[metadata_records] is an imprint for Dark Arps. In this debut EP, Jon returns to his formative nuskool breaks influences with three groove-laden chin-strokers: 'Broken Promise', 'Grow Op' and 'Plead’. Expect rubbery bass, percussive boom-bap, and cheeky melodic interjections as we romp through these three electro-charged funkhausers. The title track ‘Broken Promise’ hits you with the one- two chord stabs right off the bat and just doesn’t stop. ‘Grow Op’ is low-rolling with that Seinfeld slap, and ‘Plead’ takes us on a perilous journey through pretentious bassline progressions... buckle up! For more, visit www.metadatarecords.com

After nearly 25 years exploring a wide gamut of technical and artistic disciplines in electronic music, design, animation and production, Jon Bierman aka Dark Arps is proud to present [metadata_records], a fusion of audio/visual intent. It consolidates, providing a platform for uninhibited expression, allowing complete control over every aspect of the aesthetic and delivery - allowing the work to flow, in his own time, on his own terms, with authenticity. ‘Broken Promise EP’ is an apt introduction, a trio of engaging tunes, exploring a fusion of progressive techno and broken beat, every piece a journey, shuffling dancefloors and living room raves alike into territories unknown.

[MDR001] Broken Promise EP

Release date: December 17, 2021

[metadata_records] is an imprint for Dark Arps. In this follow-up EP, Jon delivers four dancefloor dreamscapes, dripping with melodic motifs and irresistible grooves. The title track ‘Phantasy’ kicks off our psychedelic journey through repeating, evolving acid lines, underlaid with thick, alternating basstones. Crispy snares and percussive breakbeat patterns carry the groove, leading us to crescendos and soaring piano-and-string melodies. ‘Jumbo Rafiki’ takes a left turn, bopping down into shuffled, broken-house territory with chord-stacked riffs and funky bassline interjections, augmented by mysteriously detuned bells which lift us up to triumphant heights. Then, with another left turn we crash back down to the depths with ‘Python State’, a deeper exploration of minimal house, oozing with atmospheric appeal, the main riff invoking a latin flavour with synthetic, other-worldly modular synthesis in support. ‘Phantasy (Reprize)’ brings our journey full-circle with a final acid-rip along driving shorelines of progressive breaks, re-introducing melodic players we encountered at the beginning of the expedition, evolved into something darker, as the EP comes to its conclusion.

Artwork by Candise Wild <3

For more, visit www.metadatarecords.com

buy/stream

[MDR002] Phantasy EP

A little ditty to demonstrate a multisampled Kontakt instrument I created recording an instrument called a "hang drum". 

I've made the instrument and samples available for download: http://www.darkarps.com/hang-drum-multisampled-instrument/

Great for sound design, or adding an ethnic atmosphere to your compositions. Enjoy!

Hang Drum demo

Broken Promise EP

Plead

Grow Op

Broken Promise

[metadata_records] is an imprint for Dark Arps. In this follow-up EP, Jon delivers four dancefloor dreamscapes, dripping with melodic motifs and irresistible grooves. The title track ‘Phantasy’ kicks off our psychedelic journey through repeating, evolving acid lines, underlaid with thick, alternating basstones. Crispy snares and percussive breakbeat patterns carry the groove, leading us to crescendos and soaring piano-and-string melodies. ‘Jumbo Rafiki’ takes a left turn, bopping down into shuffled, broken-house territory with chord-stacked riffs and funky bassline interjections, augmented by mysteriously detuned bells which lift us up to triumphant heights. Then, with another left turn we crash back down to the depths with ‘Python State’, a deeper exploration of minimal house, oozing with atmospheric appeal, the main riff invoking a latin flavour with synthetic, other-worldly modular synthesis in support. ‘Phantasy (Reprize)’ brings our journey full-circle with a final acid-rip along driving shorelines of progressive breaks, re-introducing melodic players we encountered at the beginning of the expedition, evolved into something darker, as the EP comes to its conclusion.

