[Electronic] Phantogram – Never Going Home (Thom of Alt-J Remix)

Phantogram
Never Going Home (Thom alt-J Remix)

Alt-J and Phantogram have both been on killing it on tour non-stop since the release of their most recent albums–we’ve had the chance to catch both and they’re not acts you want to miss. In what promises to be one of the largest performances in either of their careeers, Phantogram will be opening for Alt-J tonight at the legendary Madison Square Garden. To celebrate the occasion and help fans prepare, Phantogram just DM’d Twitter followers with an exclusive remix of “Never Going Home” by Thom of Alt-J. It’s a sultry, brooding take on the original that’s available for free download as well. Enjoy above and check out interview with Phantogram from last year.

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[NEW] Alt-J – Left Hand Free (Lido Remix)

alt-J
Left Hand Free (Lido Remix)

A week after Lido previewed this remix on his Diplo & Friends MixAlt-J has let loose the Norwegian producer’s much anticipated take on their infectious single, “Left Hand Free.” We’ve come to expect the unexpected from Lido at this point and, on this one, he relaxes the upbeat original to kick things off allowing Alt-J’s vocals to shine over a minimalistic background. Around the 1:45 mark, Lido breaks the tension with his signature big-room breakdown accompanied with vocoder melodies.

This one was released exclusively via Spotify and comes a day after Lido’s I Love You Too, the impressive remix EP of his debut project featuring a number of fellow up ‘n comers. If you’re anything like us, you’ll have this one on repeat all day.

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[Festival Review + Playlist] Photos & Songs from Treasure Island 2014, SF 10/18-19

_MG_1990As regular festival attendees, the Ninja staff has definitely learned to appreciate a well-organized event and last weekend’s Treasure Island Music Festival proved once again to be one of the best in the business. With no overlapping sets and plenty of room to dance, TIMF, even in its most well-attended year to date, felt like a paradise for festivalgoers who, with the current popularity of live music, have become accustomed to the more stressful aspects of music festivals. Treasure Island’s 2014 lineup featured masterful curation of diverse genres encouraging attendees to check out acts they might not have otherwise.

Check out a playlist of memorable songs to go along with some amazing photos of MØ, Chet Faker Outkast, Alt-J and more from Treasure Island Music Festival below. If you were in attendance last weekend, we hope this brings you back!

Day 1

Why we loved it: Electro-pop vocalist MØ has been on our radar for quite some time now. As a performer, she has an undeniable energy with a voice that translates incredibly well live. Due to an eye infection, she was rocking an eye patch during her set, which actually ended up making her look even cooler on stage. TIMF2014_4 TIMF2014_5TIMF2014_6

”MØ
Don’t Wanna Dance’
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60+ Songs to Prepare for Treasure Island Music Festival in SF, 10/18-19 [Event Preview + Playlist]

timf2014-sfweekly-fullpgLineups for major music festivals often boast 100+ artists, which although in theory is a great concept, can end up being overwhelming and frustrating when you realize the impossibility of seeing every act on the bill. San Francisco’s Treasure Island Music Festival, a collaboration between Noise Pop and Another Planet Entertainment, provides one of the few exceptions to this conundrum electing to go with fewer artists and alternating sets at only two stages. Having attended last year, we found this to be a genius, albeit seemingly obvious, solution making the experience far more relaxed for festival-goers without sacrificing any quality in the music. Aside from the unique arrangement, the backdrop of Treasure Island overlooks both the Bay and Golden Gate bridges and has one of the more stunning sunsets the Bay Area has to offer. For anyone who will be attending this year, we also highly recommend checking out the non-stop Silent Disco stage courtesy Silent Frisco.

To help you all prepare for what should be an amazing weekend of music, we’ve put together a massive playlist including every single artist on the TIMF lineup because, with no overlapping sets, you will actually have the opportunity to see them all. Whether you’ve already got your ticket, are still on the fence or can’t make it this year, we hope this serves as a fun, introduction to a dynamic collection of musicians. One and two-day passes for Treasure Island Music Festival are still available so, if you like what you hear below, grab your tickets HERE.

Day 1: 

Painted PalmsNoon @ Bridge Stage. 

Sounds like: San Francisco-based, psychedelic pop.

’Painted Palms
Anna’
’Painted Palms – Here It Comes’

Tobacco (of Black Moth Super Rainbow), 12:40PM @ Tunnel Stage.

