Champagne Drip - "Love In" - Song Of The Day - 4/30/15

Mad Decent artist Champagne Drip is a bit unknown to most, but the tunes being put out are unbelievable. The genre labeled as "Future" seems to be taking over. Many say Flume has a large part with originating the genre and turning it into something worldwide, but I believe it's a very shared contribution from all of the amazing artists pushing out this feely genre. Vibe out to "Love In" below!

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Peter Bjorn and John - "Young Folks" - Song of the Day - [4/29/15]

Peter Bjorn and John have one of the catchiest indie rock songs in recent memory with this track "Young Folks." The band is comprised of Peter Morén, Björn Yttling, and John Eriksson, so you see how the group's name came about. It's hard to believe, but it's already been about 8 years since their album Writers Block was released. This is the official music video for "Young Folks" it's a clever animation that turns the lyrics into an ongoing dialogue between two people as they become friends and more. Peter Bjorn and John have a great sound for festivals with large crowds to sing and whistle along to. The melody that is whistled on "Young Folks" is almost impossible to not join in with. This song is so uplifting with a subliminal hippie happiness built in. Get more up to date by browsing the official Peter Bjorn and John website. Be cool.

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Dog Blood - "Next Order" - Song of the Day - [4/28/15]

Dog Blood is still a bit under the radar, having done very few performances live and with only a handful of releases. That's not to say the two producers involved haven't been very busy. If you don't know yet Dog Blood is a duo of Alex Ridha (Boys Noize) & Sonny Moore (Skrillex). Both are huge names in electronic music and also both run record labels - OWSLA and Boys Noize Records. There are a couple notable shows coming up this summer for Dog Blood. One is Hard Red Rocks in Morrison, Colorado. The line-up is huge this year for Hard Red Rocks also including - The Glitch Mob, Porter Robinson, DESTRUCTO, Branchez, and Option 4. Another big show is Movement, formerly called Detroit Electronic Music Festival, it's a huge rave in downtown Detroit at Hart Plaza. The Dog Blood style is described as "Middle Finger Music" because it says FU to the main stream. Definitely go check them out if you get a chance this summer, they always throw down fresh beats.

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Boaz Van De Beatz - "Guappa" (feat. RiFF RAFF & Mr. Polska) - Song Of The Day- 4/27/2015

Happy Monday everyone! Today's song of the day comes to us from Boaz Van De Beatz of The Netherlands. At the young age of 13 Boaz was already producing music. He has risen to become one of the hottest Dutch producers creating his own unique sound. He first was released on Jeffree's and now stepping up to Mad Decent. Boaz Van De Beatz has had the opportunity to work with big names like Diplo, Jack U, and Major Lazer. "Guappa" was recently featured in the last Skrillex Selects playlist and when I heard it I knew I had to share it. "Guappa" is a hard hitting trap track and to top that it has RiFF RAFF and Mr. Polska to bring it to a whole new level. I can definitely see how he is influenced by major artists as well as some from his home country. Follow him on soundcloud so that you can stay on top of all the new music coming from Boaz Van De Beatz. Enjoy!
 

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[Leftovers] Savant - "Up N' Smoke"

Oh my! Savant just dropped a bomb track called "Up N' Smoke" last week. This is a single that is a commissioned track not affiliated with SectionZ Records. The drop is a new type of moombahcore only Savant could dream up, and of course dazzling video game sounds blended in too. I can never get enough of Savant, and luckily he is never tired of creating new songs. The thing that makes Savant so amazing is his pace in creating new music as well as the detail in mastering. He is consistently releasing 3 or more albums a year, all while touring and putting out countless singles in between. Just search for yourself and you will find days of Savant music to listen to. Savant's soundcloud alone has over 200 tracks of his on it, and that's just a start.