For more, visit www.metadatarecords.com

Phantasy EP

Python State

Phantasy (Reprize)

Phantasy (Original Mix)

Jumbo Rafiki

I'm very pleased to present my first EP release with East Van Digital, "Hanging on the Wall".

If you like what you hear, please head over to http://www.eastvandigital.com/EVDvelop/evdep019-dark-arps-hanging-on-the-wall-ep/ and buy a copy :) Or simply stream it to your heart's content, I'm glad you're listening.

Reviews: 
http://exclaim.ca/Reviews/DanceAndElectronic/dark_arps-hanging_on_wall_ep
http://www.earmilk.com/2013/11/15/dark-arps-biggest-house-in-town/

\\

Release Dates:
EVD Exclusive November 21, 2013
Wide release December 5, 2013

All tracks CanCon.
Language warning tracks 5 & 6.
Mastering by Maul Mac: www.hardgroovemastering.co.uk


\\

Purchase links:

http://www.beatport.com/release/hanging-on-the-wall-ep/1198712
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/hanging-on-the-wall-ep-ep/id747965214
http://www.junodownload.com/products/dark-arps-hanging-on-the-wall-ep/2342529-02/
https://www.trackitdown.net/track/dark-arps/biggest-house-in-town/techno/6445785.html
http://www.amazon.com/Hanging-On-Wall-EP-Explicit/dp/B00GOWBYE4

Dark Arps - The Wheel

Dark Arps - Hanging On The Wall

Dark Arps - Biggest House In Town

Dark Arps & Miss Innocent - Come On In!

July 8, 2023. Someone unplugged the recorder so I only got half my set from the Cabin Stage at Bass Coast 2023... thanks Dingo for the sweet shot x

Live @ Bass Coast 2023

just because https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy_oX6SURRE



Chicago Tornado Siren

Live at Ghost In The Machine Presents: Rrose
Vancouver BC
October 8, 2023

GITM Presents Rrose (October 8 2023) - Dark Arps

This is a cover of Ulrich Schnauss - Wherever You Are:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn604M1IfDk

A buddy of mine needed music for an FX demo reel. He was using the original song, but can't distribute it to YouTube because of copyright (even on private or unlisted), so I made this for him. This is actually something I've been thinking about doing for a while, covering electronica classics. This was an excellent way to start. Got any suggestions for me? Leave a comment.

Waiting For You

Chatter

Node 001: Dark Arps Live at the Wavespace - January 19, 2024

Everybody!

Remix of a remix! Listen to the "original" (ie the first remix) here:

https://soundcloud.com/jeremylim/i-dare-you-faster-sunset-remix

Anna Toth:
facebook.com/annatothmusic 
instagram.com/annatothmusic 
twitter.com/user/musicdoodles

Jeremy Lim:
www.jeremylimmusic.com 
twitter.com/jeremylim 
instagram.com/jeremylim 
mixcloud.com/jeremylim 
facebook.com/jeremylimmusic 
youtube.com/jeremylimmusic 
@jeremylim

[LYRICS]
You ask but you already know 
I never liked to coast or drive too slow 
My windows rolled right down 
This wind is trying to race us now, race us now

I dare you baby, let's go faster 
I'm not scared of a disaster 
All green lights and pretty laughter 
Crush that pedal, let's go faster

Jeremy Lim ft. Anna Toth - I Dare You (Faster) (Dark Arps' FAST Mix)

Remix of a remix of a remix! What? Listen to the "original" (ie the first remix) here:
https://soundcloud.com/jeremylim/i-dare-you-faster-sunset-remix

...and then the first remix I made of that remix here:
https://soundcloud.com/dark-arps/idy-faster-rmx-fast

Anna Toth:
facebook.com/annatothmusic 
instagram.com/annatothmusic 
twitter.com/user/musicdoodles

Jeremy Lim:
www.jeremylimmusic.com 
twitter.com/jeremylim 
instagram.com/jeremylim 
mixcloud.com/jeremylim 
facebook.com/jeremylimmusic 
youtube.com/jeremylimmusic 
@jeremylim

[LYRICS]
You ask but you already know 
I never liked to coast or drive too slow 
My windows rolled right down 
This wind is trying to race us now, race us now

I dare you baby, let's go faster 
I'm not scared of a disaster 
All green lights and pretty laughter 
Crush that pedal, let's go faster

Jeremy Lim ft. Anna Toth - I Dare You (Faster) (Dark Arps' DARK Mix)

ALIVE – A daytime experience to honour live acts

Join us on July 5th at Vancouver's Industrial Garden for an immersive open-air experience celebrating the art of live electronic performance.


