Author Archives: Matthew Bloss

[Denver Event Preview Playlist] Red Bull Sound Select Presents The Internet, Povi & Turner Jackson @ The 1UP Colfax – 10/20

Posted by Matthew Bloss - September 30, 2015

We’ve been huge fans of Red Bull Sound Select’s entire concept and ethos since their inception and first ever Denver showcase; and have even had the chance to rub elbows all over the US with many of their endearing team members. So, needless to say, we get pretty perked up every time another Denver RBSS showcase is announced. Its next show has been officially announced for October 20th at the 1-UP Colfax, curated by our amazing friends at Souls In Action Entertainment. Always the eclectic programmers, SIA brings an amazing lineup to their edition of Red Bull Sound Select featuring L.A. funk/R&B slingers The Internet who are coming hot 0n the heels of their July LP, Ego Death, along with multifaceted Denver soul-songstress Povi and our favorite Mile High MC Turner Jackson (hear his latest single “Red Plastic Cup” below). As always, Red Bull Sound Select is offering an incredible deal, with tickets listed at just $3.00 with an RSVP at the link provided here.

Trust us, if you’re planning on attending, and who wouldn’t with a $3.00 entry fee?, get there early for every act, as RBSS and Souls In Action have put together a symbiotic yet varied lineup of incredible artists. Listen to our mini-playlist of tunes below to get in the mood and we hope to see you on October 20th.

’The Internet – Dont’cha’

Soundcloud

’The Internet ft. NickyDavey – Timeless’

Download

’Povi – Hustle 360 prod. by Amp Live’

Download

’Povi – School Girl Crush’

Download

’Turner Jackson – Red Plastic Cup (Single)’

Soundcloud

’Dirt Monkey & Cyran – Lovely Days ft. Turner Jackson’

Buy

[Alt-Pop] Brothertiger – Wake

Posted by Matthew Bloss - September 29, 2015

Brothertiger
Wake

Soundcloud

It’s no secret around here at TMN that the synth-washed electropop project of Brooklyn-based musician and producer John Jagos, Brothertiger, has resonated deeply with some of us over the years. In July we premiered Brothertiger’s collaboration with Rose Quartz, “Pleasure & Pain”, and today Jagos has dropped the latest piece to a forthcoming, Indiegogo crowdfunded LP, Out Of Touch, in the form of “Wake”. “Wake” sputters out a balmy, smooth vocal wrapped around his usual brand of off-kilter electronic pop structuring for a feel that is simultaneously familiar, unique and addictive. Brothertiger’s latest leans ever so slightly toward a corner of yacht-rock, but the ambient tones utilized here wash over its listener like an enveloping fog to create a soundscape that touches upon numerous aural aesthetics. “Wake”, is an entrancing and an all-around utterly lovely tune combining a number of things we love about Jagos’ Brothertiger project and a welcome peak into his impending Out Of Touch long-player. For those looking to get a leg-up and show off your collecting chops in the process, pre-order your special green-vinyl copy of Out Of Touch (due out December 4th) here. Stream “Wake” above.

[TMN Exclusive Interview] Autre Ne Veute Riffs on His New Album, Watered Down Tequila & Shapeshifting

Posted by Matthew Bloss - September 28, 2015

Autre Ne Veut
World War Pt. 2

Soundcloud

Arthur Ashin, who has grown much more readily recognizable as his Autre Ne Veut stage moniker over the years, has been one of our most looked-to tastemaking artists since his excellent Anxiety LP in 2013 and sterling catalog as a whole, which dips its toes into experimental R&B, soul, pop, rock and more. Most recently, Ashin’s latest single “Panic Room” stirred up something darkly beautiful within us once again and the busy artist has also been making the press rounds on behalf of the latest Autre Ne Veut full-length, Age of Transparency, which is getting set for an October 2 release via Downtown, along with an accompanying U.S. tour. We wanted a deeper look into one of the most enigmatic and creative minds within any capacity of music, and got to catch up with Arthur for quite the random interview. Be on the lookout for a show near you in the coming months, and in the mean time, read our full interview with Autre Ne Veut below.