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Birdy Nam Nam - "Defiant Order" - Song of the Day - [4/26/15]

This video is nuts, some people are fearless when it comes to controlling a manipulating powerful machines. You might have heard of Birdy Nam Nam from the huge hit they had as a result of a Skrillex remix for the song "Goin In." They are a French band made up of DJ Need, DJ Pone, Crazy B, Little Mike and together they create an awesome funky electro music with some glitch-hop feels too. The group's gets their name from a line by Peter Sellers in the 1968 film The Party. This is the official music video for "Defiant Order" put out through the OWSLA youtube channel. If you are a producer go to the exclusive website for Birdy Nam Nam and there you can enter a remix contest to put your spin on "Defiant Order." Even if you aren't a producer you will want to peep it out here.

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Sub Focus - "Tidal Wave" featuring Alpines - Song of the Day - [4/25/15]

This is "Tidal Wave" by Sub Focus, on of the finest London based producers out there, with a steady hand in the drum and bass culture. Most people have heard this song of one of the various version of it with it's massive popularity. I hear jungle DJs mix into "Tidal Waves" all the time, and why not, it's a masterpiece. The vocals are provided by Alpines, a beautiful and very talented singer. The lyrics are inspirational as well as perfectly delivered, it's mostly just saying that negative words are not going to hurt me, or crush me like a tidal wave. Get more phenomenal music through the official Sub Focus soundcloud page here.

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Interview: Headphone Activist talks influences, progression of music and new releases

                                                                             

Written/Interview By: Michelle Fitzgerald

Pete Domville, better known as Headphone Activist, is a 24 year-old DJ and producer who was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, where he is firmly making a name for himself, and now steadily across the globe. He first started writing music at the ripe age of nine, and over the years has made exceptional steps in building his career. You wouldn't say his sound has improved over the years, but instead transformed and expanded to all points on the creative spectrum. His style ranges from reggae-inspired dub to DnB, from jungle to melodic cloud rap. 

He is an innovator, incorporating sounds produced from life itself to assimilate vitality and soul into his music, whether it be samples from scores of movies such as "The Place Beyond the Pines," to "Shawshank Redemption," and even "The Goonies." 

HPA goes so far as to merge opera and classical into his beats, along with authentic samples derived from sounds heard in nature and space. He continues to push limits and break barriers with his rare and exquisite sound that can only be described as the type of art that truly changes the way the world views music, and more importantly, has power to change the way we live our lives. 

HPA's fan base continues to grow, and he has the world at his fingertips, or should I say eardrums.
I was lucky enough to have the pleasure of asking him a few questions, so that we can all see a little more clearly into the mind of the guy behind the headphones:

Ikonic Sound (Michelle): So what first inspired you to start writing music?

Headphone Activist: DJ Shadow albums and my friend Justin Doverspike. When I was starting out as a DJ, Doverspike of 1337 Pittsburgh suggested I also look into making my own tracks, to quote him, “in 5 years the most successful DJs will be the ones who write and play out their own music.”

Over time I started working on making my own music. I started with writing dubstep. I wasn’t very good at writing dubstep, so then I progressed into making jungle and drum and bass. I was having a blast writing jungle. And then, I met DJ Craze after one of his shows in Pittsburgh. He introduced TNGHT's EP to me, and I went home and downloaded 808 sample Kits and started writing hip-hop and trap influenced music.

Ikonic Sound (Michelle): Where did you come up with the name Headphone Activist and what is its significance to you?

Headphone Activist: The name is derived from lyrics in a track by the Minnesota hip-hop duo “Atmosphere," and the track is titled "C’mon." Basically one of my favorite things to do is to put on my headphones and just listen to music for hours - it’s like meditating for me. When I heard the name in his lyrics, I iust knew that was it, that was what I wanted my name to be. 

Ikonic Sound (Michelle): What inspired one of your most popular tracks “The Place Beyond the Pines?”

Headphone Activist: Films play a huge roll in influencing my music. I went to see the film of the same title. The main score is this track called “Snow Angel,” by Mike Patton. By the third time I had heard the song played during the film I knew I had to sample it. I went home, found a solid sample source, plugged it in, and started writing. It’s funny because I worked on that track for a week or so and then got stuck and put the project aside. A month or so later I reopened the project and scrapped everything other then the bass line and ended up writing the track that night. I put it out a couple days later.

