your next karaoke session.

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[Future] EVVY – Tidal Wave (Sound Remedy Remix)

Sound Remedy is one of those producers who has managed his career incredibly well over the past several years while exploring different styles of music. Most recently, the Chicago to LA creator was tapped for an official remix for the track “Tidal Wave” by EVVY. He brings out all the vibes for this one, making a beautiful composition. It’s one of those tracks that if played out live, everyone comes a little closer together, while bringing out those lighters (or cell phones, I suppose) out to sway together. Sound Remedy’s songwriting prowess is displayed in full force with this downtempo masterpiece. Not only is it a good song, but it’s a great one, developing its sound from beginning to end for a truly wonderful listening experience that you’ll have on repeat for some time. Sound Remedy released this track through iTunes, so if you would like to have a copy, then head over there and grab it. It’s well worth the price!

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[MP3 Playlist] Indie Dojo (January 2015 Round #3)

Live in the moment. Don’t dwell on the past. Everyday statements we should probably live by. Unless you are a Ninja and can conquer both in a positive light. If you just happened to land on this page out of nowhere, now’s your chance to live in the moment. Take a few minutes out of your hectic day and press play. OR go ahead and dwell on the past. There is an option to listen to old Indie Dojos from the “Playlist” tab right above this post. Either way, we won’t judge how you choose to spend your moments, past or present, as long as you enjoy them.

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The Chill Dojo #164

The playlist size for #164 is an indication of how big the past week has been in electronic music, and it’s headlined by none other than Flume and a stunning track from his upcoming album Skin. In case you somehow managed to miss it, ‘Never Be Like You’ is the first full stream we have been gifted with, and the slow hypnotizing experience is perfected with the breathtakingly beautiful vocals from Kai. If the album preview was any indication, there will be plenty more mind-blowing reveals to come.

The release of the gigantic remix package for ‘It’s Strange’ was enough to fill its own playlist for the week, but after going through the unprecedented 20 strong EP, we managed to trim it down to nine chill edits that just had to be included. It was tough to pick a favorite, but the silky touch of Melvv takes out the accolade of Dojo choice, carrying on the positive vibe that Louis The Child instilled in the original with the addition of some bright floating melodies. Having been a long time favorite of ours in the remix game, Manila Killa did his credentials no harm with the debut of his first ever original ‘All That’s Left’. While the vocals carry some emotive themes, the mellow groove champions a feel-good sensation that is far too infectious to resist.

There is a heap to explore, so we’ll cut short the reading and you can dive right into the listening. Peace out.

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Emily Vaughn – Better Off (Chachi Remix) [TMN PREMIERE]

Mondays bring a collective realization that all good things must come to an end. Long gone are the late nights and raucous revelry, giving way to the necessary responsibilities. In this case, though, we can hold onto the weekend just a little bit longer, thanks to one New Yorker in particular.

Coming off an impressive stint on Hype Machine’s popular charts last month, Chachi is back at it again with another impressive remix. This time around, he’s dialed up a deliciously bass-laden interpretation of Emily Vaughn’s “Better Off.” The original was ensconced in a sultry, introspective vibe, all of which is translated into this take through the use of perfectly crafted vocal samples and chops. While we would have been happy with a club-centric thrill ride all the way throughout, Chachi adds in a brilliant breakdown towards the last third of the song, which will instantly induce a toothy grin and emphatic nod of approval.

Aside from a first listen, we’re also offering up an opportunity to snag this delightful tune for free. Click here to pick up a copy for your personal collection.

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[Future] Flume – Never Be Like You Feat. Kai

When it comes to the Australian musical prodigy Flume, the world waits with bated breath on his releases. Fortunately for his expansive fanbase, with the new year comes news of his long awaited sophomore album, Skin. Following up a teaser two weeks ago containing a preview of each song on the upcoming album, Flume has released the first single on what is shaping up to be another breathtaking electronic-infused collection.

