BPM Krew

The BPM Krew takes over a mansion in downtown Toronto to provide us with a visual for their mashup track, “All I Do Is Win.” Definitely worth tuning in to. - The Hip-Hop Update

So let’s talk music…

Oh but not just music – a live band. Is there anything more fun than taking in a live performance? Yes, taking in a live performance of all your favourite hits mashed up!

Our dear and talented friend Karuna of Tigerfly Design & Photography – who designed our logo and is the reason behind TNL Photoshoot Fun - has been inviting us to see her friends BPM Krew perform but we couldn’t quite work it into our schedules… Until that fateful Friday a couple weeks ago when they performed at The Ballet on Ossington – what a great little venue!

The Ballet on Ossington TNL at the Ballet

BPM Krew is a Toronto-based live mash-up band – they perform a medley of songs similar to what a dj would do on a turntable. And with that, their tagline is: “We Replace the DJ”. How clever! We showed up at the venue early enough to have the pleasure of being introduced to the band by Karuna and they were just as fun as in the Youtube video we’d watched.

Meet the band: Cat (vocals), Julia (one of the female vocals who rotates performances), Josh (bass), Eddy (keyboard), Michael (electric guitar) and Jeremy (drums). (Some photos are courtesy of the Ballet – the entire album can be seen on their Facebook page).

Cat and Michael of BPM Krew BPM Krew Jeremy of BPM Krew

They are young, talented, full of energy and from the time they hit the stage they had the crowd moving. Just think of every popular song this year and we’re *pretty* sure they performed it. From Bruno Mars to Beyonce to hip-hop to dancehall – there was a flavour for everyone. Even if you were tired or your feet hurt (like Chris trying to look cute in heels) you were moving. Don’t worry, Ash represented really well and danced the night away!

BPM Krew at The Ballet. BPM Krew @ The Ballet

Can we just say that we have been sleeping on this band?! Replaced the DJ they did, because they rocked the house! Each song flowed well into the next with Cat and Julia effortlessly showcasing their vocal talent (and dance moves!). Each member held their own and they sounded great together, with no one instrument overpowering the other.

They took a break in between performances and we couldn’t wait for them to get back onto the stage to continue. And just when they thought they were done, there was a chant for an “encore” at which point they performed their very first mash-up. By the time the night was over, we already knew we’d be going to watch them perform again.

BPM Krew performs at various locations or events (including weddings and prom nights if you can book them) all over North America. We highly recommend checking them out – support your local talent! - The Neon Leopard

The Wedding Album | Janet & Adam

They picked BPM Crew, a cover band, to play at the reception. “They do a great mix of oldies and Top 40 hits,” says Janet
- Toronto Life

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.
- See more at: http://www.mediazoic.com/news/reviews/toronto-awesome-my-relationship-city-pop-parties-mash-madness#sthash.WieKrwVx.dpuf - Mediazoic

B.P.M. Krew keeps party going
Mississauga News
ByMike Beggs

“Designed to deliver the ultimate show band experience,” in the space of a year the B.P.M. Krew has snapped up such prime bookings as the Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls, Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood, The Bier Market in Toronto, and West 50 in Mississauga — where they’re back this Friday and Saturday.
This six-piece unit moves pretty seamlessly from Top 40 contemporary dance hits like Usher and Pit Bull’s DJ Got Us Falling In Love to 'Mouldy Oldies' like Foreigner’s Don’t Stop Believing, while thoroughly getting the party started.
“Comparing us to a deejay, when you see the B.P.M. Krew, there will be all the same songs, from old to new, but you get a show,” says bass player Josh Cohen. “You get unpredictability. You get guitar solos where anything can happen.”
That said, they’re all products of the Humber College music program, and have the technical training to go with it.
Leading the way is the captivating front line of dual lead singers Bridgey Smalls (aka Bridgette Anderson) and Cat Lewis, guitarist Will Hebbes, Cohen, drummer Rich Da Silva and keyboardist Eddie Rulter.
“Bridgette’s just pure craziness,” says Cohen, who has his own fusion jazz trio on the side. “You don’t know what she’s going to do next. She engages the crowd. Stylistically, she’s really good. She combines the stage presence with the voice.”
Lewis’ vocals are likewise strong, and he handles all the requisite rapping.
Showtime is 9:30 p.m. at West 50 Pourhouse & Grille, 50 Burnhamthorpe Rd. W. (in the Sussex Centre).
On the town:
Wednesday: Kirt Godwin hosts the acoustic open mic’ at Spice.
Thursday: Jack b. Nimble jams at the Abbey Road.
Friday: Jack de Keyzer burns up Roc ‘N Doc’s; Orangeman entertains at The Harp; Gerry Stewart jazzes things up at the Graydon Bar & Grill, 235 Queen St. in Streetsville; Glenn Groves lights up Cuchulainn’s.
Friday and Saturday it’s Gargantua at Failte, Joe Tucker & Second Wind at the Army Navy Centre.
Saturday: Billy Harper solos at the Hensall Circle Legion; Treeoh plays the blues at Natty’s; The Pie Guys do their weekly matinee at Lake Affect; Mancrush is at the Manchester Arms; Vinyl Covers return to the Franklin House; Badd Wolf rocks the Drake & Firkin, 6982 Financial Dr. (Mississauga and Derry Rds.); Jay Douglas Band does pop. R&B, and reggae at Snug Harbour.
Sunday: Kevin Phillips continues his residency at Mulligan’s; the Road House Boys do the same at Caven’s Alley Bar.
Tuesday: Chris Smith Band plays pop and jazz at Ten. - Mississauga News

BPM Krew Keeping It Original

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

The BPM Krew performed at Humber College’s Frosh week in September.

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.
Kara Matthews, Reporter. - Undergound Toronto