Friday, May 2, 2014

Led Zeppelin - "Thank You" - Song of the Day - (5/2/14)

"Thank You" signalled a deeper involvement in songwriting by singer Robert Plant: it was the first Led Zeppelin song for which he wrote all the lyrics. According to various Led Zeppelin biographies, this is also the song that made Jimmy Page realise that Plant could now handle writing the majority of the lyrics for the band's songs. Plant wrote the song as a tribute to his then-wife Maureen. - WIkipedia

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Pretty Lights' - "New Moon Same Dark" - Song of the Day [05/01/2014]

Pulling a B-Side track from Pretty Lights' newest album A Color Map of the Sun, "New Moon Same Dark" is a brooding down-tempo track from a special Record Store day release called "The Hidden Shades".  Definitely a bit darker with an old-school PL feel, but a track that evokes a distinct mood.  Something not accidental from our man Derek Vincent Smith...


Sonic Bloom Festival - The Unified Field - June 19-22 @ American Safari Ranch - South Park, CO (Preview)

Sonic Bloom Festival 2014
Preview By: Troy Manley
Sonic Bloom Festival is back once again and this year it is taking place on the summer solstice! The summer solstice is the longest day of summer because the sun is at its highest point in the sky, making it the perfect weekend to get down and rage with your homies! 

Taking place at a new location than last year, Sonic Bloom will take place at American Safari Ranch in South Park, CO. "Featuring a breathtaking 360 degree mountain panorama and views of the continental divide, this new site is South Park is purely Colorado. The site allows for on-site parking, a new limited car camping option, (no more shuttles!) plus VIP on-site lodging packages complete with an indoor saloon, an expanded workshop series, more art installations, a larger main stage for even more epic performance spectacles and all accommodations and camping / car camping / on-site lodging options are just a short walk to the stages!

In his only appearance in Colorado in 2014, Dave Tipper will be performing his only 2 sets in Colorado for all of 2014, each with a special visualist: Android Jones for one set and Johnathan Singer - Live Visual Artist for the other." The lineup also sports the likes of EOTO, The Polish Ambassador, OPIUO, Ott., Random Rab, Zion-I, Michal Menert Big Band, Zoogma, Unlimited Aspect, and many more - with yet another wave of artists featuring another headliner to be announced! 

In addition to the stellar music in store the weekend, the festival also offers revitalizing yoga, stimulating workshops, and glorious art installations. Conscious Alliance and Sonic Bloom have teamed up once again for an "Art That Feeds" drive through which patrons that donate 10 non-perishable food items will receive a free limited edition Sonic Bloom poster by an artist yet to be determined.

 Sign up for Sonic Bloom's newsletter to receive updates, announcements, and festival news as they become available! Do that HERE.

Go "like" our Facebook page and "follow" us on Twitter to catch your chance at snagging a free pass to this incredible festival!




Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Elliphant- "Down On Life" Song of the Day (4/30/14)

Swedish artist Elliphant blends harmonic vocals with electronic beats to develop her unique sound.
Sit back and tell your friends...



















Method Man & Redman w/8Ball & MJG @ Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom - 4/20/14 - (Review)

Review By: Kenny Emmer
It was a big weekend for Denver and the rest of CO, as hordes of tourists and artists alike flocked to the colorful state to partake in the now legal marijuana festivities. Countless shows took place all across the state in celebration including 2 performances by Wu Tang Clan's own Method Man joined by Def Jam alumni and musical partner in crime Redman. With local rap artist LilyFangz and 90s rap duo 8 Ball & MJG opening up the afternoon with throwback beats and clever lyricism. It sure felt like an old school underground hip-hop show, and there's no better venue to perpetuate this vibe than Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom. As expected, the ballroom was filled with haze as people lit up in celebration of the holidaze. The sold out show was packed full of good vibes and good music. Method Man & Redman were ready in full force to put on both a terrific performance and a party for the attendees. Meth & Red performed classics such as "How High" "Da Rockwilder" and "Y.O.U" as well as many others. In addition Method made sure to drop certain Wu Tang classics from Raekwon's "Ice Cream" to "Method Man" and the late ODB's "Shimmy Shimmy Ya". The duo were supported by 2 unbelievably talented DJ's, who put on their own spin-off which had the crowd on their toes. It was an awesome experience to witness such an awesome show on such a memorable day.  Colorado was definitely the place to be for 4/20. And it was one I won't forget.

