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Christian Andersen
1. Alexisonfire
Their melodic interplay is second to none; they combine elements of softness and aggression so seamlessly side-by-side. I can’t get enough. It was a shame that they have since broken up, but the songs they have left behind are so well constructed I don’t think anyone would feel cheated.
2. Esthero
She has a captivating voice but the work specifically on Breath From Another with Doc McKinney was mind-blowing at the time. The raw power and expressiveness (are you seeing a theme here?) of the songs both in delivery and writing was huge for me.
3. Frank Gehry
I’ve always loved his unorthodox designs, and how he can make these rigid and functional things into fluid works of practical art. He is currently building a new development in Toronto and it is pretty much the only civic project I am interested in staying up to date on.
4. Vinyl Syndicate
I can’t pick just one member of this genre-defining crew, whose work put my city on the electronic music map for literally the rest of time. Growing up here and being exposed to their sets, events and tracks as a young producer myself is something I will always feel grateful that I had. I am proud to call some of these guys friends and colleagues now.
5. William Gibson
Creator of cyberpunk, his books always put me in a certain state of mind and exposed me to a world made up of things I was always interested in, but in a time when computers and so forth were just getting real traction no one was positioning them in the popular consciousness as he was.
Adam Marshall
1. Sandro Perri
Sandro is a close friend, but also one of my main musical inspirations. He’s as powerful with just his voice and a guitar, as he is with a table full of pedals and old dusty drum machines. From his deep, fuzzy electronics work (under his Polmo Polpo guise) to his solo forays into beautifully orchestrated and arranged pop songs, it’s really inspiring how focused he is on his craft, and how he can effortlessly cross so many musical genres with such convincing results.
2. Tim Hecker
Tim’s music is something to be “experienced”, and he’s one of the few artists that know exactly how far to push sounds without going too far. I’ve always been interested in how music can create a “mood”, and Tim masterfully creates very unique atmospheres; a gorgeous mix between panic and bliss. If I’m driving up north at night, and I lose the AM signal, Tim’s Ravedeath 1972 is forever the next logical choice.
3. Edward Burtynsky
Ed’s large scale photographs have always mesmerized me. I remember walking into his Imageworks studio years ago and seeing the series of the abandoned Italian marble mines, and being blown away. He has a great eye for bringing out the beauty in quite unexpected places, and his use of pattern and and proportion are always amazing.
4. Peter Mettler
Peter’s movies are like looking into someone else’s dream. His explorations into concepts and connections among different people and parts of the world are beautiful and inspiring. Additionally, his motion graphic collaborations with Greg Hermanovic through the Touch Designer visual software have created a visual backdrop for many hazy memories.
5. Neil Young
The quintessential Canadian. There’s no denying it; his songs have a certain resonance that really defines the “Canadian” artistic mood. His soundtrack to Dead Man really convinced me that freeform music can work hand-in-hand with images to create something truly gorgeous.
Graze’s debut album, ‘Edges’, is now available through their own New Kanada imprint. Stream it in full below, and read the rising duo’s track-by-track commentary here. They’re also making their NYC debut tonight at Brooklyn’s Output Club.
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