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MAGAZINE REVIEWS

Portland Mercury, www.portlandmercury.com

Jan '13
It's been six years since DJ Tan't (that's short for Tantrum) released Notes of Abrasion, and his new joint Mega Bloks is aptly named. Chunky, day-glo building blocks of sound are clicked and locked together to form thick beats—some that have the elasticity of hiphop and others the rigidity of chiptune. Tan't is the alter ego of Paul Lynch, who's filled the gap since Notes of Abrasion by working on his other projects, (((In Mono))) and Headphone Party. But Mega Bloks sees Lynch corralling a formidable list of Portland talent—including Sophie Vitells, Oh, and the ubiquitous Papi Fimbres—into an album that's playful, bright, and with surprising nuance, like a model city made out of toys that, on closer examination, reveals exhaustive and exacting detail.
- NED LANNAMANN
see article

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Modernfix Magazine, www.modernfix.com

Aug '07 issue #56
With his second release, DJ Tan’t offers up a remarkable selection of self produced audio treats that blur the lines between drum n’ bass and hip hop. For the hip hop enthusiast, there are tracks that offer the kicks and snares in their purest form. When he begins to explore the realm of drum n’ bass, this is where he really begins to stand out. In the blink of an eye, DJ Tan’t can feverishly swing from somber piano keys to funky drums and snares to thrilling bass patterns. His full range as a producer shines intensely on this set.
see article

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DJ Verb, Ground Lift Magazine

Sept '06
DJ Tan't's label is called Dismal City, which I can only imagine is a reference to his hometown. I was in Portland once, and I thought it was utterly delightful. It was sunny for me that day, but I can picture things being pretty dreary if it was rainy and overcast. Seemingly a tribute to his dismal city, Notes of Abrasion is a fine collection of moody, instrumental beats that aren't afraid to break from the abstract hip-hop formula. In other words, he's influenced as much by Prefuse 73 as DJ Shadow, who is the obvious reference point. The album-opening "On the Gallows" features raps by Sleepyhead, but after that the beats are refreshingly rap-free. Surging downbeat leviathans like "Lollipop" are largely the order of the day, but they are pleasant interspersed with more imaginative, upbeat affairs like the unpredictable, Daedelus-esque "Daughter of Wolves" and the excellent "Concerto Red," which pairs percussive, experimental piano loops with grimy breakbeats. "Mercury Breeze" is another nice surprise, with its slow, dubbed-out groove that somehow morphs into a rolling breakbeat burner complete with old Casio drum sounds. Other highlights include the epic, atmospheric "Jasmine in Blue" and the somber, near-beatless "Tom the Waiter." Anyone can make beats, but it takes an artist to flip sounds into something fresh and adventurous. Tan't has got the skills and the ideas; hopefully he'll be getting some much-deserved shine on his dismal city once word gets out about this joint.
see article

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Willamette Week, Local Cut

July '06
Last winter, the Lucky Madison record label got a national distribution deal and had to cut some of the acts from its roster. DJ Tan'T, a.k.a. Paul Lynch, was one of ‘em. That's a damn shame: dude is seriously one of the best rising talents of electronic music in Portland. It's one of the first names that serious heads like Marius Libman (Copy) or David Chandler (Solenoid) drop when you ask about the future of the scene here. This track is off Tan'T's upcoming disc Notes of Abrasion, and it's straight-up DJ Alias style. Two minutes of wandering piano solo finds the perfect measure to drop in a beat, and a half-minute later Sleepyhead joins in with some razor-sharp anglo-rap a la Telephone Jim Jesus or 13 & God. Sweet.
see article

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Michael Byrne, Willamette Week

July '06
Give a 4-year-old kid a pair of turntables, and Paul Lynch is what might happen. Performing as DJ Tan't, Tantrum and (((in mono))), Lynch possesses production-whiz fingertips and a give-a-fuck-less attitude on self-promotion that could put him on stage at Holocene as easily as in a dank basement for a crowd of five. Tours? Nah. Singles? Nope. Label whoring? Only if the label's the whore (not to imply that there's anything whorish about his current label, Dismal City). Add all that to the fact that Lynch plays under three monikers—Tantrum is Tan't with a band and (((in mono))) is indie-rockified Tan't (occasionally performed, in epic fashion, with Leb Borgerson of Quiet Countries)—and he is begging to stay in the underground, working for "cake and punch," 4-year-old style.

