The motor city duo known as Metawav. kick off Nightenjin’s spring release schedule with ‘Get Right‘ – a classic swanky Detroit tech-house 126bpm record coming out on April 27th, 2022.

The inspiration for the track started with wanting to develop a summer beach party groove because of how cold it gets in the mid-west while maintaining the Detroit electronic sound. Colin and Shane better known as the punks of house music have been friends since high school and developed a musical connection during the COVID-19 lockdown. Shortly after ‘Get Right’ was crafted as Metawav. realized that they were on the same wavelength even though they have different backgrounds.

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“The inspiration for the track started with us wanting to develop a groove that reminds us of a beach party with a Detroit vibe.

– Metawav.

Known as the punks of house music, Metawav. is an abstract house duo out of Detroit, Michigan that started in the spring of 2020. The group consists of Colin Guffey and Shane Parks. Colin and Shane have been friends since high school and developed a musical connection during the COVID-19 lockdown. They decided to start collaborating in what inevitably became Metawav. Colin has roots in the punk/hardcore scene from past bands such as Take Notice (I Surrender Records) and Wolfshark. Though Colin was professionally involved in that scene, he was always writing and recording electronic music. Shane grew up playing in bands as well and has a history of fighting MMA. He started releasing techno music under the artist name Suga Shane (Behavior Records) in March 2019. He has released countless singles and a few EP’s. When Colin and Shane started writing during Covid-19, they realized that they were on the same wavelength. At that moment Metawav. was born.

Follow Metawav.:

• Soundcloud
• Spotify
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook

The post NERS040: Metawav. – Get Right appeared first on Nightenjin.

We welcome Branswills, De1!nquent, and Fach to the Nightenjin family with their new release ‘Mayday‘ – a plane crashing tune that expresses each artist’s unique sound coming out on March 23rd.

Mayday was inspired by the concept of a plane crash. The vocal sounds like a pilot talking on the intercom while the initial lead makes the listener think of an airplane engine failing. From there the final part of the record stabs sound like buttons being pressed to signal an emergency.

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Follow Branswills:

Branswills is Bass House and Tech House producer out of Philadelphia with releases on Spoon Fed Records and Mojoheadz.

• Soundcloud
• Spotify
• Instagram
• Twitter

Follow De1!nquent:

De1!nquent is Connor Sweeney, a 25-year-old, Washington D.C.-based Bass House/UK Bass producer. De1!nquent will not be limited by sub-genres of house music, as he is not afraid to explore different ends of the house spectrum. He got into EDM (specifically Bass House) in his early years and decided to start DJing and later, producing after the tragic death of his best friend in 2016. His friend was a budding EDM producer and Connor wanted to carry the torch on in his name, thus creating “De1!nquent”. The name De1!nquent describes exactly what you get when listening to his music; aggressive, blood-pumping music that makes you want to bounce around feeling young and invincible. “Enjoy life while you can, it’s too short to be boring”.Having only started his production journey in 2019 and by releasing his first single “Feel So Fine” in August of 2020, clearly, his musical and creative ceiling is nowhere in sight. With recent releases on labels such as Crucast, 3000 Bass, and Storytime, as well as gaining support from the likes of Dr.Fresch, De1!nquent is now starting to find his groove. He has finished multiple collaborations and solo singles in 2021 and is now in the process of finding labels to release them on. There is much more music on the way.

• Soundcloud
• Spotify
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook

Follow Fach:

Fash is a Bass House and Tech House producer out of Baltimore Maryland with releases on Bite This, Moretin, and Storytime Records.

• Soundcloud
• Spotify
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook

The post NERS039: Branswills x De1!nquent x Fach – Mayday appeared first on Nightenjin.

2022 is off to a strong start musically with a number of new artists emerging in the electronic scene. We’re as thrilled as ever to hear the latest from these supremely talented individuals that have excelled in their own craft. This year’s list covers a mix of genres including dubstep, trap, hyperpop, downtempo, house, techno, and more. We’ve joined together the internet’s picks (YourEDM, EDM Identity, and more blogs) with our staff picks (Danny, KAR POW, Effy & Jill) to make up this unique assortment of artists, sure to make huge impacts this year and beyond.

