Posted by Scott Willats

What can you say about Kaskade? Complacency just isn’t a word in his vocabulary. He’s like the Energizer bunny of EDM, constantly challenging himself to create innovative music. Little wonder so many of his fellow artists rank him high on their lists of the best in the game.

Currently holding down the number 30 spot on  DJ Mag’s definitive Top 100 list, Kaskade (a.k.a. Ryan Raddon) has always been a music junkie. When I got the chance to sit and chat with him at the release party in Miami for his 2010 album Dynasty, it was obvious just how much this man loves making music., and loves collaborating with other talented artists. He was full of praise for the sounds coming out of Canada, too — and had put his money where his mouth is, teaming up with Deadmau5 on the massively successful “I Remember,” and with Dragonette‘s Martina Sorbara on “Fire In Your New Shoes.”

Something else that was clear: he loves seeking out and discovering new music. I’ve often found that artists tend to stay narrowly focused on their own music, their own sound and genre. And fair enough: this is their career, after all, and you always have to look out for number one. But before they were artists, they were fans — and sometimes there’s a risk of losing touch with the passion that got them into the game in the first place. Kaskade, for his part, is still as much a fan as an artist. He talked fondly of going to the record store with friends every Tuesday (new release day!) and sitting there for hours –maybe with some adult beverages — listening to new music.

He told me he was still obsessed with finding new sounds and new artists, and wondered if fans aren’t missing out on something now that this whole part of the experience has moved from the record stores to the online world. It’s a point open to debate — I happen to agree with him strongly — but what’s enlightening here is the way he approaches music: as a listener as well as a creator.

And then there’s his ability to relate with fans. Let’s face it, a lot of artists in this genre are only around for a cup of coffee. Some even skip out on the bill. But with nine albums under his belt since 2003, Kaskade has proven his longevity. His countless world tours, singles and EP releases have confirmed him as an EDM superstar. If there’s any DJ who would be within his rights to pull a “diva” attitude, it’s this guy. Yet he’s the polar opposite: friendly, approachable and always up for a chat about new music. Very refreshing.

This, by the way, is quite possibly my favourite tour video in the history of tour videos.

Once again, I urge you to grab whatever tickets remain available for the Digital Dreams Music Festival this weekend. With a lineup that has soooo many big names, Kaskade will bring his all. His set will be one to remember — and that alone should be worth the price of admission!

CLICK HERE FOR DIGITAL DREAMS TIX AND INFO.

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Posted by Gosia Mrugala

PORTER ROBINSON / MAT ZO @ SOUND ACADEMY, TORONTO – JUNE 22, 2012

The lineup to get into the venue was insane. The crowd that swarmed the entrance was alive with anticipation, eager to experience one of EDM’s fastest-rising new talents.

Once you were inside, the bass could be felt streaming through the floor, up your legs and into every nerve fibre and cell of your body. Opening for Porter Robinson, 22-year-old British producer Mat Zo (a.k.a. Matan Zohar) dropped one mind-blowing track after another, taking full control of bodies and minds. The frenzied crowd was beyond pleased by this young artist’s impeccable track selection; his warmup set kept them dancing nonstop.

When the lights dimmed and Porter Robinson‘s “PR” logo appeared, the assembled multitudes went absolutely wild, sending his name bouncing around the room and over heads like a crowd-surfing fanatic. As Robinson stepped up to the decks, a whole new vibe took hold. Hands thrown in the air, utterly entranced, the crowd was overcome by sheer animalistic euphoria.

The success that this 19-year-old DJ/producer has achieved in such a short time is absolutely mind-boggling. I saw Porter Robinson for the first time last fall at The Hoxton, and I wouldn’t hesitate to see him again. If you haven’t yet had the chance to catch this crazy-brilliant artist live, I encourage you to make it a priority. This is a superstar in the making.

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

Interview by Gosia Mrugala

Neon Knights is the dynamic rock/electro duo of talented drummer Kane G and rocking guitarist Sean L – both noteworthy producers and DJs. Watching them live is wild beyond words. To call the pair unique performers would be an understatement: they mix DJing with live instruments in a rock-grimy style, creating a powerful vibe between themselves and the crowd that’s a rare pleasure to witness. They’re going to be rocking The Hoxton in Toronto this Friday June 29. I can’t think of a better venue for these guys, so consider the show STRONGLY recommended. Look forward to seeing you on the dancefloor!

IAMMUZYKA: What’s the story behind the alias “Neon Knights”?