But then again, you don't drop a record like Notes of Abrasion (Dismal City) and expect to stay buried. The disc is proper. It's the sort of album DJ Alias might have done four years ago, before he found violins and pretty vocals: often dark, effected and glitchy, but never ditching the party. The vocals on the record—Tan't's second full-length—are delivered by Sleepyhead, an emcee who also calls local hip-hop label Dismal City home. He rhymes briefly on one of the disc's highs, "On the Gallows," an unlikely jam of crushing beat and mini piano concerto. It's good company.
see article

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Brent Bell, pdx.pop.press@gmail.com

June'06
Portland, Oregon's DJ Tan't (Paul Lynch, also known as Tantrum) throws one big and beautiful fit on Notes of Abrasion, his new breakbeat opus and sophomore LP. Combining DJ Shadow's atmospheric drama, Amon Tobin's frenetic rhythms and back-alley noir, and M83's widescreen grandeur, Abrasionby turns pummels and soothes, bloodying listeners with titanic drum barrages before applying the salve of a serene synth wash or haunted piano refrain. The piano in particular plays a central role in many tracks; while sampler maestro Tan't uses ample appropriated sound in his beat productions (check the roughing-up given Ralph Vaugh Williams on Computer Eyes), live drum, bass, and especiallycourtesy of Tyler Evanspiano parts figure heavily in the mix. Concerto Red, a fierce drum-and-piano workout, stands among the album's highlights.

Legend has it that Tan't began his DJing career at the age of three, when he was given two Fisher Price turntableswhich he soon broke in his first fit of musical fury. Stints playing guitar in the bands Carpathia and Only Connect during college and DJing at college radio stations in Western Washington and Upstate New York followed. After relocating to Portland, Tan't developed his love of hip hop,jungle, and other forms of breakbeat into the luscious aural assault thatarmed with trusty MPC,Yamaha keyboard, Megabox toy drum machine, and Loop Stationhe regularly delivers to audiences. He self-released his first LP, tantalize.tantric.tantrum., in 2003 and contributed a sublime remix of Alan Singley's On Leaving to Holocene Music's remix compilation It's Important to Me to be One Step Further than One Step Beyond. In addition to an upcoming gig with Dabrye, Tan't has also played with DJ Krush, Sole, Alias, DJ Vadim, Themselves, Luke Vibert, Plaid, Subtle, Hood, Chris Clark, Sixtoo, DJ Signify, Why?, Clue to Kalo, Jel, Blockhead, and DJ P-Love.

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Chris Ramos, Holocene.org

Jan'06
Spun from the indigenous web of human-born DJ?s is the Portland-based sultan of spin, DJ TAN'T. The music of TAN'T moves onto the arduous art of turntable-based looping alongside MPC-based mash ups. Live, TAN'T combines his spastic short-span hip hop beat structure with an ear on the pulse of melody.

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Aaron Goeglein, The Portland Mercury

Jan'06
DJ Tan't, who puts all those no-count, no-skill, hipster DJs to shame. All of 'em. Shaaamed.

2013

03.23.13

Holocene
Gold Panda, Dauwd

03.10.13

Tube
Ambient set with Sick Whips and Open Marriage

01.23.13

Rotture
Mega Bloks CD Release party with Regular Music, Hats Off and DJ Kevitup

2012

11.30.12

High Dive
Spinning Locals only on Serato

11.02.12

High Dive
Spinning Vinyl

04.05.12

Swift
Spinning Vinyl

03.01.12

Swift
Spinning Vinyl

2011

10.29.11

Holocene
Snap!! Halloween with Colin Jones DJ Same DNA and Claude Balzac

06.24.11

Holocene
Snap!! with Colin Jones and Doc Adam

03.15.11

Holocene
Headphone Party CD release Party

2010

11.05.10

Mt Tabor
Tony D and the Flippers, DJ Tan't, Hushd Puppies, Sleepyhead, DJ Colin Jones

2009

12.19.09

Dunes
Live Set with Dungeon Brothers and AED (featuring Sammy Sosa and Harry Palms on the MPC)

11.14.09

Dunes
Djing Shambles CD release party. Also playing will be A.E.D and Sleepyhead

03.22.09

Valentines
Chill beats with Tan't. Dj Set from 9:30 to Close. FREE

03.18.09

Crown Room
Opening for Ninja Tunes Ghislain Poirier and Small Axe. Great Dub-steb show. Dont miss this shit.