Paul Franc – delivering a hypnotic minimal live set

Dark Arps – weaving modular synths into dynamic techno grooves

Lalo Campo – spinning deep vinyl selections with finesse


Production by Synesthesia

Tickets available now – link in bio
Industrial Garden
5 PM – 11 PM
Genres: Rominimal | Minimal House | Minimal Techno

Important Event Details:

The location for this event will be emailed to ticket holders two hours prior to the event's start time. Make sure you’ve opted in to receive marketing emails from Resident Advisor, or you risk missing the location update on the day.

Only small bags are allowed: clutches or wallets no larger than 6.5" x 5.5", and sling bags up to 12"x6"x12" with or without straps. Clear bags, like transparent totes or pouches with visible contents, are also acceptable. Larger bags such as backpacks, suitcases, beach bags, and camelbacks are not permitted.

We reserve the right to perform exit checks if needed. By purchasing a ticket and attending, you consent to potential bag checks on entry and exit as decided by our management and security team.

Creating a Safe Space: This event is designed to be an inclusive, respectful environment for all. Harassment, discrimination, disruption, or any violation of our guidelines will result in immediate removal and a permanent ban from future events.

Ticket and Entry Policy: All tickets are final sale and non-transferable. A government-issued ID matching the ticket name is required for entry. If you’re purchasing for another person, you’ll need to accompany them at the door for verification. There are no refunds, transfers, or exchanges for tickets, and no exceptions will be made.

Please note that street parking is at your own risk; we encourage using ride-share services. Outside food, drinks, pets, and any recording devices are not permitted at the event.

By attending, you accept full responsibility for any potential injuries, illnesses, damages, or losses. You agree to release the venue, event organizers, vendors, and affiliates from any liability or claims.


#ALIVEVancouver #LiveElectronicMusic #MinimalTechno #ModularSynth #VinylOnly #VantekEvents #SynesthesiaBC #IndustrialGarden


AILVE

Dark Arps - techno house breaks progressive - www.darkarps.com

Wake up, it's time to leave.
This toxic air, it's hard to breathe.
We burned up the oil, and we boiled up the seas.
The tempreature's ris'n a hundred degrees.

But we can only get so far.
We'll launch our ship that we point at the stars.
We'll reach up and we'll build on the planets afar.
This is a call to arms... Let's all move to Mars!

Come on, move to Mars! This time we're gonna go too far.
Come on, move to Mars! This is a call to arms.

Thrust within our solar system, target: Mars, off in the distance.
Our Earth-ship's marked for demolition. Come with us this is our mission.

Some of you decided to stay behind. The impression of oblivion is suiting you just fine.
Well stay back and atone for the crimes of mankind.
The rest of us are gonna begin to refine the design.

But we can only get so far.
We'll launch our ship that we point at the stars.
We'll reach up and we'll build on the planets afar.
This is a call to arms... Let's all move to Mars!

Move To Mars (Extended Vocal Edit)

Give Some Back EP available on Beatport and Juno.

Give Some Back

Inland Empires

Never Mind The Robots

Lokisphere is a three-part album of ambient and sci-fi soundscapes. Each piece was composed and then recorded live in a single take, using the "Audioship", a tightly integrated machine of machines. Please see my facebook page (facebook.com/darkarps) for more.

There are no project files, no stems, the tracks have no names. No hours were spent labouring over minute details of the mix, the music emerged in as direct a way as possible, from hand to machine to zeroes and ones, to flow anonymously across the vast wastes of transmitted data, fleeting yet permanent, as music in the digital age.

Each part features cover illustrations by three different artists, the cover art for Part Three is by Arya Hawker and Justin Snell.

