Latest Electronica Posts

[Music Video] Kormac – I Believe

Posted by Geoff Hong - June 5, 2017

Dublin-based producer Kormac has got a cure for any Monday blues with his latest single “I Believe” and its accompanying visuals. The minimalist video, which was directed by Benn Veasey and produced by Rufus Pinkerton, details a sequence in which a young woman rises to her feet to give chase to the ocean. Those of you that have ever tried to run in a dream can certainly relate to the feeling evoked by our heroine’s journey to the water. The visuals tie in perfectly with the driving piano syncopation, working together to create anticipation and excitement.

This jazzy dance track follows two successful albums, Wordplay (2010), and Doorsteps (2014). It is Kormac’s most recent attempt to diversify his auditory palette. The distinctly lo-fi sampling is a musical deviation from his normal production sound– it is said to have taken inspiration from “spiritual jazz and old gospel recordings”. You can certainly hear these influences come through on the brassy horn and choir-clapping that interweave with the piano beat. With kick drums and cymbals keeping the pace steady, the track recalls a classic house sound.

Check out this video if you need a little auditory/visual motivation this Monday, and keep an eye out for more funky dance tunes to come from DJ Kormac.

[Event Review] Project Pabst: Denver 2017

Posted by Matthew Bloss - May 30, 2017

In just its second year in existence as a four city national event (Denver, Portland, Philadelphia, Atlanta), the barley-pop funded Project Pabst has quickly cemented itself as one of the hottest tickets in each town it lays it Laser Horse inspired hooves. Always an eclectic lineup, in its brief run Project Pabst has consistently boasted a mix of both established and upcoming acts spanning myriad genres from Tame Impala, STRFKR, Violent Femmes, FIDLAR, Duran Duran & Iggy Pop to A$AP Ferg, Danny Brown, K. Flay & Big K.R.I.T. to name but a few; and this year’s Denver date served only to stoke the already vibrant fire within our Ninja hearts. It was yet another excellently curated day in Denver’s hipster bastion of the RiNo neighborhood, and we’ve got plenty to dish about the second Denver Project Pabst date.

As always, the day kicked off sprightly at 2:00 p.m. behind a choice segue into the beautiful day with a frenetic performance from Chicago indie rock outfit Twin Peaks. In a rather short span beginning in 2013, Twin Peaks have rapidly evolved from a hectic, sloppy group of teenage rockers into a firmly polished five piece with the ability to command a stage with the best of them. Twin Peaks cycled primarily through fare from LP’s Wild Onion and Down in Heaven including staples like “I Found a Way”, “Making Breakfast” and “Holding Roses”, but more than made sure to satisfy their diehards as well with a few cuts from debut long player Sunken. With the day’s first performance under our belts, it was time for some $3.00 PBR and a jaunt to the other end of Larimer Street for a little slice of scuzzy L.A. rock duo Deap Vally.

Read Our Entire Project Pabst Review After the Jump!

Continue reading →

RHAIN – Tall Ships (Henry Green Remix) [TMN Premiere]

Posted by Ash El Gamal - May 26, 2017

RHAIN
Tall Ships (Henry Green Remix)

Soundcloud

UK-based songstress RHAIN caught the music world’s attention in 2016 with her enchanting, eerie voice and inventive lyricism. “Tall Ships,” the closer on her debut EP, Oscar November Echo, is a gorgeous, somber reflection on the passage of time and moving on. Today, we’re excited to premiere an equally powerful remix from Henry Green, one of our favorite up ‘n coming producers/vocalists.

Green’s take on “Tall Ships” holds a similar feel as the original but takes a completely different angle. Green lures the listener in with a 4-note piano loop accompanied by inching percussion and a faint guitar. Just before dropping into pure bliss, RHAIN’s vocals take center stage–the only time when you can make out the lyrics. The remainder of the song interlaces and layers her voice with subtle percussion taking full advantage of its emotional depth. That beautiful repurposing makes for a listen that’s sure to melt away the stresses of the week. Get lost in this one above.

