Fans of the EDM heavy festival Electric Daisy Carnival can certainly whet their appetite this weekend at the Phoenix Lights Festival in Downtown Phoenix. Electro-House heavy hitter Hardwell shines as top billed with Zeds Dead, Robin Schulz, Route 94 and Lane 8 also performing.

One act to look out for is Dirty Bird’s Kill Frenzy. The German tech-house (err booty-house?) producer promises to have a good showing. Kill Frenzy is definitely a stand-out act to see and should be performing early so do not miss it.

The festival is this Sunday, March 22nd at Civic Space Center in the heart of Downtown Phoenix. There’s also going to be a post-festival party at the Monarch Theater with Zeds Dead. Get ready to call in sick Monday morning because this fest is going deep into the night.

WHERE TO BUY TICKETS

The festival is this Tickets are available online for $65.00 or can be purchased at various Zia Records in Phoenix.

Zia Records – Tempe

3201 S Mill Ave (NE Corner)
Tempe, AZ 85282
(480) 829-1967
Mon-Sun: 10AM-Midnight

Zia Records – Camelback
1850 W Camelback Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85015
(602) 241-0313
Mon-Sat: 10AM-11PM
Sun: 10AM-10PM

Zia Records – Chandler
3029 N Alma School Rd
Chandler, AZ 85224
(480) 857-4942
Sun-Thurs: 10AM-10PM
Fri-Sat: 10AM-11PM

Zia Records – Thunderbird
2510 W Thunderbird Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85023
(602) 866-7867
Mon-Sun: 10AM – Midnight

Full Line-Up

Hardwell

Zeds Dead

Robin Schulz

Route 94

Lane 8

Kill Frenzy

SecondCity

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McDowell Mountain Music Festival has released their 2015 lineup with a decidedly  more diverse array acts to perform in Phoenix March 27-29. The four headliners who top the bill could not be more disparate.

We’ve got Wide Spread Panic’s brand country classic rock, Passion Pit’s bubbly electropop, Thievery Corporation’s jazzy trip-hop, and Phantogram’s droning electronica filling out the top billings this year. MMMF has been known for it’s eclectic lineups in the past but this year it appears festival organizers to have embraced it’s reputation as a smorgasbord  of different tastes. To keep things straight for our readers I have broken down the lineup into genres. There may be some overlap in these groups so please don’t crucify me in the comment section (I get it; Portugal, the Man released an electronic album in 2007)

“Rock”

Widespread Panic

Portugal. the Man

Trampled by Turtles

The Hourglass Cats

Black Bottom Lighters

Tommy Ash Band

“Dance”

Passion Pit

STRFKR

Trombone Shorty & New Orleans Avenue

Thievery Corporation

Phantogram

Karl Denson

“EDM”

Break Science

Beats Antique

Sunsquabi

So there you have it! A festival that appeals to near any group of friends, unless of course you only listen to hip hop as there is none to be found this year! 3-Day Passes are on sale now for $135 with single day passes for $50 + fees.

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After DAKTYL, Mr. Kodak To Graph came on and was the whole reason I was at Crescent Ballroom in the first place. With a more personal setting I knew Kodak would deliver a more intimate performance.
His whole set had me in a trance. Not as much dancing as much as good vibes, but his music makes you feel. Dig a little bit deeper in your soul, release your fears and open you heart.
Kodak did his thing but the energy was building for Slow Magic and what would be my first live viewing. All the masks and face-paint in the crowd was a beautiful sight but it wasn’t until Slow Magic came out wearing this humongous lit up mask that I understood why. His mask is three to five times as big as your average mask and it changes colors and rhythms depending on the song.
Slow Magic knows how to control the room as he uses his epic wailing bass so the room never goes quiet. After overcoming a little technical difficulty Slow Magic took over and the crowd was lit up.

