Category: Electronic

In Focus: Lindsey Stirling at SPAC
On August 16, 2021, Lindsey Stirling graced Saratoga Performing Arts Center with an incredible performance. From daredevil aerial spinning to intricate choreography, her show is one for the ages. Sterling said during her set that she always imagined herself becoming what she is today, a badass playing violin and dancing to dubstep, wearing the most fantastical costumes.

Photo by Zach Culver

Lindsey’s Artemis Tour, named after her latest album release, is just as outrageously out of this world as any of her work. Every few songs a video would come up on the massive LED screen behind her playing a fable of sorts, usually incredibly strong and uplifting, inner beauty and strength being a key point in all her messages. She dives deep into each genre of… well, everything she gets into. Her music ranges from heavy dubstep to classical and back to pop, and her stage performances always have incredible themes.

Artemis is very much an album based in ancient fantasy. The videos between songs showed Lindsey Stirling in full costume in the middle of the woods, bow in hand, among her clan of pre/post-apocalyptic hunters. As she dove into her other albums, her costumes and themes changed with them. A Choose Your Own Pirate Adventure got the crowd cheering as the fair maiden and her crew acted out insanely hilarious and amazing choreography.

The Artemis Tour takes Lindsey out west for a handful of shows before a five-month hiatus. In late February 2022, she begins her World Tour of the same name beginning in Sydney, Australia and ending in Kiev, Ukraine.

Setlist: Artemis, Til the Lights Goes Out, Darkside, Shatter Me, Masquerade, Master of Tides, Love Goes On and On, Crystallize, Married Life > Once Upon a Dream > A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes / You’ve Got a Friend in Me, Between Twilight, Sleepwalking, The Arena / Underground, Roundtable Rival / Don’t Let This Feeling Fade, First Light, Mirage
August 19, 2021
Electronic Artist Nick Newhouse Releases Captivating Debut Single

Nick Newhouse, an electronic artist from New York City, finds the beauty in nightmares with his debut single “Every Night (In My Dreams).” This song is the tip of the iceberg for Newhouse’s new musical project. It creatively captures the love-hate relationship that Newhouse has with sleep, sleep deprivation, dreams, nightmares, and underwater spaces.

Nick Newhouse is a brilliant musician that is constantly fixated on existential themes and chilling production. He has recently moved away from his dance-oriented roots to dive deeper into his own thoughts and write music that reflects his imagination. He finds inspiration from underwater spaces and dream worlds, and his music is designed for listeners that hate going to sleep but never want to wake up. “Every Night (In My Dreams)” is the hallmark of his new music project, including dark lyrics and lush melodies.

“Every Night (In My Dreams)” is the first of several tracks that Nick plans to release in 2021. The debut single is paired with an ethereal music video that visualizes many of Nick’s non-musical influences as well as his fears.

Newhouse’s raw talent paired with his lyrical vulnerability makes him a captivating artist–listeners are able to relate to his lyrics while also feeling strongly moved by the enticing electronic beats that he produces. “Every Night (In My Dreams)” is the perfect song for the artist to start with because it is exemplary of his audio and visual aesthetic, but is only the tip of the iceberg of his career.

July 23, 2021
City Bisco Returns Home to Philadelphia
With the postponement of their annual summer festival Camp Bisco, The Disco Biscuits decided to pivot and still find a way to treat their fans to some great music last weekend. The solution came in the form of City Bisco – two nights of Biscuits at the Mann Music Center in their hometown of Philadelphia, with some of their friends along for the ride.

The DJ triumvirate that is Orchard Lounge kicked things off on Friday night with their infectious blend of hypnotech house and downtempo musical soundscapes. This set the table nicely for Lotus, who would play an opening set each night. Friday’s set saw a blend of their newer material like “Free Swim” along with classics like “Greet The Mind” and a massive “Flower Sermon.”

The Biscuits started the first of their two shows in theatrical fashion, with a first time cover of “Gonna Fly Now,” better known as the theme to Rocky. The inspired opening set even included a “Tractorbeam” segment, an electronica-heavy sequence that sees the band covering or playing along to the influence of another DJ which, until now, have normally been reserved for second sets.

The second set featured songs like “Astronaut” and “Running Into The Night” both broken up into two sections which helped sandwich “The Great Abyss.” The Biscuits also brought out their comrade Tom Hamilton, from Ghost Light and JRAD, to assist on the encore.