2008

11.10.08

Rotture
Opening for Anticon's SOLE and the Skyrider Band. Playing live PA w/ Tyler Evans on Piano.

08.21.08

Fez Ballroom
HUMAN CANVAS PROJECT SHOWCASE. Live naked girls with images projected on their naked bodies. Oh yeah did i mention they were naked. DJ Tan't Live Dj set with Sad Music for Happy Humans, Ryze n Fall and Vortex tulip. Chillin beats

07.17.08

Backspace
BUSDRIVER and Dj Tan't. Come on down.

07.11.08

Jarras
Djing Jarras 10-2am. FREE.

06.05.08

Downtown
Callin Out showcase with Colin Jones, Fogotron, Sixteen Switches and more.

06.04.08

Holocene
Opening for another one of my hereos FOUR TET and also Strategy. Laptop heaven

05.14.08

Holocene
BEAT OFF. Tant and Erick Beats MPC project. Also my 31st birthday. YAY i am still alive

04.24.08

Rotture
Stones throw James Pants rockin da beats with tan't. Not to miss.

03.22.08

Fez Ballroom
Cappin off the night of the FRESH COAST TOUR with Bay Area legends Zion I and Mistah FAB

03.21.08

Jarras
Dj tant spinning vinyl at lovely Jarras 14th and Hawthorne

03.08.08

David House NE Portland
Dj Dance Party with Pants Machine, Paper Uppercuts, and more

03.01.08, 03.15.08

Vendetta
Dj Dance Party TEN TO TWO with dj tan't spinning the best in old school hip hop and electronic dance.

02.22.08

Alley Way
Playing Improv set with Paper Uppercuts & Wilding. Outside show so dress warm

2007

11.05.10

Mt Tabor
Tony D and the Flippers, DJ Tan't, Hushd Puppies, Sleepyhead, DJ Colin Jones

10.15.07

Rotture
Playing Live with M.A.N.T.I.S Jammed some tracks in front of 3 people. ELIOT IS THE CHAMPION. Thanks buddy you have a special place in eyeball.

06.07.07

Holocene
PAULS BALL'S BALL BENEFIT SHOW - Come Dance your Balls Off with the sweet beats of COPY, DAT'R and GOUSEION. Also Djing is G-DUB-YAH and DJ HONEYDRIPPER

5.22.07

Doug Fir
Opening for my favorite Ninja Tune Producers AMON TOBIN. Accompanied by Tyler Evans on Piano and David on the Flute and Melodi

3.17.07

Holocene
Playing a dj set for the DAT'R Cd Release Party. Also playing will be Dykeritz, Sleepyhead and dj copy. DANCE IT UP

3.11.07

OHM
Playing live with Shambles, Poindexta P, Nate diggy and Armotronix. My MPC Took a fat shit on me. Fuckin Zip Drives. Improvised with MEGABOX and Emily, Shambles Rapstars

2.5.07

Holocene
Anticons Dosh will be tearin up the drums with Tantdrum (feat. David from Prime Meridian), Break Character, & Dj Kev-itup. LOOP IT UP MASTER

1.31.07

White Eagle
Dismal City presents hip-hop night with Brokaw, Tan't featuring OH, and Special Guests. Thanks to Sleepyhead for doin sound. ROCKED THE GHOSTS ALIVE

1.13.07

Fez Ballroom
Abstract Earth Project presents RappinfortheGlitchMob. Featuring Edit vs. Ooah, KJ Sawka, Dismal Disco ( dj tant, colin jones, oh)
First time debut of "O is in charge". GREAT SHOW

2006

12.2.06

Rotture(Old Loveland)
Hosted by Dismal City and PRA. SUPER ELECTRONIC PRA BENEFIT with Dat'r, Gouseion, Pondexta P, & Masmod.

10.25.06

FUEL in SEATTLE
For all you Seattle folk who have not yet been tantalized come to the FUEL. I will be playing along side with local QUIET COUNTRIES. SEATOWN

09.25.06

Holocene
I will be opening up for one of the pioneers in down-tempo muisc, DJ KRUSH. Also playing with Dj Beyonda. WHATTTTUPPPPPPPPP

07.20.06

Holocene
TANT MAN HAS BEEN ASKED TO PLAY WITH HIS HERO DABRYE PERCEE P. HOLY SHIT...also playing Trucksauras.

07.08.06

Dunes
After Show Dance Party with Dj Tan't & DJ honeydripper. Come and dance yer ass off to old school/new skool hip hop.