He started slow and vibey, but once he dropped ‘Girls’ his backdrop lit up as bright as could be and you could see everyone in the crowd literally put there hands up and shaking their hips. Inhibitions gone, it became one big dance party filled with smiles and happiness.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/155002757″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

‘On Yr Side’ best encapsulated Slow Magic’s drum precision as he wailed away to the eerie banger. Setting the mood with his beats, his drumming is like a caveman banging away to the night sky.
Not only did Slow Magic put on a performance but he put on a show for the crowd. DAKTYL and Kodak To Graph were nice starters but Slow Magic is a must see if you haven’t had the pleasure of a live viewing. Between his original sound, the drums and the mask your getting the full one of a kind experience.

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Back for it’s fourth year and less than 100 days away, Governors Ball Music festival is taking place on June 6, 7 and 8 at Randall’s Island, NYC.

Personally, I think the lineup for this years Governors Ball absolutely kills it. It ranges from EDM to hip-hop to old school rock. The lineup includes headliners such as Outkast (who is also headlining Coachella), Jack White, Vampire Weekend, The Strokes, and others such as Swedish House Mafia’s Axwell and Sebastian Ingrosso, Phoenix, Disclosure, Skrillex, Foster the People, Empire of the Sun (who headlined Governors Ball back at the first festival in 2011), Spoon, and many many more!

To all my fellow east coasters, I HIGHLY suggest you purchase your ticket before they sell out! This is one music festival you DO NOT want to miss! For everyone else, if you haven’t been to NYC, this is the perfect opportunity for you to come visit the glorious humidity of the east!

To purchase tickets and for more information about the music festival, visit the Governors Ball Music Festival website. Looking forward to seeing all of you there!!

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When I first heard that two of my favorite DJs were getting ready to hit the road together I thought it couldn’t get any better. When I found out the UK 2 LA Tour was making a stop in Phoenix, I just about lost it. Alex Metric, the British funk master and creator of some of my favorite mixes of all time, along with Destructo, aka Gary Richards aka Captain D aka the man behind HARD Presents…, going on a club tour with less than 20 stops and one of them is in my hometown?! That’s like seeing Michael Jordan and Steve Nash play one on one at the YMCA. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

Wednesday night rolled around and I headed downtown expecting a somewhat empty venue with only a few AZ natives scattered out on the patio waiting for the show to get started. When I arrived to the Monarch Theatre, however, I was shocked to see a line out the building and a patio packed with kids of all ages. Inside was even more crowded with both the all ages and 21+ section completely full with fellow house fans. It was then that I realized I was in for more than I expected.

Alex Metric took to the decks to get things started, and I was ready for a similar set to what I had seen of him the last time he was in town with the Zedd Clarity Tour. Again, my predictions were far off. Alex was the perfect person to get the party started with his funk-filled set and high energy. Playing his hits like “Scandalism,” “Want Ya,” and “Head Straight,” Alex’s set was definitely not a disappointment, and while he might be a quiet lad off stage, his set could not be any more the opposite.

As Alex Metric came to a close, Destructo took to the stage, and without any hesitation his loyal Ship Fam flocked to the stage to support. Destructo kept the party moving right along, keeping the deep house vibes going with a little extra HARD sauce on the side. “Technology” was by far one of the hardest hitting songs of the night, making the crowd go absolutely bananas. With Holy Ship flags and HARD signs in the air, Destructo definitely got a good look at some of his biggest fans on the west coast.

What came next was what really took the cake for the whole evening: a back to back set with Alex Metric and Destructo. Playing each of their biggest hits like “Rave Weapon” and “Higher,” the boys closed out the evening with a bang for sure.

In conclusion, the entire show far surpassed my expectations. Getting to see both acts individually and collaboratively was more than one could ask for. It was great to see someone with veteran experience like Destructo mix with a producer who some would consider still on the rise. Each had their own influence on the crowd, and with a combined effort Alex Metric and Destructo put together a show I’ll remember for all of 2014.

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Miny: I started a death metal band with my sister when I was 13. We thought it was hilarious because we were two girls playing this terrifying music. The metal band went on for 8 years and I felt like I wanted to branch out and start writing in the genres that I was primarily listening to; rap and pop.

