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Sydney Australia’s Starley just dropped her single “Been Meaning To Tell You” about a month ago adn we’ve been playing it here and there ever since. Now, we’re proud to premiere an extension of the original with a remix by Brisbane’s Odd Mob.
Odd Mob’s interpretation of the Starley’s pop hit is devilishly seductive. Their house grooves captivate the ear and lure you into their playful production. Right from the start you start bobbin’ to the beat and it doesn’t take long until you’re fully invested in Odd Mob’s fun take. This is how a proper remix is done; Odd Mob nailed it. Throw this one on repeat and let it take you into the weekend.
Thank god this track is coming your way close to the weekend. If I had been covering it prior to Thursday, I’m sure I’d be getting some angry tweets for unintended consequences from listening to this smooth-as-fucking-silk track from NW England-based Butterjack.
“GoodGirls” has an undeniably catchy feel to it, with underlying R&B undertones that are coupled with sexy percussion and glowing synths. It’s one of those tunes you can’t help but nod along to, as it encourages you to head out for a wild night on the town. Don’t hold back. Give in. Let it take you for a ride.
The video for ‘Good Girls’ is special to me because all of the ideas for things like this feel like your babies. I saw this idea when we were thinking about videos and it was an idea that I took through all the stages and ended up with EXACTLY what I wanted. Emmie Bednall, who helped create the vision is an absolute animal. She totally understands the project and the evolution in the videos and having her on the team is priceless. I think videos are really important as it’s a chance to give the song another narrative, fresh ears through your eyes!
Aside from this funky-fresh new tune to add to your collection, we also have a first look at the accompanying music video, which will surely be a treat to graphic novel and Archer fans around the globe. Have a look below:
Depending on how you look at it, a little bit of gorgeous, haunting synth-pop is either the perfect thing to welcome winter in, or is better served for the shimmering light of warmer months. Personally, I feel like today’s offering from Toledo-based Bliss Nova aligns with the former, providing the perfect soundscape for the upcoming chilly months.
“Now” is the latest offering from this fraternal duo comprised of Daniel and Joel Trzcinski, which follows up their last EP release, just six months back. It’s gorgeously layered with fluttering synths paired with solid guitar work and heavily treated vocals. From a structural point of view, it serves up plenty of intrigue, straying away from a traditional pop model, especially towards the end.
On top of a first listen, we’re also bringing a first look for you today. The music video is one hell of a trip, taking you on a psychadellic ride as you listen along.
Enter the dojo for the exclusive first listen to “Haunt Me” by Tyson Kraft to help get you over this week’s hump. The Australian producer enlisted Tiff Fung to hop on this original for some vocal work and together they created a mesmerizing tune.
“Haunt Me” hones in on a future-centric sound. Many producers aiming at this style simply miss the mark, delivering flavorless messes that are anything but memorable; however, Tyson hits the bulls-eye on making a phenomenal record that you can come back to time and time again. A majestic introduction captivates the listener before Tyson tightens his grip with the riveting chorus of the instrumental. “Haunt Me” has everything going for it. Want a copy? Get it on iTunes today.
“Under Your Thumb” is the latest from Brighton’s own Natty Reeves on DeepMatter. This jazz-infused crossover original is not something you hear all that often which makes it all the more special. Sit back and relax, this one is a treat.
Natty Reeves goes all out smooth with this soulful single. It’s organic elements make the song inviting, giving it a sense of reality rather than keeping things robotic. You can’t help but to have your nerves calmed while this one is playing and you’re likely to keep it on repeat to maximize the comfort. “Under Your Thumb” is currently available on digital platforms for those of you who would like to add it to their digital library like we have!
We’re coming off the holiday weekend with the premiere of a brand new single for you. Coming from Yitaku and Madnap, “Finding Myself” is a future focused original that features Restless Modern. Together these three acts created an emotionally charged tune we just couldn’t pass on sharing.
“Finding Myself” starts out with soft pads that ease us into the song with grace. Once we get into the heat of the introduction Restless Modern starts serenading to further hook us into the track. Without any need for a drawn out build and booming climax, Yitaku and Madnap come in with the drop to whisk us into their cloud-like synths. From start to finish this song is incredible. Enjoy your first listen and make sure to get a copy if you like what you hear!
Here we are. On the fast track to the joyous, yet extremely overwhelming, money sucking holidays. May we suggest an Indie Dojo to help you through the chaos of the next few weeks? Did we mention it was free?
Meeting somewhere in-between alternative and folk rock, Galapaghost’s, “Pulse” is a moving listen. The plucked chord progression is slowly layered with minimal sounds building into an impressive final verse. Subtle guitar work in the background, acoustic and electric, adds a lot to keep things interesting. Not to mention how the lyrics cut through with a raw, heart wrenching vocal melody. The rhythm stays mostly low key but the songwriting holds things up without a problem. Discover a new artist and I think indie rock fans will really dig “Pulse.”
Hope your belly still isn’t full from Thanksgiving. Today instead of stuffing your face, we’ll be stuffing your ears with some fat beats from incredibly talented producers. We’ve got another batch of twelve free downloads for you to enjoy whether you’re going to simply stream or collect them in your digital library. We’ve got quite the party for you today with a lot of great electro tunes making up the meat of this, along with plenty of other heavier and lighter sounds to mix things up. Songs this week come to us from Wet Paint, Bandlez, Downlowd, The Frederik, Soltan, Notixx, Vincent and more. Take these treats with you over the weekend and continue to let loose this holiday weekend!
Earlier this year, I brought you a first look and listen at former popster Tessa Rose Jackson, under the gleaming new moniker of Someone. Since then, she’s been busy releasing a handful of new tunes, each one showcasing the sophisticated breadth of both musicianship and songwriting abilities.
“Forget Forgive” is the most recent offering. Softly sung and set to a repeating guitar strum, it has an intentional simplicity that’s positively haunting. The uncluttered soundscape is perfect for the emotive lyrics and beautifully layered chorus, which will leave you completely and wonderfully enveloped.
This release came out earlier this month via [PIAS], but today, you’re getting a first look at the accompanying music video.
