Albums | Oliver Nelson Returns To Perfect Havoc Alongside Irish Singer, Lilla Vargen
Posted by VMan on June 3, 2022
Multi-million streaming Swedish producer Oliver Nelson returns in emphatic fashion with new single ‘Long Summer Nights’ released on 27th May in joint partnership on Perfect Havoc – thechart-topping label that discovered and broke Joel Corry – and acclaimed artist management company, music publisher, and record label, Prolifica. In collaboration with Nelson on this latest release is the incredibly talented Irish singer/songwriter, Lilla Vargen, together creatingthe perfect soundtrack towarm, summer days and chromatic late-evening sunsets.
Instantly emotive, ‘Long Summer Nights’ kicks straight into Vargen’s gripping vocal topline whilst gliding through a passionate progression of piano keys and delicate rhythm before upping the energy with an ensemble of electro-tinged synths and powerful ‘80s inspired cinematic drum work. Whether on a crowded dancefloor or cruising into the horizon with the top down, this latest addition to the Perfect Havoc catalogue will strike a chord and linger in the memory all summer long.
Oliver Nelson first burst onto the scene with a series of high-profile nu disco remixes before Polydor snapped up his debut single ‘Found Your Love’ in 2016. Now with over 400 million global streams to his name, Nelson is the brains behind high profile remixes for NEIKED, Ella Henderson, Kesha, Joel Corry and many more. His infectious bootleg of The Wombats ‘Greek Tragedy’ unexpectedly went viral on TikTok in 2021, featuring in over 430,000 videos and culminating in an official release on 14th Floor Music.
Nelson is a master in the studio, evident in collaborations with Kygo on ‘Riding Shotgun’ (Sony) and on big house productions on the label that discovered him, Perfect Havoc, including standouts, ‘Is It Real?’ and ‘Something ‘Bout The Music’. Ever pushing the envelope, last year Nelson launched electro-pop group Moodshift, alongside Grammy-winner, Lucas Nord, and vocalist, flyckt, and remains in demand as a remixer too with a huge official rework for Donna Summer turning heads last June.
Having accumulated 50 million streams and completed a huge arena tour as guest to Dermot Kennedy, Lilla Vargen is one of Ireland’s fastest rising new talents. She has regularly collaborated with the MyRiot production duo whose credits include London Grammar and Halsey. Having so far released fewer than a dozen tracks, Lilla has already achieved seven Top 15 New Music Friday features with Spotify plus numerous key playlists at Apple Music. Radio is rapidly gaining traction too, with Radio 1 airplay from Phil Taggart, Huw Stephens and Best New Pop alongside support from Radio X and Ireland’s RTÉ 1 and 2.
Perfect Havoc – nominated for Best Independent Record Label at the 2022 Music Week Awards – is one of the most successful indie dance labels of recent years. Its trademark commercial dance with a smattering of the more club-focused sounds has generated the label over 3 billion streams and given rise to six UK Top 20 singles including the No.1 single ‘Head & Heart’ by four-time Brit Award nominated producer, Joel Corry & MNEK.
Also knowing more than a thing or two about hit singles is the partnering label on this release. Prolifica was formed in 2004 as both the management and dance label behind artists such as Robert Miles, Spiller, Planet Funk and Dimitri from Paris. It’s since transitioned into a multi-artist award winning company behind such established global arena artists as Two Door Cinema Club.
Albums | Matoma & JP Cooper Release Light-Hearted Track “Midnight Sun”
Posted by VMan on June 1, 2022
Inspirational Norwegian DJ and record producer Matoma, known for songs like “All Night” with The Vamps and “I Don’t Dance” with Enrique Iglesias, has released his newest single “Midnight Sun” with JP Cooper, available now on all streaming platforms HERE. Working together for the first time in their music careers, the incredibly talented artists have seamlessly blended their two unique styles to create one of the top hits for the Summer. Staying true to its title, “Midnight Sun” is a light-hearted track that lights up the restful night with its cheerful lyrics and rhythmic beats. The song begins with angelic vocals of JP expressing his love and appreciation for people who chase away the shadows of the night with their goodness and light. After the first electrifying beat drop, the tune becomes impossible to forget with catchy, groovy, and rhythmic instrumentals. In its own right, this song is its own midnight sun. “I feel like I’ve known Tom for years, although we’ve only met once and “midnight sun” was written over a zoom session. ‘Midnight Sun’ is a celebration of the people who bring light in your darkest moments. I suggested the idea of Midnight Sun as a nod to the very light nights in Norway during the Summer….turns out Tom’s first ever tour was called the Midnight Sun tour so I guess it was meant to be. I have a feeling this is a creative relationship that will last much longer than just the one song.” – JP Cooper Although “Midnight Sun” marks the first ever collaboration between Matoma and JP Cooper, both artists are no strangers to breathtaking collaborations. Matoma’s previous singles “Take Me to the Sunshine” featuring Super-Hi and Bullysongs, “Never Surrender” featuring Steve Garrigan of Kodaline, “Summer Feeling” featuring Jonah Kagen, scored record numbers of streams in their first week. The all-around artist has demonstrated his raw talent across various genres, proving time after time that he is a driving force in the current electronic world. “Midnight Sun” follows Matoma & A R I Z O N A’s single “Heart So Big.” Debuting with the album ‘Raised Under Grey Skies’ in 2017, JP Cooper skyrocketed to fame with his single, “September Song,” which peaked at number 7 on the UK Singles Chart. After a long 5 years hiatus, the Englishman came back into the music industry with his second album, ‘She’ in February 2022. As a rising neo-soul singer-songwriter from Middleton, JP Cooper has showcased his versatility through his myriad collaborations with various artists, including Jonas Blue–where his featured “Perfect Stranger” has surpassed 848 million streams on Spotify and is certified platinum in the UK. This time, JP’s collaboration with Matoma will without a doubt be another success that will take his career to another level.
