Latest Electronica Posts

Little People Discusses New Album, Working in Coffee Shops, and The Need for More Lasers [TMN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]

Posted by Clayton Warwick - July 14, 2015

Youth & Progress Pt. 2
Presented By Jiberish

As we wind down our month-long feature with Little People, we’re anxious to bring you an in-depth look at not only the moniker, but the man behind the rich, textural, electronic music that so many have come to know and love.

We know you’re probably at work right now, but we feel like you deserve a 10-minute break to get caught up on what’s around the corner for Mr. Laurent Clerc.

TMN: Hey Laurent. Thank you so much for taking a few minutes to answer some questions for us. We’re really excited to have you as our Resident Artist for June!

LP: Well I’m very excited too. Thanks for having me. I’ve had the pleasure to meet you guys in person several times whenever I’ve played in Colorado. It’s always great connecting with such genuine and nice people like yourselves.

TMN: Alright, it’s been nearly two years since we last spoke, back at the Larimer Lounge in Denver, Colorado. Back then, you were making the voyage to and from the UK to the states quite often. You’ve since moved, correct?

LP: That is indeed correct. I moved to Portland, OR in August last year – with my wife and my 4-year-old twins. The Pacific Northwest is a very special place – it’s been amazing so far.

TMN: What was it that finally made you pull the trigger on moving out here? Was it the touring schedule? The need to have your family closer? Combination of both?

LP: Me coming over to the US to play shows – and staying here for extended periods – has not been easy on all of us. So moving to the US was a means of all of us being closer together whilst I play shows in the US. It also meant that it made it possible for me to play one-off shows and festivals throughout the year – so it has given me more opportunities to play live. If you are coming over from the UK, the onus is on cramming as many dates in a short period of time. I wanted to get away from that for a little bit.

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[Nu-Disco] Trails and Ways – Downright (feat. Harriet Brown) (Falcon Punch Remix)

Posted by Ash El Gamal - July 14, 2015

Trails and Ways ft. Harriet Brown
Downright (Falcon Punch Remix)

Download

Since we first caught wind of Trails and Ways all the way back in 2012, we’ve kept a close eye on the Oakland band. They’ve steadily built their following since then, but this year has truly been a breakout one for them. After signing to Barsuk Records early this year, they released their debut album, Pathology, which both showcases what we love about their radiant, organic sound all the while expanding their sonic scope. The track “Downright” falls into the latter category with a groove that manages to combine their signature, South American-tinted style with an ’80s groove and aesthetic. A verse from Harriet Brown, another Ninja favorite, ties that vibe together with his silky vocals that recall Prince.

A week ago, Denver-based producer Falcon Punch put out a remix of “Downright” that maintains the 80s-revivalist nature of the tune all the while transforming it into a nu-disco jam. Electing to place Brown’s voice first, Falcon Punch utilizes many of the original’s elements–the breezy guitar and the catchy backing piano–but with the help of perfectly placed pads and a BPM boost, breathes new life into the song without losing its charm. Take a trip back to the Neon 80s and grab a free download above.

[Deep-House] Allies For Everyone – Bunker (Allies For Everyone Alternate Mix) [TMN Premiere]

Posted by Matthew Bloss - July 14, 2015

Allies For Everyone
Bunker (Allies For Everyone Alternate Mix)

Soundcloud

It’s always a treat to start a day with a little bit of sexy deep-house. So when NYC stationed electronic producer Brian Suarez, better known as Allies For Everyone, dropped his latest revision on us -itself an alternate take on his own track “Bunker”– we knew it would be a perfect door-opener this morning. We’d already heard AFE’s original mix, and while by no means was it anywhere near a letdown, today he’s arrived with an even more introspective and gripping glimpse of the shape-shifting single. On the Alternate Mix, Allies For Everyone dials back a clubbier approach, instead focusing on a more subdued yet utterly captivating low end, rumbling hook, and a gorgeous ad-lib cut of the original vocal stems to create a dark and deep tune that just plain oozes sexiness. Our day is already screaming for a taste of proper deep-house and Allies For Everyone delivered our presription with a bullet.

“Bunker” will also be touched up by their labelmates Nightriders and Jay Hill, but we’ll be busily consuming AFE’s edit until then.

[Indie Eletronic] Empire Of The Sun – We Are The People (Ardency Remix)

Posted by Ivan Chung - July 3, 2015

Empire Of The Sun
We Are The People (Ardency Remix)

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Following the success of “Foxfire”, the creative duo Ardency strike once again with another jaw dropper. Reworking Empire of the Sun‘s “We Are The People”, the two musicians definitely worked their magic and put a spin on the popular anthem. The tune is suited with a lo-fi 80’s disco approach fused with a chillwave sound. The original vocals are kept to go with the indie vibe of the track. The addictive touch resembles the sound of Neon Indian while adding an adrenaline-infused bassline to top it off.

