Interviews | Eight Questions With Clinton Sparks

Posted by on September 12, 2014

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If you ask five people who Clinton Sparks is, it’s likely you’ll get five different answers. Labeled by many in the industry as a jack of all trades, Clinton Sparks has taken the leap from mixtape king and super-producer to leading man with the release of his highly anticipated “ICONoclast” EP earlier this week. Melding the sounds of hip-hop, rock, and EDM into one “ICONoclast” is a collaborative body of work chalked full of features that only Clinton Sparks could make happen. It’s safe to say he’s on the rise. Rather than ask the standard questions asked of every artist when they’re on a press run, we decided to sit down with Clinton in order to find out what makes him really tick. Prepare to Get Familiar.

BL: You’ve just released your “ICONoclast” EP via Photo Finish Records / Republic. Instead of asking standard interview questions. We’re going to mix it up. Are you ready?

CS: Get Familiar.

BL: Alright, let’s get to it.

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House | Michael Calfan – Prelude (Available September 12)

Posted by on September 9, 2014

Michael Calfan - PreludeFacebook | SoundCloud | Twitter

 Not sure how I’ve missed this track by Michael Calfan “Prelude,” but with just a few days before the release on September 12th via Spinning Records, I still have time to get myself acquainted with this progressive vocal house gem, and I just made that term up, because in all honesty it’s straight house, with hints of French house and glitch house if I say so myself.  Having named the record “Prelude” one can only anticipate that is just the beginning, and I sure as hell can’t wait to hear what more Michael Calfan has in store for us! This is a must listen, get lost to that piano!

Chill, Exclusive, House | FNT Premiere: Oh Honey – Be Okay (Matt DiMona Remix)

Posted by on August 11, 2014

Oh Honey - Be Okay (Matt DiMona Remix)

 

Oh Honey’s “Be Okay” was a big success, garnering well over a million plays on Youtube and 750k plays on Soundcloud. Matt DiMona has also had success recently, with his last two tracks combining for over 400k plays. His remix of Nikyee Heaton’s “Bad Intentions” was fantastic and is what really put him on the map. He has put his own spin of, as he calls it, feel good house on the original and it turned it great. Perfect for pool parties, as people always say, or even for watching people walk by your house, if you’re into that sort of thing. While you wait for the EP containing this remix to be released tomorrow, you can enjoy the stream exclusively below.

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Electro-House, FYI | Does Every Vinai Song Sound The Same?

Posted by on August 7, 2014

vinai suckIt is a hypothetical question to get your attention because the answer is yes, and here is why. I saw a side-by-side comparison a while ago and didn’t think too much of it, just an isolated incident of two songs that were made at the same time and released over the span of a few months. Then this Magnetic Mag article popped up in news feed today and I realized that this is much worse than I thought. So I decided to some more digging to try and get the full story and man it is rough. They all have the same kick, the same notes, the same Pryda snare at the exact moments in the drop — its almost like if you lined up the songs they would sound like one song. Oh wait, somebody did that and it is somewhat startling to hear the results.

To be fair, artists spend years developing a “signature” sound and once they find it, they aren’t going to deviate too far from it, especially in the early stages of their professional career. However, in this case, you see a cop and paste mentality, where almost no care goes into creating a new complete idea with each song. Instead it is a lazy reliance on what has worked in the past with no attempt to take risks or try something new. Us calling out Vinai for the pretty blatant lack of creativity probably won’t do much to dent their meteoric rise in the last year, that is up to the fans. It is up to them to decide whether or not they want to continue hearing the same song over and over again and the time when they say enough is enough may come sooner than Vinai would like.

Deep House | Tom Bull & Official Nancie – I’ll Be Waiting (Original Mix)

Posted by on July 23, 2014

Tom Bull & Official Nancie - Ill Be Waiting (Original Mix)Facebook | SoundCloud | Twitter

Tom Bull is a producer I’ve been keeping my eyes on, ever since I heard his remix of Beverley Knight’s “Fire Burning,” and this time he releases an original with Official Nancie “I’ll Be Waiting,” which is already being supported by Disclosure, and even without that co-sign, this track is just straight feels. I swear if I wouldn’t get lost to this tune every time I play it, I would’ve had this up earlier, but now you know! This is a must listen and a must download, let’s get it some more plays!

Free Download: Tom Bull & Official Nancie – I’ll Be Waiting (Original Mix)

Electronic | Ellie Goulding – Dead in the Water (Tidlwav Remix)

Posted by on July 9, 2014

Ellie Goulding - Dead in the Water (Tidlwav Remix)Facebook | SoundCloud | Twitter

Every now and then I’ll repost a track on my SoundCloud and forget to share it with you guys, but I’ve been holding on to this remix for too long, and it deserved a feature, my bad Tidlwav for the wait, and thank you for your patience! With that said, listen to Tidlwav’s remix of Ellie Goulding’s “Dead In The Water,” it’s a haunting, chills guaranteed record, and Ellie’s vocals are mixed perfectly to fit the whole vibe. I wish this track was up for free download, but I understand, so looks like I’ll just have to keep playing this on repeat on SoundCloud. This is a must listen!

Exclusive, Featured, Interviews | Living The #FreeLife With The Bixel Boys

Posted by on May 26, 2014

bixel boys

Two Fridays ago in New York it monsooned. Not your average everyday, downpour with the occasional flash of lightning, but a serious cloth soaking, 100% humidity state of affairs that created deceptive “puddles” that would envelop your entire lower leg up to your knee. Despite this and a 4 hour flight delay because of it, The Bixel Boys got to Webster Hall to play alongside the big man himself (he is actually a rather tall and imposing figure), Tchami.

So me hoarse from yelling over the music and a busted voice from a week of tough allergies and a cold, managed to get out some ridiculous questions to the guys and they gave me some great answers with Tchami “Untrue” blaring in the background.

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