Tuesday, July 31, 2018

[House] Alisky – Traces (feat. IOLITE)

Oooooh boy, Finland’s firey talent Alisky dropped his debut single recently and it’s a hot one. The collaboration with IOLITE called “Traces” has us putting Alisky high on our lists of artists to watch. In one fell swoop he grabs our ears with both hands and forces us to pay attention to his talents.

It’s always great to see a new act debut and “Traces” couldn’t have been a better first step for the producer. He sets his tone with a dynamic house record that is as danceable as it is delightful. It starts off quick and doesn’t pull any punches for its entirety. “Traces” is a must have, so add it to your library today.



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[Drum & Bass] Crankdat feat. Sara Skinner – Say It

Crankdat isn’t one to shy away from trying new things creatively. He’s taken on genre after genre and now has added another to his catalog by way of “Say It” with Sara Skinner, who shines bright on this one.

Although he implements a few styles in different magnitudes, Crankdat focuses in on drum & bass with this catchy tune. It’s melodic nature really glues the tune to your brain, even after you’re done listening the tones play back in your head. It’s no wonder why Armada Music wanted to release this track, which is now available on digital platforms. Do yourself a favor, add it to your library.



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[Music Video] URBANO – Standing Ovation

Philadelphia’s own brother/sister duo URBANO have steadily become a force in the world of pop and hip-hop. The siblings have carved their own space fusing these two genres together with other styles, including electronic music. That’s just what they did with their latest record “Standing Ovation.”

Not only did these two drop this heater, but they paired it with a music video to match. The video plays a straightforward scenario and bounces back and forth between John and Ris as they take on celebrity scenes. It’s a fun visual for an even funner track that does manage to hype you up. Check it below and enjoy.



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[Electro] Dr. Fresch – No Introduction EP

Dr. Fresch recently took his sound down a new road and in doing so he has further flexed his musical abilities straight in our faces, or ears. His EP, No Introduction, comes with four singles including his already successful track “Fire.”

Released on Insomniac Records, No Introduction brings the heat right away and never lets up. The collection of songs share a similar umbrella style in electro, but Dr. Fresch and company, including Mina Knock and JACKNIFE, don’t just trudge forward with watered down dance music. Instead they burst forth with an amazing, cohesive project that pays homage to classic tracks while also showing where this genre is headed.



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[MP3 Playlist] Indie Dojo (July 2018 Round #5)

We don’t really want to talk about it, but let’s be real, summer’s end is sneaking up on our asses. Let’s just pretend it’s not happening and hang on to the last moments with brand new Indie Dojos. ‘Cuz good music makes the memories so much better anyways.


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Monday, July 30, 2018

[Music Ninja Radio] Episode 118: Barbara + Berlin Beats

Music Ninja Radio is a weekly podcast recorded and broadcast live on San Francisco’s BFF.fm  from 4-6PM PST every Friday. 

Soundcloud || Spotify Playlist  || BFF.fm Archive & Tracklist

In my first episode back following a 6-week hiatus in Berlin, we feature very special guest DJ Barbara all the way from NYC for an eclectic dance party coloring the first half of the show. For the second half of this episode, I mixed a number of experimental house and techno tracks I discovered while traveling making for a winding, unpredictable journey through out.

Also, want to shout out BFF’s Summer Sustainer program. As you may or may not know, Best Frequencies Forever is a community radio station run off the donations of its DJs and listeners. If you sign up to make a recurring donation, you can become a BFF Bestie–perks include a dope enamel pin, t-shirt, show tickets and even an exclusive monthly party. Support community radio! -Ash



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Sunday, July 29, 2018

Sunday Night Soul [Vol. 67]

Another week down, and another week ready to begin. The friendly faces at The Music Ninja are here to help smooth the transition as you get back to the grind. As usual, Sunday Night Soul is specifically designed to wrap up your weekend the right way, so dim the lights, grab a drink and let the relaxation begin. By the way, don’t forget to click the links below to make sure you’re alerted as soon as we update the playlists on Spotify and SoundCloud!

Playlist Links:

SoundCloud || Spotify || Spotify Archive



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Tuesday, July 24, 2018

[Indie Pop] Duets and Stuff – Serve Somebody

Sometimes, serendipity occurs. When it does, you never feel disappointed that those two paths hadn’t crossed previously. It’s actually quite the contrary. You’re always pleased when the time comes. And, that’s exactly how I feel today, coming across Greta and Raimond.

