[Resident Artist Interview] Why PatrickReza’s Music is like a baby giraffe

PatrickReza
PatrickReza
Vitals (Free Download)

We were lucky to have PatrickReza fly into Denver to headline a Music Ninja party this past week and took full advantage by sitting down with him to chat a little about his music, his future and also why his music is like a baby giraffe.

TMN: On this beautiful sunny Sunday we are so excited to welcome you Patrick to the Mile High City and ecstatic that you are headlining TMN’s party.

PR: Thank you thank you.

TMN: Tell me, you have been to Denver before right? What do you like about this city?

PR: I have been here but I have never played. It is beautiful out here but the air is so thin I have been drinking water non-stop and have been peeing every like 20 minutes, flushing my system I guess.

TMN: And you are an LA native correct? Tell us some things you love most about your home.

PR: I like cities. LA is where I grew up and where I skated as a kid. The music scene is amazing, the people are amazing. All my friends are here, it’s just home it has been home forever.

TMN: Let’s go back a few years to when you were just a wee lad. Did you have musical training when you were little or did you grow up in a musical household at all?

PR: Well my parents don’t play instruments but they thought it would be good for me to start playing instruments. So at the age of four I started taking piano lessons until I was about nine, so I didn’t get into it too far and then I quit and then I started playing guitar because it was cool and it gets all the honeys, ya know, in third grade.

TMN: Haha, well of course, looking out for the ladies at a young age.

PR: Exactly. So I played that for about four and a half years. Then in high school I had to take a music class and I decided to start playing saxophone and clarinet, it is kind of nerdy but I love the sound of sax and the way it looked. I played that throughout high school. But I mean I never got into any instrument super deep. I have severe ADD I need new stuff to stimulate me all the time. My dad had a huge vinyl collection and influenced me from a young age. He went through a lot of phases he was a hippy, and discos, and then a punkrocker and he stayed true to that so I grew up listening to the Sex Pistols and the Clash Vinyls. So I grew up in a heavy music atmosphere. If you would give me sheet music right now I would not know how to read anything.

TMN: Where do you see yourself with your music in five years? (I know this can be a tough question but when you see PatrickReza down the road where do you hope your music will go?)

PR: I mean, I’m friends with a lot of people who in my book have attend success like K Drew and Mount Eden and Adventure club and if I can be anywhere near where they are in five years, have a really loyal fan base, being touring a lot and being able to help and support my friends to grow with me, that would be awesome. I mean five years is a long time, I’ve only been doing this for a year and nine months but I’d like to start my own private record label so I can give friends around me who don’t have the connections or the means to get their music out a medium to get it out.

TMN: So let’s make a shift to some fun/more personal questions here. Tell me, what are three things you carry with you when you travel for shows at all times?

PR: My electronic cigeratte, my phone and my laptop for the shows. Kind of need it.

TMN: Favorite article of clothing ever.

PR: Article or brand?

TMN: Article.

PR: I have this really cool Obey jacket that is gray leather but looks like it has a fake black hoodie underneath. But I can never wear it when I play shows because I sweat and get so hot on stage.

TMN: Ok I’m going to throw out some quick questions or phrases and I want you to day what or who comes to your mind first, ok?

Best hair and facial hair in the music industry: Skrillex
Favorite color: I like them all
Lazor: Pointer
Girl crush: My Girlfriend (stop the interview and “awwwwwww”)
Man crush: Corey Baker aka Kill Paris (me too)
Cats or Dogs: Dogs

TMN: Before we let you tear up the stage I have one final question that we like to ask every artist we interview. If your music was some type of animal, what animal would it be?

PR: A giraffe in its baby stage but 130 feet tall.

TMN: (Laughing) Nice, can you explain that a bit more?

PR: Like a giraffe in its baby stage isn’t fully developed so it’s neck isn’t as long so it would almost be completely proportional. Kind of like a dog so the legs and the neck are completely equal but it would just be humungous so it would be completely proportional but look like a really weird giraffe.

TMN: As always Patrick, we are loving having you as our Resident Artist this month and we can’t wait to see what else you have in store this year.

PR: Yeah yeah, thank you!

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[Denver Events] This Week at Beta 5/23

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Being a Top 25 Club from DJ Mag comes at no surprise as Beta Nightclub has been featuring an amazing array of talent this summer, and this weekend is once again no exception.

Being regulars at Beta, we figured we should share their line up with you, in hopes that you’ll come down and rage with us. Also, just like last time, we have arranged for something special.

MUSIC NINJAS GET FREE COVER
Details:
For the shows Thursday, Friday and Saturday, make sure you bring your phone with you. If you’re 21+, get there before 11pm, and show them this post on your phone – your cover is comped. Just make sure to enter through the front door, and not the side VIP entrance. Can’t wait to see you down there!