Ikonic Sound (Michelle): Who has influenced you most musically throughout the years?

Headphone Activist: My list is endless and always gaining new names. To highlight a few: 

Aphex Twin was my first real introduction to electronic music. At the time, I wasn't even aware it was called electronic music. I was 12, or 13, and just thought that it was so dark and different than anything else I had heard up to that point in my life. 

Also, Yung Sherman and Yung Gud. This past year my friend Buku got me hooked on these two producers. Personally I think a lot of what they are doing is where music is going - really  

innovative mixing of electronic music with a hip-hop influence. 

Not trap, just progressive beats.

Ikonic Sound (Michelle): How do you describe your sound and what do you want your fans to take away from your music?

Headphone Activist: Cloud rap, trap, bass music, electronic, chill, and vibe music are all ways my friends have described my sound, and they are all right with classifying my music in those genres. 

What I think it is though, is just next generation hip-hop. I am a kid born in 1990, raised via TV and the internet. Bands like Sublime, Gorillaz, Portishead, and Jurassic 5 have all influenced me.

But I'm 24, so who knows where my sound will go. Personally, I see myself moving into making more film based tracks, ambient vibe music, while maintaining my love for good drum work.

Ikonic Sound (Michelle):Your latest releases focused on sounds revolving around nature and space. What inspired you to choose this new direction with music?

Headphone Activist: Clams Casino's work with sampling from nature was a big influence behind the my new tracks. Also, NASA recently released a large archive of sounds and samples from space, which was a gold mind for building background sounds and creating atmosphere for my track “NASA."

Ikonic Sound (Michelle): You seem to have a strong and growing fan base. What has helped make that possible?

Headphone Activist: Awesome fans, and support from blogs like Trap Nation, DOPE MAG, The EDM Network - the list is pretty long but thank you to anyone who is supporting what I am doing.

Ikonic Sound (Michelle): Where do you hope to be a year from now?

Headphone Activist: Still having fun, sharing and writing music, traveling, and meeting new people.


You can follow Headphone Activist on his Soundcloud page: https://soundcloud.com/headphoneactivist
Also, listen and download for free his latest release "Spring  2015."

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CHARLES JAMES - "House Sessions Vol. 3 [Free Download]

CHARLES JAMES is a DJ out of the northern Chicago suburbs. He is relatively new to the scene, his transitions becoming smoother with each new mix. This is a free download of his newest mix entitled "House Sessions Vol. 3."

Tracklist:
Sam Paganini - "Sunflower"
Hot Since 82 - "Shadows"
Hot Since 82 - "Error 909"
Jay C & Lello Mascolo - "Nobody"
Jayforce - "What!"
Maya Jane Coles - "No Sympathy"
Mark Knight & Adrian Hour - "Get Down"
Hot Natured - "Electric Jones




Tracklist:
Sam Paganini - "Sunflower"
Hot Since 82 - ""
Maya Jane Coles - "No Sympathy"
Mark Knight & Adrian Hour - "Get Down"
Hot Natured - "Electric Jones

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AWOLNATION - "Woman Woman" - Song of the Day - 4/24/2015

AWOLNATION's blowout hit of 2009, "Sail," was legendary, right? Well they just released their latest album, Run, on March 17th, and it exhibits not only their unique electronic rock sound but one-ups their previous album with a wide range display of tracks with no room for "fillers" - each song holds its own powerful lyricism and delivery. You might have heard the single "I Am" in one of the latest compelling Red Bull commercials (which makes sense, since the band is signed with Red Bull Records.) This particular song, "Woman Woman," however, is beautiful in its light-heartedness and upbeat melody with, of course, Aaron shouting out to some woman who he feels worthless without. A lucky woman at that! Please listen and enjoy below - the album in its entirety is timeless.

