Author Archives: Ash El Gamal

Music at the Museum: NightLife LIVE at California Academy of Sciences, SF May-October [Event Series Preview]

Posted by Ash El Gamal - May 12, 2015

If you live in the Bay Area, chances are you’ve already been to the California Academy of Sciences either to check out one of their various one-of-a-kind exhibits or for a drink at their weekly Nightlife series, easily one of the best ways to spend a Thursday night in San Francisco. As if an aquarium, planetarium and fully-functioning rainforest weren’t enough to pique your interest, the Academy of Sciences is kicking off its second annual Nightlife LIVE concert series this week, which will transform the museum into a full blown concert venue one Thursday a month through October.

Teaming up with various local promoters and music festivals, Nightlife LIVE has assembled a lineup that features a dynamic collection of both established and up ’n coming artists across genres. The selection of artists are from all over the world, but the Bay Area and west coast are definitely the most well represented with a number of exciting local and regional bands featured. Keeping in the spirt of science, the outdoor stage setup promises to be an experience all its own with an immersive installation from Domestic Data Streams that will use real-time data from the audience to source a piece of digital art. Aside from the attractions inside the museum, there will also be several mini-exhibits from various organizations along other activities at each show. To prepare for this Thursday’s opening and get all our ninjas up to speed, we’ve broken down the acts performing at each show below. You can find some more info and buy tickets here.

May 14: Machinedrum & B. Bravo

’Braille – Everyone’s Crazy (Machinedrum Remix)’

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’B. Bravo – Nights (Feel Like Getting Down)’

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Lineup presented by: DJ Dials

Machinedrum’s complex, atmospheric take on drum ’n bass music couldn’t be a better way to open an event series honoring science. With a full live setup, he’ll be bringing his latest album, Vapor City, to life cover to cover. While Machinedrum’s sure to take us on a sonic journey, LA-based producer B. Bravo, who will be opening, should get the dance floor moving with his funk-influenced electronic jams. Continue reading →

[TMN Premiere] Sorcha Richardson – Petrol Station

Posted by Ash El Gamal - May 12, 2015

Sorcha Richardson
Petrol Station

Soundcloud

After making a name for herself among folk fans with two gorgeous EPs, singer/songwriter Sorcha Richardson has shifted gears bringing her flawless vocals to smooth electronic production. She first experimented with this new direction early in her career as part of Con Vos, a collaboration with New Jersey hip-hop duo Fortunate Ones, and we’re really excited to be bringing you the premiere of Richardson’s latest exploration. On “Petrol Station,” the Irish-bred, Brooklyn-based songstress glides over a hazy, minimal electronic backdrop, courtesy Baile, which allows the depth of her lyricism to shine. As the percussion and energy rise, Richardson’s vocals step up to match the intensity adding a new layer of emotion and texture to her vivid storytelling.

Even though the contributing instrumental elements are a far cry from Sorcha Richardson’s acoustic Last Train EP, her voice stays true to her soulful, folky roots making for a genuine and compelling sound. We’ll definitely be looking out for more from Richardson soon but, in the meantime, get lost in this dreamy track above.

[NEW] Mac DeMarco – The Way You’d Love Her

Posted by Ash El Gamal - May 11, 2015

Mac DeMarco
The Way You'd Love Her

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After the release of his critically-acclaimed Salad Days last year, Mac DeMarco toured pretty much non-stop spreading his infectious and delightfully strange brand of garage rock worldwide. After a brief touring hiatus in which he had a chance to spend some time in his Brooklyn studio, Mac brought us his first new tune of 2015 this morning along with the announcement of his summer tour and upcoming LP, Another One, due out on August 7th. “The Way You’d Love Her” picks up right where Salad Days left off with off-kilter, yet breezy, guitar licks accompanied by Mac’s distinct vocals. It’s a groovy and laid-back jam that arrives right in time for the summer sun. Enjoy above and check Mac’s extensive upcoming tour dates after the jump. Continue reading →

Alternative/Rock

[Future R&B] XO – Flames of a Phoenix

Posted by Ash El Gamal - May 8, 2015

XO
Flames of a Phoenix

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UK producer XO made waves last year with his debut EP, Through the Night, a three-song project full of forward-thinking, R&B-influenced jams. His sophomore project, The Ethereal Experience, is dropping this summer and, earlier this week, he let loose the first single. “Flames of a Phoenix” was just what we’d hoped from XO as he takes the mic contributing gorgeous vocals that draw the listener in before introducing an irresistible bounce. After building a steady dance groove through out, the track recesses into an atmospheric outro. If you’re not yet familiar, “Flames of a Phoenix” proves the ideal introduction to XO’s soulful, yet upbeat, electronic aesthetic. The Ethereal Experience, which drops on July 20th on He Loves You Not Recordings, is available for pre-order on iTunes here, which comes with immediate download of the track “Somethin’ About You.”

P.S. If you like what you hear, get to know XO a bit better in our exclusive interview from last year.

[Electronic] Alina Baraz & Galimatias – Fantasy (Pomo Remix)

Posted by Ash El Gamal - May 7, 2015

Alina Baraz & Galimatias
Fantasy (Pomo Remix)

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Alina Baraz & Galimatias‘s “Fantasy” was easily one of the most uniquely beautiful tracks released last year combining ethereal vocals with forward-thinking, nuanced electronic production. It’s so good, in fact, that it toes the line of untouchable as far as remixes go. If there’s anyone fit or the job, though it’s Canadian producer Pomo, who’s 2014 The Other Day was a groovy, synth-laden sonic journey. His rendition of “Fantasy” plays out exactly as we would’ve hoped, keeping the original’s winning elements in tact with a healthy injection of Pomo’s signature bounce. The result perfectly utilizes Baraz’s irresistible voice transforming it into a spring anthem without losing its chilled-out vibe. If you haven’t already, make sure to check out the rest of Alina Baraz & Galimatias’s collaborative work on Soundcloud. You can also pre-order their upcoming Urban Flora EP here.

[Event Review] GRiZ and The Floozies Tear the Roof off Mezzanine with Future Funk, SF 5/2

Posted by Ash El Gamal - May 7, 2015

Article by Ash, Photos by Dom Powell

’GRiZ – The Anthem (ft. Mike Avery)’

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Since Funk’s inception in the mid-60s, it’s been reborn countless times particularly in hip-hop and, most recently, electronic music. Although it certainly possesses distinct composition elements, funk’s cross-genre transcendence also stems largely from its showmanship, quirkiness and the underlying attitude which it catalyzed. In some genres, this sort of evolution, or appropriation, is looked down upon, but funk is quite the opposite. George Clinton’s Parliament/Funkadelic, for example, was constantly changing adding young members to keep its sound fresh. Even now, Clinton, widely considered one of funk’s founding fathers, continues supporting and working with a diverse set of artists who keep funk alive and well.

In the realm of electronic music, few artists have done a better job of carrying on the funk tradition than the sax-wielding GRiZ, whose “future funk” combines the enormity of electronic bass music with big-band funk of the 60s and 70s. The Detroit producer is in the midst of his most ambitious year yet releasing a stellar album with Say it Loud and launching All Good Records to give like-minded artists an opportunity to expand on the movement. We were lucky to catch GRiZ along with label mates The Floozies at their jam-packed show at Mezzanine in San Francisco over the weekend and it was a perfect reflection of an exciting moment in their respective careers. Continue reading →

[Electronic] BenZel – Waiting… (feat. Ben Abraham)

Posted by Ash El Gamal - May 5, 2015

BenZel
Waiting...... (ft. Ben Abraham)

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BenZel, comprised of Benny Blanco and Ben Ash, had a stellar year in 2014 with their Men EP and executive production on Jessie Ware‘s album. They’ve continued that streak thus far with a number of impressive, diverse loosies, most recently the dope, Tory Lanez-featuring “Stuck on You.” Today, they bring us another in that series with the soulful, building “Waiting…” featuring crooning from Australian vocalist Ben Abraham. It’s a gorgeous electronic tune that progresses into a near-enormous sound without compromising its chilled-out, radiant energy. “Waiting…” closes with a seamless, acoustic retreat to Abraham’s beautiful piano and voice. Brighten your day with this one above.