The post Oliver takes us back to Funkier Times with ‘Fast Forward’ appeared first on Just Noise To Me.

Like any festival, decisions and sacrifices will be made. With five stages spanning across a much wider venue (Whittier Recreational Park — just north of the Downtown LA area), it’s almost vital to have some sort of personal schedule to follow. Or not…

HARD SUMMER 2014 MUST-SEE ACTS

With this being my fifth HARD Summer (not bragging, just establishing some background), it’s easy for me to say that HARD always brings the most talented DJs and producers around. This year, however, it almost goes without saying. With a multitude of genres occurring across the park, it’s going to be difficult to watch everyone you want, so here are some of the ones you should make an effort to squeeze into your schedule.

Brillstein — HARD always likes to bring some Los Angeles natives into the mix, giving the festival its own home-grown vibe. This time it just so happens to be Thee Mike B‘s most recent and funky project. Since the festival starts so early this year, there’s no reason why you and the homies can’t show up and get things started properly with Brillstein. If you’re into deep, rump-shaking funk, Brillstein will be delivering some serious grooviness that you should not miss out on.

Trippy Turtle — This one is brutal because it lines up with Dillon Francis, but if you’re trying to see one of the best up-and-coming producers live and in action, this is the dude to see. Trippy Turtle has been making some remarkably huge waves as of late, and HARD will be the perfect stage to see him strut his stuff.

He has been instrumental in the rise of the Jersey and Baltimore Club sub-genres and this young gun’s skills are creatively reflected in every live performance he puts on. Trippy Turtle will definitely be a wise choice for anyone looking for bouncy, out-of-the-box goodness.

DJ Mustard — If you were able to watch the live stream of Skrillex’ Mothership Tour at Red Rocks (or even better watch it IN PERSON), you most likely caught DJ Mustard. He’s the man behind some of the most infamous pop/ hip-hop fusion songs you hear on the radio and also is extremely mean on the decks.

Mustard’s set will undoubtedly be one wild party, so if you’re craving a hard, trap and hip-hop influenced sound, and you’re trying to get down with everything you’ve got, leave it all at DJ Mustard’s stage.

A-Trak — It goes without saying that this guy is a living DJ legend. So why see him when you can see other awesome DJs instead? First of all A-Trak has been DESTROYING his live performances lately. If you’ve been able to catch any of his recent Instagram posts, you’ll see that the dude is scratching better than ever and playing out one of the most diverse set lists you will ever see. Fact.

Coming off the recent GoldGoneWild tour, the Fool’s Gold Records boss is white hot, and with HARD coming up, you can most certainly expect this renown veteran to put out an amazing performance this weekend. With a handful of DMC championship titled under his belt, as well as production credits with some of hip-hop and dance music’s biggest names, A-Trak is a marquee act that you absolutely should not pass up on. Trust me.

Jack U — Another fairly obvious choice but, come on. Who would give up the chance to see Skrillex and Diplo share the stage together? They haven’t played a festival this big since Ultra and that was just a shit show (the good kind).

These are arguably the two biggest, most dominating American DJs and producers in the game right now, and I’ll bet the house of the fact that these two are going to deliver a larger-than-life performance at HARD. Not to mention that LA is Skrill’s hometown, so you know he will be putting out for his city in impeccable fashion. Sonny and Wes onstage for an hour and a half? Yes please. Move over Carnage. Go stage dive some more…

HARD SUMMER 2014 SCHEDULING CONFLICTS

Both days are packed to the brim with talent, so naturally there are some pretty major scheduling conflicts. This obviously all depends on what you’re into and who you’re trying to see, and thankfully, HARD is the festival that can deliver a completely unique festival experience to all of its attendees, because of its incredible diversity. Some of these conflicts might not even exist for you because you’re only going to see Tiesto though. Hey, that’s cool too, bruh.

Saturday:

GRiZ vs Bro Safari — Does one get funky as fuck or so turnt your face hurts? This is a toss up because I’m a huge GRiZ fan but I also love making that “who just shat in my lap?” face when Bro Safari drops something too nasty. With GRiZ making sweet electro-soul laced with sexy saxophone, and Bro Safari bulldozing masses with waves of head-crushing bass, taste plays a big part in making this tough call.

