Written by: Joseph Francis Espinosa
Toronto - May 22nd @ Mod Club
The Landmark Events Semi Finals Showcase Festival for Toronto is right around the corner, and we wanted to give you a heads up in regards to what caught our eyes and ears here at LME headquarters. As always, the LME recruitment team scours all social media platforms and music streaming and sharing platforms, to find the most interesting and engaging artists who we believe would be a great performance to add to our festival, barring number of likes or listens on their page, we look for the proof of talent in the pudding, or the music in this case.
Without further ado, here are the performers for Landmark Events Showcase Festival, to be held May 22nd at Mod Club in Toronto.
Ase Eschu Bafamet & The Dirty B-Sides
Following the current movement of conscious MC's who match the righteousness of their verses with excellence in production on their beats. Ase Eschu Bafamet hooked us hard from the first four bell hits of "Theo Bolivar", the first track off his album Ase vs. Grapes Present: Throw Diagram. We are sure that his cold lungs filled with oxygen will send chills down your spine while opening your mind! To add the cherry on top of the consciousness sundae Ase will be backed by Toronto-based hip-hop collective with horns, synths, drums, bass, guitar and keys The Dirty B-Sides, you can follow them on social media by following the #BOOMBAPHUMPDAY hashtag.
Hear what we heard, here: https://soundcloud.com/breatharya
EARTHPHONICS
Sometimes seeing is just as good as hearing, and if you make your way over to EARTPHONICS facebook page and watch their studio video for their track "Heartbeat", you instantaneously see the dynamic which makes this collective of artists a powerhouse of talent. Between the sweet, soft and angelic voice of Lead Singer Nicki Mack and the percussive and clean flow of AO Gorman, you can feel that good vibes are in abundance. Their new single "Expecting" is set to put this collective of artists from around the world on the map, and coming straight out of the 6.
Hear what we heard, here: https://soundcloud.com/earthphonics
Top Bound Prospects
The most interesting aspect of Top Bound Prospects is their mystique. Look them up on google, soundcloud, bandcamp, even on facebook, and you will probably see the top prospects for the NFL or NHL before finding any of their tunes. However, our Artist Recruitment team has spoken volumes about their musical attributes, and has seen the hunger of this group wanting to unleash their special brand of r&b and Hip Hop on the crowd at our upcoming Semi Finals. Part of working with us at LME includes artist development, and after working with us you'll be sure to see an increase in the social media game for Top Bound Prospects.
Hear what we heard, here: Or just believe us when we say they are pure fire!
Tasha & The Sweet Talkers
One of the first words that come to mind when listening to Tasha & The Sweet Talkers is smooth, which also lends it's definition to the production of their self titled 3 song ep released back in 2014. All instrumentation sits behind the keys and the soulful mid high registered vocals of Lead Singer Tasha Jade. Don't be fooled though, if you check out the band's Instagram account (https://www.instagram.com/sweettalkersmusic/) you can see them getting geared up for the May 22nd LME Semi Final Showcase Festival, with guitarist Evan McIntyre ripping some sweet scales on his Fender Telecaster. Hope everyone is ready to fall in love with these sweet talkers, we're already smitten.
Hear what we heard, here: http://tashaandthesweettalkers.bandcamp.com/releases
The Avenue
Needless to say that the sound of the soulful Toronto streets are being well represented and the Toronto based MC, The Avenue, will keep the soul flowing on May 22nd. He makes you wait about 30 seconds into the first track of his EP Sölitude before dropping a quote straight from Talib Kweli, with The Avenue's cool ease, and classic flow, he holds strong throughout the EP. Reminiscent of the conscious Hip Hop movement started by the Native Tongues in New York which is being revived by artists like Joey Bada$$, Kirk Knight, Mick Jenkins, and Vince Staples to name a few great young minds, The Avenue shows he can roll with the best of the best. Don't sleep on this artist's performance at our upcoming Toronto Semi Final Showcase Festival.
