In the EDM world, there are bangers and then there are BANGERS. “We Are the Future,” the latest mix by Without Wings–released through Tektite Music–is most definitely in the second category. Heavy beats, catchy breakdowns, slow builds and the simple-yet-hypnotic lyrics that repeat the track’s title all add up to a hell of an earworm. It’s not reinventing the music scene, but it certainly pumps us up to kickstart our day and get ready for the party tonight. We couldn’t find much on Without Wings–or basically nothing to be exact–but we’re keeping our ears open for some future tracks. Check out Without Wings’ latest track now before the future is past.
Month: October 2016
SPOKEN BIRD – MOMENT OF CLARITY (CloZinger Remix)
A few hours ago The Untz dropped the premiere of CloZinger’s remix of Spoken Bird’s “Moment of Clarity.” Here’s a little back story.
Spoken Bird is a DJ and Producer from Berkeley, Ca. He hit the scene a few years back now and has proven himself to be an innovator and pusher of new and interesting sounds. His heavy bass beats mixed with eclectic music styles and instruments–“Moment of Clarity” begins with an almost gypsy-like melody complete with accordian–rise him to the top of his class.
CloZinger is the collaboration project made up of two artists, CloZee and Scarfinger, both from Toulouse, France. Both respected artists on their own in their country, the two decided to combine efforts in 2013. After two years, they dropped their debut EP, OVIATION, exploring the music and sounds of electronic, hip hop, glitch-hop and future bass.
“Moment of Carity (CloZinger Remix)” is a beautifully done track that combines the best of all the artists involved. It still amazes me out instrumental music can paint such a wild and imaginative portrait in one’s mind when we finally choose to give in, relax, and euphorically listen.
The Journey Tour Live At the Catalyst
I only first heard the name Seven Lions a month ago when I agreed to work the up-coming (now past) The Journey Tour show at the Catalyst Club. In all honesty, I didn’t even hear his–aka Jeff Montalvo’s–music until I wrote that last article about him the day of the show. Shit, I was missing out. But of course, you all probably already know that .
The 28 year old producer and DJ is one of the most talented on the scene today. Much like his hometown of Santa Barbara, Montalvo blends a concoction of different influences into a sound that’s glaringly rare and undeniably catchy. Since he hit the scene in 2010, the DJ who once told YourEDM.com “I’m too weird for the mainstream,” has torched his way through the underground by drawing from all aspects of the Electronic arena: trance, house, bass, dubstep, trap and many, many more. He might not be mainstream in the sense of Drake or Kanye, but he’s a big raft on a different stream altogether. And after all, isn’t one of the attractive aspects of this culture the fact that it’s something entirely on it’s own, unattached to the shit shoved down our ears on the radio?
Anyway, I digress.
Needless to say, I was amped going to work last Tuesday (10/18/16). Even after I heard it was sold out–which usually means a shit show–I was still amped. Surprisingly, it wasn’t a shit show at all because–not surprisingly–everyone there was looking for a good time of dancing, tripping and fun.
Scottish musician, GRUM, opened the night with a striking set, followed up by Unlike Pluto. Danish and Norwegian duo, Pegboard Nerds, rounded up third with their poppy and chaotic, video game sounds. Even after hours of solid dancing, the 800 person crowd went nuts as Seven Lions took over the deck. For an hour and a half he flowed a solid set in his signature style and busted out many crowd pleasing remixes. The Journey Tour continues until Dec. 2, so treat yo self to a ticket if it passes through your town. After all, don’t you think you deserve it?
DENM – DREAMHOUSE EP
I’m holding you all responsible for not telling me about DENM when he dropped his debut EP, Dreamhouse in August. Ok, now that I’m late to the party I’m going to assume at least some of you out there are in the same boat I was just hours ago.
There’s not much press online about the Los Angeles DJ and producer, but his music speaks for itself. Songs like “The Feeling” and “I Like It” make me think this is the type of music Prince would be making if he was just emerging onto the music scene. The tracks are upbeat, catchy, dripping with sex and full of the untz we all love so well. And how can you go wrong with lyrics like, “blood stream in my veins/takes you right into my brain” or “you’re the smoke inside my lungs/take a hit of your crazy love”?
