Auto parts

When the two guys behind Canadian act Autoerotique got their start as producers back in 2007, they never thought electronic dance music — aka EDM — would have taken over the mainstream in less than half a decade, more focused on making friends, partying and meeting hot chicks. “It’s been a journey, to say the least,” said Keith Robertson. “We’ve all watched the scene pimp-walk into the limelight. Its popularity has brought a lot of new fans, and with that … a decent balance of talent and surplus, currently.”

After a brief hiatus in 2008, getting back on the wagon just in time to see the EDM world blow up to critical capacity. Autoerotique signed with Dim Mak Records — founded by famed EDM artist and producer Steve Aoki — releasing a pair of EPs while chopping up tracks from the likes of Weezer and Tiesto for remixes.

Autoerotique happily has ridden the fine line between mainstream and underground ever since, weary of the trappings of fame, but still loving to get in front of a big, frenzied crowd.

“You have to be full of just the right amount of shit,” Robertson said. “We have mastered it. You may address me as ‘the shit.’” The DJ duo just released its latest EP, titled EKG. Successfully blending techno, rock, indie and house music, it narrows in on a singular sound amid a sea of EDMers trying to do the same.

“It’s something new and fresh, not only for us, but for the genre,” Robertson said. “It has similarities to what we’ve done in the past, but there is a distinctive difference between this EP and our previous releases.”

We’re loyal to no one.

—Keith Robertson

Autoerotique now looks toward a full slate of touring in support of the disc, including next Wednesday’s stop at Kamp’s, and making plans for its first, full-length project soon after. If it should find them rising to the cream of the crop, it doesn’t look to be any sweat off their backs, just so long as their friends and Dim Mak crew are there, hand in hand.

“We are loyal to no one. The underground can be too snobby,” Robertson said. “I’d say we are loyal to friends. We are always looking for new friends. I think it’s just important to help out others and keep yourself surrounded by positive people who push you forward.”

This article appears in Jun 13-19, 2012.