Author Archives: Geoff Hong

[Jazz/Soul] Ruth Koleva – I Don’t Know Why

Posted by Geoff Hong - February 20, 2018

Ruth Koléva
I Don T Know Why

Today we’ve got a jazzy new single to cap off your (hopefully) long weekend. Bulgarian singer-songwrite Ruth Koleva has shared her new single “I Don’t Know Why”, ahead of her upcoming sophomore album Confidence. Truth. Take in the soulful serenades of this new track to kick off your week!

With heavy R&B and soul influences, Koleva’s style can best be described as sensual and seductive. The talented Koleva found great early success in her Eastern European home country before eventually making her way stateside to Hollywood. Her musical stylings feature a seamless integration of many different sounds. Her upcoming album is expected to pack quite the punch. Koleva has gathered quite the ensemble– she receives help from “keys maestro” Ron Avant of Anderson .Paak and the Free Nationals, Jameel Bruner formerly from The Internet, and drummer Gene Coye of Flying Lotus. Throughout her tracks, you’ll also hear the string accompaniments of the renowned Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra. Quite the collection of musical chops indeed.

Check out this new single– if you like it, keep an eye out for Ruth Koleva’s upcoming album, Confidence. Truth out on March 30th through Blackbook.

[Show Review] The Belle Game @ Cafe du Nord, San Francisco 2/6

Posted by Geoff Hong - February 8, 2018

Belle Game @ Cafe Du Nord. San Francisco, 2/6/18

Vancouver-based indie pop band Belle Game made an appearance at the cozy Cafe du Nord here in San Francisco this week. Playing in the basement of the Swedish American Music Hall to a small yet eager crowd, Belle Game put on quite the show of passion and skill. Lead singer Andrea Lo absolutely brought the energy on a Tuesday night, holding nothing back. By the end of the show, her infectious spirit was reciprocated by the small gathering of music fans in attendance.

Guitarist Adam Nanji

[Music Video] Negash Ali – Tantra

Posted by Geoff Hong - February 2, 2018

Today we’ve got a hot new video from international hip-hop artist Negash Ali. Coming to us from Eritrea by way of Denmark, Ali has had early success and acclaim from the likes of Complex and Huffington Post, and is hoping to reach new heights with his upcoming EP, The Ascension.

Negash Ali’s story is one of passion and resilience through hardship. Born in a refugee camp, Ali soon emigrated to Denmark with his mother to avoid the violence in his home country. Negash’s perseverance and emotion certainly come through in his tracks.

Check out the music video below for lead single “Tantra”. It’s a tune that’s all about shooting your shot: “’Tantra’ tells a story of me spotting a chick quite to my liking, and my efforts to seduce her after the fact. It speaks of all the sensations on this journey, the moments on earth where we feel timeless”, says Ali.

The sensual “Tantra” features vocal accompaniment from Danish singer Fjer. It was produced by fellow Dane Matias Saabye Kjødt, also known as TMN favorite Galimatias. If you like what you heard, definitely keep an eye out for Negash Ali’s upcoming EP The Ascension, due out on February 16th.

Hip/Hop
R&B

[EP Review] NVDES – La Nvdité Vol. 2

Posted by Geoff Hong - December 8, 2017

NVDES
This High

Buy

NVDES
D.Y.T (Do Your Thing) feat. REMMI

Buy

NVDES
Everyday

Buy

NVDES
Amsterdam In My Mind

Buy

NVDES
Walls

Buy

NVDES
Where Is Your Mind

Buy

As a much anticipated follow-up to Vol. 1 released this summer, music collective NVDES has released the sequel La Nvdité Vol. 2 today. De-facto frontman Josh Ocean enlists the help of his musically talented friends once again to produce yet another energy and emotion packed EP. NVDES continues to deliver on their mission of soul-baring creative expression.

Volume 2 takes a decidedly more experimental approach than pop-heavy Volume 1. There’s a bit of everything on this latest EP, but you begin to hear some new musical inspirations come through on this production.

On first track “This High”, the EP kicks off with the familiar post-punk, distorted guitar twangs you’ve come to associate with NVDES. If you keep listening, Ocean and crew lace in some ethereal, almost spiritual crooning. By the end of the song, you’re left with a trappy banger. Quite the musical journey on this track.

