Media Contender

Kastle Announces New Label: Symbols Recordings

Laura Dambuleff — Mon, 21 May 2012 19:18:39 +0000

There are few, very few, individuals in the music industry who not only repeatedly one-up the game, but continue to one-up themselves. Perhaps one of my favorite examples of this type of person is San Francisco’s own Kastle. With a sound that remains fresh and exciting while still being able to appeal to audiences across the board, Kastle has been able to develop a strong entity, one that is well-respected by everyone who’s listened in. By presenting such a unique take on bass music, many (including myself) find themselves flocking to Kastle for more. With that in mind, it is with extreme pleasure that I get to help spread the word of his brand new record label, Symbols Recordings.

With the launch of the label comes a mass of music, including a brilliant hour-long mixtape that explores many of the upcoming Symbols releases as well as artists fitting well within the Symbols niche. On top of that, the first three Symbols releases have been announced, the first an EP with four new originals from the newly-titled label boss himself and a remix from British charmers Maribou State. With clear influences from the San Francisco house scene, tracks like “Can’t Explain” and “Don’t Look Back” explore an intelligent blend between soulful melodies and drum-heavy house beats. Funky house vocals from Austin Paul on “You Said” and deep and haunting vocals and synths on “Stay Forever” round out the EP to a bit of a new realm for Kastle, but still with a wonderful Kastle signature to it all. Maribou State’s floaty remix of “Can’t Explain” is a perfect finish to the EP, and likely a perfect finale to anybody’s night, if you catch my drift…

Symbols Recordings, in true Kastle form, is lined up to explode with new music over the coming months, with upcoming releases from Jason Burns, Cosmic Revenge, Sleepyhead, and collaborations between Kastle and his fellow friends and producers. Likely much more amazing mixes are ahead as well, and with a visual aesthetic provided by Symbols’ incredibly talented art director Joyce Su, Symbols is likely to stick around in everyones brains as an outlet that encompasses beauty and charm in art, in music, and in spirit.

Give a listen to the mix and the first EP (which comes out June 5th) below, and you can also check full previews of the first three EPs now through Symbols’ website.

You can follow Symbols Recordings here:
Facebook
SoundCloud
Twitter

ChromaCast 12 – Cosmo Brown

Media Contender — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:24:49 +0000

Welcome back to ChromaCast with episode 12 featuring Cosmo Brown; a name any old-school Los Angeles D&B or House head will recognize from the heydays of Midnite Bombers and Vibeflow. As the 2012 Summer festival season gets started, he dusts off his headphones and comes out of DJ semi-retirement to mix 100 minutes of house music intended to put the smile back in vogue.

Having been rather silent in the scene for a few years, Cosmo is very excited to share The Happiness Meme with the Media Contender audience. It was conceived in two parts as an homage to the days of the mix tape, back when we’d wear out sides A and B on the car stereo as we found our way to the warehouse parties. Times sure have changed (The Happiness Meme is available on ChromaCast in one continuous mix for iPods and other media players), but that feeling we get as we head out to a night of dancing sure hasn’t. Take this music with you on the ride to the good times, and let’s make happy cool again.

[ SUBSCRIBE TO CHROMACAST ]

ChromaCast 12
Cosmo Brown – The Happiness Meme (Full Mix)

Feeling Old-School? Grab the mixtapes!
★ DOWNLOAD SIDE A ★ DOWNLOAD SIDE B ★

Side A

1. Kawatin – 4 Seasons (Original Mix)
2. Jay Lumen – Can You Dance? (Original Mix)
3. Tapesh, Sidney Charles – I Got Ya (Original Mix)
4. Josh the Funky 1 – Everynight (Anthony Ross Remix)
5. Zoo Brazil – The Big Rose (Original Mix)
6. Mario Ochoa – The Indian Express (Original Mix)
7. Matthew Codek, Nader Razdar – Alegria (Original Mix)
8. Antranig – Spank it (Original Mix)
8. Aria, DJ Ortzy, Mark.M – Party in Miami (Miami 2012 Update) (Manuel De La Mare Remix)
9. John Dahlback – Feel It (Original Club Mix)
10. Lorenzo Navarro – So Late (Original Mix)
11. DJ Sneak – BUSTED GROOVE (Original Mix)
12. Frozenman – Fading Outta View (Chillout Mix)

