NOW Magazine // Music // The future sound of Toronto

The future sound of Toronto

Done with dancing to other DJs’ beats, a new wave of local producers are about to crash the party

Benjamin Boles

Toronto is finally poised to make the transition from being a great town to party in to being the town that provides the soundtrack for the rest of the world to party to.

DJs all over the planet have noticed there’s something going on here, and it’s high time we recognized this ourselves.

So writing a cover story about a local up-and-coming dance producer, someone on the verge of breaking on an international level, was a no-brainer. Except when the list of candidates was tossed around, it was obvious that picking only one wouldn’t do the scene justice. There’s just too much talent here.

Toronto has had a number of club music success stories. Nick Holder, Hatiras, Deadmau5, MSTRKRFT and Moonstarr all come quickly to mind, and that’s not even touching on all the minimal techno and drum ’n’ bass artists who’ve put out quality records.

But there’s never been such an overwhelming volume of beats coming out of this town before. Still, in many ways, it’s surprising that it took this long for us to get here.

We’ve long had an exceptionally strong club scene, but for whatever reason we’ve always partied to the sounds coming out of other cities rather than trying to forge our own identity.

In the 80s, the Twilight Zone was our respected equivalent of legendary clubs like Chicago’s Warehouse and NYC’s Paradise Garage, and our rave scene in the 90s was one of the biggest in the world. Industry Nightclub was cited by many international DJs as one of their favourite places to play. More recently, the Guvernment and Circa have made a big impression on the global mega-club scene.

On the underground level, you can find a Toronto exemplar for pretty much any niche genre. If you want deep soulful house, promoters like Garage 416 still bring out big crowds after more than a decade; if you want scrappy digital hardcore, you’ve got parties like Embryon. And it’s long been true that lots of international DJs play for bigger crowds here than in their own hometowns.

Despite having so many places to dance, Toronto has never been associated with a particular sound, and likely never will be, thanks to our famously ambiguous, amorphous identity. In the past, that might have held us back, but now that dance music sub-genres are less segregated, there’s finally an opportunity for our crazy-quilt approach to get the attention it deserves.

So we settled not on one artist for our cover story, but 10. The acts we’re spotlighting all have their own sound and influences but aren’t tied closely to any previous established scene. They do, however, often cross paths, and you’ll see many of the same faces in the crowd at each of their gigs, even if Loetech’s throbbing take on dubstep is miles away from Mansion’s upbeat stadium house, and Syntonics’ updated booty bass has little in common with TMDP’s synth disco.

This cross-pollination of scenes and sounds will lead the way for Toronto and the world. The days of trying to emulate the regional genres of other cities are over – people want to dance to a variety of sounds in the course of an evening, and variety is exactly what Toronto excels at.

On that note, here’s who we predict will come out with the next Toronto dance floor anthems. They’re also a reminder to everybody that there’s more to club music than NYC, Ibiza, Berlin, Paris and London.

To prove the point, we’ve teamed up with Circa to present a party featuring most of our picks, commissioned AD/D’s Mario J to do an exclusive online DJ mix featuring all 10 artists, and you can stream individual tracks online from everyone as well.

http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/story.cfm?content=166995

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Sh(r)edding Heavy Music ?

Years after leaving ‘heavy music’ behind for the ear pleasing sounds of dance and electronic music, one may themselves be returning to the debts of the ‘hardcore scene’ in Toronto and the flashy myspace pages that so many bands are searching for in new music. A great start to the search begins when you are reminded why you were so intrigued with something in the first place. A perfect example would be the late Canadian ‘blues/hardcore’ band The Gorgeous

The Gorgeous blended the ‘already made famous’ ‘pull off blues style hardcore’ with a more rugged deep metal aspect to create a very unique and somewhat iconic sound.

Unfortunately the gorgeous parted ways in the most recent years and left behind something that many people thought was unfinished. The Gorgeous released one full length album ‘Great Lakes’ after which they toured and eventually called it quits.

The Gorgeous were a metalcore band based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The band formed in the summer of 2003 with Dali on guitar, Julien on Bass and Miguel on drums. The three played a few shows without a vocalist and quickly recruited Jordon.
The band recorded a five song demo at Flying Monkey Studio in Kelowna and took a one year hiatus. The following summer, the band had an opportunity to tour Canada upon which they decided to relocate to Montreal and renew their music career. In Montreal they recruited Hal Ferris on second Guitar. Shortly after, the Gorgeous was signed to Distort Entertainment and in the fall of 2005 recorded Great Lakes at Silo Studios in Stoney Creek. The Gorgeous subsequently toured Canada several times and in January 2007 toured the UK as direct support for the Architects. A few months prior to this tour, Hal decided to go back to school and was replaced by Kevin Keegan from A Javelin Reign and Bend Sinister. The Gorgeous recorded one last demo to be used as promo for their upcoming album and the four new songs are as of now unreleased.

They toured with the Cancer Bats in 2007 on their last tour.

