Azari & III have always been outsiders and iconoclasts. They first came across each other in the mid-2000s Toronto underground club scene, to which they’d all gravitated after moving to the city to pursue their creative dreams.
Their music is bold, brash, packed with hooks and full of character — and they have the visuals to match: their debut video “Hungry For The Power” is a feast of imagery, an American Psycho meets Paris Is Burning extravaganza that was so explicit the full version was banned from YouTube.
Their eponymous debut album came in August 2011 to widespread critical acclaim, with rave reviews from all quarters: dance press (Resident Advisor, XLR8R), the indie press (Pitchfork, NME) and mainstream reviewers (BBC, The Guardian). Remixes for the likes of Cut Copy, Robyn, Creep and Booka Shade further reinforced their credentials across the worlds of both techno and pop.
Such is its appeal that it’s no surprise the band has moved up to the next level: Island Records (Universal) has now snapped them up, and will re-release the album in January. With a burgeoning touring calendar already confirmed for next year, 2012 is set to be all about Azari & III.