“The internet has been a good friend to Azari & III. It’s gotten us out there in a nice timely fashion.”
Toronto’s Dinamo Azari, co-founder of Azari & III (pronounced “Azari & Third”) said as much to me late one night from an Amsterdam hotel room where he was chilling between tour dates. He’s right to credit the ‘net for its role in spreading the sound of this project that he and Alphonse "Alixander III" Lanza initiated in a Parkdale studio in the mid-2000s.
Both men had DJed and played in a variety of music projects over the years, but things clicked in 2008 when vocalists Cedric Gasaida, a.k.a. Starving Yet Full, and Fritz Helder joined them. A year later, Azari & III’s first two singles, “Hungry For The Power” and “Reckless (With Your Love)”, and their accompanying videos were posted all over Facebook, countless blogs and on music sites galore. Many acts quickly burn out like this, but Azari & III gained momentum.
Azari & III's debut album picked up for international release
Their self-titled debut album was released independently last August, with big media and underground club DJs alike freaking for its sexy, synthy blend of soul, house, techno, new wave, no wave and more. Azari & III brings a warm, heavily analogue party that’s both familiar and fresh.
As a result, Azari & III was one of the biggest electronic buzz bands of 2011, with the group’s debut album picked up for international release by Island Records. It seems the Azari ascent has only just begun.
“It’s exciting and scary at the same time,” admits Azari. “It’s a bit of a roller coaster ride, but you keep learning and growing, and it’s definitely inspiring to travel the world.”
That's what they’ve done for the past two-and-a-half years, working their way up in venue size as Azari & III transitioned from four-turntable DJ sets to live PAs and now a hugely energetic, full live show complete with backup dancers. Along the way, they’ve collaborated with Friendly Fires, remixed artists including Robyn, Cut/Copy, Booka Shade and Little Boots, and toured with artists like Soulwax.
Pete Tong: 'You guys are my favourite group.'
Still, Azari and Lanza jumped at the chance to return to their underground club roots when asked to turn out a DJ mix for the BBC this past January.
“Having Pete Tong call up and say ‘You guys are my favourite group. Would you be able to do an Essential Mix?’ was amazing,” says Azari. “I’ve been pumping out DJ mixes for as long as I can remember so it was certainly nice to be able to do something like this. All those years of hauling sound systems downtown and that kind of stuff paid off!”
As for the talk about Azari & III supporting Madonna on her global tour, chalk that up to the fervour of the British press.
“It was likely a case of somebody asking Madonna a question while she was in England,” speculates Azari. “Azari & III are pretty popping over there – England is one of our main audiences – and so who knows? Maybe she mentioned a few cool bands and we were one of them.
“It would be nice to play with her in Toronto, that’s for sure, but right now it’s in the press’s ears and you guys can figure it out,” he chuckles, sounding a little coy. “Maybe there’s potential, but nothing is signed or set in stone. I can’t get all caught up in that stuff. I’m focused on upping my game, and bringing it hard.”
Juno nomination for electronic album of the year
Either way, it’s evident that Azari & III stands on the edge of huge things. Azari is also pleased about a national nod in the form of Azari & III’s electronic album of the year Juno nomination, placing them alongside Austra, Tim Hecker, Junior Boys and Arthur Oskan.
“There are some really cool names in there and I’m excited for the outcome,” says Azari. “It’s nice to see Canada coming together and having some really interesting acts who actually get recognized at home.”
WATCH "Reckless (With Your Love)"