Albums | Electro-soul guitarist/producer Phyphr unveils debut LP Catalyst
Posted by VMan on March 2, 2023
Guitarist/producer Phyphr is one of Denver’s most hotly-tipped talents, making waves with his electro-soul stylings and funky, electronic songwriting. Dedicated to inspiring his listeners, the artist has a DIY, self-produced ethos that’s intrinsic to his artistic expression and messaging: for Phyphr, everyone should be empowered to find their passion and make positive change for themselves and the world.
Phyphr’s own hard work and focus have led to a unique performance style that blends live guitar playing with immaculate electronic production – a vibrant mix that’s earned him opportunities to perform alongside acts like The Floozies, Daily Bread, Manic Focus, SoDown, and Maddy O’Neal.
Now, the dynamic maestro releases his debut album, Catalyst – a genre-hopping, full-length LP that’s brimming with raucous beats, textural grooves, and indelible hooks. Chronicling Phyphr’s ongoing journey as an artist, Catalyst is designed to spark creative inspiration in his listeners through vivid, relatable storytelling and honest reflection.
Fans got their first tastes of Catalyst with the blues-inflected “Seven Days,” featuring fellow Denver-based producer Kaptain; the boisterous, bass-fueled “Down The Street”; “Still Turnin’,” a bouncy homage to the glory of used record stores and finding musical gems in their dusty bins; and “Reaction,” a hip-hop-infused electronic cut that stays true to the LP’s central message.
The creative versatility and motivational spirit of Catalyst is perfectly encapsulated in the track “In The Clouds,” an amorphous collaboration with fellow-Denver genre-bender Manic Focus. Filled to the brim with summery guitar licks, infectious bass wubs, trumpet samples, and expertly chopped-up vocal samples, “In The Clouds” is a jubilant and vivacious sonic experience that sets a free-spirited vibe for the rest of the LP.
There’s also tracks like “Connection,” a 70s-funk pastiche recontextualized through a modern electronic lens. With groovy basslines, synth melodies, and vocoder-inflected vocals mixed with propulsive drum patterns, deep bass, and twangy blues guitar parts, “Connection” is a masterful genre-traversing track that brings its vintage aesthetic into a futuristic setting.
Catalyst is rounded out by tracks such as the hazy, laid back “Long Way Out,” the space-age dubstep track “The 80’s,” and the anthemic “Where You Are,” a collaboration with vocalist Kanika Moore and electronic music keyboardist Jason Leech (who’s opened for Galantis, GRiZ, and Big Gigantic).
With intricately concocted electronic bangers and soundscapes complemented by a contagious aura of positivity, Catalyst acutely introduces listeners to Phyphr’s sonic and philosophical sensibilities – a combination that is sure to charm any fans new or old and inspire them to chase their dreams.
This spring, fans can catch Phyphr’s live performance prowess at shows across Colorado in support of jamtronica band Sunsquabi before his headlining slot at Denver’s art experience space Meow Wolf Denver in April. This summer, the producer will head to Illinois for Summer Camp Music Festival before returning to Colorado again for Sonic Bloom.
Albums | Manic Focus gives the remix treatment to synth-rock band Jimkata’s “Bonfires”
Posted by VMan on June 17, 2022
Synth-rock band Jimkata emerged from their four-year hiatus last summer with their galvanizing Bonfires album; a 10-track LP that found the evolved trio stretching their boundaries with bold, intoxicating arrangements fueled by swirling synthesizers and anthemic hooks.
After showcasing Bonfires across the country this year with coast-to-coast performances and festival appearances at Summer Camp Music Festival and Gem & Jam to name a few, Jimkata has tapped Denver-based bass purveyor Manic Focus to remix the album’s title track.
Drawing inspiration from his roots in funk and soul, Manic Focus’ euphoric rendition layers soaring synth progressions and scintillating basslines atop singer/guitarist Evan Friedell’s stirring vocals. Transforming “Bonfires” into a wispy, euphoric anthem that’s destined to soundtrack festival stages all summer long, the classically-trained musician showcases his prowess for genre-crossing production work.
Manic Focus’ remix follows widespread acclaim for the Bonfires album, which has already garnered 1,000,000+ combined streams across platforms and been praised by taste-making outlets like American Songwriter, Earmilk, and Wonderland.
