Latest Synth-pop Posts

[Electronic/Pop] Goldroom – Lying to You (RAC Mix)

Posted by Matthew Bloss - October 19, 2016

Goldroom
Lying To You (RAC Mix)

Josh Legg’s bedroom recording project turned full-fledged live troupe, Goldroom, has been a mainstay for years here at TMN. His brand of syrupy-slick, dancefloor-directed electro-pop has captured the hearts (and ears for that matter) of listeners from a plethora of genres. Whether it’s the indie archetypes, bubblegum pop consumers, or underground dance fans; Goldroom’s sounds has a resonation that few “dance” acts could dream of achieving. No doubt part of that luster and allure comes from the seemingly endless malleability of a Goldroom tune. Legg’s polished singles can be flipped, chopped and beefed up in so many different directions; and they have been as well. On the heels of a debut long player, West of the West, and accompanying national tour with Autograf (tour dates are listed below), Goldroom’s “Lying To You” has been scooped up by another one of our favorite producers, Andre Allen Anjos -better known to the world simply as RAC.

With similar yet opposing structural aesthetics, RAC remains true to the essence of Goldroom’s original recording, but whereas its counterpart is a slow-burning slice of 80’s nostalgia with a contemporary vocal, Anjos minimalizes his approach even further using a rolling synth punch and flitty pad work to make his mark. We’re big fans of both, but a fresh coat of RAC wax on a tune always stokes our fancy. Listen to RAC’s remix above, and check out the dates for Autograf & Goldroom’s tour below.

Goldroom + Autograf On Tour:

10/19: Madison, WI @ Liquid

10/20: Omaha, NE @ Slowdown

10/21: Denver, CO @ Cervantes

10/22: Boulder, CO @ Boulder Theatre

10/25: Kansas City, MO @ Riot Room

10/26: St. Louis, MO @ Firebird

10/27: Oklahoma City, OK @ OKC Farmers Market

10/28: Austin, TX @ Vulcan

10/31: Albuquerque, NM @ El Rey

11/02: San Diego, CA @ Observatory North Park

11/03: Los Angeles, CA @ The Novo

11/04: San Francisco, CA @ The Fox

11/05: Arcata, CA @ Arcata Theatre

11/09: Eugene, OR @ HiFi Music Hall

11/10: Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom

11/11: Vancouver, BC @ Imperial

11/12: Seattle, WA @ Neptune

[Event Review] TMN Gets Transformational at Symbiosis Gathering

Posted by Geoff Byers - October 14, 2016

When we finally drove over the Bixby Creek Bridge in Big Sur, we were only riding on a couple of hours of sleep. My business partner and I were already sixteen hours in for the long trek from the Arizona desert to Northern California’s lush Symbiosis Festival. When we finally made it to the gate a few hours later I found myself surrounded by waves of exuberantly dressed people of all shapes and sizes; I couldn’t help but feel like an outsider looking in.

This was my first transformational festival, but definitely not my first transformational experience. Fifteen months earlier I was living and teaching my way through Asia. I’ve meditated with Tibetan monks in Dhramshala, India and trekked through the Himalayas in Nepal. I mean, what could Symbiosis really offer me that was new I found myself wondering.

Yet, when I finally broke through the line and got my wristband, I began to notice; it was like driving into a dream. Not just one dream, but a patchwork of other people’s dreams.

Continue reading →

[Event Preview] Phantogram w/ The Range – 10/12 – Fillmore Auditorium – Denver, CO

Posted by Matthew Bloss - October 11, 2016

2016 has been a giant, defining year for both Phantogram -the shape-shifting pop duo comprised of Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter, and Brooklyn based genre-eschewing producer James Hinton, better known as The Range. Both acts have jumped out of the gates with strong album entries to their name: Phantogram’s Three and The Range’s Potential, and on the heels of those worthy LP’s they’ve just kicked off a joint North American to pace the Fall season. Tomorrow night in Denver, at one of the city’s most notable and storied venues, Phantogram and The Range bring their opposing yet suitable sonic aesthetics to the Fillmore Auditorium for the tour’s second stop, and our Ninja feathers are rather ruffled with anticipation.

While Phantogram have for years layed their stamp as perhaps the most notable U.S. electro-pop darlings turned mega stars; it is The Range that has our interest thoroughly piqued. The aforementioned Potential, is a journey in textures and sounds, carefully steeped in history and samples. Relatively new to the landscape of exciting producers, The Range and its LP counterpart Potential carry with them a lush, weighty backbone and the kind of genre splicing usually reserved for more seasoned producers with decades invested in the game. After a couple of listens it starts to become pretty clear why we’ve been hearing terms like “digital archaeologist” get thrown around when describing The Range’s sound. Needless to say, we’re rather prepped for this one tomorrow night, and to get the ball rolling, we’ve put together a mini playlist below highlighting some of our favorite cuts from both artists. Tickets to the show can be found here, and a complete list of Phantogram and The Range’s tour dates can be found here.

