Author Archives: Monte Mitchell

[Event Review] Feed Me (with Teeth) – 8/27

Posted by Monte Mitchell - September 3, 2014

Feed Me
Time For Myself

Even though summer’s waning, legs starting to ache from almost-endless dancing, heads reeling with delight from coast-to-coast festivals, there’s no reason to turn down now. Keeping true, I was fortunate enough to experience the reality-melting, immersive odyssey better known as Feed Me’s Psychedelic Journey at Denver’s Ogden Theater.

Though I’d seen Feed Me several times previously, the surprises seemed endless. For those that haven’t seen Feed Me’s with Teeth live show, here’s a quick breakdown: a wall to wall, devious glowing grin gnashes at the crowd, in tandem with explosive beats and soundscapes that stretch the entire sonic spectrum. London’s Jon Gooch is at the helm, masterminding it all. For those that have seen it before, picture it all again, but magnified, amplified, re-energized and reconsidered.

Delta Heavy heavily instigated the entire party, igniting the crowd with dance-heavy hits, peppered with bass-soaked favorites along with tracks wholly new, such as Knife Party’s “Resistance,” a set which truly showcased DJ virtuosity and complete crowd awareness. When the time came for the curtains to drop and bare the Teeth, the crowd was properly charged.
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[Mixtape] Vacationer – Ode 2 Summer Mixtape

Posted by Monte Mitchell - May 16, 2014

Vacationer
Ode 2 Summer Mixtape

Soundcloud

We’re midway through May, and summer seems to just keep on ramping up. Hopefully you’ve got a good handful of easy-going, sunny tracks already to start the season, but just in case, here’s an incredibly chill summer mixtape all the way from the East Coast from one of my personal favorites, Vacationer.

In case you aren’t familiar, Vacationer’s got a sun-drenched sound, self-described as Nu-Hula by frontman Kenny Vasoli, who is heavily influenced by tropical, exotic, and Polynesian recordings. Their sound is steeped in soul-warming, glimmering retro melody and dreamy, undulating vocals. This mixtape unfolds into a seamless showcase of their niche tropical sound.

There’s everything from world-inspired beats, to chilled-out hip-hop beats, and even classic soundtrack score vignettes. Vasoli’s dusty vocals wax and wane freely, sometimes met with a chorus of birds singing or gentle wind chimes. Like a reverse trail of breadcrumbs, sections of the group’s forthcoming sophomore album Relief is dotted throughout the mixtape, offering a glimpse of what’s to come.

So kick back a bit deeper in your hammock, bring on the heat waves and tall glasses of lemonade, and softly rattle your ice cubes against the glass to the beat. There seems to be a bit of summer for everyone in this coast-trawling, low-latitude-lovin’ mix.

Relief will be out on June 24, the follow up to the highly recommended LP Gone. You can pre-order it here.

Electronic

[Remix] Five Knives – Savages (Pretty Lights Remix)

Posted by Monte Mitchell - May 13, 2014

Five Knives
Savages (Pretty Lights Remix)

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It hasn’t even been a year yet since producer extraordinaire Derek Vincent Smith, aka Pretty Lights, wowed us with A Color Map of the Sun (and of course, who can forget the remix follow-up or outtakes found in The Hidden Shades?). Riding a seemingly endless wave of inertia, he’s back at it with his first “new” material since, remixing “Savages” from powerhouse electro-rock quartet Five Knives–one of three solid remixes for Red Bull Editions’ remix campaign.

True to PL style, this one starts subtly, cuing you in with vocal teasers, dialed-back stabs and strings before a sashaying reveal about 40 seconds in, a danceable beat resonating and effortlessly carrying the vibes deep into the song. The real magic happens about halfway in, as the song swells and all arrangements combine. All energy elegantly lets loose, underscored with a healthy helping of permeating, buttery bass that satisfies the drop-hungry club-goer and the laid-back lounger all at once. It’s not a drop; it’s a denouement.

I’m always hungry for what’s coming next, and this track’s sure to tide anyone over for a long while. It’s an exceptional blend and, as always, showcases Smith’s reworking chops on top of an already powerful track. And while DVS might have the limelight here, keep a close eye on Five Knives, who are already raking in rave reviews. They’re currently hard at work on their debut album. Until then, be sure to sample their EP, The Rising.

