It’s getting harder and harder to focus on school lately, especially with my increasing desires to go to all the concerts that are happening in Southern California. Call it a crippling addiction? I don’t care. I love it. And I love sharing these experiences with you guys! No better way to live in “the now” than at a concert with like-minded people. Here’s how last week went:

Young the Giant
SOMA San Diego 2/10

Young the Giant set sail on their most epic headlining tour last week. Sold out date after sold out date and we were there to document part of it! San Diego brought the heat, and I haven’t seen that sort of energy from a crowd for this kinda music in much much too long. Big things are headed their way! Check back with us for the video interview in the next few days.

A-Trak/Diplo
Belasco Theatre LA 2/11

First off, the bass is a little overwhelming at first, but it gets better! I was wondering how they were going to split the set times for the Pre-Gramy party, and when I saw A-Trak and Diplo were playing together I freaked. It was just bound to be a party, considering the different types of DJs they are. Apparently the last time they did it was 2006? Two of the biggest DJs in our game. Killing it.

SkrillexBelasco Theatre LA 2/11

Fuck the hype. Skrillex is always so fun to see! His music cut out at the beginning for some reason, and it’s starting to seem like a trend with him at this point? Whatever. We got the biggest pit going for his entire set! Took me back to my hardcore days. I know a lot of you may not appreciate that, but Sonny would. If you can’t handle the pit then stay out of the shit! On another note, slipped and cut my hand open on some broken glass. Shouts to the chick who gave me hand sanitizer. That shit burned.

The Asteroids Galaxy Tour
The Echoplex LA 2/14

Finally got to catch the epic organization that is The Asteroids Galaxy Tour on Valentine’s day, and what more can I say than “WOW!” A lot more actually…these guys were just as glorious live as I had imagined. One guy on trombone, another on the sax. The guitarist and the bassist and the drummer just getting down super groovy with the sickest, psychedelic aura about them. Everyone was switching on and off the keys/synths which made for one of the coolest live performance from a band that I’ve seen in a long time. Not to mention how hot and sexy front lady Mette Lindberg was. She brought it all together in a hot new way. Highly recommend seeing them or listening to them if you can. Their new album “Out of Frequency” is going to need some serious competition to beat it for best album of 2012. Yeah I said it.

I wish I was still into video games, or that I at least had time to play them because their soundtracks are becoming more keen to the harder shit. If you don’t know already, EA Sports’ Syndicate is an action game set in 2069, and it’s looking to be a promising experience for everyone who’s into that stuff. The main track is getting some relatively high key remixes from Skrillex, Digitalism, Flux Pavillion and now NERO…so far. Nero’s version sets up an orchestral take that they’re SO good at weaving in with borderline lethal levels of bass. The song is set to download for free on their SoundCloud, so I linked it below. Easy enough. Cool shit I found out today though, Dillon Francis will be supporting the American leg of their world tour! So fresh. So clean.

Delightful Treats

Skrillex – Syndicate
Syndicate (Digitalism Remix)
Syndicate (Flux Pavilion Remix)

Skrillex may be making serious grounds on his own, given his recent Grammy succes (kudos bro), but his label OWSLA is doing work as well! With the likes of Zedd, Porter Robinson, Kill the Noise, The M Machine and more, we get a pretty promising intro to Melbourne’s Nick Thayer. I wasn’t familiar with him ’til this EP, and I can confidently say there’s no better place for him than OWSLA. The EP ranges from 110 to 140 BPM, so it’s cool to get a taste of his range as a producer. His bouncy wubs and twisted cuts have a little bit of all his aforementioned label mates. The sound isn’t particularly “new,” but for what it’s worth, I can get down. Our favorites at the moment are Top of the World and Facepalm.

Support him on his FaceBook, and if you like his EP after streaming it, buy it on BeatPort…or go to his shows. This won’t be the last time we hear from him I’m sure.

12FV

Happy Sunday friends. I’ve been waiting for this list so I could attempt to put into words how huge the last two nights were. We were fortunate enough to catch our friends Young the Giant in the cusp of the most epic tour of their lives. Sold out show after sold out show all over the country. Awesome to see the response from the crowd. Very happy for them! We were able to take pictures and snag an interview, so stay posted on those.

