Posted by Scott Willats

Clockwise from top left: Dada Life, Jokers of the Scene, Gesaffelstein, Brodinski

The slow weekends are over and it’s time to hit the concert scene running. Some heavy shows going down. First up: Dada Life was in Toronto last night, and the Swedish duo put the Hoxton to the test. Next in line: Jokers of the Scene tonight at Wrongbar. The Ottawa duo always puts on a show you want to catch, managing to lay down some grimey-Trent-Reznor-soundtracky-dark-tunez, but still keeping the party hot and the audience on their toes. If you’re in the Toronto area and aren’t familiar wit the Jokers, I really suggest you stop by and check out what two of this country’s most underrated producers are up to. Check in at Embrace Presents to cop an early-bird ticket.

In honour of the monster truck show going down at the Rogers Centre this weekend, I will now point my attention to the main event – Saturday Saturday , SATURDAY!!! (in a booming monster truck show voice). Tomorrow we get to see two of the hottest artists in EDM … scratch that: two of the hottest artists in music. Industry favourite Brodinski is in town to kill the Wrongbar and turn that sum-a-bitch sidewayz, ya dig? This time he brings with him an artist I’ve been going on about nonstop for the past year: Gesaffelstein. Don’t let the German-sounding name fool you, this guy is French techno at its purest. You like Justice? you like Ed Banger Records? you like black leather, dark hair and claps and kicks that rattle your veins and turn your face pale? Wrongbar Saturday. You’re welcome!

SWEETS

First, let’s hear some bangers from the the above mentioned. Dada Life must of been two of the loudest kids on the block growing up. Nothing is soft with them, and that’s why we like them.

Mustard Pimp – ZHM (Dada Life Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Brand new EP from Jokers of the Scene, and the JOTS have some seriously emotional tracks on this. Big! If you like, check out also We Plants Are Happy Plants.

Jokers of the Scene – J0T5: LISTEN TO IT HERE

As if you don’t already have these….

Gesaffelstein – Control Movement (Preview): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Brodinski feat. Louisahhh! – Let The Beat Control Your Body (Preview): LISTEN TO IT HERE

PROPER SWEETS

A fresh new EP just dropped by this man can only be summed up one way: it bangs! Some serious tunez on this joint. If you’re thinking 12th Planet is just another one of those Skrillex clones, you are dead wrong. This kid has an ear for what’s next, not what’s now, and this EP could spell the beginning of Skrillex opening shows for him. All right, I’ll calm it down — but you get the point: cop this!!!

Antiserum & 12th Planet – Ghost: LISTEN TO IT HERE 

http://soundcloud.com/antiserum/ghost-w-12th-planet

12th Planet, Skrillex & Kill The Noise – Burst: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Finalllllllly! A remix to this track that you can actually hang your hat on. This track is genre-less. You could rap on it, sing on it, speed it up to hardstyle, slow it down to whine to, and on and on. A little bit of everything, which is what we love. Good looking Flosstradamus!

Major Lazer – Original Don (Flosstradamus Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE 

Want to piss off your parents in a hurry? Easy — take Sawgood‘s newest release, lock yourself in the room right next to your folks, and BUUUUUUUUMP THIS! This track has your energy levels covered from every angle. Heavy bass, an up-tempo anticipation and a higher-tempo climax! Everybody just clap your hands!!!!!!!!!!! Even a little DnB thrown in for you creatures!

Sawgood Ft Indosilver Club Vs Skrillex – One Handed: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Brazil’s finest! This is an immediate add. Look out for a special South American post coming very very soon!

Afrojack & R3hab – Prutataaa (Darth & Vader Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE 

Attention, attention! This is a new track from Adventure Club – it’s not a remix and it sounds fantastic. (Boys: with tunez like this, when’s the EP dropping!!!!?!?!?) And the best part? it’s free! I love these Montrealers. (But go Leafs!)

Adventure Club – Do I See Color: LISTEN TO IT HERE

VISUAL SWEET

Brand new video from Rusko. I like — what do you think?