Because the subject matter of this track is so straight-forward, I wanted the video to give the song a twist. During a brainstorm with my manager, we settled on the idea of translating this internal struggle into an actual struggle. A fight. Skin-on-skin action; rough, ruthless and messy. Just like the way we treat ourselves sometimes. But to support the dreamy, emotional quality of the music, we wanted to film it in super slow-motion, so that the colliding movement between the two characters can become almost like a dance.
Being a massive sci-fi lover, the intro to the video is a big nod to all my favourite B-movies from the 1980’s (which also gave me a great excuse to write an intense opening score full of vintage synthesizer madness). – Someone
Have a look below and then make sure to mark your calendars for the 27th. She’ll be playing at Cinetol in Amsterdam, and if you’re in the area, you should definitely go catch her live performance.
It was all about new music on this week’s episode with highlights including Willow Smith‘s silky new album, Still Woozy‘s latest flawless single, Mndsgn‘s filtered funk and a slew of bass-injected party starters from Star Slinger, Just Geo & more. Last week also marked the return of Jai & AK Paul and Tame Impala who both delivered the kind of quality we’ve come to expect from them. Finally, there was a spotlight on one of my favorite new finds Novelty Daughter who’s new album Inertia has been in heavy rotation.
All we have to say about Meeka Kates‘ single “No” is yes. Released on Boogie Angst, this collaboration with Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez is a smooth, dreamy delight that is beautiful from start to finish. The captivating sound will give you goosebumps.
“No” doesn’t really follow one single genre format. It’s based in electronic music, but it takes various influence from under the electronic umbrella, as well as elsewhere with Raina bringing her soulful vocal to the table. The indie-driven record is something fans can enjoy even if they’re not fans of electronic music. It’s a timeless tune that can’t be pinned down to one sound. The only thing that can be pinned on it is that it is phenomenal. “No” is currently available on digital platforms for those looking to add it to their library.
Heat up your Thanksgiving week with a hot one from GXNXVS. Featuring Rome Fortune, “Shapes & Colours” is an ominous hip-hop treat. GXNXVS lays the backdrop with a haunting beat that you won’t be able to get out of your head easily. The Atlanta emcee Rome Fortune hops on top of the instrumental with his fiery lyricism. These two artists together are a perfect match, mixing their own styles together with ease for a remarkable rap record that stays true to the genre. We haven’t been on as much hip hop lately, but this was something we couldn’t pass up on sharing.
If you added up all of the festival experiences across each and every one of our writers, you would stand in awe, jaw agape. It’s a lot. And, it’s not just because it’s part of the gig. It’s because we love each and every live music experience, from the smallest of dive bars, to the most elaborate main stages. They all hold a special place in the collective heart of our dojo.
For me, personally, I first fell in love with live music as a business at raves when I was a teenager. Mind you, these were the days where you had to call a phone number to find the event’s location. Yep, that’s right. We had no idea where we were going until the day of the party. But, that was part of the allure. The entire experience, from start-to-finish, was completely encompassing, to me. I loved the theatrics, the mystery, and everything that added up to create that.
That interest continued throughout the years, eventually leading me to the very same blog you find yourself on today. Live music is the one constant throughout my adult life, which is why I’m heading out to XLIVE in Vegas.
No, I’m not going to throw my own party some day. We won’t be hosting a TMN Festival next year, but you’d be crazy to think I wouldn’t want to experience teachings from those who craft the biggest and best parties across the globe. Who are these industry leaders? Here’s a highlight of a few of them: AEG Presents, Firefly, Electric Daisy Carnival, Goldenvoice, Superfly, The Confluence, Country Music Association, Newport Jazz Festival, Bonnaroo, Life is Beautiful, Coachella, OutsideLands, FYF Festival, Lost Lake Festival, and on, and on.
The Las Vegas-based conference covers numerous different facets across the live music space, covering everything from ticketing, to event tech, to even security. While I’m sure I’ll find myself popping in and out of different presentations, I’m admittedly most excited for the following talks:
Lessons Learned From The Year’s Biggest Failures : Tim Epstein: Partner, Duggan Bertsch
A Show Of Their Own: The Rise Of Artist Championed Festivals – Sam Hunt: Agent, Paradigm Talent Agency / Phil Quist: Agent, CAA
Keep It Local: Including Local Artists And Emerging Talent In Your Lineup – Adam Chernick: Co-Founder & Director Of Operations / Arcartists Craig Asher Nyman: Head Of Music & Live Performances, Life Is Beautiful / Kurt Melien: President, Live Nation Nevada / Trevor Solomon, Boston Calling
Multi-Platform Juggernauts in Your Town: The Explosion of Radio Station Concerts & Events – Gary Krantz: Krantz Media Group
Turn it to Eleven: Elevating the Fan Experience – Emily Cox: AC Entertainment, Lindsay Glatz: LUNA FETE
The Future is Female: How Women are Playing a Crucial Role in the Creation of Extraordinary Live Events – Kate Levenstien: Cannonball Productions, Martha Donato: MAD Event Management, Emily Cox: AC Entertainment
The best part about this conference? You can stillpick up tickets and come hang out with your favorite bloggers. Ok, that might not be the best thing, but it is, well, a thing. Click here to buy your pass and let’s hang in Sin City!
Things we are grateful for: Indie Music, the artists that make it, the internet that allows us to share it and the people like you who choose to listen to it. Happy Thanksgiving week, Ninjas!
Are you ready to hear a house track with a ukulele in it? Whether you’re ready or not, we’ve got it for you thanks to Blooom, who both produced and performed for “Know You.” Released on Daily Earfood as a freebie, this lively tune isn’t what you’d expect.
Whether you know the ukulele’s coming or not, this track will take you by surprise. Given the instrument information, you may expect a tropical driven house record along the lines of Kygo, but that isn’t at all where Blooom takes things. Instead Blooom drives up a vibrant energy through a style that is more reminiscent of a time where guys like Mord Fustang were on top of the house arena. Things have changed since then, but that doesn’t mean producers like Blooom have to stop churning out iconic sounds like this.
