Author Archives: Clayton Warwick

Austin Paul X SNDNGCHLLZ X Byrdipop – Binary [TMN PREMIERE]

Posted by Clayton Warwick - September 14, 2016

Binary
Austin Paul X SNDNGCHLLZ X Byrdipop

Miami based Austin Paul, SNDNGCHLLZ, and Byrdipop have come together in a collaborative track that’s absolutely mesmerizing, and they pulled it off in less than 48 hours. What’s even more impressive is the fact that these three haven’t previously worked together. They were partnered up in a celebration of local music by the forthcoming lll Points Festival, which takes place October 7th – 9th, at Mana Wynwood.

This is the the third release on the festival’s 1st compilation, with one more release yet to come in the pack. “Binary,” as they’ve titled it, is a wonderfully sonic listening experience that pulls elements from RnB, ambient electronica, and pure experimental bliss. It only takes a few seconds to lock you in, and once it does, you’ll be wondering where you can get more.

Hopefully this admirable project from lll Points Festival helps inspire these budding artists to work together more, because, quite frankly, we need more.

There are still tickets available, so if you want to see acts like M83, Thievery Corporation, LCD Soundsystem, Method Man and Redman, Black Coffee, Earl Sweatshirt, and close to a hundred more, we highly recommend picking them up now.

Lotus Talks Red Rocks, “Eat the Light,” and Sour Beers from Crooked Stave [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]

Posted by Clayton Warwick - September 14, 2016

Lotus is once again adorning legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater with their unparalleled sonic and visual experience, showcasing their brand new album, Eat The Light. If you’re not up to speed on their latest offering, it brings a fresh perspective that hasn’t been seen by fans yet. The entire album, all 10 tracks, feature vocals, something that this storied fivesome has never done before.

Some of those vocalists will even make an appearance this weekend at Red Rocks, including Denver’s Gabe Otto of Pan Astral (“Eats the Light”) and Rachel Eisenstat of Raven Jane (“Suntan”) as well as LA’s Oriel Poole (“Anti-Gravity”). Additionally, fans will get treated to two knockout openers with El Ten Eleven and Tycho, both of which are favorites around TMN HQ.

Before you head out to buy tickets, take a moment to check out our conversation with Luke Miller, the man behind the guitars and keys for Lotus.

TMN: Thanks for taking some time to sit down with us, virtually. We’re excited to see your upcoming show at Red Rocks. Speaking of that show–you guys are no stranger to that venue. Does it lose it’s luster after having played there already? We have to imagine each time is just as incredible as the first.

Lotus: Red Rocks is always breathtaking and inspiring no matter how many times you go there. I think each time we play Red Rocks we get more comfortable with it. The first time is kind of intimidating since it’s such a historic place. But relaxing into the venue and vibe of the crowd there usually begets a better show rather than trying to stress and over-reach.

TMN: For those who’ve been to your shows in the past, what can they expect this go around?

Lotus: Well, last time at Red Rocks we did the Talking Heads De-Constructed. This time, we’re back to a regular Lotus show. So expect the typical Lotus stew of genres and all the jams that go with it. Plus a killer light show, we are rolling out new productions. And we’ve got a few other surprises in store.

Continue reading →

[Indie] Flawes – Consolation / Don’t Wait for Me

Posted by Clayton Warwick - September 9, 2016

At this point, London-based Flawes doesn’t really need much of a push from us. After a “Track of the Week” selection from BBC Radio 1, smashing up Spotify’s Viral Charts, and getting massive air time on Fox’s hit television series “Lie To Me,” the world already has their ears fixated on this impressive up-and-coming band.

The two-track selection we’re offering up below should be more than enough to get your feet wet. In all honesty, you’ll pry dive head in after the first track, much like we did, giving in to larger-than-life nature of both “Consolation” and “Don’t Wait for Me.”

Before you get your suit on, know that these are two massively different tracks, even though they fall into the same neat little box, stylistically. “Consolation” reminds us a little bit of one of our favorite artists, Jack Garratt, showcasing a powerful range of vocals behind artfully crafted basslines, guitar samples, and rhythmic percussion.

Conversely, “Don’t Wait For Me” has a more delicate nature to it, brought forth by digitally treated acoustic guitar riffs. It has an air around it that could easily cross over between a dusty, middle-America saloon, and high-end speakers from the most discerning music snobs.

That’s the beauty in these tunes though – they cross over effortlessly, bringing a massive appeal to those who don’t have their head buried in the music blogosphere and those that do. And, for us, we can’t help but think that’s a recipe for tremendous success.

You can find these two on the bands EPs, Ctrl and Unspkn, which are both out via Red Bull Records.

’FLAWES – Consolation’

Soundcloud

’FLAWES – Don’t Wait For Me’

Soundcloud

[Bass House] JOYRYDE – HOT DRUM

Posted by Clayton Warwick - September 9, 2016

JOYRYDE
HOT DRUM

Buy

I have to give a major shout out to LA-based Joyryde. It’s been a good, god damn, long time since I’ve had the urge to dig around in my downstairs closet, nostalgically rummaging through piles of Tidy Trax records, over-sized Triple 5 Soul pants, and rave posters from the start of this millennium. Yet, in listening to “Hot Drum,” I simply can’t help myself. Consider it a done deal, as soon as I’m done writing this up.

