[16 To End 2016] Ninja Dom Edition

#1 – “Tangle Formations” by Explosions In The Sky from their seventh studio Album, The Wilderness.

  • The experimental post-rock band has moved past their days of scoring Friday Night Lights and set their sights on even more ambitious goals with a reinvented sound. The Wildnerness is as much of a conceptual and enjoyable journey as the previous projects, but with more structure and direction.
Explosions In The Sky
Tangle Formations

#2 – “Laputa (Taylor McFerrin Remix)” by Hiatus Kaiyote from their remix LP, Recalibrations Vol. 1.

  • After releasing one of my favorite projects from 2015, the Early Riser LP, McFerrin made another splash this past May by reimagining a track from Hiatus Kaiyote’s 2015 album Choose your Weapon.
Hiatus Kaiyote
Laputa (Taylor McFerrin Remix) (feat. Anderson .Paak)

#3 – “It’s A Memory Feat. Elohim and Mansions on the Moon (Amtrac Remix) by Fred Falke from his remix EP, It’s A Memory – the Remixes.

  • In an unsurprising turn of events, Amtrac has put together the most impressive EDM remix of 2016, fusing the elements laid out by Fred Falke with his own brand of wizardry to create a one-of-a-kind track.
Fred Falke
It’s A Memory ft. Elohim, Mansions On The Moon (Amtrac Remix)

#4 – “Earth Girls” by Jesse Boykins III from his mixtape, Bartholomew.

  • While the album has features from the likes of Noname, Little Simz, Willow Smith, Syd, Mick Jenkins and others, his best work is done on a solo piece, Earth Girls. I wrote about this song earlier this year here.
Jesse Boykins III
Earth Girls

#5 – “Nights” by Frank Ocean from his second studio album, Blonde.

  • While it took Frank 4 years to give us another album, he certainly delivered with Blonde. In releasing his 2016-version of “Pyramids”, Frank gives us a growing piece that stands up to any criticism lobbed his way.
Frank Ocean
Nights

#6 – “Ultralight Beam Feat. Kelly Price, Donnie Trumpet, Chance the Rapper, The-Dream and Kirk Franklin” by Kanye West from The Life of Pablo.

  • The introduction track from the most hyped release of 2016 also gave us the best hip hop verse of the year – in addition to the most diverse contributors to a single track. Another instant classic to go in Kanye’s hall of fame catalog.
Kanye West
Ultralight Beat (feat. Chance The Rapper)

#7 – “My True Name” by Bloc Party. from their fifth studio album, Hymns.

  • 4 years after the release of Four, and after a major band member shakeup no less, Bloc Party returned to the studio headed by Kele to deliver one last time with another intimate, topical record.
Bloc Party
My True Name

#8 – “With Me” by Lane 8 from his project, This Never Happened.

  • The Leipzig-based producer started out 2016 with “Midnight” and has been a beacon of consistency for the electronic music world. Each of his releases have been of superb quality, but “With Me” is the best of the bunch. I wrote about it earlier this year here.
Lane 8
With Me

#9 – “All Night Feat. Knox Fortune (Kaytranada Remix)” by Chance the Rapper from Kaytranada’s 0.001% mixtape.

  • In a year where Kaytranada finally got over the hump, graduating from blogospher fame to mainstrem musical fame, he took a victory lap of sorts in the latter months, giving us some of his best material yet. His remix to Chance’s “All Night” will be a mainstay in dance clubs for many months to come.
Chance The Rapper
All Night (feat. Knox Fortune) (Kaytranada Remix)

#10 – “Alaska” by Maggie Rogers.

  • Maggie Roger’s rise based on the strength of Alaska mirrored the same path Ryn Weaver took after her song Octahate became the flavor of the year in 2014. While Roger has not yet amassed the same following, her single is as impressive and minimalistic as one could hope for from a debut.
Maggie Rogers
Alaska

#11 – “Eva” by Punctual.

  • As an eclectic deep house track with samples and influences ranging from Indian pop to 80’s synth, Eva is as groundbreaking and novel today as it was the first few hundred times I listened to it.
Punctual
Eva

#12 – “Clementine Feat. Lex Famous” by Rambo V.

  • Claiming this song as “Soul House”, Rambo V set off the soundtrack to my summer with Clementine. This dreamy, fun-loving track grooves along fusing the line beautifully between future bass and house.
Rambo V
Clementine Ft. Lex Famous

#13 – “All Night Feat. Dornik” by SG Lewis.

  • SG Lewis released one of my early picks for song of the year, dropping All Night with Dornik in February. This track harnesses some of the emotion captured in his previous classic “Warm” while adding a more upbeat, poppy spin to the piece.
SG Lewis
All Night(ft. Dornik)

#14 – “Homemade” by Matthew Chaim.