On March 7, 2007 on their MySpace page, the band announced they were breaking up. Most of the fans protested and tried to have peitions signed to keep the band together.

Thankfully each aspect of this band lives on in other projects, it is save to say that artists like these don’t come around very often.

Many people would agree that one of most unique things about ‘The Gorgeous’ was their singer Jordan Daniel.

 
Daniel now performs solo under the name ‘Boogieman’ around the Greater Toronto Area as a Singer/Song Writer.

Jordan Daniel brings his clear passion for Blues to the table with this project and shows that even without brutal double bass and gut wrenching guitar chugs, his voice sticks in your head still with that hint of ‘cocky asshole’.

His song ‘Work Like The Devil’ can be compared to Eddie Vedder without the over kill throat singing (and with balls) Jordan’s song writing hasn’t moved far from what was dwelled on in the Gorgeous’ writings. Basically getting women nake’r (‘aker’ aker’ aker’) getting drunk, being unpolished and telling it like it is. These are the overall topics touched on in the lyrics of ‘Boogieman’ This is a perfect reminder of why the ’scene’ has gone the way it has. Very few artists have remained honest to themselves and their audiences. Not many musicians blatantly talk about their personal vices and addictions in their music with such un-crafted brilliance in comparison to JorDan. Why not just sing about getting drunkard ? 

Don’t let the image fool you, this guy has a very elegant style of singing and backs it up with clear musicianship. The performance of each song is very unique and every production has different feel to it depending on the mood of the song. This is the true artistic drive ‘new music’ is lacking these days. 

Another key aspect of Jordan’s project is that he has opened himself up to such a broad audience that really ‘the sky is the limit’ His music comes off as sublime and elevated ever to the most conservative music listeners. At the same time songs like ‘Glory Bound’ could be imagined as a ‘hardcore song’ yet to be made, the grooving guitar licks just scream ‘two step drum beat’ 

He can even at the furthest reach be compared to a Colin James type vocalist (just way less of a pussy) his guitar skills might not be as profound as Colin James, but his vocal abilities are something to get excited about. It won’t be a surprise when this guy gets noticed. 

Jordan has big plans, talks of a music video for ‘Call Me Your Man’ 

“The content of call me your man is mostly about smoking the Ganga and drinking cheap red.”  - Jordan Daniel, Mypsace.

You can catch Boogieman at the Courthouse Dec 17th for 20$ at the door.

You can also fallow this ‘huge fucking link’ to be apart of Boogieman’s fan club on Facebook, this is where you can do your creeping and stalking. Jordan has come out on his myspace blog and spoken out about ‘record labels’ and their role in the music business.

I’ve decided that record labels just spend your money frivolously without asking making a ton of money on the returns leaving you to pay off all the debt it took to make that money. So poke check the man, i’m doing it myself.

” But you know how it goes, ask for help and thow shall receive. I get by with a little help from my friends. Lean on me when your not strong.” – Jordan, the boys of Attack In Black played in some of the songs for the upcoming record.

“I’ve wanted to do a one man act for a time and I’ve always had an excuse not to. But then I ran out. I don’t want to go back to school and try and learn nothing from hypocrites that have a lot of knowledge in their heads but have no wisdom of how to communicate with human people. Teachers need to feel power over people. I don’t want to start a career. It seems pointless wasting all your time at some dull job working toward what? A house that I could never pay off? So it would seem my only option is to take another hack at the music game.”

Some of JorDan’s tightest fans still can’t get enough of hearing him belt poetic phrases, so a bonus link to a hardcore band of the past with guess who on throat.

His fans are die hard,

Dude. Breaking from the heavy scene was tight. I fell in love with his Gorgeous lyrics with her heels to the ceiling and back to the floor man. Then barn burner took me on tangent ripping hard, shits soooo goooood. And now the boogieman is cracking some old school blues albums still kicking around super stoked for the album. I’ll be full on cut in the front seat next friday when barn burner rips my life apart and hopefully all of regina – Bren Marsh (Regina, SK)

Barn Burner is another group of ‘Gorgeous’ guys who dwell in ‘Bongtreal’ and play some ‘metally guitarded music’

Barn Burner is a very unique style of hardcore that blends ‘punk/hardcore’ with ’southern blues’ sounding riffs which seems to create a conduction of great jams and sloppy fun to be had by all. Not sloppy musically but visually. Barn Burner look like they sound, grimey, but in a good way. With very unique sounding, almost rock style volcals BB portrays an image that reflects their sound, purely Canadian.

Influences: pabst blue ribbon and the might of the riff…

With elaborate build ups that can be compared to Modern Life Is War or Mi Amore, Barn Burner’s grooves clearly lay down the shwigiddy bow. Gouging jams like the ending riff of ‘Running Reds’ are a perfect example of why Barn Burner is music that keeps the dance floor tight and open at the same time.

‘Hey Zeus’ has a very ‘Zepplin’ like sound at the beginning that may remind some people of the 70s, big guitar tunes, dirty mullets and bulges in your jeans.

