Interview By: Christina Schmidt
Toronto based duo Talal & Zoi have been making waves in our city for quite some time now and for good reason. If you were lucky enough to experience Secret Society’s underground beach parties last summer with over 500 in attendance, the sound and energy that emerged from the decks of Talal & Zoi speaks for itself. They have a mature sound with the perfect amount of melodic influences and their signature thick baselines resonate into deep and groovy tech magic at it’s finest. Their sound is more than a blend of what’s hip in the Electronic world. It’s making melodies from silence and writing a story on a blank canvas. The duo have been busy playing alongside some big names like Dirtybird’s Justin Martin and J.Phlip at Igloofest a few weekends back, and will be closing for Catz & Dogz at Coda tonight, and not to mention have been releasing their music on some heavy labels like Traum, Thoughtless, and Rawthenic. We caught up with the duo after they ripped the stage in Montreal at Igloofest and wanted to share with you guys what they have been working on and what we can expect from them in 2015….
Let’s start with where it all began…two cousins from Pakistan, came to Toronto, and now a duo making a huge impact in our cities underground scene. How did the musical journey together begin?
It all started in Pakistan. It has a very diverse music scene which were heavily impacted by. Electronic music was the only thing missing from the scene. We felt we needed to act and introduce something different to the scene and that’s how we began exploring electronic music.
Have you had the opportunity to play back home?
There aren’t many avenues for an electronic producer to show their art. We’ve done a couple of really cool warehouse shows and its great to see the scene is now expanding and theres tons of amazing talent there.
You guys have become a big part of the scene here in Toronto, how has the city influenced your music?
Toronto is really where we truly began pursuing our sound. The first few years we were here it was about education in this music and there is a big part Toronto plays in our sound. We get to see the best acts every week which inspire us further and we are thrilled to be a part of this scene.
https://soundcloud.com/talalandzoi/tz-autumn-mix
Tell us about Secret Society, and where your collaboration together started?
The founder is an old friend of ours. Secret Society is a really cool project that we love being a part of because they take a very unique approach to how they want to throw events and showcase music. It started from the secret beach parties last summer and they have been able to continue that vibe through their later events. We got asked to play one of their beach parties to which the crowd of 500 or so responded extremely well. The rest is history from there.
Your music draws such pure emotion, it’s deep yet so light, it’s raw but so perfected, and it’s so nice to see such a mature sound coming from young producers. Putting genre’s aside, what is GOOD music to you and how has your sound evolved from when you started?
We feel ‘good music’ is what goes past any one genre and anyone who appreciates great music can connect with it!
You have released your music on top labels like Traum, Dirtybird, Thoughtless, and Rawthentic…following up on such an successful year what’s coming up in 2015 on production side of things?
We have some really cool projects lined up and also quite a few new EP’s ready to put out. 2015 should be an epic year!
https://soundcloud.com/talalandzoi/tz-snow-white-128kbps-preview-traum
You guys just rocked Stereo Montreal as well as played the main stage at Igloofest alongside the Dirtybird crew who have all been huge supporters of your music. What have been some of your most memorable gigs? What are some venues or festivals you would love to play in the future?
Stereo had an exceptional vibe and Igloofest will have to be one of our favourite shows that we played. Looking forward, there are so many amazing festivals happening around the world that we would love to go and play!
Let’s get personal! Some questions to get to know Talal & Zoi beyond their music!
Favourite place to party? T: Studio Z: Studio
Favourite place to relax? T:Studio Z:Studio
Favourite restaurant in Toronto? T: Terroni Z: Kathmandu
Favourite Car? T: Mine Z: Aston Martin
If you could listen to only one track on repeat for the rest of your life what it be?
T: Sasha – involver1 Z: Microtrauma – Contrast (Max Cooper Remix)
Biggest hobby outside of music? T: Horse riding Z: Travelling
Drink of choice? T: Health Nut from Papaya Hut Z: Health Nut from Papaya Hut
If you could go anywhere in the world right now where would it be?
T: Berlin Z:Berlin