It’s as if the universe began accepting different kinds of female rappers the moment my love for rap took a complete hold on me and I wanted to be a part of it. The freedom of expression as a female in rap is very appealing to me — and the more I do it, the more freeing and fun it gets!

Miny: I think it’s important to accept and free all of the things I feel instead of trying to fit one particular genre. My music tends to be kind of bipolar, and I would describe it as genre skipping indie pop/rap. I set out to make each song different from the next to express whatever I’m feeling.

Miny: I’m inspired by artists, songs, feelings, conversations, relationships, or thoughts that strike me as potent and authentic. I try to tap into a place of expression without filter which can be challenging. Growing up in the 90’s also really inspires me because it was all about being proud of your quirkiness.

Miny: Getting started and being independent is artistically freeing, but financially straining which is probably the hardest part.

Music costs money and to cut down costs- I end up doing a lot myself. I’m typically multitasking with directing/editing/ producing my music videos, writing, mixing, mastering, social networking, graphic design, etc.

The plus side is that I end up learning a lot, and have control over what’s released because I’m personally involved in all of it.

JNTM: Women in music, specifically rap, are becoming a more dominant force. What do you think that says about our generation and where music is heading? Have you ever had any problems with performing because of your gender? 

Miny: I think it’s great that fellow females are trying to make it in rap, but we have a long way to go before we’re respected. Being a female in metal and now in rap can be really challenging and I’ve definitely encountered difficulties in both due to my gender.

It often feels like people want to test my skill or fit me into some sort of category when music should be the focus- not gender. I understand why things are that way because a lot of females continue to send us backwards with gimmicks instead of being innovative and it makes people skeptical.

I’m hopeful that with time people will get used to seeing females in powerful positions in music and that gender can be less of a focus.

Miny: Affording an artistic passion really comes down to taking advantage of resources you have available, staying networked with like minded creators, and being educated. A lot of my music videos were done before I graduated from ASU in the film and media production program. My school provided film equipment, and I edit the videos using a mixture of programs which I learned in High School.

I work closely with film friends from ASU who dedicate a lot of time and energy into helping me. Right now I record at a studio that I built this summer where I record, mix, and master songs using Pro Tools. I’m basically working on no budget and have to get super creative and maximize my productive time to get things done.

Miny: I love social media, without it independent artists wouldn’t be anywhere. I think it’s challenging because people constantly crave new information but it keeps me on my toes. Social media helps me grow because I immediately get to see what people like or dislike in order to gain perspective.

I think every artist faces difficulties in terms of loosing face to face connections, and dealing with online harassment- that’s really the only detractor with social networking and it’s not really that negative because I personally get a kick out of it.

Miny: The most important part of being an independent artist is putting out authentic music while you can. The Biggest challenges include cost, time, and energy. The most enjoyable aspects are having control of my music, getting to personally interact with my audience, and making every song and video exactly how I want.

I stay focused by being inspired by new music and dedicating my efforts to my sister Desiree who passed away in 2007. I like making music/ videos that she would have enjoyed. I would advise other artists that if you keep on going- you’ll get where you want to be. Don’t let anything slow you down!

Miny: I started rapping during the summer of 2012. I was living in LA and had seen several articles spring up on female rappers, and it just got to a point where I had to start. Rapping has been something that I’ve wanted to do for so long and I feel like since the moment I’ve started- things have constantly been changing.

My dreams, ambitions, personal style, musical influences, and branding are constantly changing as I’m growing within the genre. I’ve started to feel less like an outsider trying to fit into a genre, and more like an artist trying to celebrate their individuality in a genre that embraces that.

JNTM: What advice would you give to someone who wants to do what you’re doing? 

You just have to do it, and don’t stop. Do whatever you can to get yourself out there- make some recordings, indie music videos, play as many shows as possible and get going. With enough time and effort- you’ll get where you want to be. 

JNTM: What’s in the future for Miny? Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years? 

Minymusic.com

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