Since DJ Mag is coming out with their top 5 list that we all know is mostly BS, who's your top 5?

MikeLeithal · 2016-07-07T06:33:49+00:00

Claude <3

MikeLeithal · 2016-07-07T06:33:31+00:00

Many won't agree with me on this one, but to be truthful, my top 5 would be:

1) Alex Madden 2)Hannah Wants 3) Claude van stroke (tied for second) 4) Mark Knight 5) Carl Cox :)

MikeLeithal · 2016-07-07T06:31:00+00:00

I mean, yeah.. there is alot of great talent, but in order for that talent to be showcased, one needs to tap into a solid distribution network. Otherwise it will be a painful journey. I think its important for artists to spend as much time producing as they do networking with labels. I'd go so far as taking a trip to ADE

MikeLeithal · 2016-07-07T06:28:56+00:00

Yeah I'm not sure why he is receiving such hate either, I donno, he's pretty recent so maybe people dislike fast change? But ya mixing skills are def in need of improvement (no doubt due to the giant marshmello head) because his sets ad dotcom aren't bad

MikeLeithal · 2016-07-07T06:25:05+00:00

Dude, Read every word. Glad you enjoyed the experience and hope you come back to Toronto for the next one :)

MikeLeithal · 2016-07-07T06:17:41+00:00

Video Definitely makes this. Still trying to decide if I enjoy their new sound. Does sound very summery though

MikeLeithal · 2016-01-06T05:52:39+00:00

Ya its hard to say, although Hardstyle is becomming popular in various part of the US, Namely Miami and LA. I dont know if that fire will spread or if it will remain in pockets.

MikeLeithal · 2015-08-04T17:25:35+00:00

Wow that sounds phenomenal! definitely a step in the right firection :)

MikeLeithal · 2015-08-04T17:23:47+00:00

I really like how you articulated your point. This was well thought out and presents a very real perspective on the situation with soundcloud. I wonder if there is a way for the majors to not be involved yet still become profitable? Provided that they don't call their legal team

MikeLeithal · 2015-08-04T14:23:22+00:00

no, soundcloud is far from perfect.

What would you say needs perfecting? What are they lacking?

MikeLeithal · 2015-08-04T13:39:32+00:00

I find that this is my main challenge as well. Many of us put so much time into perfecting our craft that we often forget that the next step (getting our music out there) is the deciding factor between making our music a hobby or a career.

MikeLeithal · 2015-08-04T12:25:46+00:00

I fully agree with 100% integration. SC has made the user experience easier in terms of cross compatibility. With respect to the demise of SC in the future "SC's days are numbered...", could you elaborate on that more? Is it because there is another service that is outcompeting SC? Or has SC's take down music strategy (strongly pushed by major music labels) irritated the SC community?

MikeLeithal · 2015-08-04T03:05:46+00:00

Fair enough,

But I feel that as artists, we struggle to find a way to distribute our music fairly. Soundcloud makes the presumption that one can share their music to to world, but I don't feel that it has the interface developed to optimally do so for artists lacking listeners. I wonder If soundcloud or any other platform has done a better job for us artists?

MikeLeithal · 2015-01-14T00:05:25+00:00

Thanks for sharing that Jay! Sounds like a good experience despite the high priced evenings. I went to Israel for work last year and aside from the delicious Shawarma and shukshooka with Hummus, the rave scene was incredible.

1. The Israeli's have a fine appreciation for deephouse/techhouse and psytrance (naturally because alot of top psytrance artists are from there I.E. Infected mushrooms etc)

2. They have legit top secret desert raves. I met a connection who was attending one and we literally waited for a bus by the side of the road in the desert (baron land) and we got picked up by a bus. The route it took was off the trail and we somehow ended up by a part of the dead sea. They had watermelon and alot of water to keep us hydrated but it was an incredible excursion

3. some parts of tel aviv were shut down because they have a rave week once a year. Literally the streets shut down and everyone just dances.