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Bonobo - "Cirrus" - Song of the Day [4-29-14]



This is not only a great song but an incredible visual experience. Bonobo makes great mellow electronic music, go check out more on the official youtube channel or on soundcloud here



Collie Buddz Exclusive Colorado Performance w/Live Band & The ReMINDers w/Liberation & Courier @ Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom - Denver, CO - 4/18/14 (Review)

Review By: Troy Manley
Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom, located within the old Casino Caberet building on Welton Street in heart of downtown Denver, was home to a SOLD OUT performance by Collie Buddz backed by a live band - the only show he played in Colorado with the talented band. Also on the plate for the night were The ReMINDers, Liberation, and Courier.

SToK - a main sponsor for the event - had a table set up near the entrance where they were offering concert-goers some free gear. THESE specifically - I got myself a whole set. Fuck yeah :). Courier was already on the mic by the time we got into the main room. This Denver local has a deep rooted love for hip-hop and was quoted as saying: "I have learned so much from hip-hop and really look forward to everything it has to offer me. I get lost in it." Throughout what I caught of his performance it was obvious he was displaying his heart and soul while putting it all out there. I can only see good things coming in this dude's future.

Courier On Stage
Liberation opened their set by asking the crowd if they like reggae music, naturally the crowd responded enthusiastically. I tried searching for this band online but I had some difficulty locating them, so I can't really tell you much about their background. However, their show had it awesome points and its not so awesome points. For some of the songs they had a member of the band rapping. Although not bad, he definitely wasn't anything spectacular. Fast forward a couple tracks with him rapping. The lineup has shifted a bit. Rapper is back on bass and the guy playing bass previously is on an electric guitar lined up with a microphone. This is when their show got good. The guitarist had an awesome voice and the group sported a couple backup vocals - none of which were rapper man - that took it home. Their drummer and keyboardist were no jokes either. My only complaint was their bassist, the rapper, seemed to be unable to assume a role alongside the other musicians in the group while not rapping. He constantly trotted around stage around the guitarist/lead singer, who was stationary in the middle, coming to the forefront asserting himself for the crowds attention. Not too sure what the deal was there, but either way, when he wasn't rapping, this group killed it the reggae game. I would love to see these guys get at it again.
Liberation 
Up next for the night were The ReMINDers. Here's a short bio piece from their Facebook page: "The Reminders are a rare and remarkable musical duo seamlessly blending soulful sounds and roots music with insightful messages and thoughtful lyrics. The group consists of Brussels-born emcee Big Samir and Queens-born emcee/vocalist Aja Black, a collective creative force that’s hard to beat. Big Samir weaves intricate rhythmic patterns with a bilingual French/English flow, displaying his street-smart credibility in both his lyrics and cool demeanor. This is beautifully complimented by Aja Black's confident delivery, diverse cadences, and unique vocal stylings. The two have an undeniable magical chemistry as they share more than lyrical abilities and stages; the couple shares a partnership in both music and life as Samir and Aja have been married for almost a decade." These two kill it on stage. Aja's voice is spine-chilling and Big Samir's delivery plays off and emphasizes her skills even more. Having never heard of this group before I was definitely impressed and am looking forward to exploring more of their music - while I encourage you to do the same.

