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Double Dippin’

Tonight (Thursday May 7th, 2009) Vancouver-based DJ/Producer Felix Cartal, is kicking off his North-American tour right here in Toronto. The shin-dig will take place at The Social, as Cartal will be promoting the upcoming release of his “Skeleton EP”, which is set to drop on May 12th. You can expect non-stop, hard-hitting electronic bangers, and a nice taste of Cartal’s new material.

Tomorrow evening (Friday May 8th, 2009), Philadelphia-based  DJ/Producer Diplo is set to begin his “almost” monthly residency at Circa Nightclub. I’m surprised Diplo has managed to fit any type of residency into his schedule, given his widespread involvement in producing, and his current side-project colabo with “Switch”, namely “Major Lazer”. The best way to describe Diplo’s set this friday is diverse– with electronic, indie-rock, dancehall and hip-hop all expected to be on the bill.

The White Knight

The French golden boy of Institubes Records, Surkin (or Benoit Heitz), is descending upon the Tdot tonight, in what promises to be an evening to remember. The proclaimed venue of choice is Wrongbar, which is owned and run by Toronto’s own (and aforementioned Urban Ethic favorite) Nasty Nav.

In a compelling subplot, opening acts include Toronto’s own Meech, who has attracted some serious attention upon the release of his shiny new single “Bottom of the Fourth”. A timely remix by fellow Canadian Barletta (one half of the duo “Mansion”) has put this track over the top, and created an absolute house-music slasher.

Ghetto Obsession- Surkin

Bottom Of The Fourth (Barletta Remix)- Meech

No Question is a Bad Question

The tag-team from Manchester are back. Joe and Will Ask, favorites here at The Urban Ethic, have released yet another original production by the name of “Yellowstone”. Without a single vocal to be found, you are allowed to concentrate on the sheer production quality, and technical  mastery that JAWA are known and loved for.

Some would liken the track to an electro-house Deadmau5 production, for the thick baseline and the distinct synth progression– to be honest, it’s not a bad call. However, these cats pride themselves on their ability to push the limits of electronic music classification, simply cranking out good tunes. Beginning to end, tremendous track, and the ‘moment of clarity’ at 1min 30sec is a definite treat. Regardless of how you categorize ‘em, gorgeous work.

Yellowstone- Joe And Will Ask?

Break the house down

The steady flow of big-time electronic music artists reaching the T-dot, is not stopping any time soon. Tonight, Toronto’s Circa nightclub (under their Friday night banner as “Randomland”) will host Dutch house music sensation Laidback Luke. LBL has become a fixture in fabricating dance-floor smashers, including last summer’s “Break The House Down”.

There will undoubtedly be some face-smashing drops, and it will be exciting to hear Mr. Luke’s cutting edge material. One track that will inflict an immidiate eruption is a collabo with Canadian DJ sensation A-Trak, entitled “Shake It Down”. It’s a total banger, that is not for the weak-hearted.

Shake It Down- Laidback Luke & A-Trak

Mauvin’ It Over Here

There is simply no better way to celebrate three consecutive days of plus 15 degree Celsius weather, then by busting out a pair of mauve lace-up sneaks. Given the unofficial (and hopefully permanent) arrival of good weather, there has never been a more appropriate time to rock the mauve Superga classic lace-up. These Italian-crafted pieces are leaps above stylish, and provide comfort that is more than an afterthought.

The canvas upper, and the mono-color laces are super discreet, but seriously now, the color screams “I’m better than you”. Definitely exercise caution on the pantalons you’re rocking, skinny is a must, and stay away from dark boot-cuts. Frosted aviators to finish the look? I think so.

My-Wardrobe.com: Mauve Classic Lace Up Plimsoll by Superga

Is It Love, or Just Paris?

My heart is yearning, my heart is burning, my heart is burning all night long.
My heart is dreaming, my heart is screaming, my is heart is screaming all night long.
All night long. All night long.

A very dark and mysterious piece of electronica from Alex Metric. The voice of New Zealand born singer/songwriter Ladyhawke is essential, and lures the listener into a seductive uncertainty. Turn this one up during those times of amorous confusion.

Paris Is Burning (Alex Metric Remix)- Ladyhawke

Ask and you shall Receive

A tag-team from Manchester have the electro scene on lock right now. Joe And Will Ask? are quickly assembling a tremendous resume of top-notch remixes, including a recent rendition of La Roux’s Quicksand. What’s even more impressive is the production quality of their completely original works.

“Shim” is a very sharp and simplistic minimal-electro track that has shades of a Simian Mobile Disco-esque brilliance. The breakdown at the four-minute mark sends a tingling sensation down the spine, and that is by no means a bad thing.

Shim- Joe And Will Ask?

The Day of Reckoning

Tonight, Toronto becomes an electric circus.

The Guvernment entertainment complex’s annual “Decadence” music festival has become a yearly spectacle, and this year shall be no different. With the biggest names in electronic music from across the globe descending upon our fair city, a faithful following will be treated to the finest material electro has to offer.

The bill includes an opening act by Toronto’s own Nasty Nav, who is a total fan-favorite here at Urban Ethic, and resident DJ at Wrongbar. As the evening proceeds, the electronic heavyweights take over with Canada’s MSTRKRFT, America’s Steve Aoki, and Italy’s double dose of the Crookers and the Bloody Beetroots.

There is really no telling how mind-numbing this event will actually be, but if all goes according to plan, there will be some revolutionary new tracks, to go with drops that only these artists can fabricate.

L’Amour et la Performance

Amongst all the hoopla, that is Toronto’s Decadence 2009 (taking place this Thursday at the Guvernment complex), we mustn’t forget that French indie-star Sebastien Tellier is performing tomorrow night (Wednesday) at the Mod Club.

Tellier’s latest album, Sexuality, is one of the most beautiful and refreshing musical voyages one can travel. It is well known that Tellier is the creative inspiration for countless electronic remixes, but it is the genius of his live performances that we will be treated to tomorrow.

“Look” is an absolute blazer of a track off of Sexuality. It embodies all things chill, and all things euro-chic. Tellier’s voice pierces your ear in the most calming way, complementing the mellow synths– *ahh gasp*.

Look- Sebastien Tellier

[Edit] Honestly, I couldn’t help myself. Canadian electronic heavyweight A-Trak absolutely kills this retooling of “Kilometer”, also off of Tellier’s Sexuality. This track is an absolute gem, showing off Tellier’s electronic potential, with an intense disco baseline that leads to some serious head-nodding.

Kilometer (A-Trak Extended Dub)- Sebastien Tellier