Posted by Scott Willats

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 HARD both 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.

Of Monsters & Men – Little Talks (The Knocks Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

In anticipation of Saturday’s main event: 5omething brand new from the Mau5.

Deadmau5 – There Might Be Coffee: LISTEN TO IT HERE

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?!?

Fool’s Gold – Clubhouse Vol. 2: LISTEN TO IT HERE

I got news for you: this isn’t house.

Dream – This Isn’t House EP: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Big room time!

Zedd feat. Matthew Koma – Spectrum (3LAU Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Eddie Thoneick & Norman Doray – Celsius (Original Mix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

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.

Adventure Club – Retro City: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Brand new Sound Remedy!

Ellie Goulding – Hanging On (Sound Remedy Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE 

So glad the full version of this is finally out. This is special.

VISUAL SWEETS

Already a huge fan of Dan Black, but this is trippy. I love it.

Nobody’s quite doing it like Calvin Harris right now. Anybody else thinking it’s time for him to do an album with Example?

August 10th. The Hoxton. You will find me there.

Justice flashback!

… and that’s it, kiddos. Be safe this weekend (but not too safe) and make sure you rep bpm:tv a llllllll weekend long!

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Posted by Scott Willats

A Tuesday to celebrate for fans of French house (and really, aren’t we all?). One of bpm:tv’s — and Canada’s — favourite European DJs, Martin Solveig has released the latest instalment in his “Smash” series of videos.

“Smash” has proven a massive success, and has really demonstrated what good music, clever filmmaking and savvy use of social media can accomplish for an artist. In addition to which, it has revealed a charmingly vulnerable and human side to one of EDM’s true superstar DJs — something refreshing for all of us “ordinary” people to see.

This new episode, “The Night Out,” features cameos from Sidney Samson, A-Trak, Porter Robinson, Dillon Francis, Laidback Luke, Zedd and many more. The offbeat humour of the story, the pause-worthy guest appearances, the stellar cinematography — there’s something in here for just about everybody. Enjoy the show!

Previously on “Smash” …

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Posted by Scott Willats

First and foremost a Happy Good Friday and Easter Sunday to all of bpm nation. Amidst all your ragin’ this long weekend, try to take a few minutes to remember the meaning of the holiday.

Thursday is one of the biggest nights in the club world. Even the people who don’t enjoy clubbing — because of the crowds, because of the price it exacts on your wallet and your body — will be out and about tonight. I think it’s a great time to hit a club that has a resident DJ and see what he or she is playing. Are they sticking with the tried-and-true crowd-pleasers, or pushing the boundaries with some creative new sounds? All questions worth answering, while indulging in a few drinks and the occasional taste of eye candy.

With Coachella coming up, next week’s Sweets will be dedicated to that infamous festival, which showcases some of the best acts in the world in a three-day clusterf**k. Meantime, this week’s helping should hold you all the way to 4/20, when we will get high together. Figuratively speaking, of course .

SWEETS

Return of the Mizzack! Best tune of the week

Mark Morrison – Return Of The Mack (Viceroy “Jet Life” Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

After seeing these guys perform two weeks ago, I’m really wishing I could have been in Miami when they made this!

Tocadisco feat. Julian Smith – That Miami Track ( Bassjackers Remix ): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Couldn’t believe I hadn’t posted this yet. Hugeness from Zedd

Zedd – Shotgun: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Very proper!

BeatauCue – Slow Down: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Been a while since I heard the Japanese Popstars. Very much missed them. BTW: Not Japanese. Not pop stars. Now you know.

BeatauCue – Slow Down (The Japanese Popstars Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Came across these just a couple of days ago. Thought I would share. Different, yet utterly irresistible.

C2C – Down The Road: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Get used to these guys.

These Vile Creatures – Helicopter Showdown feat. Lea Luna: LISTEN TO IT HERE 

VISUAL SWEETS

Keep an eye out for that Steve Aoki Web exclusive coming soon!

