Latest Electronica Posts

[Event Preview] The Underground Music Showcase – 7/23-7/26 – Denver, CO

Posted by Matthew Bloss - April 6, 2015

After the raucous and discovery laden journey that was last year’s Underground Music Showcase in Denver, CO; we are once again gearing up for another edition of our favorite music festival in Denver. One of the few remaining music gatherings in our the fair city of Denver to eschew the typical smattering of major label festival fare, The UMS has dropped the first glimpse into a lineup boasting over 1,500+ acts strewn across various shops and bars dotting Denver’s South Broadway district, and we’ve already got stars in our widening Ninja eyes as a result. Buoyed by the gleaming synth-pop of Portland, OR’s STRFKR and the psych induced dream-rock of Brooklyn trio DIIV, as well as TMN Favorites Rose Quartz, Wild High and The Epilogues, this year’s UMS looks to be as top heavy as ever without skimping on any of the underground qualities which brought it to prominence in the first place. Grab your tickets here, and quite honestly, for our friends in Denver, $50.00 for a four-day paradisaical dip into some of the best atmosphere and music (of an absurd number of genres as well, mind you) the Mile High City has to offer is what we like to call in the industry… “a steal”.

Check out our 2014 coverage of The UMS here, stream our mini-playlist featuring a tune from each aforementioned act to stoke your UMS fire, and read the full lineup of announced artists thus far for the 2015 installment of The Underground Music Showcase below.

UMS 2015 first lineup announcement:

STRFKR, Diiv, Milo Greene, Brick + Mortar, Slim Cessna’s Auto Club, Mac McCaughan (Superchunk), Moon Hooch, Until The Ribbon Breaks, Accordion Crimes, Beginners, Bud Bronson and the Good Timers, Colfax Speed Queen, Dragondeer, The Epilogues, Eros & the Eschaton, Gabriel, Garzón-Montano, In the Whale, The Knew, Land Lines, The Lonely Wild, Ned Garthe Explosion, Plum, Rose Quartz, Ryan Chrys and the Roughcuts, Shady Elders, South of France, SPELLS, Wild High, Wiredogs, The Yawpers.

’Golden Light’

’Doused’

’Leaving Now’

’Tidal’

’Hunting Season’

[Future Bass] SomeKindaWonderful – California Love (Chachi Remix)

Posted by Ivan Chung - April 6, 2015

SomeKindaWonderful
California Love (Chachi Remix)

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Following the success of his previous release “Land Down Under”, NY-based producer Chachi just set the bar even higher with this brand new remix of SomeKindaWonderful‘s cover of “California Love”. The electropop tune by the up and coming group is sped up in tempo and then turned into a future bass dance track. For a song that is super lyrically recognizable, this track is incredibly addicting and fun to sing along to. The heavyhitting bass comes in with a statement at the beat drop, fusing the two electronic subgenres surprisingly well. The boy band vocals fit in well with the complex elements of the track, as they bring out the mysterious vibe a little more.

Chachi has been on a roll with putting out quality future bass tracks. While we would love to see some original material from him, make sure to follow and show some support!

[Epic] Tiësto & KSHMR ft. VASSY – Secrets (ARMNHMR & DATHAN Festival Edit)

Posted by Ivan Chung - April 3, 2015

Tiësto & KSHMR Ft VASSY
Secrets (ARMNHMR & DATHAN Festival Edit)

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Every once in a while you come across an awesome track that just makes you jump up and down uncontrollably. Southern California-based duo ARMNHMR (proonounced “arm and hammer”) just released this epic remix of Tiesto‘s “Secrets” with their producer friend Dathan, and it’s an absolute banger for many festival goers. Slightly speeding up the bpm, the duo cleverly incorporated trap elements into the mix. The vocals by singer VASSY was the perfect complement to the melodies crafted by the heavyhitting synth. They also spiced up the various beat drops, further shaping the to-be festival anthem. These maneuvers all contribute to the seductive vibe of this track.

If you dig this tune, or you even slightly bobbed your head to this, be sure to show some support and grab a free download of this track here. We can’t wait for their next release!