Tchami vs Alex Metric — The real question here is, “how much booty shaking do I want to do?” Either way you’re making a great choice. Are you going for that future-house sound Tchami has mastered over the past year or that silky, ultra-soulful, funky kind of booty shaking only Alex Metric can provide?

Flosstradamus vs Dusky vs What So Not vs Oliver — Woof. Turn up or boogie down? If you’re a ratchet bitch, go to Floss, obviously. But, if you’re into What So Not’s ambient, yet party-fueling sound, it’ll prove to be another tough call up against the likes of Oliver’s unmatched funky, nu-disco finesse. To make this even more difficult, Dusky will be serving up hot, fresh booty-house vibes right at the same time. This one is about to be a doozie.

Baauer vs Justin Martin vs Jack Beats — Good Christ. First off, after the “Harlem Shake” phenomenon, Baauer chilled out for a little bit, and now has returned with some pretty incredible tracks. On the other hand, Just Martin killed in the Dew Lab at this year’s Coachella, and he is one of the unparalleled masters of the booty bumping goodness that is DirtyBird Records.

But then there is Jack Beats. The UK-bred OWSLA duo is known to spin a wide variety of different sounds, but are always known to bring a good time, as well as a raucous set. These two vets are definitely a force to be reckoned with too, making this triangle of heavy-hitters an incredibly difficult call to make.

DJ Snake vs Kill The Noise — Another tragically difficult decision to be made here, although it really once again comes down to taste. Kill The Noise is going to offer his OWSLA/Slowroast Recs hybrid sound; a mix of head-splitting dubstep and wild electro-house. KTN will surely deliver the one-two punch with his veteran experience performing at HARD, and will undoubtedly put on one of the grimiest sets of the weekend.

Next, consider DJ Snake. The Parisian Mad Decent superstar has taken over the world this year with a handful of twerk-inducing collabs and originals that turn dance floors into saunas instantly. Taste remains key, but for those just looking for a good performance, this one is nearly impossible to call.

Seth Troxler vs The M Machine vs Jack U — This one might be the most difficult call on Saturday. Diversity, as welcomed and appreciated as it is on a lineup this large, is coming back to bite us in the ass as Saturday’s final sets pose this incredibly tough decision. Off to party with forward-thinking beat maker Seth Troxler, or will you make your way to one of the biggest, most anticipated headlining sets of the entire festival circuit over at Jack U? 

And as if that wasn’t hard enough to call, throw the M Machine into the discussion and it becomes all the more difficult. The OWSLA championed trio will be throwing down their brand of futuristic, fresh, hard-knocking bass music at the same time. 

Sunday:

Milo and Otis vs. Wax Motif— Sunday afternoon offers its first conflict as Wax Motif and Milo and Otis take the decks at the same time. To choose between the up-and-coming trap duo who are fresh off Skrillex’s Mothership Tour, and funky, techno guru who frequently collaborates with Destructo will prove to be a difficult test of tastes.

Mercer vs. Hannah Wants– Both of these performers have some serious talent to showcase at this year’s HARD. Both bred in the house genre, these two have respectively taken club music to their own realms, and each pack some noteworthy talent.

For the type looking for an immerse, deep house experience, look no further than Hannah Wants (who is making her first US appearance this weekend). However those looking to party down to some of the hardest electro-house out there, Mercer will absolutely be the set for you.

Clockwork vs. Shiba San vs. 2manydjs–  This conflict might be overlooked, however, with some thought, you’ll find this one to be just as tough as most of the others. Shiba San is going to take his crowd through a variety of different deep and funky soundscapes, while Clockwork is going to do what he is best at. Clockwork is going to deliver a mind-bending, teeth-grinding set that will be an absolute party from start to finish.

Then there is 2manydjs. The Belgian duo have been around forever and have produced some of dance music’s most creative outputs in the last two decades as either 2manydjs or their live collective Soulwax. Anyone who appreciates where all of this came from should definitely give 2manydjs a gander, I promise it’ll be worth your time.

Trippy Turtle vs. Dillon Francis– Probably the hardest toss up of the whole weekend here, folks. Cat master and festival headliner Dillon Francis is slated to play at the exact same time as on of the most promising up-and-coming names in all of dance music, Trippy Turtle. Both will surely deliver amazing bouts from behind the decks, however unfortunately this painstaking decision will have to be made.

