As the day for main stage talks at Elevate Conference in Toronto wrapped up, I was impressed by the great talks I’d heard (which I’ve summarized in my latest article for Betakit). However, one of the talks that stood out as quite different from the rest, was from acclaimed artist and music producer Wyclef Jean. Elevate attendees heard Jean preach diversity, reveal that his birthday is the same date as Canada’s cannabis legalization (Oct. 17), and even rap in English, Spanish and French. Continue reading “Wyclef Jean’s message to Canadian tech leaders – Discover underrepresented talent today”
Category: Music
MUTEK / EM15: Photos & Review
For Mutek’s EM15 festival in Montreal in June, I interviewed 6 interesting artists and wrote about the top 4 reasons why Mutek is an essential part of Montreal, for Beatport News. Enjoy the photos and words below. Let me know what you think. What’re YOUR reasons for returning to Mutek festival every year? Continue reading “MUTEK / EM15: Photos & Review”
Social Media for Electric Island TO
Electric Island is a day-long music festival, with electronic DJs performing on Toronto’s Center Island. Thousands of music fans descend upon the island on the day of the event, to enjoy good music, friends and the visual show. Continue reading “Social Media for Electric Island TO”
Music Recommendations: August 2013
Check out two of my favourite selections on rotation! Continue reading “Music Recommendations: August 2013”
Beardyman presents a high-tech innovative music machine on TED
British beatboxer extraordinare, Beardyman, presents a new way he’s making music by using the assistance of an innovative machine toolset to manipulate the sounds of his own voice, making it virtually unrecognizable. Check it out! Continue reading “Beardyman presents a high-tech innovative music machine on TED”
Jamie Lidell Interview from MUTEK 2013
It has been nine years since Jamie Lidell last played Montreal’s MUTEK Festival. And it’s funny how things have changed and in some ways stayed the same. As the festival has evolved, so too have many of the returning musicians on the bill (with both Matthew Herbert and Jamie Lidell as extraordinary examples), and yet they retain their musical influences from years—and in some cases, decades—past. Continue reading “Jamie Lidell Interview from MUTEK 2013”
Arthur Oskan’s Biography
If there is one Canadian techno artist whose music is consistently elegant, melodic and rhythmic, that artist is Arthur Oskan. I was super pleased when he asked me about a year ago to write his biography for use in the promotion of his album “Exit Strategy” (Thoughtless Music, 2012). You can read his bio below and to learn more about his latest projects visit arthuroskan.com. Continue reading “Arthur Oskan’s Biography”
Richie Hawtin Interview from 2011
In May of 2011 I interviewed Richie Hawtin, one of techno’s early innovators, and the main man behind the m-nus label.
During our chat, Hawtin discusses what inspires him, his predictions of the future of planet earth, how he maintains his optimism, and the evolution of music and technology. Continue reading “Richie Hawtin Interview from 2011”
Speaking in Code
Documentary film director Amy Grill has just completed a new film called Speaking in Code. It’s a documentary about the world of techno music that follows a series of characters over a few years. The film audience gets a cinema vérité slice-of-life perspective of what it is to be a participant in the music industry. While Grill does not portray the typical electronic music fan’s experience – and could thus be charged as portraying techno’s elite – she does capture an authentic energy in her film. What really connects the music producers she profiles (Monolake, Tobias Thomas, Wighnomy Brothers), the music journalist DJ (Philip Sherburne), and the event promoter and music section editor (David Day) is their love for music.
Continue reading “Speaking in Code”
Mutek_10 Festival (2009)
Mutek’s tenth edition line-up was a reflection of where dance music continues to push the boundaries and maintain its solid foundation. Annually, according to the festival, over 54 per cent of Mutek attendees travel from places outside of Quebec – Chicago, Edmonton, Los Angeles, New York, Vancouver and Europe – for an experience that Time Out New York has called “North America’s leading electronic-music event.” Thus, it should come as no surprise then, that Mutek recently won Quebec’s Tourism Grand Prize for ‘Festivals and Touristic Events’. I was one of many avid techno tourists who attended Mutek’s 10th edition. Continue reading “Mutek_10 Festival (2009)”