So CMW was in full effect last week, which naturally meant that I saw no Canadian musicians. Wait, wait, wait — before you throw the spit and vinegar at me, understand that CMW has gone so far to the alternative rock side that there’s really not a lot on offer for EDM fans like us. Factor in that the week coincided with a certain little festival down in Miami and maybe you can understand why CMW was a little lacking in terms of the music we love.
That said, CMW did come through with the best show of the weekend. In a week that saw impressive performances by the likes of the UK’s Foreign Beggars, Jack Beats and Annie Mac, and Japan’s Kim Fai, what really got my pulse pounding and my mouth salivating was the chance to catch Nicolas Jaar at Toronto’s Revival. For the past eight-plus months, this Chilean-American New Yorker has been one of the most creative, innovative artists to break through and establish himself in the EDM world. His blend of acoustic and organic sounds, meshed with subtle yet effective bass and methodical kicks, really speaks to the next generation while drawing on the influence of those who came before. An indie darling in every sense of the word.
And this was precisely the feel of the scene and the show: lounge-y, with a very chill vibe. Revival was the perfect locale for it, too. (If you’re familiar at all with this spot, you’ll know that some of Canada’s best musicians have got their start on Revival’s stage on open mic nights, performing their original material for the audience to love or hate. Toronto’s version of The Apollo Theater in Harlem.
Nico started his set dramatically, with a seven-minute intro that really created the atmosphere that he wanted. And I have to say, seeing him play live was a refreshing experience. After a while, you sort of want to see artists do more than press the cue button on their Pioneers and turn up the highs and lows. Nico was accompanied by real flesh-and-blood musicians on bass and saxophone, and you immediately felt as though you were hanging out on Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg. Savage!
The only negative, and I think lot of fans felt the same way, was the absence of remixes and uptempo releases from the set. He stuck with really new, really low-key material. So if you were there to hear Nico play that 4 am sound keeps you up to the bleary predawn looking for cold tea, you probably went home a little disappointed. Still, if you appreciate the other side of Jaar — futuristichippyflysh*t with a Chilean twist — then there was much and more to savour.
A short week, what with the Family Day holiday on Monday, but I’ve still managed to load up a supply of raging tunes to rock you all through the weekend. We’ve got new cuts from some lesser-known names that you’ll want to clear some memory space for, plus a brand new remix from New York’s own Nico Jaar that is up to his usual high standards. Plus new joints from A-Trak, Guxxi Vump and Conspirator. A serious supply of 128 bpm, so let’s get right into it.
SWEETS
Seems right now like some of the most innovative sounds are coming out of … Hungary? Tits & Clits put this country on the map for me, but it’s We Plants Are Happy Plants that have me booking my flight to Budapest. This track may not get people in the club raging like lunatics — but it’s definitely one for those early morning sessions when you feel the need to zone out and vibe.
Nico Jaar has the rare ability to make each of his songs sound completely different from the others. That’s creativity in a nutshell. Another slower track for you to vibe to — and like the previous offering, it’s a top-quality production.
Brodinski is as streaky as Phil Kessel. For long stretches you don’t hear from him — then he turns around and pots five joints in a week. He’s definitely feeling the heat right now.
Moombah madness. Let’s take one of the biggest hip-hop tracks of our era, and throw that 110 bpm we moombahton fans just can’t get enough of. Sounds wick-it!
The best thing about music nowadays: everyone is doing it. OK, sometimes that’s actually a bad thing. But in the case of Dimension5 it’s a magical thing. Try it on — bet it’ll fit perfectly!
Rusko is doing an album with Cypress Hill. At first I thought there was no way they would blend well. I am and continue to be wrong. Perfecto! Expect to hear this a lot.
That’s it homies … keep it locked and bookmarked, ’cause the sweet is never as sweet without sour………..xx
A great weekend in EDM has passed us by, but not without dropping some anthems to keep on repeat on our iPods and Pioneers. It was always going to be something special, what with the large number of shows happening from Van City to Halifax.
