Home Blog Page 19

Kachina share bonus track from upcoming EP ‘Love Hz’

0


UK trio Kachina have announced their new EP Love Hz, to be released on the 4th August via NexGen Music’s sub-label Affectionate Grooves.

The EP features a bonus track which will be available as a free download via Nexgen Music’s Soundcloud and website. The atmosphere and theme of the EP sees the trio exploring darker realms, and the album’s definite tribal undertones are an outstanding vehicle for Kachina’s basslines and rhythms. Laced with deep atmospheric sounds, Love Hz encompasses the same rhythmic decadence we’ve come to know from Kachina.

Kachina formed in Leicester in 2014 after Rob Sparx and Zurcon found common interest in drum and bass, dubstep, grime and dub. Zurcon has shared festival bills with Prodigy, Orbital, Dave Angel, Judge Jules, Paul Oakenfold, BT, JFK, Carl Cox, Grooverider, Finley Quaye whilst Sparx has performed supporting slots for the likes of Skream, Benga, Fresh, Borgore, Qbert, Chase n Status, Nero and Phalaeh. Together, Kachina has collaborated with Synkro, Nero, Bar9 and Distance.

“Love Hz” EP Tracklist:  
01 Number 1 Sound
02 The Devil
03 Tribes
04 Love Hz

Follow Kachina:
WebsiteFacebookTwitterSoundcloudYoutube

INTERVIEW // We catch up with Back2Black

0

Back2Black is a duo consisting of two young Italian producers, Samuel e Fabrizio. They met by accident on the internet via social networks and thanks to the passion for the same musical taste.

It’s a project born about a year ago, during which they released several tracks and signed remixes on labels such as GURU Recordings, BIG & DIRTY, Gold Digger, EGO, and Doner Music amongst others. They’re last track has been also supported by great DJs like Oliver Heldens, Mightyfools and many more.

Hi there, how are you and what are you up to today?
We are great, thank you . As always we’re working hard in the studio.

To those not familiar with you, how would you describe your sound?
Groovy. An energetic sound but with a dark mood .

What are the 5 albums that have influenced you the most?
Daft Punk – Homework
50 Cent – Get Rich Or Die Tryin’
Blink 182 – Enema Of The State
Green Day – American Idiot
The Notorious B.I.G. – Ready To Die

Which other artists are you into at the moment and why?
We are always focused on Tchami’s stuff , and all the artists under his label Confession. They all have their unique style and they always release tracks with a never heard sound .

Are there any key pieces of equipment that you are using to define your sound?
We mainly use computer based virtual instruments . We love Serum plugin , we use it a lot .

What would you say some of the challenges artists face today in the music industry?
The biggest challenge is to achieve originality . Nowadays there is just so many people that make electronic music , so I know there is the risk of resembling each other . Everyone tends to imitate world famous producers but an artist should try to propose his own sound to break through .

Where do you gather songwriting inspiration?
Generally what we create comes from our mood at that moment , a sort of energy that makes us to pull out our emotions , turning them into tracks .

Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting your music together?
There are no particular steps in our producing process . We could start from a sample , from a weird sound, anything . There are no rules when you make music . Just express yourself and what are you feeling at the moment .

What’s the best gig you have ever done and why?
As Back2Black we haven’t performed anywhere yet , but we’re really looking forward to it .

And the worst?
….worst is yet to come!

If you weren’t a musician what would you be?
Samuel – Interior designer .
Fabrizio – I never had a plan B .

Do you have any information regarding upcoming releases, projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?
We have an upcoming release on Klosman label (GURU Recordings) on July . We are also working on a collab with a cool Swiss duo . We are working very hard . Can’t wait to show you our new tracks.

Follow Back2Black:

Spotify

Eyes Everywhere Release ‘Talk / Cold Bug Out’ via Psycho Disco

0


Eyes Everywhere teamed up with Treasure Fingers’ Psycho Disco! label to release their new EP “Talk / Cold Bug Out.” The two track project fuses house and tech-house pulling it’s influence from Chicago and Detroit style four on the floor.


“Talk,” is a vivid tech-house heater that pays homage to the energetic and dark modern electronic music scene where they developed their techno and house leanings.