SEAN: The name Neon Knights came from our background in rock music with the song “Neon Knights” by Black Sabbath. We thought this would be the perfect name for us, as we incorporate our rock influence with EDM and bring neon colours with our live instruments. Kane’s Glo kit is what really helped drive this name home for us. We hope to one day have futuristic knight suits that glow and tie into our neon theme.

IAMMUZYKA: Where did you meet and how did you guys start working together?

SEAN: We met in our first year at Ryerson in one of our business classes. We got along real well, had very similar musical interests and one day just decided to form Neon Knights. We haven’t looked back since!

IAMMUZYKA: Who are your biggest inspirations and what have you learned from them?

KANE: My biggest inspirations have to be drummers like Travis Barker, Neil Peart and Daniel Adair. These are the guys who inspired me to learn how to drum in the first place and I will always look up to them for the great musicians and role models they are. Through my high school days I would spend hours and hours improving my drum skills and it’s amazing to see where it has taken me today. Sean and I both look up to and respect Matt Jones and Pat Doody from the Sour DJs. They’ve helped us so much and we’re so happy they have taken us under their wing in the EDM scene.

SEAN: My biggest inspiration of all is Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin. He’s the reason I learned to play the guitar. The list could go on and on, but here are some more of my inspirations just to name a few: Angus Young, Jack White, Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Metallica. Artists like these inspired me to want to learn guitar, which I would practice for hours and hours. I used to stay home Friday and Saturday nights in high school to study and master the craft of guitar. I wanted to learn everything from shredding, classical, riffs, etc. Music inspires and motivates us, and if it wasn’t for my inspirations I would not be where I am today.

IAMMUZYKA: How would you describe the sound of Neon Knights?

KANE: Neon Knights’ sound can be summed up in a few words: aggressive, heavy riffed, high-energy, in-your-face music. We thrive off the high energy at every show and transfer that into the music we make.

IAMMUZYKA: Which producing software do you prefer and why?

SEAN: We use Logic for producing as Kane has been using it in the past for rock music and drum cover. We’ve been learning it more and more as time went on and it is the main software we use. We hope to learn how to use Ableton as well so we have a few programs we can use when creating music.

IAMMUZYKA: DJing or producing?

SEAN: We feel there must be a solid balance of both DJing and producing. There is nothing like DJing to an insane crowd where you can feel crazy energy in the room. You also need that time in the studio grinding out hours on end finding that perfect sound and producing an awesome track.

IAMMUZYKA: Top three tracks at the moment?

KANE: 1.Hirshee – Bang This 2. Horny Sanchez – Caliburn (The Sour DJs Remix) 3. Nero – Must Be The Feeling (Delta Heavy Remix)

SEAN: 1. Topher Jones – Brohammer 2. Tiësto & Swanky Tunes – Make Some Noise 3. Laidback Luke – 1234 feat. Chuckie & Martin Solveig

IAMMUZYKA: In your own words, what does EDM represent?

KANE: To me, EDM represents a culture in which electronic music is what brings everyone together. It doesn’t matter the style of dance music you like, whether it be acid house or dubstep — the appreciation and love of dance music is what ties everyone together. The love I see when I walk out in front of an audience of 5,000 people or 50 people is always the same. People are there for the love of the music and that is why we do what we do.

SEAN: EDM is simply any dance music that is electronic. There are so many styles, which makes it difficult to simply define EDM. To me the EDM scene is like a family in which whenever I meet someone that is into the EDM scene there is an instant bond. EDM is my life.

IAMMUZYKA: What are some projects you guys are currently working on that we can look forward to?

SEAN: We are currently in the works of releasing the Limp Bizkit -Breakstuff bootleg that we are a part of with The Sour DJs. There will be a video made shortly for Sol Republic headphones that will feature this track. Also, our first release on Beatport is coming up. We are featured on The Sour DJs’ new single titled “Your Mum,” which has remixes done by Donald Glaude, FTampa, Andy’s iLL, Obsidian and Unit 42. We are very excited for these releases!!

IAMMUZYKA: Where do you see Neon Knights in the next five years?

KANE: We hope to see ourselves on bigger stages, bigger festivals, bigger events and all around hope to take our music to the next level. We would like to collaborate with various artist and continue creating progressive music. We will always keep our “Neon Knights” sound and look forward to whatever the future brings.

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

The week before a Canada Day long weekend is always such a tease. Nobody wants to be at work, but the promise of an unforgettable holiday keeps us all slugging away.

This weekend, though, isn’t your typical Canada Day. The Digital Dreams Music Festival in Toronto will showcase some of the best EDM artists in the world. Think of it as the unofficial kick-off to Canada’s summer festival season.

