Young Empires
Young Empires are a Canadian 4-piece that has garnered international critical acclaim since their inception in October 2009. NME Magazine compared Young Empires’ sound to the likes of The Killers, Arcade Fire, Yeasayer, and Foals. Defined by swirling synthesizer tones, fervent bass rhythms, and soulful guitar licks, YoungEmpires deliver fresh, yet distinguished dance tracks full of swagger, sexuality, and occasionally a little angst. Their debut EP Wake All My Youth was released on January 31, 2012 earning them performance spots on George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight and MTV Live.
Torro Torro
Torro Torro is the Toronto based production duo of Mike (“Digits”) Gonek and Evan “Yo Ev” Norton. The duo masterfully create an identifiable brand of contemporary party music, influenced by hip hop, electronic dance music and tropical riddims. Their remixes and original productions over the past year have landed them the highest acclaim of their peers. Today there is no doubt that you will hear a Torro Torro record played at the biggest parties the world has to offer, all the way down to the intimate tastemaker clubs nurturing the growth of global bass.
Torro Torro first broke onto the international music scene in September 2010 with their debut single, “Knockin’ Boots” (released on T&A Records). The single became an overnight favorite in the international dance community. Having released Knockin’ Boots to much acclaim the duo followed up in fine form this Spring with their smasher Blue Blouse Which has since become a Summer anthem of 2011, making its mark on the iTunes Electronic Music Charts and continues to receive regular spins on BBC Radio 1Extra.
Torro Torro are recognized as Canada’s ambassadors to this new movement. Their popular monthly event SLOWED attracts performing artists from around the world and is now held in both Toronto and Montreal. They have quickly achieved some of the top charting Moombahton releases in 2011, including their remixes of Turn Up The Volume, New Life, and most notably their Fall 2011 remix of Dillon Francis and Diplo’s “Que, Que”
Drawing from their catalogue of originals, remixes, exclusive material and years of professional turntablist performance Torro Torro create a dynamic live performance.
Nights and Weekends
The band’s trio consists of singer Brendan Beamish, rapper Jermaine Hamilton and drum playing, bass stomping, harmonica blowing Davey James. Together the three form the Toronto sensation that has been sweeping across North America, since early 2009 when they dropped their first EP, Nights & Weekends.
Nights & Weekends began with Brendan Beamish, Mike Gonek and Jermaine Hamilton. “Mr. Right Now” was the first track that the three wrote together as Nights & Weekends. The trio immediately began work on a self-titled EP. Mike produced the beats, Brendan sang and Jermaine rapped. They began to tour around Ontario, steadily building a hometown fanbase, and eventually began playing shows in cities like Boston, New York and Nashville. A tour followed in Cape Town, South Africa, after the band took home first prize at the IMF International Music Festival. Fans all over were surprised to learn that live shows included varied organic elements, balancing the band’s use of synthesizers with live drums, and live guitars.
A year later they released their first self-titled EP on iTunes in 2009. A touchdown came quickly after, when the band’s music started gaining serious traction through placements on shows like MTV’s The Hills, The Real World, The Jersey Shore (twice!). Attention increased, and the band soon scored more placements on shows like ABC Family’s Make It Or Break It and most recently the CW’s new hit program Nikita.
While in process of making an album, Jermaine and Brendan fell into creative difference with former band mate Mike Gonek. With that Mike parted ways. Now down to two, Nights & Weekends continued playing across Ontario. With that said the two went out looking for another band mate, and stumbled across Texas native, Davey James.
Constantly writing new tunes to keep you moving, Nights & Weekends will continue to bring you that soul shaking sound that you first fell in love with while watching Lauren Conrad, fuss about what to wear on, MTV’s The Hills. The band is now preparing to release a new full-length record, and an official music video for their upcoming single “21st Century Rock Star” is in the works.
“But, what do these boys really want? As far as this trio is concerned, there’s nothing better than playing to a room of people, drink in hand, rocking out to one of their jams. “All we really want is one giant party where we’re the soundtrack.”