Austra, SPORTS, Tumble Dry, DJ FITS @ The Crocodile | 02/15 | $8 ADV | 21+

Photo by Norman Wong

Austra is a Toronto band that specializes in gothic, synth-propelled dance music. Led by co-founder and principle songwriter Katie Stelmanis, the trio produces northern-exposed beats not unlike the Knife (hi Nikki!) or the Faint. It’s a little spooky, a bit moody, definitively catchy and empirically well-executed synth-pop.

Supporting the band are some local kids we’ve mentioned here before. SPORTS is an electro-rock trio who have deep ties to the local music scene. In addition to debuting new material at a healthy rate, SPORTS has also found the time to remix tunes from James & Evander, Kristen Wiig (!!!), and Toro Y Moi.

Tumble Dry is, similarly, an electro-pop duo that delicately balances exquisite sounds both danceable and sensual. Songs like “SXYMTN” may revel in their tongue-in-cheek cheesiness, but “No Words” is a genuinely enjoyable jam, with waves of synth arpeggios crashing against each other in ecstasy.

Not a bad deal for $8. (I’d post the real video but it’s NSFW. Here’s the song though.)

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