There were many great contenders this year, but these names have stuck out among popular opinions on the internet: Black Cadmium, BRUER, Fred Again…, FrostTop, HoneyLuv, KILL SCRIPT, Lupa, and Pauline Herr. Our staff picks include: AG, Canabliss, Casmalia, Capshun, Drew Dapps, Isabel LaRosa, Jedwill, Neighbours, Pollari, rSUN, Sasha Rome, Super Future, VEIL, and Wreckno. Plus, honorable mentions from the Nightenjin crew: Galo, Nitepunk and Achilles.

2014 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021

Get to know Nightenjin’s Artist to Watch in 2022!

AG

Meet AG, an up-and-coming bass artist that combines lyrical elements with upbeat, heavy dubstep. The project is reminiscent of music you would be excited to hear at Lost Lands. If you love Excision, you will love AG. Warning: rail riding will be imminent!

SoundCloud | Spotify | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Black Cadmium

Do you see yourself partying at the Pyramid Stage at Movement this year? This is the vibe. Black Cadmium is critically underrated and incredibly talented. Keeping it old school, they favor vinyl for performance mixing. This dynamic duo gives off European, but also Detroit energy with their style.

SoundCloud | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram

Bruer

Hailing from Denver, this producer thrives with melodic lyrics and well-produced, dubby future bass. He shows an appreciation for a wide range of genres within the electronic music space and we are excited to see what he comes up with next as his creative path progresses.

SoundCloud | Spotify | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Canabliss

Canabliss pours her heart and soul into her work and only adds to the experience with her pink aesthetic. Experimental bass would be the best way to describe the music she makes and everything she creates is so uniquely hers. We love to hear it!

SoundCloud | Spotify | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Capshun

Capshun mixes elements of trap, future bass, hip hop, world music, and future beats. Citing What So Not and San Holo as some of his influences, his future bass hits feel so familiar but so new at the same time. His sound is refreshing and feels like it was sent from an old friend.

SoundCloud | Spotify | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Casmalia

Already miles ahead of the game, Casmalia is a force to be reckoned with. She’s been featured on the official EDC 2021 album and played stages at multiple major festivals. Her music is not only original but features her own vocals, which she plays live. Truly a techno queen.

SoundCloud | Spotify | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Drew Dapps

Drew Dapps embraces major tech house energy! You might hear his music in an upscale lounge while sipping on prestigious drinks with your friends, or at a beach club in Miami. Wherever you are, his sound will make you want to groove!

SoundCloud | Spotify | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Fred Again…

You know how hip hop music uses samples from voicemails, videos, or calls? Fred Again… incorporates this kind of creativity along with a funky house beat. He describes his music as “Actual Life,” and has a trademark sound all his own.

SoundCloud | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram

FrostTop

If you’re ready for the new trap wave coming through, FrostTop should be at the top of your list of must-listens. From his more melodic side heard in “Aster,” to his heavier side heard in his most-played collab with Lemay, “Momenta,” we’re enthralled by the producer’s unique approach to trap.

SoundCloud | Spotify | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

HoneyLuv

HoneyLuv is primed to dominate the house scene with her ability to take risks and make what she wants! “You can be my OnlyFan,” lyrics taken from her 2021 track “Paradise,” is such a controversial yet bold hook that sticks. With a deep beat to match, her music will play out in your head all day!

SoundCloud | Spotify | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Isabel LaRosa

Her voice is ghostly. Beautiful, wistful, haunting. Speaking of, her latest single titled “Haunted,” has garnered the attention of TikTok internationally. Representative of the gloomy party girl vibe, which is incredibly popular right now considering the idolization of that aesthetic. Her music is not only catchy but fun to listen to!

SoundCloud | Spotify | Instagram

Jedwill

Hyperpop is the future and underground artist Jedwill will be one of the next big stars to come up from the genre. The way he mixes somber lyrics with cheerful sounds creates an addictive, oxymoronic atmosphere. You will definitely want to press repeat!

SoundCloud | Spotify | Twitter | Instagram

KILL SCRIPT

Self-described as “Sci-fi Techno,” KILL SCRIPT integrates live production into cinematic performances. The goal is to bring underground into the mainstream. With his mass appeal, the producer is destined to do so, taking the dance music world under his command one festival stage at a time.

