Toronto musicians reveal different side of sound
Breathing underwater, honest ex-girlfriends and lightning bolts aren’t usually the first things that pop up when Toronto’s music scene comes to mind.
But they’re all on the agendas of these Canadian acts, which have been making substantial splashes in a variety of genres. Whether you’re most at home musically at a club, bar or large festival, there’s an act here to suit your taste, and they opened up to us about what keeps their Tonka Trucks running.
Artist: Torro Torro
From: Toronto
Genre: Electro, House
Check out: “Zedd – Clarity ft. Foxes (Torro Torro rmx)”, “Neoteric & Wax Motif – Go Deep (Torro Torro rmx)”
Q1. If you could choose a theme song to play every time you enter a room, what would you choose?
A1. “Da Rockwilder” by Method Man and Redman. This would depend on the entrance being choreographed like the video.
Q2. What has to be the weirdest experience you’ve had during a live show?
A2. It’s a toss up. One dude stretching out another dudes hamstring on the dance floor surrounded by thousands, or a couple having sex in the booth across from us.
Q3. Name the most unusual scenario you think you’d like to experience.
A3. Breathing underwater, unassisted by any apparatus.
Q4. What’s your number one guilty pleasure you’d love to incorporate into a set?
A4. Fully narrated by Morgan Freeman
Q5. You have 6 months to live, what do you make sure you get done in that time?
A5. Give away all possessions to people or causes that will be able to further use them. Visit a few cool places like the Galapagos Islands or Space. See how much free stuff, like food or rollercoaster rides we could get from being on our final legs.
Q6. You have a month to plan your funeral. Which song would you insist be played?
A6. You’ll have to wait 30 days for this answer. Facebook.com/TorroTorro
Artist: Teenage Kicks
From: Toronto
Genre: Rock & Roll
Check out: “Be On My Side EP”
Q1. If you could choose a theme song to play every time you enter a room, what would you choose?
A1. “In The Street” by Big Star.
Q2. You have 2 sentences to explain your music to an 8-year-old, go!
A2. Like Sesame Street but louder.
Q3. What has been the weirdest experience you’ve had during a live show?
A3. An incredible urge to succeed immediately followed by an uncontrollable urge to just give up.
Q4. Name the most unusual scenario you think you’d like to experience.
A4. To get all of my ex-girlfriends in one room and have them be really honest with me.
Q5. What’s your number one guilty pleasure you’d love to incorporate into a set?
A5. Live music for an antique roadshow.
Q6. You have 6 months to live, what do you make sure you get done in that time?
A6. I would make a record where I wrote all of the songs and my dad sings them.
Artist: The Penske File
From: Burlington, ON
Genre: Melodic folk, Punk
Check out: “The Valley”, “Grave Escapes EP”
Q1. If you could choose a theme song to play every time you enter a room, what would you choose?
A1. “Bohemian Rhapsody.” It’s a great sing along that everyone who is anyone knows. Freddy is a legend.
Q2. You have 2 sentences to explain your music to an 8-year-old, go!
A2. Tonka meets Hot Wheels, with SunnyD and Kool-Aid on the side.
Q3. What has been the weirdest experience you’ve had during a live show?
A3. A show in Ottawa, house show in the basement. One outlet for both amps and a NEW bass head and cab. Both the guitar and bass were freshly strung, so the strings were not cut yet at the neck. When we were sound checking, literally, a visible electric current or (lightning bolt), travelled from the guitars uncut strings to the bass’s uncut strings through the bass and into the new bass head, which blew. It was absolutely terrifying. Luckily we got another bass head somehow. Unfortunately, we got cut after our first two songs due to “noise complaints” and the police.
Q4. Name the most unusual scenario you think you’d like to experience.
A4. Going on a Caribbean Island tour with Miley Cyrus and Snoop Dogg, or Lion. Whatever he is now. (He now goes by Snoopzilla).
Q5. What’s your number one guilty pleasure you’d love to incorporate into a set?
A5. A food fight during a set would be a great time, not really a guilty pleasure but…
Q6. You have a month to plan your funeral. Which song would you insist be played?
A6. “A Beautiful Ride” from the movie Walk Hard, a Dewie Cox original.
About the Author
Jesse Espana is a third year Media Studies student. Apart from working on becoming a better writer, he fills his time with all things music and technology. As the Radio/Podcast Division head of GuHu Media, Guelph-Humber's student-run media society, Jesse hopes to one day work with a music or technology based publication. Remaining open minded and taking every opportunity as they come is a large part of Jesse's life and he plans to make the most of his post-secondary education.
Related Posts
Sleep in students: How much is enough? →
Sketching the Line →
The Sound of Social Change →
