[Denver Event Preview] RBSS Presents: Wild Nothing w/ Inner Oceans + Flaural – Bluebird Theatre – 4/30

Good googly-moogly (yeah I said it), have our friends at Red Bull Sound Select been spoiling us in Denver this year. Already in 2016 we’ve been privy to incredible shows from the likes of The Internet, Cloud Nothings & Sango (all for somewhere between free and $3.00 mind you), and on April 30th at one of Denver’s most revered venues, The Bluebird Theatre, they’ve teamed up with beloved Denver music festival The UMS to bring one of our hands-down favorite acts in any corner of music; Jack Tatum’s bedroom recording project turned nationally acclaimed four-piece: Wild Nothing. Flirting with distinctions like ‘dream-pop’, ‘chill-wave’, and in the group’s earlier years ‘post-punk’; Wild Nothing have steadily released an incredibly deep and entrancing string of EP’s & LP’s since their excellent debut Gemini, all the way back in 2010. Most recently, Tatum & Co. released their third full-length, Life of Pause, which is already in the running for this writer’s short ‘Best of 2016’ list, and this marks the first time Denver gets to hear the newest slate of Wild Nothing tunes in their intended live format. Needless to say, we’re getting pretty geared up for an incredible headlining performance, but the fun doesn’t start there.

Holding things down as our Denver representatives are a couple of acts this writer has become quite enamored with throughout our constant trips into the Mile High City’s music underbelly; Inner Oceans and Flaural. If you’ve been a regular at our ‘TMN Presents’ events at Lost Lake or Larimer Lounge, hopefully you’ve gotten an amazing taste of Inner Oceans —who were actually our last party’s headliners— and their slick brand of minimally sensible psych-pop and shoegaze; which will provide a serendipitous segue into the night’s main event. Another assemblage of excellent Denver talent, and self-described ‘New-Wave Psych Pop’ -ers  Flaural opens things up, and after devouring the quartet’s entire Soundcloud over the past few weeks at the adamant suggestion of the most trusted and cherished secondary music opinion in my life, it’s 100% safe to say that RBSS have once again solidified their far-reaching reputation as the tastemaker’s tastemakers and put together another night of top-to-bottom quality.

As with every Red Bull Sound Select showcase, an RSVP (here) will get you on the list for $3.00, but be sure to get there early to guarantee entry and immerse yourself in the fair city of Denver’s always evolving and rapidly burgeoning indie scene. Check out cuts from Wild Nothing, Inner Oceans and Flaural on our mini-playlist below, and we’ll see you on the floor.

’Wild Nothing – Reichpop’
’Wild Nothing – To Know You’
’Wild Nothing – Nocturne’
’Wild Nothing – Paradise’
’Wild Nothing – A Dancing Shell’
’Inner Oceans – These Dreams’
’Inner Oceans – Sunbathe’
’Flaural – Mind Field’
’Flaural – Culture Ghost’
Related items:

Ultra Music Festival: Day by Day Playlist

ultra music festival logo

Today’s the day! You’ve saved your hard-earned money throughout the winter, putting away dollar-after-dollar for the start of festival season. Now, you get to march proudly into Ultra Music Festival and dance for three days straight. Before you do, though, we’re pretty sure you’ll need an epic pre-party playlist. And, guess what? We have you covered.

FRIDAY21

’Tycho – Awake’
’Chet Faker – Bend’
’Pan
Pot – Riot (Carl Cox Remix)’
’HONOR – Never Off (Hot Since 82 Remix)’
’Daphni – Vikram’
’LOCO DICE – Keep It Low (feat. Chris Liebing)’
Kygo – Nothing Left (Ft. Will Heard)
Martin Garrix – Now That I’ve Found You (feat. John & Michel)
DJ Snake – Middle feat. Bipolar Sunshine
Emma Hewitt – Colours (Armin van Buuren Remix)
Kaskade & CID – US (Extended Mix)
Dash Berlin vs. BBE – One Week And Seven Days
Blasterjaxx – Heartbreak (Radio Edit)
Julian Jordan – All Night (Extended Mix) (OUT NOW)
’Daniel Bedingfield
Gotta Get Thru This (Jauz RetroFuture Remix)’
’Snails – Frogbass’
’ADAM K & SLANDER – BREATHE (ft. Matthew Steeper & Haliene)’

