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EYE WEEKLY's "the Best and Worst in Toronto Clubbing"
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| jon jon |
http://www.eyeweekly.com/music/features/article/108715
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The best and worst in Toronto clubbing
Denise Benson's annual nightlife review celebrates this year's break-out dance-music acts and greatest gigs, while railing against the club trends that have just got to go
BY Denise Benson December 22, 2010 16:12
THE BEST
1. At last, it appears Toronto electronic music producers can make their mark internationally without leaving the city. In addition to Deadmau5 and Crystal Castles cementing their status as global superstars, 2010 was a very good year for many local acts.
In house circles, both Azari & III and Art Department proved there is a Toronto sound—quirky, melodic and rooted in our long significant warehouse scene—and spent much of the year touring as a result. Azari & III nodded to house music’s past as they looked forward, attracting a great deal of attention with tracks including "Reckless (For Your Love)” and two excellent EPs for Tiga’s Turbo label. There is much anticipation for their debut album, due early 2011. Similarly, the Art Department duo of Kenny Glasgow and Jonny White flexed their considerable collective DJ/production experience in the form of singles and remixes for White’s No. 19 label and, especially, their single “Without You.” Released on Damian Lazarus’ Crosstown Rebels label, the song was named Resident Advisor’s Top Track of 2010.
Two other T.O. acts that also had a stellar 2010 are Egyptrixx and Bonjay. As Egyptrixx, classically trained pianist David Psutka handily melds pop and experimental influences and eschews easy categories. One thing is certain: Psutka carefully crafts gorgeous, bass-heavy gems, with Bible Eyes—his debut album due on UK label Night Slugs on February 9 – already receiving advance hype from the likes of Pitchfork and The Fader. Following years of critical and fan interest, Bonjay duo Ian "Pho" Swain and Alanna Stuart independently released their excellent Broughtupsy EP to rave reviews from the likes of The New York Times, Exclaim! and this journalist. Bonjay’s highly original blend of dancehall, soul and indie-infused electronics was toured across North America and parts of the UK, with 2011 shaping up to be the year of their debut album.
Honourable mention: soul and house vocalist Jaidene Veda turned out a top tune of 2010 in “Sunday” and has just returned from England where she recorded with artists including The Rurals. A new album is due soon.
2. On a related tip, I’m happy to report that 2010 was a breakthrough year where T.O. talent received well-deserved support on home turf. In the decade plus that I’ve covered dance clubs and electronic music for EYE WEEKLY, I’ve never seen such a wide range of promoters booking local artists as headliners—with audiences stepping up to support. Adding to this effect are Toronto-heavy events like Footwork’s Friday night Luv This City, the new Studio+ Saturday house weekly at Bloc 22 and the myriad locals-heavy parties produced by promo crews both established (Hot Stepper, Promise, Platform and the like) and newer (Archi-Textures, Channel One, Plugged Not Thugged).
3. In a year when the words "rave" and "raving" returned to the clubber’s lexicon, it’s no surprise that drum & bass—the genre that was, perhaps more than any other, at the heart of Toronto’s rave scene at its peak in the mid-'90s—made a strong comeback in this breakbeat-loving town. Jungle and d&b never fully faded here, but did move from venues holding thousands to hundreds (or less). The popularity of dubstep and bass music helped turn new audiences onto rugged club sounds—and reminded older heads of why they’d fallen for d&b in the first place. Parties under banners like Projek, Soul In Motion, Theory and Legacy have increased in size and frequency; local d&b producers like Gremlinz, Stranjah, Marcus Visionary and NC-17 continue to release internationally; and Torontojungle.com’s busy message boards demonstrate the site’s importance as a hub.
4. In my mind, Footwork remains the benchmark other Toronto dance clubs should reach for. It only grew stronger in 2010. Firstly, the venue’s programming is topnotch as they showcase some of the most interesting, relevant and popular house and techno DJ/producers from T.O. and around the globe. It was a coup for a venue of Footwork’s size to host Ritchie Hawtin last month as he toured in support of his Plastikman Arkives 1993-2010 box set, but the club has the history, the professionalism and, most of all, the warm, clean sound to warrant it. Footwork draws very mixed crowds of electronic music aficionados because it’s owned and operated by the same.
THE WORST
1. There remains a serious shortage of professionally run mid-to-large sized venues in this city, particularly financially accessible ones with good sound, staging and live performance capabilities. We could see and hear far more live electronic acts—including homegrown ones—if there were more proper venues. Lots of great stuff happens at warehouse parties and unlicensed spaces, but the risk of police presence is high. Noise complaints were a big issue for venues like Wrongbar and 99 Sudbury in 2010 and played a large role in the permanent closure of the Octopus. Venues must work within the city’s bylaws—as hazy and murkily applied as they can often be—or we risk losing more.