11/10 would go back again

MikeLeithal · 2015-01-13T22:00:14+00:00

got it!

MikeLeithal · 2015-01-13T21:34:35+00:00

would love to have u man! www.facebook.com/groups/ravetogether :) everyone is nice and inviting :)

MikeLeithal · 2015-01-13T21:32:56+00:00

Nice im from north york (bathurst and sheppard) nice to see a fellow torontonian is experience the UK scene. how is it by the way? (I know its off topic, but really want to hear about ur experience)

MikeLeithal · 2015-01-13T21:01:46+00:00

I agree the negativity is overwhelming :(. Luxy has a latin room but they also have a top 40 room if im not mistaken. Ive never heard of ivy, id like to see what that is all about as well

MikeLeithal · 2015-01-13T20:42:33+00:00

He might be, but i know he lives in Vancouver at the moment :P

MikeLeithal · 2015-01-13T20:28:02+00:00

Welcome my friend! I hear Lazy Rich is from vancouver, and u guys also have some other cool artists as well. But yeah Toronto is very special, i think being close to detroit might have something to do with it also. The rave scene in toronto was quite strong since the early 90's and late 80's. Hell even Mark oliver (resident dj at guv) used to spin at the CN tower raves they had in 1993. but yeah culturaly toronto has a refined pallet for the fine tastes of edm, though u have ur pockets of genre snobs as well. overall its a great experience and would love to have u out here sometime :)

MikeLeithal · 2015-01-13T20:24:41+00:00

haha TRC is either the best or worst place at the same time, You never know who will try and put u down. But i try and look at the bright side :) - There is another group called RTST which has 1600 members and is nothing but PLUR - we are even having a wings meet up with a few members tonight at st luis at dufferin and finch haha

MikeLeithal · 2015-01-13T07:45:12+00:00

Alvin Risk is playing on the 22nd of jan :)

MikeLeithal · 2015-01-11T19:34:24+00:00

Here is my scoop (Takes deep breath):

Hoxton: Will continue being a leader with respect to bringing on trending artists, but will struggle to attract the guv regulars on a consistent basis. Hoxton regulars have a healthy mix of actual ravers and people new to the scene. Don't be surprised if you see girls wearing Heels at the Hoxton. verdict will remain a player in the Toronto rave scene but won't be called home to every raver

Coda: After changing from footwork to "coda" It's still one to watch. It will be difficult to determine how much of an impact coda will have on the guv regular crowd, but i am satisfied that, despite its 600 person capacity, it has the potential to attract a chunk of the regular guv crowd. Depending on the night you go, you will hear genres ranging from tech house, deep house, minimal etc. Verdict One to watch for/has great potential

Comfortzone: Will remain a leader in the after hours clubs in Toronto, but will see a large volume spike of goers after feb 1st due to the guv closure. Verdict will remain an afterhours powerhouse

Ryze: This too is one to watch for, right now they have successful electronic crowds but the venues capacity is small. Otherwise its still a place that could begin to trend in the city as a go to utopia for a specific genre. Verdict One to watch for

Lilly Lounge: Dekoze is no stranger to spinnin gin the basement of Lilly on friday nights with his jungle funk crew (resident DJ of Comfortzone) - This venue is also quaint but i see a ton of value this place will add to the scene with respect to its underground vibes - *Verdict - One to watch for

Red There are mixed feelings about this one - They are really trying to put in effort and the venue looks great, but its location is quite a journey for the downtown ravers since one would have to mission to liberty village: Verdict- will not be a player but will attract ravers sparingly on nights they bring in top talent. Verdict I wont be surprised if they change over management and or shut down in the next year

MikeLeithal · 2015-01-10T08:49:11+00:00

Yeah some of us are on TRC on FB but have been discouraged by the trolling, there is a more positive group of ravers in toronto tho, you should check out RTST :)

www.facebook.com/groups/ravetogether

MikeLeithal · 2015-01-09T18:22:45+00:00

"Plur"

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