[Synth-Pop/Experimental] John Maus – Episode

Avant-pop visionary John Maus has lurked around the edges of alternative pop and indie for over a decade. From being Ariel Pink’s roommate at the California Institute of the Arts in ’98, to serving as keyboardist for Pink’s critically lauded Haunted Graffiti band, and performing as touring keyboardist with both Animal Collective and Panda Bear; Maus’ musical credits stretch far beyond most artists operating within the realm of pop.

Maus is getting set to release an already sold-out, career-spanning 6 LP box set on vinyl which includes his latest offering, 2017’s Screen Memories, as well as all three previous studio albums (Songs, Love is Real, We Must Be Come the Pitiless Censors…) and a rarities compilation which will see release later this month. Maus’ latest LP, his sixth full length, Addendum –originally set to be a part of Maus’ forthcoming box set only- will now see a standalone release on May 18th. A collection of B-sides and new tunes, Addendum features 12 additional recordings nestled alongside the tracks that solidified into last year’s excellent Screen Memories LP. Giving us a bit of a taste of things to come on Addendum, Maus has also gifted us with “Episode”, an intoxicating synth-pop movement in which his melodiously vamping vocals float across arpeggiated beats and icy analog synth lines.

Stream “Episode” above, pre-order Addendum here, and check out John Maus’ impending tour dates after the jump.

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[MP3 Playlist] Indie Dojo (March 2017 Round #1)

Welp, March is here. Which means in 2018 alone, we’ve already thrown at least 50 new indie jams your way. And what do ya know, today we’ve got 8 more to add to your musical world. You’re welcome.
’Lunablind
Before We Leave’
’Sales
Off and On’
’Lucy Lu
Golden Prairie’
’Ashton York
L.A.’
’Alex Bay
New America’
’Jessica Walters
The Rip (MIST EP)’
’Nzola
Rise’
’Elsmore Carey
Come On Love’

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[Music Ninja Radio] Episode 105: Eclectic Selections

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 105: Eclectic Selections

Soundcloud || Spotify Playlist  || BFF.fm Archive & Tracklist

This week’s episode featured some serious ketchup across a wide range of sub-genres in indie, hip-hop and house. Highlights include Beach House‘s flawless latest single, Paul Cherry‘s slacker pop, MGMT‘s synthpop anthem “Little Dark Age,” Makeness‘ genre-defying jam, SOB x RBE’s relentless hyphy flows and Crackazat’s jazzy house monster.

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[Event Preview] One Love Festival – Lake Perris, CA – 10/20-10/22

It’s tough to keep up with the seemingly endless supply of festivals. With only a limited amount of disposable income, it’s a challenge to pick and choose which ones are worth your time. The heavy hitters are always a good route, whether it be Coachella or Lollapalooza, but those come with a hefty price tag, and an endless sea of people all jockeying to get closer to the stage.

Lately, we’ve been checking out a few festivals that fall into the “Transformational” space. Aside from offering up a solid line up, they have a little more too offer — yoga, bonding ceremonies, healers, live painting, and more.

In a few weeks, we’re going to head out to Lake Ferris, California, which is about two hours outside of Los Angeles, for the One Love Festival. It covers all the bases mentioned above, delivering programming that goes well beyond music. Not to say that we’re not excited for a few of the acts playing — Moby, Mark Farina, and Alex Cruz are a few that we’ve highlighted. But, the thought of a deeper meaning to the festival experience is something we’re excited about, especially after hitting so many that are just about the music over the years.

To switch our usual routine up even further, we’re going to skip the camping, luxury hotel packages, and the AirBnB rentals, instead opting for a completely unique experience. It’s called the Lost Hotel, and it’s unlike anything that we’ve ever heard of.

You set the scene – each cube tent is a blank canvas. At the Lost Hotel we take an expansive notion of the word art. Surprise us. Shock us. Illuminate us. Do it however you please, and the floor, or at least one square cube of it, is yours. We’re specialized at vacation de-programming and, if needed, can help co-create a new story tailored just for you.

If you’re feeling lucky, or if you’d just like to help out with a great cause, our friends at Cadence & Cause have a handful of ways to get into the festival and support Fuck Cancer, a charity that helps with prevention, early detection, and emotional support for those battling breast cancer. From artist experiences with Alex Cruz, to the ultimate festival experience for four people, you have a chance to have the time of your life, all while helping something that affects us all.

While you’re checking that out, feel free to jam on the little playlist we’ve curated below, and get amped for your time out at Lake Ferris.

’Mark Farina & Homero Espinosa – Mistreated (Original Mix)’
’Xavier Rudd – Follow The Sun (Alex Cruz Official Remix)’
’Alex Cruz – Rubberband (ft. Tania Zygar)(short edit)’
’Rocket Heart Ft Katie Gray’
’Moby – Porcelain’
’Washed Out – All I Know (Moby Remix)’
’The Polish Ambassador, Mr. Lif, Ayla Nereo – Terra Bella – 01 Shine Bright’
’Karma Fields
’Liquid Love Drops and An
ten
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[Event Preview/Playlist] The Underground Music Showcase – Denver, CO

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’
’Brothertiger – Beyond The Infinite’
’Zola Jesus – Exhumed’
’Esmé Patterson – Green Green’
’Red Fang – Blood Like Cream’
’Slow Caves – Glares’
’Povi – 4am’
’Flaural – Culture Ghost’
’RUMTUM – Coastal Hustle’
’Dragondeer – When I See You’
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[MP3 Playlist] Indie Dojo (April 2017 Round #2)

indie-dojo-music-ninja

Got a case of “the I have no idea what to listen to” blues? Well, you’ve landed yourself on the right page friend. Enjoy an Indie Dojo on us.

’Tipling Rock – A Side / B Side’
’Know Fortune – Help Myself’
’Lex Low – Build Me Up’
’Black Fly – I Don’t Know’
’Antony Left – Evil’
’Drew JH York – How Do I Know?’
’Tasha – Naive by The Kooks (cover)’
’Sydney Robinson –
Alexander’

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Light Bodies – Gravity [TMN PREMIERE]

Light Bodies
Gravity

You hear that? It’s the faintest of rumblings coming over the horizon. It brings with it unadulterated freedom and a worry-free vibe that will wash over you in just a few hours. By now you should have guessed it –it’s the weekend and its charge is being led by a phenomenal collection of tunes from the newly-founded Bribery Corporation. If you’re not familiar just yet, don’t worry. This record label/fashion house is set to make a huge splash, as today’s release will indicate.

Dropping as a free download in partnership with BitTorrent, “Gravity” is one of twelve tunes that highlight the tastes of this Miami-based project. Written, produced, and sung by Light Bodies, who has somehow flown under our radar, it was a personal favorite amongst the mix. If this track is any indicator of what’s to come, we can easily assume that it won’t be long before more people start to catch on.

“Gravity” is a sultry stunner, heavily driven by smooth a thumping, seductive bassline, minimalistic beeps, brooding piano chords, and some otherworldy vocals. It’s alluring, but not overwhelming or overdone–a perfect balance of soul-driven lyrics and gorgeous production sure to incite some goosebumps throughout the ride.

If you’re digging “Gravity,” make sure to grab the full bundle on BitTorrent.

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