Album Review + Interview: Tortuga - New Day EP

In the arena of electronic hiphop, funk, and soul, a specific grassroots movement of producers and fans continues to grow.  From the producer side, different styles and sounds continuously surface supported by independent record labels. Almost daily, producers continue to push the movement forward with infinite interpretations of samples, synths, and rhythmical grooves. We've recently discovered that the live electronic duo Tortuga is an active contributor to this movement.

If you've been on Stereofox lately, you know that there's one particular independent label that we appreciate and support - Philos Records. We support them because Philos remains influential in the growth of artists and fanbases. The label identifies innovative producers and fosters their growth from the underground into deeper exposure. Just look at our Philos Records label page and you're likely to recognize a few of those names.

Within the last year, the label added Tortuga to its line-up -- two long-time friends out of Denver, Colorado under the name who employ a learn-as-you-go approach to their project. Through intensive beat, sample, and melodic layering, Tortuga shows us how subtleties maximize the effect music has on listeners in New Day EP. In this release, we get a compacted, yet impactful set of four distinct songs showing us what their non-stop learning achieves.

The opening track "Color Blind" busts down doors using thick, distorted basslines given context by rhythmical guitar. This track embodies a simple kick-snare drum pattern giving ample space for intertwining instrumentals and synths in between. This track also highlights how much producers like Tortuga can accomplish musically in between snare notes alone. It then drops half-time entering into an entirely different realm before its end. The song drops off with subtle cow-bell notes providing for a clever transition into the following song.

"Chuck Norris" featuring Dylan Montayne gets counted off by the cowbell and away we go into a soulful groove. The cowbell remains in the background on the off-beat giving a bit of sway to this track. In "Chuck Norris", we receive the first vocal verses of the album, which seem to have a springtime vibe. This track overall instills excitement about the adventure of spring and summertime to me.

"Brass Knuckles" signaled that Tortuga is at home with a label who emphasizes innovative sample-based production. Borrowing classic funk horn samples, "Brass Knuckles" re-frames what such instrumental samples achieve in such a heavy track. This track has a chilled-out tempo with massive bass, however, makes no waste of audible space filling in each bar with multi-layered melodic synths.

This EP closes with the title track "New Day" featuring Ryan Wagner also of The Differents. Together they achieve an introspective electronic hip hop groove with somber lyrics and chord progressions. This changes into a more euphoric feel as they counteract the sadness with uplifting melodic synths and uptempo hiphop beats intermixed with scratching samples. Such contrast tells a story through pure feeling providing an outro to the EP.

In just four songs, we get a medley of electronic hip hop, funk, and soul through the eyes of two close friends from Denver, CO - a city with an affinity for music and nature. Listen to their EP and read our interview with them below.

Hey Guys, tell us about yourselves and how Tortuga got formed.

First we would like to say thanks so much for having us on for this interview, Mike. We’re really excited about linking up and have always loved what you guys do at Stereofox. 

Tortuga is a Denver based production duo consisting of Tyler Arndt and Ryan Mahrer. Tortuga was “officially” formed in February of 2015. We mark this with our first release “Back Home.” The group was and still is formed with roots in friendship. We’ve been best friends since 5^th grade – people normally laugh a little bit at that. We grew up locally; near to Denver. We’ve always loved music – both listening and playing.  Tyler was trained as a kid in classical clarinet and Ryan, piano. We’ve since moved on to other instruments but that is our base. 

As we moved into our teens and later, our love for all types of music mixed with the electronic wave that surged through CO. As time went on we both found production software and began to experiment with recording and producing what we could around our recordings. We always used one another as an outlet, being that we were the only two friends in our “group” who produced. It was only natural that we started a group and we have to say we’re both really glad we did.

Tell us about how your produce – what techniques and equipment do you use? What does your creative work flow look like?

Our production tends to be all over the place. We don’t have one direct format for producing a song. We’re definitely what one would call “point and click” producers. We don’t normally use any physical hardware to “play-in” our notes or chords. We normally don’t use any midi controllers or keyboards to record midi or audio. We actually click the notes in, in those instances; if that makes sense. Not to say we don’t ever use controllers - but just not normally.  We love to utilize samples and the alike also. We’re definitely not purists by any form of the word. If there is something we hear that inspires us, we will in most instances, see how we can work it into our production. We’re scratching the surface of modular synth use also.  They’re a great – and very expensive – tool for production. You will see more use of those in future releases. 

We try to keep our workflow as open as possible. We produce songs together from scratch or start songs individually and come together to finish. It all really ranges. We feel it allows for ideas to flourish and the essence to take over. We never try to sequester one another in that respect. You have allow the other person to have control over what they’re producing, while still finding a common collaborative median.

