Forget truth or dare and toothpaste pranks: Tonalism isn’t your typical slumber party. This all-night ambient music event from L.A.’s non-profit radio collective dublab is coming to Toronto for the first time ever tonight. For 12 hours, The Music Gallery will be filled with ambient sounds and visuals — inspired by the far-out music happenings of the 1960s — featuring bass-heavy electronics from Southern California, as well as showcasing some local talent.
“It’s an all-night happening of sound and light,” says dublab co-founder and president DJ Frosty. “We’re really into the idea of people exploring minimal art forms. It’s a rare thing to experience in a public setting.”
DJ Frosty is no stranger to this meeting of musical minds. After presenting Tonalism at venues like Santa Monica pier — at a 90-year-old-carousel — and outdoors at the Henry Miller Library in Big Sur, DJ Frosty says he’s excited to be performing (and fundraising for) the Music Gallery.
“Tonalism happens in interesting spaces, and to be able to work in a space that can lend itself to unique and fully immersive sound and light exploration gets us excited.”
The music he’ll be spinning is “ambient-bass-drone-dream-music,” he says. “It’s an atmospheric sound. People wake up feeling like they’ve had a sleep journey. It may be minimal in nature, but if you allow the time, it has great rewards.”
Time may be somewhat of an understatement. The 12-hour event at The Music Gallery’s home, St. George the Martyr Church, will host a “kaleidoscopic sweep of sound, light, artwork and performances.” Also on the turntables will be California DJs like Dntel (one half of indie Sub-Pop group The Postal Service) and Teebs, with ethereal light projections provided by native Canadian Alexandra Pelly. Canadian musicians include Isla Craig and The Luyas.
“It’s amplified sleep,” adds a jet-lagged DJ Dntel.
Pillows, blankets and sleeping bags encouraged. Fuzzy slippers optional.
Dublab: Tonalism, The Music Gallery, June 10