Albums | 44 ardent drops new 14-track album, ‘leo’
Posted by VMan on December 15, 2023
44 Ardent is an indie-dance/house project from Australian artist Callan Alexander (aka cln), which has a sound that could be likened to a mix between Caribou, Tourist and Odesza.
When creating the 44 Ardent project back in 2018, Callan had decided to keep his real identity under wraps. The initial intention for project was simply for him to have an outlet to continue releasing the more electronic/dance focused music he was creating while his other main project, cln, began moving into a more alternative indie/pop kinda realm.
Since then, however, 44 Ardent has taken on a life of its own, and Callan is excited to reveal this project to his entire network of friends and fans, giving it the recognition it deserves.
“44 Ardent was initially supposed to be a secret/anonymous side project, but I’m not very good at keeping secrets. Quite a few people have figured out that it’s me/cln, so I’ve now decided to let the cat out of the bag. I created this project as more of an electronic outlet as cln has shifted a little bit more into the indie world. Electronic music has always been my favourite type of music to make, as you have total creative freedom. I was making so many songs that couldn’t really be released under cln, and I needed to find a place to put them. 44 Ardent is that place.” ~ Callan Alexander
Throughout 2023 Callan has given us six exceptional 44 Ardent singles, but there is still so much more to come from him this week as he shares a very generous 14-track album titled “leo”, which as he reveals below is a culmination of various genres & styles of electronic music that he has spent a lot of time exploring this year.
“leo is the culmination of all of the 44 Ardent music that I’ve made over the last year or so. I have noticed that a lot of the best producers have an approach where they focus on pumping out lots of quick ideas, and then refine the best ones. I’ve tried to follow that to an extent, making heaps of music very quickly and then only finishing the ideas that I really like. This album is the end product of that. There is a real mix of genres and styles, as I’ve tried not to corner myself into any particular sound.
I hope to keep releasing lots of music under this alias and am very grateful to my manager Jez for believing in the project and pushing it forward. Thank you for listening xx.” ~ Callan Alexander
Chill, Interviews | Trove Shares About Tastes, Dreams, And The Year So Far[Exclusive]
Posted by VMan on June 20, 2019
Trove has experience some riveting moments in his young career, with over 20 million streams to his name already and a heavy reputation in the songwriting community as a guy who’s got “It.” Singles like “Revelry” and “GTFO” put Trove’s color’s on full display for all to judge. Needless to say, his sound and collaboration partners always impress as the soloist continues to add new fans to his base.
Trove took the time out to chat with us about life, end of the year, and much more. Check out the interview in full below:
What EDM music school stands out to you the most?
Trove: I have some friends that have attended Icon Collective in LA and have spoken really highly of the education and training there
For young producers out there, when would you say is the right time to quit the day job?
Trove:I tend to jump the gun on this kind of thing. It definitely wasn’t the right time for me but it drove me to really try and make it work. I would recommend honing your sound and skill until you feel like the music you’re making is creating enough opportunity to keep you busy and learning throughout the week. Save up some money in the bank so you’re a little supported and go hard full time to make it work.
Who would be your dream collaborator?
Trove:Would love to work with Rufus Du Sol or Flume.
How do you do get the creative process flowing?
Trove:Usually I’ll scroll through sample packs or presets until I find something that pricks my ear and then I’ll play some chords I like. Once I have something I can built off, I completely change and tweak the sound so it sounds unique to me. Lyrically, I’m always scribbling notes and often times they’re terrible ideas but sometimes you get a good one to build off of too.
What music platforms or general music apps do you find most relevant right now?
Trove:Spotify and Apple Music I think are at the forefront while platforms like YouTube music and TikTok are on the come up. Being able to see your stats and influence throughout different regions as an artist is a big win!
What are you most excited about this year?
Trove:All the traveling I’ve done and continue to do! I’ve visited 7 countries this year already and will be doing 3-4 more this year for songwriting.
Interviews | Gromo Talks Ultra Europe, Hobbies, And New Single “Give Me” In Exclusive Interview
Posted by VMan on February 16, 2017
Coming from New York, this producer has a storied past unlike most. Gromo burst onto the scene at Ultra Music Festival in Miami at the ripe age of 16, the youngest artist to ever play such event. From there he went onto to international shows including Ultra Japan, Ultra Europe, and Ultra Bali. His unique production style and age have garnered him a reputation that is hard to come by for high school student. Never the less, his new track “Give Me” is a creative and unique record that features a multitude of different elements mashed into one solid piece of production.
Electronic | Listen to “Castaway” by Sun City
Posted by APM on October 5, 2016
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Sun City gives us a brand new summery treat called ‘Castaway’, which features the voice of Yeo. Sun City mention that this is just the first taste of their forthcoming ‘Daytona EP’, and if this track is any indication, it’s going to be a great one. From the producers themselves, “This track is about relinquishing the idea of control and leaving everything up to fate, or the universe.” ‘Castaway’ is a chilled but upbeat track with warm vibes with well executed sound design and percussion. Check out the track now and show Sun City and Yeo some love!
Bass, Trap | Hudson Mohawke’s “Chimes” Gets Torn Apart by Alexander Lewis X Y2K
Posted by VMan on August 2, 2016
What a enormous remix, wow. Y2K and Alexander Lewis are quite the pair of producers to team up on a track, so when I saw they came together to put a booming flip on “Chimes” originally by HudMo my interest peaked. I was not disappointed and you won’t be either, turn up to this one above!
Chill | MADILLAC’s “Guardian’s Dub” Is A Creative Change of Pace
Posted by VMan on July 29, 2016
The only aesthetic that could make this track better is if some reggae vocals were stacked on top. MADILLAC’s “Guardian’s Dub” is chill and centers itself around real instrumentals, a strong flow that makes the overall experience pleasant, and sweet vocal melody samples that string the theme together.
Whats next with this producer is unclear, he hasn’t dropped music in 3 months but I wish he would. If this dude created a network of house producers who dig and supported each others music, focused more on finishing and releasing tracks, and was a bit more personable on social media, I could see this dude going far.
Electronic | DEMUR Strikes Again With Controversy, Releases New Song
Posted by VMan on July 21, 2016
DEMUR is climbing the ranks in American dance music. Based out of LA, the propaganda-themed artist who isn’t particularly open about his identity, has shared a handful of graphic art pieces, as well as songs, that clearly call out elements that occur in the industry that he isn’t pleased with.