Dillllllllon Francis and Nero Tomorrow!!!!!!

…enjoy the Easter eggggggggggs!

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Posted by Scott Willats

A crazy night last night, what with running back and forth from The Cobra to The Hoxton to check out Jack Beats, Annie Mac and Kim Fai. And I wouldn’t have had it any other way: loads of great music, and even better people to celebrate it with.

Mind you, between last night, Bassmentality on Wednesday and Nico Jaar at Revival tonight, there hasn’t been much time to spend polishing my prose to perfection. So let’s just get straight to the point: SWEETS!!!!

Fun. – We Are Young (Alvin Risk Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

The S – Apology (Original Mix) WMC 2012 Exclusive: LISTEN TO IT HERE 

Zedd – Stars Come Out (Dillon Francis Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Eptic – Like A Boss (Neversaydie)

SWEETEST OF THE WEEK 

Hyper Crush – Werk Me (OVERWERK Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

If you’re in Toronto tonight, get your ass to Revival to see one of my top-five-dead-or-alive producers tear up the club: Nico Jaar. Info and tix HERE.

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Posted by Scott Willats

First week of January, and it feels like mid-July the way our favourite DJs keep rolling out these tunez

The word “DJ” is sort of an understatement nowadays. When you try to explain to a Baby Boomer that you’re paying 40 dollars to see a DJ, they give a look of disgust and pity at the thought of wasting so much money to see someone do something anyone can do. Little do they know that these DJ’s are creating some of the world’s most innovative sounds with “those computer thingys.” I’m not saying there’s no one from the older generation who gets it, but I’m surprised at how little respect is shown to these artists. OK, Brodinski and Gesaffelstein aren’t the Beatles — but I wouldn’t argue if you compared them to Simon & Garfunkel. Outrageous or spot on?

If 2011 has gone down around these parts at the year The Sheepdogs graced the cover of Rolling Stone, 2012 could be the year when these next few artists become household names. Maybe they won’t reach your parents’ database — and that’s fine. But put an asterisk beside these names in your cerebral memory card.

The Boomers … well, let’s just say it all sounds like this to them…..

Zedd is back with a brand new cut. Not quite hitting the highs of “Stars Come Out,” but big nonetheless. It’s one of those tracks that takes you on a roller coaster, never really letting you settle on one sound: the mark of an innovative producer.

Zedd – Slam The Door (Original Mix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

The secret of Sound Remedy is killing me yet keeping me on my toes. The perfect marketing scheme for all you young producers out there: keep your identity and productions ideas as quiet as you can for as long as you can, until you create the biggest buzz imaginable. I have a brand new cut from him today, and it’s an absolute beast made for boat rides, winter club floors or just playing on your shuffle at work. Bump it loud!

Sound Remedy – Reach For The Stars: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Came across this track on the blogs, just minding my own business. I love unknown producers. FareOh and Archie V. aren’t exactly big names where I’m from, but that doesn’t mean these two aren’t beasts behind the boards. This track has a certain Swedish DJ feel, but they make it their own by implementing some good drops. Unfortunately, the name of the song gives it a limited shelf life — but hey, we still got 359 days left to jam to this track. And it’s free! POW!

Fareoh & Archie V. – 2012 (Twenty Twelve) – Instrumental Mix: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Every party needs a couple of tracks like these. Originally made for the movie Drive, this one makes you feel sexy even without leather and red lipstick — although, ladies, those would accompany the track elegantly.

Oliver – Dirty Talk: LISTEN TO IT HERE

As you know, sometimes I can be a bit biased. Just a tad, but all in a good cause. Basically, anytime I hear anything new from Kris Menace, I support it. Usually that’s a no-brainer. When I first checked this song, I thought the original sounded a mile better. But the more I keep playing it, the more I like it.