’Phantogram – You Dont Get Me High Anymore’

Soundcloud

’The Range – Florida’

Buy

’The Range – Naught’

Soundcloud

’Phantogram – When I’m Small’

Buy

’The Range – Copper Wire’

Buy

[Festival Review] CRSSD Epic Weekend Recap

Posted by TMN Staff - October 7, 2016

(PC: Felicia Garcia / CRSSD Fest)

San Diego’s Waterfront Park hosted its fourth CRSSD Fest this weekend, a place that’s become home to lovers of electronic music across the entire Southern Californian region. Maintaining a similar aesthetic to the previous CRSSD festivals at the park, the scene was filled with feelings of a tropical escape, an escape that differs only so slightly from that of the city the event is held in, but it’s the difference that gives patrons a feeling that they’ve left home and arrived at a new one. The lineup, as always, was stacked with legends and exciting up and comers alike. TMN had the opportunity to check out the show, and we’ve got a full run-down below.

The fest kicked off its first day with huge names like MK, Justin Martin, Miike Snow, Cashmere Cat, and Bonobo. As per usual, Dirtybird showed up in big numbers, and Justin Martin’s set and Shiba San’s set were ones to remember. There’s always something so special about the Dirtybird crowd. Knowing that all of your lives were probably touched at one point by Shiba’s track “OKAY” is a strong bond that not many other labels can achieve, and Shiba’s set was filled with all the depth and bass one would imagine. Justin Martin’s headlining set drew crowds that were worthy of his talent, and the set was an hour and a half of pure bliss. And while Justin Martin was taking everyone on a journey at one side of the festival, house music legend Marc Kinchen (aka MK) was giving everyone an education on the other side of the fest. Pioneering house music with tracks like “Always” from the 90s, MK has his finger on the pulse of house music now more than ever. We were ecstatic to see him headlining, getting all of the glory that he deserves.

Continue reading →

[Electronic] W I S H I W A S – I Want To Believe (Ft. Cameron Walker)

Posted by Ivan Chung - October 7, 2016

W I S H I W A S
I WANT TO BELIEVE (Ft. Cameron Walker)

Soundcloud

Following the success of “We’re Better Than This” and “Cutting Ties”, LA-based producer Wish I Was is back again with another collaboration with singer Cameron Walker, and this might just be their best work yet.

“I Want To Believe” is like The Postal Service meets EDM. A delightful piano melody starts off the tune together with Cameron’s alt-pop vocals. The chorus features a dance beat and sliced up vocal synths, providing an infectious melody perfect for a love song. A series of robotic Daft Punk-like vocals follows and shows the level of production going into the vocal work.

Wish I Was is hitting a home run with this latest release. If you dig his stuff, make sure to check out his On My Mind album released earlier this year.

Former Faces – the Runaround [TMN VIDEO PREMIERE]

Posted by Clayton Warwick - October 5, 2016

Former Faces
the Runaround

Soundcloud

If there’s one thing we love here at TMN, it’s breaking brand new artists. We view premiering a debut track like a badge of honor adorning our shinobi shozukos. Before you pop open a fresh browser for a google search, we’re, of course, talking about the traditional ninja outfit, which we most certainly wear while blogging and completing stealthy missions in pale moonlight.

Enough about us, though. We’re here to talk about the very first offering from Ryan Parmenter, aka Former Faces. What’s been described as a “study in dreams and memories crossing paths,” this project from Silverlake-based multi-instrumentalist and vocalist had us swooning within seconds, and we’re pretty sure you’re going to follow suit.

“the Runaround,” which is self-written and self-produced, is the first taste of what’s to come. With a sensual, groovy, and delicate soundscape, Parmenter’s vocals really come front and center. However, while they’re certainly noteworthy, the true hero in this piece is the well-comprised balance of his enchanting lyrics, smooth percussion, break-beat synths, haunting vocal harmonies, and accentuating spoken word samples. All-in-all, it’s a complete track through-and-through, which has us waiting anxiously for the next release.

Recorded music aside, this act has plans for a live show, brought to life with the help of David Lee (guitar), Brian Blake (bass), and Abraham Kim (drums). Before they dial in that performance, though, you should pry study up on some lyrics. Luckily for you, we’re making it easy on you. Just look below.

Photo Credit: Ian Flanigan

[Chill] Julian Maverick – Move Magic

Posted by Clayton Warwick - October 1, 2016

Julian Maverick
Move Magic

Buy

Julian Maverick is providing us Yanks with one hell of a way to ease out of our Saturday morning hangovers, and he’s doing so all the way from Melbourne, Australia.

If you haven’t caught on to this chilled out, golden-voiced, budding artist just yet, don’t worry. With only seven releases to date, you’re getting on the train well before the masses, which inevitably will follow suit shortly.

“Move Magic” moves along with ease with a sultry, deep bassline, tribal-style percussion, and, of course, his completely enveloping vocals. Its laid-back vibes could easily be served for kicking back at home as you come back to reality, leading up to a big night out on the town later tonight, or celebrating one of those rare, warm, fall days we’re currently witnessing in the Mile High City right now.

Make sure to follow Julian on Facebook and SoundCloud to keep up on future releases, live shows, and general goings on.