Hear what we heard, here: https://troubadour-highlife.bandcamp.com/releases
Bobby Crush
Is it summer yet? Or is Bobby Crush just sending us into a heat wave? Bobby hooked us in with the bounce of his track "Two Days Later" featuring Flight Facilities and old friend Anson Spry, guitarist of long laid to rest Ontario based Hardcore juggernauts Cobourg. Where the two aforementioned Hip Hop MC's bring a neo-soul take on the art of rhyming, this Rap artist is cutting straight to the heavy beats, with flanging hi hats, and booming 808 kicks. The night of the LME showcase, Bobby will most likely be surrounded by his squad, with tall Styrofoam cups filled with purple drink. That's not grape juice though.
Hear what we heard, here: https://soundcloud.com/bobbycrush
Down The Void
On the heavier side of sounds you will be hearing at the LME Semi Final Showcase Festival at Mod Club, you will find Down The Void. Taking alternative rock and putting their own spin on things, this trio do their best to bring you the biggest sounding drums, guitars and vocals. You can hear the melancholy in their first single "Lost My Mind", which we here at LME consider a little teaser of what you will come to expect from these loud rockers. Expect to have their catchy tunes ringing in your ears and you brain melting in your skull.
Hear what we heard, here: http://www.downthevoid.net
Pilot Light
Be prepared to be wooed by the sweet sounds of Pilot Light, who will be bringing his thought provoking lyrics and acoustic driven pop ballads to the Mod Club on May 22nd. We were drawn in by how easy Pilot Light is to listen to. Almost as if every note played on his guitar has been expertly picked to represent the emotion he is trying to evoke. Holding your lover close and swaying to this set will be a breeze for any crowd this lovely artist performs for.
Hear what we heard, here: http://pilotlightmusic.ca/
Jay Harmony
We got drawn into Jay Harmony's sound as soon as we hit play on her track "All Gone". The luscious island sounds take you away from the city, and straight to white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, and this artist's vocals are a vacation from the norm, as well. Not over-produced, just given the time and space to shine, Jay's voice is a powerhouse, being able to swing from a mid vocal register then shooting straight into her high notes, hitting every key with precision and grace. Your feet will have no choice but to move and your head will bob to her sweet rhythms. Our artist recruitment team here can testify to Jay Harmony's effect on your body, and it's need to dance to her tunes.
Hear what we heard, here: http://jayharmony.com/
Rasselas
Is that Stankonia you're hearing? Nope, it's the Ethiopian infused Hip Hop styling of Producer and MC, Rasselas. This artist takes the traditional sounds he was born into in Ethiopia, and puts his genius flow over his production, to give you a musical product which is unlike any other. Already nominated for Best Male Artist at the African Entertainment Awards, Rasselas will be performing tracks off his 2014 release Injera Music and his newly release album Hagger Swagger both available for purchase on his site http://rasselasmusic.com/site/. Yet another artist showing the range of musical talent Toronto has to offer.
Hear what we heard, here: http://rasselasmusic.com/site/music/
George
Perhaps some artists are just born for the limelight, best believe that George fits that description. This Rap artist based in the 6 first found his taste of recognition while working on FX's "The Strain", and has since used his experiences on and off set to propel him into becoming a cultural staple. With his high quality production and ability to draw inspiration from tragedy in his life, George swings from his rapping cadences into soft singing and quick rhyming verses with a timbre that mimics that of Justin Timberlake. All those attending the May 22nd Semi Final will get to witness what the Vinyl & Gold Collective are calling," one of the most influential rap artists of his time".
Hear what we heard, here: http://www.vinylandgold.com/collective/#/george/
Jameel3DN
Here in Canada we sometimes refer to Toronto as the New York of our great white north, if you hold truth in that statement then we'd like to introduce you to Jameel, a rapper with voice so big you'd think he was straight outta brooklyn. This artist is one of the heaviest spitting rappers we've heard here at LME headquarters in a while. With a huge production on his track "Letter C" we were introduced to this rap purist, toting a message of disbelief with the status of society today, offering the perspective of someone who is no stranger to the trials tribulations of the streets. If the boom of Jameel's beats do not make your knees shake, this phenomenon's voice will surely make you feel his power.
