With our world ever evolving and growing seemingly ever divisive, Tycho took it upon himself to build a soundscape that transports us into a world of unifying and pensive hope in his newest album, Simulcast. While he doesn’t stray too far from his signature instrumentals suited for solo sessions around celestial shifts, he does expand on his style with choral vocals and natural elements a la “Into the Woods” or “Easy”.

At just shy of 35 minutes, Simulcast serve as a staple of anyone’s wake up jaunt or daily meditation playlist. Every track, even more so when taken in sequence, allows listeners the space to step out from society and dive into their minds – which, quite clearly, the world needs more of. We can’t help but visualize love every time we listen to Tycho and Simulcast is no different – only it’s even better.

Northern Nights Music Festival • Tickets

Remember the days of sneaking cannabis into festivals? Yea…we don’t either. Luckily, come July 19th we no longer need to have nightmares about the days we never had. Thanks to our favorite boutique festival, Northern Nights, the Tree Lounge returns with the added feature of cannabis concessions. Already touted as being one of the most forward thinking fests in the circuit, they’ve really stepped it up since this move. Don’t forget to hug your farmers! Less hassle (do you sweat bullets when people ask to check your spare tire space?) means more fun. To top it off, there’s an experience of music, art, relaxation, human nature, community nature, and nature nature rounding out the weekend-long lazy river smoke out.

All jokes aside, this is a big deal. Finally, those in the trenches of the “Wellness” work and their consistent pushing of the needle have shepherded us into what we hope will become the regular modality for healthy and mindful development options at music festivals. With top-tier music from the likes of Zhu, Big Wild, The Desert Hearts Fam, Sacha Robotti, The Funk Hunters, Dance Spirit, Minnesota, and on, and on, and on, and on; alongside sky-caressing Redwoods, soul-stretching yoga, and mind-bending art adding that extra splash of good ol’ routine breaking fun that we all know is necessary for positive growth, Northern Nights has again reminded us why Cook’s Valley is a home away from “home”. So, let’s go home – we’ve missed ya.

Nominated for a Grammy for “Ghost Voices” within the first year of production, Porter Robinson’s newest moniker Virtual Self is more like his best self. The music has tinges of his background in DDR as well as all the musical and video game influences from both his childhood and the current underground. In all, it is a massive amalgamation of styles that freshens up the scene with unexpected aural twists, hard pushes, and deep emotional cuts alongside all the throwback sounds and tropes that arguably inspired all the electronic music we’ve heard since.

To celebrate his grammy nomination, Porter Robinson will be bringing Virtual Self to the Shrine Expo Hall on 2|7 and 2|9 with Nina Las Vegas as support. Tickets for 2|7 are still on sale – come virtual DDR with us!

Six years ago, the brothers Dawaele and their band Soulwax changed our lives forever. Sporadic appearances since then as 2ManyDJs had us chasing proverbial dragons (Coachella 2016 was so right). Fast track to last year and the release of From Dewee and the magic was still going strong. Still, a live appearance in the coast cities was nowhere to be seen.

Then this video came out. Then the Coachella 2018 lineup came out. Then the Localchella 2018 (nka. Goldenvoice Presents April) lineup came out.

Long story short, whether you’re at Coachella, Localchella, or both, Transient Program for Drums and Machinery is an experience you’d be remiss to miss. Catch up with us at the Fonda on 4|19.

Oregon Eclipse

Play.

When 30,000 people from across the globe trek to a singular spot in Oregon for the purpose of being humbled by the Totality of our Cosmos, a game ensues. A game of patience, accents, endurance, festivity, intention, and organic connection. Over the course of August 16-23, Oregon Eclipse’s world-spanning hosts put on a week-long gathering that, at its heart, was a test of what humanity can strive to become. Big Summit Prairie in Oregon turned into a veritable “prairie of Babel” by which people could see, touch, hear, share, and deeply experience artistry and knowledge from all over the planet. With the abundance, subject, and quality of music, yoga, speaker series topics, art, workshops, it might as well have been a peace rally. The Gaslamp Killer’s rather political remarks sure made it feel that way.

