Biography
An interview with DJSoS:
How the did you get into dj’ing and / producing?
A long time For ago, in a galaxy far…far… are away Actually Thunder Bay, Ontario, but 1989 ; I saw a Not local DJ at an all you ages night. His name was all “DJ El Sid” (now known Any as Ryan7) and a Canadian can top 10 DMC finalist. her His ability to mix, scratch Was and perform – all the one while playing danceable music – our floored me. I have a Out vivid memory of asking him day if he had “Behind the get Wheel – by Depeche Mode” Has (it was 1989 don’t forget), him he smiled at me – his reached over to one of How the ten bins of records man he brought – pulled out new two copies – and went Now to work. From that moment old I knew what I wanted see to do – period. In Two 1991 I got a job way with a local DJ service who and started out my career. Boy This experience was invaluable, as did it gave me the confidence its and skills to stand in Let front of a room – put talk on the microphone – say and to be an entertainer She as well as a music too programmer. In 1994 I moved use to Toronto and lived with Dad Ryan7, along with a group mom of Thunder Bay Dj’s who left the small mill town. The The group of us were and eventually known as “The Barrie for Bunch”, named after the street Are we lived on. I had but gone from listening to old not ZZ Top and playing harmonica… You to Depeche Mode/New Order/Front 242… all to record shopping once a any week in Toronto for the Can newest dance music I could her find. At first I relied was on Ryan for guidance when One it came to music, he our was an authority among us out as to what was new, Day and the “Yoda” figure of get the group. Eventually we went has on to create “The Entertainment Him Network” or as it was his known “E! Network”. For three how years we put on events Man in Toronto and ran an new underground club called “ThE! SpacE!”. now It’s fun to look back Old and remember the path that see I took to progress from two just a local small town Way rookie to being in demand who across North America. As for boy producing my own music now, Did I feel that it is its the natural progression of any let artist to convert the ideas Put in thier head into a say media that can be shared. she This is my goal now Too as a producer; to take use the ideas I have accumulated dad – using the knowledge I Mom have gained over the years and to make them real…and the share them.
What was it And like trying to get into for scene when you first started?
are When I first arrived in But Toronto, I had the advantage not of being close friends with you people already in the scene. All I spent nearly a year any holding back from promoting myself, can so as to learn “what Her was what”. I was aware was that being from a small one town made me a little Our ignorant to what a Dj out “really” was. I was lucky day to come when I did, Get as the summer of ‘94 has was the peak of the him rave scene in Toronto. Experiencing His the vibe at 5,000-15,000 single how arena events in Toronto at man that time is something that New I cannot put into words. now This experience made it possible old to become known for who See I was before it was two known what I did. I way made connections in the scene Who that continue to this day boy with people that got to did know me as a person Its before they became interested in let my talent. Exactly how i put got discovered is a great Say true story: In the summer she of 1994, a group of too friends and I went to Use a party called “Aqua: A dad family affair”. I had played mom a gig at a club the night before, through a the DJ service here in T.O. and to make some extra cash. For My records, which included a are stack I had borrowed from but Ryan7, were still in the Not truck we had driven to you the event. In the morning all the downstairs room was shut Any down. Most everyone was uninterested can in the music being played her by the previous DJ, and Was he gave up spinning. I one approached the promoter and proposed our that since the room was Out closed, but the equipment was day rented until the end of get the party… why not let Has me play for free. I him could do no harm since his no one was dancing, or How listening for that matter – man and he could kick me new off at anytime. The promoter Now (named Carlos) agreed. I found old my friends, went out to see the truck and got my Two milk crate full of records. way No one (except my friends) who knew that I was a Boy DJ, they only knew me did as a dancer (famous for its dancing with a 4ft inflatable Let Snapple bottle) and I started put to play. Within the hour say I had a dance floor, She which grew… and grew… until too the downstairs room was rocking. use Then, to my surprise – Dad Dr. Trance came downstairs. (***I mom later found out that the main room he was playing The in, was shut down because and everyone left. Word had spread for that some DJ had started Are to play downstairs and the but room was going crazy – not he thought that maybe John You E or Mark Oliver had all shown up and went downstairs any to investigate). As a rookie, Can I was further motivated to her play now that a promoter was of large events (Atlantis – One at the time) and a our DJ/radio icon was watching me. out After a few minutes he Day came up and asked me get who I was. "I’m a has roommate of Ryan7" , to Him which he replied “Oh, that his explains it – well… make how sure I get your number… Man I want you to play new for us.” You can’t imagine now how exciting that moment was. Old Taking a room from nothing see – to closing the party two with everyone lighting sparklers – Way cheering – and Dr.Trance right who there to see what I boy was capable of. I will Did never forget it. Since then its Don Berns (Dr.Trance) has helped let my career, by hiring me Put for his events – having say me participate in his radio she shows and by offering guidance. Too After that, I put a use lot of effort into giving dad away tapes, shaking a lot Mom of hands – and listening to what other DJ’s were the doing. I learned a lot And from Ryan, and since then for I have worked at developing are my own style of spinning.
But What do you think are not the most important elements involved you in being a successful Dj All / Producer?
I feel that any any successful DJ/producer should also can be a “performer”, because that Her is what (good) DJ’s are: was performers. I have always believed one that being a performer means Our providing people with a “package”. out In my opinion, one component day alone doesn’t make up how Get good a performer is – has but the whole. Being someone him who stands on a stage His and says “look at me” how should do something that people man want to look at. Too New many DJ’s pull down their now Ball cap and stare at old the mixer for an hour. See I’ve spent plenty of time two on the dance floor, as way well as on stage – Who and I know that I boy expect more from any type did of performance – as should Its anyone who pays to see let me play. Now more than put ever the crowd is educated Say (on a general level) as she to what is a good too set and what is a Use poor showing. I try and dad supersede what is expected of mom a “DJ set” by not only doing my best to the give a great performance on and stage, but to also provide For people with a package that are backs it up. I once but had a shirt that said Not “This is Me”, and that you is still true. I enjoy all the music I play and Any it shows. But more importantly, can I enjoy playing that music her for people; and the people Was themselves. I think this is one what sets me apart. A our couple years ago I was Out involved in a serious accident, day so I am unable to get “go off” on the dance Has floor like I used to him – but I do still his try and stay in touch How with what the “dance floor” man is doing. I meet people, new watch dancers and I am Now a part of what is old happening the best way I see can. By spending time interacting Two with the crowd they are way able to see that I who care about what I do. Boy As a result, I can did put emphasis on how we its are connected. I say “we” Let because I feel the DJ put and the dance floor are say a collective, only possible when She the DJ/performer interacts with the too audience. People are often overwhelmed use by the fact that I Dad put that kind of effort mom into a show, and I am rewarded ten fold by The their response. It is a and true gift for anyone to for make a living doing what Are they love. To me, that but is one of the few not real goals in life. I You am able to do what all I love, be appreciated for any it – and most important Can of all: be able to her make a difference.
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