um.. Discuss Icon Collective, Dogs, and Their New EP [TMN RESIDENCY INTERVIEW]

TMN:Thanks for taking some time to sit down with us and for coming on board as our resident artist for this month. We’re stoked to feature you guys. Let’s talk about your latest EP, which is your second to date. Can fans expect what they’ve come to know and love, or are you guys switching things up at all?

Ben: I feel like it’s sort of both. I feel like we’ve never really stayed the same, as an artist. So, I feel like they’re expecting something different.

Dylan: It definitely sounds like us, but no song really sounds the same. So, it will be a good variety of new, better sounding stuff.

TMN: You’re also doing a tour in support of the EP, hitting up a few east coast and a few west coast spots. In three words, tell fans what’s in store.

Ben: Only three words?

Dylan (higher): For the Kids.

TMN: You guys have a beautiful balance with your music. It’s chaotic, experimental, but all comes together in a highly addicting experience. How did you initially start out with this sound?

Dylan: I think we got a lot of inspiration from Carmack and Penthouse Penthouse.

Ben: And King’s Supreme.

Dylan: We started down that route and we had some cool tracks that we were ready to put out. Then, we realized we could do better and developed a more complex sound. It’s evolved into really detailed music.

Ben: We started out kinda playful, seeing what weird sounds we could make music out of – like animals and babies. We found our groove in making our own sounds and now we can use whatever sound we want. We’re not trying to be funny about it anymore.

TMN: You utilize so many different sounds in unique ways. How do you go about crafting your samples?

Ben : Sometimes we’ll be writing a song and we think it would be cool to have this kind of sound. Then we go on the internet and find it, play with it a little bit, and then we also have a few random folders of sounds. There’s not much direction. We’re usually just messing around until something cool happens.

TMN: Are you recording any of your own?

Dylan: We’ve recorded sounds in the past. We’ll do it again soon, but mostly, for now, they’re sounds we’ll find online. We have an audio processing we’ll go back to, which makes it sound like us.

Ben: I would say that most of the sounds we start with – you can’t really tell what they are by the time we put the song out. We could have started with pretty much anything, and until we tell you what it was, you wouldn’t really know.

TMN: Going back even further, you guys are both products of the Icon Collective. Talk to us a little bit about your experience there.

Dylan: I went to Icon without any production knowledge, at all. Getting to go to a place like that, where you’re learning so much from not even just teachers, but the kids around you and all your friends is a pretty invaluable experience. You can’t really put it into words. It’s a one-in-a-million kind of place for learning music production.

Ben: When I went to Icon, I had already gone to Berklee College of Music and studied electronic music production, so I kind of already knew what I was doing. For me, Icon was a really great place to start living in LA because of all these people with a similar mindset. Whenever you go out there are like three or four Icon kids. And, we can always go back there. It’s an awesome community. I’ve always told people, if you’re taking music production seriously, you should go to Icon. If you don’t do that for yourself, you’re kind of shooting yourself in the foot.

Dylan: Just to add to that, we’ve been making all of our music there for two years now.

Ben: They have a graduate studio, and we live right down the street. We usually get four to eight hours a week. It’s pretty much the only place we work because we’re so used to it, and we don’t have to pay for it.

TMN: That’s amazing that they continue to support you, even after you’ve graduated.

Dylan: They’re really good people. All the staff pay attention to the students and actually care.

Ben: And, we met at Icon. um.. Wouldn’t exist without Icon.

TMN: You have a Spotify playlist coming soon that features artists that inspire you. Without giving away the farm, can you share just one with us?

Ben : Probably Tennyson. They’re teenagers from Canada that make awesome jazz electronic fusion music. It’s really next level. I’ve never heard anything that good. Like, ever. They’re a pretty big inspiration for us.

Dylan: If you haven’t heard them, I definitely recommend checking them out. They’re incredibly good in every aspect.

TMN: Your branding really stands out. From your song naming to your social media. Is that a persona you guys developed or is it somewhat on par with one or both of you personally? Or are you purposefully crafting the voice of um..

Ben: It’s kind of a combination. We’re not really that silly of people, but we’re trying to be funny, I guess.

Dylan: It’s in line with our sense of humor, definitely. Everybody has days where they feel differently, but we have to remember that we can’t just go off and be completely different. That’s where we’re kind of crafting the voice.

Ben: I had other projects before um.. and I always thought that branding yourself as an artist was contradictory to art. It shouldn’t be like a static project. It should always be evolving. So, I thought brands were silly. So, it’s sort of our play at a serious brand. We’re doing the branding stuff, in a really silly way.

TMN: We couldn’t help but notice a heavy presence of dogs all throughout your brand. Your cover photos. Your replies back to fans on Facebook. What is that all about?

Ben: (Laughs) I mean, we really like dogs. A lot of our income, besides shows, comes from dogsitting. Which, is not related at all. That happened after we started. But, dogs are a really big part of internet humor and we think it’s funny.

Dylan: (Laughs) We really like dogs.

Ben: There’s no rhyme or reason to it.

TMN: Also, how many dogs do you personally own? We saw quite a few on your Instagram. Are those mostly ones you dog-sit?

Ben (deeper): We’re just dogsittin’. I actually just got a job at this lady’s house and there are like 10 dogs there. It’s like a dog hotel. It’s tight.

TMN: We typically ask, “if your music were an animal, what would it be?” We probably already know how you’ll answer, so we’ll go one level deeper. If your music were one particular breed of dog, what would it be?

Ben: Oh, jeez.

Dylan: A pug or something, where his eyes are fucked up and looking different ways.

TMN: You could also cross breeds too. There aren’t any rules here.

Dylan: Pugs are the ones with messed up eyes, right?

Ben: Maybe a little Pomeranian. Wait, maybe a blend of every breed. We’re a mutt.

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

The first day coming off a 3 day weekend is never easy. It sucks actually. But, let’s focus on the positive. It’s a short week and it’s Tuesday. And what’s good about Tuesdays? Well, a brand new Indie Dojo of course. Hopefully, it will help ease in to the week a little easier.

