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.
Kind of a calm-before-the-storm weekend. Not that much new stuff dropped — but what did definitely raise some eyebrows. First was a quick video teaser from Zeds Dead. You really have to appreciate what these guys are doing right now. Sure, the whole hip-hop/dubstep thing has been taking off everywhere, but DC and Hooks are doing it differently — and doing it better, some (OK, me) would say. Their video teasers and trailers, especially, are sheer genius, creating such a buzz around the songs that they seem larger than life. This video highlights their new track “The One.” Check it out — and be sure to cop the Victor EP while you’re at it.
I’m a huge fan of Ecotek, so when this dropped late last week it was an automatic download. With Paige on vocals, it sounds downright heavenly. Reminiscent of Deadmau5, it’s made for boats and beaches. Throw in remixes from Kevin Alves and Trajikk & Joman, and the whole EP is a must-grab.
Speaking of progressive house, I have a gem for fans of that genre. Whelan & Di Scala are two dudes out of Liverpool who have a track that’s climbing the Beatport charts. “The Fox” will put a smile on your face no matter where you are. This is an immediate buy.
A big shout-out to Pleasurekraft, who have been a personal fave of mine since their remix of “La La Land” a few years back. The boys were just in Toronto last week — check out the Provoke Web site HERE for a taste of what you missed. The double Ks, Kaveh and Kalle, know how to nail that perfect balance of carnival and progressive house to create sustained pleasure. Always a good show, and often an even better listen, this Swedish-American duo will be one of the hottest acts to catch this week in Miami. Keep an ear out for their new joint “Skeleton Key,” featuring Green Velvet on vocals. Should be a return to the glory of “La La Land” all over again.
What can we say about Toronto duo Zeds Dead that we haven’t already said? These guys have caught the wave of momentum so many artists crave and are riding it far ahead of the pack. In a week that has seen new releases from Alesso, Ingrosso and Kill The Noise it’s a double dose of Zeds Dead that has the kids going wild. DC and Hooks seem to be in perfect form, hitting the best stretch they have ever known. It’s a demonstration of the truth behind the old adage: hard work and dedication to your craft really will bring you the respect you deserve.
And let’s not forget Omar LinX. This young spitta is stepping up his game in a major way. For so long, dubstep rappers seem to have taken a backseat to the more traditional flowers. But LinX is walking right up to that stereotype with a automatic shotgun and sending it to its maker. His skill is undeniable, his chemistry with DC and Hooks extraordinary. Prepare for a nation of copycats to try to mimic the sound these three have created – but know that just ’cause it glitters don’t mean it’s gold.
And a lesson here for all up-and-coming DJs and producers: Zeds Dead initially gave away almost all of their tracks for free. That’s how you create a fanbase — well, that and making stinky, stanky, filthy, outrageous, disgusting, epic, ragin’ tracks!!!
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
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.
After a string … no, scratch that, a rope of shows across North America, two of Toronto’s finest producers return home to celebrate a successful 2011. How do these two celebrate? By melting your face. Get grimy.
DC and Hooks, a.k.a. Zeds Dead, embody exactly what you think of when it comes to Toronto musicians. Humble, focused and swagged up. Humble in that they know luck as well as talent has played a part in their success: your songs coming out at the perfect moment; Skream and Kissy Sell Out both dropping your tracks on BBC Radio 1; the insane evolution of Bassmentality; and the fact that they and The Killabits have helped one another rise to prominence. Humble, too, in that they don’t take credit for creating a scene in one of Toronto’s most “over-scened” communities.
Focused in their dedication to their craft. The earlier Zed sounds had a hip-hop influence. Originally known as Mass Productions (2004 – 2008), they were the type of producers the real hip-hop heads loved. The DJ Premier type of feel, but with an ear for the new culture. They kept that urban feel and evolved it. I truly think that Zed’s tracks are so heavy because they are made for rappers. They are made for you to jump up and down, with lyrics going off in your head, like your Sean Price of Boot Camp Clik or Lil Fame of M.O.P. They got that “Ante Up” sound that keeps you energized and thirsty for blood. And even as they’ve evolved, that sound has stayed present.
“Keeping it real” is one of the most ridiculous phrases of our generation. Check out Dave Chappelle’s classic “When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong” to see the perfect example of how flawed that idea can be. But thetre are exceptions to the rule — and sticking to your roots is one of them. When it comes to their production, Zeds Dead keeps it real.
Swagged up. You don’t get this good without having a little skank in ya step. You have to believe there’s nobody out there who can rip the crowd apart like you do. When you’re in the studio, you have to be able to hear a finished-seeming track and know what it is you can add that will take it to the next level. You have to believe you’re doing something nobody else out there can do.
