Just two days left to show your support for DJs across Canada by voting to pick the winner of the Bud Light DJ Battle. You can listen to tracks by the contenders and cast your vote at the Bud Light Sensation home page. When you vote, you’re entered for the chance to win tickets to Bud Light presents Sensation — plus you give your chosen DJ the chance to receive the ultimate VIP treatment at this massive international dance event, which touches down at Toronto’s Rogers Centre on June 1.
So who are the DJs vying for the crown? Just click on the names below to find out who’s who.
There’s still time to snap up tickets for Sensation, an epic-scale affair that will feature sets by Mr. White, 2000 and One, Otto Knows, Sunnery Jamesand Ryan Marciano, and Fedde Le Grand — plus a rare Canadian appearance by Eric Prydz. Dress in white and help LIGHT IT UP June 1 at the Rogers Centre!
Gosia Mrugala is a Toronto-based blogger and reviewer. You can read her blog HERE, and follow her on Twitter HERE.
Middle of July, festival season in flight, hotter than a muthafucka ….
Wait a sec: remember all those long, cold winter nights when we bundled ourselves in parkas, scarves and long johns, enduring the bitter chill so we could get to the club to see our favorite DJ rage? I certainly remember, and I’m sure you do too. So I find it hard to complain about this stifling heat we’re all suffering through. As we all know, it could. Be. Much. Much. Worse.
But yeah, it is hotter than a muthafucka.
One other thing about summer that kinda sorta blows: since most major artists are busy touring so much, new material can be lacking. Now, sometimes that’s a good thing, giving you the chance to get reacquainted with old favorites. But for a new music junkie like me, it feels like drought season. But that just means I’ve gotta search harder and longer to find something fresh for you. Plus the Calgary Stampede starts today, and I can’t leave my cowboys hanging without some new electro. Lez get it!
Oh, and did I mention it’s hotter than a muthafucka?
THE SWEETS
We start with two vastly different but equally awesome remixes of Dada Life‘s “Kick Out The Epic Motherfucker.” Which one do youuuuu like?
Wolfgang Gartner is bizzack — this time with a preview of his new EP. People have been saying that Gartner’s work lately has been lacking. I think that’s a testament to high how he has set the bar. While I wouldn’t put it quite so harshly, I’ll concede that I haven’t heard the old Gartner for awhile. That ended today.
Here’s something a little different: Skrillex versus drum-and-bass. Some will love, some will hate. Either way,, this will evoke some kind of emotion from you.
Waka Flocka? Rooster in my Rari? What the hell am I talking about? Fans will know. People who don’t: trust me, you’re not missing much. But Clinton Sparks does make this pump. Worth a try.
Hmmm. I’ve liked every Sound Remedy track I’ve ever heard. Ever. But this one lacks … something. Still, he’s earned his stripes, so I’ll let it slide. Consider it recommended on the strength of his past work.
Excited about the upcoming IDENTITY Festival? This video should get you properly amped. If not, two words: Eric. Prydz. (Btw, if you want to win tickets to IDENTITY, mosey on over to our FB page, as in now-ish,)
The end of what can only be considered a slow week in terms of new releases. Hey, they can’t all be winners, right? Sometimes you have to wait a week or two — and in the end, that new track you uncover is all the more Sweet.
I am, however, running into Dennis Ferrer tonight, which I am super stoked about. So I figured this would be the perfect time to reminisce on some of the goodies he’s delivered over the span of his career. This is the man who became the face of EDM in 2009. While the mass audience was going crazy for David Guetta‘s “Sexy Bitch,” Dennis Ferrer had the night owls on the floor till the sun came up in the red room baby! He created a cult following, and that cult is still alive and kicking. We’ve been aching … no, dying for some brand new DF. Tonight, with luck, we’ll hear some new joints.
So let’s take a look at the man of the moment, and then enjoy the sweets.
We’re going to get to the anthems eventually, but it’s these first two tracks that really define Dennis. He’ll take a simple looped melody and make it darker, balanced against other elements that brighten it up. The best part is that he keeps the rhythm at such a level of anticipation that you don’t even know it’s happening.
If you liked that, you’re going to love this one. It can either sound to you like a huge clash of percussion, or the perfect underground symphony. Obviously, I choose the latter. Released in 2007, “Destination” is one of those tracks that the Ferrer cult adores, but that wins over non-believers as well. It’s like Tango on E
Speaking of kings of underground house, Nic Fanculli is worthy bearer of the title. A track that Dennis Ferrer has been bumping for a minute now has surfaced for me and you online. Enjoy this one!
Sound Remedy don’t seem capable of making bad songs. Took a dubstep track I didn’t care for (hold the spit and vinegar, please) and turned it into an electro banger.
My boy ZHU is on a rampage right now. There’s a quick teaser out for his documentary, and if the minute-long trailer is any indication of what to expect, it will be a treat. On the production side, he’s still plugging away at the 52 to ZHU project, and he’s not slowing down.
I can’t speak for ZHU, but I have a feeling the two of us share the same respect for Wolfgang Gartner‘s music. As I have posted earlier, I’m in love with Gartner’s newest, “There and Back” — and guess who decided to put his own spin on it? Playing off the right elements and adding his own special Mace Windu-style Jedi touch (much as he did on “Spacejunk”) ZHU takes us There and Back and There again with his remix. Cop it!!!!!
My apologies for not posting yesterday. What with a crazy weekend and a Super Bowl hangover, let’s just say my motivation was a little lacking yesterday. But I’m back today with a couple gems that I uncovered over the weekend.
First off, a brand new joint from The Perez Brothers that’s so catchy and so poppy that I’d swear it’s bound for your local Top 40 station in the not too distant future. These guys don’t drop off many tunes, but when they do it’s an automatic must-have. Enjoy this one.
Next up, a track that sounds as though it could be an anthem for the London 2012 Olympics. It has such a big room sound, yet it also seems ummmm … PG-13, for the lack of a better phrase.
Last, we have the new one from Cosmic Gate, who absolutely shut down The Guv in Toronto this past weekend. I was lucky enough to catch up with Nic and Bossi at their hotel just before the show. Always love hearing from these guys. Keep an eye out for the interview on bpm Spotlight — coming soon for all you trance zombies!
We’re only reached the first week of February, and already there’s word that this is the video of the year. Upon review, I have to say it’s going to take a lot to top this masterpiece. The video is exactly what the song is — but more. Not exactly the EDM you’re used to hearing here, but we promote good music — and this is good music.
A-Trak and Dennis Ferrer on the schedule for this week — should be great interviews. Stay tuned for updates!
Gosia Mrugala is a Toronto-based blogger and reviewer. You can read her blog HERE, and follow her on Twitter HERE.
