Author Archives: Ash El Gamal

[Festival Review] Life on the Incline: Sasquatch!, the Gorge and the Hill’s Eternal Serenity

17496069434_2c6a933028_oThere’s nothing quite like the sensation of sitting sideways atop the slope of the Gorge Amphitheater’s hill at Sasquatch! Music Festival overlooking the Columbia River Gorge. Add entrancing music to a background that no picture or piece of art could ever do justice; and, at that intersection, you’ll find the happy place Squatchers look forward to all year. The so-far-past picturesque backdrop sets the tone for the festival but, with arguably one of its best lineups yet, was a far cry from Sasquatch’s only attraction this year. Rather, the main stage’s slope served as the much-needed anchor after a dance party at the Chupacabra tent or Big Foot stage—a place to lie, head up or down, and absorb the collective consciousness of thousands of equally inspired concertgoers.

Music festivals have become such chaotic events and Sasquatch! is, certainly not an exception, but it’s that same comfort felt on the hill that permeates throughout the entire campground. No matter what you’re going through or how you’re feeling, the hill will take your emotional state to serenity, where it belongs.

18009447496_4d9cd9882f_oWords, photos and songs really can’t do justice to just how incredible the Squatch is but we’ve done our best to recap, from our perspective, the musical highlights from the 4 days. For those of you who were there, we hope this brings you back even if just a little bit and for those who weren’t, well, you’re going to want to be there next year after peeping our recap.

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[TMN Giveaway] Save your Ears with DUBS Acoustic Filters

With the rise in the popularity of live music and festivals, particularly those of blaring bass-heavy nature, eardrum health has become a legitimate concern. As a ninja who attends more than a show a week, I’ve certainly noticed impact on my own hearing, which is not something any music lover wants. Luckily, as is the trend these days, technology has a solution to this problem producing ear-plug filters for shows that protect concertgoers from the wobbles of dubstep or the screeching of an electric guitar.

Doppler Labs, an NYC startup focused on “hearables,” have been at the forefront of this movement towards more conscious concert enjoyment with their sleek DUBS Acoustic Filters. While some may think that what seem like earplugs would make it harder to turn up to your favorite artist, the results are quite the opposite. Speaking from firsthand experience, DUBS serve more as an equalizer for your eardrums that adjust the levels of the music making it noticeably easier to identify and enjoy the subtleties of what you’re listening. Simultaneously, by keeping the decibels at a healthy level, they greatly reduce the chance of damage to your eardrums so that you can keep your concert life alive for as long as you are.

Doppler made a huge move earlier this year partnering with Coachella and distributing a pair of DUBS as part of the welcome package for all attendees. Recently, they’ve announced similar partnerships with both Tennessee’s Bonnaroo and San Francisco’s Outside Lands helping bring their important technology to literally hundreds of thousands of fans. As youngsters, they might not seem necessary, but DUBS are something to think of having both the short-term benefit of better sound quality and long-term benefit of actually being able to hear when you watch Kendrick perform his comeback tour in 30 years.

Because we got your back, and your ears, we’re excited to be giving away ten pairs of DUBS to our Ninjas . Simply enter your email below and we’ll contact winners by Monday, June 8th to get addresses and send the out! If you’re super eager, though, you can always cop a pair of DUBS now here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN DUBS

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[Melt] Ta-Ku – Long Time No See (feat. Atu)

Ta-Ku
Long Time No See (feat. Atu)

Following Ta-Ku‘s Songs to Break Up To, the Australian artist of multiple mediums took some time away from music to express himself through other avenues, particularly stunning photography and hilarious Snapchats. Much to the delight of fans, Ta-Ku’s ready to craft sonic beauties once again with his upcoming, aptly-titled Songs to Make Up To. After the last stunning, JMSN and Sango-featuring single, “Love Again,” he’s back with another gem from the project this time teaming up with Atu, a master of downtempo, heart-wrenching production.

On “Long Time No See,” the two slow-jam connoisseurs draw you in with deeply emotional piano and a signature Atu vocal sample. When combined with steady head-nodding, hand-clapping percussion, the track fully immerses the listener into an unmatchably calm soundscape. Once you’ve been fully drawn in, a soothing bass vibration ties everything together melting away pain and stress.

Ta-Ku recently gave a TEDx talk in Sydney where he discussed his artistic journey and the reason for his hiatus from music. Unsurprisingly, Songs to Break Up To was written after a heartbreak in his own life leaving him at a loss for musical expression after its release. In his talk, he discusses how he coped with this by turning to other creative outlets before finally being ready to put his upcoming project together–it’s sounding like it’ll be well worth the wait. Songs to Make Up To drops on June 12th and can be pre-ordered now here.