Hailing from Sweden, Duets and Stuff is a shiny new indie pop outfit who’s debut stirred up quite a bit of attention just six months back with their debut release “Serve Somebody.” While I do feel a bit behind the curve catching on a half of year later, I’m actually quite please I discovered this shimmery tune in time to enjoy it during the summer months. The beachy vibes are perfect for these warm-weather days, driving around the city with your sunroof open and a grin across your face.

In addition to “Serve Somebody,” we’re also showcasing their most recent release, “Hold On.” It’s less upbeat than the previous, but still offers up the same catch, indie pop goodness we fell for with their debut.



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[MP3 Playlist] Indie Dojo (July 2018 Round #4)

Some people collect stamps, some people collect beanie babies (are those still a thing?), some people collect baseball cards and some people collect music. Now, we ain’t the ones to brag but, can we just say we got a pretty damn good collection going on here?


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Sunday, July 22, 2018

Sunday Night Soul [Vol. 66]

Another week down, and another week ready to begin. The friendly faces at The Music Ninja are here to help smooth the transition as you get back to the grind. As usual, Sunday Night Soul is specifically designed to wrap up your weekend the right way, so dim the lights, grab a drink and let the relaxation begin. By the way, don’t forget to click the links below to make sure you’re alerted as soon as we update the playlists on Spotify and SoundCloud!

Playlist Links:

SoundCloud || Spotify || Spotify Archive



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Friday, July 20, 2018

[Get Crunk] Friday Party Playlist (Vol 301)

The ninjas are back with another pack of party poppin’ records for you. The Friday Party Playlist continues with some extra fire for you – not only do we have a dozen records from the likes of Kaptain, HOMEWRCKR, jeanie, G-REX and many more, but we’ve included a Corrupt x Birthdayy Partyy mix at the end just in case you needed some extra music for the weekend. After all, we don’t know how hard you’ll want to party. Most of the tracks included are available as free downloads, so grab ’em before you’re out and about at your weekend festivities.



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[Music Video] VenessaMichaels – Ridin’ The Waves featuring Effy & Outlaw The Artist

Back on June 8th VenessaMichaels released her debut EP, Flight, complete with three singles and an interlude. All tracks on the concept EP were magnificent, showing the evolution of Venessa as a producer. We’ve been enjoying the tracks ever since, but now we have a music video to further satisfy us.

Venessa’s collaboration with Effy and Outlaw The Artist called “Ridin’ The Waves” kicked off the EP with a bang and has subsequently grown the overall Flight project with a visual counterpart. The video centers around Effy and Outlaw, with each of them performing, as well as the two at a beautiful beach. It’s a tasteful video whose minimalist style is quite powerful. Venessa also will be hosting a 2090 Pool Party on July 29th, make sure to RSVP!



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[Dubstep] Bassrush Massive: The Album

If you’re into bass music, then Bassrush is a name that is all too familiar. The multi-avenue entity has been killing it with their events, media platform and now label. Today marks the start of Bassrush Massive and to celebrate the crew has released The Album, a compilation of dubstep and drum & bass records to either get you warmed up for the event, or remedy some of your FOMO. The compilation runs nineteen tracks deep with works from the likes of Caspa, Spag Heddy, Boogie T, SQUNTO and so many more. Without further adieu, if you’re ready to headbang, so are we. Click that play button!



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FOOLiE – Open Mouth [TMN Premiere]

The Bay Area beatsmith FOOLiE has taken over the dojo with the premiere of his new single “Open Mouth” from the Becky EP. Released on Psycho Disco!, this booming house record is just what you need to kick off the start of the weekend.

FOOLiE delivers an underground, after-hours treat with this bassy beast. Its jaw-dropping grooves will have you dancing into the darkest hours of the night. “Open Mouth” has a retro feel to it, paying homage to classic house records. Make sure to check out the full Becky EP and grab a copy for yourself on the digital platform of your choice.



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Tuesday, July 17, 2018

[Festival Preview] Amplify SF’s Inaugural Voltage Fest Hosts AFK, Svdden Death & Savage Society

Bay Area, get your bass face ready. On July 24th the newly formed Amplify SFwill be hosting their first Voltage festival. The one night showcase will host some of the best up and coming names in bass music with AFK b2b Svdden Death as headliners while the Savage Society team takes over the rest of the night.