Since gaining widespread acclaim on the back of his 2013 self-titled debut album, Flume has grown as a producer and redefined the electronic music genre with his contributions. In the interim, coupling strong remixes with his showstopping live performances, Flume has become a powerhouse of the industry. The first single from Skin, titled “Never Be Like You” is proof that the 24 year old Sydney native has been hard at work in the studio during his hiatus and exceeding expectations.

Teaming up with Kai, a vocalist who has lent her talents to Adventure Club and Jack Ü previously, Flume adds a much needed hook to this catchy, dynamic song. “Never Be Like You” is the latest evidence that Flume has nearly perfected the technical aspects of electronic music creation, while also achieving some crossover success in lending from arrangements similar to previous Timbaland works. Fans have only received a vague “soon” regarding the official release date of Skin, but there is reason to be optimistic; February 1st will mark the first of many stops on Flume’s music festival world tour promoting the new material.

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[House] Lane 8 – Midnight

With the clarity of hindsight, it is apparent that Lane 8 went above and beyond to make his mark on 2015. In a year that saw, countless remixes, the release of his debut album Rise, an extensive touring schedule, and an interview with The Music Ninja, San Francisco’s own Lane 8 kept himself very busy.

In an attempt to start 2016 with the most consistent and diligent producers of the year, I made a point to attend Lane 8’s New Years Eve set at the annual Snowglobe Music Festival in Lake Tahoe. As the clock struck 12:00, the producer faded into an unfamiliar, minimalistic piece. As the song progressed, additional layers were introduced and the more familiar aspects of a Lane 8 production began to take shape. The uplifting, electronic song he premiered that night, without introduction, was released last week, titled “Midnight”.

The energy from this deep house masterpiece is infectious early on and continues to impress, through the subtle insertion of its many technical elements, for the full duration of 7 minutes. Lane 8 fans can stay up to date with his latest productions via Soundcloud or by catching him live on tour.

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Jimkata – Wild Ride [TMN PREMIERE]

Comprised of childhood friends Evan Friedell (vocals / guitar), Aaron Gorsch (synths) and Packy Lunn (drums), Ithaca-based Jimkata is heavily rooted in 80s culture, from their synth-focused sound, to their name, which offers a playful nod to the so-bad-it’s-good 1985 film Gymkata. If you’re not familiar with that one, just know it involves a gymnast who must combine his gymnastics skills of the west with fighting secrets of the east. Make sure you queue it up for your next movie night.

February brings us the band’s first album, which happens to be funded fully by their fanbase. We had the chance to preview it and now have the ultimate pleasure of bringing you a first listen at “Wild Ride.” Calling on associations of both modern acts like St. Lucia and classic acts like Peter Gabriel, this tune builds in an anthemic fashion, boasting an iconic bassline, multiple layers of gorgeous synths, and set of lyrics that will have you singing along in no time.

If you dig this tune, we highly recommend noting the February 12th release on your calendar. While you’re at it, find a show that’s close to you and mark that down too. If it happens to be their Denver show, you can count on seeing us there.

Tour Dates

Feb 19 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground
Feb 20 – Albany, NY – The Hollow
Feb 25 – Philadelphia, PA – Milkboy
Feb 26 – Manchester, CT – The Main Pub
Feb 27 – Syracuse, NY – The Westcott Theater
Mar 01 – Richmond, VA – The Camel
Mar 02 – Greenville, NC – Crossbones Tavern
Mar 03 – Live Oak, FL – Aura Music Festival
Mar 05 – Savannah, GA – Barrelhouse South
Mar 17 – Washington, DC – Gypsy Sallys
Mar 18 – Asbury Park, NJ – The Saint
Mar 19 – Hamden, CT – The Outer Space
Mar 24 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Cafe
Mar 25 – Harrisburg, PA – Abbey Bar
Mar 26 – Buffalo, NY – Iron Works
Apr 01 – Rochester, NY – Flour City Station
Apr 02 – Oneonta, NY – Oneonta Theatre
Apr 07 – Boston, MA – Middle East Upstairs
Apr 08 – Ithaca, NY – The Haunt
Apr 09 – Brooklyn, NY – Rough Trade
Apr 13 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Tavern
Apr 14 – Columbus, OH – Woodlands Tavern
Apr 15 – Kalamazoo, MI – Shakespeare’s
Apr 16 – Chicago, IL – Tonic Room
Apr 21 – Fort Collins, CO – Hodi’s Half Note
Apr 22 – Denver, CO – Larimer Lounge
Apr 23 – Boulder, CO – The Lazy Dog
Apr 27 – Iowa City, IA – Yacht Club
Apr 28 – Grand Rapids, MI – Founders
Apr 29 – Lansing, MI – The Loft
Apr 30 – Erie, PA – Kings Rook Club

