Music

The New Breed of the Canadian Dance Scene

by Anne T. Donahue

As Canada continues its streak of producing artists renowned for their abilities to constantly challenge and evolve, it’s understandable that in the wake of increasing electronic popularity, Canadian musicians are working to set themselves apart, maintaining unique presences in the wake of mass production. While Canada has already cemented itself as a distinct presence in nearly every musical spectrum, it continues to maintain relevancy by housing musicians that offer alternatives to generic electronica, by bringing with them genuine talent, sincerity and passion.  Here are five up-and-coming electro acts you need to keep tabs on.

Bocce

Taking interactive live performances to a whole new level is Bocce, a four-piece electro-pop band from Waterloo, Ontario, whose only demand is that their ever-growing crowds return the group’s pension for enthusiasm and energy.  Utilizing only keyboards, drums, drum machines and the voices of Ben Ong and Tony Salomone, the band has three EPs to their name, and is slated to release their first full-length record, Disambiguation, in mid-March.

Having played at Pop Montreal, Hillside Inside and at countless other venues and festivals across Southern Ontario, the group has performed alongside Lioness, The D’Urbervilles and Shout Out Out Out, maintaining a dance-crazed cult following who are enthralled with the band’s uninhibited, unapologetic and magnetic sound.  Unlike some electronic acts that seem to get lost in translation, Bocce’s live energy successfully carries over into their recorded efforts, thus branding the group as a bankable force on the emerging electronic scene.

Kidstreet

Garnering praise from the likes Exclaim!, Eye Weekly and NOW is Kidstreet, the three-piece electro-set from Waterloo  who bring with them key elements of disco, dance and experimental.  Consisting of three siblings with an affinity for synth-pop, the band maintains a focus on lyrics and harmonies as well on melodies and beats, and has become a fixture of the south-western Ontario music scene while successfully gaining momentum across Canada.

Having only recently made their mark in Toronto, the trio is already slated to play the CMW Showcase in March and alongside Thunderheist in Vancouver later this year.  In addition to their fanbase and positive publicity, Kidstreet has also gone on to achieve national notoriety following “Song” – the staccato piano piece that has come to support Ford’s latest TV spot – and while it doesn’t exemplify the daring electro-pop that defines the band, it succeeds in showcasing their accessibility.

Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees

From Halifax, Nova Scotia come Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees, a unique mix of indie and electro-metal, whose relentless sound embodies the band’s rawness and fearless demeanour.  Combining lead singer Rebekah Higgs’ porcelain vocals with harsh guitar and fast-paced dance beats, the four-piece takes electro to an entirely different level, relentlessly pushing musical boundaries by bringing with them aspects of dance, punk and hard rock.

Having opened for various Canadian music staples, Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees have recently returned from a UK tour and are scheduled to return to the studio to record the follow-up to their self-titled EP shortly.  Similar to the electro-rock offerings currently taking the indie world by storm, the group makes no apologies and uses their live performances to help establish their reputation as musicians with something to prove, earning international acclaim from critics and listeners through their distinct stage presence and alluring sound. 

Pilotpriest

Earning endless accolades from bloggers, music forums and fellow musicians, Toronto artist Pilotpriest (aka Anthony Scott Burns) has worked to help pioneer the city’s underground electronic scene, garnering attention through remixes and affiliations with various venues and artists.  Signed to Calamity Jane Recordings – a subdivision of house label Strictly Rhythm – the artist released his first two singles (“My Adidas” and “Zipper”) to acclaim late last year, and went on to release his first EP, Body Double, in early February.

With a self-professed affinity for synthesizers and 1980’s children’s films, Pilotpriest is also renowned for his production and remixes, having remixed everyone from Kanye West to Lioness, and increasing his international fan base as a result.  Maintaining a musical presence that’s memorable but not contrived, the artist successfully blends elements of house, hip-hop and dance, offering listeners a balance between the subdued and charismatic, while letting his music stand on its own.

Swear Words

Shrouded in obscurity comes Swear Words, an underground remix phenomenon who’s earned kudos for his remixes of Crystal Castles and George Michael tracks while also successfully establishing a cult fan base as a result of his appearances at various venues across the city.  Though currently unsigned, the artist is aligned with the likes of Crystal Castles and Pilotpriest, earning credibility within the genre for his unique take on original tracks, adding a distinct quality that sets him apart from most remix artists.

While he has yet to release an album, Swear Words continues to generate buzz among audiences, the media and his fellow musicians, and as electro and dance aficionados eagerly await the release of his debut album, to describe it as “highly anticipated” would be an obvious understatement.