The Music Ninja: You’re getting ready to release Age of Transparency, your third proper full-length after both your excellent self-titled debut in 2010 and of course the highly praised Anxiety in 2013. We’ve gotten a few tastes of AoT with “World War Pt. 2”, its jazz-tinged counterpart, and “Panic Room”, but wanted a little more insight as to what sets Age of Transparency apart from your other works including the Body EP. You were dealing with some rather heavy emotional stuff around Anxiety, what was your headspace like on your latest LP?

Autre Ne Veut: It is more naturalistic in tone. There are more nods to 70s Rod Stewart, ECM style jazz recordings, Alice Coltrane, Pharaoh Sanders, Ornette Coleman, Astral Weeks than there were on Anxiety. Spiritually, it feels a bit more related to the self titled album than Anxiety, or rather like a hyped up improvement or something. Still laden with self doubt and anxiety, but I try to tackle it from a bit more of a remove at times. That said, the vocal sound on AoT leans in even more than on Anxiety, it is dryer, more present, more tactile.

TMN: If we’re not mistaken, at one point you made a living as a jingle-writer. Not many people are aware of this fact, but do you think any of that job has seeped into Autre Ne Veut and added a bit of added accessibility to your sound whether it be a conscious move or not?

Finish the rest of the full transcript for our Autre Ne Veut interview after the jump!

[Indie-Pop] Death In The Afternoon – We Don’t Have To Go Out Tonight [TMN Premiere]

Posted by Matthew Bloss - September 21, 2015

Death In The Afternoon
We Don't Have To Go Out Tonight

Soundcloud

Death in the Afternoon, who are earnestly named after an Ernest Hemingway novel, is a Swedish joint collaboration dabbling in the highly addictive combination of 80’s washed synth-pop, indie and shoegaze. Already displaying a tasteful pop maturity beyond what their modest 7 track catalog would suggest, we got our hands on DITA’s latest single “We Don’t Have To Go Out Tonight” before anyone else and it weaves wonderfully within their stylish sonic design. Much like its predecessors, the third single off of their impending self-titled LP, which is due out October 30th on Summer Heart’s Sommarhjärta label, remains airy, dreamy, craftily arranged, filled with stunning vocal play form the pair and all the while sporting enough hooky melody to have us swooning for the rest of the week. Furthering everything along, “We Don’t Have To Go Out Tonight”‘s layers of interloping male and female vocals compliment each other superbly by creating a soft yet powerful veil over the complete composition. Just beautiful stuff, really.

Clearly, the duo simply known as Christian & Linda have synced their artistic measures perfectly and landed as one of our favorite burgeoning indies to emerge on our radar this year. Stream Death In The Afternoon’s latest single “We Don’t Have To Go Out Tonight” above in the form of a shiny new ‘TMN Premiere’, and be on the lookout for the pair’s debut LP soon.

[House] Jason Burns – Everything feat. Cybil [TMN Premiere]

Posted by Matthew Bloss - September 21, 2015

Jason Burns Feat. Cybil
Everything

Soundcloud

Portland’s Jason Burns has been creating quite the ripple effect with his music as of late. The adept dance producer always carries with him a gracefully emotive touch to a unique blend of club and house music, and luckily for us to start our week, we’ve got his latest single before anyone else: “Everything” featuring the honeyed vocals of London based singer/songwriter Cybil. “Everything” is a smooth and suffuse blend of the UK club sound etched with little pieces of jackin’ garage, soulful deep corners, late 80’s house soul and even a smidgen of classic dubstep wobble on its rolling hook that quite simply has us begging for more. Needless to say, we’re quite consumed with Jason Burns more club-directed side.