AWAY is back at it, this time coming through the Lowly Palace pipeline with “Honest To Gød.” This original single features the LA vocalist Charity and shares a mind-bending array of styles all mixed together to AWAY’s liking.
Not only is it to AWAY’s liking, but it’s to ours and the hundreds of thousands of others who have heard the track since its release. It’s a dark, moody piece of music that shows off AWAY’s signature, something that has established him as a unique producer among a sea of generic caricatures. Together with Charity AWAY made “Honest To Gød” something truly memorable and will go down as one of the year’s most distinct and yet accessible records.
I can’t really speak on this as I am a male, but I think all the ladies just got a new anthem. “Girls Night Out” by Dombresky and Tony Romera will have all the boys jealous because this song is a major heater.
“Girls Night Out” has been released on Insomniac Records, so you know you’re getting something good. The collaborators’ bubbly house original brings back some 2012-2013 nostalgia. It’s sound implores a bright complexity that many records from that time had, but brings the style into 2017 with a keen fervor. Whether you are a male or a female, this is a track you are going to want to add to your catalog. You can do so from the digital service of your choice!
Take a deep breath and relax, it’s finally Friday. After that breath and relaxation, you should be ready to take the necessary steps to get your party on. Step one, you’ll need some music and that’s what we’re here for. We’ve got another dozen free downloads for you to enjoy while you let loose tonight. We’re jamming to records from brothel, Diamond Pistols, Dustycloud, Kompany, Hairitage and more. There’s also a few collaborations including a major remix by Whipped Cream and YehMe2. All together you should have what you need to party hard! Love bass? We’ve got plenty of that for you in the latter half of the playlist!
If you aren’t familiar with Krayysh, you’ve come to the right place. There are a lot of gems out there, but Krayysh may just be the finest. The Mad Zoo music maker has support from the don Mat Zo himself – so much so that Mat graced Krayysh with a remix on the newly released Talk To Me EP. We’ve got that EP right here for you in this premiere!
Talk To Me comes in at four originals deep along with Mat Zo’s remix of the title track to conclude the project. We’ve only been able to hear singles from Krayysh so far and as mind-blowing as they are, it’s nice to see him flex out on an extended release. He shows just where he can take his sound with a diverse array of tracks that can’t be pinned down to one genre. Krayysh has got his own thing going and it’s remarkable to hear. Top all that off with a Mat Zo remix and you’ve got a hell of an EP. Get your copy of it today.
The weekend is finally here. What better way to get Friday going than to let the Florida producer Kaizen take you away with his new single. “Breathe” is a breath of fresh air, a highly melodic single released on Caption Records.
Kaizen builds a beautiful song that doesn’t follow traditional dance structure. “Breathe” from start to finish grows and changes like an organic form. First he births an emotional atmospheric introduction that slowly shifts into the more electronically specific phrase of the song. From there Kaizen continues to build the track until he drives forth to an unexpected territory. It’s a nice surprise – and we’re not going to say where it goes. Just know you’ll love it.
Today UZ is dropping a major remix project for his LP Layers. There’s a whole host of remixes, but here in the dojo we’re happy to premiere a trap driven take on “Stockholm White” by Perk Pietrek.
The Singapore songster took UZ’s collaboration with Two Fresh and Elliphant to a whole new level. His industrial sounding flip is just the dirty take the song needed. It feels reminiscent of the original, but Perk keeps those undertones light and put his own spin on things. With the Perk Pietrek stamp, “Stockholm White” will continue to ravage crowds in its new form. Enjoy the exclusive premiere here and make sure to check out the full project on digital formats.
The London songstress Robyn Paige is taking over the dojo with the premiere of her new EP Genesis. Complete with five originals, including collaborations with Johnson Orchid and Josh Kai, this project is a beautiful balance of R&B and pop.
Genesis starts out with the soulful single “Righteous” that ushers us into the EP with grace. “White Space” comes in hot with vibrant energy that you can’t help but to be infected by. “Ocean Deep” plays in between the the sounds of the first two, while “Heartbreaker” slows things down for a more atmospheric and engulfing tone. “Jaded” closes things out with its pop driven sound to cap off a superb EP. All together this collection of songs work well together for an engaging experience that you get exclusively first in the dojo.
Enter the darkness of the dojo to get a first listen to Benta‘s EP, Seeks, in this premiere. The shadowed figure has come through with a five track project that you get to hear a day early before it’s release date.
Seeks is a striking indie EP that perfectly embodies the creator’s distinct style. As a whole the project is very chill, yet each track delivers its own vibey mood. If you’ve had a rough work week, this is just the EP you need to kick back and lose yourself in. Let Benta whisk you away and let his soothing tones melt your weekly problems. Benta has been developing over the past years as someone necessary of your attention and this EP is another piece of evidence as to why your ears should be glued to his catalog.
Hyrdaulix and Hekler are turning up the heat in the dojo. They want everyone to “Get Buck” and their brand new single will do the trick. As you may imagine with these two together we get a whole lot of riveting low frequencies to rage to in this premiere.
“Get Buck” is a hybrid bass original released through Twonk. Many dubstep/trap singles nowadays just focus on pure energy and getting the crowd to get as hyped as they can, but here we get the energy mixed with enough groove to keep you dancing all night long. Together Hydraulix and Hekler delivered a smash hit that we’ll be getting buck to for the rest of the year. Want a copy? Get yours today.
Two of bass music’s most unique talents have come together for a musical adventure. “Sailing the Sea of Consequence” is a journey created by Jameston Thieves and Holly, released through Frsh Blood. This hybrid single will be all the heat you need as the weather continues to chill this month.
“Sailing the Sea of Consequence” shows off both producer’s technical aptitude and incredible sound design. What makes this collaboration so great is that each producer feeds off the other in order to create something truly remarkable that they wouldn’t have necessarily done without the other. The song jumps around various sounds so that no point do you ever feel like things are stagnating. It’s a giant ball of bass booming energy and we’re in love with it. Get your copy today.