[Future Bass/Hip-Hop] TRWBADOR – Breakthrough Ft. ESSA

Posted by Monte Mitchell - May 10, 2014

TRWBADOR
Breakthrough Ft. ESSA

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Let’s say you just came out a bit rattled after one hell of a rough day. One of those where you’re too exhausted to run it all off, but your head’s still careening too much to curl up under covers and drift off. Well, lucky for you, TRWBADOR’s got just the dose for you with “Breakthrough.”

One part mellow future bass, one part tailored hip hop verse, the UK based producers team up with Hip Hop legend ESSA for the perfect blend of catharsis and reflection. ESSA’s unobtrusive lyrics flow effortlessly over purifying harp melody, his cadence in tandem with dialed back beats, all calmly glazed over with interludes of producer Angharad Van Rijswijk’s soothing vocals. Perfect for making peace.

All told, it’s a powerful but beautiful piece to get re-centered. It’s honest without overly trying, enlightening without being sappy, impactful without being invasive. It’s highly re-playable. “Breakthrough” is out on May 26th as a digital download–or for all of you analoggers–a 7” will be hitting record stores. Indulge. When it drops, I know I’ll be sitting stereo-side after work, unwinding with a glass of super-manly wine.

Hip/Hop

[Indie Rock] Owenstone – Summer Lane

Posted by Monte Mitchell - April 25, 2014

Owenstone
Summer Lane

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Los Angeles based indie rockers Owenstone are offering a glimpse into their upcoming EP with “Summer Lane.” Better yet? You can snag a free download right now.

Contemporary and carefree, this one could easily top your mid-summer play counts. Picture it billowing out over the ocean from the radio deck of a classic convertible cruising down the highway.

After a leading riff of pulsating, infectious rhythm guitar, prepare to be immersed in blissful, dreamy wanderlust. Frontman Nathan Owen’s vocals meander gently between the layers of melody–melody laced with coastal vibes, clasped to rivulets of strings that tether it aimlessly to both blacktop and countryside. A solo, redolent of sitar, adds timelessness to the contemporary–sealing a spot on my summer go-to playlists for years to come.

Alternative/Rock

[Soul/Pop] Cousin Matt – Second Heart

Posted by Monte Mitchell - April 25, 2014

Cousin Matt
Second Heart

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Fresh and bright, Cousin Matt drop off “Second Heart,” a soulful sing-along strung with a decent dose of indie expression. They’re bound to put a spring in your step, open windows up wide, and surround you with a breezy bit of warmth.

The duo may be split between Brooklyn and Atlanta, but distance sure isn’t stopping these two from soulful singing and savvy sampling. We’re hoping for more of this catchy goodness. Treat yourself to a free download right on over here.

Soul

[Deep/Tropical House] London Grammar – Darling Are You Gonna Leave Me (LCAW Remix)

Posted by Monte Mitchell - April 2, 2014

London Grammar
Darling Are You Gonna Leave Me (LCAW Remix)

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It’s been almost exactly a year since 19-year-old Munich, Germany-based producer LCAW broke onto the scene with his enormously popular remix of “Run” by Daughter–currently with well over half of a million plays on Soundcloud. And what Germany may lack in terms of warm latitude, there seems to be no effect on his knack for blanketing everything he touches with a layer of smooth, warm, summery vibes.

This time, LCAW’s unveiled his take on London Grammar’s “Darling Are You Gonna Leave Me.” The song has a beautifully harmonious pairing: the vocals of London Grammar’s front-lady, Hannah Reid, immediately bring to mind a more melancholic Florence Welch, intensified by yearning lyrics that ruminate over a fleeting love. LCAW reinterprets the sound, making it a bit more upbeat, pulsing with glimmers of hopeful reminiscence.

There’s no reason this one shouldn’t make it into your favorite summer playlists–after all, it’s up for a free download over on LCAW’s Facebook page. Like the lyrical motif “I’m still holding onto your waistband” sprinkled throughout the song, here’s to hanging on tightly to the relaxed vibe LCAW imparts, like that last bit of lingering warmth on the sand, long after the sun’s already dipped below the horizon.