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PLAZA – Blood Orange [TMN PREMIERE]

As someone who regularly switches back and forth between dreamy indie rock and surging, progressive post-metal, PLAZA instantly found a place in my heart with only one trip through their latest offering. Without knowing much about these four, young lads, my first impression was that I was happily enjoying another group offering up 80s Dream Wave-influenced indie rock. However, “Blood Orange” offers up so much more than that.

If you haven’t heard of PLAZA just yet, don’t worry. You’re still coming on board pretty early, considering that they only have one release prior to today’s premiere. That one release did turn some heads, though, catching nods from BBC Radio 1, Radio X and Amazing Radio. So, it’s safe to say that you, and the rest of the music-loving world, will be hearing much more.

As mentioned above, “Blood Orange” goes beyond those swoon-inducing vocals and sonic, calculated guitar work. Intertwined with those hip-swaying, head-nodding verses you’ll find absolutely brilliant, frenetic bouts of energy worthy of a comparison to acts like Mogwai and Russian Circles.

If you’re feeling this tune and find yourself in one of the cities below, we highly recommend heading out and catching a live show. We know we would if it weren’t for the costly plane ticket and accommodations that it would require.

LIVE DATES:

June 13th – Maguire’s Pizza Bar, LIVERPOOL
June 14th – The Victoria, LONDON
June 15th -Koh Tao, MANCHESTER
June 16th – The Rocking Chair, SHEFFIELD
June 17th – The Packhorse, LEEDS
June 18th – Westgarth Social Club, MIDDLESBOROUGH
June 23rd – Lisbon-Upon-Tyne, NEWCASTLE (Boat Party s/ Lisbon)
August 20th – The Water Rats, LONDON (AMBY Summer Showcase)

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Amaroun – Fear [TMN VIDEO PREMIERE]

Following an impressive debut release, London-based Alt-folk singer/songwriter Amaroun continues to rouse tastemakers and music fans alike with another soulful offering. “Fear” released about a month ago and it’s as dreamy and powerful as the preceding “Bedbugs,” yet showcases another side to her developing musical persona. Gone are the wavering guitar chords and rolling percussion, and in their place, we’re embraced by layers of warm, buzzing synths. Though, as different as they are, each soundscape provides a completely unique, yet perfect backdrop for her pleasantly unconventional and highly addicting voice.

Today’s premiere brings a visual adaptation of “Fear,” which comes via Cardiff-based designer Jaron Lionel. Utilizing elements of Amaroun’s profile intertwined with creative animation breathes a completely different view of the track, leaving us completely entranced for the duration

If you’re feeling the combination of Amaroun’s unique vocals and animated story below, make sure you keep tabs on each and every new release. As they release throughout the coming months, they’ll be accompanied by an animated video, telling its story in an abstract fashion.

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Saturday Selection Vol. 8

Long weekends are way more exciting than they should be. That’s alright though, because we’re back with more tunes from this week! And what a week it was. May has been an absolutely absurd month of quality releases. Let’s hope it stays this way for a while. Enjoy!

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As life rushes around and flies by, stress can pile up without you even noticing. Take some time to alleviate it with the newest ambient tune from Brandon Locher. The warmth of “Slow Steps” juggles an ominous, yet comforting atmosphere with an orchestral presence to give the tune a movie score feel. You’ll feel immersed into a different world as soon as you hit play. Given the chance, that’s all we really want to do at a certain point, so enjoy this one when you’re feeling the need to hit the reset button after a long week.

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Manila Killa has always managed to create music that instantly improves your day. Between Hotel Garuda and this solo project, he never loses his stride, and the Satica-featuring “Youth” adds another definitive tune to his arsenal. With so many variations of pop music, it gets a little strenuous to pin down an exact style for it, but we wouldn’t want to do that anyway. What we do know is the approach Manila Killa and Moving Castle are taking is equally accessible and compelling, marking a shift into a new wave of genre blending.

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After what seemed like a long silence, EMBRZ returned to our SoundCloud feed five months ago with the beautiful “Home.” Now we have the equitably gorgeous “Breathe” gracing our ears. Shifting from his usual beat-driven and chilled-out creations, this Irish producer breaks out into his own take on deep house. There’s more to “Breath” than what that genre usually entails, and a major part of that lies with Pat Byrne’s vocals. Taking a path of four on the floor mixed with somber synths may be a switch up for EMBRZ, but he’s demonstrated that he can create something magnificent no matter the style.

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Following up the massive hit that is “Blue Lights,” Jorja Smith is back with a reflective and soulful mindset. “Where Did I Go?” exercises restraint production-wise to allow Jorja’s vocals to serenade us into a calm demeanor while her lyrics express a sense of vulnerability coupled with contemplation. Without any hesitation, we can say that Jorja Smith deserves all of your attention and then some. Even with only two (known) songs released at the moment, enough statements have been made with this pair of stellar tunes to merit Jorja as a potential breakout artist for this year. We’ll just have to wait and see!

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This remix gave us shivers. Not only from the already emotional Crywolf lyrics, but also from the careful and calculated transformation that Elénne was sure to masterfully orchestrate. “Cataclasm” was an amazing album from front to back, so reshaping and providing a new context for it is a tall order. Elénne is more than qualified to tackle “Slow Burn,” and we got this wonderful remix as a result. Whether or not you were planning on experiencing a cascade of feelings today, listening to this amazing rendition of Crywolf will do it to you. Enjoy that. It’s a good thing.

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[Event Review] Project Pabst: Denver

While the influx of major brands into all sectors of independent art over the past decade or so has certainly seen a large swath of fans and critics let out a collective groan; it is events like Project Pabst that at least let us know that some corporations are putting their efforts in the right places. Last Saturday, a pair of us Ninjas set out into one of Denver’s most diversely beautiful neighborhoods, The Five Points/RiNo Arts District (which was conveniently also this writer’s own hood) to enjoy one of the more eclectically diverse days of music we’ve consumed in the Centennial State in years.

We arrived fresh on a sweltering afternoon just in time to see Brooklyn synth-pop outfit Small Black, who if you’ve followed us for some time, know we have developed quite the soft spot for -especially after playing our Halloween TMN Showcase last year. The four-piece paced the day wonderfully, ranging their sound from wistful electro-indie-pop, to chillwave, to lofi 80’s pop, and all of those murky spaces in between. After running through a slate of singles off of last year’s LP Best Blues, Small Black arced their set brilliantly, landing upon their shining star “No Stranger” to wrap up an hour-long set.