Something you would hear in a Tenacious D movie, but not annoying and cheesy, more like jagged and ‘grea-he-he-sy’

‘This is the second coming of Christ, yeah right, I’ll believe it when I see it.’
These lyrics are a perfect excuse to call this band poetic, at the very least. Barn Burner speaks volumes in words, words without grace and tactlessness. Words without too much attached to them. ‘Weak Ends’ is a song which needs less support from vocals due to riffs going ape shit.

You can catch Barn Burner live this month in Welland Dec 9th & ‘Bongtreal’ Dec 12th.

Upcoming Shows ( view all )

6 Dec 2008 20:00 406 Victor st. Winnipeg, Manitoba 9 Dec 2008 20:00 mansion house welland, Ontario 12 Dec 2008 20:00 sala rosa w/ Priestess montreal, Quebec

Until more impressive heavy music is embraced.
Keep fit and have fun. – spark of life

Jokers Of The Scene Electric Fields Mix

Electric Fields is an electronic (duh) music and media arts festival in Ottawa that’s “dedicated to the presentation of new and significant performance and installation works created at the crossroads of art, science and technology.” It should make sense, then, for Ottawa’s resident electronic wizards Jokers Of The Scene to get involved. They’ve made an exclusive mix which you can download for free until the festival closes on 11/23. Grab it here:

What to do on Wednesday nights ?

KILLER WEDNESDAYS @ HARMONY

The never ending thump and pump of KILLER WEDNESDAYS is going strong and looks like it will
definately live LONG and prosper as THE party to beat on College Street for the midweek hump!

So why not get a jump on your less-cool friends and be the one to tell THEM about the most happenin happening around…come down, here the sound, and pass it around..

THIS WEEK DEC 10TH 2008 WE HAVE ::

CHE DUBOIS (again!) – myspace.com/chedubois, Bugeyed Records
HOUSE/ELECTRO
We cant seem to get enuff of his bar rocking house beats and vocal treats, so we had to have him back AGAIN!

O-GOD – the social, circa randomland, dopplehertz
MASHUPS/REMIXES/ELECTRO/HOUSE
mondays main man is bringing his special powers to wednesdays wikkidness and making people dance like there is no choice!

REX MANNING – white rabbit, terror inc
TECHNO/ELECTRO/BREAKS
Do we even have to say anything about Mr Conradi and his sidekick “bomber” ? I think not, but i will.. solid, solid,solid.. nuff said..

DINGOKILLER – triforce, newmindspace, white rabbit
BLOG BEATS / MASHUPS/ PARTY MUSIC
Always on point and always to the point.. the point is to make people party and he does this well! Not to mention he is pretty swell..and did we mention dressed well? haha

NO COVER (MEANING FREEEEE PARTY!!!)
SICK BEATS!!
FUN PEOPLE!!

@ HARMONY
589 COLLEGE ST W.

This event has 71 confirmed guests

DJ FUCKERS :: WEDNESDAYS :: @ The RAQ Ft: DJ SEAN CAFF

DJ FUCKERS.
The newest collective in Toronto, brings you a weekly Wednesday night and one-off events showcasing the best talent in djing and dancing at one of the most adored and under rated venues in the city, patio, megasound system and all – The Raq. Catering to everyone from the Queen West electro scene, to the Church St. boys, college crowd, and server circuit, the DJ FUCKERS Wednesday Night Summer Series (now into Fall) provides the mid-week party you’ve been itching for with CHEAP DRAUGHT PINTS & FREE POOL ALL NIGHT LONG!
—————————————

house / hip hop / disco / more

all dance floor.

Residents:
Adam Addison
Fawn Big Canoe

This week featuring:
Fawn Big Canoe w/special guest DJ SEAN CAFF

Starts Wednesday, December 10thth, 2008 @ 10:00pm & every Wednesday after …

No dress code, $5 cover, $3.50 draft, free pool.

Location: The RAQ
Street: 739 Queen St. West
City/Town: Toronto, ON

Contact Info
Email: info@djfuckers.com
Web: www.djfuckers.com

————————————–
Dec 10 Fawn Big Canoe w/guest DJ Sean Caff
Dec 17 Mischief & Frankie
Dec 24 CLOSED
Dec 31 CLOSED
Jan 07 Kosmic w/ DJ City & Miss Mixxxy
Jan 14 Fawn B.C. w/guests Tight Knit DJs
Jan 21 Tee Loo’s Kitchen
Jan 28 Fawn B.C. w/guests Thunder & Chris James

This event has 30 confirmed guests

HUMP DAY BUMP @ Wrong Bar

Hump Day Bump
with
Le Freak C’est Keek
Violca(Mansion)

This event has 138 confirmed guests

Dec 4th – Dance Like You Fuck @ Strangelove

Mother Fucker’s are going to drop the pressure.

CROOKERS @ CIRCA

CIRCA NOV 21st – GLOW IN THE DARK

Camille Verrier’s Photos

Justice – CiRCA – Oct 29th 2008

Leonie Gatland