City Bisco Night One TD Pavillion at the Mann – Philadelphia, PA 7/9/21

Set 1: Gonna Fly Now > Spaga, Run Like Hell, > Spacebirdmatingcall > Tractorbeam Jam (Terje) > Spacebirdmatingcall

Set 2: Astronaut > Running Into The Night > The Great Abyss > Clocks > Tractorbeam Jam (Eden) > Astronaut > Running Into The Night

Encore: Humuhumunukunukuapu’a > Run Like Hell

Luke the Knife handled opening DJ duties for Saturday’s night two of City Bisco. He was followed by another scintillating set of music from Lotus, setting the tone for the evening nicely again.

What came next was nothing short of a classic Disco Biscuits show, with a perfect blend of classic and new material and, yes, another Tractorbeam sequence each set. The first set alone had a little bit of everything: an old school opener in “Mulberry’s Dream,” an exhilarating “Champions,” the middle section only of “Crickets,” and the first “Trucker’s Choice” in nearly four years.

The second set opened with another vintage Biscuits song in “Mindless Dribble” which set the table for a ferocious take on the newer “Anthem.” And the “Tractorbeam” sequence in this set was based off of original material instead of covering someone else. After two nights of fantastic music, surrounded by fans and friends alike, there was only one logical musical selection to wrap up the weekend and City Bisco, “We Like To Party.”

City Bisco Night Two TD Pavillion at the Mann – Philadelphia, PA 7/10/21

Set 1: Mulberry’s Dream, Reactor > The Champions > Tractorbeam Jam (Revive) > Crickets > Trucker’s Choice

Set 2: Mindless Dribble > Anthem > Gamma Goblins > Tractorbeam Jam (Original) > Abraxas > Story Of The World

Encore: We Like To Party

Photos by Alex B, 215Music.net
July 14, 2021
Doom Flamingo Releases New EP, Announces Summer Tour

Synthwave band Doom Flamingo has released their newest EP album, Flamingo, on June 30. The band has also announced a slew of tour dates for this summer, including a stop at the Capitol Theater.

(Photo Credit: Paul Chelmis)

Based in South Carolina, Doom Flamingo is a self-described “synthwave beast with a Jekyll and Hyde element to their songwriting.” Similar to the contrasting words in their name, Doom Flamingo creates a musical breed of both heavy electronica and dance-floor-ready pop.

The group features bassist Ryan Stasik, of the jam band Umphrey’s McGee, alongside a cast of musicians including dynamic vocalist Kanika Moore, guitarist Thomas Kenney, drummer Stu White, saxophonist Mike Quinn, and keyboardist Ross Bogan.

Flamingo serves as an upbeat alter ego to their 2020 Doom EP, a darker inspired collection. Full of ’80s-style keyboard beats, positive lyrics and an infectious groove, the new EP has a nostalgic summer beach-trip vibe.

This project makes me want to lace up a pair of roller skates and head on down to the boardwalk.
Ryan Stasik (bassist of Umphrey’s McGee and Doom Flamingo)

Despite this fun-loving and beachy attitude, the group stays vigilant in their belief in justice and equity. Songs like “Untraditional” and “Somebody” help spread the message that people deserve to live confidently in their truth, even if they’re outside expected societal values.

Doom Flamingo takes inspiration from a wide array of artists, from electronica pioneers Daft Punk to pop-icon Tina Turner (listen to their rendition of Turner’s “The Best”). Interestingly enough, one of the chief inspirations for Flamingo is former First Lady Michelle Obama. The band even wrote track 4, “Michelle,” in her honor.

‘Michelle’ is a song dedicated to the women that exhibit love, intelligence, and charisma because it feels good to deposit positive energy and be fed with the same. I’m inspired by Michelle Obama.
Kanika Moore (lead singer of Doom Flamingo)

Doom Flamingo in North Charleston, 2020

Flamingo can be streamed on all major platforms starting June 30. The band will also be bringing their new EP to a handful of select cities in the coming months, as part of their 2021 Summer Tour. For ticket information, check out their website.