Check out the rest of our Project Pabst: Denver review after the jump!

Next up on the aptly titled ‘Laser Horse’ stage was TMN regular, dance music darling and all-around bad-ass cypher mutilator, K. Flay. Accompanied by one live drummer -who kept pace on K’s wonky, two-step beats like a surgeon- K.Flay sparked the still expanding crowd with a crisply curated set including staples like the Louis the Child feature “It’s Strange” and her viral web smash “FML”. It’s great to see K. Flay’s stage presence and command improve with every outing, and the Stanford U grad more than got things moving on a balmy Denver afternoon.

As temperatures continued to climb, standing on top of the anthracite asphalt became less and less appealing. So after a quick PBR refuel, (yes, we were all the way in at this point) this writer took in one of the most frenetic 30 minutes of music the whole day at Baroness. The Georgia based metal outfit would have quite literally torn the roof off of the venue had we not been outside, and powered through an exhibition of raw, thrashy ferocity and measured, artistic mastery of their instruments. As this writer’s first live Baroness experience, those five or six tunes, which included their Purple LP anthem “Shock Me”, certainly surpassed even my own expectations.

From there, another excellently curated change of pace was in order in the form of Mississippi born rapper and producer Big K.R.I.T. Now let’s be real. One does not simply attend a Big K.R.I.T. show based off of his artistic merit. No friends, it’s a damn party when K.R.I.T. wields the mic like a weapon, and the fluid linguist rocked through a mid-day set that gave us all a chance to get our lean on. From there it was a bit of a blur as we hopped around between L.A. garage-punks FIDLAR and Canadian noise-rock outfit METZ who were playing in the muggy Larimer Lounge; which was housing the true hardcores for much of the day.

This was by far the rowdiest stretch of the day, so after a brief respite in the PBR-Cade (stop it, stop it), it was time for this writer to relive some of life’s earliest music memories with The Violent Femmes.

First things first, the Femmes have still got it in regards to live musical performance. Their music has always transcended time; hell “Blister In The Sun”, which still sounds like an angsty L.A. indie troupe could have written and released it in present day, came out over 30 years ago in 1983. Somehow their early  90’s attire which included some pretty sweet cargo shorts made their performance even more endearing, and luckily for us, all the hits were accounted for. “Gone Daddy Gone”, “Add It Up”, “American Music”, “Kiss Off”; hit after hit The Violent Femmes held up their end of the bargain and played the set we’d all hoped for. With the full backing of a complete jazz band, The Femmes shut their set down to perhaps the biggest collective crowd of the day.

After a quick jaunt back down Larimer Street, it was time for California pop-rock sweethearts Best Coast. Originally, Project Pabst’s lineup had featured Courtney Barnett, however after a last-minute call-up to the big leagues as Saturday Night Live’s performer du jour, Bethany Cosentino and Co. were flown in to keep things going. Although self-admittedly they’d not played since February, and took a few songs to get their feet back under them, Best Coast hit their stride about halfway through their hour long block. Cosentino’s stage presence fumbled a few times, but dammit if her grace and effervescent aura didn’t make up for every minor stumble of mouth. While their material may be slightly deeper than surface level, cookie-cutter pop; Best Coast always provide their audience with the kind of sing-songy longing we held onto in our preteen years. Not to mention, she reached out and touched this writer’s hand and I may or may not have kept it unwashed for a few days…. Anyhow, where were we?

We wrapped our day with local boys turned international darlings, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats. While we’re not trying to toor our own proverbial horn, we’ve had the pleasure of catching Nathaniel and his band of Mile-High misfits probably close to twenty times over the years of covering Denver music, so while we dearly do love those boys, it was time to wind things down and listen to the rest of their set from the comfort of our own apartment patio.

All in all, the big-wigs at PBR pulled off a beautiful ‘relevance-meets-nostalgia’ vibe on their Denver stop, and with everything being just a few blocks from home, it’s safe to say we may have found a new favorite day amongst Denver’s bustling event schedule.

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY & COPYRIGHT OF AUBRA TIDWELL FOR THE MUSIC NINJA

 

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[Get Crunk] Friday Party Playlist (Vol 197)

Another week has gone by and we’ve reached most people’s favorite day of the week, Friday. This Friday is special in particular because it kicks off Memorial Day Weekend. Before you all head out and get your party on, we wanted to share with you some of our favorite free downloads from the week that will be perfect for both your traveling, and your partying. This week we collected twelve tracks from some incredibly talented producers including JKRS, Rich James, Wildfellaz, Subsurge, Krumm and more. From future to techno to hybrid trap, we’ve got you covered with just a handful of the best freebies we could find. Check them all out, stream or download them, but most importantly, stay safe; but don’t forget to #danceirresponsibly.

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[House] Majestic & That Guy – My Boo 2016

Everybody knows of the Running Man Challenge. It’s one of the more viral things on the internet right now. Instead of bringing Ghost Town DJ’s song into 2016 by way of a silly video, Majestic and That Guy decided they were going to flip the track.

The two acts infused a bit more of a house-friendly groove into the song with their interpretation. We still get the memorable lyrics, and then we get some fun-loving piano chords along with small accompaniment that fills out the composition.”My Boo 2016″ has already received support from BBC 1Xtra, as well as several other DJs. Majestic & That Guy cashed in on flipping a great song that has had a ton of social media steam lately. There have been some remixes of this song coming out, but this is easily one of the better ones you are going to find. Random Mandem and New State Music partnered up to release this remix. Check it out now and maybe film your own Running Man Challenge video!

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[House] Icarus – Home EP + Remixes

On February 1st of this year, the English act Icarus came out with the bustling single “Home” that featured vocalist AURORA. Together these two musical talents created a memorable record that is still getting its fair share of love all around the world from fans and Djs alike. Now, we have some remixes of “Home” that are just as powerful.