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[Electronic] Camikaze – Shadows feat. Zoe A’dore

Every so often you’ll come across a track that you know will be big for an artist. Regardless of whether they have two Soundcloud uploads or fifty, every successful name would have that one piece of work that allowed them to take the next step in their musical journey. Though Perth-based producer Camikaze is still a relatively new name on the scene, he has already shown flashes of potential with an official remix for fellow countrymen Peking Duk and their own career-defining release in ‘Say My Name’. While displaying aptitude is one thing, garnering attention is a whole different ballgame, but we could say with confidence that his debut single ‘Shadows’ is the song to do just that.

On first listen, it’s not hard to be captivated by the anthemic nature of the glorious percussive builds together with the gorgeous vocals of Zoe A’dore. Every step forward yields greater and greater anticipation until things climax in an incredible burst of swirling synths that could easily command the movements of an entire festival crowd. It’s a quality that owes itself to the truly unique nature of this tune and a sound that is truly inspired, yet free from any traces of trying to emulate something already established. That is what foretells success for both song and artist, and having already gained support from MrSuicideSheep and hundreds of thousands of streams to go with it, this one is well on its way to building something special for the young talent. Until that day comes, you can keep this on repeat through Spotify.

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[TMN Exclusive] Mitis Gets Personal About His Upcoming EP

Today is Mitis’ Birthday. Aside from it being the usual amount of special, Mitis wanted to add another layer of meaning by making a special announcement to his fans. There’s only a few things that can be said via a third party about what’s ahead in the very near future for this bass producer. First off, an EP is coming. Second, Mitis has already previewed a beautiful composition from the project recently, with only his birth date as the title. Well, that day has come and Mitis is ready to tell you just what is on the horizon. After you check out our mini-interview we had with him, make sure to head on over to his social media to get the full scoop of just what he has locked and loaded for his old, and new fans alike.

TMN: What’s this EP mean to you personally?

It reminds me to remember my roots, where I came from, and how I got where I am now.

TMN: What can we expect from this EP?

Melodic dubstep, trance, progressive house and maybe something else.

TMN: Do you see the Mitis project as taking it’s next step in its evolution forward with this EP & Birthday announcement?

I do! I think going back to writing melodic dubstep was really helpful in remembering how much I love writing it. I know fans have been asking for it for the past year or so, so it was time.

TMN: Is there anything in particular you’d like to tell fans about the EP?

Just get ready for some new MitiS and some familiar sounds.

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[Get Crunk] Friday Party Playlist (Vol 178)

Who’s ready for a whole lot of house? This Friday, we’re feeling the four-to-the-floor heat in all its glory. However, that doesn’t mean that we haven’t tossed in some cut time jams for you to get crunk to; it’s just, this week we pack on the house. From deep to electro, we’ve got some bumpin’ beats that are ready to make you get down. We know you need to let off some steam from the week, so don’t be afraid to #danceirresponsibly. You also don’t have to worry about shelling out some digital dough for these songs, as all twelve of them come to you with a charge of $0. You might have to spend some time to download them, but it’s the weekend, so you got time. Share this one around with your friends, or stay at home and party by yourself. Either way, just enjoy your decompression time!

