Dj Naughty
The Most Unique Music Often Comes From Independent Toronto Artists
As far as independent music goes, I’m struggling a little bit to identify with why people think being signed to a small label makes them independent. By definition, being signed to any label means you are no longer independent, you are signed to a label. I suppose it’s semantics at play. Some will make the debatethat being signed to any label, big or small, you are still pretty well on your own to make it – unless you are a top-tier artist that these labels place a large budget and team behind.
I try very hard to find truly self-supporting artists making truly unique music in order to fill up my mp3 player. Now seeing that I hail from Canada originally, I am always surprised to find that some of the best music I uncover, from some of the hardest working artists tends to bring me right back to my Canadian roots. The irony is that I never meet these artists in Canada. I always seem to find them playing in New York, LA, London or Paris. I suppose hard work in the field involves traveling, which must get pricey when you are truly an independent artist.
One such artist is Canadian Soul Singer, Amanda Davids (www.amandadavids.com). She can always be seen performing with her accomplices, Shai Locke on midi guitar and DJ Xplisit on turntables and beatboxing. Amanda’s voice is Compelling and full of soul – and she plays her own keys (elaborate lines at that). I asked her after the show, ( here’s a clip – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRdZC8vWK60 ) and she mentioned that she plays all the keys on her upcoming album and all of her past recordings – ranging from grand piano to clavinet to a Hammond A-100 she keeps in her living room which dates back to the ’60s. This would be expected after seeing her perform, but surprisingly isn’t as common as one would think with modern production. I previewed her new album with the promo song entitled “Naughty Boy” on her myspace site – www.myspace.com/amandadavidsmusic and it is every bit as funky and original as I would have expected. It sort of reminded me of En Vogue meets Charlie Hunter and DJ Logic.
Look out for Amanda Davids, and if you are in Canada, watch her myspace site for listings of upcoming shows. You will not regret seeing her, Shai Locke and DJ Xplisit live.
About the Author
My friends call me Tom…. i don’t have as many friends as Tom from myspace, but I spend as much of my time checking out new music as he does….. this’ll learn ya!
DJ NAUGHTY AND MARCUS NASTY
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