Tag Archives: San Holo

[TMN Interview + Music Video] Taska Black feat. Ayelle – Dead Inside

You may have been seeing bitbird artist Taska Black’s name quite a bit recently. The Dutch producer has been on a steady rise, seeing overwhelming success in 2017 with singles such as “Where We Go,” as well as his collaboration with fellow bitbird artists Droeloe and vocalist Cut_, “Running Away.” Taska’s most recent accomplishment is his release with soulful singer Ayelle titled “Dead Inside,” and just days ago he released the song’s official music video. Lucky for us, we were provided with the opportunity to speak with Taska Black and learn more about the inspiration behind his music and the video in addition to some sneak peaks of what 2018 will look like for him. Watch the video and check out the interview below, if you will like to get some help with the postproduction of your video so it looks like this, just visit https://www.tracyalchayeb.com/!

TMN: Rumor has it you’ve got some huge announcements coming up. Can you give us any hints as to what those will be?

TB: No one thing in particular but I’ve got lots of exciting things happening indeed. Exciting collaborations with bitbird artists and others outside as well. And I might also be working on what I hope is my debut EP…

TMN: How did you get into production? Did you have any classical training prior?

I started taking lessons in violin and piano when I was 4 years old. I never liked playing songs from sheet music exactly how they were supposed to be played so I started improvising my own melodies. When I was about 13 years old I got my first audio interface and Cubase to start recording my improvisations and that’s how I got into production. After years of experimentation I thought it was time to take things to the next level so that’s when I started Taska Black.

TMN: It’s huge to be approached by a creative mind such as San Holo’s. What was your initial reaction when he asked you to sign to his imprint bitbird?

TB: Actually it was me sending a mail to them 3 years ago to show them what I was doing. I loved what bitbird was putting out and San seemed to like what I was doing too. We started talking and that lead into more releases on bitbird. Both San and bitbird have grown a lot over these years and I’m super grateful to be part of the family and to have such amazing people around me.

TMN: What do you love most about the bitbird label?

TB: I think we’re doing something unique in the industry. bitbird really feels like a small family of people with their own vision and their own sound. That’s what San does best I think, supporting people who have their own vision whether it’s in classical music or EDM.

TMN: What can we expect for 2018? Do you have any cool collaborations coming up that you can tell us about?

Lots of new music. Some remixes and new original singles. I’m currently working on some exciting collaborations but unfortunately I can’t reveal any of that yet. I’m also super stoked to be playing my first shows in the US this year. Really looking forward to Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza Paris as well.

TMN: Congratulations on the release of your new music video for your single with Ayelle, “Dead Inside!” Can you tell us a bit about the plot or what inspired the creative direction of it?

TB: Thank you! I really saw this track as a chance to show my experimental side of music to the listeners. I had this vague line in my head “I’m dead inside” so I started building off that thought. When I finished the song with Ayelle we started talking to the director of the music video, Joris Weerts. We shared some ideas on how we wanted to approach the video and give more meaning to the song. I think the track really came to life when we combined both the musical and the visual aspect. The video shows how people are not easily impressed anymore in this saturated era of media and the internet. We wanted to make these feelings of depression heard in order to accept and deal with them, rather than to criticize.

TMN: How would you describe a Taska Black show? Are there any features of it that you feel are signature to “Taska Black,” such as visuals or live elements?

TB: We’re currently shaping the show both musically and visually and I’ve had the chance to test things out on the shows I did with San. I always like to play lots of unreleased music and edits of songs that I’m into. I’ll be doing DJ sets only for a while now but in the long run I really want to incorporate live elements in the show so we’re putting a lot of thought into that as well.

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[Electronic] San Holo – Lights (Nitti Gritti Remix)

We’re bringing you a upbeat mashup meets remix of, literally, all of the lights. DJ and Producer Nitti Gritti has taken 2017 hit, “Lights” by San Holo, added a boisterous edit, and threw in a little plus. Gritti surprises us with samples from Kanye West’s “All of the Lights” featuring Rhianna and Kid Cudi, delivering two hit songs into one package.

The track, featured by Nitti Gritti himself, at EDC Las Vegas during a sunrise for Trap Nation’s art cart, has gained support from San Holo himself and amassed over 60 thousand plays via Soundcloud. The bass artist has given listeners a special treat with a free download. Grab it here.

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[Electronic] Droeloe & San Holo feat. Cut_ – Lines Of The Broken

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Lines of the Broken (ft. CUT_)

During the work week, it can get pretty difficult for us music diggers to squeeze in the time to hunt for new tunes to share with everyone. For this reason, we never cease to take advantage of the weekend. This week we were met by an incredibly heavy stream of fresh note-worthy tracks.

One that we especially couldn’t wait to share is Droeloe and San Holo’s latest collaboration featuring Cut_, “Lines Of The Broken.” Greeting listeners with a combination of chiming and buzzing synths, Dutch duo Droeloe and bitbird head honcho San Holo blend their signature sounds together for an outcome that is shear musical bliss.The final product is stitched together with the help of singer Cut_’s delicate and dreamy vocals, which add just the right amount of softness to the single.

Through contrasting sounds and textures, “Lines Of The Broken” will have electronic music lovers’ ears glued from start to finish.

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[Electronic] San Holo – Light (Taska Black Remix)

San Holo
Light (Taska Black Remix) [NEST HQ PREMIERE]

There’s no doubt that “Light” was a major hit for those who enjoy the melodic and future bass sound of San Holo and the exciting part is the track has only gained momentum as the Bitbird label continues to release the remix package. Bringing us a heavier version to the euphoric vocals while adding instruments including guitar, piano and more Taska Black, a resident Bitbird artist, has given new light (pun intended) to this airy track.

