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Hajj – Pay Homage (Prod. by Sam Paye) [TMN Premiere]

Posted by Tyler Trew - January 25, 2017

Hajj
Pay Homage (Prod. by Sam Paye)

Soundcloud

Sometimes, like today, we get the opportunity to share with you music that isn’t out yet. With regard to “Pay Homage” by Seattle’s Hajj & Sam Paye, it doesn’t come out in full until Tuesday, but we wanted to give you all an early listen to this hip-hop homage.

Since rap was created, there have been countless names that have made their mark. With “Pays Homage,” Hajj dives into his list of influencers to pay his respect to those that came before him from Tupac, to Wu Tang Clan to the Bay Area legend Mac Dre. Sam Paye produced this edgy, vibrant record. There’s a lot of hip-hop at the forefront that doesn’t show love to the emcees of the past, so it’s nice to see that someone taking charge to do so with intelligence and fervor.

Not only does Hajj get into the past with hip-hop history, but he ties in his respect for leaders including Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X. With the current state of American politics, lines like “I know tomorrow ain’t promised” is representative of how many individuals feel. Only so much control is in one’s hands, so together Hajj and Sam Paye “Pay Homage” and let everyone else know (including contemporary rappers) that they aren’t afraid to come out swinging. Get your first listen today and ready yourself for the release on Tuesday through Bomb Recordings.

ROOMS – bahna [TMN PREMIERE]

Posted by Mark McNulty - January 25, 2017

The burgeoning Miami-based record label and fashion collective Bribery Corporation presents “bahna” by ROOMS, a soaring, progressive, ambient song complimented by an equally powerful and minimalistic music video.

ROOMS is Chris Weisson, a Miami-born, Los Angeles-based producer of Cuban/ Ecuadoran descent whose debut LP, There’s No Noise Here, will release on Bribery Corporation this year. The colorful 4k resolution video, directed, shot, and edited in Iceland by lauded Canadian film-maker Edward Platero (responsible for 2012’s The Drop: The EDM Culture Explosion) is a sight to behold.

I’ve traveled many places in my career, and I will say that hands down, Iceland is the most stunning place on the planet…ROOMS has crafted a sonic masterpiece with this song, and hearing it brings me back to the landscapes that I experienced on the top of our planet.

Indeed. “Bahna” has both the intangible atmospheric brilliance and masterful melodic touch evocative of Tycho, Bonobo, and, to a lesser extent, Flume. A reverberating, innocent synth pad opens the song, reminiscent of Boards of Canada’s “Wildlife Analysis”, only to give way to a collage of erie, discordant voices that are quite challenging to listen to. Then, perhaps with a vague stroke of metaphor, the clamor of voices ceases and the music and magic begins.

At the foundation of the drop and the rest of the movement is an undulating wave bass, the type of super-charged sine wave which we heard throughout 2016 from avant-garde “wave music” to ascendant hip-hop a la Travis Scott. It’s a simple sound with width and depth to fill your spirit, mirroring the size and scope of the rich Icelandic landscape. The rest of soundscape is filled with a swirling stew of ambient glitches, strange, synchronized percussive sounds, and deep, broken bass playing off of measured, high-pitched tones that sound like a dialysis machine, betraying the life-giving essence of this music. The protozoic scenes in the music video and the lyric-less expression of the song synchronize perfectly, giving the entire project a primordial power as if the music is part of the Earth itself.

Bribery Corporation, “The Holy Grail of naked bodies, draped in the finest of silks, paid for with the foulest corruption,” is clearly onto something. We look forward to more avant-garde electronic music from their ranks, as well as the full-length debut from ROOMS, who makes his first musical contribution to the public a magnificent one with “bahna”.

Party Thieves Talks Max Capacity Tour [TMN Interview]

Posted by Alisha Wieckmann - January 24, 2017

PARTY THĮEVES
100K #THEFTARMY MIX

Soundcloud

What better way to show fan love than a four stop mini tour in 300 capacity venues all for free? One of our favorite heavy hitting trap producers is doing just that for fans across the country. Party Thieves recently took to social media to get a feel for what his #theftarmy thought of the idea and, naturally, the dedicated fans and his team helped bring this generous offer to fruition.

Kicking off at New Orlean’s Republic in February with a stop at popular venue, Heart in Miami, a 3rd stop (not yet revealed) and ending at Fulton 55 in Fresno, Party Thieves is stealing the party from larger capacity venues to bring an intimate experience. Free of charge. For his biggest fans. Wait for it…no strings attached. We got the opportunity to speak to the man himself about the Max Capacity Tour below. Join the army by clicking this registration link.

TMN: Was there any pushback from your team when you decided to do these intimate shows considering they’re free?

Party Thieves: Funny you ask this first. My manager at first did not think we would have enough time to do this as well as finish getting my first big headline world tour done. My team is all about giving back to the fans so the free concept was something they were in favor of.

TMN: Why do you think it’s important to give fans this kind of experience?

PT: Music is a very powerful thing. To be able to make the type of music I love and have fans that vibe with it is amazing. I want to be able to share that feeling I get when I play, whether in front of 300 people or 15000 people. They have been with me from the start so I want them to feel that same energy and this is a way I can do that.

TMN: What would you consider some of the pros and cons of larger events that require tickets?