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Trampboat - "Fresh Off The Boat" - Song of the Day - [4/23/15]

This song is bad ass, Trampboat builds it up and then boom electro madness! The drop is a straight up complextro work of art, with a ton of different sounds placed into a perfect pattern. The two producers Dan Lindholm and Samuel Kovanko hail from Helsinki, Finland and they represent the creative Scandinavian style. I find that a lot of the best producers are from that side of the world. Definitely peep the Official Website for Trampboat for more on the band.

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HARD Summer Released Their Massive 2015 Lineup feat. Jack Ü, The Weeknd, Porter Robinson & More!

Back again for another year of crazy fun, HARD Presents their annual Summer Music Festival! Bringing out a long and not complete list of artists, this years festival is sure to be a run for your money. Showcasing live acts from artists such as The Weeknd, Porter Robinson, Maya Jane Cole, Ratatat & more really sets this event apart from others of it's kind. Tickets are ON SALE and going fast! Get yours HERE while supplies last. 

SPOON ME? SPOON Ü!View the #HSMF15 Trailer NOW!Tickets: http://bit.ly/1mvyVPR
Posted by HARD presents... on Wednesday, April 22, 2015

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Pillar - "Frontline" - Song of the Day - 4/22/15

Pillar, the Christian rock band out of Tulsa, Oklahoma found great success with their album Where Do We Go From Here and continue to hold their place. "Frontline" was released and was no.1 on the Christian rock charts for months after. Listen and love below:
 

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Trobiz - "On Point" - Song of the Day [4/21/15]

Tremayne Howe aka Trobiz represents the intelligent side of hip-hop lyricists quite well. This is "On Point" a smooth beat underneath some of the illest flows spliced in with descriptive similes. The mic is passed around like a Lyricist Lounge song with a bunch of different voices all coming together to throw down. This is the type of music that would accompany many a back-road drive and smoke session in my youth. There are very few songs that can make me day dream about the good old days in my life like this. I always have good memories pop up when getting down to Trobiz.

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Jim Grim - "The Perfect Dance"

Here's a perfect piece of glitch-hop music from one of my favorite electronic composers, Jim Grim. He, like many of the most creative producers today, comes from the SectionZ Records crew. "The Perfect Dance" is a little peek into the next album from Jim Grim, called Ifomi. His intentions are to disseminate this record a special way. Each song will be individually put out via social media outlets. Then once all 15 tracks are released Jim Grim has promised to make the whole album available for free. I am fired up to hear what Jim Grim has been working on.


He describes his motivation for the album and the meaning behind the title in the quote below.


"This album is dedicated to Ingelin Flåen Olsen, Aka IFO. The girl I love. The meaning of this album was originally not ment to be shared as it was kind of "private" or internal to understand, but whatever, I've decided I want to share it with all of you. Why? Well, I'm quite fond of sharing experience in general, and I can't really find a reason to not share it to those who are interested in reading about it. For all you others, just skip reading. Alright anyway, the album was supposed to cover a series of events that happened within in a period of my life last year. Each title is a small description, kind of in chronological order, of a situation or a flow of thought that I had during this experience. I'll tell you more as I release each track."   --  Jim Grim

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Summer Set Music Festival Line-Ups Announced

The fourth annual Summer Set Music and Camping Festival is set to be the best yet.  Delivering its unique blend of artists, fans of hip-hop, EDM, Jam style and indie all have something to look forward to.  I know we're excited.  Just take a look at that line-up.  If you can't find at least 5 artists on that list you want to see, you really just don't like music, do you.

As Summer Set continues to grow, the festival grounds will once again expand to provide music enthusiasts with the ultimate experience and atmosphere. For the second year in a row, the festival adds another stage with increased production, bringing the total number of stages to five. The new stage, dubbed A Live One, will feature critically acclaimed bands with live performances from Purity Ring, Tycho, Tanlines, Lettuce, Railroad Earth, and many more.