Brian and Kyle were raised in and by the City of Buffalo, a place known as much for humble and honest work as it is for raucous parties. Rooted in everything from crust punk to trance, they aim to approach dance music with an attitude free from pretentious discord, and love a dj booth at ground level with an intimate crowd as much as a full production festival stage setup.


Having played globally recognized events like Holy Ship, Camp Bisco and HARD Summer while riding on the shoulders of popular electronic fusion giants like Fools Gold and Main Course, the boys have recently settled down to more organic sounds of techno and house, closer to the music of the Toronto clubs of the 2000’s where they got their introduction to dance music.


2016 and beyond have welcomed this change, with recent signings to hallowed California label Desert Hearts and groovier original and remix work for bassier imprints such as Sweat it Out and Box of Cats. Bookings from Los Angeles to Brooklyn and everywhere in between bring crowds, large and small, the natural byproducts of seven years of collaborative efforts with a message of love and remaining to true to self.


Last year the duo released with tastemaking labels Desert Hearts, Sweat It Out, and Box of Cats.  This year, they’ve already teamed up with Golf Clap on a collaboration (“Bout That”) out now via Toolroom, that debuted as Pete Tong’s Essential New Tune on Radio 1.


Out now, the EP’s first single, The B-Side, “Cold Bug Out” bounces across different influences, with a bassline and drums that carry an 80’s influence to soaring 90’s rave synths.




INTERVIEW // We Catch Up With … Forbid

0
21-year old DJ/producer  Forbid has spent the last few years experimenting with different styles and genres. His sound has emerged as a unique blend of stripped back house and bass music. Having performed all across the UK and in Europe, he has garnered support from the likes of AC Slater, Chris Lorenzo, Sinden and Maximono. With multiple DJ residencies throughout the UK, Forbid is proving himself to be a producer with a laser precise focus on his career in the industry.

We chatted to him about his music and future plans…
Hi there, how are you and what are you up to today?
Hey! I just got back from a short trip to Rome so I’m catching up on laundry and spending the day with my family as it’s Father’s Day in the UK 🙂
To those not familiar with you, how would you describe your sound?
Mainly anywhere between 120bpm & 130bpm, sexy, raw, stripped back house & bass music.
What are the 5 albums that have influenced you the most?
There’s so many more than 5 to count, BUT if I had to rank them in no particular order they would be Madonna’s Self-Titled Album in 1983, Nicki Minaj’s ‘The Pinkprint’, Skrillex’s ‘Bangarang’ EP, Busta Rhymes’ album ‘The Big Bang’ and Chris Lorenzo’s ‘Destroy The Image’ LP.
Which other artists are you into at the moment and why?
My brother’s Albzzy, Ben Rainey & Dion Timmer are all slaying the scenes they’re involved in so it’s super inspiring to see that.

Are there any key pieces of equipment that you are using to define your sound?
I produce digitally, so for me the Korg M1 plugin is (most of the time) my go to weapon, but it can get repetitive fast so trying new plugins and software can benefit in keeping things fresh and also boosts my creativity.

What would you say some of the challenges artists face today in the music industry?
Getting recognition! The currency of the underground music scene today is “recognition” and “exposure”, but they don’t pay the bills unfortunately ¯_(ツ)_/¯ I think that has a majority to do with the fact that so many young and new producers will DJ/perform for free, it’s now kind of become a granted.

Where do you gather songwriting inspiration?
Anywhere, I can be asleep and think of a track idea, or walking down the street – mainly my ideas never come to me when I’m IN the studio, so I’ve learned my creative process is to quickly craft ideas on the go and finish the best ones when I’m in the studio.

Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting your music together?  
Mainly it’s first the drums or melody line – but it can vary from song to song, I think that’s a given for all producers that there’s no set way we make a song.

What’s the best gig you have ever done and why?
Probably Belgium, the room was huge and it was packed full – I was playing and didn’t know there were pyrotechnics so when they went off during my set I almost burnt my eyebrows off in the process of getting a tan *insert shades emoji*

And the worst?
Never had a bad gig! All gigs are so much fun whether 3 people or 300 people turn up!

If you weren’t a musician what would you be?
A drag queen.

Do you have any particular gigs or festivals that you dream about playing?
Leeds Festival, Shambhala, Sonar Festival, Parklife.

