When Graze‘s self-titled debut EP came out in May of last year, it felt like a revelation: finally, the fresh blood we were looking for… even if it’s from Canada. Here was a duo who was confidently churning out a stack of impeccably constructed and deliciously groovy techno, seemingly out of nowhere. (Both Adam Marshall and Christian “XI” Anderson are established musicians/producers in their own right, but this was their first time collaborating.)

Then in December came their first full-length, Edges, in which Adam and Christian played to their established strengths—full-bodied low-end, sharpy, gritty textures, and celestial melodies that land just on the right side of, like, John Hopkins. Once again, Graze had done Toronto’s electronic music scene proud, although we should note that Adam currently lives in Berlin.

Suddenly, we wanted to know everything about them: what kinds of parties they’ve gone to (Richie Hawtin’s Jak parties in Chicago and the legendary Further/Even Further festivals in the 90s, they claim). What their live sets are like (“potent” and “crushing” is how people have described their Mutek live debut). What they think about the archetypal moody and broody techno dudes (“There is nothing real about the attempts at darkness and moodiness I see in much of what other people base their image around. It almost appears as a cartoon of actual darkness,” said Christian).

But more than anything, we wanted to know what sorts of music they cut their teeth on—the tracks that shaped their own releases and still resonate with them today. So we asked the boys to name ten of their biggest musical influences. Unsurprisingly, it’s a mixed but stellar bunch. Take a gander and listen to our stream of Graze’s Edges LP below. Oh, and if you’re in NYC tonight, January 16, you can catch Graze alongside Dark Sky at Output in Brooklyn.

ADAM MARSHALL

1. B12 – “Scriptures” 2. Wille Burns – “Duh Duh Dunk”

One of my favorite cuts from last year: epic, melodic and rough around the edges.

3. Model500 – “Starlight” (Moritz Mix)

4. Trusta – “Hypnotic”

5. Claro Intelecto – “Peace Of Mind”

CHRISTIAN “XI” ANDERSON

6. DJ Shadow – “Building Steam With a Grain of Salt” Entroducing 7. Aphex Twin – “XTAL” 8. Deftones – “Be Quiet and Drive” 9. Wu-Tang – “C.R.E.A.M” 10. LTJ Bukem – “Horizons”