The biggest surprise for the night was a local group call Eldren. They were performing on Cervantes' Other-Side, a smaller stage located in the same building as the main stage that is accessed through a small door in the back of the venue. Self described as "a psychadelic dream rock super pop soundgasm that will grip your eyes and ears and leave you trembling with a sense of wonder and want." Let me say, that is pretty accurate. These guys were awesome! They were all dressed up in similarly odd attire, 1 female & 6 males - 3 of which sported hair past their shoulders. I missed some of The ReMINDers' set due to being entranced by these mystical beings on stage at Cervantes' Other-Side. Can't wait to make it out to Denver again to check these guys out for an entire show.
Taken From Eldren's Official Facebook Page


"Born Colin Harper in New Orleans, LA to a mother of Bermudian heritage with roots on the island dating back to the 1700s, his father passed away while Collie Buddz was at the tender age of four. At that time, his mother moved the family back home to Bermuda. It wasn't long before Buddz discovered more than his Bermudian heritage. Introduced to Reggae music by his older brother, Matthew, affectionately just known as "Smokey," by the tenderfoot age of 12, Colin Harper quickly learned his way around a music studio. It soon became apparent to everyone within earshot of the boy that his voice was unique in a way that lingers long after you've heard him." Just a snippet of the biography afforded to fans on Collie Buddz's Facebook page, it offers a small bit of insight for the listener. His live performance was spectacular, his voice sounded better than it does on his studio recordings - which is rare for his genre. You name it, he played it - all the hits. To make it even better, he had a live band supporting him. The guitarist was incredibly talented, and the drummer really held everything together. There was also an additional female vocalist on stage to provide some support for Collie Buddz throughout the show. For some odd reason it felt like he had said good-bye to the crowd and left the stage multiple times at the end of his show before exiting with no return. Didn't really understand what that was all about, but all-in-all it was an awesome performance by an extremely talented vocalist.  

Cervantes' did it again and lined up an incredible show like always. Should never expect anything less.

Collie Buddz

Monday, April 28, 2014

George Watsky Live @ Knocksteady - Song of the Day - (4/28/14)

Lyrical genius, George Watsky, stopped by infamous YouTube channel, Knocksteady Live, for an exclsuive performance. Solid way to start your monday.

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Timothy Howe and Zach Dyer - "Hearts on Fire" Song of the Day [4/27/14]

Tim and his good friend Zach Dyer join forces for an epic cover of "Hearts on Fire" by Ed Sheeran. If you live in the Twin Cities area be sure to keep an eye out for this budding musician. Check his Facebook for events here.





















Friday, April 25, 2014

Tipper & Android Jones Live @ Infrasound 2013 - Song of the Day - (4/25/14)


British producer, David Tipper, is known for playing live performances that consist of mainly his own unreleased tracks. He's also known for his out of this world visuals. Yup, this video about says it all. 

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Griz just dropped a new track... "Throwback"

Literally only minutes old, this new track from Griz is hot off the presses.  Let us know what you think.


A Big Gigantic Documentary - Song (Movie) of the Day - [04/23/2014]

A cool short documentary on the Big G Family.  Why we love them, and why we should love each-other.

A little peak inside the minds of the #ABGF

Helena @ Rev Ultra Lounge - Minneapolis, MN 4/25/14 - (Preview)