Albums |
Posted by VMan on May 31, 2022
Born in Seaboard, North Carolina and raised in Harlem, NYC rising producer/vocalist Darion Harris has made it his mission to create music that inspires and brings together youth around the world. Influenced by artists like Childish Gambino, Pharrell, and The-Dream, his sound is as eclectic and catchy as it comes. His playful new single and video “Don Juan” with Evander Griim is a great introductory piece into his world. Tune in above now!
Albums | MCM Raymond x AzChike release new track and video”Rasta”
Posted by VMan on May 30, 2022
Born and raised in LA, upcoming rapper MCM Raymond hit the ground running in his career with the debut of several singles, including the viral song “Neighborhood Hoochie,” which garnered the attention of many listeners across the globes and is currently sitting at just under 2 million streams on Spotify alone. His new single for “Rasta” ft. AzChike is out now and comes with a slick visual. MCM Raymond is set to debut his second project Many Can’t Maintain on June 10th, so keep an eye out for that.
Albums | RN ISMO Chats About Tips For Young Producers, ‘All Night’ EP, Musicians He Loves & More
Posted by VMan on May 27, 2022
RN ISMO is back with a 2-track EP on Ole Records. Doing what he does best, he’s produced some good-feeling house music that’s packed with energy and heart. All Night EP is the current focus, a follow up to All I Can Be EP, a release which seemed to be positive thing in terms of expanding his notoriety and showing off what he is capable of.
Pulling inspiration from the Detroit area, RN ISMO is in a great location to be pushing out the music that he loves. There’s a dedication and commitment to house music found in this area that is incomparable to any other space. Surrounded by the right community, it’s no wonder RN ISMO is able to capture the themes and excitement that each song does.
Having been supported by outlets like Dancing Astronaut and YourEDM plus now ticking up to a 100,000 total stream count, RN ISMO has plenty offer and it can be safe to assume the man has more music coming down the pipeline.
We caught up with RN ISMO who took the time out to answer questions regarding his All Night EP, advice for growing electronic artists, music he’s loving these days, and more.
Interview
How did All Night EP come about and how did it end up getting signed to Ole Records?
Answer: After my success with remixing Detlef (see… Detlef – Dub Clap (RN ISMO Remix)), I started to appreciate the minimal, deep tech culture. I started studying artists like PAWSA, Detlef, and Eddy M while referencing their tracks in a process.
After I had a few ideas finished, I started to search for a label. I stumbled on Ole Records by sheer accident while crate digging tracks through Beatport. Once I listened to their catalog, I knew it was a great match. I reached out and the rest is history.
What advice would you give to artists just starting out who wanted to get signed to labels and grow generally?
Answer: I am extremely passionate about helping younger producers succeed. Back in 2017, I had zero knowledge of producing…just a passion for the music industry. Here are a few takeaways that I learned over the years…
- Commit To The Process
Easier said than done. I was pretty much in the dark..learning from 2017 to 2019… I was just engulfing information about music production. My music sounded like absolute garbage, but I kept at it…I committed to the process.
This industry has its peaks and troughs. Train your mindset to focus on the ups and navigate through the downs.
Sometimes we think we are facing a death valley in the process. But, it ends up just being a slight bump on the road. The road to success is always under construction.
- Find Mentors (And Groups)
Back in 2020, I was accepted to join Icon Collective, a prestigious school for music production in Los Angeles. However, I decided to decline due to the Covid-19 pandemic. I pivoted my attention to private mentoring via Zoom. During the height of the pandemic, many artists opened up doors to share their secrets and processes. I was fortunate to learn from many greats like Westend, Dillon Nathaniel, CODES, Ernesto, Qlank, AceMyth, and many more.
These mentors have helped me establish my foundation. I didn’t have to second guess my decisions, but rather discuss my path with successful artists in the industry.
Mentors are your shortcut to success.
- Pay Attention To Opportunities
Remix contest? Instagram DM? Show that has networking opportunities?
These are just some of the opportunities that increased my growth over the last couple of years. My remix on Issues (for Detlef) was part of the remix competition run by Woodland Records. I participated and I won.