As a songwriter SHY Martin has hits on her hands, but now she’s stepping out with her own project to take over the game. Her original “Good Together” comes after writing songs for artists like Kygo and The Chainsmokers. Her pop driven sound is well suited for quality radio play.
SHY Martin isn’t looking to be the next teeny bop star adored by sheep around the world, instead she’s looking to become a star with true talent. Her creative abilities have been in the background for some time, but now she’s shining bright as a beacon for other songwriters to come forward and own their work in an independent way. You heard it here, SHY Martin will be doing major things very soon.
Brooklyn based genre-eschewing producer James Hinton, better known as The Range, has stormed through this year on the heels of 2016’s excellent long-player Potential. Hinton’s aural aesthetic has been one steeped in unique textures and reverberations, as he’s primarily built his vocal samples -especially on Potential– around obscure YouTube videos with no more than a few hundred plays at most.The Range’s fluid blend of hip-hop inspired drum foundations, and larger than life synth pulses have always been quite suited towards the remix realm, which is why we’re so excited about his impending Remixes EP out this Friday on Domino. Remixes will be a 4-track affair, with remixes of his Jim-E Stack collaboration “With You” and “New Lots” (from his recent 12” release), as well as one of our favorite singles from 2016 “Florida”.
Today, we’re rolling out 24 year-old South Korean born, New York based DJ, rapper, singer and producer Yaeji‘s intimate reworking of “With You”. Yaeji’s uniquely subdued blend of house, pop, trap, and rap coalesce perfectly behind Hinton’s glossy stems, creating a softer, more heartfelt take on the original. Not to mention, Yaeji re-recorded all of the vocals using her own voice to lend an even more personal touch to her revision. With such an innate understanding of a multitude of sonics, it’s no wonder she’s been getting coined by some major outlets as ‘House Music’s Most Exciting New Voice’. Check out Yaeji’s remix of “With You” below, and be on the prowl for the rest of The Range’s Remixes EP to unfurl this Friday.
You would never guess that AU8UST‘s single “Hold Me Down” was created in a DIY studio in a room at a Motel 6. This poppy R&B treat pays homage to AU8UST’s travels around the world before coming back to his birthplace in Los Angeles.
Not only has AU8UST traveled the world, but he travels through different sounds, bringing together genres with a fluidity that some artists just don’t have. “Hold Me Down” is evidence of his smooth nature, not only mixing pop and R&B, but bringing in heavy influences from electronic music. AU8UST is back in full swing and 2018 should be a magnificent year for this creative talent.
There’s no doubt that “Doubt House” by EMBRZ is a great song. Out on digital stores now, this original single sees the Irish producer progress to new heights with his sound.
We wouldn’t judge you for thinking this was going to be a house song, we thought the same thing, but EMBRZ brings us into his signature sound, something he’s been developing since he first released music a few years ago. Since then he’s been gaining quite some speed with incredible records just like “Doubt House.” EMBRZ takes another step in the right direction with his latest and we hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Brooklyn’s own Maino dropped a hot one through Litt Music recently called “Bag Talk.” The hip-hop collaboration features Dave East and Jaquae. This medley of emcees delivered a riveting original that is more align with classic than contemporary rap music.
From beginning to end “Bag Talk” is a heater. Great rhymes partnered with a masterful instrumental is a recipe for success and these guys succeeded. Maino and company lean into each others efforts to build a track that magnifies strengths. In working together to really make something special, “Bag Talk” came out as a super strong record that stands out.
Life is all about discovering new things, which is why you have come to the right place. Every Tuesday, start off your morning with a brand new Indie Dojo. Explore the undiscovered talent that makes the internet a treasure to behold. You never know where the musical journey will take you.
Featured several times here on The Music Ninja, music collective NVDES has returned to share a new single with us. Their new song D.Y.T. (Do Your Thing) is an energetic banger featuring the vocals of the talented REMMI. The new track is driven by a thumping bass line, while accented by a minimalist electronic riff and REMMI’s seductive vocals. If you’ve had the pleasure of catching NVDES in person (check our live review), you may have heard this track before, accompanied by a joke about frontman Josh Ocean’s love for the Hyundai Elantra. This high energy tune was quite the crowd-pleaser and is certain to appear on NVDES’ upcoming tour with Pierce Fulton.
D.Y.T. is the lead single off of NVDES’ upcoming E.P. La Nvdité Vol. 2. Due on December 8th, Vol 2. is the 6-track successor to a highly acclaimed Vol. 1. You can get a sense of the character and creative spirit of this LA-based music collective in our interview with Ocean here. Check out NVDES upcoming tour dates (with Pierce Fulton) below, and catch a show if you can!
Nov 14 – Stubb’s Indoors – Austin, TX
Nov 16 – The Cambridge Room at House Of Blues – Dallas, TX
Nov 17 – The Parish at House Of Blues – New Orleans, LA
Nov 18 – The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA
Nov 21 – The Broadberry – Richmond, VA
Nov 22 – Baltimore Soundstage – Baltimore, MD
Nov 24 – Wonder Bar – Asbury Park, NJ
Nov 25 – The Foundry at The Fillmore – Philadelphia, PA
Nov 26 – Mercury Lounge – New York, NY
Nov 27 – The Warehouse at FTC – Fairfield, CT
Nov 28 – Brighton Music Hall – Boston, MA
Nov 30 -VENU- Buffalo, NY
Dec 1 – Dahlia Bar & Lounge – Columbus, OH (DJ sets)
Dec 2 – Jekyll – Cincinnati, OH (DJ sets)
Dec 3 – The Shelter – Detroit, MI
Dec 4 – Schuba’s Tavern – Chicago, IL
Dec 7 – Lost Lake Lounge – Denver, CO
Dec 12 – Swedish American Hall – San Francisco, CA
Dec 13 – Constellation Room – Santa Ana, CA
Dec 14 – The Roxy Theatre – Los Angeles, CA
Dec 16 – Soda Bar – San Diego, CA
If you were searching the internet for something out of the ordinary, then you’ve found yourself in the right place. Shmuck the Loyal has come through with a dazzling original called “Cough” that will leave you intoxicated with its iconic sound.