And that’s it for this week, amigos. A review of Steve Aoki‘s new album next week, along with more of the goodies you’ve come to expect!

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Posted by Scott Willats

Fresh from the success of the Searching EP and tours in France and Scotland, Toronto’s Poupon is back. This time around he’s the special guest, lending a helping hand in the studio for two of Montreal’s finest. Prince Club and Poupon have formed up like Voltron to drop the highly anticipated and precisely timed Platinum EP on Snatch! Records.

Who are Prince Club? Simple: imagine if P.K. Subban and Carey Price took all that talent of theirs behind the Pioneers. There’s a simplicity and beauty to each and every one of their tracks. Zack & Max (who used to be the MadKids for those of you who remember) are two young DJ/producers who get what people want to hear. They’re not going to dress it up for you and turn their sound into something it’s not. They seem to have a  clear vision for each track — one that comes out exactly as planned when it’s relayed via the Bose speakers to your ears. Good house producers: that’s who Prince Club are.

Their Love Strong EP was an industry favourite. For those of you who are unaware of the duo but familiar with Poupon and like his style, I can say with utmost confidence that you are going to love Prince Club. To get yourself acclimatized to their sound, check out this absolute phenom of a track:

Prince Club – Love Strong: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Onward to the Platinum  EP!

The first tune that deserves special attention is the titled track. A song well worth its namesake, “Platinum” gets you involved quickly. You immediately feel as though you are walking down a hall into the main floor, where hundreds of ravers are in their element, Raybans on and denim fresh. The beat is sort of a a quick roller coaster: up and down really quick, but muffled, giving it the feeling that it’s inside you. That would be enough on its own, but with Poupon’s help, the duo add a Biggie sample and chop it to perfection. Describing tunez to this extent isn’t something I care to do often — but I wanted you to realize just how B.I.G. this song could be. Peep it!

Prince Club & Poupon – Platinum (Original Mix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

The rest of the EP I’ll let you describe for yourself. But the one thing I noticed is just how polished it sounds. Every clap sounds crisp, every kick hits — and that just raises the level of the whole project.

In a world where you can find any track online for free, this is one of those releases worth paying for — not just to support Canadian talent, but also because it’s not worth waiting a week or more for a free copy to turn up somewhere.

If the Platinum inspires you the way it did me, you’ll want to be at Wrongbar in Toronto this Saturday for the release party — and a chance to hear these tracks the way they’re meant to be heard. I’ll see you there.

Prince Club & Poupon – La Nuit: LISTEN TO IT HERE 

Prince Club – Everybody (Original Mix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

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Posted by Scott Willats

So 2012 is here, and I would say that already we’re off to a great start. The holiday season always lacks a little in the new music department. Artists seem to know that most of the attention in late December will be focused on the best songs of the past year. Why would you want to release a track that’s just going to get forgotten in the hoopla of the holiday season?

For a new music junkie like me, it was actually refreshing to step away from the blogs and podcasts and just enjoy the tunes that we’d heard this year. But that’s done — and it’s time now to get back into the new ish. I don’t have many for you today, but the ones I do have will knock your block off. Lezzzzzzgo!

The number one concert that I’m looking forward to in January is the return of Brodinski with his Bromance teammate Gesaffelstein — a tag-team event in Toronto on Jan. 21st at Wrongbar, brought to you by Embrace Presents. If you’re a frequent visitor to this page, you’ll know how much I adore this French duo. The leaked remix of Justice‘s On’n'On EP has dropped, and it’s looking to get the year started right. Brodinski’s track is the one I was able to get my hands on, but Tiga‘s is floating around out there as well. Do me a favour and find it! It’s heavy. Justice Remixed by Brodinski … doesn’t it feel like 2012 is gonna be BIG?

Justice – On’n'On (Brodinski Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

This track is one of those tunez you either love or hate. For those who hate, I simply state that it needs to be heard in the dark — preferably surrounded by zombies, as you fight with the last of your desperate strength the song’s insistence that you must LOSE YOUR SOUL!  Melodramatic? Naw, just Afrojack baby!