  • Hailing from Montreal, this Canadian pop producer unleashed a catchy piece along with the help of Noah Barer and Cavewerk earlier this year. I wrote about the track previously here.
Matthew Chaim
Homemade (prod. Noah Barer & Cavewerk)

#15 – “Gettin’ it Done” by Ross From Friends.

  • As perhaps the best named artist from this group of sixteen, Ross from Friends also put together one of the best house tunes to come out in 2016. While injecting elements of 90’s R&B with a persistently building bassline, the song has elements that appeal to a wide range of aficionados.
Ross From Friends
Gettin’ It Done’

#16 – “The Look” by Halpe and Sophie Meiers.

  • My favorite track that maybe 2% of my friends have heard before. This vocalist has a handful of mesmerizing tracks, but pairing with Halpe pushes The Look into another category entirely.
halpe
The Look w/ sophie meiers
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Wednesday Workout Playlist [Vol. 7]

As these hot, hot temperatures finally begin to let up a bit, at least for now, we aren’t hesitating to take advantage of the beautiful days by spending them by the water. As most of us know, there is almost nothing more satisfying than sprawling out on the sand, soaking in the sun and feeling that reoccurring cool breeze on your skin. The only thing that can possibly enhance this experience is some great music playing in the background. That’s why this week we conjured up a selection of tunes to both relax and get energized to.

’Swedish House Mafia – Leave The World Behind (JayKode X Lookas Remix)’
’Drinkee (Vintage Culture & Slow Motion! Remix)’
’Faded (Young Bombs Remix)’
’Mike Wit ft. Brenda Be – Hold Me Now (Original Mix)’
’it’s different – Pokemon Ü (ft. Broderick Jones)’
’Draper – All I See (feat. Laura Brehm) (Kicks N Licks Remix)’
’Major Lazer ft. Justin Bieber & Erene – Cold Water (Eljay Remix)’
’Mutemath – Monument (Kasbo Remix)’
’Machinedrum – ‘Angel Speak (ft. MeLo
X)”
’NO ORDER’
’San Holo – Still Looking (DROELOE Remix)’
’Daft Rascal (Dizzee Rascal X Daft Punk) RJ Cherry Bootleg’
’Dillon Francis x NGHTMRE – Need You (Popsikl Remix)’
’BENNY BENASSI X SKRILLEX ft. GARY GO – CINEMA (LUCA LUSH Remix)’
’Cesqeaux & San Holo – Who Am I’
’Danny Brown – Blunt After Blunt (Pham Remix)’
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[San Diego Giveaway] Amtrac & Hotel Garuda @ Bang Bang – 2/26

While Amtrac and Hotel Garuda‘s Lost In Motion Tour is coming to your city in full force, we have some GREAT news for all you SD ninjas and ninjettes. We’re giving away a pair of tickets to their show at Bang Bang on Feb 26 to one lucky winner! If you’ve been dying to see your favorite DJs live and haven’t gotten your tickets yet, here’s your chance. To enter the contest, simply fill out this form below with your FIRST and LAST name, as well as your EMAIL address, then click submit. That’s literally all you have to do!

Few rules, of course:

  • You must be 21+ enter
  • TWO tickets will be given to ONE winner
  • Winner will be selected on Thursday night 2/25

Here’s the event page if you want to find out more about their tour. And for those of you who want to purchase tickets, you can do it here. Act fast – they’re going to be sold out VERY soon, considering how many people get down with Amtrac and Hotel Garuda. Make sure to listen to our playlist below to get a sneak peek to what they have in store for us on Friday. Hope to see y’all there!

’Amtrac – DARKEST SOUND’
’Amtrac – LONG NIGHTS’
’Amtrac – ONCE IS ENOUGH’
’kiiara – Feels (Hotel Garuda Remix)’
’Alina Baraz & Galimatias – Make You Feel (Hotel Garuda Remix)’
’Royal – Passenger (Hotel Garuda Remix)’

ENTER GIVEAWAY TO WIN AMTRAC & HOTEL GARUDA TICKETS

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[Festival Preview] Noise Pop Festival 2016–SF, 2/19-2/28

np2016-admat_fullNoise Pop 2016 is quickly approaching, beginning this week, February 19th, and ending nine days later on February 28th. Following San Francisco’s anointment as Super Bowl City on January 30th, the city was the center of the American sports world for nearly 2 weeks. Now, as those ceremonies are winding down, excitement regarding a more local-grown type of entertainment will be ratcheting up. Noise Pop has outdone itself in 2016, bringing one of the boldest and most impressive lineups in its prestigious history.

