Over the past few years Toronto has really come up into the Dubstep scene, with weekly nights such as Bassmentality on Wednesdays (at Wrongbar) being cornerstone events and really helping to push the direction of the Toronto sound. For those who don’t know already, Bassmentality was created by the likes of Zeds Dead and The Killabits as a way to bring great music into the city and to get their names out there. Since the beginning Hydee has been a staple of Bassmentality and the Toronto sound. He has MC’d for some positively massive names and has been absolutely slaying it on the wheels of steel. Recently we caught up with Hydee for a quick interview, here it is.

Hydee – Bass Lovers Rebellion by Hydee

Viking Says: Can you tell us about your name? What is the story behind it?

Hydee: The name Hydee actually came from a buddy back in the day I was about 16 – 17 and he said he grabbed some BOMB HYDEE, I was like WTF is HYDEE he said HYDEE YOU KNOW HYRDO, needless to say I smoked a lot of weed when I was a kid and just thought it was a cool name so I used it and spelt it that way. (I dont smoke weed anymore lol)

VS: When and why did you start playing?

H: Well I started MC’ing first, and was MC’ing for a buddy of mine who DJ’d then started to spin just cause I wanted to learn, I already played the drums so it came pretty fast and natural

VS: What kind of gear do you use when playing live?

H: Pioneer CDJ’s and a Pioneer mixer and just my CD’s and headphones

VS: What about when producing/recording?

H: Logic 8 on my MAC computer

VS: If money were not an issue then what would be your dream setup?

H: 4 Pioneer CDJ 2000′s / 1 Pioneer DJM 900 Nexus Mixer / 2 Tech 12000′s MK3 Turntables

VS: What helps set the mood when producing/dj’ing? (Drinks, foods, etc.)

H: Food doesn’t set the mood but does create a good base for a night of drinking which usually happens when I DJ lol, and I like to have a buzz while djing so a couple of beers, jager bombs, maybe a shot of tequila lol

VS: You are unique from most DJ’s in that you both MC and DJ, which one came first and which is your favourite one to do?

H: MC’ing defo came first, prolly 4 – 5 yrs before I started to DJ, I love them both and for different reasons, but now a days if I had to choose one I’d say DJ’ing is my fav!!! :D

VS: Who are some famous musicians you admire? Why?

H: Cant think of any ATM mad brain fart, but basically I admire any musician just doing their thing for the love and passion of music.

VS: What/who influenced you to make music?

H: My dad for sure was a main influence as he was a musician and got me started in playing drums and getting into bands and later on I’d say my best mate Stickbubbly cause he just makes the bomb EDM music.

VS: Who are your favourite musicians? Groups?

H: The Beatles, Flux Pavilion, Modified Motion, Stickbubbly, The Police tooo many to list off lol

VS: What are some of your favourite albums?

H: Green Day – Dookie was AMAZING when it came out and I played it on repeat all day for a long long time

VS: Do you get nervous before a performance or a competition and how do you deal with it?

H: I don’t ever get nervous more anxious to play, like get me out on stage now its GO TIME :D

VS: What is some advice you would give to beginners?

H: Practice makes perfect

VS: Can you tell us about the best experience you have had while playing?

H: Djing with so many amazing dj’s the past couple yrs, Rusko, Skrillex, Nero, Zeds Dead and just making so many new friends and contacts, it’s all been amazing.

VS: What dream tour would you love to be on with any past or present bands/DJ’s?

H: I would LOVE to do a full tour with the guys from Circus (Flux Pavilion, Doctor P, Funtcase, Roksonix)

VS: How do you feel about music piracy and the state of the music industry nowadays?

H: Meh is what it is, ppl are gonna get their music however they want, especially with how easy it is this day with the internet, just accept it and the true heads who support will buy it!!!

VS: Do you have any ongoing projects that you can tell us about?

H: Working on a remix album with my Stickbubbly so watch out ;)

VS: Last but not least… What does the Viking say?

H: Arrrrrrrr……hahaha thats what a pirate says but I cant think of what a viking says lol

VS: Haha, thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to help us get to know a bit more about you. All the best with 2012 mate, keep it real!

Follow Hydee:
http://www.facebook.com/hydeedubstepper
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hydee/109507019133370
http://soundcloud.com/hydee
https://twitter.com/#!/hydeedubstep

Give a listen to the new EP from Toronto local and international badmen Zeds Dead. The EP was released on monday and features four tracks (as you can see below). I highly recommend track numero three, aka “Hit me”. Zeds Dead have been churning out bangers for the last little while, what are some of your favourite tracks from this dastardly duo?
Zeds Dead – Adrenaline EP by zedsdead

Follow Zeds Dead:
https://twitter.com/#!/whoszed
http://www.facebook.com/whoszed
http://soundcloud.com/zedsdead

When I found out that I was going to get to interview Freaky Flow I practically lost my shit, in order to explain why I need to give you some background. When I was in the ninth grade (circa ’99) I was introduced to skateboarding by some mates, I was complete shit but it was all in good fun. While skating we would always have a stereo and some tunes playing on it. It was during this part of my life that some friends introduced me to jungle/dnb. This style blew my mind! I had never heard anything even remotely like it and to this day I can proudly say that one of the first dnb-esque albums that I ever heard was “Obscene Underground: Volume 1″ which to most who know is fondly known as “Tits” (look at the cover if that doesn’t make any sense to you). Naturally my tastes in music, as with most people’s, has been shaped by things from the past. So without further ado I present the one, the only Freaky Flow!

A few days ago Zeds Dead promised a new mix tape and lo and behold here it is. Filled with 7 tracks of magnificent Toronto bass this EP features some new tracks, old ones and some remixes. All in all, this mix tape is one to snatch while you can because who doesn’t love free shit?

Hailing from the mid-west, DJ Sw@t is a non-stop bass making machine. Since her debut in 2005, Sw@t has played live shows nationwide, has hosted her own radio shows (KrisisDnB, Global Vortex), has her own production company (Hi-Rev) and founded the DNB Girls of Canada Collective. Producing and playing drum and bass, dubstep and a variety of other genres keeps DJ Sw@t busy as hell. I feel lucky to have pinned her down in the hot seat for a VikingSays exclusive interview! This bit is chock-full of previews, mixes and links to the projects DJ Sw@t is pumping out in 2012. Don’t miss this vixen in action!

This weeks mix of the week from Mixmag features Toronto’s own Zeds Dead. The mix is a little step away from what one may expect in a mix from them but still rings true to their style and sound.