Posted by Scott Willats

So this week I focused on the UEFA EURO 2012, a tournament many say is harder to win than the World Cup. A good chance to take a look at some of the powerhouse nations in the EDM game and see just how many A-list artists they’ve got on the roster.

With all that said, though, it bears pointing out that North American is making a pretty convincing bid for EDM supremacy, too. This week, in fact, we have one of the year’s biggest fests taking place down in Vegas. Electric Daisy Carnival is finally here — and this year’s looks to be one for the ages. The set lists are incredible, and too numerous to list here, so I’ll just pass on the images I’ve been drooling over for the past two months. If can’t make it, don’t worry — I’ll have you covered next week with info all the best sets.

Until then, some sweets to turn your weekend into a Vegas vacation. Let’s get to it!

SWEETS

From one side of the country to the other: Felix Cartal lends his touch to Autoerotique‘s “Roll the Drums.” An absolute banger.

Autoerotique – Roll The Drums (Felix Cartal Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Disclosure‘s “Control” gets absolutely glorified in the hands of producer Joe Goddard. From the 2:50 mark onward this track gets out of haaaaaaaaaaaaaaand! My personal favourite of the week.

Disclosure – Control (Joe Goddard Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Brodinski teams up once again with Louisahhh! and the outcome is the same. Funky, creative and swagged out, this track begs the question: when do we get the Borsahhh! album?

Brodinski feat. Louisahhh! – Nobody Rules The Streets: LISTEN TO IT HERE

A little tardy with this one, but whenever you come across a new Pleasurekraft track you wait until the full version is released. We were teased with a preview a few weeks back, but it didn’t do the tune justice. It’s truly out of this world — particularly once it hits the four minute mark. (PS, Pleasurekraft are in Toronto tomorrrrrrrrrow night at SPACE IBIZA at Sound Academy. BE THERE!!!!!!!!!)

Pleasurekraft & Belocca – Murdered Out: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Speaking of previews, Tits & Clits have given us a glimpse of their latest track — and this one can’t wait. It’s a remix of Demon Superior‘s “Creepy Little Doll.” Something about T&C in the studio: they know how to pick just the right chord for every part of a remix. This will be a definite download when the full track becomes available; until then, this two-minute snippet should hold you.

Demon Superior – Creepy Little Doll (Tits & Clits Remix): LISTEN TO THE PREVIEW HERE

A double dose of T&C: pick  up this one while you’re at it.

Tits & Clits – Rendezvous: LISTEN TO IT HERE

If you like the idea of mixing swing music with electro, and if you like Parov Stellar, then you’re going to loooooooooooooove Sound Nomaden, who has taken over my iPod.

Sound Nomaden – You Gotta Hurry: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Mau5trap is well represented this week with the latest from Moguai: a remix of a track he released back in February. He must of heard something in the past four months that he wanted to incorporate, because this version is miles away from the original. Both are good — but this one’s better.

One of my favourite acts, T.E.E.D., remixed by none other than Miguel Campbell. Huge!

T.E.E.D. – Stronger (Miguel Campbell Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

New music from the man who repped the Oranje in this weeks bpm:tv Euro Cup of EDM! Nicky Romero teams up with ZROQ to bring you a track that’s certain to be a festival anthem all summer long.

Nicky Romero & ZROQ – WTF: LISTEN TO IT HERE

And finally, before we get to the ZD visuals: a mix from Grimeskee, Bassmentality approved. WEMF is gonna be ill this year!

Bassmentality – In The Mix with Grimeskee: LISTEN TO IT HERE

… annnnnnd just in case you live under a rock: new visuals from the current Best Group In The World …

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Posted by Scott Willats

No question: Zeds Dead made this holiday season their own. After a more than impressive Toronto show at Kool Haus (which bpm:tv captured for an upcoming Spotlight), DC and Hooks decided to give the perfect encore at Wrongbar. By 9pm the lineup was already down the block.

This party used to be in a basement — now it’s sold out for days, the hardest ticket to get in the biggest city in Canada. Success! I won’t even get into the logistics of the show. Lemme just say, calmy: they did very well.

The best thing about catching one of these Bassmentality events is to see the guys in their element. I remember at a Designer Drugs show earlier this year there was a moment of chaos when things got a little out of hand and crowd started to bum rush the stage. After a minute of silence and calming everyone down, they started their set again. Not Zeds Dead, not The Killabits, not Bassmentality. When the crowd went h.a.m. they went meatloaf. You wanna knock my Pioneers? No prob bruv, we gonna wobble the f*** out of u.

Got some sweets for you right here. Not all brand new tracks — just the stuff that rocked my personal holidays.

Biz and Sam were in the giving mood this Yuletide. Here is an electro version of Kill the Noise – Dying. First release off their 8 Crazy Nights.

Kill The Noise Ft. Emily Hudson – Dying (The Killabits Electro Edit): LISTEN AND DOWNLOAD HERE

This is an old one — but it was new to me this week and is on repeat heavily. Look out for Fytch!

Nina Simone – Feeling Good (Fytch Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

I recently posted on twitter (@Sawstruck) that this track is the tune of the moment. Benga takes A-Trak‘s latest and makes it his….

Stingray – Benga Remix: LISTEN TO IT HERE

If this track wasn’t on your New Year’s Eve playlist, then you weren’t doing New Year’s right.

Disco Slut (Asco Remix) – The Sleepover, Reece Low & Meltek Feat. J.Net: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Another oldie but essential … lap it up!

Mustard Pimp – ZHM (Dada Life Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

This’ll go down nicely with that leftover turkey and eggnog.

Matt & Kim – Cameras (Gucci Vump Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Let’s take a trip to Disney’s Tron soundtrack and venture a tune from the three rudest dudes in the game.