One measure of a good weekend? The quality of the BBC Radio 1 Friday dance party. Unfortunately, Annie Mac wasn’t able to host her regular Friday show — but the replacement she found was none other than the “inventor” of dubstep himself, Skream. Mister Skream stepped into the booth and put together one of the best Radio 1 Friday mixdowns we’ve heard in a while. If you haven’t had a chance to check out the show, CLICK HERE to listen. It might be worth downloading for those long shifts when your regular playlist just doesn’t cut it anymore. (Pete Tong was not to be outshone, by the way, as he also put together a wicked collection of the best big room house anthems on the globe right now.)
Another great part of the weekend was hearing Embrace Presents, the leader in bringing the best EDM talent to Canada, unveil its list of upcoming shows,which I’ve included below. Expect to see many of these reviewed in the weeks to come.
Some treats for you …
So we’ve all heard the rumours that a certain trio of Swedish DJs may not put together the most “authentic” mixes at their live shows. But when you have tracks this big, I don’t think it really matters anymore. Enjoy this one.
Nico Jaar is on fire! In his latest outing, he drops a typical Jaar 5am track that will leave you clinging to the dancefloor like a strung-out jabba wokkie! And yes that’s Demi Moore and Bruce Willis’s daughter delivering the vocals.
And, as promised, a list of the best Embrace shows in Toronto coming up over the next couple of months. See you tomorrow kiddies!
Saturday, January 28 - BASSJACKERS with Special Guests
The Hoxton, 69 Bathurst Street | Doors 9PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $10.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Saturday, January 28 - NIGHTBOX with THE BALCONIES & CHRISTIEN SUMMERS
Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen Street West | Doors 9PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $8.50 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This & Soundscapes
Wednesday, February 1 - Trouble & Bassmentality Present: DROP THE LIME with THE M MACHINE
Wrongbar, 1279 Queen Street West | Doors 10PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $10.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Friday, February 3 – BENI with Special Guests
Supermarket, 268 Augusta Avenue | Doors 10PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $10.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Saturday, February 4 - SURKIN with Special Guests
Wrongbar, 1279 Queen Street West | Doors 10PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $13.50 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Monday, February 6 - Presented in association with Drambuie: THE ASTEROIDS GALAXY TOUR with VACATIONER
The Hoxton, 69 Bathurst Street | Doors 8:30PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $16.50 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Thursday, February 9 - A-TRAK with Special Guests
The Hoxton, 69 Bathurst Street | Doors 9 PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $20.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Friday, February 10 - KEYS N KRATES with GRANDTHEFT
The Hoxton, 69 Bathurst Street | Doors 10 PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $15.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Tuesday, February 14 - DIE ANTWOORD with Special Guests
The Phoenix, 410 Sherbourne Street | Doors 8PM | All Ages Event
Adv. Tickets $29.00 (plus facility fee & s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Wednesday, February 15 – Bassmentality Presents: 12TH PLANET with FLINCH & CRIZZLY
Wrongbar, 1279 Queen Street West | Doors 10PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $12.50 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Thursday, February 16 - JOHN DAHLBACK with Special Guests
The Hoxton, 69 Bathurst Street | Doors 10PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $15.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
** NEW DATE **Thursday, February 16 - THEOPHILIUS LONDON with Special Guests
Wrongbar, 1279 Queen Street West | Doors 10PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $17.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Saturday, February 18 - Presented in association with Live Nation: SLEIGH BELLS with Special Guests
The Phoenix, 410 Sherbourne Street | Doors 8PM | All Ages Event
Adv. Tickets $24.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Saturday, February 18 - DJ KRUSH with THEVINYLKILLER
Wrongbar, 1279 Queen Street West | Doors 10PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $16.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Wednesday, February 22 – Bassmentality Presents: TWO FRESH with NiT GriT
Wrongbar, 1279 Queen Street West | Doors 10PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $12.50 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Saturday, February 25 - HOOK N SLING
The Hoxton, 69 Bathurst Street | Doors 10PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $12.50 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Wednesday, February 29 – Bassmentality Presents: DREAM & BOY KID CLOUD
Wrongbar, 1279 Queen Street West | Doors 10PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $10.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Saturday, March 3 - TRUST with ELL V GORE
Wrongbar, 1279 Queen Street West | Doors 10PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $10.50 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Tuesday, March 6 - An Evening with MOE.
