Big Gigantic | The Music Ninja

[Event Review] TMN’s Favorite Sets from HARD Summer 2015

Posted by Ivan Chung - August 8, 2015

(Photo by Rukes.com)

If you’re caught up with the news in the EDM world, you’ve probably heard about Jack Ü‘s starfilled performance that featured many special guests, including 2 Chainz, AlunaGeorge, CL and Justin Bieber. Apart from all the craziness that went down last weekend, HARD Summer 2015 was one for the books. Ranging from hip-hop to electronic music, HARD Presents once again outdid themselves to satisfy every single one of their attendees’ musical palate. How do we even begin? The two-day festival in Pomona California was too much epicness to put in words. I think we’ll just end it here.

Just kidding. But there were indeed too many stellar performances to comment on, so we’re going to give our take on some of our favorite sets from Hard Summer. You’re about to relive some of the greatest moments from the annual summertime radness.

1. Big Gigantic

And the saxiest performance award goes to… Yes, Big Gigantic! The Colorado-based electronic duo absolutely brought down the house with their electrifying set. Coming on after fellow future funk artist GRiZ and headlining the 7-Up (Green) Stage, Big Gigantic gave every bit of their energy to their performance. Fusing dubstep and hardhitting bass with soul and funk, they definitely made their sound one of a kind. Dom the saxophonist held it down for all the live instrument performers and it goes to show how their music was able to reach out to so many different crowds, even at a EDM-filled festival.

2. Porter Robinson

(Photo by Jake West)

Something magical happens everytime we see Porter Robinson perform. The Worlds producer tweaks his live shows all the time by adding in different edits and transitions of his own songs, and making every set unique. His performance at HARD Summer was stellar to say the least. Filling the HARD Stage with a sea of people was no easy task, but he managed to do just that. It was visually stunning and emotionally provoking; it’s also everything a hardcore Porter fan could ask for. Everybody was already singing along to “Sad Machine” right when he started his set, and was left in tears as he ended it with “Language”. Only a handful artists could do the same to the audience as Porter did. Kudos to the just-turned-23-year-old feels capturer.

3. Jai Wolf

The “Indian Summer” producer managed to pack Purple Stage to over capacity with just 15 minutes into his set. He was among the youngest bunch to perform at this year’s festival. The list goes on… From “Lotus Eater”, remix of Odesza‘s “Say My Name”, remix of Mocki‘s “Weekend”, or ending his set on a high note with his version of Skrillex‘s “Ease My Mind”, Jai Wolf showcased his caliber to the fullest. He also had Mark Johns as his special guest, and the whole crowd just went nuts. Everyone was living in their own world during his set, and left talking about it for the rest of the festival. TMN is very excited to see what new music the yung producer has in store for us in the near future.

4. Die Antwoord

(Photo by HARD Presents)

In the midst of their American tour, Die Antwoord stopped by HARD Summer, took over and left everyone in awe. As if the photo above doesn’t speak enough (or too little), the South African alternative hip-hop group represented everything they stand for in the music community and brought down the Harder Stage with their cunningly crafty and one-of-a-kind performance. To everyone’s surprise, actor Jack Black (who was featured in Die Antwoord’s “Ugly Boy” music video) even came out during the set. With that said, if you haven’t seen Ninja or Yolandi perform before, you’re definitely missing out.

5. Jack Ü

Are you sick of listening to “Where Are U Now” on the radio? We are too, but Jack Ü has undeniably crushed it with their spectacular performance, and was definitely the HARD crowd’s favorite. Let’s start with the special guests. 2 Chainz popped out of nowhere during “Febreze”, Fly Boi Keno came out for “Beats Knockin'”, Aluna from AlunaGeorge performed “To U” and DJ Snake‘s version of ‘You Know You Like It”, CL from 2NE1 performed Diplo’s “Dirty Vibe” and “Revolution”, and hollywood golden child Justin Bieber closed out the night with “Where Are U Now”. The starpower was incredible and arguably topped Ultra Miami’s earlier this year. It was a party from beginning til end, as Skrillex and Diplo managed to take their bounce-influenced electronic music to the biggest stage. You could see the Skrill and Diplo waving their Jack U flag throughout the night, and many followers rocking their apparel in the crowd. They have successfully started a movement, and to say their performance was epic is an understatement.

