From B12 to DJ Shadow, The Fire Behind Graze's Badass Techno

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"

All the early B12 was a big inspiration, from "Electro-Soma" to "Time Tourist." Bittersweet melodies matched with tough percussion and deep space atmospherics make up a perfect soundtrack for an arrival on Mars.

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)

This track, and specifically Moritz's mix, really evokes the feeling of floating out in the stars. You might think it's all delicate and quiet, but when played on club system, this track really shows the crippling power of empty space.

4. Trusta - "Hypnotic"

Perfect example of a hard-hitting club track that doesn't try to do too much. I like most of the Swamp81 stuff for this reason. They know what works in a club, and they leave it at that.

5. Claro Intelecto - "Peace Of Mind"

This track is an examplar of what we're trying to do with Graze. It's very emotive, but at the same time extremely club-friendly.

CHRISTIAN "XI" ANDERSON

6. DJ Shadow - "Building Steam With a Grain of Salt"

Haunting melodies and banging drums. This was a primer in the power of sampling for me, and would dictate my production aesthetic forever going forward. In fact,

Entroducing

is probably among my most listened-to bodies of work.

7. Aphex Twin - "XTAL"

Richard D. James represents for me, as I'm sure he does for hordes of others, true freedom of expression in a natually confined space. He is one of those icons who are widely and rightly credited for inspiring people to let their minds run hog wild.

8. Deftones - "Be Quiet and Drive"

When I first heard this track in 1997, nothing I had heard previously made me feel this level of suspension and weightlessness. Perfectly angry, expressive, and simple. This band would go on to be my favourite band for over 15 years.

9. Wu-Tang - "C.R.E.A.M"

This and Mobb Deep's "Shook Ones" completely piqued my interest in sampling. These are prime examples in my mind of sickeningly effective sample works. I've been enamoured with RZA's production for many years, and I still don't think anyone has surpassed his genius in this area.

10. LTJ Bukem - "Horizons"

While I was in the transition period between my punk/metal upbringing and my jungle/hardcore future, this track represented the musical fusion of light and dark elements that I would be interested in.