Trippy is going to offer a bubbly, light, bouncy experience, complete with dripping synths and bedroom-rattling remixes. Dillon is going to bring the party like only Dillon Francis knows how. Who knows, DJ Hanzel, or even DJ Rich As Fuck might even make an appearance at Dillon’s set. Either way, this one will most likely be a game-time decision.

Maya Jane Coles vs. Tiesto vs. Nero vs. Brodinski– Oh, brother. We have the return on UK-trio bass masters Nero, going on at the same time as Bromance authority Brodinski throwing down his own meshing of deep, dark techno and filthy hip-hop.

As if that wasn’t difficult enough, you also have to choose between one of the biggest DJs who ever lived, Tiesto, playing at the same time as Maya Jane Coles. Tiesto will bring the world-celebrated house and club sounds that he helped create and popularize over the last twenty years, while MJC will bring her meticulous brand of silky, sexy deep house to the mix. This four-way talent cluster caps off the festival, leaving one of the hardest calls for last.

HARD SUMMER 2014 VENUE LAYOUT

One of the best things about this year’s HARD Summer is the new venue. Whittier Narrows Recreation Area is almost three times larger than the Los Angeles Historic Park (HARD’s former home) and offers guests a much GREENER atmosphere. I think I speak for most of the HARD ticket-holders when I say I’m very much looking forward to leaving the festival sans dust and wood chips.

The new venue offers guests a TON of strolling area compared to the Historic Park’s high-traffic try-not-to-run-into-people areas. My hopes are that with so much additional space, the festival will be able to accommodate attendees with plenty of bathroom areas. Although last year was fine (for me at least) there still seemed to be an alarming number of drunk white girls screaming “I’M GONNA FUCKING PISS MYSELF!”

TRAVELING TO HARD SUMMER 2014

As always, HARD makes it incredibly easy for you and your crew to get to the festival. By train, cab, uber, or hooves, you can get to Whittier Park for next to nothing. Or absolutely nothing. Take a look at this dope ass pic:

Welp, that about sums up everything you need to know about this year’s HARD Summer. Have fun, be safe, and dance your little tush off!

The post The Ultimate Guide to HARD Summer 2014 appeared first on Just Noise To Me.

The funk-lovers of the world are pumped that British producer Alex Metric released his new three track EP Hope today via OWSLA. This highly anticipated project is in large part a collaboration with LA based disco duo Oliver bringing together key Fool’s Gold and OWSLA Records. The EP celebrates old school dance music with a raw funky twist that modernizes the sound and makes you want to get down.

Alex Metric – Hope EP

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/31638563″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”600″ iframe=”true” /]


This EP epitomizes Alex Metric’s talent of combining bass heavy club sounds with upbeat danceable electronic synths. The title track “Hope” is a sampling of an old 90’s house record made distinctive with Oliver and Metric’s pulsating rhythms, revamped vocals, and infectious bass. This track is a fresh mix of soulful disco and house.

Oliver and Metric’s other track “Galaxy” takes the listener on a 7 minute journey straight into a funkadelic 80’s club. The robotic voices, use of actual instruments like the perfect retro keyboard work, and electronic beats illustrate Oliver and Metric’s toxic new take on disco. Finally, the track “Spirtism” highlights the heavy bass sound blended with lively, happy chords that Metric has made his own.

Metric says this and all of his EPs are meant to “paint a picture of where my head’s at right now. So I hope they all do sound different; that’s always the aim.” His new EP ‘Hope’ embraces bona fide house music sounds, but adds a soulful disco grooviness that makes the listener hyped for what he will deliver next.

Alex Metric

Facebook // Twitter // SoundCloud

The post Alex Metric’s funkadelic new ‘Hope’ EP Released Today appeared first on Just Noise To Me.

In case you missed the news, Alex Metric is coming out with a brand new EP entitled Hope which is set for release April 22nd on OWSLA Records, and to help kick things off and to tantalize everyone around the world, AM has released the debut single of the same name.