I Instagram dm’d many producers for 1on1 lessons during the height of Covid. This is the most effective way to find mentors. I even dm’d Chris Lake…and he responded!
I didn’t get a session with Chris, but his response back just validated that big artists do read their dms. It is all about the numbers game. Keep asking your favorite producers for a session and you’ll never know who responds.
P.S. Many artists opened up groups for music production! I am part of the Kick & Bass group on Discord (ran by Westend), which gives many opportunities to network, grow and support.
Cannot recommend this group enough! It has an incredible amount of intangible information to succeed! Also, check the Wave Point community and Country Club Disco community on Facebook.
P.S.S. Check out Twitch channels for Ernesto, Chris Lake, and Space Yacht to continue your education!
For more info on this check, this video I made to get you started…
Finally, come out and support your local scene. You’ll never know who will run into. Those relationships cultivate and marinate opportunities. Just keep showing up. Trust the process and doors will open.
Supporting your local scene is a crucial part of establishing your base in a city that can help your growth over time.
What artists are you currently enjoying and listening to on repeat, if any?
Answer: I have been obsessed with PAWSA recently. He defies minimalism and confidence. I was super happy to see him live in Miami during Miami Music Week. A lot of my production stems from referencing PAWSA.
Were there any mentors that helped you achieve the success you’ve attained today?
Answer: I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help from Westend, Dillon Nathaniel, CODES, Ernesto, and Qlank. These fellas continue to push me every single day. I am so grateful for them. RN ISMO is nothing without their incredible help.
I also want to thank Black V Neck, Andre Salmon, and Lee Foss. Conversations I had with them have tested my understanding and pushed me outside of my comfort zone.
Is there a specific genre of house that you dig the most?
Answer: I am really into dark minimal these days. I really enjoy abstract production that tests the waters of each sub-genre. There are so many hidden incredible artists out there waiting to be discovered.
Check out Brian Kissler – Such A Sweet Ability (this will get you started… have fun in a rabbit hole)
What do you do to help get into a creative mindset to make music?
Answer: Study your favorite artists! 2/3 of my projects stem from referencing tracks that I dig the most. I can reference the arrangement, key of the track, and swing of the groove.
When I am not motivated, I still spend 2 hours or so in my DAW working and studying references. I take it as a professional…clock in and clock out mentality.
It forces me to sit down. The Key is to work. Your expectation should be sitting down in your DAW consistently. You shouldn’t be thinking about finishing or perfecting your track. Just keep sitting down and the magic will happen.
Great read (will take you less than a day): Steal Like An Artist: Austin Kleon
In-depth read: The Obstacle Is The Way: Ryan Holiday
Albums | Tonner – “Volcano”
Posted by VMan on May 21, 2022
Orlando singer/songwriter/producer Tonner has returned with a funky new single “Volcano”. In between his continuing work as a full time member of the indie rock breakout band The 502s, he’s also spent the last couple years trickling out new solo content at a regular pace and wrapping his debut album, ‘Walls Come Down’, which comes out in the next couple of months. “Volcano” shows off the Florida based musician’s songwriting skills and his ability to create catchy melodies with high replay values. Tune into the track above now and keep an eye on Tonner for new music and his first ever LP, coming soon!
Albums | Pharaoh Phonix Turns Heads With Well-Encompassed Compilation Album ‘Pharaoh’s Gold Vol. 1’
Posted by VMan on May 20, 2022
If you are looking for a label that has it all, look no further than what Thomas Xavier has put together with Pharaoh Phonix. Between the reoccurring live performance showcase Pharaoh’s Chamber held in Milwaukee, the label he’s founded with Pharaoh Phonix, and now Pharaoh’s Gold Vol. 1, it’s becoming apparent there is nothing this man can’t do. Five artists including himself have made the cut with this album, Elevatd, St.Sinny, Chomper, black a.m. and Thomas Xavier all having a time to shine with their singles. Now is as good of time as any to use the phrase: The whole is greater than the some of it’s parts. This is a truth that is intertwined with this compilation. All house but all sharing a different style to the table based on their perspective, Pharaoh’s Gold Vol. 1 makes up an eclectic combination for what it is, but also a stepping stone representing more to come.
“I’m A Boss,” by Thomas Xavier sends out a cool feeling with it’s unique sample choice and easy-going feel. “Say You Got Me,” has Thomas Xavier and black a.m. collaborating, the two together blending in a pleasant spirit into this sound. “Up All Night,” lets Chomper have his moment, executing a feel where your never quite sure what will be coming next. “H.E.R.,” lets newcomer St.Sinny do his thing, bringing a spooky feel, all of which is channeled through house music. The dankest seems to be saved for last with Pharaoh’s Gold Vol. 1, Elevatd and Thomas Xavier going hard on all the parts of the final song “P&B.”
There’s plenty to love and explore with this volume, don’t miss out on a movement that isn’t slowing down for anyone.