Oliver – Dirty Talk – (Black Van Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Our boy ZHU is still at it and still making bangers. Week 16 of his song-a-week project delivers an absolute beast named “Serene.” I can’t wait until he’s finished with this year, looks at everything he’s done, and starts reworking some of these tracks. This song is H.a.m. by itself, absolutely loving it, but it could go in so many directions and I’d love to see him explore them all. Until then, this will definitely suffice. Banger!

ZHU – Serene (Original Mix): LISTEN TO IT HERE 

Dubstep time! Skrillex is everywhere right now, and the release of Bangarang will keep him in the spotlight. I got no beef with that. But it’s Aylen’s remix of the Ellie Goulding-inspired “Summit” that has my speakers wobbling the neighbours downstairs. Worth a listen — check it out.

Skrillex – Summit (feat. Ellie Goulding) (Aylen Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

So we got the house anthems, the crazy innovative sound of Zedd, some dubstep, and the synthetic bliss of Oliver. What are we missing? Oh yeah: French electro! I swear, Brodinski is in his zone like The Miami Heat right now. Dude is remixing some fire. This time he takes Gesaffelstein‘s “Viol” and sets it on fire. This track was already one of the biggest of the last year, and Brodinski makes it fresh for 2012. I cannot stress how amazing the Jan. 21 Toronto concert at The Hoxton is gonna be — go to Embrace Presents and get your tickets now!

Gesaffelstein – Viol (Brodinski Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Visual Sweets …

Got a brand new video from Basto here, and I like it. Not often that you see videos for remixes, but this one seems well worth it.

An older video — but sick!

Buraka Som Sistema are coming to Canada very soon. If they’re in your area, trust me: you’ll want to … Stay up All Night!

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Posted by Scott Willats

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!

VLSONN – dx707: LISTEN TO IT HERE 

Dec. 9th Sweets: what more can be said of Zeds Dead? If 2011 is any indication of what 2012 will bring, we might be looking at a dynasty!

Zeds Dead – Ruckus The Jam: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Dec. 2nd: Possibly the biggest breakthrough of the year was this 21-year-old from Michigan. GRiZ is it!

Can’t Tell Me Nothing by Kanye West (GRiZ REmix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Nov 25th brought us German prodigy Zedd‘s newest release. Getting a lot of love throughout North America with this one.

Zedd – Stars Come Out feat. Heather Bright: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Nov 16th gave the “iPod song” a new identity

Caesars – Jerk It Out (Sawgood Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Remembrance Day had all the vets going wild with the latest from Blood Music’s LeBreton.

LeBreton – Ghoul: LISTEN TO IT HERE 

Nov 4th was Deadmau5 week … with “Aural Psynapse” being the treat of choice

Deadmau5 – Aural Psynapse: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Oct. 27th had Nico Jaar‘s newest on blast!

Sneaky Sound System – Always By Your Side (Nicolas Jaar Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Oct. 20th brought Bombs Away …

Gotye – Somebody That I Used To Know (Bombs Away Dubstep Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE 

Oct. 14th … it’s all Bassssss.

Ferry Corsten – Check It Out (Bassjackers Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Thanksgiving!!!! Shots to the head with this one.

Headshotboyz – Sweton: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Sept. 30th was all Killa Killa….

Easy – Heatshock (The Killabits Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Sept. 23rd had Toddla T in town

Toddla T – ‘Streets So Warm’ feat. Wayne Marshall & Skream: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Sept. 16th….where’s the Dillon at?!?!?

Toddla T – Take It Back (Dillon Francis Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Sept. 9th … some Toronto swag. Poupon just might be the next big thing!

Poupon – Searching EP: LISTEN TO IT HERE

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

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Posted by Scott Willats

Beautiful weekend in the city. Mild and dark, accompanied by some great sets — just the way I like my Novembers. Zedd and Boys Noize both blessing us with some stellar shows. I feel like the electro scene has never been bigger when you see the turnouts and anticipation for these shows. It’s a good time to be a fan, and it seems like it’s only getting better.