SoundCloud | Spotify | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Lupa

This producer makes dark, mysterious techno beats that you would expect to hear in a warehouse rather than in a club. Incorporating minimal lyrics over heavy basslines, her brooding style is sure to make you dance. If you love mau5trap, you will love Lupa.

SoundCloud | Spotify | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Neighbours

“On a mission to get people dancing!” — and they’re succeeding. The second you throw on “Shake That” by Neighbours, you are guaranteed to get people moving. Canadian producers out here making an impact on NYC; you’ll definitely want to include them on your party playlist!

SoundCloud | Spotify | Instagram

Pauline Herr

As an independent artist, Pauline Herr released her first six productions on her own, acquiring a fanbase, as well as her signature sound and style in the process. Her notable aesthetic has been appreciated by many and will continue to be loved by more. She’s vulnerable, raw, and unlike anything else we’ve heard.

SoundCloud | Spotify | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

POLLARI

Atlanta-based rapper POLLARI uses his hypnotic, mumble-like, rap over hyperpop and woeful beats. His latest release, “SKRT!” is reminiscent of rap music circa 2014. Contrasting to his song, “Lovers Lane,” which builds more on his hyperpop abilities. His range is what makes him so appealing.

SoundCloud | Spotify | Twitter | Instagram

rSUN

If you’re a fan of experimental bass, rSUN should be on your radar. The producer’s latest release, “The Way To Do It,” is fun and immersive, matching bouncy rhythm with trendy sounds that bass lovers latch onto. Definitely one that you bop your head to in the car or out at a show.

SoundCloud | Spotify | Twitter | Instagram

Sasha Rome

Airy, happy, uplifting — all words to describe Sasha Rome’s unmatched signature. Citing influence from the likes of Tame Impala and KAYTRANADA, his music reminds us of a soft summer day, where the clouds can’t be found, and the sun gives us a much-needed boost of serotonin.

SoundCloud | Spotify | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Super Future

If you enjoy downtempo mixed with your favorite pop songs, Super Future is it! Not only is this multi-talented artist able to create any genre he puts his mind to, but he also plays the guitar live. He’s constantly raising the bar and collaborating with other talented artists such as Wreckno. Super Future’s rise is exponential and well-deserved.

SoundCloud | Spotify | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Wreckno

Named “One of electronic music’s brightest rising stars,” for a reason. Wreckno is breathing new life into a world of music that can seem repetitive. Having released collaborations with names like GRiZ and Liquid Stranger, he is well on his way to superstardom. One of our favorite collabs of his is with Super Future, “Bout Me.”

SoundCloud | Spotify | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

VEIL

VEIL, formerly known as Spacegeisha, makes self-described “highly explosive, dark, and mysterious” music. Upon hearing it, you will feel like you’re in a trance! Her experimental, bass rattling soundscape is deep and very spacey. If you enjoy Rezz, you will love Veil.

SoundCloud | Spotify | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

The post Nightenjin Artists to Watch 2022 appeared first on Nightenjin.

Khardiac kicks off Nightenjin’s new year of releases with ‘Power‘ – a tempo-shifting energetic club fuelled banger that transitions from 128 to 145bpm coming out on January 26th.

The infusion of multiple styles of dance music has been the idea behind this track for a while, infusing the slower bass house/Dub house sound with my Psy Trance sound has been in the works for some time and we finally have been able to achieve it in a perfect way.

The vocals represent the power behind our patience with all the negative comments and feedback during covid from not being able to tour and release music to dealing with life problems and issues, and owning that power and putting through music specifically this track to represent the hardship and also the success out of that hardship.

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“The infusion of multiple styles of dance music has been the idea behind this track for a while, infusing the slower bass house/Dub house sound with my Psy Trance sound.”