Manufactured Superstars - May 23rd

Manufactured Superstars
Zombies In Love (Original Mix)

Noisa - May 24th

The Upbeats & Noisia
Loudmouth (Free Download)

Gabriel and Dresden - May 25th

Gabriel & Dresden feat Molly Bancroft
Tracking Treasure Down Revisited (Radio Edit)

Feed Me - May 25th

Feed Me
Death By Robot
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[Review] Global Dub Festival – Red Rocks Amphitheater, Colorado

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There is only one way to start off the summer outdoor concert series in Colorado and that is with a unbelievable show at Red Rocks Amphitheater.
Last Friday night as the sun began to set, the glow sticks and furry boots and Colorado geared out music fans alike all descended upon Red Rocks for the first big dubstep show of the summer, Global Dub Festival put on by Global Dance, AEG Live, and Sub.Mission. There was a silent vibe among the crowd, a glowing excitement for the amazing artists about to take the stage and for the happiness that comes with this concert experience. Here, dub artists were backstage preparing to play to a sold out crowd of 10,000 people, all ready to dance and jump and scream the night away as the music pulsated through each and every one of them.
First to the stage was the electronic duo Designer Drugs who amped the night up right with their touch on all music from electric to dub to trap to dance. They didn’t just warm the crowd up, they electrified the crowd to be prepared for the rest of the night. Then the four dirty boys of Dirtyphonics took to the stage, flying all the way from France to show Red Rocks some proper bass music love. If you want entertainment, try watching four guys make mixes constantly together, it takes dedication and these four delivered a impressive performance full of all things drum and bass. On their heels was none other than Zomboy who laid some straight mind control over this crowd. His energy carries from his music to every listener in the audience, not stopping for one minute to take a break, Zomboy raised the stakes.
Then the master of all bass took to the stage, triple X-rated himself, Excision. And no, he couldn’t bring his sound system this time because Red Rocks would be no more but don’t worry Rado, he’s coming back this fall with all the bass your ears can handle. Excision destroyed his set, throwing deep bass after deep bass all over the screaming fans that could not get enough of his bass in their faces. Excision never stopped running through all the bass he knew and the crowd kept craving for more after each drop.
The final man to the stage was none other than the blonde boy who blasts the gold dust through any speaker system he’s hooked up to, Flux Pavilion. Flux took the stage and with some insane visual graphics dancing on the screen behind him, he gave the audience all that they could ask for and more. He blew the roof, gave us daydreams, couldn’t stop and finally gold dusted the entire crowd who by this point were all standing, singing, screaming for all things Flux. Before he left the stage, Flux took the microphone and said, “Red Rocks has to be the best venue in the world. The fact that it’s next to Denver is a definite plus”. There you have it ladies and gentlemen, the most amazing venue in the world with some of the biggest names in dubstep music to start off what is sure to be an epic summer at Red Rocks.

Designer Drugs and Alvin Risk
Empty Hearted (Ultra Records)
Strange Enough (DESIGNER DRUGS Remix)
10.Dirtyphonics
Walk In The Fire
08.Dirtyphonics
Hanging On Me (feat. Liela Moss)
Jam On It
Nuclear (Hands Up)
Destroid
The Invasion
Excision
X Rated Featuring Messinian
Flux Pavilion
Blow The Roof
Daydreamer
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[Resident Artist] PatrickReza’s Top 5 Summer Tunes

patrickreza

We are mixing things up a bit this month, moving the top 5 songs of our resident artist up to this week. Why you may ask? It is because Reza is coming to Colorado this weekend to play at a huge Music Ninja party and we are doing a face-to-face interview. So you will have to wait another week for that bad boy. But while you are waiting, grab these five favorite jams of Reza’s and turn them out loud because they are not songs to be messed with, enjoy.

Whoops – 12th Planet & Mayhem Feat Pennybirdrabbit
Next Order – Dog Blood
Black & White (Ft. Benny Banks) – Loadstar
Blow The Roof – Flux Pavillon
More Than You – Koven

12th Planet & Mayhem
Whoops ft PennyBirdRabbit
Dog Blood
Next Order
Loadstar
Black & White (Ft. Benny Banks)
Flux Pavilion
Blow The Roof
More Than You by Koven
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[Electronic] Krewella – Alive (Ennui! Remix)

Ennui
Krewella
Alive (Ennui Remix)

Oh we love a good Krewella remix here at TMN. Enter Ennui! or as his Chicago friends may like to call him, Nick Keenan. Here’s the thing, he is new, very new. And his name, Ennui, if you look it up means having too much time on his hands or little will to do something productive, this couldn’t be farther from Keenan’s truth. His Facebook Page and Soundcloud were only started last year so he’s fresh new in the Electronic Music scene but thank goodness he decided to grace us all with his musical presence. This remix does justice to the original song, Keenan throws in a lot of piano (love) and has some very intense drum spots followed by some head banging drops. He takes the voices of the Krewella ladies and just enhances their sound. Stunning remix but also check out his soundcloud, Keenan also dabbles in some original work, which is just as impressive. We can’t wait to learn more about this producer from Chicago and see where this newbie takes us all.

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[TMN EXCLUSIVE] Interview – Seven Lions

sevlions
Seven Lions
Live @ Ultra, OWSLA stage 03-16-13

There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that Miami during WMC is absolute insanity. Artists, Label Reps, Publicists, Bloggers and fans are rushing around the streets of South Beach, bouncing from party to party, trying to get the most out of their experience. This year was our first year working it, and we definitely had far too much stacked on our plate.

