Tag: Electronic Music

MAGIC BRONSON – “FINE LINE”

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We here at Euphoric love the Los Angeles based electronic pop and rock act, Magic Bronson. They’ve played Santa Cruz on several occasions as a touring band and as part of the Santa Cruz Music Festival. Formed in 2012, Magic Bronson began as an electronic duo between producers Matthew Lieberman and Michael Nicastro. In 2014 they dropped their first LP, Wildlife which was named the 14th best Los Angeles record in 2014 by BuzzbandsLA. It has now garnered over 500 thousands plays on Spotify.

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This year saw quite a bit of change and growth for the Bronson. In April they released the Magic Bronson EP and picked up a third member, drummer Michael Brown.

Yesterday the boys posted a new–well, new to us–track on their Soundcloud, “Fine Line.” We say “new to us” because technically it is. As the graphic released with the song says, it’s part of the “Lost Songs 2012-2016” group. An older track for new times and it’s one many of us can relate to. The narrator describes his daily life of waking up “at the crack of noon,” checking texts, and hating the bright sunlight that’s always brighter “when you’re sober.” The chorus is something I know I’ve said many times, “Yeah, I’ve done some wrong/but oooh I’ve done some right/It’s a pretty fine line.” As always, Magic Bronson writes music their audience can identify themselves in but in a clever, upbeat way.

But this leads me to the next question, is this a one-off track they found? Are they releasing an entire album or EP called “The Lost Songs?” According to their Facebook, Magic Bronson is set to push a new album in 2017, but no word as to what it will contain. I’ll keep you posted, Euphorites.

 

The Journey Tour Live At the Catalyst

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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 .

Seven Lions
Seven Lions

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?

Seven Lions Throwing Down
Seven Lions Throwing Down

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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

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

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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

tenntour

 

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.

 

 

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.”

 

Smasheltooth

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.

 

 

ELLUSIVE – SPACE BETWEEN US (FEAT. ERENE)

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There  I was, feeling down on myself because I was recently dumped and figured I’d distract my mind with a little work. I opened Soundcloud to see who has posted the latest in dance music and somehow–maybe a moment of kizmet since it IS Rosh Hashanah (that’s the Jewish New Year for all you Gentiles)–quickly stumbled upon Ellusive’s “Space Between Us (feat. Erene).”

You know that weird moment when you discover a new song that somehow seems to be written about that exact moment in your life? What the fuck, right? How does that happen? Damn you, Ellusive. Ok, maybe that’s a lot of exaggeration considering I’m not that torn up since I’m fairly certain I’m a sociopath, but you get the idea.

Despite the ambushed genital punch in the feels, the track is a 3 min and 44 second monologue, beautifully sung by Erene with the grandiose beats we all love about EDM. Ellusive even throws in a couple of trap beats to keep things interesting and moving right along.

So whether you’re looking for something external to introspectively dive into, or you’re just looking for a smooth track to chill to, don’t shy away from Ellusive. After “Space Between Us,” even I’m looking forward to seeing what else he has up his sleeve.