Author Archives: Matthew Bloss

[Denver Event Preview/Ticket Giveaway] TMN Presents: Fenech-Soler @ Lost Lake – 5/16

Posted by Matthew Bloss - May 15, 2017

The U.K. based duo consisting of brothers Ross and Ben Duffy, Fenech-Soler, have supplied our highly sensitive Ninja ears with some of the most danceable, tasteful, and wistful electro-pop for years. First appearing on our hallowed pages all the way back in 2009, Fenech-Soler have fashioned an even tighter grasp on their cheery synth-pop iterations in the time since. This year, the pair have already unveiled two full releases in the form of their LP Zilla, and the appropriately titled cover EP The Covers; which both sound of a band confidently coming to terms with their sound while steadily refining it. Loaded with personality and excellent fits of experimentation, their latest releases have been straightforward, unashamed pop music fusing indie sensibilities with grandiose synths and razor-sharp electronic production that we know will play wonderfully in a live scenario. Yet another reason we are thrilled to be presenting their next live date in beautiful Denver, CO at Lost Lake Lounge.

Of course we had to get our Ninja faithful involved as well, so we’re giving away a pair of tickets rather simply and painlessly! As always, entering is beyond simple (click on this post header if you’re still on the TMN front page), just follow our two easy steps below, and for those who would rather guarantee their entry into the show, tickets can be purchased here as well. Best of luck Ninjas!

How to Enter

1) “Like” us (The Music Ninja) on Facebook here:

2) Comment below this post with your favorite Fenech-Soler song (we’ve included FOUR below, c’mon!) and BOOM, you have been entered!

There are a few rules, of course:
– Must be 18+
– You are responsible for your own transportation.
– You must bring a valid form of ID to guarantee entry at the Lost Lake door.
– 1 Winner will be announced May 16th, the day of the show.

Enjoy our mini-playlist in anticipation of the show, and we will see you on the 16th Denver! Start commenting below!

’Fenech Soler – Grace’

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’Fenech Soler – Cold Light’

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‘Fenech Soler – Last Forever’

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’Fenech Soler – Maiyu’

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[Music Video] Nite Jewel – Real High

Posted by Matthew Bloss - April 20, 2017

Ramona Gonzales’ lo-fi bedroom recording project turned avant-pop sensation, Nite Jewel, is just weeks away from the release of her fourth full-length album on her own imprint Gloriette Records, Real High. The soft tongued Gonzales has undergone many an iteration under her Nite Jewel pseudonym; starting with the fuzzily dreary art-pop found on her debut 2009 LP Good Evening, which buried her soulful refrain in gauzy synths and recording static, to last year’s Liquid Cool, in which Gonzales more than hit her vocal stride; letting those melancholic reverberations sit front and center amongst her husband and producer Cole M.G.N.’s subdued, polished production. Thus far, we’ve been treated to two singles (and videos) from Real High (“2 Good 2 Be True”, “The Answer”) and today we’ve been gifted a third in the form of the album’s title track, and we’re more than perked up towards her latest offering

“I’m looking for a real high and a real low, isn’t that the way love goes?”, coos Gonzales on “Real High”, perhaps unveiling the long-player’s central thesis in the process. Through the bits and pieces that so far have fallen from Real High, we get the feeling that the album as a whole will dive into this twisted paradigm, and we’re ready to fall right in along with Ramona & Co. Nite Jewel are simultaneously harnessing down for their first US tour in 5 years (see dates here), and you can bet the Ninja faithful will be there with her in a city near you. Until then, listen and watch the visual accompaniment to “Real High” below.

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[Synth-Wave] Pr0files – Money

Posted by Matthew Bloss - April 18, 2017

Pr0files
Money

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The Los Angeles based synthesis of Lauren Pardini and Danny Sternbaum, known more widely under their stage moniker Pr0files, have returned with their first, darkly-tinged piece of synth-pop to pace 2017, “Money”. While it’s unfortunately been a bit of a lengthy gap since we last checked in with the genre-busting pair, “Money” has us once again ready to devour their every aural sentiment.