Side B

13. Kirsty Hawkshaw, Liquid Kaos – Back In Time (John Dahlback Remix)
14. Deadmau5 – Fifths (Max Zotti Remix)
15. Stephan Bazbaz, Kobb – Lost In Shangri-La (Original Mix)
16. Maxi Valvona – Pictures (Original Mix)
17. Joe Garston – The Promise (Original Mix)
18. Avicii – Levels (Original Mix)
19. Dragonette – Let it Go (Faustix & Imanos Remix)
20. Wolfgang Gartner – There And Back (Original Mix)
21. Cicada, Third Party – Feel (Original Mix)
22. Umek, Stefano Noferini – Goes On (Original Mix)
23. Swedish House Mafia – Greyhound (Original Mix)
24. Tiesto, Luciana, Wolfgang Gartner – We Own The Night feat. Luciana (Original Mix)

About Cosmo Brown

Cosmo Brown has been enjoying slicing and dicing electronic music for almost two decades. With stints in the Los Angeles underground scene of the mid to late 90s that ran the gamut from acid house to Goa trance to drum and bass, he eventually settled on the dark steppers that got the dance floors moving. Feeling the urge most DJs eventually feel to write and produce their own music, he launched Lush Recordings, releasing three well-received drum and bass singles under the imprint.

Putting all the studio gear in storage as he pursued other creative endeavors, he kept his finger on the pulse of Electronic Dance Music by continuing to collect great tunes – and dancing his ass off at the best parties. Just about every year or so, his closest friends get an email with a link to a new Cosmo Brown mix, a tradition that has kept his intuitive ability to program an inspiring musical journey about as sharp as the first time he figured out how to mix two 4/4 beats together. He now resides in the San Francisco Bay Area, and has officially begun the search for a DJ residency in his new home town.

CYP2 TONIGHT with Light Asylum!

Media Contender — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:28:58 +0000

★ ★ ★ ★ CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS ★ ★ ★ ★

Check Yo Ponytail 2 is back to its regularly scheduled Tuesday night for the evening, bringing in a special selection of artists to groove to. Headlining the evening is Brooklyn-based duo, Light Asylum. With their electro-influenced gothic melodies and haunting vocals from the lovely Shannon Funchess, it should be a riviting live performance from the two. Added to the lineup as well are Chelsea Wolfe, who brings a dark and eerie take on folk music, Tearist a dicotic, DIY-electronic duo, Violet Tremors, two ladies with a unique all-encompassing aesthetic, and Slow Motion DJs. A night chock-full of interesting duos and a new generation of music blending bands and electronic production. Each of these artists have electrical presences on stage making this an evening not recommended to be missed.

As always with CYP2, an exclusive mixtape has been provided, this time from Light Asylum. Nice and dark.

Whiskey Pete’s 10 Dub Commandments

Laura Dambuleff — Tue, 15 May 2012 00:20:17 +0000

LA’s notorious dub MC Whiskey Pete always seems to be on his hustle, churning out verses left and right and collaborating with various individuals all over the bass music scene. With a flow and aural aesthetic that envelops the LA hustle in the gritty, aggressive but still full of emotion sense of the term, Whiskey Pete has created an image that people can love or hate, but no matter what, can find some sort of common ground with.

His latest venture, a drumstep tune called “The 10 Dub Commandments” brings along with it a music video, both of which are premiering here for your viewing and listening pleasure. The video ventures across the US on Pete’s many adventures (err… shenanigans perhaps) and presents a lineup of exactly what the title itself presents: ten commandments. My only amendment: party on.

Whiskey Pete
10 Dub Commandments (William Van Dyke OG Mix)

Kelly Dean & Kemst: I Got You EP

Media Contender — Mon, 14 May 2012 19:16:39 +0000

Just last week a few of SMOG‘s artists released a brand new EP on San Francisco’s Sublife Recordings. The 5 track release features five different takes on the title track, a collaborative effort between Kelly Dean and Kemst. The track is deep and and features sounds signature to Sublife, along with classic dub inspired vocals from Kemst. Pawn‘s remix goes even deeper and darker, while Lukeino brings a D&B vibe to the mix. Both the original and the Pawn remix feature dub edits as well, rounding out the EP to all ends of the dub spectrum.

Kelly Dean was nice enough to provide us with his latest mix for KROQ, as well as handing us a new remix he whipped up for download FREE through Media Contender.

