TIM ATLAS - FIGURE A (From New EP All Talk)

Independent artists who do it all are becoming more common in today’s new music business. Los Angeles songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Tim Atlas, who makes groovy indie pop tunes with seemingly timeless melodies, is helping to define that fiercely self-sufficient ethos. He’s even gone so far to book his own full US and European tours.

Last week, Atlas released his second EP, entitled All Talk! It’s a collection of 5 songs, including previously released singles “Dive”, “Unwind”, and the 11-million-stream 2016 single “Compromised”—in addition to intro and outro sketches which help bookend the body of work into a cohesive story. Sonically, the project displays a juxtaposition of analog and digital sounds, with Atlas citing influences from Hall & Oates to Tame Impala to Toro y Moi.

One of the new singles, “Figure A” is a standout track and a great example of Atlas’ nostalgic sensibilities. 80’s-style synthesizers and a slow and steady groove set the scene for vintage west coast vibes galore. Lyrically, it’s seems to be a sort of self-discovery tale, about “figuring it out.” Listen to All Talk! for yourself to discover why this independent artist is making big waves across the industry.

Catch Tim Atlas live in Austin at SXSW or in LA at School Night on April 30, more info here.

BEN PHIPPS - DON’T STOP NOW (FT. SAM DEROSA)

A good artist friend of mine doesn’t like when songs are referred to as bops. He says it’s like getting your hair tousled by the internet. While I can see where he’s coming from, sometimes “bop” is just a perfect word to describe a song. It’s a catchy-ass pop song that gets you moving. This new one from Ben Phipps and Sam DeRosa, co-written by Oktavian and Steve Wilmot, is a bop!

The hooks within “Don’t Stop Now” are irresistible. Sam DeRosa glides into each note with a little sweet sass while Ben Phipps’ crisp beats and melodic stylings cement the track as contemporary pop masterpiece material. I especially like the bridge which, with Sam’s little laugh, big background claps and tambourine, is a welcome alternative to most pop bridges these days which tend to be a little blah. I’ll be putting “Don’t Stop Now” straight into rotation on my party playlists, and you should do the same.

SMALLTALK - WAIT

Today it’s my true pleasure to introduce you to smalltalk, the new musical project of Peter Fenn and Parker Livingston. A serendipitous meeting while working at the same San Francisco tech company led to the duo originally making music together under the name Polaroid, releasing a handful of singles in 2016 and 2017. Now they’ve rebranded as smalltalk and have released their vibey debut single “Wait”, a relaxed indie soul track with the kind of warm vocals and instrumentation that beckon the backyard days of summer. Citing inspirations old and new, from Otis Redding to Anderson .Paak, it’s evident that the pair are able to bring together elements of both classic soul music and contemporary hip-hop beats to create their own unique vibe that feels timeless. We can only hope for more smalltalk as we move through 2018.

Parker Livingston and Peter Fenn are smalltalk.

THOREAU - GOD'S PLAN (REWORK)

Thoreau is no stranger to us here at Beautiful Buzzz. From tracks like his Paramore and Green Day 'Thoreau-Backs' to his more recent originals, the Colorado producer has made his style known. Now he takes on Drake's latest track 'God's Plan' by making a cover/remix that gives it a whole new energy while still capturing that Drake sound.  With the huge synth drop that we have come to love, with the crisp percussion, this track will have you singing and dancing along from the time you hit play. You might even realize some different lyrics such as "I only love my cat and my snowboard i'm sorry"...if you pay attention in the second half. 

Disclosure: Thoreau is managed by Beautiful Buzzz Writer Lindsey Oh.

GHASPER - LUVN U

Ghasper is a name familiar to many in the electronic music space, particularly among fans of intricate instrumental production and forward-thinking sound design. He just released his debut EP Mima which I listened to all the way through twice on my flight to New York last week, and let me tell you—it is excellent. With eight regular tracks and six bonus tracks, it's really more of an LP, and I'm not complaining.

While it’s difficult to pick a stand-out track, “Luvn U” is one that stuck out for a couple reasons. Percussively, Ghasper utilizes unique rhythmic patterns and sounds that surprise and delight. He allows each primary instrument to feature the melody at different points in the song. Sometimes it’s the chopped vocals, other times it’s the massive side-chained synthesizers, and at times it’s what sounds like a malleted percussion instrument. Each instrument tells its own story, and they work together gorgeously. Do yourself a favor and peep the whole Mima project on Spotify and revel in the talent that is Ghasper.

TWO FRIENDS LA SHOW RECAP+Q&A

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Two Friends (Eli Sones and Matt Halper) in the green room at the El Rey in Los Angeles. (Photo courtesy of Ian Johnson, IG: @youngianphoto)

Here at Beautiful Buzzz we generally only provide coverage for single tracks. We like to keep it simple. But once in a while we like to offer an inside look into the lives of artists with whom we really love and consider homies. This past weekend we caught up with Two Friends after their show in Los Angeles at the El Rey Theatre. 

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James Delaney sings "Emily" with Two Friends. (Photo courtesy of Ian Johnson)

This hard-working yet light-hearted DJ duo has been picking up momentum since they first started putting a slew of remixes and original tracks on SoundCloud 5 years ago. Known for their riotous social media antics, viral remixes of hits like “Mr. Brightside” and “Trap Queen”, SoundCloud chart-topping “Big Bootie Mixes”, and recent original pop-leaning singles like “Out of Love (feat. Cosmos & Creature)”, “Emily (feat. James Delaney)”, and “Just A Kid (feat. Kevin Writer)” the friend pair of Matt Halper and Eli Sones have earned a well-deserved following and respect as one of the foremost rising acts in the scene.