Per usual, Ardency outdid themselves with this release. We are very excited to see what other tricks they got up their sleeves. Make sure to grab a free download if you dig the track!

Zibra – Great White Shark (MORRT Remix) [TMN PREMIERE]

Posted by Clayton Warwick - July 1, 2015

Typically, when we read the words “Great White Shark,” there’s a small feeling of panic, knowing it’s probably associated with some sort of bad news. Well, today is the exception to the norm, as those three little words represent something shimmery, summery, and downright enjoyable. Get ready to throw on your Ray Bans and flip flops, because MOORT has the perfect accompaniment to your sunny day.

The original track comes via London-based Zibra, who exploded onto the scene with their dance-inducing glitch indie last year. Dropping as a part of their brand new EP, 2000, “Great White Shark” once again showcases the infectious nature in songwriting, instrumentation, and recording they’ve expertly brought together.

Today though, we’re shining a light on MORRT’s remix of “Great White Shark,” which finds its way into a much more calming, future bass interpretation. Let’s put it this way. If the original were a raging Saturday night dance party, this remix is would be a vibe-heavy pool party, with adult beverage in hand. Think about it – those light, echoing synths, playful claps, and smooth bassline all scream for your next summer outing. Luckily for you, you now have a handy place to access it for the weekend.

[Indie/Electronic] Mas Ysa – Arrows

Posted by Matthew Bloss - June 30, 2015

MAS YSA
Arrows

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While Mas Ysa –the solo creation of musician Thomas Arsenault- has been a music project with whom this humble writer has been enamored, we unfortunately haven’t covered his eclectic catalog nearly enough. The Canadian bred producer and vocalist embraces cutting-edge electronic music, from house & techno to neo-wave and synth-pop, but carries a songwriting sensibility to dabble in both dancefloor gems and harrowing ballads; oftentimes blurring the line between the two. After a recent chain of emotive, downtempo pop singles including “Look Up” and the Nicole Miglis (of Hundred Waters acclaim) featuring “Gun”; Mas Ysa’s latest release foray gleams more uplifting and dance directed than most of an already sterling library. “Arrows” tumbles through a wide spectrum of of sounds and feelings, with Arsenault claiming: “’Arrows’ is sort of a Euro club banger, but also a very personal love song. It comes out of me wanting to make a universal, club-ready track but unwittingly giving into emotion.”

This one’s landed beautifully between club ready romp and heart-wrenching ballad; further signalling Mas Ysa’s unique ability to toy with a lofty range of worldly musical influence. “Arrows” is the latest single to crop up off of a debut long-player, Seraph, due out July 24th on Downtown Records, and if Mas Ysa’s latest body of work, the Worth EP is any indication, we might have another contender to this year’s best album battle.

Check out Mas Ysa’s impending U.S. tour dates with another pair of TMN darlings Tanlines, and stream “Arrows” above.

6/30 Covington, KY – Madison Live *
7/01 St. Louis, MO – Firebird *
7/02 Lincoln, NE – Vega *
7/03 Denver, CO – Larimer Lounge *
7/05 Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge *
7/07 Vancouver, BC – Electric Owl *
7/08 Seattle, WA – Neumos *
7/09 Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios *
7/11 San Francisco, CA – Phono Del Sol *
7/13 Los Angeles, CA – Bardot
7/14 Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory *
7/15 Phoenix, AZ – Valley Bar *
7/17 Austin, TX – Red 7 *
7/18 Dallas, TX – Club Dada *
7/19 Houston, TX – Fitzgerald’s *
7/21 Atlanta, GA – The Earl *
7/22 Ashville, NC – The Mothlight *
7/23 Washington, DC – U Street Music Hall *
7/24 Philadelphia, PA – Voyeur *
7/25 Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair *
7/27 Brooklyn, NY – Baby’s All Right^

* w/ Tanlines
^ w/ Wish, Michael Baharie & Kelsey Lu

[Electronic/Chill] Soma – Uncertain

Posted by Matthew Bloss - June 30, 2015

Soma
Uncertain

Soundcloud

With the crazy amount of music submissions that come across every facet of our Ninja collective’s e-mail and social media accounts, it can unfortunately become quite easier to stop searching and just let it come to us. So, on those rare occasions from which we manage to hunt down and fall in love with a completely new tune from an artist or band shrouded in mystery, well… it always holds a special place for us. The latest entity to preoccupy this place in our heart is brand new project Soma, and their lush, breezy, two-step led single “Uncertain”. “Uncertain” walks an envious line between fragments of pop, chillwave, trap, R&B, house and even soul for a debut single rich in both its concept, sound and potential.

While not much has been uncovered in regards to Soma -whose only webpage is a secret portal that requires a password and their lone social account being a Soundcloud which lists Soma’s location as Los Angeles, San Francisco and Philadelphia- we’re slobbering like a Pavlovian Pitbull for more from the brand new project. You can be sure we’ll stay on top of Soma as everything develops, but in the mean time, we’ll be grooving to “Uncertain”.