With past releases already on sought after institutions like Nurvous, Anabatic and RAM; Burns has once again teamed up with one of our absolute favorite dance-only imprints: tastemaking cult U.K. label Love & Other Records to drop his latest tune on us, which has only supplemented our collective excitement. Already with past support from the likes of Hannah Wants, Skream & Subsoul “Everything” looks to continue on Burns’ viral trajectory and will see official release on September 25th through Traxsource and all other retailers on October 9th. Until then though, TMN is the place to be for Jason Burns & Cybil’s collaboration “Everything”. Stream above.

[Synth-Wave] Jordan F – Mesmerised (ft. Dana Jean Phoenix)

Posted by Matthew Bloss - September 18, 2015

Jordan F
Mesmerised (feat. Dana Jean Phoenix)

Soundcloud

“Mesmerised” is the latest John Hughes-era tipping single, from Sydney producer Jordan F, featuring the gorgeous voice of Canadian singer/songwriter Dana Jean Phoenix and it’s washed over us quite wonderfully on this warm Friday afternoon. The first taste of Jordan F’s impending sophomore LP, Timelines, “Mesmerised” keeps the Australian artist’s evocative synth sounds and infectious retro-meldies fully intact. A pulsating retro-wave beat drives “Mesmerised” while Dana Jean Phoenix’s delicate refrain has us drawing up comparison’s to College & Desire, while appreciating the full scope of Jordan F’s rangey production. Together, the pair have created a warm, atmospheric slice of synth-pop that is beyond easy to be swept up in and a perfect song to prime us for what will most likely be a rambunctious weekend. Stream “Mesmerised” above.

[Avant-Pop/Soul/Video] Autre Ne Veut – Panic Room

Posted by Matthew Bloss - September 17, 2015

Autre Ne Veut
Panic Room

Soundcloud

Last month, Arthur Ashin, the New York avant-pop, -R&B and -soul experimentalist who records as Autre Ne Veut, announced the follow up to his excellent 2013 opus, Anxiety, with Age of Transparency (pre-order digitally here and on vinyl here). So far we’ve had the chance to hear “World War Pt. 2” and watch its soul creeping video counterpart; and today we’ve been given the second dose from the forthcoming LP in the form of “Panic Room”. Autre Ne Veut’s latest tune remains within his genre-skirting, experimentalist niche, but may also be Ashin’s most sonically textured endeavor yet. Dizzying synth lines spark back and forth over a two-step drum pattern, a flitting flute sample and scuzzy electronic percussion which all coalesce like a dream to bring Ashin’s unique, soaring vocals to the forefront; especially on its layered and harmonized chorus.

We’ve taken it a step further and also included the brand, beautiful new video for the acapella version of “Panic Room” directed by Allie Avital, which features Ashin singing in front of a panel of judges (his manager, sister, and Pitchfork writer Ian Cohen); “reflecting the anxieties (we can all relate to) of being an artist in the public sphere”. We’re perked up and ready to catch Autre Ne Veut on his latest U.S. tour in October, and in the throws of our fandom urge our readers to be on the lookout for our special interview with Ashin in the next few weeks. Until then, enjoy “Panic Room” above, watch the music video and check out the complete U.S. tour dates for ANV below.

U.S. Tour Dates:

Thu Oct 01 – NYC, NY – Rough Trade
Fri Oct 09 – Los Angeles, CA – Troubadour
Sat Oct 10 – San Francisco, CA – Social Hall SF
Mon Oct 12 – Portland, OR – Star Theater
Tue Oct 13 – Seattle, WA – Barboza
Fri Oct 16 – Denver, CO – Lost Lake
Sun Oct 18 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
Tue – Oct 20 – Toronto, ON – The Hoxton
Wed Oct 21 – Philadelphia, PA – Boot & Saddle
Thu Oct 22 – Boston, MA – Middle East Downstairs
Fri Oct 23 – Washington, CD – U Street Music Hall
Mon Oct 26 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom