And here we go. Y’all getting sick of me talking about festivals? Well sorry, but tuff f***ing luck. Because this weekend Toronto the place in the world to be for EDM. Or any kind of music, actually.
Sure, Montreal has Osheaga happening, which promises to be nuts in its own right But Toronto is bringing the heavy, what with VELD and HARDboth going down this weekend.
What’s HARD, you ask? Just a little gathering featuring the likes of M83, Buraka Som Sistema, Austra … oh, and Justice. Sorry, let me rephrase that: JUSTICE!!!! The French icons make their looooooooooooooong-awaited return to Canada in style. Fort York is a special place to be this weekend.
And then there’s VELD, the brainchild of Canada’s own EMD titan, Deadmau5. Check out this lineup: Avicii, Kill the Noise, Mord Fustang, Bassnectar, Cosmic Gate and soooooo many others are busy tearing Toronto’s Downsview Park a new one. Rain is in the forecast for Sunday, but it’s gonna get real messy long before that. Canada, this is our weekend!
And with that, it’s on to …. THE SWEETS!
This will get your weekend going just right. A free download that hits the spot.
The second installment of Fools Gold‘s Clubhouse compilation series is just as heavy as the first. No point trying to pick a favourite: here’s the whole thing, amigos. Did I mention it’s FREE?!?
How can you not love Montreal’s Adventure Club? OK, maybe the sound is becoming just a tad predictable. But that in no way means it’s played out. And the fact that it’s free is an added attraction.
If you’re anything like me, you probably think Sound Remedy is kinda like Deadmau5 circa 2009. I mean, this guy is making next-level shit, challenging himself constantly to come up with material that’s creative and different. His basic template seems to stay the same, but that’s as close as he comes to formulaic. Otherwise, he’s constantly leaping the barriers between genres, taking rock tunes, R&B songs, house tracks and everything in between, and flipping them like Mike Holmes trying to re-sell a house.
The other day he dropped off a brand new original, and it’s everything you would expect — and more. For an artist to make my “Sweets of the Week” twice in one month is pretty insane, but SR has made the cut a whopping seven times in 2012. That’s some serious consistency. Btw, did I mention all of his tracks are FREE?! My boooooooooooooy!
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,)
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!
I’m finding it hard to recall the last time an artist put out so many successful tracks in as short a time as Sound Remedy has done. With the release of his “Neopolitan Dreams” remix — already a contender for song of the summer — following hard on the heels of the epic KO KO remix “Float” and the Haunted Valor EP, you’d think the man in the mask would be ready to take a little down time. Not so much. When you find yourself in the zone, you just want to keep at it and see what other genius comes out the speakers.
Enter Sound Remedy’s remix of “The Funeral.” An amazing track from Band of Horses gets the dub-electro spin it was crying out for. The best thing about Sound Remedy’s remixes? He doesn’t diminish the parts that make the original song so compelling. Easy to say, harder to do — and harder to perfect.
I’d have no problem paying for tracks like these — the quality and replay value would make the price well worthwhile. Buuuuut … he’s giving them away for free. God Bless Sound Remedy!
A week ain’t a week unless it’s sweet. With the sun a-shining, the last thing you want to do is spend a couple of hours in front of your laptop searching for new tunez. That’s what I’m here for! (You’re welcome.) I got you covered: sit back, press play, and enjoy the soundz of summer. bpm:tv presents … your May Two-Four Sweets of the Week!
I admit it: Justin Bieber‘s “Boyfriend” is one of those songs I find myself humming in the shower or singing along with in the car. At this point, some readers of this blog have already closed their browsers and moved on. For those of you who decided to give me the benefit of a doubt and stick around: the Swedish duo Dada Life has taken the original and turned it on its head, making it over into something you can sing aloud freely with your windows wide open. Once you’ve heard this, the original becomes obsolete.
Heavy, Heavy, HEAVY! Sound Remedy is out of this world right now. This time they take on a personal favourite in Lisa Mitchell‘s “Neopolitan Dreams” and … ahhh, screw it: just press play!
When I went to Webster Hall in New York to see Annie Mac, Savoy was the opening act. Now, it can’t be easy to open for a DJ whose set features all the most in-demand tracks. It leaves you with the leftovers. Happily for Savoy (and for the audience that night), “leftovers” meant their own originals. Since then, whenever I hear the name Savoy I sit up and pay attention. This time around they link up with Heather Bright, throwing in a little dubby-wubby to get you scooting over to Beatport to cop this tune.
You know that moment when you walk into club in the middle of summer, and everyone is already screaming and sweating? That moment when your heart starts beating faster and a grin steals uncontrollably across your face? Usually in that moment it’s a DJ Dan track playing in the background. The legend is back, with a new tune that will put you right back in that moment.