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[Hip-Hop] Daye Jack – Trapped In Love

Daye Jack
Trapped In Love

At this point, it wouldn’t be fair to label Daye Jack simply a rapper. On his latest release, the multi-talented, Atlanta-bred artist shows once again that he’s an absolute creative force. “Trapped in Love” plays off the idea of the “trap,” normally used to refer to the inescapable cycle of drug-dealing for disadvantaged youth, applying the concept to a similarly constricting romance. The beat, crafted by Matthew Engst, combines 808-laden trap production with bouncy synths setting the tone for the simile. Meanwhile, Jack spits aggressive bars that reflect a trap delivery but, rather than speaking on hood experiences, recalls the feeling of getting caught up in love. Jack keeps the track dynamic and interesting through out alternating between a venomous, hard-hitting delivery and an airy crooning chorus. “Trapped in Love” truly pushes boundaries and will be featured on Jack’s forthcoming Soul Glitch, due out June 30th.

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[Hip-Hop] Main Attrakionz – Ain’t No Other Way

Main Attrakionz
Ain't No Other Way

Oakland duo Main Attrakionz blew up seemingly out of nowhere back in 2011 pioneering “Cloud Rap”–a unique brand of hip-hop that combines airy beats with equally weightless rap styles. Lyrically, it’s not what you’d categorize as verbose but it’s overwhelmingly positive, melodic and genuine making for a completely novel listening experience.

The sub-genre has had an enormous influence on rap music since that time with acts like A$AP Rocky, who was featured on their 808s & Dark Grapes II breakout mixtape, Danny Brown and Gucci Mane all taking notice of the alluring aesthetic. In fact, the track “Leaf,” a standout from Rocky’s debut mixtape, was originally featured on 808s & Dark Grapes II under the title “Take 1.” After releasing a solid debut album in 2012 with Bossalinis & Fooliyones, the rappers behind MA, Squadda B and Mondre M.A.N., have been relatively quiet honing their craft after a somewhat unexpected and hasty rise to notoriety.

After a lengthy hiatus as Main Attrakionz, during which time they continued releasing music under their Green Ova label, the duo returned last week with the first single, and accompanying visuals, for their upcoming project, 808s & Dark Grapes III. “Ain’t No Other Way” proves that Main Attrakionz have been hard at work perfecting their supremely ethereal sound. Among rappers, you’d be hard-pressed to find any as low-key, humble and unassuming, while simultaneously enormously influential, as Main Attrakionz. See for yourself in the Kreayshawndirected video below and keep your eye out for 808s and Dark Grapes III due out June 30th.

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[Hip-Hop] Mick Jenkins – P’s & Q’s (prod. Kaytranada)

MICK JENKINS
P's & Q's [Prod. by Kaytranada]

Amidst an always overcrowded landscape of emcees, Mick Jenkins has consistently stood out as a messiah of sorts for the rap game. The Chicago emcee’s debut mixtape, The Water(s), was an incredibly cohesive and thoughtful piece of work that displayed a level of lyrical depth years beyond his peers. So, it’s little surprise that when he teams up with one of the most forward-thinking producers in the game, Kaytranada, the results are mind-blowing. Their last collab, “The Rain,” was one of the best hip-hop tracks of last year.

Yesterday, Jenkins presented his latest single “P’s & Q’s” continuing his evolution into a thought-leader to be reckoned with. Kaytranada crafts an instrumental that, although still maintains his future bounce style, is driven by a smooth looping guitar lick. As always, Jenkins sticks to his motifs spitting bars that play off the letters of the song’s title. It’s not just a gimmick, though, Mick truly ties the narrative together spewing knowledge about being genuine and true to yourself while engulfed by deterrents.

The accompanying visuals, directed by Nathan Smith, couldn’t be a better fit for the message of the song as Mick stays calm amidst a chaotic whirlwind that surrounds him. That sense of inner peace through disaster seems to be a theme found through out Jenkins music and we’d highly recommend dropping everything you’re doing to watch the moving video in fullscreen below. Jenkins follow-up to The Water(s) is coming sooner than you think and it’s definitely on the top of our list of hip-hop projects to look out for.

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[NEW] Flume – Some Minds (feat. Andrew Wyatt)

Flume
Some Minds feat. Andrew Wyatt

In between rigorous international tours, including one he just kicked off last week, Flume has been cooking up material for his upcoming album over the last few months. At his recent sets, he’s been sharing some of that anticipated material and, just a few minutes ago unleashed what looks to be the first glimpse into the project. “Some Minds” features Flume’s distinctive warped synths backed by scintillating percussion creating a mystical aura. It’s a slowly progressing composition that builds with vocals from Miike Snow‘s Andrew Wyatt before finally erupting 3 minutes in with Flume’s unconventional and nearly indescribable use of bass-driven minimalism.

The accompanying video, directed by Clemens Habicht, ties the concept of the song together utilizing stunning shots of Sydney’s iconic Sydney Opera House and a isolated shot of Flume that twists and bends with the beat when it reaches its climax. It’s a breathtaking video fitting for an equally cutting-edge sound–truly a comprehensive artistic experience to get lost in.

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