And that concludes it with our review for HARD. With the amount of positivity going into the weekend, TMN is proud to say that we had a blast. Like Jauz said during his set, we were all there for one reason and one reason only: music. These artists continued to inspire and entertain all around the world, and HARD offered a great platform for that matter. With that said, we’ll see you all next year for another unforgettable weekend.

[TMN Interview] Big Gigantic’s Jeremy Salken on Rowdytown, his Muppet drum set, and why live instruments are so badass

Posted by Bryn Carter - September 24, 2014

Today we have the pleasure of sitting down with one half of Big Gigantic, the man on the drums, Mr Jeremy Salken. Jeremy! Thank you so much for taking some time out of your busy day to talk with The Music Ninja!

Jeremy: Yeah, thank you

TMN: Let’s get right to it, Rowdytown 3 is going to go down at Red Rocks in Morrison Colorado in three days. The two night event has become quite a staple with Big G (and I hear Friday is sold out, Saturday is quickly approaching the same, congrats!). Talk to us about where the inspiration came for Rowdytown?

Jeremy: Thank you very much, that’s awesome that so many people are coming. In regards to Rowdytown, we kind of had been on tour for a few years, traveling all over the country doing festivals and playing shows and opening up for people like Pretty Lights, Bassnector, and Skrillex. We got the opportunity to play Red Rocks, which they start talking to you about playing there the year before so the summer before the first Rowdytown we began talking about it. We were like, are we really going to play Red Rocks? Yes? Ok, then we need to make it big. We need to name the show something and just try to go all out. We passed around so many different names for months, from the stupidest stuff to great stuff. Then, Dom and I were goofing off with our friends, and one of them said, ‘Why don’t you call it Row-town?’ which, we used to say, we are going to take it to Rowdytown tonight you know when it was a big show and we were going to get crazy. So while we were talking about it, it turned into Rowdytown, and we were like that’s what we should call it.

TMN: An immediate that’s it!

Jeremy: Exactly, and now we are finally getting to a point where Rowdytown is developing into what we wanted it to be, two nights and everything, where it feels more like a festival. There are five artists each night, we are getting all special stuff, we have the little G’s coming out who are the advanced volunteers that are going to be helping out with stuff. There will be a photobooth, all sorts of things. Hopefully everyone has a great time this year.

TMN: Were you and Dominic surprised about the huge success of this event? It’s no surprise to anyone how much Colorado loves you two, being your hometown and everything, but you hear about people traveling from all over the US to see this. Tell us about how Rowdytown has become a staple for the Big G family?

Jeremy: Yeah, I think it is our mecca for Big G (laughs).

TMN: I would definitely say so!

Jeremy: And now that it is two nights, it is even more of an event because you can travel and go for two nights and make a weekend out of it. We are so psyched that it has built up to where it is and we are so appreciative to everyone who comes out to see us. It wasn’t that long ago that we were practicing in our basement and didn’t know what was going to happen and we were playing in tiny rooms all over the country. We started in Boulder and it is really cool that we can come back home and do something really awesome for Colorado.

TMN: Of course you are playing at the greatest outdoor venue in the world (that’s not just me saying, it has been voted on) Red Rocks. Does the experience just keep getting better and better everytime you are at that venue and what do you love most about playing there?

Jeremy: Red Rocks is definitely my favorite venue in the world. I honestly never get tired of that place; I went to shows all summer and saw a lot of my friends play. Every time I go to a show I spend half the show looking up at the audience and half the show looking at the stage. People are always asking me what I am looking at and I just can’t get over the way the moon always comes around that one big rock at the top on any clear night. It is just awesome, I love the vibe there.

TMN: I mean, not a bad thing to claim Red Rocks as a home venue.

Jeremy: (Laughs) Yeah not a bad place to claim at all. That we can even say that is beyond amazing.

TMN: And what a way to start before you head out on your “Touch the Sky” tour which is just twelve short days away. Tour are always fun, invigorating, and a massive commitment. What are a few things your fans can look forward to on this tour?

Jeremy: We are going to have a new light rig so that will be really cool. The set right now is pretty crushing. Dom has been working a lot on the older stuff. He finally found the master files for that stuff so we are making it a little fuller sounding, will be sharing some of it at Red Rocks. This tour coming up is going to be great, it is all over the country and we will be playing at some great venues like Madison Square Garden with Bassnector to kick it off. We have a big Halloween show in Atlanta, other shows in Detroit and Philly, just a lot of great places throughout the fall.