“Cough” is an ethereal trap-infused original that brings a whole lot of attitude to the table. Its unconventional sound is what makes this such a dope record. It’s fire through and through with nasty basslines and impressive breaks that shake up any expectations you may have for bass music. Shmuck the Loyal did things right with this and is now on our list of artists to watch for 2018 in a big way.
Majestic Casual has brought a hot new record through the pipeline from Night Tales. The Australian duo made up of the producer Third Floor and former Olympic Ayres frontman Kamaliza dropped their single “Move You” which is exactly what it is going to do.
“Move You” isn’t your typical electronic track. Night Tales take from several different genres, bringing in elements from house music and 80’s sounds for a timeless treat. It’s not something you’d expect to be hearing in the poppy landscape that has seemingly taken over the electronic world, but it’s a worthwhile break that stands out above the now crowded space of dance music. “Move You” is currently available for those looking to spice up their digital libraries today.
Let’s jump right into the weekend, shall we? It’s Friday, which means we get to let go of the week and focus on relaxing… or better yet, getting our party on! Each week we bring to you our favorite free downloads that we come across over the course of the dreaded week. This week we’re jumping on things with work from producers like Motoko, William Black, Modern Machines, IYFFE, Los XL, Choppa Dunks and more. We warm things up with some pre-game vibes, then heat up even further with a mix of genres (like Moombahton) and close things out by settling back down. The final conclusion comes to us from KRANE with his Diplo & Friends mix if you need to keep the party going all night long. From all the ninjas to you, Happy Friday!
Start Friday off right with an exclusive first listen here in the dojo. We’re premiering The Alternate Life EP by Limbic Void right here, right now. The four tracks project features collaborators Iben Bjørg Anton and Anne Lene Hägglund who spice up the EP with their vocal contributions.
The Alternate Life hearkens back to more classic sounds from electronic music. The Euro-inspired EP is a magnificent combination of these OG influences with new age sounds and textures. This mix of sounds – as well as styles – makes for a timeless treat that is an easy listen from start to finish. We were ready for this project after hearing the title track and Limbic Void didn’t disappoint.
Jackson Penn makes his debut with the original single “Streetlights on Mars.” The soft-spoken indie-pop single is a cosmic treat that will whisk you away from the worries of the week. Jackson exceptionally captures the spacey sound with an atmospheric vibe that really fits with the name of the song. Sometimes artists can’t fully embody the title of their song with the creation, but Jackson really hit the bulls eye with this one. With such a great first track, we’re excited to see what else he has coming!
Welcome to the dojo for the exclusive premiere of a brand new single from the 5Town Records signee EZI. Tomorrow her single “Afraid of the Dark” comes out, but we’ve got you covered with an early listen.
“Afraid of the Dark” is the title tracks for EZI’s upcoming EP. EZI does pop proper with this smooth original that is as memorable as it is engaging. It’s got a subtle groove to it that you can’t help but to sway to while EZI touches your soul with her sweet performance. If “Afraid of the Dark” is a sign of what’s to come on the full EP, then we’re going to have something very special on our hands.
“I wrote my EP after having fallen into a period of depression so all of the songs on it are sort of about me navigating that experience. Afraid of the Dark was the last song I wrote for my EP (its also the title of my EP) and I wrote it when I was coming out of that particular period in my life. The “Afraid of The Dark” song is about how although I was relieved to feel more like myself, I was paranoid of falling back into that state of mind again. By the same token its also about how I weirdly missed the highs that came with being sad and self destructive.”
– EZI
“Crossfire” by Snøwmass and Mona Moua is just the energetic song you need for the Fall season. It’s not over the top or too light for Summer, it sits just right with the season’s characteristics.
The future-tinged original shares some qualities from other records in the Snøwmass catalog, but he slows things down to really focus in on making an anthemic, BIG sounding record. There are a lot of great tracks, but this is one of those that feels as though it is encompassing you with its sound. It’s not easy to pull off, but “Crossifire” hits all the right notes from top to bottom. Best part about it is that it has been released as a free download, so there’s no reason not to get it.
The Federal Empire have come out with an unexpected single branching into new territory. The duo’s original “Perfect Strangers” sees them dive more into the electronic world rather than simply sticking with their alternative signature.
This creative stretch is what makes great artists great. The Federal Empire were willing to do something different and succeeded in cooking up a masterful original. In flexing their abilities they went into a very housey style that isn’t something many fans were ready for, but because they executed things so well, fans were satisfied and we’re included in that category 100%.
It’s been just over two years since we’ve been privy to any new music from tastemaking producer George Fitzgerald, who released his debut LP Fading Love in 2015. Luckily for us, the English artist has blessed us with latest single “Burns”. Premiered as Annie Mac’s Hottest Record In The World on BBC Radio 1, “Burns” sees Fitzgerald effortlessly blending the radio friendly aesthetic of his native house and garage with the muted robotics and tinny percussion of warehouse-leaning techno. Leaning on fortified melody, “Burns” manages to maintain a healthy swath of house based soul, while rolling through arpeggiated synths, stacks of vocal samples, and understated techno drums to bring home its central thesis. About his latest tune Fitzgerald remarked: “The track started life as a studio experiment making a beatless chant out of loads of contrasting vocal samples, and then morphed over time. It works as a moment on a dancefloor but at heart it’s meant to be quite meditative, which I guess is where I’m at right now.” Which we agree, is the choice word about his latest work: “meditative”.
Rumors have been swirling around Fitzgerald’s full-length followup, and we’ve found out that it will be slated for an early 2018 release. “Burns” is out now via Domino Recording Co. offshoot Double Six Records, which you can stream below and buy here.
We’ve said a lot of things about Said The Sky and they’re all great things. That perfect streak hasn’t stopped with the release of his latest single “All I Got” with Kwesi.
Just to put into perspective of how amazing this tune is, Illenium himself stated that this may be his favorite STS tune ever. That’s a tough call because he has so many extraordinary releases out there, but we do have to say it’s up there as one of the best for sure. “All I Got” is another step in the right direction for one of music’s greatest talents – not one of dance music’s greatest talents, music in general. He’s just that good and “All I Got” is just another piece of evidence of that. Get your copy today.