Four remixes were put together, with Icarus calling in some interesting producers to re-shape “Home” into something new. The first remix on the EP comes to us from Kölsch, a Denmark creator who really offered up something interesting with his take on the record. It’s not just any old average electronic remix. The same can be said about Lane 8’s remix, however this flip is a bit more deep and accessible to a wide variety of listeners. Humans & Machines keep the deep house vibes rolling with their remix that is one of the most club-friendly remixes on the project. The only other one that can rival it’s dance-centric tone is Dave Dresden’s edit that brings a bit more of a progressive mood to the track, but still keeps things with the underground sound, rather than opting for the mainstage, festival style. Check out all of the remixes and head over to iTunes to get a copy of the original and remix EP.

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[60s Soul] Ethan Burns – Homeward

We’re always enamoured when artists decide to dedicate themselves to sounds and styles of past decades. From Michael Kiwanuka, to Nick Waterhouse, to Leon Bridges, we’ve loaded up our playlists with acts like these time and time again. Today, we gleefully get to add another gem into the mix.

At first, you may think you’re enjoying a retro soul track from long before you’re born. You’re definitely not, but that should say something about the level of talent and attention to detail in this debut release from LA-based Ethan Burns. Ethan’s voice drips with a gorgeous authenticity, one which very few have or can even come close to pulling off. It’s gritty, yet refined, leaving us unable to do anything but grin ear-to-ear, feverishly looking hitting play over and over again.

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[House] Fabich x Ferdinand Weber – Somewhere

As soon as Thursday rolls around, we begin to turn our attention towards the weekend, anxiously awaiting a few days of pure freedom. Along with those end-of-the-week warm ‘n fuzzies, we also find ourselves manically ushering groovy dance tunes, just like this one.

Dropping last week on Majestic Casual, “Somewhere” brings the proper amount of melodic soul and energy that’s perfect for the start of a dance-filled weekend. We wouldn’t expect much less from two of our favorite German producers, as we’ve come to love pretty much everything Fabich and Ferdinand Weber release. This time around, though, we’re lucky enough to have both of them on the same track, showcasing both of their styles in one sitting.

“Somewhere” is the type of track that can be applied in multiple situations. The deep and soulful nature makes it perfect to have on while you’re chilling at home, enjoying your favorite adult beverage. On the other hand, the energetic piano melody and luscious bassline will definitely be appreciated as you boogie across the dancefloor.

Whatever situation you find yourself in, make sure to add this little gem to your weekend playlists on Soundcloud or Spotify.

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[Drum & Bass] Arctic Lake – Heal Me (SpectraSoul Remix)

We never really need any additional reasons to enjoy some gorgeous liquid drum & bass, but with the looming, blackish, grey clouds slowly wrapping around the Mile High City, we found ourselves yearning for something exactly like this remix of “Heal Me.”

Originally crafted by up-and-coming, London-based electronic pop act Arctic Lake, this tune was already rooted in a layered, melodic soundscape, coupled with stunning vocals. It seems only natural that they would look to have a top-notch drum & bass outfit take a crack at it, which is why they brought in the well-established SpectraSoul.

The end result is an uplifting listening experience that features appropriately upbeat percussion and beautifully drawn out breakdowns. Fans of the original still have plenty to call back on those fond memories of the original, but will now have an entirely new way to enjoy them.

This top notch offering from both acts should leave you looking for the repeat button. If you’re anything like us, you’ll happily oblige.

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[Artist Residency] um.. drops a collection of “Music We Like”

For our next portion of um..’s Residency, we’re shining a spotlight on their recently released Spotify playlist, which is aptly titled “Music We Like.” If you’re expecting to hear a handful of only experimental, industrial, and heavy bass tracks, you’re in for quite the surprise. The collection definitely has some of those scattered throughout, but also includes some RnB, mainstream rap, and even some classical.

We asked them to talk to us about a few of their selections, which they, of course, responded in a way we would only expect from Ben and Dylan.

Tennyson – For You : This song is good to listen to when you’re good for listening to this song.

X&G – Whiplash ft. Josh Pan : This song is tight. When you listen you can tell it’s tight.

Rae Sremmurd – No Flex Zone : When you’re trying to get in the zone but you can’t flex. That’s how you know.

Howard Shore – Concerning Hobbits : 5/7 perfect song. I shore hope he doesn’t like jokes about oranges.

Caspa – Well Ard ft. The Others : If you real and you know it raise your fist. Put it down now, you real.

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AWAL – 4K Mix [TMN Exclusive]

To celebrate 4,000 followers on Soundcloud, AWAL partnered with us for something special. Alex Walsh, otherwise known by his previously mentioned stage name, has put out a free hour long mix for his old, and new fans to enjoy.

After kicking things off with quite an epic Star Wars introduction, we get hit after hit with records from the likes of Skrillex, Meaux Green, Convex, RL Grime and of course, AWAL. He even throws a few unreleased records in the mix to tease what he has up his sleeve for the future. If you’re a basshead, then you are going to like what this mix has to offer, and if you like some trapstyle vibes as well, then you won’t get much better than this exclusive mixtape. AWAL is in the early stages of a fruitful career in music if he can keep up his momentum. The production and mixing skills are there, so it’s just a matter of time before more fans hop on board. Check out the full mix, download it, but most importantly make sure to follow AWAL.

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40 Songs to Prepare for Sasquatch! 2016 [Festival Preview + Playlist]

Over the last few years, Memorial Day Weekend for us has become synonymous with Washington’s Sasquatch! Music Festival–you can take a look back at our review from last year to get a sense of just how much we love it. The 4-day event separates itself from other major festivals by offering a one-of-a-kind backdrop overlooking the Columbia River Gorge and being just far enough in the boonies that all attendees camp together. That combination makes for a more communal experience while offering some relief from common festival-goer complaints. In its second year back to 4 days, Sasquatch! presents one of its most unique lineups to date shedding light on local Seattle musicians early in the day while bringing the headliners everyone has come to expect (aside from The Cure!) to take on the evening performances. While late sets from the likes of Jamie xx, Disclosure and Major Lazer jump out as major electronic acts, the daytime seems more focused more on indie rock / pop and hip-hop, which should fit a sunny day in the Gorge perfectly.

To help all our Sasquatch Ninjas prepare, we’ve put together a 40-song playlist highlighting 10 acts for each day of the festival. Whether or not you’ll be at the Gorge this year, we hope you discover some new artists in here–we certainly did in putting it together. If you do make it out, look for the dude with the most colorful shorts and come say what’s up!

