The Munich music maker LCAW is back with a new single called “Man In The Moon” that features the vocalist Dagny. Released via Ultra/Sony, this smooth house jam is one hell of a song. Together these acts put together a radio-friendly single that is even more friendly to dance crowds across the world.
“Man In The Moon” is an easy listen. The light, poppy vibe it expresses makes for a good Summer time record, but we’re totally cool with getting it early. After all, Spring is on its way and this single will get our minds right for the change of season. Dagny’s performance on the song is a definite highlight, and it runs throughout, instead of simply staying around to accompany the intro and breakdown phases. LCAW’s production on this record is magnificent though. The way it develops from beginning to end makes for a stimulating listen time and time again. This one won’t get old fast. Get your copy of “Man In The Moon” today by heading to the digital service of your choice.
Ultra Records has a lot of talent on their roster, but one of their hidden gems is Tep No. This producer, singer and songwriter flexes all his talents with his new single “Is It Too Much That I’m Asking For” that was released a couple days ago. With it we get to see just how good Tep No is in all facets of musical creation.
“Is It Too Much That I’m Asking For” is a magical piece of music. The midtempo pace partnered with the laidback vibe fit perfectly together and in adding the sweet topline of Tep No, there’s no way you’re not going to be at least bobbing your head along to this one. The most likely scenario is your whole body will be grooving while you sing the lyrics. It’s always nice to hear producers throw in acoustic sounds into their productions to give a nice natural edge to it. Want a copy? Beatport has you covered.
Ultra and Next Wave partnered up on the release of “Wild” by the French producer Kidswaste. This indie single features the ever so talented Khai, who offers up his ravishing voice to the song. Together these two created a wonderful tune.
Despite it’s name, “Wild” isn’t actually all that wild. It’s a slow, intimate record who’s soft melodies and acoustic instrumentation sooth the soul to its very core. With such an organic sound, the song strips away your emotional safeguards to connect on some real levels with you. Unhindered, the impact the song has is lasting, making it a song you will always come back to. “Wild” is currently out now on all digital services, so head to the one of your choosing to get a copy.
After quite recently reaching #1 on Hypem, Prince Fox is already back with more. His 25K celebration was thunderous, but this time he comes baring an official remix for SNBRN of “Raindrops.” Ultra is releasing the track today, and we have the chance of premiering it to you.
Prince Fox has a knack for flipping tracks; more so than a lot of producers out there. Not only is he able to deliver top quality tracks time and time again, but he is able to put his sonic stamp on everything. You know when it’s a Prince Fox track, and they don’t age one second. His timeless identity comes out big in his velvety remix of “Raindrops.” Snag this one from Beatport after you are done having a listen, and if for some reason you are not already following this cat on social media, you should probably hop to it.
Kid Arkade has been moving into the more progressive side of house, with his latest release being another uplifting gem. We would be sad that the producer hasn’t released electro in a while, but his works have been so good that we haven’t had any complaints at the ninja camp. “Not Alone” is only in pre-order phase, but Sony & Ultra will be dropping this song on April 26th. Kid Arkade provides an emotional production, with melodies that reach the heart and soul, leaving the listener wanting more. More is sure to come, because this producer is always on the grind. Lend your ears to his work, and don’t forget to lock in a pre-order.
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?
Thomas Gold is no new name to the house music world, dare I even say to the music world. He has already had an incredible year that will continue into the summer festival season that is slowly creeping up on us. We were beyond excited to get to spend some one on one time with Gold while scaling the Ultra Music scene in Miami a few weeks back and we are thrilled that we get a second opportunity to sit down with the house legend to go beyond the music and really discover what makes Gold so Gold.
TMN: First off Thomas, you already know we at TMN are such, such huge fans of yours and your set at Ultra was a-m-a-z-i-n-g. Tell us how you felt about the Ultra experience, when you weren’t driving around in your personal Thomas Gold fan bus with all your ecstatic fans? (In case you didn’t know, Thomas had a TG Fan Bus made up with a DJ booth, a dance floor and a few bars for his fans and fellow DJ’s to enjoy. Brilliant idea).