Alex Metric & Oliver – Hope

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/141164305″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

“Hope” has sounds similar to what you could find on some of Alex Metric’s most recent releases such as “Rave Weapon,” but with some help from funk duo Oliver, the track is a disco club favorite that you’ll be hearing in tent sets all summer long.

Alex Metric

Facebook // Twitter // SoundCloud

Oliver

Facebook // Twitter // SoundCloud

The post Alex Metric & Oliver – Hope appeared first on Just Noise To Me.

In preparation for one of the funkiest live shows HARD Presents… has ever thrown together, LA duo Oliver has released an incredible, one-hour disco mixtape comprised of some of the best dance tracks from the past twenty some-odd years.

Oliver presents: Generations of Disco Mixtape

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/141111587″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

TRACKLIST:

Norma Jean – Saturday
Chic – Everybody Dance
Easy Going – Baby I Love You (Eli Escobar Edit)
Giorgio Moroder – What a Night
Gino Soccio – Remember
The Three Degrees – Jump The Gun (Produced by Giorgio Moroder)
Kano – Holly Dolly
Gary’s Gang – Keep On Dancin’
Chicago – Street Player
Dance Reaction – Disco Train (Morgan Geist Caboose Mix)
Gary Low – I Want You
Giorgio Moroder – E=MC² (Rodion Gran Manigheo Remix)
Kasso – Brazilian Dancer (Edit)
Change – Lover’s Holiday (Oliver Edit)
Gino Soccio – Hold Tight
Nightlife Unlimited – Tonight
Fox The Fox – Precious Little Diamonds
Chic – Soup For One (Edit)
Delegation – Heartache No.9 (Edit)
Alex Metric & Oliver – Galaxy

You can catch Oliver, Chic featuring Nile Rodgers, Giorgior Moroder, Destructo, and Tensnake at the Hollywood Bowl Saturday, May 10th for “a celebration of the generations of disco!” Purchase tickets for HARD Generations of Disco here.

Oliver

Facebook // Twitter // SoundCloud

The post Oliver presents: Generations of Disco Mixtape appeared first on Just Noise To Me.

If you’re looking for a nice little mid-week pick-me-up, look no further than the feel-good funky tracks of the day. Think Moon Boots along with a little Oliver, and you have the New York based producer/DJ Felix Bloxsom aka Plastic Plates newest EP, Nothing Like You.

The two-track EP features songs “Sweat” and “Nothing Like You,” both of which induce nothing short of pure, groovy, happy dance music. If you’re trying to get down today, I highly recommend checkin’ this ish out.

Plastic Plates – Nothing Like You EP

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/27311723″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Nothing Like You is due out later this week from Sweat It Out Music. Check back right here for more updates!

Plastic Plates

Facebook // Twitter // SoundCloud

The post Plastic Plates – Nothing Like You EP appeared first on Just Noise To Me.

For those of you who haven’t been paying attention this past year, disco is making a huge comeback in EDM. Dance music itself was borne from the gold-dipped days of the discotheque. Even in today’s scene, popular subgenres like deep house, nu-disco, and future funk are heavily influenced by the four-on-the-floor flavor of 70s nightclub culture.

The event will feature legendary acts like Chic ft. Nile Rodgers and Giorgio Moroder, as well as newer disco-heavy artist like Oliver, Tensnake, and the Godfather himself, HARD Founder and Captain of the #shipfam, Destructo.

If you’re anywhere near the West Coast and you know what’s good for ya, you won’t miss out on what’s bound to be a monumental experience. Best believe the JNTM Squadron will be in full force keeping you updated on whatever sort of magic HARD has in store for us!

We hope to see you there, and be sure to follow us on Twitter for more updates!

In the meantime, here’s Nile Rodgers’ full set at the Sydney Opera House featuring Chic. You’re welc!

Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10am at http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0B004C45B30386B7.

The post HARD Announces Disco Night at the Hollywood Bowl appeared first on Just Noise To Me.

Fool’s Gold has been known to bring out some the most fresh, funky, and talented new acts. People like Sleep Tom, Oliver, and Danny Brown have all been turned into household names thanks to FG. What’s different about their newest star on the rise, Sammy Bananas, is that the Brooklyn-based producer has actually been around for the better part of five years.

