the 'official' tired of hearing about montreal thread

[RELEASE RECORDS]

is anyone else tired of hearing how great montreal's scene is & how bad toronto's is?

i know i am...especially when i feel its not even close.

jerome @ release

 

[oeretS]

the only reason you keep hearing it is because for the most part the statement is true.

People aren't just making blind arguments, I would assume that anyone making that judgement has lived and/or partied in both scenes.

I lived in Montreal for the last 5 years, and have lived here in Toronto for about 20 and been back for over a year now.

Not difficult to notice the difference. Montreal's club/afterhours scene kills Toronto by many many miles, there can be no argument there. At the same time though, it has a far more narrow minded musical taste, and is very drug-fueled and destructive. I saw many friends fall victim to drug addiction, and its one of the reasons I left the city.

so I don't think anyone's bashing Toronto per se, its just that after a night dancing for 8 hours at Stereo to Sander or Morales or whoever you realize that Toronto has nothing of this calibre.

.02

 

[Viceroy]

I have only partied in Montreal twice, but I have to say they were both amazing nights. Seeing Digweed both times, once for 8 hours (4am-noon) is something I will never forget.

I have partied in Toronto more times than I can imagine to count. All have been great.

They are both cool!

Peace,
Steve

 

[TRO]

hey jerome this had nothing to do with our little convo last night at all did it?

I think toronto's scene rocks like crack we got great clubs great residences and great shops...what more could anyone ask


the only thing I would want is a few more international residents...

but other then that...

-Bill

 

[littlenutty]

montreal doesn't impress me....

 

[BarneyIllfingas]

We are so lucky to be within driving distance of two giants in the underground music industry. Toronto and Montreal aren't in competition, they're complements. Each scene has its ups and downs, but only because most of us are often too critical, myself included. We’re programmed to search for the perfect track and the ideal set, both contained within a secure vibe. I think the promoters in both cities essentially strive to offer this "ultimate" experience as often as their resources allow, regardless of the bullshit that too frequently circulates throughout these forums. Its our right to compare and even complain, honestly I believe it makes the in between times more bearable and the events that much more memorable. The cliché stands true no matter which city’s hosting your crew; it’s all about the music.

 

[el presidente Highsteppa]

I think it's funny how a lot of the pro montrealers will keep coming back to Toronto to tell us how great it is there, but will still come to the Toronto events, or spend a week here away from their University classes.... despite "maintaining" a 4.0 GPA and then "Discovering" that they weren't on the right path to their success.

It's a decent city, but I don't feel too often the need to head there. I'm perfectly happy with the things that happen here.

 

[djcheezwhiz]

nicely put gregor...

i love montreal, but i don't go up there to party as much as i would like...i have ventured to montreal many times for work, or just simply being a tourist...there is something about wandering down st denis, in through the latin quarter, visiting the backyard patio at st sulpice (spelling?? ), wandering down into the old town & standing in awe at the beauty of notre dame or standing in the booth watching those analog needles bouncing up & down at aria

it's a great city, with a vibrant european flavour, & a truly world class nightlife...

but i also love toronto...however i don't believe it has the same european flavour which montreal enjoys...basically, live life...toronto is sort of constricted by the conservative nature of english canada...but i still think we know how to party with the best of them...

so i'm not going to go down the road of who is better, but support gregors thoughts...we are so fortunate to have two truly world class clubbing cities side by side, putting canada on the map week in & week out...

jc

ps although right now i would have to give a certain 1kw place the edge on some partying aspects

 

[poker face]

I agree with you Gregor.

Also why are people complaining...it could be a hell of a lot worse...it is not like living in the Yukon.