Playing Ultra (this was my first time!) was such a great experience, it was simply overwhelming! I was lucky to play two different stages, the Megastructure stage at weekend 1 and then main stage at weekend 2. And both of them were incredible. The light and FX system in the megastructure was one of the most impressive and biggest I’ve ever seen and the energy in the tent was huge! I still get goosebumps from watching the videos. And then of course, playing Ultra main stage in front of all these people was another level. You could feel how much fun the people had and I got quite excited while I was playing, seeing all those hands in the air! The whole Ultra experience was just breathtaking.
TMN: As the summer season approaches, where are you looking forward to playing the most? Any certain festivals or cities that you always look forward to playing in?
I’m really looking forward to play in Ibiza again; I actually can’t wait to get all my dates! And of course I’m stoked for Tomorrowland and the upcoming EDCs as I have so great memories of playing there last year!
I’ll be doing a big US tour all through May and from then on I’ll be going back and forth between Europe and America, and there are so many places I love to play. I think it’s also this kind of summer vibe, which I’m excited about in general!
TMN: We know that your music history dates back to when you were a small boy and you had electronic keyboard lessons. You always say you need a real keyboard in front of you whenever you make your music. Do you ever just have a day where you jam out on your keyboard or do you happen to have a baby grand laying around the house?
I do not have a baby grand but in fact, I have a lot of keyboards laying around in my house haha! I’ve got them in all different sizes from very small (which fits into my laptop bag) up to my main keyboard in the studio (which has weighted keys like a real piano keyboard). Sometimes I just spend hours jamming around with no special focus. It’s just about the fun. But I get a lot of ideas out of these random “sessions” which I save in my computer and these can always be a starting point for a new track!
Apart from this, I’m still trying to get used to play melodies and chords on my laptop keyboard and I’m slowly getting better!
TMN: Now let’s shift over to some questions with a little spunk in them. Your last name is Gold, is that your real last name or a stage name that you took?
Gold is a stage name. Thomas although is my real name.
TMN: Please tell me someone has given you a few amazing nicknames, for example, King Midas, Gold Finger, Goldilocks (no blonde hair but hey, you may like porridge right?)
Oh yes, there are a few! But mostly I’ve heard Goldfinger and Goldilocks!
TMN: You are from Germany, the country of beer, sausages and Oktoberfest. Are you a beer, sausages and Oktoberfest kind of guy?
Haha! I don’t think all of Germany is about beer, sausages and Oktoberfest. Here in Berlin people are not too much into the Oktoberfest (as it’s taking place in the south of Germany).
But – yes, I do love beer! Sausages – I love the Currywurst but it’s more of a thing, I’m not doing regularly (and not at home), it’s more one of these “ah, I’m back home, let’s have a Currywurst” things 🙂
I’ve been to the Oktoberfest a few years ago for a couple of times and I loved the vibe! I have one of those traditional Bavarian costumes, which I’d wear when I go there (it’s big fun as many people do this!) I hope I’ll find some time in the future to attend again…
TMN: What are three things always in your suitcase?
Keyboard. instant coffee. Chargers (all possible kinds but there is still always one missing).
TMN: You just walked out onto the stage to start your body jumping set, what are you wearing, go!
T-shirt, jeans, sneakers and headphones!
TMN: If you were stuck on the runway at an airport and you could only listen to one song on repeat for an hour, what song would that be?
I’d listen to “Aaron” by Paul Kalbrenner – good mood song and never gets boring!
TMN: Did you know gummy bears were invented by a German? Little fun fact for you ☺ I think everyone has a candy they couldn’t live without, what is your favorite of favorite candy?
Of course I know that! It was Hans Riegel (he was based in Bonn) and he founded HaRiBo!! His gummy bears are extremely popular here in Germany and I love them! But asking for the candy I could not live without, it would definitely be the Mars chocolate bar! I can die for that!
TMN: As always Thomas, it is such a pleasure to get some time with you. Best of luck to you this year and many years to come we can’t wait to see everything you touch turn to Gold.