With any global endeavour of cooperation, traditions, ethics, and work mentality always come into play. It was clear that Global Eclipse had to deal with the same. The event was still being built as we arrived on Wednesday and work continued throughout the week. It took us 8 hours to get in. (Burning Man waits, anyone?) Attractions like the MOVA and Eclipse stage were built during festival hours. But as with any experience like those our hosts put on, random pop-up attractions are the norm and so it quickly became passable considering the amount of enchantment already in place. One thing is for certain: the attention to detail at this festival remains unmatched. Affirmations, gift baskets, art pieces hidden about the festival, themed troupes (space fairies, sun-children, and swamp monsters!), and the delicate design from stages to booths to signage markers – color schemes and themes are important! – made it truly evident this was not some “Fyre-ready” excuse for not being fully up and running come showtime. Rather, a deep care for making sure things were experienced properly.
It bears repeating that this event was not backed by corporate sponsorship.

Nearly every other person we talked to came from a different corner of the world. Our camp of over 60 people represented 6 countries in itself. And the new friends we made inside the event made up for the rest. While the lack of cell service definitely added an aura of stress – it was a mission all its own to find people – it was refreshing to have so sharp a digital disconnect. Not being constantly bombarded with the trouble brewing around the world for a week really put life into perspective. At the same time, reducing the fest to its own human creativity efforts made for some resourcefully improvised message boards, meaningful chance encounters, and clever meet-up strategies. In this itself it is clear: people will always find a solution.

As far as music goes, there was something for everyone. Every act we saw had their own unique flavor and the top of their game in check. Standouts include Audley, The Polish Ambassador, Charlesthefirst, Machinedrum, STS9, Antibalas, Justin Martin (more Drum and Bass, please!), System 7, The String Cheese Incident, The Gaslamp Killer, OPIOU, Patrice Bäumel, Nico Stojan, CloZee, EPROM, LOUD, Nicola Cruz’s Sunrise, Mortisville, William Close, and Madmotormiquel. Even with the quality of the billed acts, music all about at the festival was a given – The Sym-bi-oat, the Guayaki Tent, the Traveling Bug Car, the Silk Road side stage, and the Astro-Slide had their own special following all week. There was music everywhere and that’s the way we like it (yes, even the endless Sun Stage Psytrance blasting into our campsite – what would we do without a beat to put us to sleep?). P.S. props to the people who by the end of the week had literally set up camp right at the Sun Stage.

And then there was everything else; which, while “everything else”, was definitely not to be taken lightly. From classes on googly-eyed booty twerking at the Dance Shala; to unleashing the kundalini serpent at the Yoga Shala; to walking the path of a healer at The Shrine of the Cosmos; to developments toward an environmentally stable world, edible landscaping, and free apple trees at The Permaculture Plaza; to Sensory Speed Dating with Guerrilla Science; to the Liminal Caravan full of mystic odds and ends and altars; to the Roadkill Saloon’s Westworld theatrics; to sound healing opportunities at the Wellness Oasis and throughout the festival; to family-friendly (and actually really fun) fun at Kidzbiosis, to chiropractor sessions, haircuts, and B12 shots outside The Silk Road; to learning how to eat for your soul at The Nourishment Lab; to native practices in sustainability with 1Nation Earth; to Android Jone’s 360-videography and VR Dome; to the most intricate and detailed art at the MOVA (with the added bonus of meeting and signing with The Greys); to Shamanic ceremony instructions with the Village Witches; to the Fringe Theater’s all-are-welcome talent shows; to martial arts and functional movement training at the Play Zone; to free drawing and unleashing creativity at the Art Temple; to poignant discussions of current paradigms at The Hub and The Parlor; to delectable and healthy treats from all the food vendors (shoutout Killa Dilla!); the organizers of Oregon Eclipse made sure there were ample offerings available for anyone looking for a respite from being caught up in the spontaneous dancing dust and fleet-footed spirits.

Yet, what truly stood out to us were the multiple talks we stepped in on that discussed giving up individual ownership and giving in to the sharing economy. Some highlighted simple topics from sharing wi-fi and cable with your neighbors (why not reduce everyone’s costs?) to complex topics of how a sense of individuality creates a need to defend “what is mine” and the anxiety, violence, and fear it creates. Instead, what would it take to truly understand we don’t bring any of it with us when we pass? As we have grown through the years of going to Transformational Gatherings, the talks and interactive art have taken more hold of our time. It has become evident that music is a leading complement to inspiring these deeper connections to community and what type of world we can create if we merely pay attention.

Lest we forget the Eclipse, those two minutes of totality were breathtaking to say in the least. Having an entire tribe of people gather at the Sun Temple was an experience in itself (music and art and festivities and “everything else” were just icing on the cake). Several marriage proposals beneath the diamond ring effect brought tears to our eyes. Or maybe it was being surrounded by a family of like-minded individuals whom we’d only ever probably meet a fraction of. Meeting under this cosmological rarity really brought home the idealization of what it is to be human – despite our distances and differences we are indeed “All One”, hurtling through space. The call for unity has long since passed. We sensed it in the prairie among us, and we sense it now at home; we are ready for change and Oregon Eclipse has stoked our fire to seek it out. Or rather, create it. Now.

