[Interview] TMN Gets To Know Zach Maxwell

It’s no secret that unearthing new and exciting artists is the main vein running through the pages of TMN. Sometimes an album strikes you just the right way, providing our ears with a dose of dopamine, while also signalling a wealth of untapped potential. One such artist and album is Zach Maxwell and his recent Music for Life EP. A songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, Maxwell’s music manages to flit around the edges of multiple genres while offering a completely unique scope to listen through. Recently, Maxwell has been converting his recordings into a live setting behind a highly buzzed about residency in Denver at the eclectic Your Mom’s House venue; building loads of Mile-High hype over the past year.

Zach Maxwell will be playing the final show of his residency this Saturday, June 16th at Your Mom’s House, and we had the chance to sit down and get to know the burgeoning artist a little better before this weekend’s show. Read our interview with Maxwell below, and be sure to listen to Music For Life streaming on all major platforms.

The Music Ninja: First off, thanks so much for taking the time to sit down and chat with us a little bit. We’ve had the chance to listen to Music For Life a few times through, and more layers seem to reveal themselves with each passing listen. With this being your first official release more than a single, can you speak to the writing and recording process? Was your process any different trying to make a cohesive multi-track statement, or were things pretty routine when it came to getting the individual tracks in order for Music For Life?

Zach Maxwell: Thanks so much for the kind words about Music for Life! I’m glad that more and more layers are revealing themselves in subsequent listens.  It’s interesting, the process for making this EP was super nonlinear for me. Before I decided to release this EP, I spent a few years just making music that I wanted to listen to.  Just flowing with whatever vibe I was feeling on whatever day I happened to be making music. After a few years, I had 100’s of songs to choose from and realized it was probably time to put some of them out in the world! In listening to all the material I had made, certain songs seemed to fit together as a unit more than others.  I wanted my first release to be something that was more of an offering to the listener as a complete unit with a message versus a bunch of songs that I happened to like and put together. Additionally, my friend and longtime music Veteran Jayson Jackson helped me curate the songs and put together something that worked together. So the process was more working backward than thinking from the get-go that I was going to put a collection of music together.

’Zach Maxwell – Are You?’

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[MP3 Playlist] Indie Dojo (May 2018 Round #4)

Looking for some new jams to freshen up your indie collection? Well, we think you’ve come to the right place, friends. Enjoy the indie freshness of the Indie Dojo on us.
’Laureline – I Love You’
’Alfred Hall – Since I Saw You’
’Macajey – Journeys’
’Gaspar Sanz – Watch You Go’
’Fool Child – Dance On Your Own’
’Young Gun Silver Fox – Just a Man’
’Juan Solorzano – Should’ve Been You’

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[Synth-Pop/Experimental] John Maus – Running Man

Much to this writer’s delight, we’ve had the chance to shine a welcome light on visionary producer, songwriter, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist John Maus in these recent months. With an impending long-player, Addendum, due out May 18th; we’ve been offering a few pieces of that one, including “Episode”, in the wake of its buildup. A collection of B-sides and new tunes alike, Addendum features 12 additional recordings from his Screen Memories sessions including this latest offering, “Running Man”.

Sharing an aural aesthetic with the 1987 film of the same name, “Running Man” layers staccato synths atop one another and over glistening pads & shuffled percussion all heavily steeped in reverb-y delay. Maus experimented working with an all-analog batch of synths to create his last two records, literally building every rumbling, squelch and blip from the ground up before turning them into full, cohesive movements; and his uniquely personal touch towards his production methods is felt in every inch of his latest works. In anticipation of Addendum‘s release, Maus will be conducting a Reddit AMA via /r/indieheads on Tuesday, May 5th at 5:00 p.m. Eastern; so for our redditor family, polish those questions up and be ready for tomorrow. Until then, stream “Running Man” below.

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[Music Video] Son Lux – The Fool You Need

Son Lux, the genre-skirting synthesis of Los Angeles composer Ryan Lott along with the help of New Yorkers, Rafiq Bhatia on guitar and drummer Ian Chang, have stormed into both this year and this writer’s headspace like a symphonic speeding bullet. Coming off of the heels of an excellent 8th album, Brighter Wounds, which saw release in February, the hyper-talented trio has been garnering loads of worthy critical acclaim in the months since; while touring internationally almost constantly since its release.

Recently Son Lux unveiled the visceral visual accompaniment -directed by Jean-Paul Frenay-  from one of Brighter Wounds‘ standout tunes, “The Fool You Need”. The video, which opens with some rather jarring imagery, fits like an unlikely puzzle piece atop Lott’s cleverly fractured drum patterns and aching vocals. When asked about his work, Frenay relayed that he visually interpreted the track to mirror the endless circle of life, love, and death that it so tragically captures. Son Lux will be maintaining their presence on the road, getting ready to kick off a co-headlining tour with indie-pop princess Kimbra come May 12th. Stream the video for “The Fool You Need” below and check out their forthcoming tour dates after the jump.

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[MP3 Playlist] Indie Dojo (May 2018 Round #2)

Hello and welcome to the wonderful weekly Indie Dojo. Maybe you’ll find something you like, maybe you won’t. The good news is, there’s always next week.
’Otta – small hours’
’Fake Shark – Wake Up (Feat. Fionn)’
’Dutchkid – Glow’
’Agua Roja – Be Alone’
’The Boy and His Dog – I’t Be A Fool’
’Ryvoli – Sleep Talking’

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Lords Of Acid – So Goddamn Good [TMN Premiere]

Lords Of Acid
So Goddamn Good

As far as electronic music goes, Lords Of Acid is an act that’s up in the Pantheon as they have been around since the late 1980’s. They’ve continued to amass a catalog of unusual works and this year it’s going to grow immensely with a new project, Pretty In Kink.

Today we have the honor of premiering a piece of LP by way of the single “So Goddamn Good” that is not so subtle in its provocative nature. But when are Lords Of Acid ever the ones to be subtle? Their mind-bending attitude fits well with their music, certainly with regard to this exciting sexual creation. If you’re feeling frisky, mentally undress yourself and get busy with the latest from Lords Of Acid.

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[MP3 Playlist] Indie Dojo (April 2018 Round #4)

The weather is warming, festivals are happening & Indie Dojos are a plenty (check out our archive under the “playlist” drop down menu above). Pretty sure were over here living our best lives.

’Dirty Nice – EDIT’
’Tom West – Got It Cheap’
’Rosie Mankato – Dont Be Mad’
’Water Slice – This Way’
’Savi Minds – DREAMING’
’Tom Francis – Pieces’

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