Presented by: Ottawa Synths, House of TARG
Doors: 9pm / Show at 10pm / 19+ (Physical ID Required)
Cover: $15
SWITCHED ON SYNTHS: Darkwave Minimal SynthPop Edition
TECHNIQUES BERLIN (Toronto SynthPop since 1985)
Techniques Berlin is a Minimal Synth / New Wave band based in Toronto, Canada.
The band was founded in 1985 in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada by high school friends Andreas Gregor and David Rout.
They started experimenting with synthesizers and drum machines as they were heavily influenced by new wave bands like The Human League, OMD, Kraftwerk, Heaven 17, Yazoo, and Depeche Mode. Playing extensively in the mid to late 80s, they released 3 cassettes on their own label, Bombshelter, and received frequent college radio airplay in Canada.
In 1997, Dave recorded and toured with Canadian synthpop legends Rational Youth, releasing two singles as well as the album To the Goddess Electricity, and touring the record in Germany, Sweden and Canada.
In 2012, minimal synth /post-punk label Fabrika records in Greece released Suburban Playgrounds and Concrete Beaches, a limited numbered vinyl compilation of original songs and rare tracks that sold out in less than a month. This lead to a revitalized interest in the band and more shows became the norm, in their home town of Toronto as well as Montreal. A 30th anniversary gig was held in Montreal in 2015.
In 2017 Nadanna Records in Germany released Breathing, both on CD and vinyl, which contained the first new material from them since 1991. This brought more attention to the band, and they played a sold out show in Mexico City in 2018, which was so successful they were invited back to perform again in 2019, also a sold out show. That year also followed with more shows in Toronto. With the band re-energized once again, plans were made for not only a 35th anniversary gig in 2020, but also a mini tour of the U.S in the fall.
Although the pandemic stopped everything, they performed a special home studio live stream in Sept 2020 for the In Strict Tempo event. The 35th (or 36th) anniversary gig was scheduled for Dec 2021 in Toronto.
With the pandemic situation sidelining that show as well, they continued to practice both remotely and then together once things settled. The rescheduled 35th (now 37th !) anniversary show is now finalized for July 15 (Toronto) and July 16 (Ottawa), with an enhanced re-release on vinyl of the early recordings and demos coming for end of the year.
AUTOMELODI (MTL New Romantic italo disco )
It doesn't much better than Automelodi - infectious songs and mesmerizing live performances have delighted Switched On Synths fans on numerous occasions. Shimmering French Vocals backed by authentic 80’s/90’s inspired Euro minimal synth pop. Moody, dramatic & highly dance-able. For Fans of TRISOMIE 21 & GRAUZONE.
LAURA KRIEG (Mtl Synth Punk)
POP SYNTH PUNK BRUTALIST! This will be your favourite.