Something tells us this is one artist we’ll be talking about again in the very near future. Just make sure to tell your friends Euphoric introduced you to your new favorite artist.
Hopsin Live at the Catalyst
If you don’t know Hopsin, you apparently don’t listen to hip hop. No, not that shit the radio, television and the clubs force down your throat. I’m talking about real hip hop, raw and straight from the underground. The type of rap that calls out the bullshit, questions reality and tells it like it is.
Anyone who is familiar with the Los Angeles artist knows that Hopsin tells it like it is. From his critical “Ill Mind of Hopsin” tracks to his “Kill Her” track–about Eazy-E’s widow after Hopsin’s falling out with former record label, Ruthless Records–, he holds no punches and says whatever the fuck he wants. And afterall, isn’t that what hip hop is supposed to be?
Birthed in the run-down streets of New York and Los Angeles, it emerged 30 years ago as a public awareness announcement about how life really was for millions of people in this country. After decades of mainstream co-opting, the genre has turned into a glorified commercial, promoting alcohol, partying and acquiring material possessions most Americans will never be able to afford. Thankfully, Hopsin rejects all of it. This is the same dude that once tweeted, “I can’t stand Hollywood bitches. Show your worth through your mind not your jewelry, fake friends and your fake tits.”
On October 7, 2016, Hopsin played a killer show at the Catalyst Club in Santa Cruz to fans excitement. This was my second time seeing him live and once again, he did not disappoint. His energy and anger was in full form and he blazed through a set of fan–and his own–favorites throughout his career. He’s easily one of the best rappers performing today, even if the radio won’t play his tracks. Shit, that just makes him more credible.
SEVEN LIONS X ILLENIUM X SAID THE SKY – “RUSH OVER ME” FEAT. HALIENE
Sometimes a song is perfectly named and “Rush Over Me” by Seven Lions, Illenium, Said The Sky and featuring Haliene is just that: a rush of melodic beauty.
I find it an interesting track because normally you don’t see that many producers on one song. The old saying, “too many cooks spoils the soup” easily translates to music as the medium is filled with collaborations that look good on paper but make your ears want to commit hari kari (Metallica and Lou Reed, anyone?).
However, “Rush Over Me” is different.
It flows softly, building up to a powerful rush guided by the producers and captured with Haliene’s voice. Even the image chosen for the track encompasses the song nicely. It would be the perfect track to play at a fest under the Northern Lights.
Seven Lions–aka Jeff Montalvo from Santa Barbara–has built his career blending trance and dubstep for a personal style that resonates with listeners. His second EP, Days To Come made it to number 10 on the Billboard Electronic Chart and he was named “America’s Best DJ” in 2014 by DJ Times.
It makes sense that he would work well with Illenium (aka Nick Miller), a bass producer from Colorado who got his start after seeing once Santa Cruz DJ, Bassnectar, at Red Rocks in 2012. Earlier this year, Illenium dropped his debut album, Ashes, which received critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, Billboard and others.
While not much could be found about Said the Sky (aka Trevor Christensen), I was able to find out he is also a Colorado native (maybe that’s how Illenium knows him?). It seems he’s still coming up in the scene but has already released a grip of remixes and original tracks on his soundcloud.
Haliene is an amazingly powerful and seductive singer who made her break with Seven Lions, last year. Since then she has gone on to work with Illenium (separately from this track), Breathe Carolina and other award-winning artists. Definitely someone we will be seeing more of in the very, very near future. Especially if “Rush Over Me” is just a taste of her talent.
But wait, there’s more! If you’re in Santa Cruz, Seven Lions will be playing at the Catalyst Club TONIGHT for you to get your trance on. See you there!
Tennyson – “Your Eyes feat. Njomza”
The future belongs to the youth and Tennyson is proof. Although they hit the scene four years ago, Canadian brother and sister duo–Luke and Tess–are currently only 20 and 18, respectively. Since their self-titled debut, Tennyson has taken the scene by storm. People like Flying Lotus have praised them and mainstream media outlets like NPR and the British Guardian have featured their raw, jazzy music.