Amplify launched late in 2017 after taking over EPR Wednesday. Since then they’ve kept San Francisco booming with incredible sets from the likes of Wenzday, Pixel Terror, Oski, Hydraulix and more, including Scrvp who plays there tomorrow. If you wanna make your week a whole lot better, go on ahead and get tickets for the event. Time is running out!

GRAB TICKETS



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[House] Born Dirty & Anna Lunoe – Badass

Born Dirty and Anna Lunoe are bad asses without question. It makes sense that they’d come together for a collaboration which is just what they’ve done with “Badass” on Mad Decent. You wouldn’t necessarily think such a club banger would have been started during a pregnancy, but you’d be wrong.

After the initial start and a little hiatus, Born Dirty and Anna Lunoe came back together to finish this party starter. The liberating record simply asks for you to let your inhibitions fall by the way side so you can live it up and dance. The retro-inspired tune has everything going right for it from the grooves to the vocal to all the minor little details that might go unnoticed upon first listen. If you wanna feel “Badass” then you’re about to thanks to this record. Get your copy today.



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[Pop] Kaerhart – Losing My Mind

One of our favorite pop creatives, Kaerhart, has come in hot with a powerful message. Through her emotionally transofrmative single “Losing My Mind” Kaerhart sums up modern angst and frustration in a unique, cathartic way. Instead of dwelling, she proposes to let loose.

“Losing My Mind” touches on the cultural injustices that blanket our every day struggles. It’s an uplifting take on the situation that will have you motivated to let it all hang out so you can take on the world. The moombah inspired instrumental gives the record heavy dance elements while Kaerhart belts away with her captivating vocal. Not only on its face is it a poppin’ Summer hit, but it comes with a message. You’ll want to find room in your Spotify playlist for this one.

PS, check out Kaerhart’s clothing line, ladies!



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[Electronic] Midoca & badXchannels – I’m Sorry I’m Gone

Midoca has been killing it lately with superb videos – and of course with great music. We’ve generally seen him roll the solo route, but now we’ve got a collaboration with badXchannels on our hands. Released through Lowly Palace as his label debut, “I’m Sorry I’m Gone” is an indie electronic gem that sees both talents bring their A game. It’s a beautifully dark record that you can’t help but to play over and over again. Another incredible record in the books for these two. Add it to your library today!



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[Electronic] Alex Lustig – If You Wanna / Sunrise

It seems that talents who’ve generally stayed behind the scenes are coming to light on their own. The same can be said for Alex Lustig who’s worked with the likes of French Montana, Baka Not Nice, Young Thug, Dizzy Wright, and Machine Gun Kelly. Now he’s further stepping out on his own and we have two new tracks to show for it.

His double release contains, firstly, the chilled out “If You Wanna” that has all the right vibes for a laidback Summer jam; although this one is surely a hit no matter the time of year. Secondly we have the song “Sunrise” that perfectly embodies the sentiment of seeing our giant star come rising out of the horizon. Together these tracks serve as a reminder of just what Alex Lustig can do solo: craft memorable, unique hits. Get your copy of them today.



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[TMN Premiere] Loveclub – Stuck

Hardly anything gets our proverbial Music Ninja blood pumping quite like unveiling brand new artists yet unheard to the rest of the world. Such is the case with today’s TMN Premiere coming from L.A. based, Canadian Indie-Pop project, Loveclub. Loveclub’s aural aesthetic is one bending 80’s synth kits & sensibilities around sharp songwriting, and contemporary pop arrangements for a sound uniquely his, yet utterly relatable.

The first single to see light from Loveclub is “Stuck”. Fusing tinny kick-drums, aerated pads and perfectly popping snare stabs, Loveclub buoys the lovely instrumentation with a flitting vocal track that shapes the tune’s emotional identity; landing somewhere between indie-pop and (wink, wink) PBR&B. About the tune, the debuting artist shared: “’Stuck’ is about putting it all out there and realizing that sometimes it doesn’t work out.” Something surely most of our listeners can associate with. We’re prognosticating a strong finish to 2018 from the budding synth-pop style-bender that is Loveclub, and you can be sure we’ll be revealing more pieces to his unraveling puzzle as they are released. Until then, stream Loveclub’s premiere single “Stuck” above.



