Blog: Surrounding Sounds

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 [...]

When it comes to deep house, few do it like Xinobi. His productions reach such depths that they are best enjoyed via professional sound systems and high quality head phones. Don't believe me? Listen to this new Tame Impala rework with and without your headphones. Tampe Impala - "Why Won't They Talk To Me" (Xinobi Rework)

Meet SNAKEHIPS, a London UK producer who's music's more influenced by hip hop than house music. Sounds kind of like Starslinger, with a tan. Love the glitch summer feel in this new original "On & On". SNAKEHIPS - "On & On" 

I love me a good synth pop track, and that's something you can always count on Com Truise to produce. Expect nothing but a rainbow of synths accompanied by the pop vocals from Stars. Stars - Hold On When You Get Love and Let Go When You Give It (Com Truise Remix)

The sun gods are happy today because they just listened to the new Empire of the Sun track 'Alive' off their forthcoming second album 'Ice on the Dune' to be released in June. Amongst the many albums that I'm looking forward to being released this year, this one's in my top 10. Empire of the Sun - Alive

Why not start your Sunday with a touch (ok maybe a ton) of bass and some retro soul vocals? If you have a good pair of head phones, my I suggest grabbing them before hitting play. Ben Pearce - What I Might Do (Club Edit)

We lost one of our very own to Coachella this weekend, but luckily he put together this mix filled with tracks that inherently breed thoughts of polo fields filled with beautiful goers. We aren't envious at all... (but seriously, fuck that instagrammed ferris wheel and the crazy amount of jealousy it can create) Arrogahnz - DESSERT DANCE