– Khardiac

Khardiac is a Canadian DJ and producer based in Dubai, UAE. In a scene that is constantly changing, he’s a man of many talents and has the knowledge to assess any crowd and please them with his versatile sets, from PSY-Trance, House, Techno to Base House & Dubstep. He has developed his skills by having shared the stage with artists like Armin Van Buuren, Marshmello, The Chainsmokers, Excision, Malaa, Ghastly, DadaLife, and many others locally and internationally. His productions are heavily supported by the likes of Armin Van Buuren, Coming Soon!!!!, ALRT, Loud Luxury, Dzeko, and more, along with massive releases on the German label SpinTwist Records, A State of Trance, and American label Brooklyn Fire he is a talent on the rise worth looking out for.

Follow Khardiac:

• Soundcloud
• Spotify
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook

The post NERS038: Khardiac – Power appeared first on Nightenjin.

Nightenjin presents Pit Crew Vol 3, an invigorating compilation featuring a mesh of premium, next-up talent within the house realm — PR!CE x ONE&TWO, Andrew Lux, AK Renny, Kacper Kawala, and Newsboy. These friends of ours are the future of four on the floor, pulling late nights and putting in endless hours to make their dreams come true.

First up, the dynamic pairing of PR!CE x ONE&TWO readies the comp with their party-starting heater, “Gotta Get It,” followed by a smooth, steady groove, “Nah No,” from self-proclaimed “professional button pusher” Andrew Lux. The bassline-driven sounds of unapologetic artist AK Renny build the “Tension” before dropping into Kacper Kawala’s bass-heavy yet club-oriented anthem, “Enemies,” and last but not least, Newsboy’s thumping “Wonderland” brings us to the finish line.

For three years running, Nightenjin’s Pit Crew series has showcased a variety of upcoming producers including Lizzy Jane, Flozone, Indvstry, KillWill, Galo, Bush League, Achilles, Adame, PVRTY HVRD, Pretence, and matphilly. Revisit previous complications here and here. 

Stream Pit Crew Vol 3 here, out now via Nightenjin.

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About Nightenjin

Nightenjin [nīt-en-juh-n] 

Nightenjin is a brand driven by the diverse culture of music and the community behind it. The heart of the brand is defined by creating new mediums of music and design with the world through powerful, passionate, and meaningful collections. While focused on the concept of a team, the brand’s approach is to create with others and spread positive energy.   

With a unique space in the streetwear and music landscape, the Nightenjin approach to design consists of bold iconography and graphics that often pay homage to the rich beauty of the night, the music industry and motorsports. 

The post NERS037: Pit Crew Compilation Volume 3 appeared first on Nightenjin.

Bass trap producer Kayten is back in a big way with her newest track “Run.” Announced October 18 and set for release via all platforms on Nightenjin Records October 27, this will be Kayten’s first single with the streetwear and music brand.

“Run” is emblematic of Kayten’s signature bad bitch trap sound. The single starts with an engaging bassline crescendo before making way for Kayten’s sultry vocals. The passion and emotion in her voice are clear and the powerful percussion in the drop is crushing. Kayten shines on this track, showcasing her production skills with captivating synth work and some sinister melodies.

“Run” ranks right up there with the best of Kayten’s body of work and will feature in her energetic live sets. Here’s what she said about the creative process:

“Sometimes when I take the pressure off of myself to make something for my own project it just pours out of me. I stayed up all night and created the entire main idea right then and there. I made it in a complete flow state. I can’t say I had any specific inspiration because of that, and that’s one of my favorite things about this song is that it’s just fun!”

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“It was a musical high I got to experience and I feel really lucky to have finished a song so fast, especially because I’m usually emotionally inspired but this time I just got to have fun and make music without too much emotional turmoil.”

– Kayten

Kayten creates a world of her own as its producer, engineer, and vocalist. Mixing genres like trap, bass, and hybrid with her angelic voice, her unique style is hard to ignore. With a standout story to tell, this 25-year-old’s dark yet relatable lyrics say it all. Her random crazy personality shines through in her performances, making them unforgettable yet thought-provoking. Her next Single coming out in 2020 named “Devil” will turn heads. Adding together her style, stage presence, lyrics and music, Kayten’s rise as the next generation of star artists is undeniable; she is just getting started.

Follow Kayten:

• Soundcloud
• Spotify
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook

The post NERS036: Kayten – Run appeared first on Nightenjin.