As we gear up for this extravaganza (and if you’re one of bpm:tv’s contest winners, congrats!), I thought it would be good to do a quick background check on some of the headliners who will be packing the crowds at Ontario Place. We start with the Dutch giant known as Afrojack!

For many of us, Afrojack (a.k.a. Nick van de Wall) became a household name after he dropped “Take Over Control.” But there’s more to the man than monster hits. Long before this breakthrough single, he’d been putting in his time, playing small clubs, producing quality tracks without the support of a label, and assembling the kind of resume any DJ would be proud of.

Afrojack is the sort of DJ who was born to headline big fests like Digital Dreams. Beyond the stage showmanship and the relationship with Paris Hilton, there’s a gifted artist who produces anthem after anthem — not to mention a shrewd businessman who has built his label Wall Recordings — home to the likes of R3hab (also performing at Digital Dreams) and Sidney Samson — into an industry heavy-hitter.

So how do you go from small-club DJ to pop mogul? Hard work. Let’s take a look at the product of his labours.

It was evident right from the start that Afrojack was going to be several cuts above the average. Sure, this first track, “In Your Face,” has a few bobbles — but it’s still light-years beyond your typical debut release. That ear for the perfect groove, that innate ability to make the listener’s head bob and hips swivel — it’s not a plug-in you add to your track, it’s the soul of the producer.

This is a perfect track to play at your next party. I guarantee: at least half the people there won’t ever have heard it. It’s a tune that evokes a lot of emotion — and one that lays out clearly the template for Afrojack’s future success. (The B-side, “Waho,” is worth a listen as well.

This next track, “Drop Down” (Do My Dance) was his first real taste of success. Collaborating with The Partysquad helped him elevate his game and earn wider recognition. Here’s where Afrojack found the sound he would grab and hold onto — a sound that would be mimicked and copied for years to come: blending a hard drum line, evocative of UK garage, with crazy off-the-wall sonics. I can’t think of any other producer capable of pulling this off and making it sound good.

Was it the beat? Or Eva Simons? Or the remix by Adam F? All of the above? Or something else entirely. Nobody’s every put their finger on it precisely, but one way or another, “Take Over Control” was Afrojack’s statement: a track that made the dance floors go nuts. The combination of Eva’s angelic voice and that screaming synth: it was a sound DJs and ravers just couldn’t get enough of. And it still bangs!

Simply put, “No Beef” is an anthem. For a while last summer, it was every DJ’s go-to climax track. EVERY DJ. If you were in the big room, you were gonna hear this. While the vocals by Miss Palmer certainly didn’t hurt, it was the collision of Afrojack’s synth and Steve Aoki‘s keys that put this song in a class by itself.

So there you have it; four reasons Afrojack is a perennial DJ Mag Top 100 finisher, and one of 30 richest DJs in the world. If you like what you’ve seen and heard here, I recommend getting your ass to Ontario Place this weekend. Seriously, you haven’t heard “No Beef” till you hear Afrojack spin it live.

CLICK HERE FOR DIGITAL DREAMS TIX AND INFO.

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Posted by Scott Willats

Well, if you didn’t already know, it is GOING DOWN tonight at Sound Academy, as Embrace Presents brings Porter Robinson to the stage with guests The M Machine. Porter is a very busy man, so take full advantage of this opportunity and get your ass down to Polson Pier.

Of course, Porter isn’t the only one who’s been rocking the sh*t out of crowds over the past couple of weeks. Which brings us to this week’s Sweets of the Week. With the Digital Dreams fest just around the corner, the heat is on for DJs to find that elusive key to a killer set. Don’t be surprised if you hear a few of these heavy-duty tracks from your fave DJ this coming Canada Day weekend.

No need to go into detail about them — the sounds speak for themselves. Enjoy! I’ll see you tonight at Sound Academy!

THE SWEETS

Porter Robinson – Language: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Skream & Example – Shot Yourself In The Foot Again (Eclectizm Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

J. Cole – Werk Out (OVERWERK Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Cassian – I Love It (Original Mix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Kanye West – Mercy (Figure Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Metric – Artificial Nocturne (Love Thy Brother Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Giselle – Silk (Sound Remedy Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Nervo – Y.G.L.A. (Pleasurekraft ‘Happily Never After’ Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

KDrew – Last Train To Paradise: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Diplo – Barely Standing feat. Datsik & Sabi: LISTEN TO IT HERE

SUPER SWEET!