07.13.06

Holocene
DOUBLE CD RELEASE PARTY for DJ TAN'TS New Album "NOTES OF ABRASION" and WILDING'S New Album "SLEEPING IN TREES." Also playing is Dismal Citys PoinDexta P, MC's Colin Jones, Sleepyhead, A.E.D, DJ honeydripper, Dj Copy

06.10.06

Dunes
After Show Dance Party with 4 star. Come and dance yer ass off to old school/new skool hip hop.

06.04.06

Berbatis Pan
Dj Tan't will be playing with Tom from CREEPY OLD TRUCKS on the Moog and David from PRIME MERIDIAN on the Drums. Also Playing is one of my favorite producers, Anticons ALIAS and TARSIER, & E* ROCK

05.04.06

Rake Gallery
PRA Benefit showcase with and array of musical artists, Quiet Countries, Hot Pink, MASMOD, GuUA GUAU, ect.. Starts at 12pm and goes to 10pm. I will be performing the
((( in mono ))) set so be aware.

04.15.06

Holocene
INGREDIENTS. A mixture of video and music. I will be teaming up with Main Sequence, Pluto, Diggles Jamal Qutub and Melinda Swenson to compose and orchestrate a music video collage out of provided snippits and such. SEE LINK HERE

04.11.06

Doug FIr
I will be spinnin records with Bay Area Hip-Hop Legends ZION I and COMMON MARKET. OH YEAH

03.29.06

Sugar Gallery
PRA BENEFIT 2006 with Graph Artist and Portland Underground hip hop, including: Sleepyhead, Fogatron, Colin Jones, DJ Tan't, Wilding, Sick Mediks, Brown Rice, Gwizski, A.T.M, Sixty Switches, DJ Hightower, DJ Homonym and more

03.15.06

PSU
Midnight Breakfast with G-dubya and Tantman spinnin reks.
WHAT THE...

02.23.06

Holocene
"It's Importland To Me To Be One Step Further Than One Step Beyond" CD Release Party. Live Performance of Starlight Airport with Alan Singley.

01.12.06

Holocene
Dj Tan't playing live beats with PDX BADASS MC SLEEPYHEAD
Also Playing ELIOT LIPP, SUBTITLE and LEO 123. RAD DUDES

2005

12.31.05 (NEW YEARS EVE)

Doug Fir Restaurant
Dj Tan't will be spinning the sweet dance tunes from 9pm to MIDNIGHT BABY at the DOUG FIR LOUNGE UPSTAIRS. It will be outside under an exotic tent, heaters and movies projected on my face. SEE YAH THERE

12.01.05

Dunes
First show in a long time as ((( in mono ))). Rocked it with one of my favorite dance band DAT'R. Thanks to Marius for bartending...i am so proud of you!!! and Sleepyhead and Brokaw for showin up and rockin the support. DISS COMPANY YO

11.09.05

Doug Fir My first Doug Fir Show. I played a grueling hour set, all live performance. Played along with my heroes and super baddass dude man JEL and Super Group SUBTLE.
HELLAH STOKED

11.09.05

Holocene
PRA BENEFIT. Man what a drunk fuggin awesome night. Also Played Alan Singley and Pants Machine, Sleepyhead, Pt. Juncture, WA, Copy, and Strength to CAP OFF the epic dance party

07.14.05

Gotham Blg Tavern
Spun sum vinyl with PDX favorite Dj Beyonda and good budds (didn't even know they were playing that night) STRENGTH, & THE KINGDOM. BAND IN PREP KITCHEN??

07.14.05

Holocene
ALAN SINGLEY, CARRIBEAN, and dj tan't rocked the pop. Thanks to my buddies for sticking around to the bitter end to see the tant man headline. Too bad the bachelorettes left. NEXT TIME

06.30.05

Holocene
QUIET COUNTRIES, WILDing, P-r-i-m-e- -M-e-r-i-d-i-a-n, dj tan't, Schweet Show. I introduced live production with the m.p.c. Hella chiller music combined with hip hop accepella and live drumming by the boomster of drum gods -David the prophet messiah suckah. yeeuhh. Steller Gussiah in WILDING grinnin on the winds of bm boom bp bm boom bp bm boom bp bm boom bp...and of course QUIET COUNTRIES showed off. SUPER SEXY. Also, P-r-i-m-e- -M-e-r-i-d-i-a-n rocked the walls of the ocean. OHHHKAAAY

05.30.05

Holocene
BOOM BIP, THE FOG, DINO FELIPE, FINESES RUNAWAY, SAMOS, and Tan't man are playing a kick ass show together. Don't miss it.