And last night…I just……I don’t even…….I’m at a loss for words. A-Trak, Diplo and Skrillex hosted a pre-Grammy party and “monumental” doesn’t even cut it as a description. Haven’t felt that sort of energy from a crowd in too long. I’m just happy to have been a part of it all. I got some videos I’ll load up ASAP. Good luck to all the artists representing EDM in the Grammy’s tonight! In the words of Skrillex, “the future is awesome.” That it is, Sonny. That it is. Enjoy #82:

YOLO82

^click for whole list

2 Many DJs – Prince Vs James Brown – Sexy Kiss Machine (Mash Up/Funk/Soul)
Young the Giant – Guns Out (Indie/Rock)
Cherokee – Do It Again (Funk)
AraabMUZIK – Ain’t Mad Atcha (Instrumental Hip Hop)
Air – Parade (Alternative/Acid Jazz)
Air – Sonic Armada (Alternative/Acid Jazz)
Nick Thayer – Top Of The World feat. Lex One (Electronic/Bass Music)
Miami Horror – Make You Mine (Fred Falke remix) (Dance)
Ladyhawk ft. PNAU – Embrace (Miami Horror & Fred Falke Remix) (Dance)

12FV

Happy Sunday! Our collective The Donuts had our first get-together on Friday that was very much a push towards us making our dream a reality. Thanks to everyone who came out and know this is just the beginning. Always moving forward with what you want to do. No “trying” or “hoping.” Those words leave too much room for failure. Scrap ’em! Plan your shit and get it done. You only can fail so many times before you succeed. If anyone can do it, it’s you! But you already knew that ;) Enjoy #81:

YOLO81

^click for whole list

Sebastien Tellier – Divine (Danger Remix) (Zeds Dead ReRemix) (Dubstep)
Dr. Dog – That Old Black Hole (Rock)
Dr. Dog – How Long Must I Wait (Rock)
Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs – Moon Hits the Mirror Ball (Electronic)
Erol Alkan & Boys Noize – Lemonade (Gesaffelstein Remix) (Techno)
Radiohead – Codex (Deadmau5 Cover) (Experimental)
Wolfgang Gartner – There And Back (Original Mix) (Electro House)
Sum 41 – Nothing On My Back (Rock/Punk)
Die Antwoord – I Fink U Freaky (Electronic/Rap/wtf)

I hate being teased. Especially when I won’t see the fruits of the teasing for an extended period of time. TEED’s new single isn’t going to come out for two months. Which, in music time, is forever…What the hell! ‘Tapes & Money’ isn’t supposed to come out until April, and the album will follow in May. This track is yet another masterpiece from our prehistoric friend. He’s so good at being super ravy and distorted while still maintaining a feel-good sound overall. Definitely one of the most consistent producers right now.

Speaking of consistent producers, Dillon Francis is doing some teasing of his own. His is a little bit more short-ended, as his EP ‘Something, Something, Awesome’ is out in 10 days. I heard him drop all of these songs the last couple times I saw him. Shit goes hard. Majority Nu Jump Up, as he dubs it, and just the spiciest moombahton track at the end. He guarantees you getting laid if you buy it and it conveniently comes out on Valentine’s Day. GO:

Orna – The Anthem (Flume Remix)
We’ve been working with a couple of our friends and hometown heroes (including but not limited to Groove Monsters, Inc. and 12FV) to bake up a treat for everyone. The first friday of every month will hold a fresh new take on celebrating life in Orange County. Their words:

Life is crazy. You know that, we know that. Keep in touch? HA. Think of all those you once planned to “keep in touch” with. Think of all those good people and how great it’d be to actually catch up. Well! In an effort to reunite & rekindle those connections, under the banners of Creativity & Community we invite you to join us.

All good music. All good people. All good things. We’re putting all the pieces together to have a legit, open-minded atmosphere in our area since LA and SD get all of the fun! Come kick it, try something new and save the worry of the night going wrong. You only live once! For the flyer, more info and music, click ‘more.’

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