PT: There are no cons here. Cons only will come from the actions of the people at the shows. Pros are more people to share your music with.

TMN: A lot of the larger shows, when they sell out, end up with outrageously scalped tickets, what are your thoughts on scalpers?

I want people buying tickets to my shows that want to be there. That goes for other artists as well. Don’t buy a ticket if you don’t plan on coming.

TMN: How did you choose which cities?

PT: I was very vocal on social media prior to really deciding what cities we chose. I had a lot of people email, DM, or directly call my team wanting to be part of this tour. A lot of promoters really appreciated the fact I want to make something more intimate and personal with my fans. One city that I definitely kept a look out for was Fresno. I was supposed to play Trap Fest late 2015 but had transit issues that kept me. So I wanted to keep my word and give back. We still have yet to announce the 4th show so have one more city to go!

TMN: What can attendees expect besides a smaller crowd and it being free?

PT: These shows will be like if a Meet & Greet met an actual show and lasted for the length of a set. I think that should paint a good picture for everyone.

TMN: Could you see yourself doing this multiple times a year or in twice as many cities?

PT: I don’t think I can give an answer on how many times per year but this is definitely something I’d like to have grow into more cities. I will keep doing it until every fan has that chance to attend.

TMN: When was the last time you played a show this small, but unintentionally, and can you describe the experience/memory?

PT: Oh man, I don’t remember the city but might have been like a year and a half ago I had a last minute venue change. I don’t think the promoter got the memo out and there were like 50 people. I still put on a wild set so those 50 left happy haha.

[Electronic] Zuma – All Nite feat. Lenis Kim

Posted by Alisha Wieckmann - January 24, 2017

Zuma.
all nite (ft. lenis kim)

Soundcloud

Simple and sensual are the first words that come to mind when we listen to San Diego based artists, Zuma and Lenis Kim’s new collaboration “All Nite.” The track, released via the Artist Union, melds crystal clear vocals and production suited for what many say is meant for the summer months, but we’ll have to disagree with that one.

The melodic melody could be enjoyed anywhere from the beach, a winter wonderland walk in the snow, to relaxing at home. Far from boring “All Nite” may not have a lot of frills but has an ability to create a sense of calm within the listener. This is Zuma and Lenis’s first collaboration, but hopefully not their last.

[Video] KREAM – Taped Up Heart feat. Clara Mae

Posted by Alisha Wieckmann - January 24, 2017

It’s common to wonder what our purpose is in life. Determination to find the place we fit in best is at the forefront of human nature so when Big Beat Records resident KREAM created “Taped Up Heart,” they successfully incorporated an everyday struggle into enjoyable and relatable music. Music is a way to express individuality and when it’s mixed with real world insecurities it transforms from art to an advocate for those who may not know where they stand in the world.

The duo ended 2016 with the dance heavy hit and now they’re bringing it back to kick off 2017 with an official music video. Directed by Sam Mosher, and pulling inspiration from David Fincher’s Fight Club, the video takes place in an alternate reality and explores the idea of finding your place in the world.

This song is all about dealing with your inner demons and Samy did an amazing job bringing “Taped Up Heart” to life. Everyone has had that feeling of being an ‘other’ and wanting to find their place or purpose. Maybe it’s through music, maybe it’s joining an underground fight club

– KREAM

[Electronic] Phiilo – Without You

Posted by Tyler Trew - January 24, 2017

Phiilo
Without You

Buy

Denver is one of the best places to be for electronic music. Talented acts thrive there, whether they were born in the area or flocked to it. Phiilo is one of those talented acts, and we assure you they are talented. Another talented group of individuals are the people over at Uprise Music who backed Phiilo’s latest single “Without You” for release this week.

“Without You” is as dynamic as it is beautiful. From the vocals to every little note you can hear, Phiilo put their best foot forward in every direction they took. It’s got pop sensibilities, but no matter what sound you hear, the song never can really be identified as being one thing. Some may say future, some may say it’s on the lighter side of trap. They can argue, we will simply sit back and enjoy this wonderful piece of music. We hope you do too. Did we also mention it’s a free download?

[Future Funk] GRiZMATiK – As We Proceed

Posted by Geoff Hong - January 24, 2017

GRiZMATiK
As We Proceed

Buy

After a long hiatus from producing music together, eponymous duo GRiZ and Gramatik made their triumphant return as GRiZMATiK with a well-timed new single “As We Proceed”. The pair’s different yet complementary sounds mesh to create one of the most natural and sensible music-making unions out there today. Though GRiZMATiK have been hugely popular on their tours together, “As We Proceed” marks their first new production since 2013.

The future-funk icons bring the best of their unique sounds on this new single. GRiZ pulls no punches with his signature synth work, while Gramatik’s funky guitar/piano riffs and snare-heavy backbeats provide the pulsing heart of the song. Gramatik’s love for swing and jazz has a heavy influence in this production– especially apparent in his selection of vocal loops. No track with GRiZ’s name on it would be complete without the brassy and sassy horn support to go along with the sexy sax solo.

This instant classic is sure to have you grooving along by the end of the track. The feel-good nature of this song is undeniable; you’ll definitely be hearing this track on dance floors near you! Here’s to hoping for more GRiZMATiK (and maybe a tour) in 2017.

Future