05.14.05

Orange Room
Taurus B-Day Party!!! Happy b-day to Chip, Tan't, and other horny Bulls. I performed a live set with the MPC and MegaBox (((bom bom---tshhhhhhh h h...))). DJ HAIRY PALMS produced sum live beats with MC extrodinaire SHAMBLES. Also, Dj Copy and E*Rock spun sum vinyl to the wee hours of the morn.

04.15.05

Berbatis Pan
WHY?, NEDELLE and FRED THOMAS of LOOKS GOOD TO ME, rocked the sets in a qurky sort a way. I mixed sum records and alchohol. SHWIINGin and REWAXtion.

03.24.05

Berbatis Pan
Dj Tan't spins some vinyl with TALKDEMONIC, NUDGE and HOOD

03.05.05

3749 Madison
Thanks to everyone who rocked the party. I broke free from the flu as i strummed my first chord for the ((( IN MONO ))) set. It was a magical moment. Also, my new favorite band in portland, PRIME MERIDIAN rocked the shit out of my basement. As well as POMERANIAN from Seattle. GOOD TIMES.

01.21.05

Dunes
WHAT A BADDAAASSS line up. WILDING rocked the upright and EMU with the usual smile, while SLEEPYHEAD grooved sum box that GOD's would enjoy..."where does he get those wonderful toys". Fresh and talented AED accompanied Dj Tan't in what was an epic moment in time. Also, BELLY dj'ed the sweeet beats. All thanks to BROKAW of Diss Company. BOOOTTY

01.25.05

Holocene
Excellent show. I busted out my red toy beat maker and got lots of oohs and aahhhs. SLEEPYHEAD molested the mike like MJ. WILDING (back from the grave) showed off his talents by making people see how hip hop is formed from the ground up. Also thanks to Michigan's CLOUD NINE MUSIC. Blissful escape to chill jazz and grooves. You guys were great and sooo nice. It's rad to hang with people from the state of my bloodline.
SOLID SOUL

2004

12.03.04

Holocene
Super sweet lineup. Thanks to Holocene, the artist and all yuz' muthas that made it out. Twas' splendid. Great performance by DJ COPY and BROKAW. Sick lyrics by LEGACY, and i do mean sick. Bump and grind with SLEEPYHEAD and nice live looping production by DJ VOID and crew. Special guest appearance by portland and soon world famous beatboxer FOGGATRON. Also, thanks to my Godfather Jim who came and supported me with his cast iron leg. He was moving like a champ. HARDCORE

09.05.04

Ash Street Saloon
Good times with the Gallapogas 4 crew. MC's QWEL and MESTIZO ripped shit up on stage with live production and djing by Dj Maker and MPC producer Kip Killigan. Also, Old Dominions' GRAYSKULL bumped the beats and rhymes. "Get the fuck up you are not dead"-LEGACY rocked the mic as well. Dj Tan't orchestrated sum looped beats and melodies and the girls gushin. Thanks to a great show and rad times.

2003

11.20.03

Holocene
What a line-up. Thanks to Scott @ Holocene for letting me dj with my heroes. CHRIS CLARK blew everyone out of the boat into the water and created a Tsunami. Holy shit I danced hard. PLAID and LUKE VIBRET also worked the dance floor with their laptops and gadgets. SWEETNESS

09.17.03

Holocene
A righteous Ninja Tune show with DJ VADIM rockin the tables and apple. Along next to his side was MC BLURUM spitting the rymes left and ryme. Plus I had the wonderful opportunity to show audiences orchestrated live looping Turntablism. I got great responses. WIZZZORD

04.22.03

Dunes
Thank you Jon Cohrs for organzing a great lineup. Calm circuit bending by JANICE, electro beats by INDEXWERK. This show was the first introduction to ((( IN MONO ))) by Dj Tan't. Narley jamm at the end. I pulled this thing out of my ass which would make the tribal gods stir. OOHHHMMM

03.27.03

Fez Ballroom
Thanks to Leb for puttin on the show. Sweet melodic break beats by COZY That drummer is the human drum machine. Too bad Imminent Music Company couldn't play, i guess his pussy hurt. Thanks to the quirky tunes of DRATS!!! and the live looping guitars with MODERNSTATE. And of course the legendary LAZERHAWK busting out the stoney jamms. SPPPHHHH