Saturday night, playing to a sold-out crowd at the legendary El Rey Theatre in the heart of LA, I finally got to witness firsthand why these fellas are quickly climbing the ladder of success—they really know how to get the crowd moving. Some young DJ acts today it seems just hit the play button, jump up and down, and run around the stage hyping the crowd, but it’s clear that Two Friends can do that and simultaneously actually DJ—mixing between tracks quickly and seamlessly flowing from throwback classic to Top 40 remix to their original releases, bringing guests like James Delaney and Kevin Writer on stage to perform their features. Two words can be used to sum up the night and all the fun that was had: Dance. Party.

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Doing their thing. (Photo courtesy of Ian Johnson)

After the show we decided to ask Eli and Matt some rapid fire questions to find out a little more about them. Enjoy their responses:

BB: Sushi or Ramen?
Eli: Ramen
Matt: sushi

BB: Pizza or Pasta?
Eli: Pasta
Matt: pizza

BB: Tacos or Burritos?
Eli: Tacos
Matt: burritos (why are we even friends eli?)

BB: Favorite spot to get any of the above in LA?
Eli: Tacos at Frida's at the Brentwood Country Mart
Matt: Burritos at Kay N Dave’s

BB: Favorite artist (musical or not) who is pushing creative boundaries?
Eli: Chance The Rapper
Matt: AJR

BB: Favorite guilty pleasure Spotify playlist?
Eli: Disney movie soundtracks, especially Lion King and Hercules
Matt: ^lol. Ummm probably like one of the Coffee House ones

BB: Biggest inspiration(s)?
Eli: Friends and family
Matt: unique songwriters who tell stories well

BB:  Coolest cities you’ve played in so far?
Eli: All the international ones are always surreal- Barcelona might be at the top.
Matt: I might agree for once. 

BB: Dream collaborator?
Eli: Blink-182, I'm stealing your answer Matt.
Matt: Bli... oh uhh let’s go with Ben Gibbard. 

BB: Most embarrassing moment of tour so far?
Eli: Matt addressing the New York City crowd as Chicago accidentally, sorry Matt.
Matt: that was last year bro. I’d say falling off a DJ booth or two

There you have it folks. Catch Two Friends live in a city near you. All show dates can be found here!

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Two Friends. (Photo courtesy of Ian Johnson, IG: @youngianphoto)

DANA AND THE WOLF - GOT ME POLY

“I come from the luck of the draw," Dana Hobson sirens as the introductory hook and anthemic bridge of “Got Me Poly”, the first single of 2018 from peculiar new self-described “raw theater” duo Dana and the Wolf.

In December they gave us the cinematic and dark “Him” which created controversy as “not a Christian rock” song with artwork featuring a cross and lyrics that read as a burning commentary on religion. It charted on several Spotify Viral charts however, deservedly so in this writer’s opinion, with its forward-thinking production and innovative vocal arrangement.

Back at it with a new single to kick off their 2018, Dana and the Wolf have dropped “Got Me Poly”, and I’m cosigning this hard. A song about polyamory, it’s almost like this record was designed to induce anxiety in the listener. There’s even percussion that sounds like a heartbeat in the intro. Add on top lyrics like “turns out that love can’t be conquered and isn’t what you thought / 'forever' just another bubble stuck inside your throat” in a rap-sung mumble from Hobson, other bits of preachy wisdom from Daniel “the Wolf” (if you listen closely) and a chugging bridge that’s somewhere between The Prodigy’s “Smack My Bitch Up” and Major Lazer, and this duo has crafted a piece of music that truly stands out amongst most of even the “alt pop” of today. Keep your eyes on Dana and the Wolf.

OTR - BLISS FT. ASHLEY LEONE

We first introduced you to Cincinnati-based producer OTR last year with his awe-inspiring first original Already Gone (feat. Kelsie Rimmer) which has gone on to amass over 700k plays on Spotify. Official remixes he’s done for Petit Biscuit (“Sunset Lover”), Blondage (“Stoned”), and Mickey Valen (“Meet Me”) have all surpassed the 1M stream milestone. There’s no doubt this former aerospace engineer has found his calling with music production. His creations exhibit a compelling array of organic and electronic sonic elements arranged in a mathematical yet feels-inducing manner.

His latest opus “Bliss”, with little-known but very talented vocalist Ashley Leone, demonstrates further his ability to craft an intricate and colorful soundscape. Reminiscent of a Hailey Steinfeld x Zedd track with more lush ODESZA-esque production, “Bliss” is exactly as it’s title suggests. Gorgeous songwriting and production come together to create a song that you can’t help but want to listen to over and over.

SPIRIX - LITTLE DOUBTS (FT. AVIELLA)

I first discovered Spirix when his remix of “Glory Days” by Sweater Beats and Hayley Kiyoko was algorithmically fed to me by my Spotify Discover Weekly or Release Radar, can’t remember which one exactly. I knew right away that this young producer had real talent. Turns out he has some mutual friends of the blog as well in Moving Castle founders Robotaki and Manila Killa. Definitely check out his remix of their track “I Want You” feat. Matthew John Kurz here.

His latest single “Little Doubts” is further reason to keep the name Spirix firmly on your radar. Sweet and light synth melodies provide a gently building introduction perfectly paired with the soft vocal stylings of Aviella, who has a great songwriting career ahead of her. The energy picks up and Spirix goes on to gift us two explosive drops with the kind of chord stabs that get you grinning wide and throwing down on the dance floor. He apparently made his live debut at Snowglobe this past NYE and I can only imagine it was quite the set. I can’t wait for more Spirix originals like this one, and I hope more are coming soon!