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.”

Just as the sun rises, so too does Oregon Eclipse near. With 7 stages each boasting a lineup worthy of an entire festival, we’ve decided it wise to feature our top picks by stage. Some we love. Some we just discovered. All essential.
Click here for more from this series.
50 Days

Second up in our teaser series: The MOOOON. This stage features enough glitch and bass to make us question if we really are cogs in the matrix. Come August, we’ll definitely be a part of a whole under the wobbly Moon.

Machinedrum

To experience Machinedrum is to experience a masterfully crafted foray into jungle, beat, glitch, footwork, and drum & bass all at once. Travis Stewart has spent the better part of 20 years playing around all sides of the industry and his sound certainly shows it.

Thriftworks

Berkeley’s Jake Atlas, or Thriftworks, is one of the most industrious producers in the downtempo dubstep and glitch scene. Since 2010, he’s put out 14 LPs and EPs totalling over 150 tracks. And that’s just stuff released. His sets are uniquely paced and well worth the time.

CloZee

The worldly elements that French native CloZee adds to her glitch foundation helps create a unique soundscape: a blend of organic nomadic sounds and the hiccupyy roughness of electronica. Together it creates a tonality by which to easily get lost in.

Tsuruda

Having been born directly into music, Tsuruda has developed a deep understanding of theory. He ventures into experimental beats and bass to create an amalgamation of sound that is purposefully discordant yet jazzy and romantic.

EPROM

Eprom really needs no introduction. He’s had a steady rise through the music ranks since 2007. His bassy sound has evolved alongside him, never losing its frenetic nature, but rather always growing in the complexity and depths of glitch and drum & bass.

Huxley Anne

Rising LA star Huxley Anne has been spending much of her 2017 in the LA beat scene mastering her own unique style of moody, scratchy beats. The eeriness of it has a mysterious appeal that’s best seen live.

K+Lab

A dash of funk on top of layers of Drum & Bass and the makings of K+Lab are clearly evident. You can be sure his set will be a dance party will all the right amounts of whimsy.

Symbiosis Gathering | Lineup | Tickets

Portland based producer EPROM excels in all things underground bass. Where he stands out is in a wide-ranging background in drum and bass, dubstep, beats and trap. Having last seen him live at HARD Summer 2014, we can only expect he’ll put on a show that’s just as wild both visually and sonically. Check him out Thursday at 10:45pm at The Grotto if you’re trying to start your fest off with some really bizarre and forward thinking sensations.

Alix Perez & EPROM – Chiron

EPROM – VAMP

EPROM – Beasts of Babylon

Kendrik Lamar – M.A.A.D. City (Eprom Remix)

Symbiosis Spotlight brings attention to artists that will be featured at

☼ Symbiosis Gathering ☼
Some we love. Some we just discovered. All essential.
Click here for more from this series.
2 Days

Hospital Records | TICKETS SOLD OUT!

For those who are playing catch up, Hospital Records is a premier drum & bass label hailing from South London. After seeing its birth in 1996, they’ve housed some of the best d&b acts in the world! Lucky for us southern California folk who don’t see much d&b come our way, they are starting a new event every other month currently based at Complex in Glendale. You may not have been before, but this awesome venue provides an incredibly intimate experience. This will be prime for the d&b heads making their way over for such a special night. Finally we get to quench our thirst for some higher BPM!

The special guest has yet to be announced, but I’m going to go ahead and trust a label who has releases with Netsky, Metrik, Mat Zo (AKA Mrsa), and of course Fred V & Grafix. Come jump around with us and help show Hospital Records how California does it >:] By the way, I know the Endorphins Remix is old, but it still makes me feel some type of way. Can’t wait to see these guys live!

Sub Focus – Endorphins (Sub Focus v. Fred V & Grafix Remix

Fred V & Grafix GDD Guest Mix

Chromeo ft. Solange – Lost On The Way Home (Mat Zo Remix)

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Sub Focus | Buy Torus

The world that saw the release of Sub Focus’ self-titled debut in 2009 couldn’t have changed more drastically. The difference has been exponential. In technology, music, lifestyle, and pretty much every way imaginable. Nick Douwma, better known by his stage name Sub Focus, never wanted to confine himself to a single genre, but is best known for his unique breed of drum & bass.

I personally never really understood the sound until I saw the kind of energy and melody it holds at one of Sub Focus’ live shows a few years back. It was a combination of the music he played, the people that were there, and the towering live set he performed on and worked tirelessly to perfect…but that’s another story (documentary below). We live in a time where drum & bass generally doesn’t have the respect it deserves, leaving a big hole for quality material being released. I only can imagine that Sub Focus filled that void with hope that Torus inspires producers on precisely how to do it right.

Torus encapsulates just about everything that makes Sub Focus so important to me and electronic music in general: experimentation, diversity, range, and soul. He brings life back to drum & bass with “Safe in Sound,” “You Make It Better,” “Turn It Around,” and the timeless “Out The Blue.” He takes on a synth rock vibe for “Endorphins,” “Out Of Reach,” and “Until The End.” Then tracks like “Falling Down” and “Close” bring light to Sub Focus’ impeccable range across genres. There’s just something about his execution and the way he uses his vocals that consistently send chills down my spine. All we can do now is pray that he takes his “portal” live setup back on tour (specifically to southern California) so we can shower in all its glory once again!

Tracklist

1. Torus
2. Safe In Sound
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/sub%20focus/02%20Safe%20In%20Sound.mp3]
3. Endorphins Feat. Alex Clare
4. Out The Blue Feat. Alice Gold
5. Twilight
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/sub%20focus/05%20Twilight.mp3]
6. Close Feat. MNEK
7. Turn It Around Feat. Kele
8. Out Of Reach Feat. Jayelldee
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/sub%20focus/08%20Out%20Of%20Reach%20%28Feat.%20Jayelldee%29.mp3]
9. Falling Down Feat. Kenzie May
10. Turn Back Time
11. You Make It Better Feat. Culture Shock & TC
12. Tidal Wave Feat. Alpines
13. Until The End Feat. Foxes
**iTunes Deluxe Version**
14. Eclipse
15. Original
16. Falling Down (VIP) [feat. Kenzie May]
17. Endorphins (feat. Alex Clare) [Sub Focus vs. Fred V & Grafix Remix]

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