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[Music Ninja Radio] Episode #82: 4:44, Big Fish Theory, Washed Out + Crooked Colours

Posted by Ash El Gamal - July 3, 2017

Music Ninja Radio is a weekly podcast recorded and broadcast live on San Francisco’s BFF.fm from 4-6PM PST every Friday.

Music Ninja Radio
Episode #82: 4:44, Big Fish Theory, Washed Out, Crooked Colours + more

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There was a ton of brand new music to share on this week’s episode from Jay-Z’s excellent ‘4:44′ to Vince Staples’ genre-defying ‘Big Fish Theory’ to Crooked Colours breezy indie electronic on ‘Vera’. Mixed in with highlights from those albums, are standouts from Washed Out, NoMbe, Mura Masa x Damon Albarn, Session Victim, Amelia Airhorn & more.

[Indie Pop] Melis – Flower

Posted by Ivan Chung - June 22, 2017

Melis
Flower

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Half Czech, half Turkish singer/songwriter Melis is giving us a sneak peek of her debut EP Parallels with the release of “Flower”, an emotionally-driven indie track that is dedicated to her father. You might recognize her voice from songwriter duo IYES, which has a more electronic and futuristic sound.

Melis explains that how “Flowers” holds a special place in her heart and leaves behind the powerful message – that if you’re going through a tough time in your life, remember to never give up and remain hopeful because dark times will not last forever. Her soothing vocals bring out the vulnerability hidden deep down, and the lyrics speak volumes about the poignant journey she went through.

If you like the talented Melis, be sure to check out the most recent music video of her track “Love Song Idea” below.

[Event Preview/Playlist] The Underground Music Showcase – Denver, CO

Posted by Matthew Bloss - June 16, 2017

The 17th anniversary of one of Denver’s most storied music events, The Underground Music Showcase, is just around the corner. What began as a one-night performance featuring just four bands, The UMS has steadily exploded into to a four-day music and art festival featuring hundreds of performances. As the time draws nearer to what will no doubt be another incredible weekend pf performances, it’s time to get our readers familiar with this year’s crop of (mostly) burgeoning artists spanning a plethora of genres and sounds. While this recent slate of participating artists is the second wave, we can assuredly expect one more run of performers to be added to this year’s bill, so stay tuned!

This year’s bill features one of the more eclectic, varied lineups we’ve been privy to for a number of years, including a seemingly heavier focus on displaying the myriad talent spread across The Centennial State (that’s Colorado ya yokels). On the top end of things, The UMS features an incredible slate of headlining performances from the likes of Nika Roza Danilova’s influential avant-pop project Zola Jesus, New Orleans based Benjamin Booker‘s raw brand of blues/boogie/soul/rock, Red Fang‘s primal-yet-refined stoner-metal, John Jagos’ lofi pop alter-ego and TMN darling Brothertiger, and the smoothly subdued vocal stylings of Esmé Patterson. In addition to the already excellent pallet of headliners, The UMS also will be presenting countless sets from some of our absolute favorite Colorado artists including Flaural, Povi, RUMTUM, Slow Caves & Dragondeer. To get your ears tuned for next month’s festivities, check out our preview playlist below and get your learn on if you haven’t already. Tickets are still on presale, so hop to it and pick up a 4-day pass on the cheap here!

’Benjamin Booker – Violent Shiver’

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’Brothertiger – Beyond The Infinite’

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’Zola Jesus – Exhumed’

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’Esmé Patterson – Green Green’

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’Red Fang – Blood Like Cream’

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’Slow Caves – Glares’

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’Povi – 4am’

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’Flaural – Culture Ghost’

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’RUMTUM – Coastal Hustle’

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’Dragondeer – When I See You’

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[Music Video] Kormac – I Believe

Posted by Geoff Hong - June 5, 2017

Dublin-based producer Kormac has got a cure for any Monday blues with his latest single “I Believe” and its accompanying visuals. The minimalist video, which was directed by Benn Veasey and produced by Rufus Pinkerton, details a sequence in which a young woman rises to her feet to give chase to the ocean. Those of you that have ever tried to run in a dream can certainly relate to the feeling evoked by our heroine’s journey to the water. The visuals tie in perfectly with the driving piano syncopation, working together to create anticipation and excitement.

