Non Projects is a small record label based out of Los Angeles. Their style contains a classically trained background with an electronic or more modern mentality. To introduce their music to a larger crowd, they decided to host a showcase recently.

Anenon is Brian Allen Simon’s brainchild. His recipe includes one part experimental jazz, one part ambient Nintendo dance beats, with a dash of eccentric personality, followed up with electro space age flash visuals for good measure. Anenon would fit perfectly at an art house party, or a warehouse dance club. It doesn’t take long for him to get the entire room moving to the beat of his delayed, echoed and high pitch drum.

Asura, AKA Ryan York, is another member of the Non Projects family. He comes at you with mythical dance beats that slowly morph into a hip hop sound—that remarkably blends perfectly together. He makes you nostalgic for old ’80s theme songs remixed by Jazzy Jeff or Brian Eno, providing you with crunchy ambient sounds. At one point during his set, Asura unexpectedly threw in some remixed tribal beats that he transitioned into so perfectly it was hard to notice the change, until it already happened and he brought you back to a dancey lounge beat.

The last person on the showcase was Nicholas Morera. Nicholas keeps up with Non Projects’ off the beaten path infusion, blending classical clarinet with ambient tones. He comes off as if the Thievery Corporation was led by a classical conductor, smooth in combinations of natural sounds and electronic beats. More song format orientated than his brethren, Nicholas comes across radio friendly (college radio anyway) but still obscure enough in style to keep the most underground flavored palate happy.

The showcase was a great teaser for what Non Projects has to offer. If you weren’t there or want more, you can find it on their website www.nonprojects.net.

—Zachary Jensen