If you could perform alongside any other band or artist, living or dead, who would it be?
Probably RuPaul, that could turn into SUCH a f***ing performance.

Do you have any information regarding upcoming releases, projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?
Everything is under wraps at the moment as I’ve learned it’s better to announce things when they are set in stone and 100% confirmed.
Follow Forbid:

Rad Cat To Release Self-Produced Single ‘hater’

0

Christian Ariza, aka, Rad Cat, is known as a producer with a vision. Utilising his signature sound and carefully constructing it to complement a diverse range of styles, his insightful approach to production separates him from his peers. ‘hater’ is his new single – to be lifted from UNTITLED, his self-produced EP which will be released on 20th July.

Drawing influence from the likes of Flume, Mura Masa and Jai Wolf, amongst others, UNTITLED engages the listener with its evocative future bass potency. Its pacey kinetic basslines, flecked with his signature attention to detail are a strong illustration of RAD CAT’s idiosyncratic sound design.

Having played Crssd Festival (with headliners Flume, Duke Dumont, AlunaGeorge and Bob Moses) Rad Cat has garnered support from the likes of ElectroPose, YourEdm, Stereofox, This Is My Jam and others.  With over 1, 5 million Youtube views and production credits for artists such as Blackbear, Kevin Gates, Travis Mills and even adding a Mike Posner feature in the mix, the sky’s the limit for Rad Cat’s potential.

Listen to ‘hater’ below, see what all the fuss is about and buy here:

Follow RAD CAT:
Website: https://www.radcatmusic.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rad.Cat.Music/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/radcatmusic
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/radcatmusic
Instagram: http://instagram/iamradcat

Listen To Das mörtal’s ‘Always Loved’ – OUT NOW!

0


Das mörtal’s much anticipated album,  Always Loved  has been released via Lisbon Lux Records. ‘Midnight Rendez-Vous’ (ft. French Fox) – the first single taken from the album,  has already garnered attention with its edgy music video, featuring a balaclava-wearing couple creating mayhem on a night out. 

Drawing influence from the 80s (Depeche Mode and Skinny Puppy) and 90s (The Chemical Brothers, Aphex Twin and Boards Of Canada), Das mörtal’s individual style brings together the best elements of Berlin’s techno scene and 80s movie soundtracks: driving beats and rich, expansive synths – two aspects that are very apparent on this album.

Described as “a moody, emotive album full of rubbery arpeggiated synths and explosive drum hits” Always Loved was produced with the help of French Fox (one half of Lisbon Lux Records, who has previously aided bands such as Le Couleur and Beat Market.)

Always Loved Tracklist:
01 Midnight Rendez-Vous (feat. French Fox)
02 Backseat Love Affair
03 Bedtime Intimacy
04 Dark Valley Intercourse
05 Jennifer
06 Risking My Life (feat. Ghost Twin)
07 Youth Escape
08 The Curse
09 Final Survivor Girl
10 Midnight Rendez-Vous (Outro)

Listen to Always Loved and buy here:


Follow Das mörtal:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dasmortal
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dasmortalmusic
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dasmortal
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRlipsbz6aygI426aJJPe8A
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dasmortal/

FEATURED VIDEO // Clark’s ‘PEAK MAGNETIC’

0


“For a record to have such a bizarre, profound (and not always entirely pleasant) impact is a rarity; for the same record to boast such a catalogue of eminently danceable, cathartic moments is astounding.”  – Loud And Quiet

This the review of Clark’s new album Death Peak, released on 14 May by Warp Records. The video for ‘Peak Magnetic’ was directed Sander Houtkruijer and features dancers Kiani del Valle and Sophia Ndaba who are currently touring with Clark and his stunning live show featuring the choreography of Melanie Lane.


Catch Clarke Live. Tickets here.
July
07 –  Katowice, PL @ Nowa Musijka Festival
08 – Manchester, GB @ Manchester International Festival
16 – Cluj-Napoca, RO @ Electric Castle Festival  
22 – Brescia, IT @ MusicalZoo festival at Castello di brescia
August
24 – Montemor-o-Velho Castle, PT @ Festival Forte

Interview // Daniel Clarke of NexGen Music Group

0


Ever wondered what it takes to run a successful label? So did we, so we managed to pin down Daniel Clarke, owner and founder of NexGen Music Group.

