Dzeko & Torres @ The Hoxton, Toronto – April 27, 2013. Presented by Embrace

Reviewed by Gosia Mrugala

While I’ve had occasion to listen to buzz-worthy Toronto duo DZEKO & TORRES in the comfort of my own home, it’s a sad fact that I’ve somehow never managed to catch them live. That situation, happily, was rectified recently at The Hoxton — a local venue where they’ve built something of a name for themselves. The pair brought their trademark big-room electric sound, driving the crowd into a full-on animalistic frenzy.

I had a few moments to chat with Julian Dzeko and Luis Torres at the show, and queried them about the benefits of working as duo. Torres told me: “It’s good because you have two creative minds bringing ideas to the table. That can also be tough at times, when two different ideas clash. But we work through it till we come to a conclusion that we’re both happy with.”

It’s awe-inspiring to watch these two play live — the way they work together seamlessly, mixing, complementing each other’s musical selections and shaping the set into a satisfying whole. Their mutual passion for the music is plainly evident on stage, just as it is in their studio work.

I wrapped up the conversation by asking the boys for their opinion on the music scene in Toronto. Dzeko replied: “The scene in Toronto has been pretty big for the past 10-15 years, but it has grown a little stronger in the U.S. Here in Canada,  especially in Toronto, the music scene didn’t just begin in the past two years — but as I said, the past 10-15 years. But I would say Toronto has a strong music scene and community.”

If you’ve been missing out on Dzeko & Torres, as I was, now’s the time to change that. Keep an eye on their gig schedule and mark your calendar when they come to town

Couple of new tracks:

Hurricane (feat Sarah McLeod) – BUY IT ON BEATPORT

Down to This (with Chuckie) – BUY IT ON BEATPORT

Check out some photos from the event below. Photographer: James Nahhas (@NAHSTEE)

Special thanks to CruelTO. (Follow them on Facebook HERE.)

Gosia Mrugala is a Toronto-based blogger and reviewer. You can read her blog HERE, and follow her on Twitter HERE.

Posted by Scott Willats

A very late-breaking edition of Sweets of the Week here, tendered with apologies: what with the jam-packed summer schedule of festivals and events, it can sometimes be tough to get the weekly playlist assembled in time for Friday. But don’t you stress — I will always provide for my homies.

This week we hear a massssssssive new big-room track from Laidback Luke, which has owned my iPod for the past couple of days, plus new stuff from Toronto’s Dzeko and Torres, Riva Starr and Butch Clancy, aaaaaand a sexy, sultry ballad from Ellie Goulding. These taste sooooo good! Have at it, kids!

THE SWEETS

Ellie Goulding – Hanging On feat. Tinie Tempah (Active Child Cover): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Riva Starr feat. Dolamite – Be Your Best (Original Mix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Chuckie – Who Is Ready To Jump (Dzeko & Torres Toronto Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Animal Kingdom – Strange Attractor (Dzeko & Torres Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

ANTHEM!!!

Savoy feat. Heather Bright – We Are The Sun (Laidback Luke Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Butch Clancy – Lonely: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Deadmau5 – Professional Griefers (Original Mix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Steve Aoki – Wonderland Remixes: LISTEN TO THEM HERE

VISUAL SWEETS

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Posted by Scott Willats

The festive time is approaching, and with the holiday season comes the annual barrage of year-end reviews. I’ve been seeing a lot of blogs posting their top 10 DJs or top 10 songs of 2011. I’m always torn when I see these posts. One the one hand, as a fan I’m always cheering for my favourite artists to make the cut. On the the other hand, it seems absolutely ridiculous that only 10 tracks or artists could possibly rank as the best of the year.

I was talking to a  fellow electro head the other night who told me he loves our “Sweets of the Week” posts because they place a great deal of importance on variety. Exactly! Every week, I try to deliver six or eight of the most original-sounding new tunes. Can u imagine if I just took ten from the whole year? Impossible.

Anyways, as you can see, I’m rambling a bit — because at the end of the day, I still do like these year-end reviews. The question is: do you? I have a couple of ideas for the coming weeks.  In addition to new tracks, in each post I’ll be dropping a song or two from this past year that should be remembered. However, if you are a fan of the top 10 format let me know — and tell me who you think should be on the list — and we’ll make something happen.

Until then, some tracks found over the weekend that I think you’ll enjoy …

A friend of mine organised an Adventure Club concert in Sudbury a couple of weeks ago. Apparently it got a little out of hand: unconfirmed eyewitness accounts suggest Leighton may have been running in his birthday suit through the Holiday Inn. This track caused a similar reaction in my house this weekend … and that’s all I’m gonna say. Emily Haines, u so fiiiiiiiiiiiiiine!

Metric – Collect Call (Adventure Club Dubstep Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Alert the crowd, Benga is on his remix tip. Evacuate immediately. BAM! Full volume …

A-Trak and Zinc – Stingray (Benga Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Heard this track on Annie Mac, Friday in my flat, figured it was beats from Jack. See what I did there? Forgive the corn. This is like a Fake Blood dubstep track … eaaaasy.

Jack Beats – End Of Love: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Brand spanking new. I’m a huge fan of DJ Kue, especially his B.O.B and Lady Gaga remixes. This is another track for the masses. Sometimes you gotta play this at the venue, and most of the time you end up liking it more than you wanted to. Trust me, this is a banger.

This sounds a li’l dirrrty… Dillon, get em!

Chuckie – Who Is Ready To Jump (Dillion Francis Remix) (Dirty): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Chris Lake, Zeds Dead and tons more this week, all at your favourite bookmark……….xx

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