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Purity Ring – Sea Castle

Day 4

The Internet – Just Sayin / I Tried

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[MP3 Playlist] Indie Dojo (May 2016 Round #3)

The days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer & the Indie Dojos are building quite the collection for your future summer soundtrack.

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[Trap] TastyTreat – Wayward EP

Ever since we heard TastyTreat were releasing an EP on Buygore, we have been extremely excited. We were teased with the collaborative single, “My Crew” with Malcom Anthony, and now our fiendish appetite for more has been satisfied by the other two records.

If you didn’t catch “My Crew” when we posted it previously, don’t fret, as we have it for you below. All you need to know about that one is that it is hotter than a fevered volcano. But before you get to “My Crew” you have to go through “Ascension” which is just as hot, or even hotter. “Ascension” has some ravishing bass sounds that are going to melt your ears, and get your body grooving. It’s not just a banger, it’s a dance-able hit record that has immense depth and energy. To close the EP, TastyTreat delivered their collaboration with YLTI and Gino Diggs called “Struggle.” The only struggle you’ll enter into with this one is trying not to throw this one on repeat. Hip-Hop is an influence that the duo has in their tracks, but here they were able to go full hip-hop and smash it. The Wayward EP is more than we even hoped for, and we hope it satisfies you as much as it did us. If it did, head on over to Beatport for a copy.

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[Future/Trap] DEVAULT – Right With You / Closer EP

DEVAULT has been absolutely destroying the remix game. Few up and coming producers can touch the stuff he has been putting out. With that said, we’ve been desiring some originals from him, and now we have not one, but two original works.

DEVAULT dropped two singles through Trap Nation that, for all intents and purposes, are an EP. The double single release is made up of “Right With You” and “Closer.” Each track shows off the producer’s prowess in the hybrid future game. Both singles share a familiar, glorious tone that feels larger than life. “Right With You” has a bit more groove and pop to it, making it a bit more accessible, but “Closer” is an undeniably powerful track. These two singles are a one, two punch knockout that has more force than you’d even expect from a talent like DEVAULT. Stream them now, and then when you’re done, head over to iTunes to get both records.

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Elonious X Alexa Lusader X The Vizzion – BLVRD [TMN Premiere]

If you enjoyed Boom Boom Snare Pt. I, then Boom Boom Snare Pt. II is going to be a godsend. That’s right, Elonious is back with another EP that is even better than the last, which is saying a lot. The EP is due out very soon, but us here at The Music Ninja had the privilege of getting our hands on “BLVRD” for your to listen to early in this premiere.

“BLVRD” isn’t an Elonious exclusive, rather, it’s a collaboration with the artists Alexa Lusader and The Vizzion. What we love about this song is that it’s not really like anything else. The smooth mixture of sounds makes for a captivating listen that seduces you from start to finish. The obvious ingredients to the song are R&B and future, but even that doesn’t blanket the range that this single has. It’s dynamic, fresh and so much more. Each artist shines in their own way, making this a special song. “BLVRD” is due out on Boom Boom Snare Pt. II, but an early listen wasn’t enough, so Elonious is dishing this one out for free.

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[Hip-Hop] Joey Purp – GIRLS @ (ft. Chance the Rapper)

Happy Saturday ninjas! We’re sure many of you are still in the process of coming out of your sleep comas as you take advantage of your obligation-free day. Allow us to expedite that process with Joey Purp’s latest, “Girls @” which features the oh so familiar vocals of Chance The Rapper.

Before we dive into the nitty gritty of the tracks awesomeness, we must forewarn you that this one deserves some quality sound system love. But regardless of how good the speakers, “Girls @” is unarguably going to get your body grooving and your blood pumping.

Fostering an undeniably sexy beat that seamlessly molds around the flow of Joey and Chances’ lyrics, this release is going to become your go-to “get into the party mood” jam. In addition you’ll find that “Girls @” is going to be your latest song addiction. In other words, it’s the track that is going to be put on repeat for 2 weeks straight while you insist that the driver has to forfeit the aux cord for you.

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Mix Fox – How We Roll Music Video [TMN Premiere]

On June 22nd, XXL magazine will be issuing a Freshman edition that is going to highlight some up and coming talent. One of those emcees that will be featured is Mix Fox. We have the pleasure of hosting Mix Fox’s newest project, an official music video for his single “How We Roll,” as a premiere in the dojo.

“How We Roll” has been released by Soundlink Records and is currently available on iTunes. With the song we get a shaded, minimalist beat whose vibe sets the tone for a low-key party track. Nothing is over-the-top with this tasteful instrumental, and Mix Fox’s rhymes are fast and ferocious. With the music video, instead of getting a first-person point of view, we follow the front of Mix Fox as he performs the song throughout a house party. It’s an interesting flip that makes for a cool visual counterpart. There’s also a guy in a banana costume following the rapper around with a boombox, so you know it’s good. Check it out below, and get ready for more work soon from Mix Fox.

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Saturday Selection Vol. 7

This week has been slow. Very much so, in fact. We’ve got some tunes today that reflect that feeling and it’s a nice little switch-up from our previous installments. A trace of soul, melodic ambience, and gorgeous piano-driven pop are the high points of the week, so let’s go ahead and listen in.

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Few are smoother than Jordan Rakei. It’s no surprise he has worked with Tom Misch previously, and “Blame It On The Youth” is a prime example of that. Four on the floor kicks, strutting basslines, and a silky voice all work together in harmony on this short, but sweet cut that precedes his upcoming album, Cloak. If this tickles your fancy, you’re going to want to keep an eye out for that project. Bump this one to hold yourself over in the mean time.

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When you need to clear your mind and float away without a second thought, Izzard has you covered. The Soda Island affiliate should be scoring movies and video games by this point, because, within every release, a world is created. It’s tough to bottle it up in such a succinct manner, but Izzard’s work is something to be experienced, not simply listened to. It’s amazing how much emotion can be discovered with no lyrics at all. “Ghost Naps” prove this with aplomb.

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As played out as the term “future” may be to some people, sometimes it’s the only fitting definition for certain electronic music. POLO‘s style of rapid-fire and pitched samples speed over the massive drums and thundering bass to exemplify a sound that isn’t roped into any one particular genre. Exploring something as wild as this is always a good choice because you’re hearing something complete fresh. From the structure to the progression to the My Chemical Romance sample (listen carefully, you’ll hear it), POLO really is here to have a good time making crazy stuff. We’re here for this. Don’t miss it!