Scott’s Selections – June Edition: LISTEN TO IT HERE

VISUAL SWEET

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Posted by Scott Willats

Tonight’s the night! Porter Robinson will drop the bomb on Toronto this evening at the Sound Academy, courtesy of Embrace Presents. To get you in the mood, and to wrap up our week-long spotlight on the North Carolina prodigy, we’re re-posting bpm:tv’s frontline report from his last TO appearance.

Want to see for yourself what all the fuss is about? CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS AND INFO.

They say you never know the true quality of a producer until you see him live, a phrase I have lived by for the past five years. On Saturday, thanks to Embrace Presents, I finally had my opportunity to see Porter Robinson in the flesh. And I can say with 100 percent conviction that the boy did not disappoint.

It was a good vibe all around. The crowd showed up by the hundreds with plenty of enthusiasm. The line was incredibly long but — as with all shows at The Hoxton — it moved really well. And once you got in the scene was perfectly balanced: a blend of knowledgeable fans, there to catch a memorable performance, and the requisite contingent of gorgeous girls. The chant of “Porter, Porter” rang out before Mr. Robinson approached the tables. Once the young man reached the platform … BAM! A surge of excitement from the crowd, and then it started.

One thing was obvious from the get-go: this kid loves him some Wolfgang Gartner. Many times he used slight remixes or re-edits of Gartner tracks, feeding the crowd perfectly. It’s something I’ve been preaching for a while now: this new wave of American artists take pride in where they come from, and really want to establish their own sound. The set had a strong North American feel — and right now that really is the sound of quality.

Without going into details on each song — because if you weren’t there I wouldn’t do it justice — I’ll just say that it was a proud moment to see how Toronto turned up for Porter. I believe it was his first show in TO, and the city really welcomed him, with a crowd response that would have pleased some of the world’s top DJs.

The concert was so good it took me an extra day to write this report. True story! Just another absolute beast of a show courtesy of Embrace Presents.

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Posted by Scott Willats

Porter Robinson week continues here at bpmtv.com, as we re-post our first look at the North Carolina prodigy’s smashing debut EP, Spitfire.

Don’t forget: Porter Robinson plays Toronto’s Sound Academy tomorrow night, courtesy of Embrace Presents. CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS AND INFO.

What were you doing when you were 19? Some of you haven’t even hit that magical number yet and are anticipating a great year, the first year of freedom. Some of you are in that age bracket and are beginning to enjoy life as an adult … or getting high in your parents basement. For those of us who have passed that brilliant age, apart from the wonderful memories and personal achievements, probably none of us did anything that would affect the rest of our own lives and, at the same time, touch the lives of many many others.

Enter Porter Robinson. Born in the not-yet-distant year of 1992 (sigh), this prodigy from the Tar Heel state of North Carolina has been thrown into the roller coaster of the electro scene, and has established himself as one of the leaders of the pack when it comes to the North American dub revolution. If I’m correct, all it took was Fl Studio 9, a Midi controller and talent. Porter has not only been one of the headliners of electro-dub-house scene — he has also changed it for the better. Breaking boundaries and genres with his songs, Robinson has become a fan favourite throughout the world.

The first track I remember hearing was “Say My Name,” which had so many sounds to it I wasn’t sure what genre to place it in. (“I dunno … electric music?”) The strings from the house anticipation, the wobble of the dubstep, the drums of electro — this kid is onto something. And so it went, as he released other tracks and remixes that proved he was no one-hit wonder, but rather a major figure in the game. Touring and fraternizing with the industry elite (Skrillex, Zedd, Lazy Rich and many others) didn’t hurt either.

Well, Porter just dropped his debut EP Spitfire, which is typical of everything else he has done in his early career: it’s really good. The EP features many remixes from some well known DJs and one from the flavour of the week known as Knife Party whose version of “Unison” is most certainly going to be playing in all clubs throughout the winter. But it’s Porter’s originals that are truly stellar.

Porter Robinson – Spitfire: LISTEN TO IT HERE

In case you’re just finding out about the homie, here are two tracks that got me hooked last year. The first is classic Porter …

Porter Robinson – Say My Name: LISTEN TO IT HERE

… and this one is a beaaaaaaaast. Check the remix by Lazy Rich when you get a chance, both are hard!

Porter Robinson – The Wildcat: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Mr. Robinson, I believe you’re trying to seduce me…..xx

[Originally Posted: Sept. 15, 20122]

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Posted by Scott Willats

We take a break from Porter Robinson week to give you our latest edition of Scott’s Selections. Our mini-mix for June is 17 minutes of the freshest bangers on the planet: a collection of tracks that will turn your party into a rager in a matter of minutes. Brodinski, Felix Cartal, and Pleasurekraft are just a few of the artists to make this month’s cut. Download the mix from SoundCloud, then grab the tunes you like at Beatport.