One of our favorite pop stars is back with a brand new single. Julie Bergan has taken over our ears and our hearts many times before with her incredible work. Her latest keeps up her momentum towards the top of the music industry. Her new song may be called “Incapable” but she surely isn’t.
“Incapable” sees Julie slow things down and bring a slightly different vibe than what we’re used to. She always manages to flex her voice, but here its power sticks out more than usual. Its a moving record that will touch the souls of many people like it has us ninjas. Julie’s on a roll and it doesn’t look like she’s stopping anytime soon.
Convex has come through the dojo with the premiere of his brand new single. “Dainichi” comes to us through the Insomniac affiliate IN / ROTATION. With Convex’s complex catalog you never know exactly what you’re going to get, but he always delivers with quality records.
“Dainichi” is about as top quality as it gets. It’s more akin to vibey tracks by guys like Haywyre than some of Convex’s heavier stuff. He focuses in on musicality to create something that is timeless music, not even specific to electronic. It’s a jazzy crossover record that we won’t be forgetting anytime soon. Get a copy of this funky original today from digital stores, it’s well worth it.
Sure the looming winter sucks. The days are shorter, the air is colder, people are grouchy. But what other season gives you the perfect excuse to curl up with an Indie Dojo and just chill? So you know what dear winter, bring it on. We come prepared.
Melbourne’s own JAMO has come through the pipeline with a debut original single. “S.O.S.” features YOUNGSOUL and will be coming out tomorrow, November 7th. For now you can stream and pre-order the single, the latter being something you will likely do after listening.
“S.O.S.” sees JAMO delivering his lively house sound to the world. It’s a great club track that would be the perfect Summer hit. Because of its timeless nature, “S.O.S.” will be carried over into 2018 and treasured through festival season next year. It’s just that good. JAMO went all out to get eyes and ears his way with a great first original. Make sure to get reserve your copy of it today.
Disco Fries have been shaking things up as of late. Their most recent release “Side By Side” on Enhanced Music may just be the best evidence of that fact. No genre is going to hold them tightly.
“Side By Side” sees Disco Fries getting quite poppy with their work. It’s not a cheeseball pop song, it’s actually a rather incredible tune that is more the duo flexing creative abilities instead of trying to catch a wave for marketing purposes. There’s been a whole lot of great tracks over the years from these two, but this is one of the best. Check it out below and make sure to grab a copy from digital stores.
“We’ve been messing around with ideas for this song for years now and finally landed on this groove in the past few months. At this point our fans have come to expect curveballs with the music we’re releasing and it’s amazing for us to pretty much create and release within whatever genre we want without hesitation. Side by Side is the best example of that creative freedom.”
– Disco Fries
With special guest Tyler Hawkins, this week’s episode of TMN Radio was a particularly fun one featuring a mix of new age soul, R&B, hip-hop and house. On the eve of his performance at our Danksgiving North Bay Fire benefit show, Tyler shared a couple unreleased tracks alongside songs that have served as inspiration. The second half hones in on some of my favorite new electronic releases from Mr. Carmack’s flawless remix of a Chromeo classic to Yaeji’s hip-house perfection. Also mixed in are a few top notch house selections from Ditongo, Lane 8 and John Monkman c/o my good friend and former co-host Dom. Saturday’s Danksgiving party raised $3400 for the RCU Community Fund!
We’re starting the week off with a bang thanks to Daddy. The band comprised of James Franco and Tim O’Keefe have put together a huge remix project for their album Let Me Get What I Want that isn’t just a collection of remixes. The original Daddy tracks got in the hands of remixers and those remixes got in the hands of visual artists.
In the dojo today we’re premiering two of those videos, both being flips for Daddy’s “I Am A Sword Swallower” single. If that wasn’t enough for you, we got in touch with the remixers to get some insight on the project. The first remix comes from Tim O’Keefe himself and the other is from Concret. Monday doesn’t have to suck and Daddy is here to make it all better with their new videos available exclusively in the dojo. Dive right in and enjoy!
TMN: What made you decide to remix “I Am A Sword Swallower” instead of having
someone else jump on the project?
TO: I’ve been composing and producing music for quite a long time before I worked with James on Daddy. My background is in electronic music and I even used to throw raves back in the 90’s. When we decided to do a remix record, I wanted to reinterpret one of my own songs, but from a completely electronic and dance perspective.
TMN: How did Concret come into the picture to put their take on the single?
I first met Diego from Concret through Andy Rourke when Andy worked with Daddy on the Let Me Get What I Want LP. Diego was studying architecture at the time in Italy and also wrote a column for the Italian Architectural Digest, where he would interview musicians about how the cities they live in influence the music they make. He had done an interview with Andy and Andy suggested me as another musician to interview. Through that interview, we got to know one another and have thought about finding ways to collaborate ever since.
TMN: On top of the remixes, we have videos for both of them, how did that get added
to the project? How did you choose visual artists to partner with?
TO: Daddy has always been a very visually driven band. The original Let Me Get What I Want album was also released as a full-length film album. With the remix album, I thought it was a great opportunity to bring in filmmakers and video artists I’ve met over the past few years and see what kinds of short music films they could make for the remixes. Each one of them is someone I personally know, have worked with before, or always liked what I’ve seen of their work. This remix album was a great opportunity for me to collaborate with them.
TMN: What was your plan of attack in taking on “I Am A Sword Swallower” for
Daddy?
C: The idea from the beginning was to loop the voice and create an interesting melodic and rhythmic game with the other percussive elements and with the new arpeggio to give the remix a different kind of pathos from the original one.
TMN: In 3 words, how would you describe your remix to people?
Enjoyable, complex, emotional.
TMN: What was your reaction after seeing the video for your remix for the first
time?
C: I loved the aesthetic of the video. I really love minimal video art, it gives more possible interpretations to the remix.