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Three Years of Make It Funky: An Oral History [Event Preview + Interview]

As we kick off 2016, San Francisco’s local music scene finds itself in an interesting and exciting place. While the city is a guaranteed stop on any tour, the shifting culture and demographics have made homegrown music movements somewhat rare. Thankfully, though, there are a number of local promoters, brands and general music enthusiasts dedicated to maintaining and evolving SF’s distinct nightlife. The Make It Funky collective are one of several such culture drivers who we’ve had the pleasure of working with over the last year–SF Ninjas may remember our two collaborative showcases in 2015 at El Rio and Brick & Mortar Music Hall or our appearances on their BFF.fm radio show, which led to one of our own!

For the last three years, the collection of DJs and promoters have been bringing house, disco and funk vibes to San Francisco through their own sets and numerous renowned bookings from around the world.This Saturday (January 16th), the Make It Funky crew are celebrating their 3-year anniversary at Monarch with the help of UK-based disco connoisseur Ray Mang. To help you all prepare we’ve decided to revisit some of the most memorable moments of their run thus far. To get the scoop, we caught up with co-founders Michael Fortune (aka Fortune) and Mohit Kohli (OneMoHit). Flip through some epic and, at times hilarious, peaces of Make It Funky history and grab tickets for their upcoming show here.

The Roots: Santa Clara, LEVE1 & the ‘Don’t Bring Sand’ Party

Michael and Mohit have known each other their entire lives growing up together in Palo Alto, CA, but it wasn’t until they started at Santa Clara University that their passion for DJing and throwing parties truly materialized.

Michael: A lot of our friends at Santa Clara became friends through mutual music we listened to. Thinking back to how a lot of us met, music was definitely something that was at the center of a lot of our friendships.

Mohit: I think that common interest of music, going to shows and exploring genres combined with the scene in Santa Clara being as weak as it was made our friends Rick and Parker decide to take it into their own hands and start throwing parties. That’s how LEVE1 started. Our sophomore year, we threw our first party. It was in the back of some Indian restaurant in Santa Cruz (The 418 Project). Since it was in Santa Cruz, we called it ‘Don’t Bring Sand to the Beach.’ Somehow we convinced 200 people to come and party and rage for a night in Santa Cruz. I think we organized buses, the whole 9 yards. That was my first big party I had really been to house music wise.

Michael: That kicked off the inspiration for continuing LEVE1 and got everyone really excited about it. We had a lot of other friends who also got involved like the Wobbleheads, which consisted of my current roommate AJ Lopez and Mario Diaz. They started hosting “Thizzle Thursdays” at the local bars. We could tell there was something going on but we didn’t really know what it was at that point.

Mohit: By the time we graduated, we were in Club Illusions in Palo Alto (pictured at the top of the page). That year we brought AutoErotique and packed the place out. Those parties really got us inspired to keep it up when we moved to San Francisco.

We definitely wanted to keep that vibe going in the city.

Photo 1 by Luke Kantola; Photo 2 by Matthew Little

Move to SF: The Launch of Make It Funky, Tope Residency & ‘Pure Bliss’

Mohit: We moved up to the city at the end of 2012 and that’s basically when Make It Funky started. First party was at Tope Lounge, small little dive bar in North Beach, where we ended up playing at for about 2 years.

Michael: Yeah,they didn’t really know who we were. I think we had a friend who introduced us and was like, “Hey, you should give these guys a shot.” It had that feel that was reminiscent of what we were doing in college. We could take over the bar and make it our own. There weren’t a lot of parties where we could do what we want with our own group of friends. We were able to create that experience on a larger scale later in life. I felt like part of the appeal was like, “Oh, this is still our core group of friends. We’re still here.”
Michael: We had this one event, maybe 6 or 7 months into Tope, in the South Bay. It was our first big show around the time when Dirtybird was coming up. At the time we listened to a lot of electro. That’s when we were like, “Fuck dude, tech house is cool.” We booked both Christian Martin and Worthy to a club in Sunnyvale, CA where that kind of music wasn’t really happening. We had some other partners help us out, it was a big club and we looked up to the Dirtybird guys so we wanted to make sure we did a good job. The last openers were playing and someone spilled a drink into the mixer before Dirtybird could play.