We were lucky enough to chat with Chad Heimann, the sole talent buyer for Noise Pop, so you’ll find some of what he had to say sprinkled through out this preview. Badges are still available for purchase here.

Continue reading

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[Event Review] CRSSD Festival – San Diego, 3/14-15

DSC_8721

As festival season is upon us, many festival go-ers are itching to go to Coachella, especially when talking about the perfect California weather. Goldenvoice, hosts of Coachella, and FNGRS CRSSD have teamed up to create CRSSD Festival, a solution for those who can’t make it to the more high-profile festivals but still want to get a taste of the all-around chill California vibe. With that said, CRSSD festival was the perfect portrayal of sunny San Diego and what it represents.

The first ever CRSSD fest took place in the Waterfront Park from March 14 and 15, and featured a lineup with big names like Chromeo, Odesza, Flight Facilities and Empire of the Sun. While these unique electronic acts headlined the main stage a.k.a “Ocean View Live”, what stuck out the most to us was “The Palms” stage, which was decorated to fit a more laid-back and tropical vibe. Ranging from nu-disco to tropical house, the stage features some of the frontrunners of the dance scene, including names like Bakermat, Thomas Jack, Bixel Boys, Giraffage and Kaytranada. The middle stage, which was named “City Steps”, featured some heavyhitting house acts that span from future bass to G-House, notably Amtrac, Tensnake, James Murphy and Simian Mobile Disco.

crssd_jasonbentley

’MNEK – Wrote A Song About You (Kaytranada Edition)’
’Giraffage – Hello’

Being that it was a debut festival, CRSSD fest did a phenomenal job of planning and set up. With KCRW Music Director Jason Bentley hosting the festival and filling in between sets with the crowd’s favorite music, there was never a dull moment at the park. Unlike some other major festivals, the Waterfront Park was the perfect size venue for CRSSD fest. The three stages were all easily reachable from one end to another, without overshadowing each other.

Now onto the stars of the show. The best acts on Saturday were undoubtedly Kaytranada and Giraffage. With back to back sets at “The Palms” stage, the two talented artists brought the house down with their immensely high energy performances. From the future bounce mastermind to the quirky creative genius, the two spun tune after tune that got the crowd going nuts. Empire of the Sun also put out an epic performance with their signature glamorous set up with stage dancers. There was no better way to close out the night after a long day of sweating and dancing. Continue reading

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[Event Review] Kygo – Bang Bang, San Diego

(PC: Lori Luers)

Kygo was nothing short of amazing last Saturday in San Diego, and I’m very excited I found out about it while I was looking for things to do in San Diego. Taking topical house to Bang Bang in downtown SD, Kygo brought down the HOUSE (get it?) and gave a high energy performance on stage. The 22-year-old producer from Norway started off the night with one of his most played remixes, “I See Fire”, which immediately got the crowd pumped up and cheering in excitement. It’s hard to imagine how he managed to channel such positive energy from his music, as you see nothing but smiles across the venue.

Playing banger remix after remix, Kygo’s performance was entertaining throughout his entire set. Some notable highlights include “Cut Your Teeth” by Kyla La Grange, “Stolen Dance” by Milky Chance and “Midnight” by Coldplay. To everyone’s surprise, he even threw in unreleased material in his set, include a BANKS remix that left the crowd in awe. Being comparably slower and more mellow than other deep house music, Kygo’s tropical house showed such distinctiveness and character while being massively appealing. It is amusing to see how his music got everyone dancing their pants off and singing along to all the lyrics, even though tropical house seemed an acquired taste for club music.

To close off his set, Kygo dropped “Sexual Healing” and his remix of Ed Sheeran vs Passenger “No Diggity X Thrift Shop”, ending the night on a high note. You could tell everyone thoroughly enjoyed the music just as much as Kygo did. While his remixes undoubtedly steal everyone’s heart, we would love to see more original material and collaborations.

Following his replacement of the almighty Avicii at TomorrowWorld, Kygo continued to prove that he’s one of the frontrunners of the revival movement of house music. Being able to attract such a large following in just a year’s time says something about Kygo’s talent.

To catch the rest of his Endless Summer Tour with Kygo and friends (Amtrac and Anna Lunoe), check out the following dates:

10/12     The Fonda Theatre – Los Angeles, CA

10/14     The Beacham – Orlando, FL

10/15     The Sinclair – Cambridge, MA

10/16     Society For Arts & Technology – Montreal, QC

10/17     Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA

10/18     Concord Music Hall – Chicago, IL

Ed Sheeran
I See Fire (Kygo Remix)
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