Hear what we heard, here: https://soundcloud.com/jameel3dn/sets
Leondro
So we've heard from the Hip Hop and Rap artists who will be showering us with everything from a higher consciousness to that purple, but Leondro is one artist who shows he can go anywhere when it comes to rap. His album I am Leandro is set to drop in early June of 2016, and from what he displays on the tracks available for streaming on his ReverbNation account, he can go from a singing and positive perspective reminiscent of a mix between Flo Rida and Akon on his track "Super Big" , to a down and dirty trap banger which is embodied in "Hunnit". Leandro is going to hit our Semi Finals stage and show why he should be heading to the Finals or our LME Showcase Festival.
Hear what we heard, here: http://www.reverbnation.com/rpk/leondromusic
Friday
Forget the weekend, because Friday is where it's at! This baritone MC brings the pain, with his low toned voice, he delivers the despair of life changing events in his track "Changes". The simplicity of his beat production and the quality of his lyrical content get you hooked into his story telling as he takes you on a ride of tempo changes and legato delivery of his rhymes. Friday is sure to make you fall into a trance while listening to his story being told, in a way only he could deliver.
Hear what we heard, here: https://youtu.be/KwKIUAaYXw4
King Alexander
When we first hit play on King Alexander's music video for his track "Alone" there wasn't mush that could've prepared us for the raw emotion and talent we were about to be witness to. King Alexander has the power that you come to expect from r&b and pop phenomenon Usher, but he is Canada's very own. Hailing from the 6, this r&b purist tells the tale of a broken heart over a slow tempo beat that is reminiscent of something you'd hear coming from legendary WEDIDIT COLLECTIVE leader Shlohmo. King Alexander will be a definite performer to watch out for on May 22nd.
Hear what we heard, here: https://youtu.be/-FHZzgIPB-k
MAGS
Mags gives us all the cute pop tendencies that the world has come to love from pop artists akin to Taylor Swift. Her way of telling stories of love lost and missed opportunities in her track "Boyfriend" had us smitten from the opening second of her music video. What really impressed our team here at LME was her abilty to show the more sultry side of her voice as well on her cover over "I've Got You Under My Skin" . We've all heard Canadian Jazz artist Diana Krall's take on the tune, but Mags, makes the studio recording of the track all her own.
Hear what we heard, here: www.magsthesinger.com
Sadie Ameliorate
You may have never heard of Sadie Ameliorate before, but after the first 15 seconds of listening to this singer/songwriter we knew we had found a true gem. Sadie's voice definitely stands out with an element of purity, which is great a way to describe her pure talent. Although it may difficult to find her material on line, we are convinced that it will not be long before many hands come knocking on Sadie's door to collaborate on many musical ventures.
Hear what we heard, here: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x364xj6
BYOI (Beyond Your Own Imagination)
Blending together the worlds of pop and rap, we find ourselves bobbing our heads to the high quality production of BYOI (Beyond Your Own Imagination). This quintet give us their take on current rap and impressed with the overall conviction displayed on any one of their tracks that you listen to on their Soundcloud. What excites us here at LME headquarters? Seeing how these tdot rappers take their energetic sound and translate it to a live setting.
Hear what we heard, here: https://soundcloud.com/byoimusic
MORFIUSBLUE
From the opening seconds of their first track "Happy Red" off their 2015 EP Z, we here at LME knew we had found a special artistic gem. Morfiusblue can take the simplest sounds of a guitar being plucked and with the use of excellent note selections for vocals and texturing their sound with layers of reverb, they give you a unique sound experience, which is the most artistic performance we have in store for everyone at the Mod Club, on May 22nd.
Hear what we heard, here: https://morfiusblue.bandcamp.com/releases
THE TRACKMARKS
These classic rockers are no stranger to the stage, and their latest release Planet Anarchy shows them in all of their funky rock n roll swagger. Despite being one of the only bands of their kind performing at the LME Semi Final Showcase Festival, there aren't very many bands that can blend rock n roll, grunge and funk the way these dudes can. Using their sound to set them apart will be what will turn heads towards their performance on May 22nd.
Hear what we heard, here: https://www.facebook.com/TheTrackmarks/app/204974879526524/
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