84.85 at Wrongbar (1279 Queen West), Friday (March 18), 10 pm. 416-516-8677. See listing.
After three years of tearing up the local live scene, electro-rap duo 84.85 finally have something to show for it: a well-crafted independent EP, Good Problems.
Made up of MC Colin Maciver and producer Jay Jolliffe (aka Lucy ‘Lo), the duo have a rep for engineering sweaty, all-out dance parties. This EP, though, has an edge not found in their older batch of floor-fillers.
“We weren’t in the happiest of places,” admits Jolliffe about writing and recording the six tracks. “We wanted to write songs that were more than just music to dance to, and the dark sound is a true reflection of who we were at the time.”
That said, the EP is still party-ready. Maciver’s flow is quick, clever, personal and often funny, while Jolliffe’s all-original production weaves in and out of hip-hop, dubstep and deep house.
For now, 84.85 remain unsigned and manage themselves.
“We’re tired of needing people to help us,” says Jolliffe, who recorded Maciver’s vocals in his kitchen.
But with a record this solid, the pair might soon have to rethink their commitment to independence. Not a bad problem to have.