The Widdler
Manhunt (Kelly Dean Remix)

Tonight: Media Contender @ Dance Right w/ Flinch

Laura Dambuleff — Thu, 10 May 2012 21:53:51 +0000

Tonight at Dance Right, Media Contender once again is taking over downtown’s La Cita bar to keep the energy at peak-levels after Artwalk. Headlining the evening is SMOG’s own not-so-secret weapon, Flinch. If you’ve been following him at all on twitter, you know he’s been hustling in his studio as well as back at the compound with 12th Planet, so be ready for a barrage of unreleased, and potentially unheard new tracks sprinkled over the course of his fired up set.

To add to the evening, The Juggernaut will also be making an appearance in celebration of the release of his new EP “The Hustle” on the SMOG imprint. Finally, one half of CAMO UFOs and arguably the man with the best beard in Los Angeles, Nate Day will be there to open up the evening. If tonight is anything like last time we took over La Cita, you’re not going to want to miss it. The best part? It’s FREE with RSVP until 11, and only $5 after. Score.

CLICK HERE TO RSVP

Futra this Thursday with Addison Groove, Doc Daneeka & Kuru!

Laura Dambuleff — Tue, 08 May 2012 20:30:46 +0000

Newly-formed & LA-based label Futra has been working very hard over the past few months, putting together releases and shows teeming with talent, integrity, and artistic vision. Tara LaPlante, Futra’s HBIC, has been able to create a unique collective with the label, able to blend art in its many forms and derivatives in a way that allows you to both admire each way individually and together as a collective.

★ ★ ★ ★ CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS ★ ★ ★ ★

Up next in the Futra world is the LA edition of the Surefire Sound Spring Tour, in celebration of the release of both Addison Groove and Doc Daneeka‘s album releases earlier this year. With both albums released on Modeselektor’s 50Weapons label, the two are able to bond together in a tour ready to fire up clubs all over. Addison Groove, a veritable heavyweight in the UK bass scene, has been an important addition to the musical repertoire with his innate ability to cater to the both the dubstep world and the house and techno scenes. Doc Daneeka, champion of the small but well-appreciated label Ten Thousand Yen, is also making a very greatly-anticipated appearance, and with deep and effective bass lines and an ability to blend styles into something that leaves you somewhat unsure of the exact sound that leaves you reeling after the show, his set is not one you’re going to want to miss. Of course, our nearest and dearest in the underground music scene, Kuru, will be there in support of the night.

Kuru has provided the next round of Futra’s brilliant podcasts, and it’s ready just in time to hype the upcoming festivities on Thursday. Chock full of immense tracks that envelop every sense of the deep and meaningful side of the house and techno universe, it’s a mix that can be appreciated for a long time to come. You can download it below and subscribe to the series via iTunes here.

Track/Cliplist:

Jane’s Addiction – Three Days
Tom Flynn – Jerry’s Liquor Store
Nouveau Yorican – Nueva (John Roman Remix)
Boddika & Joy Orbison – Swims
Untold – Luminous
Unbalance – Wanna Be Yours
Paul Woolford, Psycatron – Stolen (Dub One)
Tessela – Darlene Please
Worthy – Shy Look
Christian Martin – Waiting
Tessela – Let Up
XI, Eezir – Lone Lifter (XI Remix)
Vince Watson – Sequential (Paul Woolford Remix)
Kodiak – Spreo Superbus
Guy Andrews – Textures
Laura Jones, Maceo Plex – Love In Me (Maceo Plex Remix)
Shackleton, Pinch – Burning Blood
Paul Woolford, Bobby Peru – Erotic Discourse (Audiojack Remix)
Carl Lekebush, Alan Fitzpatrick – Steady Motion (Alan Fitzpatrick Remix)
Shifted – Colour Of The Fall
Guy Gerber – Stoppage Time
Marc Marzenit – Unexpiritualized (Peter Heller Remix)
Beastie Respond – Syncopy (Blawan’s Trecther Mechanica)
Max Cooper – Simplexity
Blawan – Shader
Clouds – Optic
Objekt – Porcupine
Whyt Noyz – Volcano
Seiji – More Of You
Addison Groove – Night To Remember
Shadow Child – Rustic Chip
Disclosure – Flow
T. Williams – Malfunction feat. Alix
T.E.E.D. – Tapes & Money (Eats Everything Dubwork)
Salva & Grenier – Wake The Dead
HaHaha, Mia Dora, Raksha – High Sheen
Martyn, Redshape – We are You in the Future (Redshape Remix)
Shakedown – Drowsy With Hope