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“Guru” will put a smile on your face. That’s basically a guarantee. Meshing pop, electronic, and a slight bit of reggae, Coast Modern has essentially just soundtracked part of your summer already, and it isn’t even June! It’s getting time to bust out the refreshing drinks on the beach and/or poolside, and this tune is tailor-made for all of these settings. Everyone needs a feel good song at SOME point. “Guru” is a great place to start with the weather warming up in the near future. Throw on your sunglasses and enjoy.

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Get your tissues ready. It’s no secret that Luke Cusato. “Breathe” is beautiful. There’s not another word for it. Swelling orchestral elements bolster the powerful piano and lift Luke’s voice into an celestial fervor. When you get chills on the first listen of a song, you know something special is happening, and “Breathe” hits all of the right spots without any semblance of artificiality. Thank you for this one, Luke Cusato.

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[Get Crunk] Friday Party Playlist (Vol 196)

Are you ready for some moombahton? How about some heavy hybrid? We have both of those and more in this week’s Friday Party Playlist. As usual, we have collected some of our favorite free downloads from the week that also happen to pack a punch in the pre-game and party atmospheres that you will find yourself in this weekend. Even if you’re not out with some friends at a social gathering, that doesn’t mean you can’t party by yourself with these twelve tracks. Some of our favorite artists including Fight Clvb, 8Er$, and Eliminate can be found here, along with many other talented artists. Check out each release, download the ones you like, and make sure to #danceirresponsibly this weekend.

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[Giveaway] Wolfgang Gartner – Beta Nightclub – 5/26

It’s been quite some time since we’ve been able to indulge in an evening of electro house with the legendary Wolfgang Gartner. Undoubtedly one of our favorite performers, he’s been tucked away from the limelight, taking a break from the industry and working on his stunning 2nd EP, 10 Ways To Steal Home Plate.

With that new album comes a collection of shows across the US, including our hometown favorite, Beta Nightclub. As you already know, we’re often down on 19th and Blake quite often, so we’ve teamed up with Beta and Wolfgang’s team to offer up a chance to win two tickets to his show on May 26th.

Entering is pretty damn simple. Just hook up a few follows through our contest app below.

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[Denver Event Preview] Project Pabst – RiNo Arts District – 5/21

Already an established and highly praised festival in Portland, Project Pabst is set to touch down for its first ever stop in Denver, and we’re chomping at the bit for their all-day lineup featuring the likes of TMN Favorites Best Coast, Small Black (who headlined one of our TMN Showcase parties back on Halloween), K. Flay, and local Denverites turned national darlings Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats; along with classic staples including the Violent Femmes, Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires and loads more across seven stages on Saturday, May 21st in Denver’s booming and eclectic RiNo Arts District. We’ve been watching Project Pabst pick up steam as it nears closer and closer, and with the announcement yesterday that all tickets have now been sold out, it’s shaping up to be a beast of a day for music in the Mile High City.

In anticipation of this weekend’s Denver debut of Project Pabst, check out our playlist below featuring some of our favorite tunes from each headliner, start hydrating, and put aside your beer snobbery before loading your system with cheap domestic beer in the greatest craft-brew city in the U.S. We’ll be out in full force all day tomorrow, so keep your eyes peeled for our post-event review, and get in the spirit a little early with our official Project Pabst Preview Playlist (say that five times fast) below.

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Mura Masa, NAO and Bonzai @ The Independent–SF, 5/12 [Event Review]

I can remember pretty distinctly when my enchantment with Mura Masa’s music began—specifically the first time I heard “…Girl.” That piano-driven, trap-influenced beauty served as an ample intro to his intricate production style but it really only scratched the surface of what was to come. His 2014 debut album Soundtrack to a Death, a collection of dynamic beats, cemented his status as one of the most exciting electronic artists out–seamlessly fusing the enormity of trap percussion with fluttering instrumentation and chopped vocal samples.

While that first project captured the bloggers and electronic music enthusiasts, it was Mura Masa’s Someday Somewhere EP that, with the help of a diverse set of collaborators, catapulted his notoriety among casual fans and the biggest producers in the game alike. Since that release, he’s launched Anchor Point Records his own label that’s already brought us fantastic projects from Bonzai and Jadu Heart.

In San Francisco, it’s common to discover an artist on Soundcloud and find them on a show flier within a few months. In the case of Mura Masa, though, the wait for a live performance felt like an eternity—spanning almost three years. Having checked literally hundred of artists off of the must-see list in that time, it would be a massive understatement to say we were excited as we walked into The Independent to see the 20-year-old phenom perform alongside Bonzai and NAO. So, if you’re wondering why this article is so long it’s probably because we’ve been waiting for so long to write it.

Bonzai

Equally stoked for the openers, we made sure to catch the first set from Irish vocalist and producer, Bonzai, who’s Sleepy Hungry EP is one of the most boldly creative projects of 2016. Backed by a single band member on the electronic drum pads, Bonzai’s stage presence jumped out immediately.

With the help of that partially live backdrop, Bonzai’s percussion-heavy, at times delightfully abrasive, sound truly came to life in a way that captivated a mostly unfamiliar audience. The most impressive aspect of Bonzai’s performance was her vocal versatility; she showed an ability to oscillate effortlessly between a rapping cadence and beautiful rhythmic singing on tracks like “Lights On” and “Faze.” To close her set, she played her most addicting song to date “Where Are U Now,” which was received with awe from the audience as the venue filled up. Bonzai proved herself as a natural performer and, when she appeared with Mura Masa later in the evening, we got a promising glimpse into what a more elaborate live set from her might look like in the future.

NAO

It’s not everyday that you hear a crowd clamoring for an encore from an opening act, but that was the case after NAO’s set. The London-based singer/songwriter, who followed Bonzai’s brief set, wowed those of us in attendance and displayed a level of talent worthy of her own headlining tour.