‘House Is’… The New Electrifying Dynamic Dancefloor Sensation By Luxo x Tubon

Today, the dynamic producer, Luxo, and versatile artist, Tubon have joined forces in creating the epic dancefloor banger, ‘House Is’. Released via Nightenjin Records, ‘House Is’ blurs the line between Bass House and Tech House, as the duo tests its boundaries to present an iconic house track. That being said, you will definitely hear its crispy bassline and percussion blasting in venues and festivals across the world.

The title speaks for itself; ‘House Is’ is an ode to house music lovers everywhere. Its 4/4 beat will make listeners shake their heads and dance along with the original and energetic sounds carefully chosen by Luxo & Tubon themselves. Amidst the evolved pace and contrasting tones and potency of ‘House Is’, there are also some structural elements and sounds as if it was played live. As Tubon’s unique style of bass house is extremely fresh and unique while Luxo’s musical vibe consists of catchy hard-hitting bass and dynamic drums, it’s pretty for Luxo & Tubon to complement each other. 

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“‘House Is’ is that perfect peak-time track that blurs the line between Tubon’s bass house and my party tech styles. With a super catchy vocal hook, a pumping bassline, and crisp percussions, the track really stands out as a unique dancefloor weapon.”

– Luxo

Daniel Nish aka Luxo emerged from the LA Underground scene, bringing in a unique style of forward-thinking tech-house that is sure to get the party started. As co-owner of one of the hottest LA underground house record labels Rock Bottom Records, Luxo continues to push the boundaries of house music. After an ambitious 2019, Luxo is rapidly becoming one of the hottest names on the West Coast as a tastemaker and party starter, as his sound is described as high energy with rolling basslines and attention-grabbing vocals. Some of his most notable tracks include his ‘Friend’ remix, which gained over 100K plays across streaming platforms; ‘Voy’, which premiered on Techno Bible; and his latest track ‘OMG!’ via Vibrancy Records. Luxo has played some of the hottest underground events in Los Angeles including All You Can Eat, Sound Dunes, Jackson Tree, and Retrograde. Not only has he established a name for himself locally, but he has also played nationally at venues in Austin, Portland, San Diego, and more.

Follow Luxo:

• Soundcloud
• Spotify
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook

“‘House Is’ represents house music at clubs and festivals. That 4/4 beat that makes people shake their heads and dance along with original and dynamic sounds carefully chosen by Luxo & I.”

– Tubon

Gonzalo Tejero, also known as Tubon, is a Spanish multi-genre producer considered one of the emerging talents among the new pack of producers from the Spanish scene. Without any musical background and motivated by the wave of new and young producers who started this journey after the “EDM boom” in 2012 the Spanish producer is a “one to watch” in the next years as he manages to develop his own sound and improve his skills, touching a variety of different genres such as Future House, Bass House, Progressive House, and Tech. His music has already been supported by many important artists in the global scene such as SLATIN, Mr. Tape, or Albert Neve or and his tracks continue to sound in the best clubs and parties of the globe such as Space Yacht.

Follow Tubon:

• Soundcloud
• Spotify
• Instagram
• Twitter

The post NERS035: Luxo x Tubon – House Is appeared first on Nightenjin.

The talented Italian producer NOTO brings his raw, bass-driven influences to Nightenjin for the first time. Set to release via all platforms on August 18, 2021, NOTO teams up with Swedish lyricist Bud Stankz for the single “Energy.” From the start of the song, ominous synths make room for Bud Stankz’s energetic and angry vocals, which lead into an action-packed drop of epic proportions. Interestingly, NOTO used all original sound designs as no copyrighted samples were used on this 128bpm bass tune.

NOTO shared that “my intention was to make something different than a four-on-the-floor track, so I’ve mixed my trap [and] garage influences in it.” He continued, “I had this track in the works for a while, the instrumental was ready but it was missing a vocal to express better what I had in mind for it. I got in touch with Bud Stankz who loved the instrumental and he nailed the vibe I wanted to go for.”

Bud Stankz offered up this description: “The track is about reaching your full potential and is supposed to be motivating.” For anyone looking for a song to get your juices flowing, “Energy” is coming soon to serve those in need.

