Mansions on the Moon | Soundcloud

Since they were featured in Benzi and Diplo‘s Paradise Falls mixtape, MOTM has held a special place in my heart for one of my favourite late night driving tracks: ‘Satellite’. I still get goosebumps cruising empty highways to it.

The good news is they’re coming out with a self-titled LP on October 22nd. The first single, ‘Don’t Tell’, is just as perfect as I’d hoped it to be. It’s a blend of indie-electronic dance pop that elicits nothing but a lighthearted wave of summery dreams about that night you can’t quite remember but will never forget. Download it free and take it for a test drive (literally).

Take 2 Entertainment | Tickets

It was seemingly yesterday that we celebrated USA…and now we’re already upon Christmas. Or so it would seem. There might not be snow falling from the sky (like there ever is in Long Beach anyway), but that doesn’t mean you can’t break out your Santa hats for another round of themed triple-decker boat fun and sunset sprays this coming July 26th.

The jolly tunes this time will be provided by Summertime staple Viceroy, the always lovely Jessie Andrews, GDD residents Bones and Troy Kurtz, Wilks and more primo talent we’ve seen making waves in the LA scene. One special addition (it’s quite a present indeed) to this installment is the after party aboard the Queen Mary. From past experience, nobody is quite ready for the night to end once docked. This time around there won’t be silly drivers doing silly things. Stay afloat awhile longer with tunes curated by our friends in GDD, Take2En, and a Super Duper Secret Special Guest. Still can’t muster the courage to take to the streets? Hang out for the sleepover; just call 877.342.0742 for rooms!

HOW TO ENTER

Standard procedure: The contest ends at 8PM Friday July 18th! The more ways you enter below, the better your chance is to win. Be sure to be ready to check your e-mail/twitter, because we’ll be giving it to the first person who responds when the contest is over. See you guys there!

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Pepa Knight | Soundcloud

Jinja Safari‘s Pepa Knight went solo and wowed me a few months back with ‘Rahh!’. Since then he’s released ‘Clams’ which is equally impressive and expressive. His self brand of tipi pop/jam makes absolute sense when you listen to it. It’s got essences of ethnic instruments combined with indie-pop layering to create some downright feel-good free-spirit, triumphant soul, child-of-the-sun type stuff. My favourite.

A self-searching sabbatical to India is the inspiration for his upcoming album and the lyrics you hear in these two singles are evident of how life-changing it was. A tipi in his back yard: the studio.

What are you waiting for? What are you living for?

The Acid | Soundcloud

The Acid are no strangers to cerebral sounds. This trio is Angeleno Steve Nalepa channeling his skill with atmospheric flow and organic elements, Brit Adam Freeland planning chemical rhythms and cosmic grittiness, and Australian RY X binding it all together with his Thom-ish groaning and Iver melancholy. With all their worldly influences teamed together, they’re synthesizing obscure yet crisp, moody, and heady music for cranial adventures.

Their full length, Liminal comes out July 15. in the meantime keep your senses satiated, or be anticipated, with their 4-track EP.

Get lost, get found

Take 2 Entertainment | Tickets

This weekend is of much celebratory import. We’ve got the birth of our nation on Friday. And then we’ve got the 1-year anniversary of Take 2 Entertainment’s sea-born baby: Boatylicious. I’m sure you know the setting by now. But if not, then there’s no reason not to get acquainted with the Long Beach Harbor backdrop, Pacific kisses, and California sun atop a triple decker of red, white, and blue. Deep, tech and disco house vibes and feel-good freedom ensure this party will be booming. Come catch the Sunset and IndepenDANCE with Moon Boots, Yolanda Be Cool, aRod, Ruby Sparks, and more. Check after the jump for music!

HOW TO ENTER

Standard procedure: The contest ends at 8PM Tuesday July 1st! The more ways you enter below, the better your chance is to win. Be sure to be ready to check your e-mail/twitter, because we’ll be giving it to the first person who responds when the contest is over. See you guys there!

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JL | Soundcloud

Steel pan drums are all the rage for the tropical house scene, especially with this lovely summer weather. Along comes Aussie Alex Hiew, or JL, to mix things up with his new 2-side Never Have | Night Walk. You wouldn’t expect the upbeat echo in trap, but dear god it works so well. We’d expect nothing less of a DIE HIGH. affiliate. His other tracks experiment with other lovely island sounds too. Catch that guitar on ‘Hold Moi’. Most of his stuff is free to download through SoundCloud or Facebook.

Tep No | Soundcloud

Tep No combines essences of deep house and dream pop to create some seriously hypnotic flows to back his rhythm-and-bluesy voice, which maintains a sort of airy scratchiness. While the lyrics are relatively melancholy, the combination of everything pans out oddly soothing.

His first release, ‘Promises’, was a hit among those in the know. It brought to mind a more electronic Lana. We waited to see if he could carry the rep and his subsequent 2 releases definitely indicate he’s onto something good. You can download all his work for free off his SoundCloud.