It’s a weird time for dubstep. With the emergence of Logic, Ableton and the millions of VST that you can find online, the process of creating these tracks has become extremely watered down. Zed’s Dead have been innovators of the dubstep movement, and they remain ahead of the pack because they don’t stick with the simple dub formula. They are creative and choose songs to remix that most others wouldn’t even think about. Most of all, they don’t strictly make dubstep; they strictly make good music.
Let’s be straight: I don’t need to tell you how good these guys are because you’re Canadian — you already know. What most Canadian fans really seem to love about DC and Hooks is how proud they are to rep the maple leaf. They helped create a scene in Canada’s biggest city, and brought the hottest international acts to smaller venues at a time when the big clubs were overlooking these talents. (Now these selfsame acts are headlining the world’s biggest festivals and being nominated for Grammys.)
There comes a point when you know an artist or group has hit either hit their peak or are about to do something game-changing. Zeds Dead are rapidly approaching that spot, and with the release of Ruckus the Jam it’s clear that they have chosen the latter. In anticipation of next week’s huuuuuuuuuuge show at Kool Haus, we present … brand new Zeds Dead!
There’s a reason I’m enthused every time I hear a new OVERWERK track. The kid is an absolute magician in the studio and seems to be able to create sounds that for the mass audience with every production. Listen to me: the EP is free, pick it up riggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhht now! You’ll thank me in the new year!
Okay, this could potentially be big. Daft Punk are gods, simple enough. Well, I came across something very interesting on deathelectro.com. And I quote:
Read this letter to The Daft Club:
My dad works at Virgin Records in the UK and has access to the servers on their Computers. He came home Friday night with a USB stick, I use it from time to time for my files for Uni. I Had to put some photos from my computer to my dads so I used His USB on Sunday. When I know I did, i found something interesting…I found a file on the USB titled ‘Daft Punk – Sky Dive (2012) (Previews Promo)’.
Well it’s not that awesome. I’m sure his pops is wishing he didn’t let him use that USB. Whether or not this is the real deal, we don’t know yet … buuuuuuut, it has a Daft sound. Tell me what you think:
Here’s a track that will simply make you feel good. The song is very familiar, but this remix blends with the vocals to perfection. I think it’s perfect holiday party track. Not too heavy, but enough spunk to get everyone up. Wintercore!
I also have the new EP from The Shack. These vibes are a little more chill, which I’m really digging. The basslines on all the tracks are awesome. The EP was released on the Faze Action label, so it’s no doubt that he blesses us with the remixes. A good EP to keep in your back pocket.
Lastly I got the brand new video from Major Lazer, “Original Don.” First time I heard this song I was torn. It’s huge, but it’s also annoying. Halfway through you’re like, “What am I listening to?” — but you don’t press stop. Anyhoo, I was expecting a video shot in Jamaica, with a bunch of goons and gangstas all crowding the streets of Kingston. What we get instead is a little different. You figure it out.
A lot went down this week. A wicked Toronto show by Hamburg’s finest, Digitalism, was the highlight. Though it came on a damp and dreary day, the place was brought to life by the sounds from I Love You, Dude. Real humble, honest and talented is the way to describe this German pair. When I got to interview them, I was impressed by how open and forthcoming they were. They even offered to send us some T-shirts to give to bpm:tv fans. We’ll let you know as soon as they arrive.
Also, congrats to all the EDM artists nominated for Grammy Awards. This is a true example of how our genre is taking over the world. I’m not much of a Grammys fan, but you have to at least appreciate the gesture. Deadmau5 really better win one, and I’m crossing my fingers that Skrillex will claim best new artist, though he’ll have stiff competiton from J Cole and Nicki Minaj. The most interesting category will be Best Dance Recording. The nominees:
* Deadmau5 & Greta Svabo Bech – “Raise Your Weapon”
* Duck Sauce – “Barbra Streisand”
* David Guetta & Avicii – “Sunshine”
* Robyn – “Call Your Girlfriend”
* Skrillex – “Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites”
* Swedish House Mafia – “Save The World”
Those are all big songs, buuuuuut … well, it’s kinda the reason I don’t like the Grammys. But I’ll keep that to myself. In my opinion, this has to go to Duck Sauce; that song was way more than an anthem. The Robyn track is a close second — and the rest, in my opinion, aren’t even the best songs these artists put out in the past year. But I digress. With luck, we’ll see some killer performances on the show.
The leak of Bowski‘s Poppies EP is definitely the other highlight of my week — but I’ve already talked about that. So here are a few other things to take you into the weekend. Enjizzzoy!
First up: our hometown boys are killing it. Killabits in Belgium, Zeds Dead tearing up North America … Dec. 17th at Kool Haus is gonna be wickkkkkkkkkkkkked. This video is nutz.
GRiZ is fast becoming my favourite producer. Detroit What!
Great video just posted a few days ago: Toronto dubsters Zeds Dead tear it up at the Mad Decent Block Party in NYC. I wasn’t lucky enough to be at this event (insert sad emoticon here), so I’ll let the visuals tell the story.
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!!!
