Toronto producers made more of a name for themselves this year as remixers than they did producing their own tracks. There are a couple remixes on this list that are not aimed at the dance floor, but are definitely worth mentioning. Check out the list while I take a nap and get ready for New Years Eve!
Pop/Rock - . Hip Hop - . Now let's hit the dance floor. 2007 saw lots of local DJs pop up spinning the new electro house sound, and there are some hot producers emerging in that genre as well. But it's not all about Daft Punk worship on this best of list. Let's check it out.
From we move on to Hip Hop. Is it just me, or did Toronto not produce a whole lot of hip hop this year? Still, there were some cool tracks made here in 2007. Let's have a look.
For a night built up as much as New Year's Eve, it's too bad that it's actually one of the more challenging nights to have fun in the city. Restaurants roll out the prix-fix menus, clubs jack their cover charges and many of the top artists and DJs either take the night off or get lured south of the border.
It's no surprise that many decide to stay home, throw a house party or do whatever they can to avoid spending the midnight hour in a taxi.
But for everyone else, we've assembled a New Year's Eve 2007/08 Planning Guide. Keep reading for the breakdown.
Toronto had a great year in terms of music and it's time to talk about what's worth remembering. I decided to highlight the best songs that were made here in 2007, sorted into the following categories: Pop/Rock, Hip Hop, Dance, and Remixes.
As Toronto's growing indie dance scene continues to explode, more and more talent is emerging from the shadows of our clubs. DJ/Production/Remix duo made the biggest leap into the spotlight this year thanks to their manic bootleg remix of Rihanna's smash hit "Umbrella". Superstar DJ Diplo championed the track and included it on his ridiculously flawless I Like Turtles mixed CD.
VNDLSM are spinning at the Randomland "Tropical Holiday" party tomorrow night at along with Vitaminsforyou, A.D/D. and a special live performance by Jake Fairley. I spoke to Dave (aka Very Nice Dave) and Keith (aka Legendary Sweaty Murphy) about their year, their lawsuits and their bright future.
Keep reading for the complete interview.
Last Friday i went to check out for the first time as celebrated their 3 year anniversary. CiRCA is currently their home residency where they host on Friday nights.
A.D/D is one of the top promoters in Toronto. They consistently book some of the best acts that the electronic and dance music scene has to offer, and CiRCA is the perfect place for them to push it even further.
I was lucky enough to have studied jazz at York University while was the school's chancellor. Even though our paths never crossed, his presence was almost palpable. I played in an ensemble under the tutelage of Don Thompson, a Canadian jazz giant in his our right, and every once in a while he'd make us put down our instruments and stop talking theory so we could listen to the masters. He'd play us records from his collection - Clifford Brown, John Coltrane, Bill Evans - but more often than not we'd find ourselves listening to Oscar Peterson.
If Joanna Newsom gave birth to Tom Waits' illegitimate daughter and then refused to breastfeed her, the girl might grow up sounding a lot like Toronto's . When I first heard the buzz about Teper, people told me she was weird - good, but definitely weird. Imagine, if you will, Kate Bush in her youth in a more rootsy, acoustic setting. Pretty cool, actually.
Psst, didja see what I did with the title up there? Didja see? Oh yea... I went there.
The holidays are usually associated with a number of cherished past times like unwanted visits from family, forcing a smile at the "Magic Bag" neck warmer present your aunt buys for you, and lots of egg nog (preferably with less of the egg and more of the nog). Regardless of your daytime activities, though, Santa's cooked up a little something for you to do in the nights following the paganistic celebration of all things present related. Between the 26th and the 30th the Drake is playing host to TWENTY-EIGHT acts with its series , and each night is only gonna cost you a fiver.
With apologies to my mother in law (hi Jo!), I'm itchin' to get my twitch on next week. Hit the jump for a list of all the acts with links to their splendiferous music so you can plan your nights of sorrow drowning ASAP.