Daft Punk – Derezzed (The Glitch Mob Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

More post-Christmas catch-up to come ….

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Posted by Scott Willats

After a string … no, scratch that, a rope of shows across North America, two of Toronto’s finest producers return home to celebrate a successful 2011. How do these two celebrate? By melting your face. Get grimy.

DC and Hooks, a.k.a. Zeds Dead, embody exactly what you think of when it comes to Toronto musicians. Humble, focused and swagged up. Humble in that they know luck as well as talent has played a part in their success: your songs coming out at the perfect moment; Skream and Kissy Sell Out both dropping your tracks on BBC Radio 1; the insane evolution of Bassmentality; and the fact that they and The Killabits have helped one another rise to prominence. Humble, too, in that they don’t take credit for creating a scene in one of Toronto’s most “over-scened” communities.

Blue Foundation – Eyes On Fire (Zeds Dead Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Focused in their dedication to their craft. The earlier Zed sounds had a hip-hop influence. Originally known as Mass Productions (2004 – 2008), they were the type of producers the real hip-hop heads loved. The DJ Premier type of feel, but with an ear for the new culture. They kept that urban feel and evolved it. I truly think that Zed’s tracks are so heavy because they are made for rappers. They are made for you to jump up and down, with lyrics going off in your head, like your Sean Price of Boot Camp Clik or Lil Fame of M.O.P. They got that “Ante Up” sound that keeps you energized and thirsty for blood. And even as they’ve evolved, that sound has stayed present.

“Keeping it real” is one of the most ridiculous phrases of our generation. Check out Dave Chappelle’s classic “When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong” to see the perfect example of how flawed that idea can be. But thetre are exceptions to the rule — and sticking to your roots is one of them. When it comes to their production, Zeds Dead keeps it real.

Zeds Dead – Coffee Break: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Swagged up. You don’t get this good without having a little skank in ya step. You have to believe there’s nobody out there who can rip the crowd apart like you do. When you’re in the studio, you have to be able to hear a finished-seeming track and know what it is you can add that will take it to the next level. You have to believe you’re doing something nobody else out there can do.

It’s a weird time for dubstep. With the emergence of Logic, Ableton and the millions of VST that you can find online, the process of creating these tracks has become extremely watered down. Zed’s Dead have been innovators of the dubstep movement, and they remain ahead of the pack because they don’t stick with the simple dub formula. They are creative and choose songs to remix that most others wouldn’t even think about. Most of all, they don’t strictly make dubstep; they strictly make good music.

Jason Falkner – Only You (Zeds Dead Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Let’s be straight: I don’t need to tell you how good these guys are because you’re Canadian — you already know. What most Canadian fans really seem to love about DC and Hooks is how proud they are to rep the maple leaf. They helped create a scene in Canada’s biggest city, and brought the hottest international acts to smaller venues at a time when the big clubs were overlooking these talents. (Now these selfsame acts are headlining the world’s biggest festivals and being nominated for Grammys.)

Zeds Dead mix for Rob Da Bank’s show on BBC1 2011/12/2: LISTEN TO IT HERE 

Saturday night at Kool Haus celebrates the fact that the boys made it — and brought everyone along with them.

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Posted by Scott Willats

Today is the day we dubheadz have been waiting for all week. Sam and Biz continue their tour as they make a quick homecoming at The Mod Club. Tonight it’s all about the bass!

In case you’ve been situated in a wormhole for the past couple of years, I’ll explain who Sam and Biz are.  They’re a pair of DJs — a.k.a. The Killabits — who (along with their cronies Zeds Dead) are changing the face of dubstep. They have taken this genre and created a culture. Along with the folks at Embrace Presents, they started what has become a ritual on Wednesday nights in the streets of Toronto: Bassmentality.  Borgore, Skrillex, Doctor P etc. have all blessed the stage at Wrongbar because of the reputation these guys have.

When you get a chance to talk to them, it becomes easy to see where they get it. Besides being among the most innovative artists Toronto has produced in recent times, they are incredigbly open to all genres of music.  When I talked to Sam and Biz at WEMF, I referred to them as a dubstep group and was pulled up short right away: “We’re not pigeonholed to that role, we play good music.” How could I argue with Biz? Just 15 minutes earlier, these guys were playing an almost jungle-sounding track with a heavy bass influence, so nasty the clouds themselves took issue and decided to shut down the festival for half an hour with a torrential downpour. Sick.

Whatever you call them, make sure you add “hard-working,” because these guys have put in their time and effort, and now they’re enjoying the well-deserved fruits of their labour.  I’m not going to waste time talking about the songs I’m posting because the sh*t is hot — ’nuff said!  Do yourself a favour though: CATCH THESE DUDES LIVE (!!!!) and see what music is all about.  They weren’t the last set at the timeless Social Club in Toronto by accident. For those of you who can’t make it to their shows, no stress: bpm:tv has got you covered. Our Live Sessions Canada crew will be on hand at The Mod Club tonight. And if you can make it … well, be sure to load up on the Gatorade and vodka, cuz it’s gonna be a long night.  See you there!

Also, help out your Canadian artists out and buy these on Beatport!

The Killabits – Just A Fool

Deadmau5 – Raise Your Weapon (Noisia Remix) (The Killabits Moombahcore Edit)

Freedom Or Death – This Crowded Room (The Killabits Remix)

… and if that last one wasn’t enough: say goodbye to your speakers. On repeat all day!!!

The Killabits – She Said (dubstep remix): LISTEN TO THIS ONE HERE

If I were to ever try to make a song, it would be for just one reason: the off-chance they might remix it … xx

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