With over a decade in the industry, he has brought us releases from across an array of genres with his prolific label outputs – Migration Recordings (Dubstep/Bass/Future House), AffectionateGrooves (UKG/House/Dance) , and NexGen Records(Drum & Bass).

What was the inspiration behind starting your own music label? How has the experience measured up to the original ‘vision’?

Well, I grew up in a musical family. Both my mother and father were heavily involved in music, and they are still even to this day. I guess you could say that music has always been in my genes.

Quite early in my life at around the age of nine, I developed my own taste in music and began following late 80’s and early 90’s UK dance and underground music. I was lucky enough to be a firsthand witness to the evolution of early Dance, Acid House, Rave, Hardcore, Breakbeat – and later Jungle, Drum & Bass, and UK Garage. I spent a lot of time in my early youth and teens, tuning into London’s pirate radio airwaves such as (Kool FM and Upfront FM), hanging around niche record shops such as Bluebird (Bromley), Wax City (Croydon), and Nicky’s legendary Black Market Records (Central London), and of course raving/clubbing. I also became an avid vinyl junkie and had amassed over 20,000 records of mostly underground music before I migrated over to the US in the early 2000’s.

With all of this music around me serving as influence and inspiration, my idea and passion for wanting to start a label was pretty much there from day one. However, it wasn’t until Hardcore and Jungle evolved into early forms of Drum & Bass (which was the sound that totally blew me away), that I started my journey into music production and later setting up and running a label.

After running a record label solidly for over 10 years now, I often think about and analyze the second part of your question. Is running a label anything what I expected it to be? I’m not really sure, I guess I didn’t really know what to expect. But what I can definitely say is that boy have things changed from the day I first got started!

While I started the label in the UK back in 2001, NexGen became “official” in 2006, after I moved across the Atlantic to New York City in 2003. It was right at the time where digital and peer-to-peer file sharing was becoming a huge issue for the music industry, and right on the cusp of where vinyl sales were starting to go into a massive decline. When you sell 20,000 copies of your first release and then struggle to sell 500 copies by the fourth, you realize that a major shift is occurring – and you’re caught right in the middle of it! Since then we’ve evolved into our new age of online music streaming services (offering pennies on the dollar for plays – a completely off-topic subject, but perhaps worth mentioning). It’s all pretty amazing to see and feel the force of these shifts over the past decade and a half.

With all this being said, I was far too passionate and determined to give up my dream of running a label so quickly. So… I decided to ride the wave of evolution to see where I could take it, and here we are 11 years later!

What do you feel are the elements an artist needs for you to sign them?

Hmmm, that’s a toughie. Keeping it short and sweet, for me you’ve got to have a sound that is just simply… special. It is really hard to describe what “special” is, but you just know it when you hear it – irrespective of the artist’s musical background and experience. I love it when you can tell that an artist is really “inside the machine,” and that they are taking the time to go deeper and wider with their sound. I for one love artists that record and manipulate their own samples, as opposed to producing with sample pack downloads and standard presets.

Ultimately, I would say that it is a combination of not only the production, but also the methods used in creating the composition. Another way of saying this is: the quality of the creation process is equally as important as the quality of the output.

Read the full interview on The Playground.

INTERVIEW // We Catch Up With… Mark Fanciulli

0

Mark Fanciulli only put out his first record in 2011. Such was the reaction to “The Tide,” though, that it was immediately apparent dance music had a new star. Since that debut on Joris Voorn’s influential Rejected label, Mark has gone on to become a taste making talent in his own right. Humble and hardworking, his mission is to create singular sounds that stand out both on the dance floor, but also at home, and he has continued to do that across the course of an assured run of EPs.

Chief amongst those are tracks like “Sacrifice” on Saved Records and a first release on Carl Craig’s globally acclaimed techno label Planet E. Inhabiting a creative nether region between house and techno, they are tracks that fill rooms with physical drum lines and lithe synths and never fail to make floors move. And it’s the same when Mark DJs: whether he is playing to thousands in Buenos Aires, enchanting underground crowds at Output in New York or breaking new ground in Singapore, he is a supple selector who reacts to the moment, feeds and teases those front of him and looks outside the norm for his weaponry. Crowds at influential parties like WMC, Sonar and Ministry of Sound will all attest to that.