Coming off of their debut LP Jurassic Technologie last year, Pr0files are clearly keeping their warranted buzz afloat. Anchored by a slickly dark & synthetic, shoegaze-y backbone bolstered by Pardini’s sonorous yet fitting reverberations; Pr0files create a simultaneously gloomy and uplifting 3:00 minutes of music. On “Money”, Pardini speaks to the duo’s arduous journey as a truly independent project, creating a sort of weighty anthem for those who have experienced those sky-high peaks and deep valleys associated with committing to your art (“I took a xanax in a milkshake just to get me through that day”); while Sternbaum’s seemingly effortless, full production sblimely rounds out “Money”‘s vocal-centric aesthetic. Needless to say, we’ve got our ears perked up towards Pr0files as they unveil more layers to their 2017 iteration and will be right there with them every step of the way. Stream “Money” above.

J Cole – G.O.M.D (Riddim Commission Remix) [TMN Premiere]

Posted by Matthew Bloss - February 9, 2017

Riddim Commission
G.O.M.D (Riddim Commission Remix)

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Comprised of BBC Radio 1Xtra & Rinse FM host Marco Del Horno & Dirtee Stank Recordings regular DJ Swerve, UK duo Riddim Commission have begun firmly entrenching themselves as two of the most sought-after tastemakers toiling under the proper House umbrella. From genre-bending original singles which showcase Riddim Commision’s infectious blend of house, garage, & grime to official remixes for the likes of Drake & Iggy Azalea, Riddim Commission have dotted their name across a number of aural aesthetics; proving their production prowess reaches far beyond that of the underground. The latest from the active pair is a brand new bootleg of J.Cole‘s “G.O.M.D”, and we’re ecstatic to be rinsing it first here on TMN.

On Riddim Commision’s jacking revision of “G.O.M.D.”, the pair successfully alter and carefully scale back J. Cole’s lyrical samples behind an effortlessly subtle dose of swooping staccato synth work and rhythmically choppy vocal reshuffling. Their version’s dominant melody & prevalent groove sit front and center amongst a sea of permutated electronicism while maintaining the essence of J. Cole’s original. Shuffled hi-hats skip along like a couple of merry schoolgirls cutting class on a Friday afternoon, while a dose of jackin’ sub bass never quite relinquishes its icy grip throughout the tune. The quickly ascending pair manage to keep their hot streak alive with their latest offering, and suffice to say, if you’re looking to add a bit of pep to your step, we’ve got you covered with Riddim Commision’s “G.O.M.D” remix above.

Montoneros – Not Now, Not Never [TMN Premiere]

Posted by Matthew Bloss - January 26, 2017

Montoneros
Not Now, Not Never

Soundcloud

As a self-described obsessed music hobbyist, being able to draw inspiration amidst one of the country’s most diverse, and burgeoning music scenes manifests in some amazingly fortuitous moments of discovery.The latest batch of apples to this writer’s eye (or ear for that matter) to arrive to these revered online pages of TMN is Montoneros, a Denver-based synthesis of space, indie & math-rock formed in 2014, fronted by Argentinian-born singer Gaston Leone. Most recently, Montoneros released the Heat Horse EP, signaling their place front and center in their home city’s bustling indie scene, while also landing them direct support for the likes of Jimmy Eat World & Lydia. Now with a bit more rumble inside of their engine, Montoneros is gearing up for a breakthrough 2017.

In the midst of their recent ascent, the four-piece recorded a new extended-play to pace the year, Good Bones, set to release on Washington-based indie imprint Ronald Records, and they’ve shared the lead single “Not Now, Not Never” with our Ninja faithful first. The tune falls on elegant math-rock guitar noodling to establish its foundation; letting its melodies rise and fall like the breath of a lover slumbering beside you. Leone’s subtle reverberations float atop Montoneros’ dynamic instrumentation akin to a Griottines cherry on an ice-cold Manhattan; making all those slippery time-signature shifts feel as effortless as any established indie act could.

