Tag Archives: dubstep

[TMN EXCLUSIVE] Interview – Seven Lions

Posted by Clayton Warwick - May 13, 2013

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”

[TMN EXCLUSIVE] Kid Ranger Interview + Free Downloads

Posted by Clayton Warwick - April 2, 2013

In my insatiable quest to bring party music to the masses each and every week with my Friday Party Playlist, I consistently come across some really intriguing up-and-coming producers. Kid Ranger first caught my ear with his remix of Savage’s “Swing”. This track lit up every party I went to and quickly moved up in the ranks of all-time best for these weekly playlists.

After a while of getting to know Kid Ranger a little better and hearing the depth to his music, we wanted to know a little more. So, today we’re bringing you an incredibly in-depth interview, as well as three exclusive tracks. We hope you get a better understanding of someone you will be hearing a lot more from for years to come.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD KID RANGER’S TRACKS

’Kid Ranger – It’s A Vengeance Sample (Original Mix)’

Soundcloud

’Avicii & Project 46 – Crime (Kid Ranger Remix)’

Soundcloud

’Big Chocolate – Blue Milk (Kid Ranger Remix)’

Soundcloud

’Savage – Swing (Kid Ranger Remix)’

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TMN : Hey Sam, thanks for taking some time to chat with us today. First up, why don’t you talk about your favorite moment as a DJ/producer has been to date?

KR: I think I’d probably have to say it was about a week ago, when I was back home in Marin. My mom told me she wanted me to meet a new friend of hers who was in the music industry. Her friend ended up being Narada Michael Walden, who as I found out is a multiple grammy-winning producer/drummer who’s produced a ton of number one hits with Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, and plenty more. Basically this dude was the REAL fuckin deal. I walked into his studio in San Rafael, and about 10 minutes into meeting the guy we were sitting in his studio with my computer hooked up, and me hesitantly opening up my laptop to pull up a copy of my Crime remix, in whatever uncompleted stage it was. I could tell he had met with a lot of his colleagues sons’ before and wasn’t exactly expecting a ton from me, but after listening to a couple minutes of the track I guess he was sold.

He kept telling me that I was “funky,” and I couldn’t decide whether that was a good thing or a bad thing until he explained it… he said “You see this guy, this girl, this guy,” pointing around to pictures and bobble heads of James Brown and the other incredible musicians he’s works with, “you know what they all had? They were funky. Some people just have it and some people don’t. And you’re funky.”

Granted, Narada isn’t exactly the most exposed person to electronic music, but regardless just having someone at his caliber of skill and success tell me that I had that “it” factor was definitely the most mindblowing experience I’ve ever had. And to put the icing on the cake, he actually asked me to start working on a couple projects with him and Tarpan studios, and while I can’t say much about em right now it should be really cool to see where this stuff goes. I still haven’t really registered all of it yet, it still feels kinda unreal that someone with that much clout would actually be impressed by my work, I just hope I can keep up and exceed the standards I set for myself now haha!

TMN: Let’s go back to your musical upbringings. You played guitar in metal bands as a teenager. How did you transition from metal to EDM?

KR: Yes, I’m another one of those guys who went from metal to EDM, however I never actually saw any success in metal, haha. I started playing guitar when I was about 12 or 13 I wanna say, and it kinda took over my life. And as it came time where I thought I was ready to start playing in bands and actually doing something with all the time I spent in my room, I quickly came to realize that trying to organize a group of 14-16 year old boys for weekly practices was not nearly as simple a task as I had hoped it would be. After starting a couple different “bands” with different groups of friends around my area, I came to the conclusion that if I wanted to get some music actually down on paper I’d have to do it myself. And that’s what EDM gave me. One of my friends showed me Swagga, and I remember just being absolutely blown away at the fact that the song triggered the same emotions in me as a metal song would. Shortly after that, one of my best friends picked up a copy of Ableton and started making tracks, and everything finally clicked. I was like, “well, if he can do it that I probably could figure it out too!” hahaha. I definitely had no idea how much I’d fall in love with the genre, I remember a time where I firmly believed I’d never let EDM take over my passion for metal, but there was really no stopping it once it had started.

TMN: Just out of curiosity, who is your favorite metal band?