Check out the full tour schedule below:

DOOM FLAMINGO Summer Tour 2021

July 1 – Isle of Palms, SC – Windjammer
July 3 – Scranton, PA – Peach Festival
August 19-21 – Chillicothe, IL – Summer Camp
September 9 – Austin, TX – Antone’s
September 10 – Houston, TX – Bronze Peacock
September 11 – Dallas, TX – Deep Ellum
September 16 – Masontown, WV – Resonance Marvin’s Mountaintop
September 18 – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue
October 9 – Port Chester, NY – Garcia’s @ The Capitol Theater
December 4-8 – Puerto Morelos, Mexico – Holidaze

July 3, 2021
The Forms Release “Southern Ocean” – First Single After Ten Year Hiatus

Queens-based band The Forms released their first new new song “Southern Ocean” on June 21. This single marks The Forms’ return to music after a ten year hiatus.

The New York duo, made up of musicians Alex Tween and Matt Walsh, have two full-length albums to date, debuting Icarus in 2003 and critically acclaimed, self-titled, The Forms in 2007.

The last taste of new music from the group prior to ‘Southern Ocean’ was 2011 EP Derealization, that featured The National’s Matt Berninger and Shudder To Think’s Craig Wedren. Over the course of these releases, The Forms were invited to share the stage with a large collection of artists including St. Vincent, Nick Cave, The National, Dizzee Rascal, The Hold Steady, Kurt Vile, Jose Gonzales, Deerhunter and Bat For Lashes.

It might have taken a decade for The Forms, but “Southern Ocean” is worth the wait. The song provides a first hint of what is to come from The Forms’ upcoming third album.

The Forms’ style is a great representation of early 2000’s alternative, reminiscent of bands like Modest Mouse and Arcade Fire. This idea is most prevalent in their cover of Billy Joel‘s “We Didn’t Start The Fir e.” The grungy electronic pop is iconic for the decade, and their current sound seems to be a more “grown up” version of the same intensity.

“Southern Ocean” is super upbeat and beachy, a similar vibe that electronic duo The Chainsmokers have. Fun-loving, yet reflective with lyrics like “Just another phase I’m in – Just another road I’m on – Doesn’t make a difference what I do.” This single definitely has potential to be on a pop-radio summer playlist.

The single arrives with a visualizer made up of a series of stunning shots of the Southern Ocean, the waters that inspired the name of the new track. Previously considered a part of the Pacific Ocean, the swift current off the coast of Antarctica is now being considered “too distinct” by National Geographic cartographers and is worthy of its own name.

“Southern Ocean” is available to stream on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, Deezer and will be pressed on vinyl.

June 30, 2021
Long Island Fan tabs out entire Disco Biscuits Catalog

In live music communities, you’ll find fans who put their talents to use for the benefit of all, thanks to their love of the music. One of those fans, Justin Treanor, has taken his love for the Disco Biscuits and playing guitar to a new level, with a website full of Biscuits’ guitar tabs, SickBarberLicks.net

Justin Treanor, a 32 year old from Babylon, NY has been a Disco Biscuits fan since 2007. He’s also been playing guitar for 20 years, and the two intertwined in 2016 when he started tabbing out the Disco Biscuits catalog.

“Sick Barber Licks,” named for Jon “The Barber” Gutwillig’s ‘sick’ guitar compositions and improvisation, has been a passion project of Treanor’s, one with a worthy cause and goal – promoting the music of his favorite band so more may learn to play the music of the Biscuits. For the last 5 years, he’s tabbed out all 207 Disco Biscuits songs as well as a handful of covers (“The Safety Dance” and “Run Like Hell” among them). Included in each song are scans of his handwritten tabs, song lyrics and in most cases, a video showing how to play the song.

Page 1 of the “Mr. Don” guitar tab

A self-taught guitarist, Treanor has played in local bands over the years, playing for fun more than anything. He would watch guitar videos and later create his own videos, having tabbed out 207 songs. Treanor has had the benefit of band members supporting his endeavors, with Marc, Jon and Aron all giving him feedback.

The response has been overwhelming from the fans. People tell me they use the site all the time, and the site sees about 250-300 unique visitors a week. It’s truly amazing.

Treanor’s first Biscuits show was on May 25, 2007 at Highline Ballroom in Chelsea. He was hooked instantly, sharing that it was an “insane Mr. Don -> inverted Little Betty Boop they played to start the second set” that hooked him. For Treanor, “the mix of jam music and intense trance hooked me from the first few notes.”

Treanor has also made the most of this past year, adding to his site’s cache of tabs, and expanded to bass tabs with Sick Brownie Bombs (9 songs so far) and friend Justin Highland starting Sick Magner Melodies (2 songs so far).

