I'm always impressed and have a warm heart for a DJ who starts working on electronic music at a young age. Toddla T, Thomas Mackenzie Bell, started spinning at the age of fourteen. I can remember when I was fourteen and can't help but admire the dedication Bell had to pursue such a hard and expensive hobby. Toddla T was the artist I came out to a Dim Mak night to see. A man that flew over from Europe to do a Tuesday night in LA could not be passed up. His delivery of music is more than electronic music, but where we are going in the future when it comes to music. When it comes to fashion, the world comes to the USA to see what we’re wearing next, but when it comes to electronic music, we look to the rest of the world for what we’re going to hear next.
While I was waiting for Toddla-T to come on, I found out that his second album was leaked and the sales were projected to be very low, which was sort of disheartening. I do feel that the EDM scene has more problems than any other music genre. I know there is no way to prove that, but I do feel that his success in the USA may be slower if this occurs for his future music. The current track he has on his MySpace, “Take It Back (Club Edit),” delivers in all categories of electronic dance music. From the vocals to the beat, hearing it live just confirmed how amazing he is as an artist.
Bell has a very diverse and eclectic sound. The variety of sounds that he delivers sets a new standard for the artists who are coming out of the woodwork today. The grime vibe – originating from the UK – holds the key to the roots of where he was born. Hailing from Sheffield, England Bell holds true to his roots by maintaining the vibe that a true music connoisseur like myself has required him to deliver.
Toddla T spun at the Dim Mak starting at midnight. The predecessors that came before him need not be mentioned as his delivery of music came at an unparalleled level. Granted, being a Tuesday night, the crowd was filled with hipster DTLA youngsters and the unemployed masses washing their woes with alcohol; a few of us came with the intent to listen to music from a true artist.
I did enjoy one or two libations that night, and felt it would be the only way to earn my spot in the club. Cinespace actually has two locations, and tonight’s venue was the back-room entranced by an alley within an alley. It didn’t feel like this was the best place to welcome an artist from the UK, but it did feel quite like LA; you know you may be in for a poor night if it doesn’t smell like urine outside of the location.
Toddla T’s show delivered perfectly in the category of Grime. If you don't know grime, it's hard and carries a slight jungle vibe. I always considered it an acquired taste like dark and rich black coffee; you just may hate it at first, but after some time your desires for it will be harder than a heroin addiction. The major stand-out for Bell's session was the ability and speed at which Bell flies through tracks; it is only comparable to artists like Richard Vission when he came out with his debut album. The hard-driving and fast-passed bass drove the crowd into an amazing mood which confirmed that those who were touching the tables before him didn't come close to the status of Toddla T.
At this point you may be questioning if Toddla T really is an artist that one must see live, and my confirmation came from someone in the audience, who rarely graces us with his presence, Dim Mak (the label) president Steve Aoki. Steve was in front of the crowd and enjoyed the music as much as everyone else.
At one am, when Bell was ready to switch to the next DJ, some slight errors occurred and we were left with silence for a moment. After the build-up of such a great artist, most of the crowd was devastated. Dim Mak is always known for a great time, and the DJ that followed saved the floor by playing the Techno remix of the Tetris Theme song. I’m glad we can all have a laugh and a good time. It was a great finish for my introduction to Toddla T.
Artist:
www.toddlat.com/
www.myspace.com/toddlat
www.facebook.com/toddlat
www.twitter.com/TODDLAT
Photos:
Kamron Ahmed's photo essay of Toddla T's performance at Dim Mak on September 27, 2011.
Shows:
Click here for an updated list of Toddla T's upcoming shows.
