Bio
I suppose I should call this an “auto” biography since I once had a bio written in the 3rd person but i’d much rather tell you about my experiences myself!
I like to put myself in the category of DJs who stand out because of their ability to evoke many moods and blend many genres into their sets. I find that for some time now our music scenes have been overly-segmented, with DJs sticking to a certain sound and many producers copying others instead of developing their own ideas. I’ve been accused (and even attacked!) for not sticking to the styles that others first came to know me for. I suppose for some the idea of a devoted jungle DJ spinning progressive trance just does not jive. But as I like to say, there’s simply too much good music out there to stick to one style.
These days, I’m having most fun putting sets together that fuse fast, funky and upbeat house, electro and techno. I don’t like to plan these things - I’ll let my imagination and mood (and that of the listeners) take us where it may. Of course I’ll occasionally also play trance and jungle sets, among the many styles that i love. What I like most about playing music is that it produces such pure feelings, when I am lost in a mix it becomes impossible to think of anything that may have been causing me stress that day. I think in peoples’ busy lives those opportunities seem elusive so I really try to take advantage of the opportunity that good music provides.
I guess I should put in a little history: My first public performances consisted of guest sets on the legendary “Planet Rave” radio program hosted by Teknobrat in Ottawa on CKCU 93.1 fm in the early 1990s. Thomas’ show undoubtedly lodged a permanent influence in my taste and love for music in the years that were to follow.
Around that time I also travelled to Holland to visit my family. At the time, techno and rave culture had already grabbed a strong foothold on the Dutch and many European countries, while in Canada the music barely approached awareness let alone acceptance. It always amazed me that I could find more music by talented Windsor techno producer Richie Hawtin in the record shops in Holland than I could find anywhere in Canada. Over time this would change, but I found the extent to which the cultures differed at the time to be quite interesting. Although I’ve not kept in touch with my family in Holland, I’ve been almost surprised to the extent to which my taste in music tends to mirror what’s popular over there, even though i’ve never been travelling enough for it to really directly influence me. I guess it might be true that culture sometimes shapes us in more ways than we realize.
My first rave gig was “Fusion 2″, December 23, 1995, spinning a jungle set in Ottawa’s first event featuring a jungle room. The event was thrown by Ollie and Sean Maloney of Phat City Promotions and Kris Mullin of Flipside. Among the other DJ’s playing that night were Charles Feelgood, Double AA, Oddessey and Rayaz, and Seattle’s Donald Glaude, who would rise to international fame.
After playing on Teknobrat’s radio show, I finally got a program of my own. “Submission,” was Ottawa’s first radio program dedicated to jungle music. I had spent considerable time lobbying to give this music its own spotlight, as I had seen the success it had in other cities and knew it was only a matter of time. Thanks to the help of Lance Baptiste, CKCU program director at the time (and now a talented DJ), the show launched in the summer of 1995. Since then, I’ve also hosted “Satellite Funk” (house and techno), and my current program, “the Deep Blue,” which has aired on CKCU 93.1 fm from 2001 to present, and features the music of trance, electro, house, and techno (check the “Radio Playlists” section of this site for more information). I also appeared on 1groove.com in Toronto with a good friend and great inspiration, DJ Iain.
My first club residency was “Wicked Wednesdays”, a weekly night of jungle music at Ottawa’s Mars Bar on Clarence Street in 1996. This night was also thrown by Ollie of PCP, who’s interest in my music is really what launched my DJ career.
I’ve played many raves and club events in Ottawa, elsewhere in Ontario and Quebec since the mid-90s (my memory is such that i really have a hard time remembering them in detail). However, my fondest memories consist of the Groove Disciples’ series of events (Luna 1 through 3, Guardians of the Twilight), the Kosmic series, as well as Subsonic Thursdays at the Well, hosted by Rob Solo. I couldn’t speak of Ottawa gigs without mentioning the Well (which has since re-opened under the name “Helsinki”). For a rather small club and dancefloor, one felt the biggest dose of positive energy you could imagine. I’ve never had more fun playing anywhere other than the Well in those days. I really have to thank Rob Solo (now in Taiwan) for making it happen. I’ve also played at the Well’s new incarnation, Helsinki, and clubs such as Surface, MTL, Space, Buddha Bar/Lucky Lounge, the Gallery, The Cave, Liquid Monkey and so on.
I really enjoy the Ottawa trance scene and its amicable locals such as S4, Doc Savage, Emm, Chakra V, Yelena, Jon Degan, Alec Todd and Shaun Baker. But I also find myself checking out all kinds of other club nights. There was a time when people complained that there was not much to see, but I think right now we’re actually quite spoiled! Ottawa DJs and promoters have made many “ordinary” nights turn into spectacular ones. The best part of this entire story is the people that I’ve met - at parties, clubs, or over the phone at the radio station - and the memories we’ve shared.
I also recently invested in a new computer and music studio, working on both electro and trance projects. Stay tuned, and thanks for visiting!