First, I’ve gotta talk about how incredible a Boys Noize set is. Very often during live sets I’ll find myself getting lost in the music; some DJs have a great stage presence, others not so much. Boys Noize’s presence is second to none — and I really think that counts these days. Look at Sebastian Ingrosso from Swedish House Mafia. Maybe not the absolute best producer (though still very good), but he brings it every time. By the end of the show it’s not the music that you came to hear — it’s him. Boys Noize is the exact same, with one little exception: his tunes are outta this f***ing world!

Boys Noize – Yeah: LISTEN TO IT HERE

I snapped a couple quick pics to help you get a feel of what the Boys Noize set was like. Check ‘em out HERE.

I wasn’t able to make it out to the Zedd concert, but a good friend and music snob told me it was also well done. Zedd has been getting a lot of exposure in the past three months and keeps delivering some very, very big tunes. I’m expecting him to be a household name soon.

Zedd – Autonomy (Original Mix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Another big week ahead, as Canada welcomes Digitalism with open arms. I’m a huge fan of their style and sound, so it’s going to be exciting to sit down and chat with them on Tuesday. Any specific questions you’d like me to ask? Hit me up @Sawstruck.

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Exhausted from the incredible Boys Noize show at The Hoxton last night, I’ve reached deep and wide to find some of the biggest tracks in z world for ya. Today’s post features a man who’s playing The Mod Club tonight, a moombahton king, and a track from the nicest dude in the biz. No point on dwelling on the obvious, let’s get to it.

SWEETS

At The Mod Club tonight: the musically gifted Zedd. The young German gave away a free dubstep track earlier this week and it has been ringing around the blog world ever since. However, it’s his feature single that I think will be the  track conquering dancefloors this winter. This track has all the essentials to be an anthem. I figure you’ll like it, so: double dose time!

Zedd — Stars Come Out feat. Heather Bright (Radio Rip Preview): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Zedd – Scorpion Move: LISTEN AND DOWNLOAD HERE

BONUS SWEET!

Here’s the young prodigy playing the piano at age nine …

Next up: an artist from Skrillex’s OWLSA label, Kill The Noise. If you’re used to the electro bangers that they put out then you are going to be overwhelmed by the production value of this EP. Every track has its own vibe and energy, and to be perfectly honest … this is heavy in every sense. I honestly found it just about impossible to choose between the tracks to post. These are just the first two. Kill The Noise!

Kill The Noise – Kill The Noise (Part One): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Kill The Noise – Deal With It: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Speaking of Kill the Noise, there’s an absolute killer remix produced by Dillon Francis on there. By now I’m sure you’re aware that I’m a big Dillon Francis fan. Lately, though, I’ve felt he’s been lacking that characteristic soul-shaking, swaggadelic vibe. But this remix of Death Cab for Cutie‘s “Under the Sycamore” joint comes on like a punch in the face. Enjizzoy!

Death Cab For Cutie – Underneath The Sycamore (Dillon Francis Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Here’s something a little outside of the norm. I don’t usually care for remixes of tracks that have been out for a couple of years, or are such huge hits that they’ve already been remixed a hundred times. But I like this one, for some reason. North Carolina’s Cry Wolf have taken Justin Timberlake‘s “SexyBack” and killed it. Some will love this, some will hate. Your choice.

Justin Timberlake – SexyBack (Cry Wolf Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Next: a double dose from one of Holland’s finest, Laidback Luke. Always a huge fan of Luke’s tracks, and this is no different. I find that he goes into modes where you don’t hear from him at all, and then he drops, like, three massive tracks in a matter of two weeks. The Eric Prydz gift/curse, I’d call it. The first one here with Sander van Doorn is huge.

