FGA Feature: SLOW AF
SLOW AF may be new to the scene, but he shows up with a heavy artillery of his own music and experience under his belt. He has been underground for the past 20 years, reaching out to FGA through Soundcloud about a year ago. He recognized the Fine Grind Audio name from party flyers back in the day, with the hope that they could someday work together. That day came when asked for a contribution to FGA's 2025
ADE Compilation, in honour of the Amsterdam Dance Event each year. He made a great first impression with the deep and hypnotic techno track 'Not Like This'. Fine Grind Audio was a natural choice for SLOW AF - "they never tell me what style to make as an artist, even when I push for some direction". He feels encouraged to push his own sound.
"[FGA] encourages me to believe in myself and has my best interests at heart while protecting what they have created over the years."
FGA is not the first label he has released music with. Back in 2013, he released some tracks with Beat Therapy Records, ran by D-Unity, under the moniker Tone Fly. He was in college at the time and would wait for a class to finish late in the day. When the students left, he'd go in, lock the door, turn off the lights and make beats in his headphones.
"I probably should have been studying more than I was making beats, LOL."
After taking a few years off to focus on his career and grow his family, he decided to start releasing again under his current name, SLOW AF.
Today marks his third release with FGA Recordings. His 3 track EP 'Exceptions' is a diverse collection of house music. The EP starts with 'Real Thing'. An ethereal and organic house track with an anchoring tribal beat, which grabs your attention with spellbinding vocals. 'Reasons' comes next, bringing you back to reality with this bouncy tech house track. The rumbling bass line gets into your body and makes you move, while keeping with the organic theme in the percussion. The 3rd and final track, 'No Other', has the classic slow, steady pads and grooving beats of deep house with sultry vocal samples to round it out.
SLOW AF had his first EP released with FGA, titled 'Thorns and Roses' in March of this year and cracked FGA's top 10 releases. It consists of three deep house tracks where you can lay back, close your eyes and imagine beautiful things.
His second release was just a few months later in June with a 4 track EP called 'Reality Check'. The first two tracks have a dark kind of energy, while track 3 and 4 take us back to the deep house beauty we hear in 'Thorns and Roses'.
SLOW AF started producing as a passion-project in 2006. He was heavily influenced by the Hard House sound of the 2000's, and attended Destiny events all over Ontario. He discovered Ableton Live 1 software at a pop-up W.E.M.F. and used to follow all the DJs coming to Canada, gaining inspiration from artists such as DJ Bam Bam, Kamikaze, Android and D.A.V.E. the Drummer. Later, he would learn to appreciate the artists coming to Guvernment Nightclub - Carl Cox, Maura Picotto, Carlo Lio, and Manzone & Strong to name a few of those he aspires to be like. Most recently, given the talent we are producing, he finds inspiration within our local community.
It was less than two weeks ago SLOW AF made his debut appearance DJing. He played back to back with Jace for Beatmasters Entertainment's Deep House Lunch at The Huether Hotel. He was impressed by the promotor, Gabor, for his organization and hospitality, and encouraged by the energy and support from the crowd.
"Stepping out of the studio and spinning records back to back with a local legend, who I've looked up to for years, was one of the best experiences I've had as an artist."
SLOW AF's intention behind making music is to produce tracks that DJs can play to dance floors around the world. His goal on this journey is to play at larger events, sharing those experiences with his label mates, and to help start a new era of producers and DJs in the region. Putting Kdub back on the map for electronic music is a top priority for him.
"Let's go get it!"
It is a great day in the scene when a new producer comes out of the shadows, willing to share their music with us. It is a courageous act for any artist to put their creations out in the world, and for that, we commend and support you. Welcome to the scene SLOW AF!
Find him here:
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/slowaf
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slow_af_project/
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