Afrojack – Show Me Your Rage (Original Mix): LISTEN TO IT HERE 

Sometimes you look at the title and artist of a track, and before you even hit play you know it’s a bomb — especially when bomb is in the name. Fukkk Offf is back, and he comes bearing gifts of frankincense and bass. Of course, he has help in the form of the Dirty Disco Youth. Together they drop a massive payload of club megatonnage.

Dirty Disco Youth & Fukkk Offf – Bomb Disaster: LISTEN TO IT HERE 

Ayayayi! Three tunes and three anthems. And I’ve left the best for last, kiddy kats. This tune should turn up your minus-15 day a few degrees. LAZRtag is here to drop another track — and this bomb is apocalyptic. I lost my lunch at the four minute mark. Words don’t do it justice. Just pick it up, amigo!

Thomas J – Drop The Bomb (LAZRtag Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

This is gonna be goood…………………………..xx 

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Posted by Scott Willats

No question: Zeds Dead made this holiday season their own. After a more than impressive Toronto show at Kool Haus (which bpm:tv captured for an upcoming Spotlight), DC and Hooks decided to give the perfect encore at Wrongbar. By 9pm the lineup was already down the block.

This party used to be in a basement — now it’s sold out for days, the hardest ticket to get in the biggest city in Canada. Success! I won’t even get into the logistics of the show. Lemme just say, calmy: they did very well.

The best thing about catching one of these Bassmentality events is to see the guys in their element. I remember at a Designer Drugs show earlier this year there was a moment of chaos when things got a little out of hand and crowd started to bum rush the stage. After a minute of silence and calming everyone down, they started their set again. Not Zeds Dead, not The Killabits, not Bassmentality. When the crowd went h.a.m. they went meatloaf. You wanna knock my Pioneers? No prob bruv, we gonna wobble the f*** out of u.

Got some sweets for you right here. Not all brand new tracks — just the stuff that rocked my personal holidays.

Biz and Sam were in the giving mood this Yuletide. Here is an electro version of Kill the Noise – Dying. First release off their 8 Crazy Nights.

Kill The Noise Ft. Emily Hudson – Dying (The Killabits Electro Edit): LISTEN AND DOWNLOAD HERE

This is an old one — but it was new to me this week and is on repeat heavily. Look out for Fytch!

Nina Simone – Feeling Good (Fytch Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

I recently posted on twitter (@Sawstruck) that this track is the tune of the moment. Benga takes A-Trak‘s latest and makes it his….

Stingray – Benga Remix: LISTEN TO IT HERE

If this track wasn’t on your New Year’s Eve playlist, then you weren’t doing New Year’s right.

Disco Slut (Asco Remix) – The Sleepover, Reece Low & Meltek Feat. J.Net: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Another oldie but essential … lap it up!

Mustard Pimp – ZHM (Dada Life Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

This’ll go down nicely with that leftover turkey and eggnog.

Matt & Kim – Cameras (Gucci Vump Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Let’s take a trip to Disney’s Tron soundtrack and venture a tune from the three rudest dudes in the game.

Daft Punk – Derezzed (The Glitch Mob Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

More post-Christmas catch-up to come ….

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Posted by Scott Willats

Today is the day we dubheadz have been waiting for all week. Sam and Biz continue their tour as they make a quick homecoming at The Mod Club. Tonight it’s all about the bass!

In case you’ve been situated in a wormhole for the past couple of years, I’ll explain who Sam and Biz are.  They’re a pair of DJs — a.k.a. The Killabits — who (along with their cronies Zeds Dead) are changing the face of dubstep. They have taken this genre and created a culture. Along with the folks at Embrace Presents, they started what has become a ritual on Wednesday nights in the streets of Toronto: Bassmentality.  Borgore, Skrillex, Doctor P etc. have all blessed the stage at Wrongbar because of the reputation these guys have.