Following up a 2015 campaign – which saw unanimous praise from media sources – is no easy feat. The mounting pressure coupled with the hype around collaborative releases with Disclosure and Mura Masa has not seemed to distract from her stage presence however. Moreover, it seems likely that NAO will take full advantage of her rising star power and transition into summer with another solid touring season. Clad in some of the coolest gear we’ve ever seen, NAO played a dose of her older songs – such as “Zillionaire” from her 2014 EP and “So Good”- as well as her latest single, “Fool to Love.” NAO had the entire range of music fans in attendance vining to her neo-soul crooning. Aside from seriously flawless vocals, NAO’s backing guitar and bass players were able to translate the glitchy, futuristic production into powerful, dance floor ready jams.

Just as the show wound down and NAO left the stage, we were treated with a last song, her now-famous original track “Bad Blood”. Although this was her first American show, we definitely expect to see her return to the Bay Area soon – and on an even bigger stage.

Mura Masa

Off the heels of a breathtaking performance from NAO, it was rather incredible to think we still had a set from Mura Masa coming up but, nonetheless, the anticipations was tangible at The Independent. With two keyboards, a microphone, electronic drum pads and a single cymbal; Mura Masa’s setup brings to mind that of similarly talented, multi-instrumentalist producer Lido. He opened his set with an enormous unreleased track that filled the venue with blaring bass between pretty melodic lulls. Fittingly, the song sounded like it could be the intro for his upcoming album. Breezing past a quick technical difficulty, the set dropped right into “Lovesick,” one of our favorites, with Mura Masa taking on the vocals himself until Bonzai joined adding a beautiful layer as he alternated between playing the melody on the keys and adding percussion. As the night went on, a healthy dose of tunes from Soundtrack to a Death made it into the set with songs like “Cloud Claps,” “Lotus Flower” and “Hell” getting the crowd’s feet off the ground more often than not.

The back end of the set ventured more into the vocal-heavy songs in Mura Masa’s catalogue starting with the gorgeous “Are U There?” on which he slowed things down temporarily and showcased his vocal chops. A highlight from the second portion came when Bonzai performed Jay Prince’s verse from “Low,” leaving all attendees wanting more rapping from the versatile songstress. The show’s finale included the latest singles from Mura Masa’s upcoming album: “Love For That” and “What If I Go”—both crowd favorites pulled off perfectly with the help of Bonzai’s vocals. With the audience demanding an encore, NAO emerged for an impassioned finale performance of “Firefly.”

Mura Masa’s set felt like a mapping of his past, present and future capturing the full spectrum of his experimentation with textured, shimmering and hard-hitting soundscapes. With an artist like Mura Masa at the helm of Anchor Point Records, along with the talented Bonzai on board – and Nao as a close ally – there’s little doubt that all three artists will only be going up from here.

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Elephant Revival discusses Petals, Red Rocks, and Green Chile [TMN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]

Red Rocks season is in full swing, highlighting some of the best and most entertaining acts anyone would care to see. We’ve already made it up for a few notable shows, but the best outdoor venue in America still has so much in store, including a showing from Colorado-based folk outfit Elephant Revival.

We’re planning on being in those legendary stands this Sunday, but before we head out there, we thought it would be great to get to know this homegrown band a little bit better. So, we fired off a few choice questions to Daniel Rodriguez, who sings, and plays bass, banjo, and guitar.

TMN: Thanks for taking some time to sit down with us ahead of your first ever headlining show at Red Rocks. Let’s talk about that for a second. As a Colorado-based band, what does this mean to you guys?

ER: It truly is a great honor to be headlining Red Rocks. As a Colorado-based band, it means that the people who have been with us since the beginning can share in this experience with us. To have this world-class and incredibly epic venue in our backyard is a true gift. To be connected as we are to the Colorado music community—coming up through the jams and small venues, to now headlining Red Rocks—sure means a lot!

TMN: This performance closes out a pretty hefty tour in support of your recently released album, Petals. How has the reception been so far?

ER: The reception of our new material and all of the new sounds has been great. It's funny because when Bonnie picks up the cello, Charlie gets on the pedal steel, and I get on a drum, our fans become exposed to a sound that we have never produced live before. On tour, we found a balance of playing material off of our past records as well as off the new record. Intertwining both really helped people to welcome in the new. Mostly, I think people are mesmerized by how many instruments Bonnie can play. And then she sings, and how could that ever not be well received?

TMN: The album is phenomenal, by the way. The procession from start-to- finish was beautifully crafted. Did you write the album with a solid storyline in mind, or is this more so a collection of songs arranged in a specific order?

ER: Many folks have pointed out that they feel this is a conceptual album—that each song is one part of a larger story that the whole album tells. I'm shocked to realize that it does seem like a conceptualized album, because that's not what we set out to do. We just picked the songs that we and our producer were most excited about. Though it wasn't a conscious thing, perhaps it is a mystical thing that it came out sounding so cohesive.

TMN: In a world of singles, playlists, and short musical attention spans, how did you maintain focus to put together an extremely cohesive piece? 

ER: I think it was easy for us because we love albums. We all love listening to albums from front to back. It seems, at least to me, that a lot of our fans share that same love for albums. Another contributing factor is that we are always writing. There's a backlog of many songs that have never been heard, and many, many new songs that are itching to be finished. Because there are so many, choosing more than a dozen that sound cohesive is not so hard. The hardest thing is considering which songs to leave off. 

TMN: We’re based in Colorado, so it’s always great to see home state acts experience success. Talk to us about your roots here? How did you guys come together and how has living in this state fostered your development as a band?

ER:  Colorado seemed like a great middle point where we could all move to and start working on music. Except for Bridget Law who is the only Colorado native. But everybody else moved here from other places of upbringing under the auspices that this was the new frontier. It all had a sense of starting from scratch. The band really grew out of the Nederland jam and local pick scene. We could work on our chops at local picks where people from Leftover Salmon, String Cheese Incident, and Yonder Mountain String Band might also be. So in a lot of ways, those guys were our mentors. The fact that they were so intertwined in the community helped us dream as big as they were dreaming and helped us see the nuts and bolts of it all. There are so many lovers of music here in Colorado and so many great venues and bands that music has become one of the biggest cultural aspects of Colorado. This makes us feel so very welcome and very much at home.

TMN: You guys are based in Nederland, which is a great little mountain town just west of Boulder, for those who aren’t familiar with it. Do you feel like immersed in nature helped influence your sound?

