Big remix album of We Come In Pieces’ coming our way from Canada – make way for the Robots…
Jared and Voytek, welcome to the DMC World.
A great concept with this re-work of your album on your superb label which we will come to later. Before that though, tell us about the best clubs that you have played at in Canada over the years…
Jared: “At times, it seems that Canada’s best days of underground clubbing are behind her. That being said, there are still a few that hold the torch and we’ve enjoyed playing at some of them. Stereo in Montreal with their legendary sound system, Montreal’s Blizzarts with a crowd that knows their noise, and Footwork is also a great place to play and has been a mainstay of the scene in Toronto for some time now.”
Who were your early musical influences growing up that got you on this dance music road?
Voytek: “For me it was bands’ like Joy Division, The Happy Mondays, The Orb and definitely Richie Hawtin. When I first heard that shit I was blown away.”
Jared: “I’d say Massive Attack, Radiohead, and DJ/Producers Laurent Garnier and JoriHulkkonen. Both of us have always found our influences from bands and artist that blurred the lines of genres and weren’t afraid to play music that was less safe and moody.”
Your releases on your label has had some big props from the likes of Laurent Garnier, Stacey Pullen and Lee Burridge – what DJs or bands out there do you really enjoy playing with?
Voytek: “Does DJing in my bedroom with a poster count? If so, then my favorite set would be opening up for Depeche Mode at Wembley in 1988. That was a great night!”
Jared: “Getting positive feedback from a guy like Laurent Garnier and other’s is completely surreal. We feel like the label has a little something for everyone so its cool to see that support has been broad and by people who play eclectic styles of music.”
Why did you choose the name of your band?
Voytek: “Because Tiesto was already taken.”
Some great producers that have produced tracks for your label – who are you most proudest of – what tracks stand out?
Jared: “Its hard to pick just one but it’s safe to say that we are really proud of Kenny Glasgow and very excited to have him on the label. He’s quite the legend around these parts and you couldn’t meet a nicer and more liked guy! His music is nothing short of genius and I continue to be blown away by the stuff this man does. His remix of ‘WakindaPark’ which will be released in November is the best track our label has seen so far.”
What is the best and worst thing about living in Canada?
Voytek: “Celine Dion is the worst thing about living here.”
Jared: “Yah, I agree with that. I’d say the best thing is probably our Maple syrup.”
Why did you decide to re-mix the album?
Voytek: “Most of the remixers on this album were really helpful in giving us feedback and guidance on our tracks for the original album. And so many different ideas were fired at us during that process. So we figured it would be a lot of fun to have the crew reinterpret the work we had done. MFR’s original tracks aren’t always geared to the dance floor, so it only made sense to call in the troops.”
Best live band you have ever seen?
Voytek: “The Cure, 1989, during their Disintegration Tour.”
Jared: “It’s safe to say that when my Dad took me to see David Bowie’s ‘Space Oddity’, I saw the future and it was weird, but I liked it!”
How big is the rivalry between clubs in the US and Canada, now that Canada is going through the roof?
Voytek: “To our knowledge, there isnt much of a rivalry, more of a friendship and a connection. Either way, even if the US would go through the roof, they’d just end up in Canada anyways because we are their roof.”
So talk us through the ‘new’ ‘We Come In Pieces’ album – which people from Canada’s burgeoning electronic scene that you chose to re-work your songs do you think did the best job?
Jared: “We are very fortunate to have so many talented Canadian artists that wanted to be involved with this My Favorite Robot project. To be honest, this release only evolved into an album because of the volume of great tracks that were returned to me for this package! Carlo Lio’s mix of ‘Mexican Sunset’ really works well on the dance floor, and we’ve been rocking Jonny White’s Ego mix of ‘Ask Around’ for sometime now. People lose there shit when that one comes on. Jordan Dare also put in a great mix.”
Who are the new DJ/producer stars of the Canadian dance music scene coming through we should be looking out for…?
Jared: “Definitely James Teej, Nitin, and Vandermeer. Teej’s new album on Rekids is next level and I think a lot of people are going to be blown away when that drops this Fall. Nitin has also been on fire lately and his upcoming EP on No.19 music is great work. We’ve been rocking the Osunlade mix of ‘Silent Scales’ which is just incredible. And Vandermeer never stops impressing us. He is working on a new full length for the label and an EP that I am in love with!! It’s also great to see the acclaim that Jonny White and No.19 are getting. His sound is making a very cool evolution at the moment and is heading in an interesting direction.”
What are the big ten tunes you are listening to right now?
Jared &Voytek: In no particular order – Oscura Wand In Paris – Dollz at Play (Mr C Remix), My Life In Parallel – Danton Eeprom, La Fee Verte – Daso, Sad Song – Lou Reed, Snake Pit – Jamie Jones, Gone – David Garcet (JesperDahlback Remix), Transmission – Joy Division, CM – Rebotini (Chloe Remix), Panic, Stop, Repeat – Seth Troxler, Bruise – Battant (Mickey Moonlight Remix).
What other Canadian labels are firing at the moment?
Voytek: “Without a doubt, I’d say No.19 Music. It’s been great to see what Jonny White and Nitin have been able to do with the label in such short order. It seems like everyone wants to be involved in that project. Jonny has had true vision with the label.”
Jared: “As has Carlo Lio with his Toronto based Rawthetic label. Carlo is one of the real gentleman on the Canadian scene and everybody loves to work with him. One of my favorite Canadian labels remains Wagon Repair and Turbo still has some very relevant releases.”
Best event you have ever played at?
Jared: “It was really cool to play at the Ultra Music Fest in Miami a few years back and we won’t forget the first time we played the main room at Stereo.”
What did your parents think of you going down the ‘live band’ route as a career?
Jared: “Mine have been very supportive through the years.”
Voytek: “They also think that we are the best looking and most talented boys!”