AudioPorn Records gives us a preview of a new EP from Xilent. It’s heavily produced, but not overdone. If you like Kill the Noize, you’ll want to pick this up. Take a good listen to all four tracks.
Last, since next week is Pryda week, I’m assigning some homework: listen closely to these classic tracks from the master. Whether as Cirez D, Eric Prydz or Pryda, one fact remains consistent: this dude puts in the work. Enjoy some faves, and feel free to suggest your own in the comments below!
“With Me”
“Viro”
“Not Going Home (Remix)” – I kept the rip ’cause it just sounds alive. Gotta love Pete dropping a world exclusive.
“On Off”
And if you missed it his new one … “Allein”
VISUAL SWEET
Bassnectar fans will love this one. His new album which we reviewed a few weeks back, is causing a stir with a wide cross-section of “good music” fans across the world. From heavy metal fans to ravers to jungle junkies, the response is the same: This sh*t is crazy. Here, he takes the Prodigy-like “Ugly” and adds appropriate visuals.
A quiet-ish week in terms of new releases — but that doesn’t mean what we do have lacks for quality.
A lot of the big DJs seem to be on a bit of a hiatus right now. There may be a couple of reasons for that. WMC wasn’t that long ago, and a lot of artists dropped their newest stuff at the conference. Plus, festival season is just around the corner, and many DJs like to wait and give new material a test-run in front of a live audience. I’ll admit I often prefer to hear new tracks for the first time at shows rather than on the blogs, so the more of this practice the better, as far as I’m concerned.
All that said, some of the heavy hitters are still leaking new material. In today’s post we’ve got some Pretty Lights, Benga and Digitalism, to name a few. Strap up!
Back like he never left. When we went to London, Ontario last week for the Grand Benders party I was hoping to cross paths with this hometown hero. But Overwerk, as it turned out, was busy tearing up Norway. By way of compensation, however, he’s given us something brand new — and it’s a banger!
Ma-Ma-Ma-Majoooooor Lazer! What more can you say? The boys are back in the groove, making beats of quality. Alex Clare is one lucky son of a bitch to get this all for himself! Huge!
This track reminds me of the late comic Mitch Hedberg’s classic line: “I remixed a remix until it became an original again.” Sound Remedy takes on Sound Remedy … proper. Finest tune of the week IMO.
Pretty Lights is back at it again, and it’s his pretty old self shining through: a mix of bass and hard drops on this peach of a tune. Feels like it’s been a while since we last heard from the Colorado giant. Let’s hope there’s more coming soon.
Goldroom seems to have attracted a news and different audience in recent months. I’m not usually one for fads, but this one is definitely worth climbing aboard. Love this track.
What do I keep saying about Germany? They seem to perfected some kind of magic potion, because EDM’s global centre of gravity is rapidly shifting from Sweden to Deutschland. And Digitalism is spearheading the takeover. Justice fans will eat this up!
I find Coyote Kisses something of an enigma. When I listen to one of their songs, there always comes a moment when I find myself thinking I would have chosen a different road in terms of sound choices. Yet by the end, I feel satisfied with the result. This new track is sheer genius, and makes me think the duo are ready at last for household name status.
HyperCrush seems to spark a love/hate reaction among EDM fans. Some find them too poppy, others say they get it just right. Personally, I think they are perfect party material.
In case you missed the earlier post: new Ruskooooooooooooo! Look out for a new bpm Spotlight episode on Rusko — coming very very soon!
Though the week just past did bring the release of new tracks from Sound Remedy and Porter Robinson,plus an album from Rusko, it felt on the whole like the electronic music world was suffering from a bit of a WMC hangover. Everybody seemed to be functioning on half-speed. Still, I believe the majority were fuelling their tanks for what promises to be a summer to remember.
Skream and Benga absolutely killed The Hoxton in Toronto on Thursday night, These two never seem to deliver a weak set. If ever you have the chance, be sure to check them out.
Now, on to the sweets!
This is probably one of the best EPs I’ve heard so far this year. Expect Sound Remedy to be a household name very very soon.
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!!!!!
Just when you thought the winter drag was going to pull you down, we’ve got a special little treat for your iPod. Today, we’re dropping the latest installment in our “Scott’s Selection” mix series. This one’s a little rough around the edges, but the bass is healthy, the synths are sexy, the cuts are classic and the tracks bump! Starts reluctant, goes 128 crazy in the middle, and gets a little filthy at the end — just like the perfect weekend.
Download this mini-mix asap and play it at your next party, tomorrow’s workout, or wherever you feel the need to get lost in EDM!
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