With that being said, we unfortunately couldn’t sit down with Seven Lions in person. As many of you know from posts in the past, Seven Lions is a TMN favorite. His melodic and often aggressive style is something that’s truly unique. We’ve supported every almost all of his music, and will continue to do so. On top of loving his production, we’re also huge fans of his live show. We caught his set at the Anjunabeats Pool Party, and it ended up being one of the most memorable ones from our trip. We highly encourage you head out an see him live. In fact, if you’re in the LA area, you can catch him this Friday at his first headlining gig in LA at CONTROL.

TMN: It goes without saying that you have been one of our favorite producers of all times, blurring the lines between genres. The Cosmic Love (Florence and the Machine) remix just left us floored. What is your primary source for discovering new independent music?

SL: The internet was my primary means of finding new bands, especially when I was first really finding my love for music early on. None of my friends listened to metal back in the day so I would spend countless hours just searching through websites for bands. When I am listening to more mellow music, like acoustic stuff, I will use Pandora. Also, Erik Mongrain radio is my jam. I don’t listen to a lot of new stuff to be honest. I tend to fall back on metal albums I’ve listened to for years.

TMN: We know you love a good beer, tell us what is your favorite?

SL: Russian River’s Pliney the Elder, or Dogfish head 90 min

TMN: Not a lot of people know this about you but you are a big fan of Metal music, what are some of the bands you listen to and does it influence your music?

SL: Surely does – Ensiferum, Opeth, Wintersun, Porcupine Tree, Cephalic Carnage, Blind Guardian, At the Gates, Behemoth, Dimmu Borgir, Amon Amarth, Novembre

TMN: Out of all the tracks you have released, which one do you think had the biggest impact, not popularity wise, but in promoting what you are all about.

SL: Tyven, for a lot of reasons.


TMN: What do you think is the biggest difference between dubstep now compared to 3 years ago.

SL: Honestly, I really never liked dubstep back then. A lot of really cool/melodic stuff is coming out now, not just dubstep either. It’s for sure changed since I first heard it a few years ago. It seems like most of the popular stuff is really well produced and it wasn’t always that way. I remember one of the things that really turned me off about dubstep at first was how poorly it sounded sonically.

TMN: With every release, your sound keeps evolving, how do you manage to continually come up with a new set of sonic experiences? And how much is that influenced by outside factors?

SL: A lot of influence has come from playing shows lately. The more I play to a larger crowd the more I think about that while writing music. It’s added a whole new thing to think about while composing/producing a song. On the other hand, I have realized that not every song needs to be a dance floor track, when I am working on a song on not worried about how it will sound on a big system, I feel much more creative.

TMN: What is the biggest difference for you between “Days To Come” EP and “Polarize”?

SL: I think Polarize was a collection of songs that I spent years experimenting on and getting my sound right. Days To Come was less experimental and more focused on where I wanted to go with the project.

TMN: Is there anyone in particular that you would like to collaborate with?

SL: Ellie Goulding, Imogen Heap, Sigur Ros

TMN: As one of the most blogged about artists in the scene, often topping the charts on Hype Machine, what role do music blogs play in bringing more exposure to less known artist?

SL: Music blogs are huge. They have as much or more power than a lot of record labels. I feel very lucky to have such support from the community.

TMN: Ok, we know you’ve been interviewed a lot in Miami. We’d like to change the pace up a little and ask you some random questions:

TMN: Who is your favorite bond?

SL: Sean Connery

TMN: What do you do for a hangover cure?

SL: Mimosas

TMN: If you could only have one artist’s music in your ipod, who would it be?

SL: Opeth

TMN: Snap backs or fitted hats?

SL: Mostly top hats or wide brimmed straw hats

TMN: Name three words that describe your music:

SL: “Melodic, Progressive, Heavy”

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[Get Crunk] Clayton’s Friday Party Playlist #51

tomhanks

Holy shit, ninjas! We can’t believe it. A week from today will mark a full year of party playlists. It seems like just yesterday we were lining up shots, talking about how there’s a lack of solid party music collections on the interwebs. Here we are today. Our livers aren’t as grateful as our ears, but we don’t care. You know why? Because it’s the weekend, and it’s time to get down. You’ve worked your ass off, and we appreciate it. So, here’s yet another tasty selection of rage inducing tracks that will please your ears, legs, and desire to light the weekend up.

#danceirresponsibly

Gravis Mashup
Drop The Lights Down Low
Usher
YEAH (David A Remix Feat. TB1)
Gravis Mashup
Taito x Stronger
Knife Party
LRAD (Candylands OG Remix)
NIRVANA
SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT (DIRTY DISCO YOUTH REMIX)
Bailey Smalls
Trouble (Original Mix)
Youre Gonna Stereo Love (Leo Laurettis Bootleg)
NERVO & Avicii Feat. Vika Jigulina
Dirty Disco Youth & Dumme Jungs
Uncle Sam
Vicetone ft. Collin McLoughlin
Heartbeat (Xristo Remix)
Lana Del Rey
Young & Beautiful (Myndset Remix)
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