 

[Bernnie Federko]

The Hey Daze

Montreal has had the benefit of a Mayor and Police Force (political climate) which allowed a certain form of after hours - one which is not supported in Toronto. So, it's like comparing apples and oranges, really. Montreal never became a Mecca for the underground like Toronto did in the early/mid 90's (Transcendance/Alien Visitation/Minimal etc), and Toronto didn't carry a proper torch when Montreal became the Circuit Party center of the Universe. Different cities, different ways of partying. Toronto doesn't have something like Playground, and Montreal doesn't have something like the warehouse parties we're spoiled with.

 

[fightingskurvy]

i love going to montreal to see DJ's. but i like to do it only a few times a year. I'm happy w/ the scene here. but being able to favorite DJ's play extremely long sets and having a change of scenery holds a great deal of value for me.

 

[AdRiaN]

Originally posted by BarneyIllfingas
We are so lucky to be within driving distance of two giants in the underground music industry. Toronto and Montreal aren't in competition, they're complements

Amen.

I enjoy a varity of clubbing experiences both within Toronto, whether it be a proggy night downtown at System or a night of trance up at Viva. Similarly, I enjoy being able to take advantage of Montreal's contribution to clubbing in Canada, as I've done numerous times throughout the past year. It's great to have the choice and we should be proud of both cities.

 

[MOD ONE]

Originally posted by RELEASE RECORDS
is anyone else tired of hearing how great montreal's scene is & how bad toronto's is?

i know i am...especially when i feel its not even close.

jerome @ release

I could see where you're coming from, but I think you hear more than anybody else due to the role that you play in the industry. I think Toronto has a huge verity of music to choose from and kills Montreal in that respect. I think people are talking more about the vibe they feel when they go to Montréal. I look at it this way you travel any where and you go to a party it's going to be a totally different experience than your home town. I never been to Montréal, but I would like to see what all the hype is about. I know a lot of people always talk about stereo and how the sound quality kicks ass in that place. Where as Toronto doesn’t have a place like that yet, but I think when boa redux come into play things might change. I also find French Canadians to be pretty cool people, very open and fun to talk too…and they like to party. I know from talking to a lot of people that are not from Toronto they say Torontonians are very conservative and could be very hard to get along with, but I don’t find this to be true at all.

 

[mandapanda]

well, i love them both. AND without montreal, i wouldn't be able to do any montreal/toronto doubleheaders, and that would be wrong.

 

[litespeed]

Re: Re: the 'official' tired of hearing about montreal thread

Originally posted by MOD ONE
II think people are talking more about the vibe they feel when they go to Montréal.

Toronto had that vibe years ago when everyone was popping pills.... now that has faded considerably and has been replaced with coke.
People in Montreal are still poppin pills like mad though.

 

[Sergio]

I think EV nailed it right in the bud. Toronto is pretty coked out these days and it's just about impossible to experience that vibe when everybody is sketched out by 3:00am....

I am new to Toronto and never really experienced the "toronto vibe" except maybe a hint of it at the Industry Reunion party last weekend which was probably without a doubt the best vibe I've experienced in Toronto to date (too bad the music wasn't the greatest), but the realiy of it is: the Montreal vibe kills Toronto. Montreal is such a welcoming city to party in and people just seem to smile more.

Last New Years I was able to spend New Years in Toronto and Montreal. Max Graham had a private jet to take him from his Toronto Gig to his Montreal gig and I was fortunate enough to tag along. We left the Kool Haus at 6:00 am to a scarce crowd pretty much ready to go home. When Max played his last record a few people scattered over to hear the end of Mark Oliver at the Guv but most grabbed their coats and headed home. The party was pretty much over.

We arrived on the platform at the Bell Centre in Montreal @ 9:00am overlooking a crowd of about 5,000 people. Max played until noon and when he played that final record there were still at least 1500 people begging for more.

Again... I'm new to this city... so maybe I'm missing something... but as far as I can see the Toronto Scene is severely lacking something...