The Mod Club, 722 College Street | Doors 8PM | All Ages Event
Adv. Tickets $29.00 (plus facility fee & s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Thursday, March 8 - BINGO PLAYERS with Special Guests
The Hoxton, 69 Bathurst Street | Doors 10PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $15.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
** NEW DATE ** Friday, March 16 - DEANER OF FUBAR with Special Guests
Wrongbar, 1279 Queen Street West | Doors 10PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $15.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Saturday, March 24 - Presented in Association with Hospital Records, Destiny Events & Electronic Nation: HIGH CONTRAST, NETSKY, CAMO & KROOKED, MYSTICAL INFLUENCE, LUSH & HYDEE
Kool Haus, 132 Queens Quay East | Doors 10PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $35.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca & Play De Record
Monday, April 2 - METRONOMY with Special Guests
The Hoxton, 69 Bathurst Street | Doors 9PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $16.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Wednesday, April 4 - FIRST AID KIT with Special Guests
The Great Hall, 1087 Queen Street West | Doors 9PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $18.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This & Soundscapes
Thursday, April 5 - HOWLER with Special Guests
The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen Street West | Doors 9PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $8.50 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This & Soundscapes
Friday, April 20 - HOCKEY TEETH
Wrongbar, 1279 Queen Street West | Doors 9PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $10.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This & Soundscapes
Tuesday, May 1 - Presented in Association with Live Nation: MIIKE SNOW with Special Guests
Sound Academy, 11 Polson Street | Doors 8PM | All Ages Event
Adv. Tickets $26.50 (plus s.c.) at ticketmaster.ca, Rotate This & Soundscapes
Wednesday, May 2 - SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS with Special Guests
The Hoxton, 69 Bathurst Street | Doors 9PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $15.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
So Christmas and New Year’s have come and gone, leaving the inevitable post-holiday sense of letdown in their wake. To lift the spirits a little, here’s a look back at the Sweets of the Week anthems that made 2011 memorable.
Posted three weeks ago: VLSONN‘s beast of a tune. Cop the EP amigo!
And that’s that. Can’t wait to hear what’s going to be dropping in 2012. I have a feeling EDM is going to hit even higher heights — and I’m stoked for it. Have a Happy New Year………………….xx
Yes, it’s only Thursday. But I have a special post for you tomorrow, so I thought I’d share what I’m feeling this week a day earlier rather than not at all.
First of all, this was a huge week for new releases. First comes from a duo out of France, who released the album people have been waiting some little while for. Audio, Video, Disco finally dropped on Tuesday– and unfortunately for our friends Justice, many people in Internetland had already gotten their paws on it weeks earlier. Without dissecting it at length (because there are plenty, and I mean plenty of “critics” doing that), I’ll just say: I think it’s a good album. Different, just like Cross was four years ago.
The other huge release comes from a bpm:tv staple and a personal favourite interview of mine: Kaskade dropped a double album, Fire & Ice — and if you know anything at all about Kas, you know it’s heavy and well thought-out.
The first disc is called Fire and features collaborations on every track. A lot of good vocals and catchy strings: everything that makes up today’s poppy sound — and that’s with nothing to be ashamed of. The second disc, Ice, is all songs remixed by Kaskade. Admittedly, two discs’ worth is a lot of Kaskade — but he’s earned it, and I can recommend picking it up. “Turn it Down (Fire Version)” is my fav track, but all of them have a big room sound. For the parties where there are more “top 40″ girls than you know what to do with, this is the album to play.
So without further delay, let’s get into the tracks I’ve been feeling this the week.
Kaskade’s remix of Kaskade’s track “Ice (Ice Version)”. Simple enough to understand, right?
Look, it was always going to be so easy to dislike the Justice album. Though the entirety isn’t my cup of tea, there are very special gems in there. This is more than a track to me. It’s elegance and sophistication that I would loooooooove to see live at a festival (which is what I think this whole album is meant for).
The Boomzers are back! And they have a heavy, loud and uptempo in-your-face track to prove it. If your not familiar with The Boomzers: they’re an Italian electro duo. Fans of Bloody Beetroots, Crookers, The “S” or Fare Soldi? You should pick this up, then.
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