[Progressive House] Blink 182 – Adam’s Song (Kasum Remix)

Posted by Ivan Chung - April 3, 2015

Blink 182
Adam's Song (Kasum Remix)

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As you’re reading the title you’re probably thinking to yourself, what could anyone possibly do to remix this song? Wonder no more, as NY-based producer Kasum stripped the Blink 182 classic “Adam’s Song” down to the bone and gave it the electronic dance treatment. Following the success of his debut single “Glorious”, Kasum takes it way back and gives us a taste of throwback punk rock music, and the fusion of the two genres surprisingly works wonders. The producer keeps it interesting by incorporating progressive melodies and dubstep elements without overshadowing the original vocals.

This track is just another example of the wide range of music Kasum has to offer. Grab a free copy of the tune here and show some support if you like this rendition of the 90’s classic.

[Event Review] 5 Faces of Chaz: Examining Toro y Moi’s Evolution at The Independent, SF 3/28

Posted by Ash El Gamal - April 2, 2015

Over the last five years, Chaz Bundick, as both Toro y Moi and Les Sins, has repeatedly redefined his style bringing refreshing facets of his reserved, enigmatic persona to light all the while maturing with each album. A true musical chameleon, Chaz has worn many hats but, regardless of genre, he maintains his aesthetic always remaining true to himself. This realization couldn’t have been more evident as I watched Toro Y Moi perform a hometown show at The Independent in San Francisco last weekend in which he intertwined his various musical identities into a cohesive and career-spanning set.

Backed by several talented musicians, including ninja-favorite Astronauts, etc. on the keys, Toro y Moi’s countless jams, from hazy bedroom productions to groovy indie rock, were presented in the most vibrant way possible. Almost signifying transitions between old and new, Chaz swapped between MIDI keyboard and guitar through out without losing a beat. As an avid fan, and music geek, I found myself not only dancing steadily through out, but also hit with a flurry of thoughts and emotions inspired by the diverse, yet unified, setlist. To best capture those feelings, I decided to recount the performance in the context of a career retrospective. Flip through the pages and explore the five faces of Toro that I witnessed last Saturday with photos and songs from the set to match.

Toro y Moi’s upcoming album, What for?, drops on April 7th but can be streamed via NPR Music now. You can pre-order on iTunes here and find upcoming tour dates here.

All photos by Dom Powell.

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[Alternative] Trails and Ways – Skeletons

Posted by Ash El Gamal - April 1, 2015

Trails and Ways
Skeletons

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Oakland-based band Trails and Ways first found their way into our hearts a few years back starting with their brilliantly organic and original covers. As if their approach to covers wasn’t indicative enough, their 2013 debut EP, Trilingual, solidified T&W as one of our favorite indie acts out. After a relatively quiet period during which they were performing, practicing and working on new material, Trails and Ways were officially signed to Barsuk Records, the label of Death Cab For Cutie, early last month with a debut full-length album on the horizon.

Today, we get the first single, and opening track, from their anticipated debut and it proves more than worth the wait. “Skeletons,” which we first caught live at their hometown show last year, feels like the perfect next step in the talented group’s sound. Following an intro of atmospheric guitar and emphatic cries, the verses recess into gorgeous, breezy vocals before unleashing one of the most infectious, energetic choruses you will hear all year. Trails and Ways’ aesthetic, influenced by the band members’ international travels and outdoor hobbies, has an enchanting, transformative effect that feels best suited for a dance party in the midst of mother nature. We’ll certainly have this on repeat today and until their debut, Pathology, drops on June 2nd–pre-order here.

P.S. If you like what you hear, check out our exclusive interview with Trails and Ways from last year’s Outside Lands Festival.

[Electropop] machineheart – snøw (Myles Travitz Remix)

Posted by Ivan Chung - April 1, 2015

machineheart
snøw (Myles Travitz Remix)

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Some say music cures the soul, and this track perfectly exemplifies that. Put down whatever you’re doing, and listen to this wonderful tune. We guarantee it’ll brighten your day. Listen as the talented producer from North Carolina, Myles Travitz, put his spin on the hit track “Snow” by LA-based pop group Machineheart. Transforming the beautifully crafted original into a heavier hitting electronic indie pop goodness, Myles Travitz created this incredibly catchy tune you simply can’t get enough of. The crisp vocals fuel the emotionally-driven tune and the bold synth takes the uplifting vibe to a whole ‘nother level.

Make sure to grab a free download here. With numerous remixes in his repertoire, Myles Travitz is somebody you wouldn’t want to miss out on. We are excited to see what else he has to offer.