SickBarberLicks.net is a fan created website featuring tabs for all 207 Disco Biscuits songs. Those looking to support Treanor’s work and help improve the fan-driven site’s continuing effort, can do so here, via Paypal here or Venmo (@treanorjustin88).

Watch a few samples of Treanor’s guitar videos below, and subscribe to be sure to subscribe his YouTube channel.

June 30, 2021
Queer Pop and Melodic Chaos: Arthur Moon Releases Newest Single “Chaos! Chaos! Chaos!”

Standing at only a mere 4 days old, “Chaos! Chaos! Chaos!” the new single from Arthur Moon has already amassed thousands of streams and landed on playlists alongside huge artists like The Japanese House, Sufjan Stevens, and St. Vincent. Before the mark of their one year anniversary, they earned themselves an NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert.

It’s clear this band is praised for their excellence, and their new single hits the mark the very same.

The Brooklyn avant-pop group, led by composer and singer Lora-Faye Åshuvud with collaborators Cale Hawkins, Martin D. Fowler, Dave Palazola and Aviva Jaye, released the single while announcing their new album to be released in the fall under the same name: “Chaos! Chaos! Chaos!“

And that’s just what the single is: a beautiful and haunting chaotic musical masterpiece. Boarding on the genres of indie and electropop with elements from jazz and a choral influence, Arthur Moon is able to seamlessly meld these opposing musical soundscapes in a captivating and genius way.

“Avant-pop group Arthur Moon are more than happy to deconstruct the conventions of typical pop music”
-Billboard Music

Not a single time during my first time listening through to the single did I know where the next note would land. Against dissonant to resolving vocals and piano vamping that explored multiple keys sometimes within the same measures, there was a sense of peace in the chaos. The droning electronic sounds complimented rather than clashed with the more organic instruments.

The vocals evolved from melodic singing to speak-singing with a metallic overlay, creating chaos in the mix. But never did the chaos not resolve, paving the way for a beautiful jazz piano solo overtop the synth drone.

Rather than staying in the confines of one genre, Arthur Moon seems to reconceptualize boxing artists into one genre over another. They explore so many different soundscapes that at one point, I scrapped the idea of attempting to label them as alt or pop, instead praising their ability to operate outside of anything I’ve ever heard before.

“Dump the heteronormativity and get on Arthur Moon’s wavelength instead”
-Refinery 29

“Chaos! Chaos! Chaos!,” sung by lead Ashuvud who identifies as queer, was released for Pride Month. The music video captures two queer women dancing alone together in the purple light, expressing themselves and their love unequivocally. Their music shows the same queering of pop, electronic, and experimental music. Ashuvud is not afraid to defy traditionalism, bringing a unique approach to timbre, melody, and rhythm throughout all of her pieces.

The unpredictable nature of Arthur Moon’s music alludes to a rejection of heteronormativity within music and a huge step towards the acceptance of queer music which is so very crucially important, particularly in a month honoring our LBGTQIA ancestors. Following the accolades from monumental influences in the music industry, including Billboard and NPR Music, it’s clear Arthur Moon is on the verge of blowing up. If you want to secure bragging rights of knowing their name and following their music before they’re the household name they’re bound to become, stream their new song asap!

June 25, 2021
Arushi Jain Brings a Modern Spin to Indian Classical Music with “Richer Than Blood”

NYC-based artist Arushi Jain recently shared a new single, “Richer Than Blood.” This release is the first song of her upcoming album, Under the Lilac Sky, out on July 9.

Arushi Jain is an India-born, Brooklyn-residing composer, modular synthesist, vocalist and engineer. Jain’s work focuses on reinterpreting traditional Indian classical music through the lens of electronic instrumentation.

Jain spent her childhood studying Hindustani classical music at the Prayag Hindustani Music School and the Ravi Shankar Institute in New Delhi. Being trained in the genre, Jain now aims to make more people aware of the beauty behind Indian ragas by adding self-coded and ad-lib synthesizer sounds – a unique spin.

“Richer Than Blood” sets the tone of her new album, incorporating Jain’s vocals with deep, textured synth reverberations. Jain uses her voice as a musical tool for a source of texture rather than lyrics. This detail is most recognizable when Jain sings alaps, an improvised section, or sargam, singing with notes instead of words, within the different synth melodies.

At any given point, there is at least one layer in the record that carries my voice. The human voice is powerful and unique to every individual. My voice is unique to me, so I decided it should be present at all times even if it’s unrecognizable.
Arushi Jain

Jain notes that the concept of time and seasonality is essential to Indian classical music. Each raga, or melodic framework for improvisation, has a specific time of day to listen in order to experience the song’s full authenticity.

