BPM Krew

*Excerpt, please see URL link for full text*

Toronto is awesome. Yes, I am a Torontonian and you may find me biased; but let me just say that with all of the new music, live venues, pop-up parties, and unique people you encounter on a daily (if not hourly) basis: Toronto is awesome. I admittedly have my moments where I find this city to be an annoying boyfriend who nags on me at times and we may have our moments of doubt and frustration with each other, but I always get over it and realize that I love this city with all of my heart. This week I’m reviewing the coolest shows I checked out and some unique, new parties emerging on the Toronto scene.

Moving on from the live show, I went to The Ballroom for a friend’s birthday. When I was told a cover band would be playing, I thought “ok, should be fun for dancing”. Wow, when I said “dancing” I did not anticipate BPM Krew making us have the workout of our lives on that dance floor…I was actually scared we may fall through from the top floor right to the bottom. Note: BPM Krew is not a cover band. They “replace the DJ” with mash-ups of every song you could possibly imagine, presented with a lively “krew” and amazing on-stage presence. I love it when a band gets involved with the audience, and this band got low with us, danced on tables with us, and jumped just as high as us. I mean it; one of the members was actually on a table while playing his keytar. Needless to say, we left extremely satisfied and itching for the next dance party once it was over.

After these events, it really made me realize how lucky I am to live here. Who else could go from a pop-up party, to a sick live music show, to a bowling alley with a mash-up band?! I know we have our bickering moments, sometimes feeling like we clash in every way and thinking that it may be time to breakup…but then Toronto gives me a few weeks just like these, and I remember why I stick with my Toronto relationship; because, like I said, Toronto is awesome. - Mediazoic

*Excerpt, please see URL link for full text*

Toronto is awesome. Yes, I am a Torontonian and you may find me biased; but let me just say that with all of the new music, live venues, pop-up parties, and unique people you encounter on a daily (if not hourly) basis: Toronto is awesome. I admittedly have my moments where I find this city to be an annoying boyfriend who nags on me at times and we may have our moments of doubt and frustration with each other, but I always get over it and realize that I love this city with all of my heart. This week I’m reviewing the coolest shows I checked out and some unique, new parties emerging on the Toronto scene.

Moving on from the live show, I went to The Ballroom for a friend’s birthday. When I was told a cover band would be playing, I thought “ok, should be fun for dancing”. Wow, when I said “dancing” I did not anticipate BPM Krew making us have the workout of our lives on that dance floor…I was actually scared we may fall through from the top floor right to the bottom. Note: BPM Krew is not a cover band. They “replace the DJ” with mash-ups of every song you could possibly imagine, presented with a lively “krew” and amazing on-stage presence. I love it when a band gets involved with the audience, and this band got low with us, danced on tables with us, and jumped just as high as us. I mean it; one of the members was actually on a table while playing his keytar. Needless to say, we left extremely satisfied and itching for the next dance party once it was over.

After these events, it really made me realize how lucky I am to live here. Who else could go from a pop-up party, to a sick live music show, to a bowling alley with a mash-up band?! I know we have our bickering moments, sometimes feeling like we clash in every way and thinking that it may be time to breakup…but then Toronto gives me a few weeks just like these, and I remember why I stick with my Toronto relationship; because, like I said, Toronto is awesome. - Mediazoic

With a new sound and a new vision, Toronto’s BPM Krew has taken the dance scene by storm.

Cat Lewis, 22, a Humber music student and the group’s front man, said the band has been around for a while. It has seen members come and go, but continues to change for the better.

“The BPM Krew was originally a completely different group of musicians with a completely different vision,” Lewis said. “It started out as another cover band on the Toronto jobbing circuit with a focus on Top 40 covers.”

Lewis and some fellow Humber music students were referred to the band in 2011. He said at the time they were still playing generic covers but with frequent bookings that have changed.

“Over the course of the year we began to naturally ‘mash up’ songs on the spot during shows, until eventually is became our niche,” Lewis said. “The combination of high calibre musicianship and young, professional musicians made us stand out instantly.”

Lewis said they’ve broken away from the cover band image and are now a full mash-up band. He added that their approach to the music they play is simple.

“Anything the DJ can do, we can do live with instruments,” Lewis said. “It’s about whatever is going on to keep people on the dance floor all night and give them the ultimate live music experience.”

Lewis said the BPM Krew wants to show people live music can be as good, if not better, than a DJ. They play everything from hip-hop to classic rock.

For now, the band is enjoying their busy schedule, and hope to continue establishing themselves throughout Ontario. Lewis said so far
they’ve played at venues like The Ballroom and the Toronto Center for the Arts. They went on a mini tour last summer to some venues in the United States.

Melissa Rolston, 20, a friend and photographer for the band, said their chemistry is evident in every performance.

“They have so much fun on stage and off,” Rolston said. “It’s obvious that they love performing together. I think it’s part of what makes them so successful.”

The BPM Krew’s next performance will be on Nov. 30 at Humber Lakeshore’s Pub. - Underground Toronto

With a new sound and a new vision, Toronto’s BPM Krew has taken the dance scene by storm.

Cat Lewis, 22, a Humber music student and the group’s front man, said the band has been around for a while. It has seen members come and go, but continues to change for the better.

“The BPM Krew was originally a completely different group of musicians with a completely different vision,” Lewis said. “It started out as another cover band on the Toronto jobbing circuit with a focus on Top 40 covers.”

Lewis and some fellow Humber music students were referred to the band in 2011. He said at the time they were still playing generic covers but with frequent bookings that have changed.

“Over the course of the year we began to naturally ‘mash up’ songs on the spot during shows, until eventually is became our niche,” Lewis said. “The combination of high calibre musicianship and young, professional musicians made us stand out instantly.”

Lewis said they’ve broken away from the cover band image and are now a full mash-up band. He added that their approach to the music they play is simple.

“Anything the DJ can do, we can do live with instruments,” Lewis said. “It’s about whatever is going on to keep people on the dance floor all night and give them the ultimate live music experience.”

Lewis said the BPM Krew wants to show people live music can be as good, if not better, than a DJ. They play everything from hip-hop to classic rock.

For now, the band is enjoying their busy schedule, and hope to continue establishing themselves throughout Ontario. Lewis said so far
they’ve played at venues like The Ballroom and the Toronto Center for the Arts. They went on a mini tour last summer to some venues in the United States.

Melissa Rolston, 20, a friend and photographer for the band, said their chemistry is evident in every performance.

“They have so much fun on stage and off,” Rolston said. “It’s obvious that they love performing together. I think it’s part of what makes them so successful.”

The BPM Krew’s next performance will be on Nov. 30 at Humber Lakeshore’s Pub. - Underground Toronto