New York-bred band Jimkata has been pairing playful, buoyant melodies with weighty, emotive lyrics since its members – three lifelong friends – formed the project in 2005. The group notched nationwide festival performances and released a series of celebrated studio albums before taking their hiatus in 2017. Since reforming last year with a renewed sense of purpose, Jimkata has charted a course for nonstop growth as they look toward a summer brimming with East Coast tour dates and another Bonfires remix coming down the pipeline from rising electro soul artist Phyphr.
A multi-dimensional artist with a rowdy style that spans multiple genres, Manic Focus fuses soulful blues with heavy-hitting bass to create a tone that’s entirely his own. A true beat-making machine, Manic Focus has released six full-length albums over the last ten years and continues to push himself to new musical limits by incorporating original, sample-free recordings. Since dropping his last LP Lost in a Digital World in 2019, the Denver-based producer has released 15 singles and a handful of EPs including collaborations with Break Science, SoDown, Marvel Years and Mersiv. Manic Focus has also remixed heavy-hitters like Louis the Child, Zeds Dead, Pretty Lights, GRiZ, Umphrey’s McGee, and Lettuce, in addition to taking the stage at festivals like Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Electric Forest, Hulaween and North Coast Music Festival.
Events | Pretty Lights | Chicago | September 23 & 24
Posted by Meezy on September 22, 2016
Legendary producer and performer, Pretty Lights, is set to take over the city of Chicago this weekend… and we couldn’t be more excited. Derek Vincent Smith, more commonly known as Pretty Lights, will be accompanied by a full band to perform back to back nights at First Merit Bank Pavilion. The nights in Chicago are a part of the “An Episodic Festival” tour series which consists of multi-day events throughout the rest of summer and fall. This tour entails a full touring band with Derek himself front and center. Other stops for this series include New Hampshire, Nashville, Colorado and Telluride. To learn more about the “An Episodic Festival” series click HERE:
Best Of Pretty Lights Playlist
For both of the nights in Chicago, Derek has arranged for many opening performances; On Friday he is bringing out Emancipator, Manic Focus, SunSquabi, and Statik. On Saturday he is bringing out Tipper (Twilight Set), The Grouch & Eligh, G Jones, and Cofresi… All great musicians that are sure to put on an unforgettable show.
2-day passes as well as single day passes are on sale HERE
Dubstep, Featured, Preview | Petey Pablo – Raise Up (Manic Focus Remix)
Posted by Mach on April 22, 2013
Unfortunately for Petey Pablo, he is still serving the last year of his 3 year sentence for trying to bring a 9mm handgun on an airplane, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t rock out hard to this fire remix from Manic Focus. “Raise Up” was one of the first Petey Pablo tracks I had ever listened to, and has continually been a track I turn back to time to time for my listening enjoyment. Manic Focus killed it on this remix, the vocal layering is awesome but the instrumentals on this are absolutely epic. What a boss for whipping up this gem before his show on 4/20 in North Carolina. Manic Focus is currently working on his first album releasing sometime late this Spring.
Dubstep, Glitch, Preview | Manic Focus – Forever Blasting
Posted by Mach on December 21, 2012
This has to be my favorite track to date from Manic Focus. The name “Forever Blasting” is a perfect fit for the space-crunk blasting bass, riddling our eardrums like an intergalactic drive-by. Vocal samples from deceased rap legend, Fat Pat, really put this track into a stellar perspective, paired with beats that send you to another world.
Dubstep, Glitch | Manic Focus – Rooster
Posted by Mach on November 15, 2012
Manic Focus has truly put out some awesome tracks this year. The new original from him is another cool Glitch-Hop track. My favorite thing about this track besides the cover art that reminds me of Robot Chicken, is the underlying old school country. It is a rare thing to hear a harmonica strongly on a song these days, never thought I would be enjoying it on a something filled with bass as well. Big ups to Manic Focus for another hit.
Dubstep, Glitch | Manic Focus – We Won’t Land
Posted by Mach on September 20, 2012
Manic Focus has truly grown over the Summer. His styling was always resembling that of Pretty Lights, but now he has really seemed to have found his place within the Glitch-Hop/Dubstep blend. This new original of Manic Focus’ is straight class, one could listen to this for hours in a day and it would never get old.