Dam Swindle, Mike Gibbs b2b Jamie Kidd and House of Lords presented by TAD x Standard Time

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Toronto After Dark & Box of Kittens are happy to announce the return of Dam Swindle, at Standard Time!

Dam Swindle: It was in 2011 that Dutch pair Lars Dales and Maarten Smeets quickly broke through in the electronicmusic scene. Since then they have become known for their widescreen approach to making and playingclub-ready grooves. From deep to disco, tech to soul, they join the dots between the past and the present with their own sense of storytelling and do so in clubs around the world, as well as in their studio. House might be the root of the DamSwindle sound, but it takes nourishment from a much wider world of music.

Still now, their breakthrough tunes such as ‘The Wrap Around’ and ‘The Break Up’ receive countlessplays on dancefloors all over the world and the duo has made timeless music such as their 2023 disco-house bomb ‘ That’s right’ and 90’s throwback banger ‘Allright–just a tribute’ that became one of the hitsof the 2024 festival summer. Dam Swindlehasbuilt a trademark sound, while still evolving and maturingtheir craft in various musical niches. Their landmark 2018 album High Lifeshows a broad musicality from the duo and this is even more so on their highly anticipated2025 long player ‘Open’. ‘Open’ features countless collaborations with high-profile artists such as Dutch pianist Joep Beving and New York-basedEthiopian vocalist Haile Supreme, and sees the duo flex their sound from ambient electronica tosynthwave, hiphouse and more.

Since 2013, the pair has also established their record label Heist Recordings as one of the key independent labels for underground dance music,while also releasing music on other underground mainstays such as Aus Music and Classic Music Company. Heist is more than just a label, though-it is abreeding ground for talents old and new; somewhere talent is nurtured and allowed to develop. Label showcases and special projects such as the yearly Roundup EP; where all artists from the past 12months remix each other after a random selection process, furthers the family vibe and helps Heist standout from the crowd. Artists such as Cinthie, DJ Sneak, Crackazat, Tesfa Williams, Makèz, Pépé Bradock, Matthew Herbert, Ge-Ology, Byron the Aquarius and many more have all contributed, proving that it is aplace for unrestrained creatives to be free with their own sonic visions. The label looks as good as it sounds, too, thanks to visual artist Bas Koopmans's standout artwork designs.

Proof of Dam Swindle's widescreen approach to production is their long and talented list of collaborators,which includes the likes of acclaimed musician Tom Misch, US talent Seven Davis Jr., instrumental collective Jungle by Night, plus Marc de Clive-Lowe, Jitwam and Lorenz Rhode. Next to their own originals, a broad spectrum of artists have asked Dam Swindle for some of their special remix magic: on labels like Strut and Soundway they have reworked thelegendary Pat Thomas, aka the ‘Golden voice of Africa,' and gave his single ‘Yamona’ a contemporary electronic edge, as well as The Mauskovic DanceBand’s track ‘Space Drum Machine’ and plenty more artists like Kerri Chandler, Mayer Hawthorne and Tom Misch. As their talent for bridging genres from all over the world continues to attract global attention, high-profile projects keep rolling in from all points on the musical globe.

BOX OF KITTENS For 15 years the Box of Kittens collective (Jamie Kidd, Mike Gibbs) have provided community-centred electronic music events in Toronto, Canada and Berlin, Germany. Esteemed leaders in Toronto’s house and techno scene, they helped reenergize the underground with a series of loft and warehouse parties beginning in 2007, expanding with collaborative efforts such as the forward-thinking Foundry and Shelter NYE; to hosting across Europe including Berlin's Berghain complex and Griessmuehle, Poznan, Poland, and off-ADE in Amsterdam. As one of the few organizations to have its roots in secret, non-public events, Box of Kittens has grown in size while always retaining the core ethos of an inclusive atmosphere with friends, music lovers, and a high quality soundsystem.

Although their events have consistently put a focus on their residents and local artists, Box of Kittens also became known for bringing many international stars to Toronto for the first time - Ben Klock, KiNK, Marc Romboy, Seth Troxler, Keinemusik (&ME and Adam Port), Steffi and Special Request, to name a few.

One of Box of Kittens proudest contributions began in 2014, with the launch of the Sunday Afternoon Social, partnering up with Justin of alienInFlux and Harvest Festival. To date hosting over 100 events, the majority sold out, and igniting a trend of daytime parties in Toronto. Recognized as one of the top dance music promoters in the country, Box of Kittens demonstrate the possibilities of how music events and dance spaces can and should be organized while continuing to “tap into multiple scenes and generations: creating a space where the many nightlife subcultures of Toronto could converge” (Vice Magazine)

House of Lords: House of Lords (HOL) are a duo of producers and DJs from Toronto who have been shaping the city’s underground since their first event in 2018. Known for their curated events, they have supported international heavy weights such as Chaos in the CBD, Session Victim, Kornel, Kovacs, DJ Boring and more. They recently reached a new milestone with their debut EP, Dovercourt Express, released on the legendary Nervous Records.