2. Event promoters and DJs rely on Facebook more than ever to get the word out about events, but is this good? Sure it saves time and vast amounts of paper, but event-invite fatigue seems to be reaching epic proportions as fewer and fewer people open, RSVP to or at all interact with invites. We need to push thinking outside the 'book.
3. Bottle service: why does anyone still think this is a good idea? We’re talking the lowest common denominator here—like jacking Top 40 music all night long—as people reserve seating and buy large bottles of booze at flat-rate prices to, let’s face it, get wasted en masse. When unchecked, it’s repugnant, irresponsible and adds nothing good to the collective clubbing experience.
4. When local DJ, visual artist and entrepreneur Will Munro lost his life to brain cancer in May of this year, Torontonians lost more than we’ll ever know. As an unabashed queer and infinitely creative rebel, Munro gave us club nights including Vazaleen and Peroxide, turned macho mainstream culture on its head—hello, heavy-metal underwear!—and believed strongly in the power and importance of community. Will’s legacy lives on in the form of The Beaver café and queer hotspot (Munro was a co-owner and programmer), his many crafty creations and short films, and his namesake Memorial Fund for Queers Living With Cancer. Memories of Will are alight with glitter.
DB’s TOP FIVE GIGS OF 2011
I miss a lot of shows and sets I’d like to catch due to my own weekend DJ schedule, but there were a number of gigs that lit my spark this year, reminding me of just how much I love the nightlife—and why.
1. HERCULES AND LOVE AFFAIR, July 26 at The Mod Club: Working it from behind the decks, Hercules’ main man Andy Butler led his (largely new) band seamlessly through a history of house. Gloriously gay and enormously exciting.
2. JIMPSTER, September 11 at Footwork: The Freerange label boss played such an artful, moving mix of house that I simply couldn’t stand still—despite breaking a toe earlier that week.
3. GUILLAUME COUTU DUMONT & THE SIDE EFFECTS, June 5 at Metropolis (Montreal): Headlining the Saturday night of MUTEK, this Montreal native premiered his full band experience and showed us the future of club music performed live.
4. ALOE BLACC, Nov. 15 at Wrongbar: Although the venue was uncomfortably full and sound not best for live vocals, California soul man Aloe Blacc worked his moves – and the crowd – like few I’ve seen.
5. DJ JOE BLOW, Dec. 11 at The Beaver: Holding it down solo at the Trashed monthly, Joe Blow (who happens to be a friend) inspired with an eclectic, fun and perfectly programmed set of indie dance and hip-hop.
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| Jayx1 |
| Shes got it wrong on the bylaw side of things more than she will ever know or admit to. |
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| ChemEnhanced |
I agree with the worst section the most.
Congrats to Footwork....it seems to make a bigger and bigger name for itself every year....although 2010 may be hard to top. |
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| jon jon |
I'm surprised she doesn't mention Carlo in the article, he's bigger than Azari & III imo (I could be wrong tho lol)
love that rant on bottle service! |
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| jon jon |
| quote: | Originally posted by ChemEnhanced
Congrats to Footwork....it seems to make a bigger and bigger name for itself every year....although 2010 may be hard to top. |
I said the same thing for 2009! haha Having Richie & Deadmau5 play FW in b2b weekends will be tough to top tho! 2011, here we go! |
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| CODE |
I agree with Most of the Article.
Props to Footwork for an amazing 2010!!!
I think they rocked it. And so did I..lol
the end |
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| She_Fitz |
| quote: | Originally posted by jon jon
I'm surprised she doesn't mention Carlo in the article, he's bigger than Azari & III imo (I could be wrong tho lol)
love that rant on bottle service! |
I was also surprised to see Carlo off the list.
I have never heard of Azari or III.
Congrats Jon on the recognition of all the hard work you and the Footwork team do to keep EDM alive and fresh in Toronto. Well deserved recognition. |
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| cammaxwell |
| Congrats to FW for sure, and yeah.....it is surprising the Carlo wasn't in there? |
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| FunkyCrew |
| quote: | Originally posted by She_Fitz
I have never heard of Azari or III.
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+1
or Egyptrixx and Bonjay
so #1 was kinda over my head
congrats to FW tho :) |
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| Shaya007 |
| quote: | Originally posted by jon jon
I'm surprised she doesn't mention Carlo in the article,
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| VDub |
It is good that Footy is doing so well but to call it the benchmark???
And I wonder if she's buddy buddy with these other acts cause I've never heard of them either and to not mention Carlo is just wrong...
I also agree with disliking bottle service but to ask if anybody still thinks it's a good idea? Ask club management. I'm sure they love the idea. But who cares about them right?? |
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| knacker |
| quote: | Originally posted by She_Fitz
I have never heard of Azari or III. |
| quote: | Originally posted by FunkyCrew
+1
or Egyptrixx and Bonjay |
that's because many of you on this board only listen to a VERY small slice of what's out there, and what's made international waves in electronic music.
Big ups to Footwork!! |
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