Author Archives: Clayton Warwick

Tansu – These Things [TMN DEBUT PREMIERE]

Posted by Clayton Warwick - June 30, 2017

TANSU
These Things (SINGLE)

It’s Friday, which means you probably need a healthy groove to help escort you into a (hopefully) lengthy holiday weekend. My suggestion? How about some big, driving kick drums, pronounced claps, and some eye-opening vocals from a stellar new act?

If you’re nodding your head in approval, which, I fully expect you are, it’s probably time you press play and get a proper introduction to Tansu. With a bigger-than-life vocal presence, this brand new indie pop act could easily shake up the the scene.

Another shiny, shimmering product of the illustrious Berklee College of Music, Turkish-born, London-raised Tansu is everything we love about pop, without what makes us cringe. Hand-crafted lyrics, carefully poured over with production from LITTLE PLANET MUSIC aka Dave Rublin (American Authors) are true, heartfelt, and easy to get into to. At times, it has calls on associations of monster acts, mainly X Ambassadors and Lorde, yet it comes without the army of a major label, which is damn impressive.

Keep your eyes and ears open for more from Tansu. We have a feeling that you’ll be hearing more and more about her very soon.

Indie
Pop

Meadowlark – Family Tree (ROOMS Remix) [TMN PREMIERE]

Posted by Clayton Warwick - June 30, 2017

Meadowlark
Family Tree (ROOMS Remix)

Soundcloud

Alright. I’m looking for my heady ninjas right now. If your idea of a solid weekend night is skipping the crowds, sippin’ on some high-end hooch, maybe partaking in a delightful strain of Sativa, and relaxing the night away at home, I have just the track for you.

Ditch the downtown crowds and get lost in the latest offering from Miami Based Record Label/Fashion House Bribery Corporation. This slice of their Sophomore compilation boasts work from one of our favorite up-and-coming artists, LA-based ROOMS.

In this new rendition of the gorgeous, piano-driven, vocal gem “Family Tree,” ROOMS has spun up a encapsulating soundscape while still expertly connecting us to what we loved from Meadowlark’s original piece. The vocals are still as haunting as ever, coupled with instrumental aspects from before, they’re just chopped up, twisted around, and laid out with an engaging tempo that should have you hooked throughout.

If you’re feeling this tune, we highly recommend heading over and downloading the full compilation via BitTorrent.

[News] The Mile High City’s Nightlife Scene is Getting an Upgrade

Posted by Clayton Warwick - June 29, 2017

I’ve had the ultimate pleasure of witnessing the evolution of Denver’s nightlife scene over the past 17 years. From the 16+ nights at the old Trax location, to the continual growth of dance music pillars like The Church, Beta, and Vinyl, to all of the “not-to-be-named” underground shows, I’ve truly seen it all.

Over the past few years, as the Mile High City has exploded with implants from all across the country and world, I’ve been anticipating the arrival of a new player in the game. And, according to my sources, that day has come. While the details are murky, at best, all accounts are pointing to a well-established nightlife group out of the Bay Area moving into a long-term lease somewhere in downtown Denver. The club promises to bring a level of production on par with other top-notch dance destinations, complete with world class talent, in an effort to redefine the growing landscape of places to get your groove on.

Stay tuned for more details. This is something you won’t want to miss out on.

[Ghoul Pop] Soul Bandit – 3-4-9

Posted by Clayton Warwick - June 27, 2017

If there’s one aspect of an artist that electronic music fans love, it’s a mysterious producer known only to the world through their Soundcloud tracks and elusive social media posting. For those of you who aren’t already in-tune with today’s offering, we’re, of course, bringing you a taste of LA-based artist Soul Bandit.

In just over a month, Soul Bandit has been quietly releasing new music with two singles out on her Soundcloud, and listed below, for your listening pleasures. A quick recap of both songs shows the ability to capture a wide variety of electronic music palettes. Her internet debut “Mad Prophet” is a warm, electropop-like production that makes you immediately want to jump on that beach trip this weekend, while her second single, “Afraid” offers listeners a dreamer’s out-of-body, listening experience.

