Like most people, DJs and producers have specific songs tied to events throughout their lives. In Crate Expectations, we extract a playlist from their memories to tell their story. This week's subject: Vindata.
THUMP: What's the first song you ever loved?Branden: Erykah Badu's "On and On." I heard this song when I was twelve or thirteen. It's the first deep song I actually understood. Everything about this song from the spiritual metaphors, to the jazzy chords, and hip-hop drum pattern resonates with me heavily.Jared: I would have to say Daft Punk "Around The World." Immediately, I fell in love with the bass line, the drum compression, the chords and of course the most addictive vocal loop in house music.
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What are the first two songs you ever mixed together?B: Probably Dave Spoon's "At Night" and Deadmau5's "Reward is Cheese"J: We started DJing later on, so it was probably Justice "Stress" and MSTRKRFT "Vuvuvu."
What is your worst guilty pleasure song?B: Back in my punk and emo phase it was Taking Back Sunday's "Cute Without the E." I definitely went through a period where I listened to a bunch of pop-punk and post hardcore bands like Thrice, Thursday, Finch, and Jimmy Eat World.J: Katy Perry's "Birthday." This song has a really good '80s funk vibe and it showcases Katy's vocal range.What song have you had on repeat in the last month?B: Childish Gambino "Sweatpants." This track really surprised me. Talk about bars.J: School Boy Q "Man of the Year." This is the party starter and will probably be remembered as the anthem of summer 2014.Which track of your own do you love the most?B: For obvious reasons, "All I Really Need." It's our most unique production release thus far. Plus, Kenzie May's vocals brought the instrumental to a whole new level, and further facilitated the feeling we wanted for the song.J: "Recognize," this track came a long way. We revised this song several times. But I was really surprised with the end result. The amount of variation we squeezed into a two in a half-minute dance record still shocks me. I also love how Xavi and Ebonique brought a sexy element to the song.
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What track of your own do you hate the most?Both: We both agree it's probably one of the remixes we did some time ago. Sometimes they didn't translate as well as we wished.What tracks are you most excited to drop during peak time at your show at The Hoxton?B: A-Trak + Milo & Otis – "Out the Speakers feat. Rich Kidz (Vindata Remix)." I really want to see how people react to this track.J: Slum Village's "Fall in Love (Moody Good Remix)." This song just catches you off guard, and you can feel the drop in your chest.What's the last song you want to hear before the lights go on?Both: Cam'ron & A-trak "Dipsh*ts"What's the last song you want to hear before you die?J: Michael Jackson "Off The Wall"—the entire album. Why not listen to the greatest artist of the century?
B: Yolanda Adams, "This Battle Is Not Yours." Definitely need to hear a Gospel song before dying.
To party with Vindata, head to The Hoxton in Toronto this Friday, June 20th as they play a set for NXNE. Click here to RSVP. You can also find their debut EP, …For One To Follow on their Soundcloud.