Courtesy: Ableton.com

At six songs spanning 48 minutes of ambient synth ragas intended to be heard during the sunset hours, Under the Lilac Sky and “Richer Than Blood” invites listeners to transport themselves through intentional listening – “realizing your vision of the moment.”

You know that moment when the sun is bidding farewell to the sky, and the colors turn into beautiful hues of purple and pink and everything in between? That is the moment that this album will shine the most. The deeper you listen, the more shades you’ll see.
Arushi Jain

Courtesy: Jain’s Instagram

Jain’s expertise with musical electronics creates an entirely unique art form embedded in historical themes. Her ambient sounds provide a visual landscape for listeners to enjoy, bringing a technological touch to a centuries old tradition.

This album is the coming together of two distinct cultures of Hindustani classical and modular synthesizers representing the two parts of me that evolved into one whole in between my time in India and California.
Arushi Jain

Following in the footsteps of electronic luminaries such as Suzanne Ciani and Terry Riley, Arushi Jain uses her talent to give a fresh face to Hindustani musical tradition, inviting new generations to enjoy the genre.

“Richer Than Blood” is available now on Youtube, Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp. Under the Lilac Sky can be streamed on those same platforms on July 9.

June 18, 2021
Tycho to Launch Inaugural Audio-Visual Show in Brooklyn

On Friday, July 23rd, Scott Hansen (aka Tycho) will launch his first ISO50 branded event at the Brooklyn Mirage in Brooklyn, NY. The event will feature six acts over six hours and will be an immersive audio-visual experience for attendees. Hansen himself will be headlining the show.

This event is one-of-a-kind, and all six acts have been hand-picked by Hansen, with good reason. Besides Hansen, the other acts that will perform in the heart of Brooklyn are RAC, Com Truise, Roosevelt, Heathered Pearls, and Nitemoves.

About the show, Tycho says, “I’m very excited to announce a special event I’ve put together featuring artists whom I greatly respect and admire,” says Hansen. “This will be the East Coast debut of a new set I’ve developed incorporating elements from all three eras of Tycho and a return to a focus on the immersive audio-visual experience.”

In keeping with the visual aesthetic of the festival, the digital event poster will be tokenized and made available as an NFT. All attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to purchase the NFT for only the cost of minting and gas fees. Tickets go on sale on Friday, June 18th at 10am ET.

TYCHO : ISO50

JULY 23 – BROOKLYN MIRAGE
TYCHO

RAC DJ SET

COM TRUISE DJ Set

ROOSEVELT DJ Set

HEATHERED PEARLS

NITEMOVES

June 17, 2021
Space Bacon Releases Debut Album ‘CONE’

Brooklyn-based four-piece band Space Bacon released their debut album, CONE, on June 11. CONE features 16 original instrumental tracks and blends rock and jam-band influences with an electronic flare.

Space Bacon is made up of Sam Crespo on drums, Chris Gironda on keyboards, Kevin LeGall on bass and Jack Willard on guitar. The band previously came out with their Nodes EP in 2016. CONE‘s recording process was split between Sabella Recording Studio in Roslyn Heights, NY and also with the help of Alfred Rylands in Wilmington, VT.

CONE features fan favorites such as “Ice Planet”, “Cloud Coast”, and “Heatseeker” as well as deeper cuts from their catalogue, reworked songs from their early years, and never before heard interludes.
Space Bacon Press Team

On CONE, tracks like “Cone” and “Throwing Shade” open with undeniable rock-n-roll guitar riffs. The riff on “Throwing Shade” even emulates a pop punk sound similar to 2000s-era hits like “The Middle” by Jimmy Eats World.

The band’s electronica-inspired grooves stand out on tracks like “Satellite,” “Lodge” and “Triangulation” with airy synths and reverb-heavy background sounds. Though the electronic influences stand strong, there is simultaneously a fun and energetic jam-band energy woven throughout the album. Since CONE is entirely instrumental, Space Bacon’s strength as a band is able to shine and they certainly dive into a funky rhythm.

Space Bacon recently celebrated the release of CONE with two sold out performances at the Safe and Soundz Music Festival in the Catskills. Be sure to look out for more shows and connect with Space Bacon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and their website. CONE is available to stream on all platforms.

June 17, 2021