2017 will bring with it a third EP for Joris Voorn’s Rejected Imprint, following releases on Planet E, Suara and his own label Between 2 Points, again confirming that Mark Fanciulli is an artist with skills, sounds and selections well beyond his years in the game.

We caught up with him to chat about his music, songwriting and the future…

Hi there, how are you and what are you up to today? 
I’m good thanks. I am just in the studio finishing up some new productions and I’m also getting my music ready for my set at the “Bal En Blanc” festival in Montreal this weekend.

To those not familiar with you, how would you describe your sound?
Across the board House & Techno. This is what my label “Between 2 Points” stands for.

What are the 5 albums that have influenced you the most?
If we’re talking artist albums here’s a selection…..
1) The Neptunes Present…..Clones
2) Beastie Boys – Ill Communication
3) Snoop Dogg – Doggystyle
4) Aphex Twin – Selected Ambient Works 85-92
5) Dr Dre – 2001

Which other artists are you into at the moment and why?
Truncate. His stuff is so raw and original.

Are there any key pieces of equipment that you are using to define your sound?
I use the Jupiter 8 plugin on a lot of my productions. It is great for an array of sounds whether it’s bass, pads or strings.

What would you say some of the challenges artists face today in the music industry?
The fight to stand out and move forward. The entertainment industry has always been like this but in our sector it has grown exponentially.

Where do you gather songwriting inspiration? 
A lot of my productive juices flow when I’m travelling, whether it’s on a plane, train, or in a car. I released a track on Carl Craig’s Planet E imprint a few years ago called “Helsinki”. That’s because I was on a flight home from there whilst writing it.

Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting your music together?
When I usually start work on a new record I like to work on the groove first, whether it’s the bassline or lead hook. I will load up some very simple drums just as a guide and work it from there.

What’s the best gig you have ever done and why?
Tough question, but I recently played at The Social Festival in Bogota and that was unreal. It was a real pinch yourself moment playing to thousands of people in a hangar out in Colombia.

And the worst?
Hahaha, I won’t share that one as I wouldn’t want to embarrass the promoter.

If you weren’t a musician what would you be? 
An Accountant or maybe even a Pilot.

Do you have any particular gigs or festivals that you dream about playing?
All the time. There’s lots of things I would like to do and as you tick them off there’s a big satisfaction. One event that I would like to play at is Movement in Detroit.

If you could perform alongside any other band or artist, living or dead, who would it be?
I would pick Laurent Garnier. He’s a genius behind the decks and always delivers. He’s the DJ’s DJ.

Do you have any information regarding upcoming releases, projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?
I currently have a remix out of my friend Zoo Brazil which demonstrates me doing the more Housey side of things and I also have an EP out on Argentinian label Rules which is the other side of the spectrum. Gig wise I’ll be in Canada this weekend and June will be spent across Europe including shows at some of my favourite venues such as Culture Box in Copenhagen and Cafe D’Anvers in Antwerp.

Follow Mark:

HVNNIBVL’s new single – Listen to ‘On & On’

0

HVNNIBVL has just released his new single, ‘On & On.’ Fresh from the oven, this accessible track has a future bass sound with pleasant pop undertones.

Based in Buffalo, NY, the 20- year-old artist has already garnered attention with previous release ‘Lose’ on Artist Intelligence Agency, which charted at  #6 on Spotify’s Most Viral Tracks in June 2016, racking up over 600 thousand streams and propelling it into Spotify’s Fresh Finds Playlist.

Hailing from an artistic family, the young artist acquired his first drum set at age 3, and exposed to many different genres of music, he became fascinated by the way in which sound affects people. This lead him to choose a career in music, even while still in Business school. His natural ability to produce and create beats, as well as his constant work in developing his own niche, lead to the release of his debut album in 2015, Pacific Dreams in which he sang, wrote, produced, and mixed in its entirety.

‘On & On’ has already garnered the attention of tastemaker  publications, and was giving the following praise by YOUR EDM: “Featuring a cavalcade of musical influences and an ever-evolving stylistic focus, the song comes as one of the most powerful on HVNNIBVL’s impressive roster of work.”

By ‘On & On’ here, and follow HVNNIBVL.