TORONTO STARS
FREEDOM of expression is part of article number 19 of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and sits close to the heart of Toronto-based label-owner, producer, promoter and DJ, Jonny White. His label, the aptly titled No. 19 Music, has been releasing tech house and deep house’s quirkier forays since 2008. And an offshoot of parties called No. 19 presents Social Experiment culminated in the label’s first compilation by Boston duo Soul Clap last year, the non-sequentially monikered ‘Social Experiment 002’. Roughly a year after No. 19’s inception, White linked up with close friend and longtime Canadian producer/DJ Kenny Glasgow on a remix for Riz MC. An immediate musical and creative bond was formed and the two started releasing music as Art Department on Crosstown Rebels, enjoying a meteoric rise that’s seen them tour relentlessly around the globe. Fast forward to the end of 2012 and White’s many hats become one as Art Department release their own ‘Social Experiment 003’ compilation on No. 19 in a wonderful full-circle. Come to think of it, why did it take so long for them to release on the label, let alone front its compilation series? “For the first official compilation last year we chose
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djmag.com
Art Department take centre stage for ‘Social Experiment 003’
Soul Clap, who did a wonderful job with it, and at the time I was very wary of using Art Department’s hype and success to launch the annual series. I thought it was a bit too obvious,” explains White. “I think us doing it was the right choice this year because now people associate the Social Experiment brand less specifically with Art Department or myself, and more with the events we’ve been doing across the globe. There is nobody who can better represent the sound and vibe of the actual events than we can as we’ve played every single one. We wanted to take the opportunity to not only put out a mix, but to really try and carry over what we’re doing at the shows and showcase the label’s direction, the music being released as well as the events side. That’s why you’ll find it’s quite dancefloor for a compilation, at least by our standards.” Club-friendly it is. ‘Social Experiment 003’ contains fourteen tracks and boasts eight exclusives cuts and remixes from likes of Jamie Jones and Tale Of Us, as well as Art Department themselves. Legendary house vocalist, Robert Owens, lends his silky warble to a previously unheard techy number from Jakkin Rabbit, whilst a Carl Craig remix of DJ Hell’s Bryan
Ferry fronted ‘U Can Dance’ kicks the mix into high gear two thirds of the way through. ‘Insomniac’, one of the unreleased Art Department tunes, should come as no surprise to devout fans as it’s been a mainstay in their sets for a while. “It’s a special track and is very close to my heart,” says Glasgow. “We’re both quite proud of it and I’m happy it wound up on No.19 as well as being our final release of 2012.” Immerse yourself in its pensive, soulful swagger and DJ Mag USA is sure you’ll agree. So what’s next? Absolutely loads of course... but not before a deserved spot of r&r. “We’re about to take a much needed three month break for the first time in years,” says Jonny. “We’ve been playing about 150 shows per year since this whole thing started so our time at home and in the studio has been limited to say the least. We’re heading back into the studio to write our next album now and working on some really interesting concepts to go along with that. Aside from that, we’re going to spend some seriously overdue time with our animals, friends, family and stay off of airplanes! It sounds amazing to us now, but I bet it won’t be two weeks into it when we get the itch to get back out there…”ZARA WLADAWSKY
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