Author Archives: Clayton Warwick

The Knocks – R U HIGH (ft. Mallrat) [SUNDRESS Remix]

Posted by Clayton Warwick - May 28, 2021

If you’ve been paying any attention, you’ve likely noticed that I haven’t posted anything in well over a year. In fact, very few people have posted on TMN recently. We won’t get into reason why, as today we’re focusing on why we, or rather I am back with another post.

Call it serendipitous. Call it kismet. Whatever you label it with, it’s a strange and rather comical reason why I’m here, writing up a song. It all started four nights ago, as I was watching the Nuggets’ playoff game, enjoying a cocktail, and scrolling through NBA twitter. In a moment of jubilation, celebrating the Nuggs somehow stopping Dame Lillard from sinking an endless amount of threes, I tweeted something snarky. That snark (seen below) was followed up by a brutal ratio from a guy named Jack–a Trailblazer fan and one half of the Portland-based SUNDRESS.

After a bit of playful Twitter sparring, we both followed each other, and came to find out that he had read TMN in high school. And, that I was a big fan of what Jack and Khal were making.

So, that’s why we’re here today, taking a peek at their latest release, a remix of long-time TMN favorite The Knocks‘ latest tune, “R U High?” Loaded with vibes for days, this flip of what was originally a moodier piece is reimagined as more of a warm weather take. Driven by well-sampled vocal cuts, and a fresh lead synth that walks the line of feeling trop, without going overboard, this stellar remix is primed for this weekend’s Memorial Day pool party.

This is SUNDRESS’ third release, but more are on the way soon. I recommend following them across your favorite social channels and staying tuned in. I’ve had the pleasure of previewing it, and they’re pretty damn fantastic.

I guess the only thing I have left to say to these two is Go Nuggets. See you on Twitter for the rest of the series.

SUNDRESS · The Knocks – R U HIGH (ft. Mallrat) [SUNDRESS Remix]

[Alternative] Ted When – Edge Off

Posted by Clayton Warwick - May 19, 2020

I’m no stranger to Ted When. During his frontman days with Mansions on the Moon, and still to this day, a handful of their tracks are in my ‘favorites’ playlist and in regular rotation. His voice is immediately calming, each and every time it comes on, and nothing has changed with the debut of his solo act.

“Edge Off” is the first release from this Nashville-based artist, and it slowly wanders in across the first minute with layered, treated, ethereal vocals and lax percussion. The buzzing, deep synth helps drive it along, providing a unique juxtaposition between its sharpness and Ted’s high-pitched notes.

Lyrically, it’s remarkably relevant during the current global landscape. Though, thanks to Ted, we now have a new tune to accompany our imbibing to take the edge off. And, I’ll cheers to that.

Christian Cohle – Breathe [TMN PREMIERE]

Posted by Clayton Warwick - February 21, 2020

Set to the pace of thundering percussion, “Breathe” is fresh, delicious, and primed for your ears. It comes to you via Dublin-born Christian Cohle, who apparently wears many hats, including producing, singing, songwriting, and expertly pan-searing sustainably caught salmon. Okay, that last one was a shot in the dark, but you never know.

Grounded with a contemporary pop flavor, twisted up with a modern, yet sophisticated electronic backbone, Cohle’s style has a familiar feel, yet stands alone. His vocals should do more than enough for anyone who fancies the likes of James Vincent McMorrow and James Blake and his production skills effortlessly cross boundaries and genres, tapping the virtual shoulders of indie dance fans.

No matter how you choose to approach “Breathe” you’ll walk away satisfied. Seeing as how this is one of his first releases, we can safely assume you’re in for a whole hell of a lot more.

Ariza ft. Miette Hope – Find Me

Posted by Clayton Warwick - October 31, 2019

Juan Ariza
Find Me (with Miette Hope)

Soundcloud

Hailing from Bogotá, Colombia, Los Angeles-based Ariza has been turning some heads as of late. From crafting his own tunes to playing guitar with the likes of The Staves, Phillip Lassiter, and more, it’s not hard to see why.

His latest release, which I have the pleasure of bringing you today, is a haunting collaboration with Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Miette Hope. Titled “Find Me” this sauntering glitch-pop gem is the perfect accompaniment to your Halloween plans, best served for after the after-party, as you wind back down into reality from your imbibing.

…It’s a track heavily inspired by James Blake, Portishead, some trip-hop vibes, but also a very modern sound. I think it’s one of my darkest tracks. It comes at a very interesting time of my life, culminating the first stage of recovery of tearing three tendons in my wrist. I can say about a month ago things were quite more heavy, but putting out a track like this and moving on, is incredibly healing in itself. – Ariza

Past post-Halloween activities, this addictive tune is a dark and twisting addition to your low-key playlists. Make sure to add it on Spotify and Soundcloud.