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Follow NOTO:

• Soundcloud
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• Twitter
• Facebook

Follow Bud Stankz:

• Soundcloud
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• Facebook

The post NERS033: NOTO x Bud Stankz – Energy appeared first on Nightenjin.

About a month ago, the music label Alter/Ego launched its second release Genesis, a noteworthy four-track EP. The novelty and creativity of this EP stem from its roots. Hex Cougar, the founder of Alter/Ego, uniquely collaborated with three other music artists, Pauline Herr, So Sus, and Sejo, to produce Genesis, with stunning cover art from the skilled kdboi.

Hex Cougar spearheaded the project during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing all four artists to connect from all over the continent. “I’ve had this idea of getting a bunch of different producers together,” Hex explained. “So Sus, Sejo, and Pauline had all sent me demos independently, and I thought it would be a dope concept to combine all three tracks (plus one demo of mine) into one project and have everyone work on all the tracks simultaneously.”

Since I don’t normally make this sort of music I thought it would be a bit of a challenge but it ended up being a lot of fun.

– Pauline Herr

“Being able to work on Genesis was a dream. Each song has a piece of all of us in it,” Pauline shared, “it was both challenging and gratifying.” So Sus detailed the process, “essentially we all came with an idea and every week or two we would switch projects with each other… We never discussed where a song would go, we just gave each other room to play and trusted in each other’s process.”

Upon reading of this distinctive production concept, I wanted to learn more about the process. I asked the artists a few more questions, and in the spirit of Genesis, here are some collaborative answers from the talented producers.

Sam: “What was the biggest challenge with this unique EP concept?”

For Hex, the biggest challenge was also the project’s biggest strength, working simultaneously with 3 others. “I usually work by myself, so it took a little while to get used to each artist’s production style and how they create in Ableton.”

For Pauline, it was getting out of her comfort zone a bit. “Since I don’t normally make this sort of music I thought it would be a bit of a challenge but it ended up being a lot of fun.”

So Sus cited a small bit of contention about the wording of a song, but reflected that “the fact that that was the most heated point of conflict goes to show how easy the entire process really was.”

Sejo admitted “everything flowed pretty well. I think the only thing that might’ve been challenging was stripping back and not adding too much to the project with having four artists on one record and just making sure to leave space for the next artist to work on.”

Sam: “Is there anything you would do differently?”

Pauline replied, “I wouldn’t do anything different as everything went really well and each of us got to contribute an equal amount.”

Sejo agreed, “the reason the project worked so well was that we all had an open mind… so no I can’t say that I would do anything differently.”

So Sus praised the process and the leader. “It was a combination of the right people, good organization. Honestly, I think it was a masterclass in running a collab…  and I have to credit Hex with giving it that structure.”

Hex was a little more critical, saying “I would have each artist submit a very rough idea to kick off the creative process… other people would’ve been able to contribute more if each track started out as a simpler, bare-bones idea.”

I had a chance to see how to accentuate other people’s strengths instead of making my own ideas shine all the time. Working with three other people makes you consider how you add your own touch to something, while also being considerate of what other artists have done with the songs. It’s all about finding a balance between your contribution and everyone else’s.

– Hex Cougar

Sam: “What did you learn about yourself as an artist by collaborating with this many people?”

“I learned how easy making music can be when you have the right people to work with you,” So Sus shared. “Going forward I’m definitely going to be more selective in who I make music with because now [I] know a collab… can be fun, easy, and organic.”

Pauline opened up about learning to conquer her nerves, “I used to be a bit nervous to do production collabs just because I haven’t done a lot and have a very particular taste but this collab EP really showed me that I can still add my own touch to music that I wouldn’t normally make on my own.”

Sejo lauded the project, “It was so sweet seeing how different everyone’s workflow was… I can’t stress enough how smoothly the entire process was and I hope to collaborate with them again.”

And finally, from the project lead, Hex thoughtfully commented “I had a chance to see how to accentuate other people’s strengths instead of making my own ideas shine all the time. Working with three other people makes you consider how you add your own touch to something, while also being considerate of what other artists have done with the songs. It’s all about finding a balance between your contribution and everyone else’s.”