This jazzy dance track follows two successful albums, Wordplay (2010), and Doorsteps (2014). It is Kormac’s most recent attempt to diversify his auditory palette. The distinctly lo-fi sampling is a musical deviation from his normal production sound– it is said to have taken inspiration from “spiritual jazz and old gospel recordings”. You can certainly hear these influences come through on the brassy horn and choir-clapping that interweave with the piano beat. With kick drums and cymbals keeping the pace steady, the track recalls a classic house sound.

Check out this video if you need a little auditory/visual motivation this Monday, and keep an eye out for more funky dance tunes to come from DJ Kormac.

[Event Review] Project Pabst: Denver 2017

Posted by Matthew Bloss - May 30, 2017

In just its second year in existence as a four city national event (Denver, Portland, Philadelphia, Atlanta), the barley-pop funded Project Pabst has quickly cemented itself as one of the hottest tickets in each town it lays it Laser Horse inspired hooves. Always an eclectic lineup, in its brief run Project Pabst has consistently boasted a mix of both established and upcoming acts spanning myriad genres from Tame Impala, STRFKR, Violent Femmes, FIDLAR, Duran Duran & Iggy Pop to A$AP Ferg, Danny Brown, K. Flay & Big K.R.I.T. to name but a few; and this year’s Denver date served only to stoke the already vibrant fire within our Ninja hearts. It was yet another excellently curated day in Denver’s hipster bastion of the RiNo neighborhood, and we’ve got plenty to dish about the second Denver Project Pabst date.

As always, the day kicked off sprightly at 2:00 p.m. behind a choice segue into the beautiful day with a frenetic performance from Chicago indie rock outfit Twin Peaks. In a rather short span beginning in 2013, Twin Peaks have rapidly evolved from a hectic, sloppy group of teenage rockers into a firmly polished five piece with the ability to command a stage with the best of them. Twin Peaks cycled primarily through fare from LP’s Wild Onion and Down in Heaven including staples like “I Found a Way”, “Making Breakfast” and “Holding Roses”, but more than made sure to satisfy their diehards as well with a few cuts from debut long player Sunken. With the day’s first performance under our belts, it was time for some $3.00 PBR and a jaunt to the other end of Larimer Street for a little slice of scuzzy L.A. rock duo Deap Vally.

Read Our Entire Project Pabst Review After the Jump!

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RHAIN – Tall Ships (Henry Green Remix) [TMN Premiere]

Posted by Ash El Gamal - May 26, 2017

RHAIN
Tall Ships (Henry Green Remix)

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UK-based songstress RHAIN caught the music world’s attention in 2016 with her enchanting, eerie voice and inventive lyricism. “Tall Ships,” the closer on her debut EP, Oscar November Echo, is a gorgeous, somber reflection on the passage of time and moving on. Today, we’re excited to premiere an equally powerful remix from Henry Green, one of our favorite up ‘n coming producers/vocalists.

Green’s take on “Tall Ships” holds a similar feel as the original but takes a completely different angle. Green lures the listener in with a 4-note piano loop accompanied by inching percussion and a faint guitar. Just before dropping into pure bliss, RHAIN’s vocals take center stage–the only time when you can make out the lyrics. The remainder of the song interlaces and layers her voice with subtle percussion taking full advantage of its emotional depth. That beautiful repurposing makes for a listen that’s sure to melt away the stresses of the week. Get lost in this one above.

[Music Ninja Radio] Episode 79: Form Arcosanti, Slowdive & R&Beats

Posted by Ash El Gamal - May 23, 2017

Music Ninja Radio is a weekly podcast broadcast live on San Francisco’s BFF.fm from 4-6PM PST every Friday.

Music Ninja Radio
Episode #79: Form Arcosanti, Slowdive + R&Beats

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After a week away at Form Arcosanti, there were a bunch of new albums to catch up on from Slowdive, Nick Hakim, Nite Jewel, Hoops & more. The resulting mix made for a more laid back episode until the end where we got into some vocal-driven indie electronic tunes from Nick Murphy and newcomers Worth Way along with some hard-hitting bass music from the likes of Vincent, Flume and Sinjin Hawke.