KR: Oh, man… as I’m sure you’re aware that’s probably one of the toughest questions you can ask a musician haha! I’ll try to keep it brief though… I contribute 100% of my desire to pick up a guitar to Metallica, and at first was totally enthralled in Thrash, and as time went on I started listening to more metal core-ish shit. There’s honestly so many bands I used to and still do listen to that I don’t know if I could really pick just one. Stray From the Path have always been a gigantic inspiration to me, I could and have literally played their track Damien for hours on repeat, it’s just perfect haha. Also I couldn’t leave out We Came As Romans, their melodies and song composition is always so on point. Also Suicide Silence, definitely some of my biggest idols and a large factor of why I got so into heavy ass music. RIP Mitch!!

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[Dubstep] MUST DIE! X ETC!ETC! – Panic Attack ft. Anna Yvette

Posted by Jeremy Clarke - March 9, 2013

We all know ETC!ETC! for his killer Moombahton and Trap hits, but before trap music took over the world, he and his friend MUST DIE! created this beautiful Dubstep track which is finally getting a release on Subhuman. Anna Yvette‘s soft lyrics guide the breakdowns before a massive filthy bassline crushes it. ETC!ETC! says that this is the only Dubstep song he’s ever composed, but with any luck, this may lead to more dub from the trap heavyweight.

’MUST DIE! x ETC!ETC! – Panic Attack ft. Anna Yvette (OUT NOW!!!)’

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Dubstep

[Indie/Dubstep] Ben Howard – Old Pine (Peking Duk Remix)

Posted by Prab Marwah - July 17, 2012

I already thought Ben Howard’s “Old Pine” was a beautiful song on its own. But Australian producer Peking Duk has transformed it into this magnificent-acoustic-happy-summer-dubstep masterpiece. I’m in absolute love right now with this track. The transitions from acoustic to synth, the cheery carefree whistling in the background, and Ben Howard’s signature mellow vocals enhance any sunny summer day for me in LA, and I’m sure that will apply globally as well. There’s a wonderful minimalistic quality to the track that makes it easy to appreciate for all listeners. I haven’t been following Peking Duk much, but after this one, I’m gonna be keeping a close eye on seeing what he’s offering to the music world.

Peking Duk’s remix of “Old Pine” is available for free download on his soundcloud. Go grab it!

’Ben Howard – Old Pine (Peking Duk Remix) FREE DOWNLOAD’

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[New] AME – Find A Boy (Draper Remix)

Posted by Prab Marwah - July 10, 2012

20 year old up and coming producer Draper released a new track on his soundcloud yesterday, a remix of “Find a Boy” by AME. Before I heard this track, I honestly hadn’t heard of Draper before. But now that I have, I can say that this kid is dope. At the forefront of this sub genre of dubstep called liquidstep, which includes artists such as Diplo and Jakwob, Draper manages to blend this genre fluidly (pardon the puns) with hip hop. Each layer of this track manages to harmonize lithely with the next, bringing a completely new level of melody. If you enjoy Dillon Francis, this artist might just be right up your ally. Expect to hear a lot from this budding artist in 2012. Go with the flow, ride the wave; this remix is WET.

’A*M*E – Find A Boy (Draper Remix)’

Soundcloud

[Drumstep] Figure – The Brink

Posted by Clayton Warwick - April 17, 2012

There are two things you can guarantee while listening to Figure. First, an uncompromising intense bassline that will challenge your speakers. And second, haunted with heavy, dark and ominous tones that evolve into aggressively melodic build ups. “The Brink”, Figure’s latest single is no different. Dripping with Figure’s signature style, while still gushing with originality, The Brink makes every day life feel like a scene from Texas Chain Massacre.

Four days ago, Figure dropped this free download on his Soundcloud page. It’s 140 bpm of razor-sharp, lazer-like synths, and should be downloaded immediately.

Figure – The Brink

’figure
the

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Electronic

[Experimental] 123MRK- Untroubled

Posted by Ricky Stephens - January 26, 2012

Squelch & Clap’s 123MRK is an up-and-coming french electronic and dubstep artist who is known for his complex beats. His new single “Untroubled” is a perfect example of the style that has made him popular; with it’s broken rhythms, vocal samples, and synth leads it’s a crazy ride from start to finish.

Whenever I listen to electronic music I tend to do it when I’m driving, and “Untroubled” is perfect for that. The layering builds and builds, lead by vocal samples that sit on top of everything and imply melody to move the song. The broken rhythms that come in around the one minute mark really showcase the talent of 123MRK as a dub artist, dismantling the beat without disrupting its overall flow.

123MRK’s album “Refined Madness” is now availble here.