Thanks to the artists for allowing me the chance to see how this Genesis EP came to be and to find the right balance of the artists’ answers. To keep up with all the latest from Alter/Ego, surf on over to the links below.

Listen To The EP:

Follow Alter/Ego:

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• YouTube
• Soundcloud
• Spotify

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The post The Genius of the Genesis EP appeared first on Nightenjin.

Multi-talented matphilly isn’t one to conform to the clichés of EDM. And you can tell by his eclectic, diversified, and inspired sound. Out on Nightenjin via all platforms on July 28th, 2021, we’re excited to be presenting matphilly’s debut album, i may be through with the past, but the past is not through with me. The 12-track project comes straight from the heart, as he uses his art to process what he’s been through. In juxtaposition to Matt’s long cheeky song titles (an ode to metal, which is the genre in which he started making music), he digs deep to tell his life story.

“This album is a representation of my chaotic life during my struggles with drugs, depression, anxiety, bipolar, suicide, death of my girlfriend and brother, and my process of getting clean.”

-matphilly

With a passion project like this, we felt the only way we could do it justice was by having matphilly himself come and walk us through each track. Keep reading to get insight into the artist’s mind as he poured his soul into hisStream/ album.

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1. “i always thought i would be apart of the 27 club”

This intro is to give you an idea of what chaos I was in. The drug deal dialogue was influenced by Deafheaven’s “Windows,” where the vocalist recorded him picking up drugs on the streets of San Francisco. I wasn’t doing drugs anymore when I made this song, but the sample is pretty spot on with my experience. I was in debt with my dealers and they would get upset with me. Being broke was a constant, but I was so far into my addiction that I couldn’t stop until I had no money left.

2. “Damn That Sucks Alexa Play That’s What You Get By Paramore”

I wanted this song to represent both how I looked on the outside and how I looked on the inside. On the outside, I was happy (the melodic parts), but inside, I felt chaotic (the dubstep drops). This has been who I am forever. Being like “everything is fine” to everyone, but broken and miserable when I’m alone. It’s been the hardest struggle to overcome. The lyrics in the song are supposed to be positive lyrics, but for me I’m using them more ironically. It has the typical “everything is gonna be okay” bullshit line people say to make you feel better, but in reality, it makes you feel even shittier. This is also the first song I wrote since I got clean and shifted my music style.

3. “Dessbo”

“Dessbo” is a fun one for me. I like to have my TV playing in the background whenever I’m working and Calebhart42’s Twitch streams are something I frequent. “Dessbo” became a meme in his chats because whenever Caleb would play Megaman x6, he’d throw a death ball (which he pronounces “dessbo”) and I decided to pay tribute to him, Megaman, and his funny Twitch audience through this song. The sample at the end is actually a clip of Caleb talking about the dessbo meme.

4. “I Am So Sad. I Am So Very Very Sad”

This is a skit, influenced by skits you hear in hip-hop albums. I’ve definitely had conversations like this in green rooms and sadly, I know other artists have too. A green room is pretty depressing at times. There are a lot of people drinking and having fun, but a lot of the time, artists do show a more vulnerable side of themselves before they get on stage. The sad part is, it seems the people who are getting drunk and networking are too busy to care. It’s happened to me before. Electronic music culture always boasts about being “PLUR,” but never acts upon it when it counts.

5. “Just Monika” (feat. Laurentini)

“Just Monika” is a name from Doki Doki Literature Club. Funny story: I was in the studio and Laureniti would always be there, saying hi and hanging. So one day I walked into his room to say what’s up and listen to some music. He showed me an early version of this track, I liked the direction it was going, and asked if I could work on it with him. Laureniti doesn’t really release music much (I wish he did—he’s super talented) but I’m glad I could make something with him. I think it has a really fun trap vibe.

6. “You Only Hit Me Up When You Want Me To Get You Into Space Yacht” (feat. Vadim Taver)

I had made this electronica tune for fun. I really had no direction. I got brave one day and messaged Vadim Taver (who’s played guitar in This Day Forward, Poison The Well, and A Life Once Lost) and asked if he would be into writing something with me. I gave him a vibe of what I wanted and the next thing you know, he writes this weird guitar riff that I thought was perfect. This song represents hitting rock bottom and a time was ready to leave this earth. If you listen towards the end, you can hear me reciting my suicide note from 2019. I thought it articulated everything this song is about.