Mt. Joy is the sort of band that makes music you can ride out into the proverbial sunset to. After a series of stellar singles, “Silver Lining” continues the band’s unflinching devotion to delving into complex topics, which is immediately felt in their blunt and to-the-point lyrics that seamlessly pair with their folksy instrumentation. While “Sheep” proved that Mt. Joy isn’t here to simply hit the stage and spout overused platitudes, “Silver Lining” finds the band exhibiting a more contemplative stance that reflects on finding lasting joy throughout a haze of vices. Even with this shift in tone from their previous single, Mt. Joy’s ability to craft instantly catchy choruses carries over to this newest tune as well, and they’ve got yet another winner on their hands. If “Silver Lining” is the standard set for a potential Mt. Joy album, we’re all in for quite a treat.
Without fail, Hotel Garuda has demonstrated a mastery of making music you can groove to, and their latest collaboration with Lemaitre fits the bill yet again. “Dancing On The Moon” marks the duo’s first release with the NYC-based record label Mom + Pop and manages to inject a little bit of summer swagger into our playlists as we head into the winter. No matter the weather, these four have constructed a lively coalescence of pop, nu-disco, and house that can instantly brighten up your day the moment you hit play. The funk is strong with this one, and “Dancing On The Moon” finds Hotel Garuda at a point in their career where it truly feels like they are making the music they’ve wanted to create all along. On top of the new release, they’ve already begun their Dancing On The Moon tour with support from SAINT WKND, GEOTHEORY, Kidswaste, and Daktyl, so be sure to catch them in your city on the dates below!
Dancing On The Moon Tour
11/4/2017 – Tampa, FL (Ritz Ybor)
11/9/2017 – Los Angeles, CA (Fonda)
11/10/2017 – Santa Ana, CA (Observatory)
11/11/2017 – San Francisco, CA (Regency Ballroom)
11/16/2017 – Portland, OR (45 East)
11/17/2017 – Seattle, WA (Showbox)
11/18/2017 – Vancouver (U Hall)
11/30/2017 – Washington, D.C. (U Street)
12/8/2017 – Edmonton (Chvrch Of John)
12/9/2017 – Calgary (HiFi Club)
12/14/2017 – Brooklyn (Schimanski)
12/15/2017 – Toronto (Velvet Underground)
12/16/2017 – Montreal (Astral)
Mental health is always worth preserving, and PLVTINUM‘s newest single was inspired by this exact principle. Struggling with heartache, he began to heal by utilizing his innate ability to craft cathartic tunes, which resulted in the breezy yet bold “London’s Calling”. The impact of his emotional tribulations does not get lost in the uplifting production, as the lyrics detail a person who has not only struggled, but persevered.
There’s something admirable about transforming a painful memory into an experience that not only helps you grow, but can do the same for others. On an even more positive note, PLVTINUM is also donating 10 percent of all his Spotify proceeds from “London’s Calling” to the Society For the Prevention Of Teen Suicide, so be sure to enjoy this wonderful musical testament to recovery here also.
We’re starting off the first weekend of November with a blast of bass. We’ve gathered twelve of our favorite free downloads from over the past week and many of them are some heavy hitting singles. We still ease into the energy with some pre-game singles from producers like ShiShi, AGLORY and Lunettes Noires, but from there we pump it up. Far Too Loud, Mayhem, Basstrick, Goldplate and more kick things into high gear with their ferocious tunes. Lastly, we end things with a MEGA mix from Havok Roth for his VIP Edits pack. Stream them all, download them and enjoy. Have a fun weekend on us!
It’s always an honor to share a debut song from a new act, but having the first chat with them is a whole other thing. Luckily enough, we caught up with one of Never Say Die‘s newest family members, oddprophet, for his first ever interview. The budding bass beatsmith is surrounded by legends in NSD, but he may end up taking the reigns with his extraordinary sounds.
Not only do we have his first interview to share with you, but below you can find his EP, Process, complete with four masterful works. Upon listening you’ll see just why we’re so hyped on this cat. In catching up with him, we cover where he came into the music scene, how Process came about and what the future may look like for this promising star. We’ve said it about so many acts, but we’ll say it again here: Get to know oddprophet before everyone else does.
TMN: Can you tell us more about your origins as a producer? When did you first start producing and did you have any musical experience before that?
OP: I started messing around on FL Studio for fun around 2011. Before that it was guitar and choir in my high school. Nothing creative until I picked up a DAW and looking back at some of the “songs” I made back then, it always gives me a good laugh on how poor they were. It’s nice to look back at where you’ve come from, but it’s motivated a couple of friends to know that with practice and time you can always be better.
TMN: Tell us a bit more about your hometown, Swansea. How did your environment influence your sound?
OP: Much like the UK, par London, there was no dubstep scene. It was all drum and bass, deep house and grime that would bring in the crowds. Shout out to events like Funktion Tek that inspired me to write jump up for a bit, but that’s not where my real passion lied and I always had a soft spot for heavy dubstep. After moving to Cardiff, I could really focus on developing my sound as my course would go over the basics for the first year. It was that year I found the sound I wanted to continue making from all the free time I had to experiment!
TMN: What was the inspiration behind the ‘Process’ EP? How would you describe the difference in sound from your previous ‘Notorious? EP, which was released on Never Say Die Black Label?
The main idea of the ‘Process’ EP was to make music that stood out and had the perfect mix of sound design, heaviness and dancey flow. Sometimes, with the over-saturation of EDM, it’s easy to come across loads of similar songs that lack character and individuality. Not “being a part of the process” was always a main objective when creating new music. ‘Notorious’ EP had the same notion behind the production of those tunes, but this one I went full out and wasn’t scared to try something more crazy. The positive comments on ‘Process’ have given me courage to take it up a level next release.
TMN: How did the collaboration with Ecraze on “Spread Like” come about?
OP: The collaboration with Ecraze was already settled after “Ammo.” Being a quiet fan of Thom’s music for a year before he noticed me, having him reach out and ask to collaborate was the major step I needed to get my music out there. He was amazing to work with and so it was a no brainier to work on something again. Still in debt to him for welcoming my name into Never Say Die and we’ve been great friends ever since. Our next goal is B2B somewhere in Europe, probably Paris. Spread Like is not the last song we’ll make together for sure. Graphyt is also sure to make an appearance with a tune with us some time.