Alternative/Rock

MEUTE’S Thomas Burhorn on Touring and Debut Album [TMN INTERVIEW]

Posted by Clayton Warwick - October 17, 2019

MEUTE is one of the more refreshing things we’ve come across lately. Made up of a collection of 11 talented, traditional drummers and horn players, this German-based group delivers eye-opening, smile-inducing, and thoughtfully crafted renditions of some of the world’s largest dance anthems, including Flume, Deadmau5, and Solomun.

In the midst of their first North American tour and debut album release, we had a chance to connect with Founder/Trumpeter Thomas Buhorn to see how this intriguing outfit came to be.

TMN: Thank you for taking a moment to chat! Let’s start with your ‘origin story’ so to speak. Did this project start off with the intention to do what you’re doing now?

TB: To be honest, yes. We were convinced, that the combination of hypnotic techno music played by an acoustic marching band in a very distinguished and energetic way has the potential to be very explosive. Due to the fact that techno music is international and without borders, we always hoped, that we can travel around the world with it. Now we do, and it’s big fun!

TMN: This tour is your first in the States. What does it mean to you guys to be able to fly across the pond in support of your debut live album?

A: It means a lot to us. The US has a big heritage of brass bands, jazz, and also electronic music. We love all that stuff and combined it with our European way of playing music. So we are very proud to show it to the folks here and are very happy that the people seem to like it a lot.

TMN: You’ve already hit a few cities already. How has the reception been so far?

A: The people went crazy – so did we.

TMN: Backing it up a bit — are you traveling with the full ensemble?

A: We always do!

TMN: That has to be quite the undertaking for a travel planner. Are you bringing instruments with you, or renting some over here?

A: Our Tour Manager is working very hard and very good. So it’s possible to bring our own stuff. Most of the instruments are custom made, so we are happy to have them.

TMN: One of our favorite renditions is Flume’s remix of Disclosure’s “You & Me.” Talk us through that day in Görlitzer Park. It seemed like such an experience for those who were there.

A: It was the day of an evening performance in a club in Berlin. Sometimes we go outside during daytime and make some surprise performances. So always stay tuned on our social media, sometimes we give some hints in advance!

TMN: Looking back, how did you come about choosing larger-than-life dance tracks for your interpretations?

A: Just because they invite people to dance, and we can bring something new to the world. The sound that arises out of that combination is quite special.

TMN: Have you ever received any love or kind words from the original artists?

A: We always ask them, and luckily they’ve always liked it. We already did stage performances together with Laurent Garnier, Solomun, and Stephan Bodzin.
(btw you can find some quotes from some of them here: www.meute.eu/about)

TMN: What’s next for you beyond this tour?

A: We will release a new studio album next year. And hopefully, we go on touring around the world!

Artist to Watch: Oliver Malcolm

Posted by Clayton Warwick - October 13, 2019

Nowadays, with technology and the power of collaboration, a lot of artists utilize a number of people and team members to craft their signature sound and music. However, every once in a while, a golden goose comes by that can do it all and Oliver Malcolm is one of those.

Having started producing on a cracked Logic program when he was only 15, Malcolm has turned into a 100% force that writes, sings, produces, and plays a myriad of instruments to create his unique sound. Starting as a producer under the moniker Big Kidd, the Swedish-UK star has been blazing a trail to take his own name and artist project to the next level.

Inspired by the likes of Eminem and MGMT, Malcolm first started to work with underground rappers like MF Doom and IDK, but has most recently found himself collaborating with a wide range of artists from Cee Lo Green to Masego to D12. This exposure has influenced his own sound to be a mixture of alternative, urban, soul, and even pop. With new music on the horizon, 2020 is the year that Oliver Malcolm is sure to become a force within the music community.

Thin Lear – Your Family [TMN PREMIERE]

Posted by Clayton Warwick - June 14, 2019

Back in February, I had the pleasure of bringing you a first listen to Thin Lear’s “Guesthouse.” Just a few months later, I’m back with another premiere from this endearing, up-and-coming, Queens-based artist.

A softer, more subtle offering than what we heard previously, “Your Family” is an openhearted take set to soft, acoustic fingerpicking and layers of strings and piano. It’s authentic, speaking clearly from an organic, soulful, and emotive space. When asked about the meaning behind it, Thin Lear had this to say:

This song took me a while to write, and even longer to record, as I don’t think I fully understood what I was singing about when I initially wrote it. At the time, I had recently watched someone close to me lose their partner of many decades, and their resulting grief turned into this pattern of self-punishment and self-imposed exile.

The only way they eventually broke out of it was when they started to remember the foundational love their partner had given them. When they stopped thinking about the loss, and started thinking about what they had received and imparted in return, I could sense that person returning home again. Unfortunately, there’s this self-defeating mechanism in our brains that makes us think we deserve our grief. I watched this person climb out of that, and it was such a hard-earned victory.

We’ve now been introduced to a few tracks off of his upcoming debut album, Wooden Cave, which isn’t quite scheduled yet, but should be coming out at the end of summer. Until then, make sure to follow Thin Lear on Facebook, Spotify, and Twitter.

Folk
Indie