You guys combine so many elements into your music – what can one expect from your live show? What equipment do you work with live? Is there any special way you design a set?

We’re constantly looking to improve our live sets.  We have a few elements that have become core to our live sets, over time. Tyler takes on the position of a percussionist/drummer with the assistance of the SPDSX Drum Pad by Rolland. He’s the main backbone to the jam and keeps everything aligned and flowing. He also utilize the MPD32 by Akai for independent sample synthesis. Ryan plays guitar - a Schecter C1+ - and utilizes the Push 1 by Ableton for sample synthesis and clip launching. He also uses a few smaller pieces of hardware for mixing live and the alike.

Ultimately, we aim to have complete control over the music we’re playing. Many of the elements you’re hearing are live triggered or physically played in by one of us. When you come out our live sets, you can expect a high energy, eclectic mix of live instruments, improvisation and production. Hopefully it brings a smile to your face and gets you as excited as we are about it!

You’re release off of Philos Records New Day EP is short and so well-crafted. What themes or thoughts went into this release?

New Day is very much a funk influenced EP.  We’re both huge classic and new age funk fans and love anything with a good bassline. We would like to think that a few of these track take on that noodly style. The featured artists on this EP – Dylan Montayne and Ryan Wagner of the Differents – tied the entire thing together though. We truly believe this EP wouldn’t have been the same without these dudes. They’re both definitely worth looking into individually. Both have active music careers and dominate in the local Denver scene. When they were about collaborating as much as we were, we were both ecstatic. They brought us back from the depths of the noodle and we are oh so grateful.

You guys hopped on board with the KC-based Philos Records crew. How did you get involved with them and what drew you guys to this label?

We’ve honestly been drawn to this style since first hearing the greats like RJD2 or Moby in our teens. The Philos team has been pushing the hip hop based electronic style for a long time – their roster is stacked with finishers and time has shown just how fast those dudes are excelling. When we started Tortuga, they were one of the underground champs we had had our eye on. We reached out when we felt we had something for them and Jordan was nice enough to take our message, listen to our music and reply. That was a big step for us of which we’re still very thankful for. We have nothing but awesome things to say about Jordan and every one of the artists associated with the label. 

You guys are based out of Colorado… I keep hearing Colorado is a destination for music with so many fans and artists being based out of CO. What makes Colorado the place to be for music?

There are a number of factors that cause the scene to excel here. We have something like 300 sunny days a year here on average - outdoor venues stay open for about 7 months annually. Red Rocks officially opens in April and stays booked full until October.  If weather permits there are 150+ outdoor events there alone. We’re also located in a place where bands that are touring in either direction – west to east or vice versa – can stop here. There are venues for every size artist and promoters are actively pushing the local, national and international scene. It’s a great market to be a part of and we’re thankful to have been raised here both as people and as a group. 

Guys, I have to give you props on this release! What are you guys looking forward to for the rest of 2017 and beyond?

Thanks for that Mike! Our main goal is to keep busy and stay active in the scene! It’s aggressive here and the locals we’re surrounded with aren’t to be taken lightly. We’re lucky enough to have been invited to perform at the first weekend of Electric Forest Festival in Rothbury Michigan on June 22^nd – June 25^th. We’re also corresponding with NYM of Emancipators Label, LoCi Records and have a co-headlining gig the weekend before we leave for Electric Forest – June 16^th - at the Larimer Lounge in Denver.  This is his first Colorado gig and we couldn’t be more excited. He also has a new EP titled “Lilac Chaser” that is set to come out May 17th. Keep an eye out for that!

We’re currently working on and will have a bunch of new music for release in the next months and into next year, so please keep an eye out for that. Going to keep the wheels turning and engine running and see if we can’t build this into something special.

Any last words of wisdom, anecdotes, or shout-outs you’d like to share?

Shout out to our amazing families and friends who have supported us since the beginning of this journey. We’re beyond thankful for literally every one of you. Music is and should always be free. All of our music is available for free download. Most originals can be streamed via your favorite media platform. We’re currently looking to expand our reaches – if you’re interested in working with Tortuga (ie: collaborating, booking and the alike) please don’t hesitate to reach out - [email protected].

We would like to take a moment to thank Mike, the Stereofox team and your readers for allowing us to be a part of this interview and taking the time to listen and support to Tortuga. Keep doing what you’re doing and we’re looking forward to working with you in the near future!

Now, go get a copy of New Day on a "pay what you want" basis through the download link at the top.

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