TMN: Do you have plans to tour anytime soon?
OP: Touring has been the dream for a while now. It’s quite simple to understand why producers want to tour. It’s not work for any of us. To earn money doing what you love is not working and it’s quite scary to understand that a tour is already in the works for oddprophet. Things are happening faster than I thought they would! Traveling is another reason why I’m glad this will be happening sooner rather than later.
TMN: While it’s hard to name just 1 dream collaboration, who is the first person that comes to mind when you think about potential collaborators?
I haven’t told him yet, but SVDDEN DEATH and I would probably make something quite nasty. He uses that same balance of heaviness and flow I mentioned. Songs like “Take Ya Head Off” are almost too good to be real because the balance is so point in my opinion. Honourable mentions include MUST DIE! & Spag Heddy right now. Both have given me major support for my tunes this year and to be a part of any of these artists’ discography would be a true pleasure.
Fox Stevenson has long been regarded as one bass music’s best. Instead of riding his success out with minimal effort the producer has continued to expand on his impressive catalog with even more great records. His latest is the EP, For Fox Sake, that came out on Disciple. With three originals and a D&B mix of one of the songs, this EP has all the great Fox signatures and a whole lot more.
For Fox Sake may be our favorite release of his to date. Things fire up quickly with “The Heat” and from there it’s tough to not just stick it on repeat. However, once you move to “Miss You” you things get even heavier. The motif continues with “Gunshot Sonata” that builds upon the last track’s weight. Lastly, we’re left with a drum & bass remix of “Miss You” that acts as a nice change of pace for the project. Overall this one is top notch. You’ll want to grab a copy of it for yourself.
Perhaps one of the most iconic live electronic outfits operating in any capacity of the music world today, London bred synth-pop superstars Hot Chip, have long been a shiny apple in both this writer’s, and TMN’s eyes (or ears for that matter). In advance of a looming November U.S. DJ tour, two of the Hot Chip’s gangs most formidable members, Joe Goddard & Felix Martin, have put together a healthy amount of tunes to tune your cochlear cavities in advance of what will no doubt be a bevy of eclectic sets from the pair. Their latest mix flirts with slices of R&B, reggaeton, soul, synth-pop, jazz and indie including a handful of effective groovers and obscure tracks from the likes of Addison Groove, Roman Flugel, and Omar S ft. Nite Jewel, all through the scope of a dancefloor, and they’ve come up aces with another worthy addition to their mix catalog. The tracklist for Hot Chip’s latest DJ mix can be found below, as well as all dates dotting their forthcoming U.S. tour. For our stateside friends with a pension for uniquely programmed, genre jumping dance parties, don’t miss Felix & Joe’s DJ iteration of the group coming in November.
Hot Chip (DJ tour) featuring Joe Goddard and Felix Martin:
Nov 10th || Output || Brooklyn, NY
Nov 11th || Lot 613 || Los Angeles, CA
Nov 15th || Terminal West || Atlanta, GA
Nov 16th || Club Here I Love You || El Paso, TX
Nov 17th || It’ll Do || Dallas, TX
Nov 18th || Smart Bar || Chicago, IL
Nov 19th || U Street Music Hall || Washington, DC
Nov 22nd || Mezzanine || San Francisco, CA
Nov 23rd || Fortune Sound Club || Vancouver, BC
Nov 24th || Neumos || Seattle, WA
Check out the full tracklisting after the jump.
Hot Chip September 2017 DJ Mix Tracklisting:
Velly Joonas – Stopp, Seisku Aeg!
Chico Mann – Nobody Wants To feat Kenda Morris
Funkadelic – You Can’t Miss What You
King Sunny Ade – Ire
Fatnotronic & In Flagranti – Botoque
Mexico (Lovefingers Barrio Edit)
Francis Bebey – Sanza Tristesse
Dr Dunks – Dunks Got the Answer
Let’s Get It On – Alien Disco Sugar
Udell – Won’t You Try
Asa Moto – Wanowan Efem
AFX and Luke Vibert – Spiral Staircase
Vakula – Intergalactic Funk
Omar S– Confess 2 U ft. Nite Jewel
Patrick Cowley – Goin Home
Shirley Lites – Heat You Up
Superpitcher – In My Head
Roman Flugel – Deo (Pachanga Boys’ New Blazer Edit)
Today in the dojo we’ve got a debut single to share with you from Kaerhart. The songwriter, who has worked for the likes of Vic Mensa, is stepping out into the spotlight with her own project and we’re all about it. Her first single “Drain My Love” is anything but average.
Kaerhart is no stranger to writing a great song, which is exactly what she did here. The single is liberating on multiple levels and is just the right first step for Kaerhart to grab everyone’s attention. She certainly has ours. The hybrid original is one of our favorite releases in the past few months and may just end up on our best of 2017 at the end of the year. It’s that good.
Mauwe is back with their second single under their project together. “Smoked A Pack” sees the duo continuing with their highly addictive crossover sound. Never would we have said that having smoked a pack be a good thing, except now.
“Smoked A Pack” is a tale of love and loss, but it’s not your typical boring, watered down cheese-fest that most pop acts push. It’s a simple, thoughtful portrayal of the feelings that come and go in a relationship. From the vocals down to the details within the instrumental, Mauwe got it right with this one. They’ve amazed us with their first two singles and we’re excited for what’s coming next.
Crash Land‘s sophomore single “Time Warp” has come through the pipeline thanks to STMPD RCRDS. After a highly successful debut single, sometimes following that up is a tough job, however Crash Land has succeeded with another step in the right direction.
“Time Warp” employs a heavily electronic influenced beat that takes the lead at some points in the song. The hip-hop hybrid style makes for a dynamic listen that you can experience over and over without things getting stale. Crash Land’s cool rhymes add to the majesty of the single. Look for Crash Land to keep up the top of the line tracks with their next releases. For now, get you copy of “Time Warp” today.