San Holo did a great job on the melody. I wanted to do something with that and make the climax as wide as it could possibly get. The blend with the opera-like voice is what makes this remix stand-out in my opinion.

Taska’s rendition adds edge to the slightly softer original making this a sharp comparison and giving those who enjoy a heavier beat a taste of what they’re looking for. Taska has surely joined our radar for artists to keep an eye on in 2017. Check out the track and stream or purchase the remix here

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[Event Preview] BUKU Music & Arts Project March 10-11

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Every city in America has its own music scene, but in New Orleans, music is a way of life – a cultural infrastructure as essential to the city as its freeways and French Quarter. Jazzfest attracts the best in rock, folk and jazz to NOLA each year, but for those of us who want more youthful, visceral music and a more colorful, fluid experience, BUKU Music and Arts Project goes down on March 10-11, 2016 for the sixth year straight.

BUKU stands out in a saturated music festival market both for its timing (arguably the first big event of “festival season”) and it’s consistently nuanced lineup. No one is reinventing the wheel by stacking their lineup with hip-hop, indie, and dance music, but whom are you booking specifically? It takes balls and creativity to craft a card of eclectic, forward-thinking and often experimental artists like what BUKU has assembled. Where else can you see Deadmau5 and Travis Scott? Clams Casino and Troyboi? Shiba San and Thundercat? If you’ve answered, “I can see them at Festival XYZ,” it doesn’t matter, because that’s not in New Orleans.

BUKU is set just outside the city’s French Quarter on a sprawling riverside esplanade. The Power Plant stage is adjacent to the river and sits in the shadow of an abandoned industrial colossus. Two indoor stages diversify the vibe with The Ballroom offering an intimate aesthetic, and the Float Den serving as a massive gathering spot lined with Mardi Gras floats and craft vendors. A fourth stage, the Back Alley, is tucked beneath the Crescent City Connection bridge and offers an unbroken stream of dance music all day and into the night.
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[Future Bass] San Holo – Light


San Holo has been smashing it. There’s no doubt about that, even if you, for some crazy reason, don’t call yourself a fan of his music. That’s highly unlikely, as this dude puts out quality track after track.

Take for instance the latest creation he has freed upon the world. “Light” is just that, a bright beacon of what great music is. San Holo’s style is always expressive; he manages to infuse as much emotion as he can in his music, which has connected deeply with audiences worldwide. He is one of the hottest attractions in dance music right now, for good reason. He’s just been killing it with no sign of slowing down. Get your free copy of “Light” today to celebrate just how good SH is.

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Saturday Selection Vol. 10

Saturday Selection

Here we are at volume 10 of Saturday Selection. It feels good. What makes this so enjoyable is the fact that we’re lucky enough to get great music released every week, and we’ve got the artists & producers to thank for that! Whenever, wherever, and however you can, support these talented people. They make our lives better and the least we can do is attempt to reciprocate by showing we enjoy what they create. On that note, let’s explore what we’ve found from the last week!


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San Holo – Still Looking

You may have caught this tune in our latest Wednesday Workout segment, but it’s so good that we just had to mention it again! With that being said, San Holo needs no introduction. He’s been on a roll for a while now, especially since his monumental release “We Rise”. He’s taken to bitbird to show off his latest track, and the first taste of the label’s upcoming Gouldian Finch compilation. “Still Looking” is textbook San Holo in the sense that it combines the best of melodic, trap, and bass elements into his festival-ready style. It’s carefree. It’s substantial. It’s innovative. Enjoy this one when you just want to feel good.


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KHAI – Alive

Here’s what’s cool about Khai: he’s unapologetic in his ability to detail exactly how he feels in his music and creates something beautiful around that principle. “Alive” is the latest shining example of this and, after his awesome If You EP, we’re just so glad to he’s back at it. There’s an air of optimism amidst the brooding production in this tune, and the balance between the two defines this stellar single as one of Khai’s best releases to date. Play this tune when you’re feeling a little down, but you’re also sort of okay with that.


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Jerry Folk – Where I’m Going

Jerry Folk has been on an interesting journey with his music as of late. Each release really has been something entirely different from the last, and this is somewhat the mission statement of loosely structured project, The Kids Tape. With “Where I’m Going”, he actually lends his own vocals to the radiant production that juggles prominent and funky slap bass, smooth keys, and an overall sense of positivity. Enjoy this one with the windows down.


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g l u e 7 0 – Conclusions

Sometimes all we need is a little bit of lo-fi in our lives. Some may find it stale, but when it’s done right, it’s pretty phenomenal. g l u e 7 0 is here to provide some of the best of it. “Conclusions” feels like a hazy and slightly distorted dream world driven by a hip-hop influence while scant vocals flutter every which way across the soundscape. You sort of get drawn in without noticing, and before you know it, you’re digging through the entirety of g l u e 7 0’s material. The magnetism of this sort of music is tough to deny. Listen to this one on a late summer night right as the sun is going down.


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M!NT – Sleepwalker

M!NT just dropped off his Through Darkness EP and it is NICE. It was difficult to only pick one tune from it to talk about, but “Sleepwalker” stood out after a few listens. It’s part spooky, part chill, and wholly great. Without a doubt, the innate sense of head-bobbing-ness (let’s just pretend that’s a thing) is strong with this one with a smoothly riding beat and big presence that’s tailor-made for a night cruise. Explore the city late night and enjoy the flashing lights with this one.


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