Irvine grown duo Starfari‘s newest EP is a step above their first release Clear the Clouds. This time, they’re shooting for space with Total Solar. Whereas their first EP featured more tropical and cinematic sounds, their newest EP is an ode to the Great American Eclipse, and the wonders found in exploring the shadows. To that effect, the EP has a much higher energy influence with dashes of world and hip hop.

Hanuman is the heaviest hitting track on the upcoming EP. It features Niko Brahman and Jules telling a story of passion, distraction, the rat race, and being the judge of your own journey. It’s clear to see there’s a level of sophistication and sound experimentation that the homies Ali and Alex have taken on with their Total Solar EP. A few words about “Hanuman” from STARFARI themselves:

“The main thing we’ll vividly remember from this song is that we were writing and finishing it as we were shielding ourselves from the election results coming in back in November. This song is coincidentally about not letting ulterior distractions get in the way of your focus and being the hero of your mind; realizing the courage and strength within you like the Lord Hanuman.”

WORLDZ

From 7|31 – 8|1, Loews Hotel in the heart of Hollywood became the playground of some of the world’s most innovative, inspiring, and influential minds. Brought together by the invite-only PTTOW!‘s face man Roman Tsunder, these world-leading minds mingled with aspiring marketers, entrepreneurs, leaders, change-makers, and risk-takers with a sole purpose: Make the World a Better Place.

Unlike any other professional conference, WORLDZ blends topics spanning from the creative arts, leadership, philanthropy, marketing, holistic care, and cutting edge design and throws it all together for the purpose of redefining play, rediscovering wonder, and losing sight of the shore (a proper theme borrowed from Andre Gide).

2017 marked the event’s second chapter and saw an increase from 800 to 1,200 attendees. Yet, the group felt like family – made clear from Roman’s opening remarks on Radical Inclusion and how looking out for one another is the highest order. Perhaps the most remarkable takeaway from the conference is the amount of people who were willing to thrust themselves into the ever-changing ocean of culture – though filled with fear, confusion, and doubts – hoping and knowing that coming out on the other side will prove fruitful. The type of positive energy this amalgamation of risk-takers gave off was, in short, contagious.

In itself, WORLDZ stands out solely for the culture it attracts. The event draws together a wide-ranging group of professionals with the common factor of an ever-willingness to help. The “brain dates” (self-organized 1:1s or small group sessions) feature made this all the more evident. One of the brain dates we attended had the topic of: “How do we save the world?” that quickly delved into philosophical territory of what is the biggest problem with our society and ended with creative brainstorming on how to support failure as it pertains to learning, inspiring people to listen to their heart and passions, and bringing those concepts into reality. If nothing else, we all came to the conclusion that there are things in life we still want to do and the only way to be happy is to do it (as opposed to hoping tomorrow will have better set plans).

From forward discourse on entrepreneurship and playing to your strengths with Gary Vaynerchuk; to techniques for how be a better leader with Jim Kwik; to discussions on actionable alternatives across the spectrum of environment, racial awareness, gender equality, and gun violence hosted by the Young Turks; to creative mind-play for leadership growth with In-Q and Perestroika; to expert case studies on how to reach the masses with Raja Rajamannar; to navigating a sea of controversy for a greater purpose with MedMen and Cannakids; to inspiring ideation on designing with social awareness with Parley; and to informative remembrance of what it means to truly be human with Daniel Flynn and Deborah Dugan; the workshop and discussion package that WORLDZ brought to the its attendees was thoroughly curated and poignant to our time. Most of all, it was refreshing to be a part of a culture hellbent on saving our world in the midst of the turmoil and crassness we are bombarded with thanks to modern tech and media.

It is hard to boil WORLDZ down in terms of its scope and reach because the information dispensed can really apply to anything, but it is easy to say: don’t miss the opportunity come 2018. The nature of WORLDZ is something entirely new; the speakers have all pushed the envelop of what it means to live in our time and are willing to share all of their techniques (better read as: saving the planet is our call to action, and WORLDZ is at the ready to help instill that for generations to come). Roman Tsunder hinted at 9 total chapters in this voyage. There are 7 more left. We’re just getting started. We hope to see you along the hero’s journey to our better world.