SATURDAY

’Kendrick Lamar – Swimming Pools (SMLE Remix)’
’Louis the Child – It’s Strange (Ft. K.Flay)’
’Elektro Guzzi – Atlas (KiNK Mix)’
’Thomas Jack – Rivers (radio rip 128kbps)’
’Maceo Plex – Conjure Dreams – Drumcode – Dec 15th’
’Plastikman – EXposed (Dubfire Remix)’
’Sasha – Pontiac’
’Mind Against & Locked Groove – A – Elysium’
’Sussed – Patrick Topping’
’Not So Dirty (The Chainsmokers & Jenaux Festival Season is Over & Now You’re Broke Remake)’
’MORTEN Feat. Frida Sundemo – Beautiful Heartbeat (Avicii Remix)’
’Steve Angello – Remember (feat. The Presets)’
’Laidback Luke & Moska Feat. Terri B! – Get It Right’
’Wiwek & Skrillex – Killa Ft Elliphant’

sunday2

’Martinez Brothers – Barry White Owl’
’Seth Troxler – Junkyard Tool’
’Monkey Safari – Walls (Guy Gerber’s Office Sex Remix)’
’Lee Foss & MK feat. Anabel Englund – Electricity EP’
’Skream — Rollercoaster feat. Sam Frank’
’Kryoman & Pairanoid – My Squads Lit Ft SHAQ (Original Mix)’
’Tove Lo – Talking Body (Gryffin Remix)’
’Fedde Le Grand And Cobra Effect – I Can Feel
’Robin Schulz & J.U.D.G.E. – Show Me Love (Max Manie & KlangTherapeuten Remix)’
’Michael Calfan – Nobody Does It Better’
’The Chainsmokers – New York City (Tommie Sunshine & APAX Remix)’
’Deadmau5 – BLOOD FOR THE BLOODGOAT’
’Rabbit in the Moon – NINE ELEVEN DUB’
’Tchami – Missing You (ft. AC Slater & Kaleem Taylor)’
’Ass Clap (feat. Nilo Stari)’
’Just a Gent – Heavy As A Heartbreak (Lookas X SMLE Remix)’
’LIL BOOSIE – CRAZY (BRILLZ AND SNAILS BOOTLEG)’
’Ookay – Thief’
’Flash Funk (Marshmello Remix)’
’Wave Racer – Flash Drive (feat. B▲by)’
Related items:

[Event Preview] Red Bull Sound Select Denver Presents: SANGO w/ SPZRKT & CRL CRRLL @ Cervantes Ballroom – 3/31

It’s no secret that we’ve grown very close with and fond of our friends at Red Bull Sound Select. Truly one of the few major corporations involved in music putting their influence to good use, the amazing curators, thinkers, and artists involved with RBSS have always had their ears to the streets towards burgeoning artists across a plethora of genres; inciting within us Ninjas a need to see each and every one of their eclectic showcases near our respective hometowns. In the past few years alone in this writer’s fair (and Superbowl defending champion) city of Denver, we’ve been privy to some of our favorite acts including The Internet, (the artists formerly known as) Viet Cong, Shigeto & Cloud Nothings; and with that, we’ve already come up on another tastefully crafted night of music provided by the RBSS crew. We’ve been excited as ever since first hearing rumblings about this one a while back, and finally on 3/31, Seattle based producer SANGO will make his way to the Mile High City to headline a night of top-to-bottom heat, which will also see performances from SPZRKT (Spazzy Rocket), and CRL CRRLL (Carl Carrell).

In anticipation of the next Denver stop for Red Bull Sound Select, we’ve put together a mini-playlist featuring selections from each artist on the night’s bill. As with every RBSS show, an early RSVP will get you in for the measly price of $3, so hop to it here and get there early to guarantee your spot. We’ll see you on the floor.

’SANGO – Life Without God Is Nothing’
’SANGO – F.L.O.R’
’SANGO – Infinidade’
’SPZRKT – Hesitate ft. MaSAXgo (prod. by Tyshane)’
’CRL CRRLL – Get It Together’
Related items:

[San Diego Giveaway] Amtrac & Hotel Garuda @ Bang Bang – 2/26

While Amtrac and Hotel Garuda‘s Lost In Motion Tour is coming to your city in full force, we have some GREAT news for all you SD ninjas and ninjettes. We’re giving away a pair of tickets to their show at Bang Bang on Feb 26 to one lucky winner! If you’ve been dying to see your favorite DJs live and haven’t gotten your tickets yet, here’s your chance. To enter the contest, simply fill out this form below with your FIRST and LAST name, as well as your EMAIL address, then click submit. That’s literally all you have to do!

Few rules, of course:

  • You must be 21+ enter
  • TWO tickets will be given to ONE winner
  • Winner will be selected on Thursday night 2/25

Here’s the event page if you want to find out more about their tour. And for those of you who want to purchase tickets, you can do it here. Act fast – they’re going to be sold out VERY soon, considering how many people get down with Amtrac and Hotel Garuda. Make sure to listen to our playlist below to get a sneak peek to what they have in store for us on Friday. Hope to see y’all there!

