If you like this band, then you'll like this local act

Keep your tastes local

by Malcolm Standing

Montrealers eternally mock Toronto, claiming it’s a dull, expensive, and soulless place that can’t compete with the cultural energy of our more sophisticated Francophone sister city. While Toronto might be dull, expensive and soulless, we’ve certainly punched above our weight class culturally compared to other cities of our size and caliber. Despite the richness of Toronto’s music scene, many would struggle to name a local artist outside of Drake. Thankfully, the internet has given us the opportunity to explore what this city has to offer without leaving our dorm rooms. I’ve compiled a selection of local artists who I think can serve as an amuse bouche for all the great music this city produces. Malcolm Standing

If you like: Mac DeMarco ,Check out: Nutrients

Mac DeMarco probably helped kickstart one of the most imitated styles in indie music since Vampire Weekend made polo shirts cool. Bright guitars, simple grooves, and a laid-back lo-fi atmosphere nostalgic style all helped make a one-of-a-kind sound. While he has had many imitators, few come close to capturing the je ne sais quoi that made him an indie star. Nutrients realize this, and their sound throws in a few more ingredients that make them stand out from the crowd. Their September single Such Slime showcases how they make up for this. The boyish charm of DeMarco is supplanted by lush vocal harmonies that dance with the equally lush horns and guitar. In any other situation, music like this would be crowded and decadent, but Nutrients makes it work. The vibes stay mellow, but with such a breeziness that the music just beckons for you to pay attention. Definitely check them out if you are into the lofi sound of DeMarco and similar artists.

Also check out: Elijah Cumbo

Cumbo wears his influences on his sleeve much more overtly than Nutrients but still deserves an honorable mention. If you’re looking for something that plays closer to the DeMarco sound, they might be a good bet. While it isn’t terribly adventurous, his work still maintains a cloying, chill sound that you can’t help but be enamoured by if you are a fan of Mac’s work.

If you like: Lo-Fi Hip-Hop Beats To Relax/Chill/Study To ++ Check out: Mix Foley

What can be written about Lo-Fi Hip Hop that hasn’t already been written? Perhaps more importantly, what can be written about Lo-Fi Hip Hop that won’t sound banal to everyone who has listened to what the genre has to offer? Lo-Fi Hip Hop is one of the most important musical experiences of millenials and Gen Z. It is entirely internet based, a reflection of the atomization of our social lives while we seek solace in an anodyne distraction. Or the more likely explanation: we just love the vibey, repetitive, and chill beats because they sound good and provide nice ambiance for just about everything.

If you’re interested in exploring instrumental hip-hop outside of the confines of lo-fi hip hop, give Mix Foley a try. All the components you know and love are here, but with an added experimental twist. Vocal samples and skillful production tricks make his work something worth the try. The abstract nature of the work doesn’t make it good background music, but it does demonstrate how instrumental hip-hop has more to offer than music to scroll through Twitter to. Also, it would be remiss to mention instrumental hip-hop without pointing you towards the father of the genre, the late, great J Dilla. Despite not being from Toronto, J Dilla almost certainly had an impact on Foley and all producers like him.

It would be impossible to scratch below the surface of Toronto’s music scene in a single article. If you’re yearning for more, check out social media, streaming services, and publications just like demo to find more great Toronto acts.