Cap Free, Customer Appreciation

For those of you who think CZ is far too crazy, sketchy, and keeps some pretty odd hours,  I give you: The After-After-Hours.  Just when you thought shit couldn't get any crazier.  Leave it to my band of merry men to uncover another hole in the wall just a stones throw away.  So obviously we went, I mean it is the Holidays after all.

The place was pretty clean, brand new, with a no ball caps policy that i am NOT a big fan of.  But in spite of the abrasive security, and whack policies.... the music was pretty damn sweet.  So sweet that we literally shazammed every single song for an hour.  Good thing we were there to populate the dancefloor too. No, no...you're welcome.  All this on Comfort Zone "customer appreciation night"- No cover and free CZ swag to every customer. now THATS customer service!


Dr. Dru - The Voice Of Dru (Original Mix)

David Keno, Nico Stojan - Princess Of The Night (Original Mix)

Funky Fat & Digitaria - You Bring Me Down (Original Mix)

technological marvels

Today as I sat on one of Toronto's brand new Subway cars for the first time, returning from some Christmas shopping there was an elderly fellow beside me, I didn't really notice him at first.  I continued carrying on about my business playing with my iPhone (skipping to a point in a set i wanted to hear.. adjusting volume etc) and I realize that this fella beside me is VERY intently watching my every move and everything my phone does.  So i flipped through some screens and things so he could see, and I sneak a little look and hes totally smiling at my phone. It kinda made me chuckle a little bit and to think about the things this guy has probably seen in his life(he was around 80) and now to see a phone do the things our phones can do now, it was obvious he was having a moment to himself as the display continued for several minutes.

Anyhoo, kinda harking back to the post i made the other day about the top live acts and whatnot. Martin Buttrich, who ranked in at the #8 spot, will be here in Toronto for New Years Day.  His set at CZ a few months ago was so dynamic and interesting that i can honestly say it was unlike anything i've heard in a club before and I have spoken with several others who have corroborated this fact.  Add to it the guy has been producing tracks for Timo Maas(over 100) and Loco Dice and others for years, nominated for a Grammy.... basically if you're in Toronto on NYD you better be at CZ(bringing in an extra sound system for it too!) cuz this guy will bring you such an inventive sound and vibe.. its all encompassing. I've felt it with other DJs when they were really on but Martin is also producing a vast portion of his set live, so I have come to learn. So here is some Martin Buttrich to wet your appetite for what is sure to be a party to remember! -And my last time on a dancefloor for several months as I am having knee surgery a week later.... Out with a bang? Don't mind if I do!

Martin Buttrich - Hamuda (Original Mix)

Martin Buttrich - Hunter (Original Mix)

the jump off

So its post #1. I figure since I'm living in Toronto, why not start things off with a lil local flava.  It seems like at least once a month I found out about some new fantastic performer, producer or record label and oh, ya, they are from Toronto. It really feels like we've got something special going on here right now, like Montreal with all those Indie bands, house(or dance music producers in general) are killing it out of Toronto right now! So ya, good on ya! and even better for me. I get to go out and hear great new tunes on a regular basis...and now I get to share it with you.. whoever you are, that might follow this thing.

So first off, really I have no choice but to start with Azari & III (pronounced "third"). the Jamie Jones remix of their track "Hungry for the power" isn't really a party starter... it's a party destroyer! Nathan Barato dropped this sucker at Comfort Zone about a month ago and I (as well as everyone else who was there) actually hit the roof. if you've never been it has a low ceiling.

Azari & III Hungry For The Power (Jamie Jones Ridge Street Remix)



Next up is a guy I've heard a lot of lately but didnt really know anything about him.. and ya.. he's from Toronto too. James Teej. He runs a label called My Favourite Robot, and also releases under that name too.

My Favourite Robot - Forest Fires

I am still not totally convinced that this is going to actually work and that the songs are actually there...