7. “the year summer ended in july”

This is an interlude, but it’s a really important part of the album to me. The voice samples you hear are from a time I was playing a card game with my brother and our friends before he passed. I went through my phone one day and heard them and we were all so happy and life was good. Even though we were in a pandemic, it was moments like that that were special to me. I lost him in July of 2020 and I’m still dealing with his death mentally. I miss him every day. But it feels awesome to put him into my album as a good memory. He was a raver before I was and he was the reason why I stopped playing in hardcore bands and started DJing and producing. I remember when I won the EDC Discovery Project in 2020m he was so happy for me, He went to a bunch of the early EDC LAs and when I won, he was in the YouTube chat roasting me the whole time, haha. It was a great moment for me and I dedicate this to his memory.

8. “This Song Is Thiccer Than Pokimane Dawg”

I sat on this for a while because it wasn’t in my wheelhouse at the time. It wasn’t like the music I normally made. Then, I decided to just stop giving a fuck and make whatever I want. In 2018, I saw GOMMI play a set and I’ve been in love with hard psy ever since. Remembering that set inspired me to make this track. I wouldn’t even have finished this track if it weren’t for Risk-E, who really made me shape the song to what it is. The song title is from TSM Daequan saying subway sandwiches were thiccer than Pokimane, which I would reference when someone would ask me if a bassline was thick. Pokimane is alsos another streamer I watched as background noise and this was made watching her stream, so I wanted to tie her name into it as a thank you.

9. “Dan Marino Should Die Of Gonorrhea And Rot In Hell”

This has to be the oldest song in the album. I wrote it originally as a remix for a friend, but it never released. I dug it up a few years ago, took out the stems, and made it my own. It definitely has my older sound, so it’s my “ode” to the dubstep that shaped who I am as a producer today.

10. “If It Is To Be, It Is Up To Me”

Another skit. This one was based on a conversation I had with my friends Teddy and Erivera when I was clean and trying to figure life out. It’s definitely a different from the last skit, but also the change in my life at the time. I’m feeling better but know that it’s not sunshine and rainbows and probably never will be. But I’ll at least try to stay on the better path I’ve made for myself.

11. “When The Going Gets Tough Ted Cruz Goes To Cancun” (feat. Fedbanger)

This was my ode to complextro. I love older Porter Robinson, Zedd, Lazy Rich, and Mord Fustang; so one random day, I just decided to make myself a song in that style. At the time I had “baked the cake” for the track and showed Fedbanger. He decided to “add the icing” to it and we made a song that gives a modern twist to 2010-2012 complextro. I hope the genre makes a comeback because I wanna make more of it.

12. “Sorry, I Can’t Get You Into Academy LA” (feat. Aaron Marsh)

This is a reprise of track 6, “You Only Hit Me Up When You Want Me To Get You Into Space Yacht” minus the chaos. It’s the sun trying to come up on a gloomy day. A “things are better but things will still be hard sometimes.” Everyone presses us to just be happy, but that’s not real. Lyrically, it’s about all the hardships and problems I’ve faced in my life. And although life really sucks, I’m still here and should make the best of it.

I had emailed Aaron Marsh of my favorite band Copeland (because he praised me for a Copeland remix I made years ago) and asked if he would contribute vocals. I sent him the song and he agreed to perform on it, which made me delighted. Aaron really knocked it out asking me what the song meant and writing something I would hear on a Copeland album. I basically got a Copeland collab and I’ve never been so happy.

This song was also largely by my girlfriend who was murdered back in 2007. We were big Copeland fans and all these years later, I’m still dealing with that terrible day. I thought having Aaron on the song would be something she would be so happy to hear me do. She’s a huge reason why I make music.

Needless to say, this is my favorite track of the album. It’s a great way to end the album, topped off with a sample of film rolling to represent that my story has finally been told.

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The post NERS034: matphilly – i may be through with the past, but the past is not through with me (Track Breakdown) appeared first on Nightenjin.