So as sick and tired as you may be about hearing about Montreal... Until Toronto gets that Je ne cais quoi... You're probably gonna continue to hear the same thing over and over

 

[SKIB]

it sucks to admit but it seems the reality of the whole situation simply ties back to drugs

 

[RELEASE RECORDS]

ill be the first to admit that montreal has the better vibe & friendlier people (& possibly better clubbing drugs)...but thats not what the scene is all about...theres loads of factors that make a scene as a whole.

1. perhaps the main one, i feel the djs in toronto are some of the best, & in my eyes, its not even close...this is no disrespect to the djs there...there are some great ones including brad, sultan, miche etc...but in general & in numbers...no competition. toronto wins hands down in practically every genre of music.

2. the different genres of music we have isnt even close...almost nowhere in north america can u go where there are breaks parties, prog parties, garage parties, dnb parties, techno parties, etc, etc, all in one night & all busy. this simply doesnt happen in other cities.

3. music outlets (although im biased) are not even close. the record shops here are much better than the record shops there from my experience...as a whole, u can get any type of music here & it will be cutting edge...good luck finding that in montreal. & better music helps equate to better djs...simple.

the list goes on & on but i think ill leave it at that. but my point is, a scene is revolved around more than just drugs & vibe.

jerome @ release

 

[Jon Tremblay]

Originally posted by RELEASE RECORDS

the list goes on & on but i think ill leave it at that. but my point is, a scene is revolved around more than just drugs & vibe.

jerome @ release

couldn't be more true!!

 

[KillaLadY]

Originally posted by RELEASE RECORDS
the list goes on & on but i think ill leave it at that. but my point is, a scene is revolved around more than just drugs & vibe.

jerome @ release

Exactly... I cannot keep up with those people there, I feel out of place and I am not about to start doing E just so I can relate to that particular scene. I also felt that the vibe isn't as friendly as everybody keeps saying it is, so as much as Montreal is 'crazy", I don't enjoy it as much.

 

[kennyboy]

The grass is always greener.

I could sit back and think about how things were in the late 80's for the house scene. Or the UK in the early 90's.

Enjoy the choices you have. Since I no longer live in Toronto, it would be very easy for me to say that Montreal is great and Toronto is great, and everywhere but where I am is great.

I go out with an open mind and much less of a critical eye. If you want to look for something to complain about, I'll guarantee you"ll find it.

Appreciate what you have. It won't last forever, but try to enjoy it while it's there.

My 2 cents.

 

[oeretS]

Originally posted by RELEASE RECORDS

the list goes on & on but i think ill leave it at that. but my point is, a scene is revolved around more than just drugs & vibe.

But not to the general public who go out to these events and serve to create the scene. I think your position in it gives you a more insular viewpoint. And while there maybe more and better DJ's here in Toronto, Montreal is far from lacking.

Fred Everything
Tiga
Akufen
Deadbeat
Mighty Kat
Krista
Mateo Murphy
Brad Copeland
Miche & Sultan
Mistress Barbara

that's just scratching the surface, and not including Morales and Angel who basically live there.

Jerome, your arguments are all very valid, but I still don't think it answers your original question about being tired of hearing this and that about Montreal. Maybe as a DJ it's a lot healthier and accessible and supportive, but in the end it's about going out to dance all night and hear great music on great soundsystems, no? Montreal has this in spades, Toronto?

 

[videotronic]

my dad can beat up your dad

 

[oeretS]

mmm, nope.

 

[coleridge]

...

If I was a foreign big-name DJ and I had to choose one Canadian city to play, Montreal would win hands down. From a DJ's perspective Montreal is heaven: amazing sound systems, good responsive crowds and an evironment that thrives on extended partying. People in Montreal never have to leave the club early because they have to go to Ikea the next day to buy crap for their new condo.

But that said Toronto is probably second in North America these days for great partying. And the reality is most big DJs always try to play both cities when they swing through Canada.

We have it very good in both cities as far as North America is concerned. And on a worldwide scale, my impression is that only South America and Eastern Europe have Canada beat.