This enate prodigy redefines magnetism in music! UK born, Australian bred and now Los Angeles based, HELENA dominates with her sound as one of EDM’s most prominent DJs and electronic producers.
Showcasing her depth with electro, progressive and house beats she stands her ground with finesse. Booked on Ultra Music Festival’s main stage in 2013 while musically annihilating studios around the world, the anticipation is high with young signings to Sony Music, Mutants, Big & Dirty and Basik Rkrds.
Forthcoming releases with John Dahlback, Basto and Nilson on ‘Whattup!’ shouts her sound on high demand. Signed in the USA with SPIN Artist Agency, her first tour ravaged Lavo New York & Las Vegas, Mansion Miami, Playhouse LA and San Diego’s Voyeur. Backing it up this standout reigned in the love setting ablaze her own shows at Marquee Nightclub and Marquee Dayclub Las Vegas, together with Benny Benassi and Avicii, Pacha and Marquee New York, and guns blazing throughout Mexico, Chicago and Seattle. No stranger to adrenaline on a grand scale, this boss of electronica captivates arenas at Australia’s largest music festivals like Stereosonic, while recently announcing her national spot on the Future Music Festival tour in 2014.
Seducing dance floors worldwide, HELENA amplifies the battlefield, extending her tour reputation across every continent with her musical fusions. Taking the reigns, it is no doubt the sublime musical selection that lies within this untamed vanguard’s sets originate from a perfectly organic talent within. From a young age her classical skills on the cello and piano amplified into more when teamed with an electronic barrage.
Out on Australia’s grand-scale club brand Onelove HELENA’s debut single ‘Girl From The Sky’ has contributed to the musical asset HELENA is, sitting pretty at #1 on the Australian Club charts for four weeks. Her remix of Jono Fernandez & Pauls Paris feat. Amba Sheperd ‘Let It Out’ also smashed the chart’s top ten while climbing high on Beatport. Her single ‘Detox’ with Disfunktion on Onelove was dropped, roping in support from Tiesto and Nicky Romero. Being Pioneer Pro DJ’s leading ambassador, it goes without saying, the globe’s hottest acts have never been more than an earshot away of lady luck. Out on Sony’s Basik Rkrds in late 2013 sees Legend, while Breathe on John Dahlback’s Mutants is on the next drop.
Tackling electronic dance floors head on, this musical empress will be of sheer importance to speakers near you.
Plus special guest:
Dani Young - https://www.facebook.com/daniyoungmusic

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

The Underachievers @ Cervantes' Other Side (4-13-14) [Review]


Review By: Justin D'Amico


Monday night was a good one for underground hip-hop in Denver at Cervantes' Other Side. The night included Denzel Curry, Dillon Cooper, Azizi Gibson, Prawphit, and The Underachievers headlined. This was a part of the ongoing "Eyes of the World Tour" traveling all over the country.


The openers were extra hype for this stop on the tour. For a Monday night you couldn't find a more lively crew the hang out with. There was a lot going on with so many artists preforming, limiting sets to about 30-40 minutes. The people were highly responsive to the requests of the MCs all night. Every time they asked for hands up the whole room followed along.


The Underachievers is a New York based duo of lyricists that go by the stage names AK and Issa Gold. They represent a psychedelic hip hop style and throw mad shout outs to the "Beast-Coast". The Underachievers took the stage a little bit after eleven and went until closing time. The set started with an impromptu smoke session as fans passed their blunts and joints to AK and Issa Gold. It got to a point where The Underachievers had to pass on the smoking in order to keep it real and finish the set proper.






Be sure to check out The Underachievers and their current Eyes on the World Tour when they come to your city. If your thing is underground hip hop, these two have some sick flows to bob your head to. For the people in the Denver area, stay on the up and up with Cervantes' Other Side and the Masterpiece Ballroom for more underground hip-hop concerts. 





Zeds Dead - "Rude Boy" Song of the Day [4/23/14]

"Rude Boy" awesome song, awesome group!! Turn it up and enjoy....

















Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Com Truise - "Chemical Legs" - Song of the Day [4-22-14]



Chill out with some Com Truise today. His music is perfect for melting away into a musical dream world. A common theme for Com Truise songs is an incredible 80's synthesizer melody. His library is full of excellent music with an old school feel, and who doesn't love a good throw back to simpler times. Go get more smooth beats on Com Truise's soundcloud page here.