TMN: Sounds like a great tour, I’m sure all of your fans are looking forward to it.

Jeremy: It will be, tell everyone to come out, it will be a rager.

TMN: Just tell them all they will go ‘Row-Town’ every night right?

Jeremy: (Laughs) Yes, it is going to be so ‘Row’.
Continue reading →

Five Ninjas. Five Coachella Stories. [Event Review]

Posted by TMN Staff - April 23, 2014

Story 1 – Clayton Warwick

Day one of Coachella was an interesting one for me. Coming off of a full day of food poisoning hell, sitting through twelve hours of hot sunlight was the last thing I wanted to do. None the less, I bucked up and rode down to the festival with our crew. Despite severe dehydration, an uneasy stomach, and a blinding headache, I made my way through some of my favorite artists that were playing that day.

Before I delved into performances, I had to stop off to interview the legendary Gareth Emery in the press area. Thankfully, they were fully stocked with hydrating beverages, which helped my recovery quite nicely. After a fun and engaging chat with Gareth, I was ready to take on what day one had to offer.

The highlights were too abundant to cover in great length, featuring notable sets from Ellie Goulding, Aloe Blacc, Zedd, and of course Outkast. While Outkast’s performance wasn’t my favorite musically, it was still amazing based on the sheer nostalgic appeal. I found myself belting out lyrics through a queasy stomach on multiple occasions, simply not giving a fuck at how I felt. At that moment, I knew they had something special going.

Day two was a much more enjoyable experience for me, especially given the fact that I saw the most impressive set of the entire festival, in my honest opinion. We worked our way to the very front of the Mojave tent to catch the always entertaining post-rock instrumental band Mogwai, and were absolutely blown away. In a 50 minute set of pure musical intoxication, Mogwai utilized their slow, building rhythms to provide a complete encapsulation. It was truly amazing.

There were other highlights from Day two as well, including an absolute ear-fuck from Skrillex, whose visuals essentially were the internet boiled into one 50 minute set. Other acts that impressed included Kid Cudi, Capital Cities, Head and the Heart, and City and Colour.

Day three was probably the most memorable for me, musically, as I was able to witness some acts I’ve been writing about for the past few years. Right out of the gates we caught James Vincent McMorrow, who had the best vocal talent out of any artist at the festival. His set was mesmerizing, and was then followed up nicely by his labelmate, The 1975, who displayed their up-and-coming rock god status. Matty casually flipped his mic cord around as he strutted the stage, boasting nothing but sheer swagger.

For the last few sets of the night, we were honestly so exhausted that we listened from afar, sitting with the aching-foot crowd of parents and older festival-goers. Disclosure was nothing short of stunning, even though we couldn’t see the stage from where we were at.

Once again, Coachella has proved to me that no matter how hard you try, your plans will be proved futile. It’s so easy to get caught in the moment, forgoing your well thought out plans for those of the friends you are with. It’s both a blessing, and a curse, but 100% worth every minute of it.

Story 2 – Brooke Ferguson

As I walked into the Polo Fields Campgrounds, I instantly felt like I was at home. Each and every year that I attend Coachella, I automatically know that my mind is about to enter into an entirely new dimension full of phenomenal music, abstract art, and memories to last me a lifetime. This year, I decided to change up my festival routine and experience music on an entirely new level. I ventured off into a hypnotic place where I was surrounded by some of the most enchanting people I have ever come across. Their love for music and inter-human connectivity fulfilled all of my festival cravings. There is nothing more exciting than being around a bunch of weirdo’s who love to vibe on a level that promotes the provocation of a divine synchronicity.

Every day brought forth new experiences, new people, and new music. It is nearly impossible to see everyone you plan to watch, but I guess that is what makes Coachella such an adventure in and of itself. We are given the opportunity to either solidify ourselves to a strict schedule, or we can simply allow our wandering souls to guide us towards the unknown; the only place where insurmountable beauty exists.