Additional performance on Lokisphere 3.1 by Andrew Van Hassel.

To purchase the album, please head on over to Bandcamp: darkarps.bandcamp.com/album/lokisphere-part-three

Lokisphere (Part Three)

A collection of tracks and edits from Summer/Fall 2012. 

Deviations

Foolish Boy (Original Mix)

Ghost in the Machine is excited to present the third event in the Altered States ambient / experimental series:
 
 An Extended Sonic Expedition with
 
 DARK ARPS performing LOKISPHERE
 
 The ticket price for this experience will be $20 per person. Please note there will only be 50 tickets available for this event and must be purchased in advance - TICKETS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR.
 
 Tickets: https://ghostinthemachine.bandcamp.com/merch/gitm-presents-an-extended-sonic-expedition-with-dark-arps-performing-lokisphere
 _______________________________________________
 
 Sunday November 10th 2019
 254 E Georgia Street (upstairs)
 
 Doors: 2-3pm
 Performance: 3-6pm
 Social: 6-7pm
 
 ** In order to create the atmosphere and experience we wish for this performance, please arrive at the venue before 3pm to ensure you get in and do not disturb the collective after the performance has begun.
 _______________________________________________
 
Veteran producer and engineer Jonathan Bierman is best known for his long running omni-genre electronic music project, Dark Arps. Originally inspired by the slew of groundbreaking acts that arose from the UK’s DnB and triphop scenes in the 90’s, his tastes evolved to incorporate nu-skool breaks, progressive, and techno. Timeless acts such as Hybrid, Underworld and The Prodigy were influential role models that forged in him an equal commitment to musicality, high production standards and of course, dance-ability. Throughout the 2000’s he spent eight years producing, engineering, touring and performing with one of the UK’s first truly live DnB-breakbeat acts, Keiretsu, rocking dance floors all across Britain, from Edinburgh to Brighton. As well, during this period he continued to produce, remix and collaborate with an endless variety of electronic and traditional acts, giving him a diverse pool of influence from which to draw inspiration.
 
 Lokisphere is a far more experimental side project of Bierman's that inspired an epic three-part album of ambient and sci-fi soundscapes of the same name. Each part was composed and then recorded live in a single take, using his "Audioship", a tightly integrated machine of machines. The music emerged in as direct a way as possible, from hand to machine to zeroes and ones, to flow anonymously across the vast wastes of transmitted data, fleeting yet permanent, as music in the digital age.
 
 For this event, Bierman will be performing an extended three hour improvised set in similar stylings to his three part Lokisphere conceptual release. Pack your onesie and pillows, lay down and enjoy an extended sonic expedition unlike any you have experienced before.
 
 To stream or purchase the Lokisphere trilogy, see the links below:
 
 Part One: https://darkarps.bandcamp.com/album/lokisphere-part-one
 
 Part Two: https://darkarps.bandcamp.com/album/lokisphere-part-two
 
 Part Three: https://darkarps.bandcamp.com/album/lokisphere-part-three

Altered States III - Dark Arps presents Lokisphere Live

ST019 - Real Age EP - Released March 13, 2013 on Steamtown Records, available on Beatport: http://www.beatport.com/release/real-age-ep/1049314 
and Juno: (coming soon)


Kingdom

Real Age

Dynamic, deep and progressive, with contrasting vibes of tension and optimism, Dark Arps’ sound is a blend of broken beat and techno underpinned with dark, razor-sharp melodies, progressive hooks and tough basslines... futuristic, emotional and always danceable. He has provided support to notable artists such as Stelios Vassiloudis, Ramon Tapia, Darren Emerson, Dave Seaman, John ‘00’ Fleming, Jay Tripwire, Matthew Dear, Justin Massei, Karsten Sollors, Tyler Stadius, and Max Ulis. Previous productions and releases include EP and singles on Woodwork Recordings, Submarine Vibes, Suprematic Sounds, Nuevadark, Major League Recordings, East Van Digital and Steamtown. Now self-releasing on his own imprint - [metadata_records]

Dark Arps

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