ER: I think, wherever you are writing music, the spirit of place has a profound influence on what you are writing. It also has influence on how the music will sound. A lot of our material has been written here in the Colorado Rockies above Boulder. So yes, the incredible pine trees, the aspen groves, the extreme weather, the brisk mountain streams, and the howling winter winds…all the facets of nature up and around Nederland has had a great influence on our experience, which then seeps into our writing.

TMN: You seem to draw on a few different genres in your music. Who are some of your biggest influences? 

ER: When we first started as a band, our biggest influence was ThaMuseMeant.They don't play anymore and it may be tough to find their records. If you can find them, I highly recommend picking one up. They were a band that featured both male and female vocals, male and female writing, and their sound was intoxicating. We strongly identified with that sound and actually had one of the members of that band produce our first two records—David Tiller.

TMN: What does the rest of 2016 look like for you guys?

ER: 2016 is filled with a bunch of surprises that we can't announce just yet. Other than that, marinating in the inspiration, playing shows, and taking in the dynamic seasons.

TMN: At the end of each interview, we like to ask a few non-music questions for fun. Since we’re both Coloradans, these are all focused on the Centennial State. If you could spend a week camping anywhere in Colorado, where would you set up at?

ER: Probably in the mountains above Buena Vista, so that you can get proper forest time and then head down to the hot springs. Seems like a great week to me!

TMN: Favorite spot for green chile?

ER: I'd have to say the chile starts getting better the further south you go in Colorado. Must be a climate thing. Though up north in Longmont, there is a little family-owned mom and pop shop called El Taquito that has really, really good green chile.

TMN: Best brewery?

ER:  This is a tough question to answer because there are so many great breweries here in Colorado. But I will name the Mountain Sun and The Southern Sun because they have always made great beer from the cauldron straight to your pint glass, and they have always nourished the local music scene.

TMN: What’s one thing you wished the rest of the world knew about Colorado?

ER:  That there is this amazing event happening at an amazing venue called Red Rocks on May 22.

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[Secret Ninja Pass] This Week at Beta 5/19 – 5/22

As we continue along 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 5:00PM on Sunday.
– Show this post to the cashier (Valid for 21+ only).
– The deal is valid for Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights.

See you on the dance floor.

Fedde Le Grand - 5/19

Downlink & Dieselboy - 5/13

Manufactured Superstars - 5/14

Audiofly - 5/15

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Frances Luke Accord – Fluke [TMN ALBUM PREMIERE]

There’s something about the warming temperatures hinting at the edges of summer that beckon us to go out and track down some of the most endearing indie folk tunes we can find. Maybe it’s the thought of mountain adventures, adorned with a backpack weighed down with the essentials. Maybe it’s fondly recalling late-night, lakeside campfire memories where the only things that matter are a circle of good friends and a bottle of quality whiskey. Whatever it is, it always happens around this time of year, and thankfully, Frances Luke Accord is here to satisfy that itch.

Made up of Brian Powers and Nicholas Gunty, this Windy City duo has an Americana-rich charm that’s simply irresistible, especially when both members pair up for one of their pitch-perfect vocal harmonies. At times, their modern folk interpretations remind us of Iron & Wine, at times they call on nostalgic associations of Simon & Garfunkle, and we also can’t help but shake hearing Hunter Hunted, especially with those harmonies we mentioned earlier.

We have to start by covering one of the most interesting origin stories we’ve heard, which comes from one of the oldest songs in the group’s repertoire. “Nowhere To Be found” was actually originally recorded in Kkindu Village, Uganda during their senior year at the University of Nortre Dame. When Powers and Gunty were putting together the Fluke, they revisited it once more and decided to include it.

We decided to re-record it for Fluke because we wanted an optimistic voice (both sonically and narratively speaking) to contrast the more sober corners of the album. We feel that this version also reflects our growth as performers and producers since our first release.

Beyond that, it’s honestly difficult to highlight other songs to talk about for one simple reason – they’re all so damn good. Take “Tangled In Your Web,” which takes a slight departure from other offerings, showcasing their ability to hone in on classic rock sensibilities. While the essence of their sound is still very much in tact, the calculated guitar riffs give it an edge that other tracks don’t have. Conversely, tracks like “Who Do You Run From” showcase the frolicking, playful folk nature that’s perfect for that soon-to-be sunshiney weather.

As a collective experience, it’s truly one that’s worthy of a start-to-finish session. With that in mind, we won’t keep you from it any longer.

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JOME – Cinnamon [TMN PREMIERE]

Los Angeles-based JOME may have just emerged into the scene, but he’s already made a sizeable dent with only one release under his belt. Just last month, this newcomer dropped his debut offering, “Brushstroke,” which was very well received by tastemaker blogs and music nerds alike, giving everyone a quick glance at what’s in store.

I wanted to make something tangible, something of substance. A song you can wrap your hands around and hold, feel it’s weight. Creating the song was like an excavation. I was interested in digging up textures and rhythms that fit together like bones. To me, “Brushstroke” is about how quickly things can change.

Today’s offering is only the second release from this talented singer/songwriter, and it’s sure to absolutely encapsulate you for the entire duration. Set to the backdrop of melodic guitar and piano that effortlessly lap across you, soft claps, and ethereal synths, “Cinnamon” slowly builds into a well-crafted, lush, and cinematic soundscape. Accompanying that backdrop is the hero of the track, which is, of course, JOME’s positively spellbinding voice.

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[Beautiful] Flume – Never Be Like You (Crywolf Cover)

Without a doubt, it is very difficult to live up to expectations when you’re trying to rework a Flume track. Being that we religiously follow Crywolf here at TMN, it’s safe to say that the talented singer/producer slayed this cover of “Never Be Like You” and painted Crywolf all over it.

Sustained vocals and strings highlight the tune and are paired with a slower tempo than the original. Following an epic buildup, the burst of synths and Crywolf’s unique vocals definitely give the song a paradisal and majestic vibe. You’ve probably never heard anything like it, but it will sure be a breath of fresh air. Considering Crywolf being a one-man-band, the level of production here is off the charts.

Available as a free download, this cover of “Never Be Like You” is some of Crywolf’s best work to date. I mean – who wouldn’t mind getting serenaded in heaven by Crywolf?

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