Mohit: The equipment was swimming in a cocktail, dude.

Michael: Yeah, it was fucked. It was so bad. We were all freaking out like, “Can we fix it? The headliner hasn’t played. What are we going to do?” We look to see if the club has a back up mixer. No back up mixer. We’re like, “All right, fuck. This is bad. This is the biggest show we’ve attempted so far. Oh my God.” At the time, our friends were living at this house called Stucco which was known for having a lot of parties. We were like, “Alright. This is the one place where we could possibly have an after party and salvage this night.” We were sending all of our friends over to talk to Worthy and Christian. We had maybe 10 to 15 people go up to them and just repeat this message. Finally they agree to come. We had these Tiki torches lit up outside and had the garage set up with speakers.

Sure enough, Christian and Worthy show up to our 4 bedroom college house, in the garage. They basically played a set starting at like 3 in the morning that went until 5 AM. It was definitely one of the most epic nights we had.

Moving on Up: Fleet Week & Make It Funky’s First 1015 Folsom Show

Mohit: During Fleet Week, one of Fortune’s friends let us take over his rooftop right by Fisherman’s Wharf and throw these 2 parties 2 years in a row. We just lit the place up. We had the planes flying over. There was a full 360 view of Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge, Downtown, all the water. It was crazy. The second year of throwing the party was way larger than the first, which I think made him a bit nervous to continue the event. I think he was out of town this year but hopefully we can have it again next year! The second time we did that party, we booked DJ Dials and that led to our first gig at 1015. That was definitely a big step for us. 1015 is a staple in SF. That brought us a lot of other cool connections and parties we’ve been able to throw.

Photos by Nha Ha

Bringing in the Legends: Jesse Saunders

Mohit: Around the same time as 1015, we booked Jesse Saunders. He was our first international touring DJ we booked. He’s the originator of the house sound from Chicago. It was cool to meet him. He dropped some knowledge on us, we chopped it up a little bit with him and heard some stories from back in the days.

Closing out the Tope Residency with a Pizza-less Pizza Party

Mohit: Our last few parties at Tope were late-night food themed. The first one was called “Late night taquitos”. We legit bought 60-70 taquitos from Safeway, cooked them up a couple hours before and brought these huge pans of taquitos. People actually ate them and were in love with them so I think it was a good idea. Then, since it was so successful, a full year later we tried to do a late night pizza party and we forgot to order pizza. Just straight up forgot to order.

Michael: We got way too drunk.

Mohit: We’re at the bar just kicking it and I’m just like, “We forgot to get the pizza dude.” The party ended shortly thereafter.

Bleezies & Heem: Bay to Breakers Party

Mohit: We started doing the Bay to Breakers parties in 2013. We take over Bunny Meadow right off the main race path at Golden Gate Park. The first year, only a small crew of our friends came by. Then the next year it grew to this huge 100, 200 person crowd that eventually got broken up by the police, but they were super chill about it. Then the last year, almost the entire meadow was packed. It went on for a good amount of time considering we had no permits or anything like that. It was called Bleezies & Heem.

Into the Future: BPM Festival & 3-Year Anniversary

Last week, Make It Funky’s Fortune and Jay Handles made it out to Mexico to play Mioli Music‘s showcase during the legendary BPM Festival and this weekend, of course, is the crew’s 3-Year Anniversary party which promises to be an unforgettable night. Looking forward, they’ll also be spinning at a sold out show in the upcoming Noise Pop Festival supporitng Kamasi Washington.

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