When you get a chance to talk to them, it becomes easy to see where they get it. Besides being among the most innovative artists Toronto has produced in recent times, they are incredigbly open to all genres of music.  When I talked to Sam and Biz at WEMF, I referred to them as a dubstep group and was pulled up short right away: “We’re not pigeonholed to that role, we play good music.” How could I argue with Biz? Just 15 minutes earlier, these guys were playing an almost jungle-sounding track with a heavy bass influence, so nasty the clouds themselves took issue and decided to shut down the festival for half an hour with a torrential downpour. Sick.

Whatever you call them, make sure you add “hard-working,” because these guys have put in their time and effort, and now they’re enjoying the well-deserved fruits of their labour.  I’m not going to waste time talking about the songs I’m posting because the sh*t is hot — ’nuff said!  Do yourself a favour though: CATCH THESE DUDES LIVE (!!!!) and see what music is all about.  They weren’t the last set at the timeless Social Club in Toronto by accident. For those of you who can’t make it to their shows, no stress: bpm:tv has got you covered. Our Live Sessions Canada crew will be on hand at The Mod Club tonight. And if you can make it … well, be sure to load up on the Gatorade and vodka, cuz it’s gonna be a long night.  See you there!

Also, help out your Canadian artists out and buy these on Beatport!

The Killabits – Just A Fool

Deadmau5 – Raise Your Weapon (Noisia Remix) (The Killabits Moombahcore Edit)

Freedom Or Death – This Crowded Room (The Killabits Remix)

… and if that last one wasn’t enough: say goodbye to your speakers. On repeat all day!!!

The Killabits – She Said (dubstep remix): LISTEN TO THIS ONE HERE

If I were to ever try to make a song, it would be for just one reason: the off-chance they might remix it … xx

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Posted by Scott Willats

The weekend is here — and the first weekend of fall is usually accompanied by a rush to get the last bit of summer partyin’ in. The weather should be nice, and the number of artists playing across Canada is enough to keep you occupied.

The people at Embrace Presents never cease to amaze me. Whenever an artist is in high demand, they seem to have a way of getting them to come to Canada — and to their prize venues. Tonight is no different, as Toronto’s Mod Club will host UK riddim rocka Toddla T. T has been a buzzword for the last couple months with the release of his long-player Watch Me Dance. The album is everything you would expect: a lot of drum’n'bass-like backbeats to go along with some hard hitting dancehall vibez fit for a soundclash in Kingston, Jamaica. The thing about T is, he’s a showman — not quite a Steve Aoki, but I guarantee that if you’re at Wrongbar tonight, he’ll find away to send you home kissing your teeth and yelling “Bombahclottt!” to your local cabdriver. I expect it to be madness. Lots of tunes to choose from, but this track has been bumping throughout the bpm:tv offices for the past month.

Toddla T – Body Good (with Timberlee): LISTEN TO IT HERE!

Brand new video HERE for a track that I posted last week. Cutting edge vybez, uzeeemi!

It doesn’t end there. Remix king Alex Metric will be at The Hoxton on Saturday. He’s touching down in Toronto for the first time in a while, and it just might be the show of the weekend. Expect to hear one of your favourite songs completely changed into something more dance friendly. I’m really hoping to get five minutes with him, because I want to know what goes into his remix recipe. Song selection, vocals, synths, bpm … how does he make them all so effortlessly? Maybe these questions aren’t supposed to be answered. Like why is the sky blue? Why is blue blue? If a tree falls in the woods and nobody’s there to hear it, will Alex Metric remix it? You let me know. I hope to see you there!

La Roux – Quicksand (Alex Metric Remix)

Here’s his new shhhh.

Alex Metric – Raveageddon

And, of course, it’s Friday, so here are my Sweets of the Week:

Hail Social – Heaven (Designer Drugs Remix)

Neo – Change (T*ts & Cl*ts Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE!

This last one is bit special …

ConspiratorOfficial – Gypsy Lane

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