Dell Harris: Right Now Volume II

Laura Dambuleff — Wed, 02 May 2012 19:45:51 +0000

Although it’s a fairly new explosion of rappers joining forces with electronic producers to put together an album, Dell Harris is no stranger to this kind of collaboration. Having worked with Party Like Us mastermind AC Slater for some time now, the two have really been able to create a strong and efficient bond that showcases their efforts and unique abilities on quite a few releases. Many are familiar with their AC & Dell collab, “Right Now,” and this time Dell Harris is back with a full album. Having AC on the production tip allows for a noticeable and exciting flow, and the ATLien raps with an intelligent but slightly cheeky demeanor over ACs signature bass lines and engaging instrumentals. With production cameos from Xaphoon Jones and vocal cameos from Megan Thomas, Ced Hughes, and Stephan Christopher, the album travels through 9 tracks that truly envelop Dell’s “Right Now” demeanor. Be it raps about his girl or his difficulty remembering last night, the underlying presence of “living in the now” leaves the listener with a deeper appreciation for the present.

Our friend Cru Joness headed over to Atlanta to meet up with Dell and friends in anticipation for the record, capturing the charm and friendship shared between everyone on the album. From the graphic designer to the partiers to the producers and everyone between, Dell seems to have a strong team under his wings.

You can, of course, go ahead and purchase the album through iTunes here. But as an added bonus, AC and Dell have kindly provided the title track “Volume II” for you to download for free. Get hyped.

Check Yo Ponytail 2: Tiga, Light Year, Damian Lazarus, & more!

Laura Dambuleff — Tue, 01 May 2012 18:27:36 +0000

This Thursday Check Yo Ponytail has an extremely special lineup coming through the Echoplex, one so great you’d be making a huge mistake to miss it. As many attendees of Check Yo’s shows know, it’s always been a great platform for artists from every corner of the world, in every genre, to play, especially the ones who don’t come around very often. Unified by forward-thinking and a passion for music, bands, rappers, DJs, and everyone in-between has graced the stage. So, to kick off May, a selection of electronic talent from around the globe is ready to show Los Angeles what they’re made of.

★ ★ ★ ★ CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS ★ ★ ★ ★

Tiga, head of Turbo Recordings and generally one of the most awesome musical personalities of all time, is heading the night, along with Crosstown Rebels’ brilliant Damian Lazarus, and Australia’s champion Light Year. Of course, let’s not forget CYP2′s resident badman Franki Chan will be there to kick off the night as well. Each of these four men have been holding their own in the music game, with names that no DJ nor fan will soon forget. Forging their way past trends, cliches, and pigeonholes, they’ve all been creating music that continually raises the bar and pushes the scene forward.

I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am for this show. Everyone on the bill is an amazing performer with a keen ear for great music and the skills to match. In anticipation for the evening’s festivities, Light Year has provided an excellent hour-long mix to hype everyone up. It’s a lively and tasteful travel through Light Year’s style, with tinges of the styles Damian Lazarus and Tiga have in the mix as well. Enjoy, and see you all Thursday.

PS- As an added bonus, if you haven’t seen Tiga’s “Ciao Means Forever” interview series… you need to. Seriously.

SPL: Free Triage Remix for Download

Media Contender — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:18:41 +0000

SMOG’s roster is proving to be a battalion of artists with strong prowess, and one of their heavyweights and newest member of the SMOG family SPL has been a large contender of the scene with multitudes of releases and shows throughout the year. Playing over at Miami Music Week as well as SXSW, and releases on his label Hollow Point as well as others like Play Me and Position Chrome, the Portland native has been quite the busy man. And like all true bad-asses, he’s sharing his efforts with the world in the generous gesture of handing over one of his tunes for free.

The remix of Triage‘s “Radium” is SPL’s first venture into the 110 BPM realm, and as you’ll quickly discover, it’s a big one. Grab the remix while you still can, as it’s only being offered up for free download for a limited time. Triage’s EP drops tomorrow, with appearances and remixes from SPL, Antiserum, The Bassist, Chewie, Riskotheque, and Jaden.