This absolute monster of a track beckons back on a time where hard house reigned supreme, much like Bobby Flay in the Iron Kitchen. Yes, the BPM is at a much more digestible pace, at least in terms of today’s dance music, but the meticulous sampling, especially in reference to whirring sirens and reverberating lazery synths, bring everything back to a time where you had to call a phone number to find out where you were raving that night. That’s something most of you won’t get, but we’ll bet dollars to donuts Joyryde does.

For those of you who weren’t around back then, or of legal age to attend, a modern spin has been added with crafty bass house techniques that call on associations of industry darling, Jauz. Intertwined with those heavy bass hits is an impeccable use a wide variety of percussion, including a collection of steel drums that had me grinning ear-to-ear. Yet, as modern as it is, we’re consistently brought back to former legends of the game like DJ Keoki with impressive vocal sampling and sound effects.

Joyryde, if you’re reading this, you’ve officially brought on a flood of memories for this old timer. If you’re ever in Denver, you might just convince me to hit up some underground afterparties with you. My only stipulation is this – we have to pregame to “Hot Drum.”

[House] option4 – The Rise Of The CatLord

Posted by Clayton Warwick - August 31, 2016

option4
The Rise Of The CatLord [NestHQ Premiere]

Soundcloud

It’s no mystery that the Mile High City is a huge fan of option4. It’s so overwhelmingly apparent, in fact, that we’ve aptly titled him “The King of Denver Nightlife” in previous posts. His seemingly unwavering presence at any number of the city’s finest clubs each and every night of the week solidifies the fact that he’s a pillar of the community, and now, he’s added another layer into our adoration.

“The Rise Of The Catlord” goes beyond the club-friendly, bouncy, groovy, and downright addictive house we’ve come to know and love from this established artist. This release brings a story to life, one of which takes place in an alternate, Denver-based universe where the Queen City has fallen to the seedy underbelly of crime due to the legalization of marijuana.

My story takes place with a young but promising henchman brutally shot and robbed in broad daylight. A routine money drop for The Safah gone wrong on the bubbling street of Colfax ave.

Weeks before the release, fans were treated to comic book-style teasers that told the CatLord’s tale with clips from his upcoming album and illustrations from his good friend Treasure Fingers. The story, which can be viewed on his tumblr page, is a quick read, especially for those that love Noir fiction. Before you head over to read it, though, make sure you follow option4 on Soundcloud and Facebook to keep tabs on upcoming releases on his album with Sweat it Out / Club Sweat records. It’s already receiving love from heavy hitters like Shiba San, Amtrac, Kidnap Kid, and Treasure Fingers, which means you’ll probably join rank as soon as you lay your ears on it.

Benny Benassi on Danceaholics, “Cinema,” and Staying Healthy on Tour [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]

Posted by Clayton Warwick - August 24, 2016

TMN: Hey Benny! First off – thank you for being a part of our Residency program. It’s an honor to have a legend like you onboard. Let’s kick things off by talking about Danceaholic, which is currently smashing up the charts. Talk to us about how you approached this project as a whole.

BB: I’m very fond of the instrumental track “Danceaholic” which lends its name to the whole album because it takes me back to my roots and projects me forwards at the same time. The album is a bigger project of course. It’s a mixture of tracks that were already released and brand new material, so it’s a kind of a bridge between the last four or five years and where I’m going!

TMN: You have an eclectic group of artists with you on the album, including singer/songwriter legends like Chris Brown and John Legend, as well as a nice collection of other producers. How did you go about selecting who you wanted to work with?

BB: I work first and foremost collaborate with my cousin Alle Benassi. He’s my musician and producer. But I really love working with different collaborators. Chris Brown is such a great artist. Everything he sings just comes to life and is amazing. Since working together on “Beautiful People” we have an artistic relationship and always feel free to send ideas to each other, that’s how ‘Paradise’ came about.  As for John Legend I met him through a mutual friend of Alle and I, Jean Baptiste, in LA, who was working with John at the time, then we performed together at Coachella and we just knew we’d collaborate on the new album.

Continue reading →

Everything is Green – Totally Sober [TMN PREMIERE]

Posted by Clayton Warwick - August 24, 2016

Everything is Green
Totally Sober

Soundcloud

It’s only Wednesday, but I’m already dreaming about an ice cold, fruity cocktail, the sun’s warming rays, and a comfy chair on my back deck. Part of the reason I’m in this mental oasis is due to the stresses of another stacked week. The other part is thanks to my recent discovery of this glowing, psychedelic tune from Monterey-based Everything is Green.

Coming off their upcoming album, Sweet Teeth, “Totally Sober” is another one of those songs that twists you up with an interesting juxtaposition. Musically, it’s a jovial, subtropical, alt-pop offering that feels perfect for the closing weeks of summer. Lyrically, it’s a bit more intense, telling the story of a relationship delving into sobriety, and the subsequent effects.

Totally Sober at its core is a love song about two people growing up together and figuring out each new step in life together. One of these steps dealt with particularly in this song is sobriety and how that can effect a relationship for the better and for the worse. It’s a pretty straightforward song about a very complex issue that I think a lot of people (especially those in their late 20’s) are dealing with.

With that in mind, I might have to switch that fruity cocktail out for a glass of iced tea.

If this is the first time you’re hearing about singer, songwriter, and producer Nick Pappageorgas (the sole member of Everything is Green), we’re pretty sure you’ll feel the need to keep tabs on him from here on out. You can do so by following him on Facebook and Soundcloud.