’Amtrac – DARKEST SOUND’
’Amtrac – LONG NIGHTS’
’Amtrac – ONCE IS ENOUGH’
’kiiara – Feels (Hotel Garuda Remix)’
’Alina Baraz & Galimatias – Make You Feel (Hotel Garuda Remix)’
’Royal – Passenger (Hotel Garuda Remix)’

ENTER GIVEAWAY TO WIN AMTRAC & HOTEL GARUDA TICKETS

Related items:

[Festival Preview] Noise Pop Festival 2016–SF, 2/19-2/28

np2016-admat_fullNoise Pop 2016 is quickly approaching, beginning this week, February 19th, and ending nine days later on February 28th. Following San Francisco’s anointment as Super Bowl City on January 30th, the city was the center of the American sports world for nearly 2 weeks. Now, as those ceremonies are winding down, excitement regarding a more local-grown type of entertainment will be ratcheting up. Noise Pop has outdone itself in 2016, bringing one of the boldest and most impressive lineups in its prestigious history.

We were lucky enough to chat with Chad Heimann, the sole talent buyer for Noise Pop, so you’ll find some of what he had to say sprinkled through out this preview. Badges are still available for purchase here.

Continue reading

Related items:

[Denver Giveaway] TMN Presents: Inner Oceans w/ Plume Varia, Lizzy Rose @ Lost Lake – 1/29

While much of our writing staff here at TMN is spread across the entire world, we’ve maintained an active presence in the great city of Denver for good reason. For years now some of our favorite producers, DJ’s and bands throughout countless genres have emanated from the Mile High City, and every chance we have to get behind talent which may not have quite crossed over yet to a national audience, is a special one. Inner Oceans have long been a warm staple inside of the talent-rich Denver indie scene with their brand of haunting, synth-fueled minimal indie-pop; and over the course of a few years and several live shows, we’ve seen their project blossom into one of the most exciting bands heading into 2016. In the past few weeks, the Denver based quartet have dropped a pair of singles, “These Dreams” & “Sunbathe” (both of which are included in our mini-playlist below), which both wield more of an upbeat, drum-machine assisted structure which we can tell will add another engaging layer to their already impressive live show. Needless to say, we’re excited about this one.

On Friday, 1/29, The Music Ninja is proud to present Inner Oceans’ uniquely entrancing sound at the Lost Lake lounge in Denver, CO along with the downtempo dream-pop of Plume Varia and the eclectic stylings of Lizzy Rose. If you haven’t caught on yet, there’s nothing we love more than giving our readers a chance to come groove with us at every ‘TMN Presents’ showcase, so we’re giving away not one, but THREE pairs of tickets to see Inner Oceans. 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 Inner Oceans song, and boom, that’s it! And of course we want as many people as possible to come dance with us, so for our friends looking to secure their spot, tickets are only $8.00 and can be purchased using the ticket link 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 Lost Lake door.

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

’Inner Oceans – 8 Cousins’
’Inner Oceans – These Dreams’
’Inner Oceans – Sunbathe’
’Inner Oceans – Ready Your Ghost (Demo)’
’Plume Varia – Clear’
’Lizzy Rose – A New Song’
Related items:

Three Years of Make It Funky: An Oral History [Event Preview + Interview]

mifPosterAs we kick off 2016, San Francisco’s local music scene finds itself in an interesting and exciting place. While the city is a guaranteed stop on any tour, the shifting culture and demographics have made homegrown music movements somewhat rare. Thankfully, though, there are a number of local promoters, brands and general music enthusiasts dedicated to maintaining and evolving SF’s distinct nightlife. The Make It Funky collective are one of several such culture drivers who we’ve had the pleasure of working with over the last year–SF Ninjas may remember our two collaborative showcases in 2015 at El Rio and Brick & Mortar Music Hall or our appearances on their BFF.fm radio show, which led to one of our own!

For the last three years, the collection of DJs and promoters have been bringing house, disco and funk vibes to San Francisco through their own sets and numerous renowned bookings from around the world.This Saturday (January 16th), the Make It Funky crew are celebrating their 3-year anniversary at Monarch with the help of UK-based disco connoisseur Ray Mang. To help you all prepare we’ve decided to revisit some of the most memorable moments of their run thus far. To get the scoop, we caught up with co-founders Michael Fortune (aka Fortune) and Mohit Kohli (OneMoHit). Flip through some epic and, at times hilarious, peaces of Make It Funky history and grab tickets for their upcoming show here.

Continue reading

Related items: