Author Archives: Ash El Gamal

[Event Review] 5 Faces of Chaz: Examining Toro y Moi’s Evolution at The Independent, SF 3/28

Posted by Ash El Gamal - April 2, 2015

Over the last five years, Chaz Bundick, as both Toro y Moi and Les Sins, has repeatedly redefined his style bringing refreshing facets of his reserved, enigmatic persona to light all the while maturing with each album. A true musical chameleon, Chaz has worn many hats but, regardless of genre, he maintains his aesthetic always remaining true to himself. This realization couldn’t have been more evident as I watched Toro Y Moi perform a hometown show at The Independent in San Francisco last weekend in which he intertwined his various musical identities into a cohesive and career-spanning set.

Backed by several talented musicians, including ninja-favorite Astronauts, etc. on the keys, Toro y Moi’s countless jams, from hazy bedroom productions to groovy indie rock, were presented in the most vibrant way possible. Almost signifying transitions between old and new, Chaz swapped between MIDI keyboard and guitar through out without losing a beat. As an avid fan, and music geek, I found myself not only dancing steadily through out, but also hit with a flurry of thoughts and emotions inspired by the diverse, yet unified, setlist. To best capture those feelings, I decided to recount the performance in the context of a career retrospective. Flip through the pages and explore the five faces of Toro that I witnessed last Saturday with photos and songs from the set to match.

Toro y Moi’s upcoming album, What for?, drops on April 7th but can be streamed via NPR Music now. You can pre-order on iTunes here and find upcoming tour dates here.

All photos by Dom Powell.

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[Electronic] What So Not – Gemini (feat. George Maple)

Posted by Ash El Gamal - April 1, 2015

What So Not
Gemini Ft. George Maple

Soundcloud

Although Flume and Emoh Instead have parted ways as What So Not, their long-anticipated collaborative EP is still on schedule for release and Emoh plans to continue the project, both through shows and new music, under the same name. Today, we finally get the first single, and title track, from their Gemini EP featuring fellow Australian and immensely talented songstress George Maple. In a recent interview with Dancing Astronaut, Emoh Instead suggested that the creative direction on the EP would feature a departure from early What So Not. While “Gemini” certainly fits that description, What So Not’s core elements remain in-tact but with a more chilled-out, atmospheric approach. Maple’s flawless vocals add a unique depth that leads into a minimal synth drop cultivating something that would make for an emotional moment during a live set. Get lost in this intriguing joint above and make sure to catch What So Not live either solo or at your local major music festival–tour dates here.

[Alternative] Trails and Ways – Skeletons

Posted by Ash El Gamal - April 1, 2015

Trails and Ways
Skeletons

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Oakland-based band Trails and Ways first found their way into our hearts a few years back starting with their brilliantly organic and original covers. As if their approach to covers wasn’t indicative enough, their 2013 debut EP, Trilingual, solidified T&W as one of our favorite indie acts out. After a relatively quiet period during which they were performing, practicing and working on new material, Trails and Ways were officially signed to Barsuk Records, the label of Death Cab For Cutie, early last month with a debut full-length album on the horizon.

Today, we get the first single, and opening track, from their anticipated debut and it proves more than worth the wait. “Skeletons,” which we first caught live at their hometown show last year, feels like the perfect next step in the talented group’s sound. Following an intro of atmospheric guitar and emphatic cries, the verses recess into gorgeous, breezy vocals before unleashing one of the most infectious, energetic choruses you will hear all year. Trails and Ways’ aesthetic, influenced by the band members’ international travels and outdoor hobbies, has an enchanting, transformative effect that feels best suited for a dance party in the midst of mother nature. We’ll certainly have this on repeat today and until their debut, Pathology, drops on June 2nd–pre-order here.

P.S. If you like what you hear, check out our exclusive interview with Trails and Ways from last year’s Outside Lands Festival.

[NEW] Baauer – Promises (feat. Fetty Wap & Dubbel Dutch)

Posted by Ash El Gamal - April 1, 2015

Baauer
Promises (feat. Fetty Wap & Dubbel Dutch) #songsfromscratch

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The Songs from Scratch series, a joint effort between Yours Truly and Adidas, has continually delivered the most memorable and delightfully unexpected collaborations in music outdoing themselves with each installment. Fresh off ninja favorite “Dimelo,” the latest offering brings together Fetty Wap, the emcee behind viral hit “Trap Queen,” and pioneering electronic trap producers Baauer and Dubbel Dutch for yet another anthem with “Promises.” Combining playful melodies with hard-hitting 808s and a horn-driven breakdown, the production couldn’t match Fetty Wap’s cadence any better as he promises his friends and family that he’s going to succeed. The result is downright addicting and makes for the perfect reflection of current trends all the while being unique, varied and musically impressive. Enjoy and grab a free download above–you can read more about the process behind the track here.

[Future] Lido & Canblaster – Superspeed

Posted by Ash El Gamal - March 31, 2015

Lido & Canblaster
Superspeed

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Shortly after announcing their collaborative EP last week and dropping the first single “Rush Hour,” Lido and Canblaster returned yesterday with the title track from the upcoming release. “Superspeeed” keeps the back and forth between the young, talented producers alive as they create a bouncy gem with vocals that help enforce the project’s name. Once again, Lido and Canblaster display a unique approach to composition striking a balance between relaxing soulful elements, glitchy breakdowns and club ready bass lines. The dynamic nature of their work thus far makes for still-interesting repeated listens–we’ve played this one about ten times today. Superspeed is due out on April 6th and can be pre-ordered on iTunes now. In the meantime, hit play above and try to keep up.

[Future] Caroline Koch – Timeless (Tchami Remix)

Posted by Ash El Gamal - March 31, 2015

Caroline Koch
Timeless (Tchami Remix)

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Fresh off tearing up his set at Ultra last week, Parisian producer Tchami returned yesterday with another remix and it’s, unsurprisingly, another instant hit for the quickly ascending talent. This time around, Tchami takes on “Timeless,” Italian vocalist Caroline Koch‘s debut English single. Koch’s self-described “deep pop” vocals prove the ideal canvas for Tchami as he creates a dynamic build into a bass-driven future house cadence. All the moving parts in this one make for a listen equally enjoyable for relaxation and the dance floor. Tchami’s remix will be featured on Caroline Koch’s upcoming “Timeless” remix EP, due out April 13th on Dirty Soul Records, and comes as an instant download with the iTunes pre-order.

[Electronic] The Knocks – Collect My Love (feat. Alex Newell)

Posted by Ash El Gamal - March 31, 2015

The Knocks
Collect My Love ft Alex Newell

Soundcloud

With their EP release around the corner, The Knocks have dropped yet another dance-floor ready single. Continuing in the spirit of a full retro-revival, “Collect My Love” has a pulsing bassline and melodic piano, which combined with the soulful vocals of Alex Newell bring to mind some of the great vocalists and artists of the disco era. We’ve now heard four of the five tracks from the So Classic EP and it’s safe to say it’ll be one of the strongest indie dance releases of the year. Grab your fro picks and bell bottoms and groove to this gem above. So Classic drops on April 7th and can be pre-ordered here.