Three days ago the prolific group dropped “Your Eyes (feat. Njomza)” on OWSLA. In true Tennyson fashion, Luke’s creative and feral production with Tess’ steady drumming for a track infused with one-of-a-kind energy. But what sets this track apart is Njomza’s visceral singing, softly sinking her teeth just enough to draw blood from the music.
It’s the perfect song to sit back and contemplate the meaning of it all while the rain drizzles down on a grey day like the one we’re having in Santa Cruz, Ca. Some might even call it euphoric.
Be sure to check out their North American tour happening now!!!! For you Bay Area folks, they play San Francisco on 10/27/16
STICK FIGURE – FIRE ON THE HORIZON (LABRAT REMIX)
http://hypem.com/track/2jk0n/Stick+Figure+-+Fire+on+the+Horizon+(LabRat+Remix)
At this point, LabRat has become a familiar name with Euphoric readers. The Bass producer and DJ is not only a Santa Cruz local artist, but also easily one of our favorites. Throughout the years we’ve kept a chronologue of Labrat’s happenings, from when we first met up with him in , to Northern Nights, to his latest release, Hold The Phone.
Well today, he does it again. Hypem.com just posted his remix of fellow California, reggae artist’s, Stick Figure, “Fire on the Horizon” off their Set in Stone EP. And readers, it burns evenly to the last beat. Dreamy beats remixed with Stick Figure’s clean and introspective lyrics lightly glide the song’s embers deep in to the mind’s dry brush. An inferno is ignited and after 4 consecutive straight plays, we still can’t get enough. Enjoy this one, burners!
Peaches – Live at the Catalyst Club 10/4/16
After being a fan for years, I finally had a chance to learn the teaches of Peaches in person. Friends, let me tell you, it was everything I’d hoped for and more.
For those of you who haven’t listened to new music in twenty years, Peaches was born in Canada and cut her teeth in the underground electronic scene before moving to Germany where she was signed to Kitty-Yo. It was here that she released her iconic second album, The Teaches of Peaches.
Brash, unapologetically sexual, catchy and smart, Peaches music decimates boundaries and questions everything. Since writing such hits like “Fuck the Pain Away,” she has gone on to take the world by storm. This year she released her sixth album, Rub and set off on a world tour.
Peaches opened up with the title track off her new album, complete with a giant fury suit that could’ve been a second-hand Sesame Street costume and it only got more fun from there. Throughout the show a male and female dancer would accompany her through outfit changes of giant vaginas, multiple breasts, leather harnesses and then full-blown on-stage masturbation at the end. For the first encore, opener Christeene–with her own sexually charged and envelope-pushing ways–joined Peaches before she closed the show with “Light in Places” complete with the house lights off and laser-flashing buttplugs inside all three performers.
Throughout the entire show the audience was wildly dancing and free, celebrating themselves and the gift of being alive. Liberation is a wonderful thing, my friends. Never be afraid to push your boundaries or else you’ll never know if your unbreakable. Peaches is a testament to that. If you can catch her on the remaining part of her tour, we euphorically suggest you do so.
NGHTMRE & BOOMBOX CARTEL – AFTERSHOCK (WILLY JOY REMIX)
What better way to start your day than with a pumped-up remix? Good Enuff–the sub-label to Diplo’s Mad Decent— has you covered as they just posted a brand new Willy Joy remix of the Nghtmre & Boombox Cartel track “Aftershock.” Although it’s roughly a year old already, Joy gives it new life with his chopped and screwed ways proving what geologist have been saying for years: sometimes the aftershocks are stronger than the quake.
If Willy Joy isn’t a household name yet, just wait. the Chicago-based producer and DJ has been hustling in the scene for five years. In the last two his career began to take off with remixes of Flosstradamus and A-Trak along with his own “Geeks” on Fool’s Gold.
So grab your coffee, roll a spliff, do some sun salutations and blast this on high for a euphorically good time. Namaste Motherfuckers!
weirdjournalism.com 