[Music Ninja Radio] Episode 79: Form Arcosanti, Slowdive & R&Beats

Posted by Ash El Gamal - May 23, 2017

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

Music Ninja Radio
Episode #79: Form Arcosanti, Slowdive + R&Beats

Soundcloud

Soundcloud || Spotify || Tracklist

After a week away at Form Arcosanti, there were a bunch of new albums to catch up on from Slowdive, Nick Hakim, Nite Jewel, Hoops & more. The resulting mix made for a more laid back episode until the end where we got into some vocal-driven indie electronic tunes from Nick Murphy and newcomers Worth Way along with some hard-hitting bass music from the likes of Vincent, Flume and Sinjin Hawke.

[Denver Event Preview/Ticket Giveaway] TMN Presents: Fenech-Soler @ Lost Lake – 5/16

Posted by Matthew Bloss - May 15, 2017

The U.K. based duo consisting of brothers Ross and Ben Duffy, Fenech-Soler, have supplied our highly sensitive Ninja ears with some of the most danceable, tasteful, and wistful electro-pop for years. First appearing on our hallowed pages all the way back in 2009, Fenech-Soler have fashioned an even tighter grasp on their cheery synth-pop iterations in the time since. This year, the pair have already unveiled two full releases in the form of their LP Zilla, and the appropriately titled cover EP The Covers; which both sound of a band confidently coming to terms with their sound while steadily refining it. Loaded with personality and excellent fits of experimentation, their latest releases have been straightforward, unashamed pop music fusing indie sensibilities with grandiose synths and razor-sharp electronic production that we know will play wonderfully in a live scenario. Yet another reason we are thrilled to be presenting their next live date in beautiful Denver, CO at Lost Lake Lounge.

Of course we had to get our Ninja faithful involved as well, so we’re giving away a pair of tickets rather simply and painlessly! As always, entering is beyond simple (click on this post header if you’re still on the TMN front page), just follow our two easy steps below, and for those who would rather guarantee their entry into the show, tickets can be purchased here as well. Best of luck Ninjas!

How to Enter

1) “Like” us (The Music Ninja) on Facebook here:

2) Comment below this post with your favorite Fenech-Soler song (we’ve included FOUR below, c’mon!) and BOOM, you have been entered!

There are a few rules, of course:
– Must be 18+
– You are responsible for your own transportation.
– You must bring a valid form of ID to guarantee entry at the Lost Lake door.
– 1 Winner will be announced May 16th, the day of the show.

Enjoy our mini-playlist in anticipation of the show, and we will see you on the 16th Denver! Start commenting below!

’Fenech Soler – Grace’

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’Fenech Soler – Cold Light’

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‘Fenech Soler – Last Forever’

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’Fenech Soler – Maiyu’

Download

[Music Ninja Radio] Episode 78: Pop Explorations + Mini-Mix

Posted by Ash El Gamal - May 8, 2017

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

Music Ninja Radio
Episode #78: Pop Explorations + Mini-Mix

Download

Soundcloud || Spotify || Tracklist

Built around new music from Gorillaz, HAIM & Sylvan Esso, this pre-recorded sesh became a meditation on pop music in the broadest sense. Highlighting some left field, up ‘n comers alongside those more established artists made for far-ranging sounds. To close the show, Ninja Ash took his XDJs out for a mini-mix of some vibey house tunes.

Still Woozy – Vacation [TMN PREMIERE]

Posted by Ash El Gamal - May 1, 2017

Still Woozy
Vacation

Soundcloud

Although we normally associate Mondays with dread, the optimist inside tells us it’s an opportunity for a fresh start. Today, we’ve got a premiere that both literally and sonically embodies a sense of new beginnings. Still Woozy is a new project from Oakland’s Sven Gamsky, who’s voice you may recognize from his work as part of Ninja favorites Feed Me Jack.

“Vacation” may just be the perfect single for introductions–easing the listener in with an inviting guitar loop, minimal percussion and breezy vocals. As the song develops, however, electronic layers begin to seep through starting with a fluttering vocal chop at the first chorus. Wobbling synths follow shortly after and by the time the song comes to a close, the listener is fully enveloped by a blissful sonic eruption. The masterful progression of “Vacation” make it a truly transformative experience without any abrupt or jarring bridges–by the time you reach the finale you might wonder how you got there in the first place. The more you listen, the more the journey begins to reveal itself giving it endless replay value.

Take a trip with this one above (or below if on mobile) and keep your eye out for more music from Still Woozy.

PS This track was premiered live on Music Ninja Radio. Listen to the entire episode including an interview with Still Woozy here. Continue reading →