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[MP3 Playlist] Indie Dojo (July 2018 Round #3)

Just like life, the Indie Dojo is full of surprises. Sometimes good, sometimes bad. Unlike life, the Indie Dojo allows you to skip though the bad and repeat the good. Sounds like the Indie Dojo wins today.


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Monday, July 16, 2018

[Festival Preview] The Underground Music Showcase 2018 – Denver, CO – 7/27-7/29

The 18th anniversary of one of Denver’s most storied music events, The Underground Music Showcase, is rapidly encroaching, bringing with it perhaps its heaviest-hitting lineup ever. What began as a one-night performance featuring just four bands, The UMS has steadily exploded into to a three-day music and arts festival featuring hundreds of performances. As the time draws nearer to what will no doubt be another incredible weekend of performances, this year taking place from July 27th – July 29th, it’s time to get our readers familiar with this year’s crop of highly established headliners and burgeoning local & national artists, spanning a plethora of genres and sounds.

Dotting the top end of this year’s addition of The Underground Music Showcase are more than a few TMN regulars. Among this year’s biggest highlights are the smooth indie-disco stylings of L.A. electronic duo Classixx, the infectious ciphers of B.J. the Chicago Kid & legendary hip-hop troupe Digable Planets, a healthy smattering of established indie acts including Greta Kline’s Frankie Cosmos project, Deerhunter & Mothers, scuzzy rock sets from Alvvays, White Denim & Superchunk; not to mention the most eclectic handling of local talent we get to hear year after year including sets from olorado’s own CRL CRRLL, Aaron Bordas, Slow Caves, Bud Bronson & The Goodtimers and loads more.

We’ll see you there in full force on July 27th, but until then, get in the UMS swing of things by streaming our playlist below.



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Sunday, July 15, 2018

Sunday Night Soul [Vol. 65]

With the World Cup Final airing earlier this morning, chances are you either came out disappointed or ecstatic with the end results of today’s thrilling match. But don’t worry, no matter you’re mood, we’ve got just the music to match. If you were let down, well, we’ve got plenty of somber tunes to match your poor disposition. On the contrary, if you’re too tired from all the celebrations, we’ve also got some relaxing tracks to help whisk you away to bed peacefully. So, without further ado, dim the lights down and press play below–you know you want to. As always, feel free to follow us on SoundCloud and Spotify to make sure you get notified when our playlists go live!

Playlist Links:

SoundCloud || Spotify || Spotify Archive



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Tuesday, July 10, 2018

[MP3 Playlist] Indie Dojo (July 2018 Round #2)

Out of the millions and millions of songs floating around in the interwebs, here’s a few chosen ones for your listening pleasure. And don’t you fret, there’s a lot more where these came from.


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Monday, July 9, 2018

[Electro] I am Sid – The Dancing Plague EP

Mmmmm, we love a good concept EP. Too bad I am Sid didn’t just settle for good, as his EP, The Dancing Plague, is a feat of electro few have managed to come close to. Inspired by some interesting events in history, most notably in the 1500’s where individuals went manic in a dancing fit and ended up dying. Gnarly stuff – but just the kind of crazy thing that inspires some incredible art.

In four tracks I am Sid captures the creepy, dark tone of the fatal events. Through gut-wrenching basslines and some powerful composition packed with raw melodies and haunting soundscapes, The Dancing Plague is one of the most powerful projects we’ve heard this year. It’s focused, dynamic and magnificently engaging – putting you right in the mix of the mania. The Dancing Plague is a must have. Period.



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[Music Video] Boston Bun – Spread Love (Paddington) feat. DVNO

Paddington is a classic character in children’s literature. Many of us grew up reading about his exploits all over and subsequently watching them on the big screen – although, I personally missed the feature. However, the Paddington love runs deep and the same can be said for Boston Bun whose single “Spread Love (Paddington)” plays off the bear’s legend.

Featuring DVNO, “Spread Love (Paddington) is an extremely uplifting deep house cut that is about as catchy as it gets. The same thing goes for the music video that is wild, crazy and all about fun love. Because Paddington is replaced, the wacky factor is multiplied tenfold. All in all this package of song/video is one of the more entertaining we’ve come across and you’ll likely agree. Enjoy!



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[Music Video] Lucas & Steve x Brandy – I Could Be Wrong

I could be wrong, but if you’re around our ages (pretty much, millennials here in the dojo), then you remember Brandy. The esteemed Grammy winning singer and brother of Ray J has had an amazing career in the mainstream world, but now she’s jumped into dance music via a feature on “I Could Be Wrong” by Lucas & Steve.