Sounds like: In his own words, “I want to make you feel paranoid in a good way.”

’Tobacco – Self Tanner’
’Black Moth Super Rainbow – Gangs in the Garden’

ratking1

MUST-SEE: Ratking1:10PM @ Bridge. 

Sounds like: Gritty, high energy New York hip-hop.

’Ratking – So It Goes’
’Ratking – Pretty Picture’
’Phantogram – Fall in Love (RATKING Falling Off Remix)’
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Alt-J – Every Other Freckle

alt-J
Every Other Freckle

Alt-J‘s upcoming album is shaping up quite nicely. Earlier today, the U.K. alternative rockers released the third consecutive quality track from the project. In tandem with the other two songs we’ve heard thus far, their latest offering helps crystalize expectations for their highly anticipated sophomore record.

Each glimpse has featured a different dimension to the band’s sound–“Hunger of the Pine” full of sultry, powerful longing and “Left Hand Free” feeling more upbeat and catchy. “Every Other Freckle” presents yet another facet falling in between the other tunes in terms of energy but incorporating some of the vocal patterns found on An Awesome Wave, most notably “Breezeblocks.” The range of styles presented in these first singles suggests that we can expect a versatile and engaging mix from This Is All Yours, which is available for pre-order on iTunes and drops on September 23rd.

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[Music Video] alt-J – Hunger Of The Pine

English indie trio alt-J have released a new music video for their single “Hunger Of The Pine” not unlike a nightmare most of us have had before. With a barrage of inescapable arrows chasing after him, the unfortunate soul in the video frantically and determinedly sprints through the forest in a desperate fight for his life while Joe Newman’s chilling voice coos.

Along with “Left Hand Free,” this Miley Cyrus sample laden track is another preview of alt-J’s forthcoming album, This Is All Yours, which is slated for release on September 22 in the US via Canvasback / Infectious Music. Check out the video and tour schedule below.

TOUR DATES

October 14 – Vancouver, BC – Orpheum Theater – SOLD OUT
October 15 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theater
October 16 – Portland, OR – Roseland Ballroom – SOLD OUT
October 17 – Portland, OR – Roseland Ballroom – SOLD OUT
October 18-19 – San Francisco, CA- Treasure Island Music Festival
October 20 – Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theater
October 21 – Pomona, CA – Fox Theater
October 24 – San Diego, CA – Soma
October 24 – 26 – Las Vegas, NV – Life Is Beautiful Festival
October 27 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
October 28 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium
October 31 – Minneapolis, MN – Myth
November 01 – Chicago, IL – Riviera Theatre – NEW DATE ADDED
November 02 – Chicago, IL – Riviera Theatre – SOLD OUT
November 04 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom
November 05 – Dallas, TX – Southside Ballroom
November 06 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center
November 07-09 – Austin, TX – Fun Fun Fun Fest
November 10 – Detroit, MI – The Filllmore
November 11 – Toronto, ON – Kool Haus – SOLD OUT
November 12 – Montreal, QB – Metropolis – SOLD OUT
November 14 – Philadelphia, PA – Tower Theater
November 16 – New York, NY – Beacon Theater – SOLD OUT
November 18 – Boston, MA – Orpheum Theater
November 19 – Washington, DC – Echostage

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[NEW] Alt-J – Hunger of the Pine

alt-J
Hunger Of The Pine

U.K.-based band, Alt-J, blew the music world away with their 2012 debut album, An Awesome Wave, which won England’s highly-respected Mercury Prize and led them on an extensive worldwide tour. After a long hiatus from new music and parting ways with one of their band members, they are back with the lead single from their upcoming album, This Is All Yours.

“Hunger of the Pine” continues the unique, experimental narrative expressed in their first project, but carries a slightly more solemn progression to it meant to capture feelings of longing. The slow-build proves powerful drawing the listener into Alt-J’s deeply and delightfully emotional world. If you listen closely, you may recognize an unexpected, warped vocal sample through out, which the band members identified as Miley Cyrus singing “I’m a female rebel” on her song “4×4.”

Although it is a thoroughly enjoyable listen, the track definitely leaves speculation open as to the direction of their sound making it a particularly compelling glimpse. Stream above and pre-order the album, which drops on September 22nd, on iTunes to get an instant download of this first release.

[via NPR]

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