Scotts Selections June: LISTEN TO IT HERE

TRACKLIST

Brodinski ft. Louisaaaah – Nobody Rules These Streets

Moguai – Lyme (Moguai’s Crushed Lyme Mix)

Autoerotique – Roll the Drums (Felix Cartal Remix)

A-Trak and Dillon Francis – Money Makin’

Pleasurekraft + Belocca – Murdered Out

EDX, John Williams – Give It Up For Love (Mysto and Pizzi Remix)

Joe Garston – Forever

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Posted by Scott Willats

As our spotlight on feature artist of the week Porter Robinson continues, we stay focused on his breakout year: 2010. With this next set of releases, the news of a new teenage star in the EDM firmament went viral with the kind of speed that gives the most creative marketing and PR mavens a wet dream.

In other words, after “Say My Name” dropped, the  wolves tasted blood. North American EDM fans found an artist they could embrace as their own, 13-to-20-year-olds found a role model and inspiration, and electro house found a new saviour.

Without wasting any time, Porter dropped “The Wildcat,” making his signature sound suddenly inescapable. The scream of a bobcat, the merging of that vocal wobble with the clean, crisp 128 beat — just reliving the time you first heard this song can give you chills. In an age where artists and sounds come and go like public transit, it became clear at this moment that Porter Robinson was here to stay.

Porter Robinson – The Wildcat: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Next came some remixes — a move that was always going to be tricky. Usually, new artists make their way onto the scene with remixes, then slowly begin dropping originals; it’s a sort of feeling-out process. But Porter came at it from the opposite direction: he’d already given us four originals that even the biggest of names would die to call their own — now he was taking other artists’ sounds and trying to add his touch on it.

For me, remixes all come down to song selection. If you’re looking to really make your mark with a remix, why not pick a track that’s huge? It’s the perfect way to showcase your talent: people will already know the original, so they’ll really notice what you’ve done with it. Anyway, great minds must think alike, because Porter took on two of the biggest house songs at that moment and flipped them on their heads. Have a listen.

Tim Berg – Seek Bromance (Porter Robinson Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Yolanda Be Cool – We No Speak Americano (Porter Robinson Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

2010, as you can see, was a huge year for Porter — and it didn’t end there. Here are a few more of the tracks he released in that amazing year. And keep in mind: we’re talking about a guy who was still just 18 years old.

Porter Robinson and Lazy Rich feat. Sue Cho – Hello: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Porter Robinson – I’m On Fire: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Heiko & Maiko - Wer Ist Sie (Porter Robinson Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

As 2010 drew to a close, one thing had become obvious: Porter Robinson was a star. There was no doubt about his production capabilities — but did he have what it takes to rock a crowd at a live show? That’s what we’ll find out in our next Porter post.

Don’t forget to check THIS LINK for tickets to Porter Robinson’s show at the Sound Academy in Toronto this Friday.

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Posted by Scott Willats

This week we celebrate a young artist known to many as, simply, “the Prodigy.” In anticipation of a rager of a show slated for this Friday at Toronto’s Sound Academy (which two lucky members of bpm Nation will be catching for free!), we delve into the work of  Porter Robinson, the 19-year-old North Carolina native who is leading the next wave of emerging EDM artists into glory.

Ever since he dropped “Say My Name” in 2010, PR has compelled attention, standing out even in a field as overcrowded as EDM. Sure, “Get Brain” and “Leaving” had been released earlier, and both were heavy tunes in their own right. But “Say My Name” was something different, something epochal. For a kid of just 17 to take a sample, produce such dramatic strings, and blend it with such a heavy bassline: it was unimaginable.

Don’t discount those earlier tracks, though. “Leaving” was a tantalizing preview of Porter’s abilities, proving that he knows how to blend beats and vocals to perfection. Meanwhile, “Get Brain” showcased his knack for taking a small sample and making it giant-sized. And here’s the rub: while your favorite producers are creating these kinds of sounds in studios with 15-foot Legacy consoles, Porter was doing it on a laptop in his bedroom.

Porter Robinson – Leaving: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Porter Robinson – Get Brain: LISTEN TO IT HERE

2010, then, was a big year for Porter Robinson — and he was just getting started. We’ll have more on his subsequent releases tomorrow, as we prep for his Sound Academy Show this Friday.  CLICK HERE FOR INFO AND TICKETS.

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