This year at Coachella, I decided to let the music bring me solace and peace of mind. I spent a lot of my time underneath the glorious Sahara Tent where the bass could be felt a mile away. I should have remembered to bring some diapers with me because there were plenty of sketchy moments where I could have totally lost all control of my bodily functions. When you have artists like Dillon Francis, Carnage, The Glitch Mob, Krewella, and more, the probability of crapping your pants increases with each rise in frequency. I know I wasn’t the only one who experienced moments of uncertainty as to whether or not it was the beat that dropped or my pants. I am still contemplating this to this day.

Overall, Coachella provided its attendees with a wide array of talent to please everyone’s musical inclinations. Having an eclectic taste in music made it extremely difficult to choose my top acts of the weekend. After nearly a week of battling an extreme case of cognitive dissonance, I have finally made up my mind as to who blew my mind away. The winning sets this year go to: Flight Facilities, Cage The Elephant, Kill Paris, and Adventure Club. Each of these artists evoked a different side of me, whether it be my inner diva at Flight Facilities and Kill Paris or my inner flower child at Cage The Elephant. I guess it’s safe to say that I can diagnose myself with multiple personality disorder because there were many different sides of me that made their debut that weekend. Only at Coachella is it socially acceptable to black out from being over-stimulated by your surroundings and not recall the absurdity of your behavior.

Now that my favorite festival has come to an end and the post-Coachella depression has subdued, I must endure the next 365 excruciating days of monotony until I can once again return to my Utopia.
Continue reading →

Uncategorized

[Festie Review] Snowball – Winter Park, CO

Posted by Bryn Carter - April 2, 2013

As fireworks reflected off the snow covered grounds of Winter Park, as insane light shows reflected off the neighboring mountains, as music goers covered from head-to-toe in snow gear jumped up and down continuously as incredible artist after artist took to the stages, Snowball 2013 can rate itself up there as one of Colorado’s best winter time festivals.

The layout was set up perfect with one main stage and two tents, each far enough away from one another that you could hear each artist clearly but close enough you could dance your way from set to set without freezing your buns off. There were plenty of great vendors, lots of delicious warm food and heating areas so when the toes and fingers needed a quick warm-up people had a place to go.

The festival started off with a bang Friday with the musical talents of Zion I, Porter Robinson, Krewella, Kendrick Lamar and ending the night was none other than a Rado favorite, Big Gigantic. Kendrick Lamar gave the crowd poetic justice and a hell of a lot more. He took that stage and showed just what a true rap artist he was; his vocals crystal clear, his words flowing with the rhythms and his stage presence captivating. Then Big G got on the stage and lit it up, literally and figuratively. Their light show is one for the books and their live musical instrument set is what ranks them up there with one of the best live performances to see. It takes a true artist to be able to go on stage and play their instrument live and these boys do it with such ease.

Saturday Winter Park saw a down pour of snow but that did not stop any of the festival goers from making their way to see the shows. More layers, hand warmers and a nice hot beverage got this day off to a great start. I have to give a shout out to Luminox. During his set, his computer screen was distorted and he couldn’t see what he was playing. But instead of throwing in the towel, he busted out a desktop screen, plugged in his laptop, and kept dropping some unbelievable trap. Kudos Lum, huge kudos. Portugal the Man and Datsik brought amazing energy to the day and the night was finished with Colorado’s favorite man of lights, Pretty Lights. Derek Vincent Smith, the name given by his mother who is always in the crowd supporting, has never failed to put on a captivating and memorable show. Between the light show and PL’s choice of tunes, from his new hits all the way back to some old favorites like Radiohead’s “Everything in its Right Place”, PL shut down the night leaving everyone’s bodies in a state of music euphoria.

Sunday was no day for rest for this festival with huge artists still stacked. K Theory, Ishi, Grizmatik and Flosstradamus were just a few names who threw down the dub, the jazz and the dirty trap. Then the perfect closer for the ultimate snow weekend, STS9 took to the main stage. This instrumental band mixes the sounds of rock, funk, hip-hop, drum and bass and a little jazz to capture every form of music that was present at Snowball this weekend. As the final fireworks lit the sky, every face in that crowd was smiling with the ultimate love for all the amazing music that had taken place over the weekend.

To all the artists who were at Snowball, thank you for coming to Colorado and making us fall in love with your music all over again. For the day dancing shows to the night thumping after parties. To the Snowball staff, you all did an amazing job and I can’t wait to see what you have in store for next year. And of course, to all the festival goers, keep fuckin rocking.

’Zion I – ShadowBoxing’