DENM – DREAMHOUSE EP

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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.

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Hopsin Live at the Catalyst

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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.”

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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.

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SEVEN LIONS X ILLENIUM X SAID THE SKY – “RUSH OVER ME” FEAT. HALIENE

thematweird

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.

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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”

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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.

 

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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

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STICK FIGURE – FIRE ON THE HORIZON (LABRAT REMIX)

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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!

 

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Peaches – Live at the Catalyst Club 10/4/16

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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.

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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)

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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.

 

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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!

 

Ghastly – Fuk Watchu Think (feat. Jameston Thieves)

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Born David Lee Crow, Ghastly grew up on a farm in Arizona with 650 cows, a humble beginning for someone who would become a major name in today’s Los Angeles Bass scene. Named after the “abominable and a little bit atrocious” decisions he’s made, Ghastly has released singles on such major labels like OWSLA and Dim Mak.

Two days ago he released his latest track on OWSLA, “Fuk Watchu Think” featuring producer, Jameston Theives. The three and a half minute track is a sonic boom of sound. Your classic party track that continues from beginning to finish without letting up. Taste a little bit of euphoria on this lovely Sunday afternoon. Just don’t overdose on the bass.

The Pirate & Smasheltooth: Booms & Claps Mix Series 19

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The Booms And Claps mix series is the brainchild of BoomsAndClaps.com, self-described “bass nerds” who realized they wanted to show listeners a new world of bass, trap and electronic music. So far they’ve featured artists such as Aztek, Shiny Things and Tiger Fresh and the websites features interviews with Euphoric favorites like Lafa Taylor and G Jones.

Mix Series 19 features another two of our personal favorites: The Pirate and Smasheltooth. For years this DJ couple has dropped beats throughout the Bay Area along with festivals like Northern Nights and the Santa Cruz Music Fest. While they don’t always perform together, the rare times I have seen them co-DJ at Motiv in Santa Cruz, it’s a musical treat to be heard. Lucky for you, this is just what they did for the latest Booms And Claps installment.

 

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First and foremost, the mix kicks-off with an adorable intro by their neighbor’s child that can make even the coldest of hearts giggle with innocence. Smasheltooth starts first with the two switching between 15 minute sets, gracefully transitioning into each other’s music.

“Smash mixed in a lot of well curated club bangers including trap and Southern hip hop” Pirate says. “So I came in with the booms and claps of the Northwest Bass Scene.”

 

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But don’t expect this to be your run-of-the-mill bass set because these two always have something new up their sleeve.

“The last track is BSN Posse out of Milagro, Spain,” Pirate explains. “It has this beauty to it and sounds like what you’d expect to be playing on European beaches.”

 

 

SNAFU – STREETWISE/WTF (FEAT. LIL’ FLIP)

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If you’re from the Bay Area, then you already know the name Snafu. Born in the Midwest, the electronic hiphop producer and dj has called San Francisco his home since 2014 and has been hitting the scene with ferocity ever since. But i won’t get much into his details because Euphoric reporter Sam Working already did that earlier this year in this great interview.

On Sept 22 Snafu released two, brand-spanking new tracks on Play Me Records and I swear summer was back because they are HOT. . .ok. I apologize for that horrible metaphor. It won’t happen again.

The first track, “Streetwise,” is a slamming drum & bass track that will get even the EDM haters nodding their heads to the beat. His breaks and builds are fresh and strange, leaving a lasting impression in the mind of his audience.

“WTF” is my favorite of the two, however. What can I say? I’m a sucker for hiphop and heavy, thunderous beats. Lil’ Flip’s lyrics and delivery flawlessly flow over SNAFU’s mix of rap beats and wigged-out electronic noises. It’s boom. It’s hard. It lives up to it’s name. But don’t take my word for it. Press play and tell me what the fuck you think.