Blog: Surrounding Sounds

Tropical vibes and deep house beats set the tone in Ben Pearce's new Le Youth re-imaging. Really into the build up, another solid reason to follow this up and coming UK producer. Le Youth - C O O L (Ben Pearce remix)

With the release of all these summer festival lineups, I felt inspired to put together a playlist for my ultimate, sky's the limit, dream lineup that I'd like to see at a music festival. Think Goldroom, Flight Facilities, The Knocks, Aeroplane...you'll have to press play to hear the rest. Being a designer, the brand and poster for the festival are just as important as the music so I crafted those too. Enjoy! Now just to win the lottery to make this a reality.

The local DJ collective that is Kings of The North (consisting of FRNCHM, LurkBeck and myself) laid down this nearly 90 minutes of Garage, Deep House and Techno last week. We're lovin' the grimy industrial stuff that is rising out of the underground right now. Great basslines, erotic vocals, and most of all FUNK! Get your butts down to Queen West next Friday for a little party we're involved in with our friends and family. SS main man Millard included!! #familyfriday https://www.facebook.com/event s/517852114944598/

Start your week off right with this mix from DJ / Producer Star Slinger . The full tracklist includes some gems from Solange, Classixx and yes ladies and gents Craig David (whatever happened to him?). Star Slinger - Introducing Mix for Red Bull Studios London

Greetings from LA. Only have a few seconds but I thought I'd share this absolutely groovy Classixx remix I just bumped into. Happy Sunday. Classixx - "Supernature" (Hot Toddy Remix)

I couldn't be anymore down with this Diplo and Friends Mix from Norwegian, feline-loving DJ Cashmere Cat . Chock full of delicious treats and cat meow sound effects, this slow trap/R&B/audio sex mix is sure to mellow out your hump day. Check out exclusive Cashmere Cat edits of Jeremih, Drake and Miguel to name a few. Cashmere Cat for Diplo & Friends BBCR1

So this is a dream-team spectacular. Hot Natured are already a cast of stars and then D.C. based super duo, Benoit & Sergio, have decided they want in on the fun too. The song in question you ask? Oh, just my favorite tune of the last month and probably one of the top rotated tracks of the moment, 'Reverse Skydiving' featuring the talented and sexy as Anabel Englund. The D.C. lads have stretched out the song to about 7 minutes which gives them plenty of time to infuse their daytime deep disco sound. MMMMHHMMMMM!

Taking a little break after their stellar decade mix tape series, FF are back with a new sexy original featuring the voice of fellow Aussie Elizabeth Rose. Flight Facilities - I Didn't Believe (Feat. Elizabeth Rose)

When it comes to more upbeat deep house, Xinobi is most likely my favorite producer. He walks a pretty cool line between disco and deep house that most people have a hard time replicating. "For his latest release Xinobi drops two brand new tracks, kicking off with the excellent ‘Puma’, a classic House inspired cut that fuses an old school organ line with shuffling percussion and hooky vocal samples to great effect. On the flip, things go a little deeper with the melodic and laidback ‘Woods’ journeying into atmospheric and hypnotic territory with its mix of ethereal pads [...]

How amazing has the weather been in Toronto this week? Praise you sun gods, I know us Torontonians can be a little ungrateful towards the weather sometimes. Here's a remix from RAC (aka Remix Artist Collective) to keep our hearts warm, our faces smiling and the sun shining.  And if you haven't already, grab Phoenix's new album 'Bankrupt!' . Just like flip flops and cold beers, it's going to be a summer staple. Phoenix - Trying To Be Cool (RAC Mix)

It's been a couple years, but LLR has brought life back into his Scenery mixtape series with his newest, 5th installment! Mixing Hip Hop to Trap, House to Funk, he basically throws together everything under the fresh May sun. Always great to see new stuff from this guy. Fun fact, Louis was actually my very first post on SS almost 3 years ago. Crazy stuff. For Parts 1-4 check out: soundcloud.com/louislaroche/se ts/scenery-mixtape Louis La Roche - Scenery Mixtape Part 5

I'm venturing to LA next week, which has my ears set on music that will suite the Venice beach vibe. Better believe I'll be packing this new Selebrities' single "Temporary Touch", from their upcoming second album "Lovely Things". Can't wait. Selebrities - "Temporary Touch" 

I know yoga is supposed to be in silence, but I always wonder what music would accompany my practice. Maybe some XX, James Blake and Bon Iver? I hope this playlist let's you tune out the outside world and brings you some inner peace. So press play and 'Namaste'.

Thanks to SheDoestheCity.com for this expertly crafted playlist, which couldn't be better than if I built it myself. Covering all the anthems of Nu-Disco (and neighbouring genres like Funk, Indie Pop, Alternative Disco?..oh the list goes on..), all 25 tracks are basically the Coles Notes of the dancefloor-worthy genre and bring back memories of some of my favorite nights out. Boogie down.

When I listen to this song I can't help but think of the seasons changing. The atmospheric light rain and melancholic guitar giving way to bouncing wet synths, claps, tambourines and the guitar returning in an explosion of tropical reverb. I hear Spring reaching for Summer and finally grasping it, thinking "everything I ever wanted" finally! It's beautiful, right? Oh and I'll pretend, for now, I don't hear the swirling Autumn winds at the end of this sensational little lick. How does the saying go...'Hope Springs Eternal'? Or is it 'Hope Floats'?

So timing doesn't get much better than this. Tiger & Woods will be making their first visit to the Toronto wild this Saturday, and if you were looking for a reason not to miss, we have it below. "A Golden Bear mix" is an hour of fresh, retro sampled disco that's bound to get your toes tapping. Don't miss these guys! Event info here:  https://www.facebook.com/event s/436147939810416/ Tiger & Woods - "A Golden Bear mix" 

Classixx is back and damnit we're excited. First we'll start off "All Your Waiting For", the newest single off their first full length album "Hanging Gardens" and probably one of my favorite songs so far in 2013. Signature synths, hand claps and a funky bass line are all introduced within the first 20 seconds of the song, so I mean, what else could we ask for? Oh, how about dreamy vocals from non other than Nancy Whang, formally from dance music legends LCD Soundsystem. This song is going to be a disco classic. Classixx - All You're Waiting [...]

Strange Talk aren't really known for their remixes (more their high quality electro rock), but this Mr Little Jeans remix has my ears on this rainy Wednesday morning. Mr Little Jeans - Oh Sailor (Strange Talke Remix)

It was a nice change to have sunshine under the soles of our shoes on the sidewalks of Toronto this morning. With warm vibes forcing their way, it’s not surprising that some local, summer fueled disco would decide to show itself too. Young Empires’ “White Doves” was synth infused to begin with, but leave it up to indie dance dudes Natural Animal to rethink things and create something more suitable for a late night dance floor. You can find this remix on the official single release TODAY via Sony. If you’re in town, why not celebrate mother natures [...]

WOW! So I am extremely bummed out these days. I just spent a few weeks down in the desert and Los Angeles revelling in the new age hedonism that is Coachella and its fallout parties. Returning north hurts the soul a little bit and it is tracks like this that make it easier. French wonder-band (and sometimes Daft Punk collaborators) Phoenix have the lead single off their latest LP, Entertainment, rinsed down by the deep house dream team that is Hot Natured. Jamie Jones, Lee Foss, Luca C & Ali Love are atop the underground at the moment with the [...]