Working with artists like Thee Mike B and putting out countless club-classic bootlegs, Sammy Bananas has no reason to be one of the lesser-known artists to come out of the prestigious label. But now, with the release of the Flexin’ EP, it might finally be time for Sammy Bananas to make his mark on the dance community.

Sammy Bananas – Felxin’ EP

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/19352484″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Here’s what Fool’s Gold had to say upon the release:

Sammy Bananas has been keeping Fool’s Gold funky since the label first began. Yet all his smash bootlegs, remixes and original jams (both as a solo artist and as one half of FG duos Fifteenth and Telephoned) were merely setting the stage for the brand new Flexin’ EP, a back-to-the-future blast of house, disco and R&B vibes blended together as only one Banana man can.

It’s a master class in party music from a scholar of New Jack Swing. And as if these hybrid jams weren’t fun enough on their own, the Flexin’ EP will also be available on limited-edition colored vinyl, complete with mustachioed “Mr. Flex” cutout figure for maximum DIY dance party action. Sammy Bananas is in the house, literally in your house. Time to flex.

The Flexin’ EP is packed with a collection of tracks rebranding the classic, Detroit-style, disco house genre, giving it a nostalgic feel with a touch of modern deep house vibe.  I personally think we’ll be hearing a lot of these songs in upcoming mixes and live performances, and I’ll even go out on a limb and say I expect to see a Sammy Bananas performance at some upcoming festivals this summer.

For more Sammy Bananas, check him out on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Get Flexin’ vinyl from Fool’s Gold

Get Flexin’ on iTunes

Watch Flexin’ teaser video

The post Sammy Bananas – Flexin’ EP appeared first on Just Noise To Me.

TurtleGravy loves eating cookie butter from Trader Joe’s, watching French New Wave Films, and having dreadlocks. He also enjoys “slangin’ DSLRs at Best Buy.”  We were able to ask Quinn some more questions about his taste in music, favorite artists, and much more.

The post Welcome to the JNTM Team, Quinn! appeared first on Just Noise To Me.

We caught up with Zak to find out a little bit more about one of our new contributors.

JNTM: Who are some of your favorite producers right now?

Zak: I’m really into GRiZ right now, Breakbot is a favorite of mine, [as well as] Oliver.  Anything with some funk in there.

JNTM: If you could see any DJ/artist perform live, who would it be?

Zak: I missed Gesaffelstien at HARD Summer, and I’ve been getting into him lately. So, that’s the first thing that comes to mind.  Wouldn’t mind seeing Dillon Francis again soon either.

JNTM: What’s the last show/festival you went to? Who was your favorite artist there?

Zak: HARD Day of the Dead.  And this is a tough question; with so many artists, it’s tough.  However, Pretty Lights really vibed with me in a surprising way.  The groovy subtleties in his set really got me moving.  Jack Beats was also surprisingly heavy.

JNTM: What are some genres you really like and some you really hate? Any that you hate you like?

Zak: For a long time, I was the guy who fully denounced electronic music.  I saw a lack of live instruments as a huge weakness in the music, like so many people do.  It wasn’t until I discovered the emotion and creativity that can be unlocked with the limitless sort of potential that EDM provides that I fell in love.

That being said, I still have an affinity for live instruments fused with electronic music.  GRiZ’s Rebel Era is a perfect embodiment of this.  Funk, groove, soul.

But hey, who doesn’t like to go hard?  Dog Blood, Bassnectar, Zomboy, ect…

Hate?  I’d have to go with trance.  I can stick with it for a few minutes, but 8 minutes into the same beat, and I get bored.  Maybe that makes me an uncultured neanderthal, I don’t know.

Hate that I like? I’ve heard it called “brostep”; That slow, 1-2 beat that Skrillex is all about.  Entry-level? Maybe.  Dope? Probably.

JNTM: If you could produce a track or DJ with any producer who would it be and why?

Zak: As far as him musical prowess, I’m not sure, but It’d be an absolute riot to spend a day with Dillon Francis. Ooh, or Gary Richards (Destructo).  That guy knows everything.

Want to join Zak on the JNTM team? Send us a message on Facebook and we’ll be in touch!

The post Welcome to the JNTM team, Zak! appeared first on Just Noise To Me.