As Montoneros continues to develop their sound with every passing release, they’ve managed to draw us in just a little bit closer. So without any further prompting, do yourself a solid, hit the play button above and be on the lookout for more from Montoneros in the near future.

[Denver Event Preview/Ticket Giveaway] TMN Presents: Great Good Fine OK @ Larimer Lounge – 1/25

Posted by Matthew Bloss - January 17, 2017

Brooklyn based electronic-pop auteurs Jon Sandler & Luke Moellman -better known as Great Good Fine OK -first landed themselves amongst the heaps of fine music here at TMN all the way back in 2013, and have found themselves supplying our listeners time and time again with a lush brand of heartfelt, synth-driven ditties in the years since. Outside of these Ninja confines, the duo have found themselves racking up countless moments of acclaim; from music video premieres on MTV, features in Billboard, and appearances at some of the world’s most notable festivals, GGFO have established themselves as a forceful live act blessed with the ability to fill eager rooms wherever their sound careens through a loaded set of live monitors.

Great Good Fine OK find themselves marching into 2017 armed with a new EP, III , (stream “Take It Or Leave It” & “Always” from III below) which lead vocalist/songwriter Jon Sandler noted as housing “…some of the best songs we’ve ever written…”, a hefty upcoming North American tour, and a more polished, mature aesthetic. On the heels of all that hype, we’re feeling like some rather eager beavers to be presenting their Denver stop on January 25th at the Larimer Lounge, and we wanted to get our readers equally as excited by giving away a couple pairs of tickets. Entering our contest is as always, beyond easy. Just “like” The Music Ninja on FB, click on this post header if you’re still on the TMN front page, then comment below with your favorite Great Good Fine OK song, and boom, that’s it! (We even provided a few below if you need!) And of course, we want as many people as possible to come dance with us, so for our friends looking to secure their spot, advance tickets can be purchased here.

There are a few rules, of course:
– The event is 16+ Be sure to tell all of your friends to increase chance of winning!
– You are responsible for your own transportation.
– You must bring a valid form of ID to pick up your tickets at the Larimer Lounge door.

Check out our preview mini-playlist, start commenting below and best of luck ninjas!

Great Good Fine OK – ‘Take It Or Leave It’

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Great Good Fine OK – ‘Always’

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Great Good Fine OK – ‘Already Love’

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Great Good Fine OK – ‘Something To Believe In Ft. St. Lucia’

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Great Good Fine OK – ‘You’re The One For Me’

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[Video] Joe Goddard – Lose Your Love

Posted by Matthew Bloss - December 1, 2016

Easily one of the most influential architects thriving around the edges of dance & electronic music today, Joe Goddard seems to carry a certain gravitas whenever his name is attached to anything. Known by most casuals as one of the chief patrons behind almighty indie-tronica troupe Hot Chip, and co-founder of Greco-Roman Records (the same label which helmed debut releases from the likes of Disclosure, Roosevelt & TEED), Goddard has also quietly carved out quite the tastemaking assemblage of admirers over the course of 20 years worth of high profile remix work as a solo artist. Goddard’s latest single to come from the aforementioned Greco-Roman camp, “Lose Your Love”, received its visual counterpart today, and quite honestly, it’s one of the more polished and funnier music videos we’ve seen over the year.

On its own, “Lose Yourself” is a soulfully lovely, throwback house ditty propped up by robotic synths, but through the execution of director Fred Rowson, it takes on even more personality. In line with Goddard & Hot Chip’s playful nature, Rowson crafts a quite honestly hilarious homage to modern-day, cultish ‘healing’. Pacing things off in what looks to be a rec-center based yoga class before delving into offbeat 80’s VHS tapes, a street recruitment of followers, and climaxing with a Shakers type religious group convulsion on the floor, Goddard’s created a cheeky accompaniment to a catchy tune, and done it well. Really, I don’t even know what I just watched but I laughed and loved pretty much every second of it. Have a play for yourself below.