Another standout is lead single “D.Y.T.”, a fun, minimalistic dance tune that we featured previously here on TMN. NVDES draws on the help of talented vocalist Remmi for this tune. The following track, “Everyday”, shows a soulful side of NVDES that we haven’t quite seen before. Alongside a distinctly retro sampling/production style, this track introduces a new funky side to the lost love that Ocean so often enjoys writing songs about.

On the whole, Vol. 2 makes it evident that Ocean is delving deeper into certain aspects of his creative repertoire, going beyond the pop-punk electro sound that NVDES initially became known for. Leaning on heavier and darker beats, and lacing in funk and soul elements, NVDES makes an unexpected yet welcome musical pivot, while staying true to their roots of free-flowing, unstructured musical exploration.

[Hip-Hop] Statik Selektah – Ain’t a Damn Thing Change ft. G-Eazy, Joey Bada$$ & Enisa

Posted by Geoff Hong - December 6, 2017

Statik Selektah
Ain't A Damn Thing Change feat. G-Eazy, Joey Bada$$, & Enisa

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As one of the mainstays of today’s East Coast hip-hop scene, DJ/producer Statik Selektah has been quite the prolific artist over the years. Selektah has quite an impressive number of high-profile collaborations, with artists such as Nas, Talib Kweli, Action Bronson, and De La Soul. Last week, Selektah released single “Ain’t a Damn Thing Change” off of his upcoming album 8, his 8th studio album.

Laid out over a smooth jazzy background line, this track puts Selektah’s distinctive New York-influenced style of production on display. G-Eazy and Joey Bada$$ deliver clean flowing verses, while Enisa’s soulful riffs and chorus provide support. To kick the track off, you can hear Selektah showcase the turntabling ability that helped him first cut his teeth as a DJ.

If you liked the track, check out 8 when it’s released this Friday, December 8th. You can find the album at any of the links here. The album features a star-studded tracklist with appearances by Raekwon, Run the Jewels, Cypress Hill, and many more. Peep the full list below: Continue reading →

Hip/Hop

[Electronic/Pop] NVDES – D.Y.T. (Do Your Thing) ft. REMMI

Posted by Geoff Hong - November 13, 2017

NVDES
D.Y.T (Do Your Thing) feat. REMMI

Buy

Featured several times here on The Music Ninja, music collective NVDES has returned to share a new single with us. Their new song D.Y.T. (Do Your Thing) is an energetic banger featuring the vocals of the talented REMMI. The new track is driven by a thumping bass line, while accented by a minimalist electronic riff and REMMI’s seductive vocals. If you’ve had the pleasure of catching NVDES in person (check our live review), you may have heard this track before, accompanied by a joke about frontman Josh Ocean’s love for the Hyundai Elantra. This high energy tune was quite the crowd-pleaser and is certain to appear on NVDES’ upcoming tour with Pierce Fulton.

D.Y.T. is the lead single off of NVDES’ upcoming E.P. La Nvdité Vol. 2. Due on December 8th, Vol 2. is the 6-track successor to a highly acclaimed Vol. 1. You can get a sense of the character and creative spirit of this LA-based music collective in our interview with Ocean here. Check out NVDES upcoming tour dates (with Pierce Fulton) below, and catch a show if you can! Continue reading →

[Event Review] NVDES and RAC Rock The Independent, SF 9/19

Posted by Geoff Hong - September 25, 2017

NVDES
I Want To Make Out At The Gay Club

Buy

TMN favorite NVDES opened up with an electrifying performance in support of RAC last Tuesday night. Playing in the intimate setting of The Independent in San Francisco, NVDES surprised an open-minded crowd that collectively seemed unfamiliar with their work. Frontman Josh Ocean and his long time collaborator, fondly known as Lemon Girl, rocked out with endless energy and charisma.

Attendees jammed out to tunes from NVDES’ most recent EP, La Nvdité Vol. 1. The EP was featured here on TMN and went along with an exclusive interview; check it out here. Highlights included the infectious electro-punk tracks “Dancer from New York” and “May and June”. Ocean and Lemon Girl also graced us with tracks from their older discography, like “I Wanna Make Out at the Gay Club”. True to NVDES nature as a revolving collective, frontman Josh played a few tracks that bandmate Lemon Girl did not know. Much to his credit, Lemon Girl improvised flawlessly and put up a great performance throughout. Finally, they played some unreleased material, sharing some of their political leanings as well as their love for the Hyundai Elantra. Truly an eclectically enjoyable experience– one of the top 3 shows this Music Ninja has been to this year. Continue reading →