Laidback Luke and Sander van Doorn – Who’s Wearing The Cap: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Chris Lake – Sundown (Laidback Luke Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Lastly: Hardwell. Haven’t always been the biggest fan, but consistency kills skepticsm. In this anthem — and all he seems to make is anthems — he teams up with Dutch producer JoeySuki. The result … well, you can see/hear for yourself. The video is a great teaser — check it out!

Here’s the BBC Rip. Support the industry and buy the track!

Hardwell & JoeySuki – Munster (BBC Radio Premiere): LISTEN TO IT HERE

That’s it for now. Pics of Boys Noize and a Kaskade review next week!

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Posted by Scott Willats

Friday Friday Friday! 11-11-11 is todays date, and a numeric coincidence this special needs to be an occasion. Carl Cox is playing tonight at Downsview Park, Studio 3. If you happen to be around, I would definitely advise you to take that in — Cox never disappoints. This Saturday, meanwhile, Toronto will get its first look at a man I’ve spoken highly of before: Porter Robinson. Porter the Prodigy is going to be playing at The Hoxton tomorrow, and I expect him to serenade the Big Smoke. Once again Embrace Presents is the machine making this possible, so if you’re in the Toronto area be sure to grab some tix and head down to Bathurst and King!

On to the rich stuff. I got a couple of bangers for you and your crew that should fill your craving. A brand new track from a brand new artist on Fake Blood’s cult symbol and ever addictive Blood Music label. I also have remixes by some pretty influential DJ’s and a mini-mix of epic proportions. A quick warning, however: too many sweets will leave you only craving our beats! Straight heat!

SWEETS

First comes from a man who is touring with Skrillex and almost stealing the show. 12th Planet released his new singles this week and they scratch that dark-dub-itch perfectly.

12th Planet – Corner Pocket (Original Mix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Next up is a track that will sound very familiar if you’ve checked my mini-mix already. Kaskade takes Zedd’s “Shave It” and makes it his own. Honestly, I don’t even think this should be called a remix — so polished!

Zedd – Shave It (Kaskade Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Next up, on Fake Blood‘s Blood Music label is a young man named LeBreton. I have no idea who this guy is, but he sounds like the perfect fit for the label. His EP Glass was released on Tuesday but it’s “Ghoul” that had me wearing red all week. (Makes me wonder if this is a Fake Blood alias — and that’s a compliment.)

LeBreton – Ghoul: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Who is GRiZ?!?! This mid-Michigan kid is an absolute beast on the boards. I’ve never heard a young producer drop so many soulful tracks. I guess that’s the Motown in him. This track is a therapeutic experience.

GRiZ – Where Is The Love: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Adam Björnberg is a Swede who was born in … 1994! This is getting ridiculous. The Swedes are like the Detroit Red Wings of the EDM world: they just keep inventing new talent and staying at the top of the charts. Try this big room banger!

Bjornberg – Absolut (Original Mix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Speaking of big room Swedes, is there any bigger than Avicii?

Freemasons feat. Siedah Garrett – Rain Down Love (Avicii & Julien Kern Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

TREAT

Aaaaaand … just in case you missed the post yesterday: a brand new mini-mix by your favourite host/writer/DJ/music whore!

Enjoy the weekend and blast that latest bpm:tv mini-mix as loud as you can!!!!!!! 

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A little treat for you this Thursday. I know some of you are waiting for the latest installment of Scott’s Selections. I’m a little tardy with it, and once I let it slide for a week I make a new one because I find a couple of tracks that I neeeeed to mix in it.

So anyway, I thought I’d give you a special mini-mix prepared by yours truly. It feature some things new, some things old, and all things borrowed. I present to you: Scott’s Selections – Nibbles ‘N’ Hitz (Mini Mix edition). Available for Download HERE!

TRACKLIST

Porter Robinson – The Wildcat

Overwerk – Buzzin

Zedd – Shave it (Kaskade Remix)

Spencer & Hill – One Touch Away (DallasK Remix)

Buy Now – For Sale (Felix da Housecat Remix)

Enjizzzzoy!

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