2015 marks a special year for Summer Set’s hip-hop fans as Wu Tang’s Ghostface Killah hits the stage with Toronto jazz trio BADBADNOTGOOD for one of their notorious live performances. Additionally, in celebration of the 20-year anniversary since the release of their renowned second album, which includes the Grammy Award-Winning Song "Tha Crossroads,” Bone Thugs-N-Harmony will be performing their full-length album E. 1999 Eternal in full.

To accompany the eclectic lineup, Summer Set provides festival-goers with affordable VIP camping packages that offers unrivaled amenities and perks, including private restrooms and showers, full assistance from dedicated VIP staff members, access to all after parties, and private viewing areas at the Main Stage and Grove Stage, plus much more. Attendees will be provided with preferred on-site parking and advanced entry to “The Woods” VIP campgrounds, beginning on Thursday August 14th at 4:00 pm, ahead of the General Admission ticket holders.  Free professional massages, and an additional mini-stage featuring intimate DJ sets exclusive to VIP campers, will also join the VIP amenities in 2015.

SSMF has taken extensive fan feedback into consideration and is dedicated to providing the best possible experience year after year for the fans and artists. Camping prices have been significantly reduced, starting as low as $99 per campsite, which equals roughly $22/person to camp for the weekend, and there will be more experiential interactive elements than in past years.

Get TICKETS HERE

Don't forget to BOOK A CAMPSITE

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Stratus - "Hedon" - Song Of The Day - 4/20/2015

Happy Monday everyone. Today I decided to take it back home to Chicago with an artist I have had the pleasure of seeing a few times now, Stratus. His latest release "Hedon" is massive and needs to be on your radar. For those of you trying to turn up your Monday, go ahead and check this track out. "Hedon" has this hard hitting, very dry in your face sound. It reminds me of "Chinchilla" by Jackal(yeah that's the one that Caked Up basically ripped off). It really takes a lot to impress me with a trap song, and the first time I heard this I literally played it 10 times in a row. Overall great production from Stratus. Be sure to check him out on soundcloud to stay up to date on all of his music.

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Muzzy Bearr (Ft. Exmag, BRANX, & Benny Bloom) - "Radio Glider" - Song of the Day - 4/19/15

Muzzy Bearr (formerly Muzzy), just released his debut album titled Vintage Sutra with some great retro style funk. "Radio Glider" is a prime example of his sound as he jams with Exmag, BRANX, and Benny Bloom who plays the trumpet for Lettuce. You can stream the whole album on Muzzy Bearr's soundcloud page here.

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Summer Set Music & Camping Festival Lineup Announced!

Summer Set Music & Camping Festival is back for it's 4th year in Somerset, Wisconsin at the Somerset Ampitheatre about 45 minutes east of Minneapolis-St. Paul. The lineup this year can hang with the best of them featuring Bassnectar & Deadmau5 as headliners. Not to mention Tycho, Action Bronson, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Lettuce, Lotus, Railroad Earth, Thievery Corporation, and about 10 other artists, there is definitely something here for everyone. Although not the most well run festival, and certainly not the most organized, the lineup make up for the complete lack of everything else this festival offers its patrons in the way of art installations, live art, and interactive activities. Oh well, let's just go out in the middle of a field for a couple days and have a gay 'ol time with your homies.

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Vitalic - "Second Lives" - Song of the Day - [4/18/15]

For today we have a cool melodic song from Pascal Arbez-Nicolas aka Vitalic. This track is called "Second Lives" and it has a simple beat with just the right amount of intrigue. This is a very odd music video and also the bands official representation for the song. It shows a number of different scenarios that all take place in a bathroom stall. It's weird how the same area can make one claustrophobic and at the same time others might utilize the space for a lusty or perverted experience. The song is awesome, a true heartbeat type of track of a progressive format with a lot of cool sounds. Vitalic has a very creative musical style and he also sells interesting merchandise with his logo the upside down triangle which can be purchased here.

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