The Netherlands duo landed a big one with “I Could Be Wrong” on Spinnin’ Records & Big Beat. The progressive laced record is a Summer time house jam that will give you some nostalgia. Not only has the song come, but a music video as well. It’s a fun, playful visual that toys with California cliches – the beach, skateboarding etc. – in a way that is simple, yet engaging. It has us wanting to dance in the sand underneath the California sunshine.



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[House] Redlight – So Nice feat. Asabe

The British beatsmith Redlight has plenty of hits on his hands. Thanks to his collaboration with Asabe on “So Nice” he’s added another to his impressive catalog. Released on Insomniac Records, “So Nice” is just the after party track you’ve been looking for this festival season.

The industrious, yet deep original shares a classic vibe, which should come as no surprise given the veteran producer behind it. Redlight’s become a timeless figure, pushing out tracks that are good no matter what release date is pinned on it. “So Nice” feels a bit retro, however it implements a few newer characteristics to give it a nice modern edge. Overall, it’s a solid record that you need to add to your digital library.



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Sunday, July 8, 2018

Sunday Night Soul [Vol. 64]

Yes, we know, we know, we’re a teensy bit late with this week’s Sunday Night Soul (no excuses this time, but things happen). Although we are a little behind schedule this week, we still hope you’ll enjoy the selection we have for you below. For those ninjas who are still awake, there’s a good mix of old and familiar names alike that we’re sure you’ll find hit all the right notes. Since it is late, we’ll let you dive right in without any further delays. As always, make sure to follow us on Spotify and SoundCloud to keep up with our playlists when they go live!

Playlist Links:

SoundCloud || Spotify || Spotify Archive



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Tuesday, July 3, 2018

[MP3 Playlist] Indie Dojo (July 2018 Round #1)

Seriously, how is it July already? Guess time flies when you have a weekly Indie Dojo to look forward to.



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Monday, July 2, 2018

[Event Review] Stars – Bluebird Theatre – Denver, CO

Even writing this, it’s hard to believe that Canadian synth-pop stalwarts (and quasi Broken Social Scene offshoot) Stars are nearing their twentieth year in existence. Once supplying some of this writer’s favorite sugary sweet, heartfelt pop tunes, Stars have managed to carve out one of the most endeared fan bases in any stretch of music, and last week, your Ninja faithful were privy to another stirring performance from our Northern friends. Stars, who are touring on the heels of 2017’s excellent There Is No Love in Fluorescent Light, and a pair of exciting singles to pace the first half of 2018, trotted out to rapturous applause before diving straight into aforementioned LP’s lead single “Flourescent Light”.

Read the rest of our review, and check out a few pictures from the evening after the jump! 

Clearly well-rehearsed and in perfect sync with their crowd, the five-piece were step-for-step with each other, playing in excellent harmony while commanding the crowded room. Standouts from their immense, two-decade spanning catalog were next, as nearly everyone in the GA pit belted out every reverberation that co-vocalists Torquil Campbell and Amy Millan threw out to “Alone”, “Ship to Shore”, and “Elevator”.

For nearly two hours, Stars treated the Mile-High City to more than enough live exuberance and effort to warrant their fans’ presence and reaffirm themselves as one of the world’s most powerful synth-pop acts in existence. It was a heartfelt close and encore as Stars “finished” on “No One Lost” before dipping back out for a three song encore which included “We Call It Love” and “Ex Lovers”.

We’re beyond excited to have caught Stars in our home city, living up to, and even exceeding much of this writer’s performance expectations. Check out the rest of Stars’ complete tour dates from the poster above, and be sure to snag a ticket when they come through your city.



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Sunday, July 1, 2018

Sunday Night Soul [Vol. 63]

To be honest, I had something completely prepared for this week’s writeup before, but midway through my train of thought LeBron James decided to *shock* the world with his surprising decision to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers. Unable to reconcile a reality where King James dons the purple and gold, I’ve been left completely speechless, so I’ll be using this week’s edition of Sunday Night Soul for some much needed therapeutic purposes. I suggest you do the same with the wonderful selection we have prepared for you this week. As always, you can listen below or follow the playlists on Spotify and SoundCloud using the links provided. Enjoy!

Playlist Links:

SoundCloud || Spotify || Spotify Archive



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