Seven Lions @ First Ave - Minneapolis, MN 4/25/14 (Preview)


"Seven Lions is quickly taking the dance world hostage with his deep, soulful, hybridized creations – at times elegant, at others pulverizing – all distinctly his own. Seven Lions’ Polarize EP, one of the most promising releases of the last year in the EDM world, just dropped in April and has already garnered praise for its melding of main room bombast with a very sensitive, human touch.

For Seven Lions (neé Jeff Montalvo) ‘fast’ is an understatement for how his work has spread virally amongst fans of trance, dubstep, and everything in between. The 25 year old California native has been the center of attention as of late but has maintained a humility throughout. The artist released an unofficial remix of Florence and the Machine’s “Cosmic Love” in March and has been a runaway YouTube hit as Florence’s vocals align perfectly with the producer’s yearning, sinewy compositions. Following the release of the Polarize EP (which charted in the top 5 overall charts on BeatPort), several of his productions are at any given time on the BeatPort dubstep Top 30.

His international following has grown exponentially over the past few months -everything from getting airplay on BBC’s Radio1 to headlining seminal clubs in the States and elsewhere, but this is no overnight success story. It started early on in his life when, at age 7, his father brought home the family’s first computer: a Macintosh and keyboard. After playing in metal and punk bands throughout middle school and high school, Montalvo segued into production in his late teens. “For me, it was the most accessible thing, to start picking up something like drums as opposed to something like electronic music. My transition out of playing with a band was because I got tired of waiting for my band all the time — I wanted to just start making music so I started composing electronic music by myself,” Montalvo explains.

After a friend gave Montalvo the program Fruity Loops, he began experimenting with industrial drum beats and toying with genre cross-pollinations. Montalvo attended his first rave in 2007 and was immediately inspired to produce trance. However, he slowly found that broken beat came more naturally to the drummer-at-heart. “It’s more like playing a real instrument, as opposed to doing the four-on-the-floor disco beat. It’s more natural for me,” he says. Not long after, his remix of Above & Beyond feat. Zoe Johnston’s “You Got To Go” served as his breakout hit and introduction to the EDM world. “I won the official remix competition, which is how I got involved with [Above & Beyond]. I don’t know if they were expecting the track to do as well as it did. But it definitely got their attention, and now they’re wanting to work with me more.” 

That the remix “did well” is an understatement — typical of the soft-spoken Montalvo. The meteoric track sat at #2 on Beatport’s Dubstep chart for over 6 weeks, second only to Skrillex’s remix of “Levels”, with hundreds of thousands of listens on YouTube. From metal band member, to solo industrial producer, to a trance-dub trailblazer — he’s already achieved quite a diverse oeuvre, but his work seems to be only beginning. An innovative, fresh-thinking producer, Seven Lions is one of the more beautiful but dance-centered artists you’re likely to discover for a while."




Monday, April 21, 2014

Chris Robinson - "Sugaree" - Song of the Day [04/21/2014]


Chris Robinson and girlfriend Allison Bridges will be having a child in early 2010.

For many of the readers of this site, Chris Robinson and his bands are probably not all that familiar.  He is one of the most talented singer/songwriter/guitarists of our generation.  Dolling our bluesy rock tunes that simply rock.  This particular performance was from the El Rey theater in LA back in 2003.  Soak up this jam and tell me the man can't rock out with the best of them...

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Kill Paris - "The Walk"



Here's a brand new catchy beat from the master of nu-funk music, Kill Paris. "The Walk" has a perfect bassline and synth combo for an excellent nu-funk flavor. Kill Paris always comes up with smooth melodies and this is another example of why he is one of the best. "The Walk" will be part of a new EP called Foreplay set to release through OWSLA on April 29th.

Daft Punk's Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger (Dillon Francis Remix) - Song of the Day [4/17/14]



Known in part for killer remixes of iconic EDM tracks, Dillon Francis takes on Daft Punk's mega hit "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger".  Thought the remixing isn't overdone, it definitely brings a different vibe to the track.  A definite trap feel and a solid down-tempo back beat make it notably Francis.