Her latest release, “3-4-9”, opens with a darker, dystopian tone. Post-apocalyptic and bleak, Soul Bandit drops her introduction off with a break-beat rhythm, driven with a heavy 808-kick and eerie bells and claps. A mesmerizingly, despondent vocal chimes in to give the tune a fuller experience as it chants an inexplicable mantra over and over again. Compared to her other two productions, Soul Bandit focuses more on percussion elements; crisp hats, meaty claps, and steady, pulsating kick that will leave you in an empty awe when you the song start to fade out and ending.

3-4-9 isn’t a typical track for me. I grew up speaking 3 languages (Russian at home, Hebrew and English at school). So to me 3-4-9 was meant to be a bizarre, dark, nonsensical, dance track that’s a tribute to how strange it is growing up in a cultural cauldron. My sound choices for this track and for the majority of my others tend to be a bit jarring and even unsettling at times, but they’re representative of the unpredictabilities and oddities of life and death.

’3 4 9’

Download

’AFRAID’

Download

’MAD PROPHET’

Download

Electronic

TNERTLE – Clouds [TMN PREMIERE]

Posted by Clayton Warwick - June 27, 2017

Tnertle
Clouds

Soundcloud

If I ever find myself at the question, “where can I go for a non-stop, funkalicious dance party in Denver,” I look no further than TNERTLE’s tour schedule. This 6-8 piece (depending on the track) electro-funk outfit always brings the heat to whatever venue is lucky enough to have them, most of which happen to fall right here, in the Mile High City.

Praise the dance gods for that.

I’ve had the pleasure of covering TNERTLE’s live and recorded music in the past, always presenting it to you guys with a beaming grin, and feet ready to dance out a jig on a moment’s notice. Today’s no different, as you get a taste of their upcoming Monsters Out West EP. True to its name, this collection offers up four massive tunes, featuring big, shiny brass sections, carefully laid out synths, and a myriad of different vocalists that all come together for the sake of getting down.

“Clouds” was a standout for me, personally–an absolutely huge tune that already has me revved up and ready to go for the weekend. It’s just too damn bad it’s only Tuesday. Oh well. We’ll just have to settle with some desk dancing’ until Friday peeks its sweet, sunny face above the horizon.

Electronic

The Griswolds talk Curb Your Enthusiasm, Jamie Lee Curis, and Tim’s Last Show [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]

Posted by Clayton Warwick - June 1, 2017

Images courtesy of Nikolai Puc

Exactly three years ago, I premiered “Beware The Dog” by The Griswolds, and I’ve felt a kinship with these Aussies ever since. Their infectious energy is felt throughout both their recorded music and live performances. I don’t need to tell you that, though. Just head out to one of their shows and try jockeying for position amongst throngs of relentless fans who have patiently waited outside the venues on hours on end, awaiting that precious spot at the front of the stage.

In March, we had the pleasure of catching up with bassist Tim John and frontman Chris Whitehall at Denver’s charmingly divey Marquee Theater, where the group closed out their U.S. High Times for Low Lives album tour. Our lighthearted chat was pleasant – as it always is with these consummate professionals and all-around good guys — but the room felt heavy with the anticipation of what would be a momentous show in the band’s history: Tim, the band’s original bassist, was about to play his last gig in America, and after a few more shows overseas, he would retire from the Griswolds.

Continue reading →

Gonzalla – T.M.V. [TMN PREMIERE]

Posted by Clayton Warwick - May 29, 2017

Gonzalla
T.M.V.

Soundcloud

After living across the pond in London and Liverpool for nearly a half decade, Cody Randall, aka Gonzalla, is back in the states and up to some serious songwriting. Today’s offering, his first in nearly a year, was crafted just after his most recent move.

“T.M.V.” sparkles with pure, warm-weather brilliance, calling on associations of acts like Dan Croll, St. Lucia, and Absofacto, a few of our personal favorites around here. Wonderfully drum-centric in nature (hence the nod to Jean-Philip Grobler’s work), the big booming toms are counterbalanced with soft, accentuating synths that, together, create an enveloping soundscape perfect for Randall’s voice and catchy hooks.

After a successful stint at SXSW this year, we’re guessing Gonzalla is gearing up for one hell of a year. Make sure to tune in by following him on Facebook, Twitter, and SoundCloud.