VILIFY

VILIFY:  I grew up in Toronto which had an incredibly rich DNB / jungle scene. I remember walking into my first jungle rave (way under age) and instantly feeling home. There were weeklies seven nights a week at one point, with so many figure heads keeping the scene vibrant and alive in many different ways. The Toronto electronic music scene influenced me as a person, and my musical tastes to no end. It’s funny because I bought turntables not to "be a DJ" but instead because I wanted to DJ (for myself, at home) and gigs popped up naturally, which led to my full-time job for over a decade now. On the other hand, making music was something I had always been called to do. My mom says I came out of the womb making music. I experimented with different instruments growing up, and was always singing / writing, but once I was set up to create music electronically, with such freedom and an endless spectrum of tools at my fingertips, I knew it was something I would want to do forever. 
VILIFY:  Canada was an amazing start to my musical journey. I would say my reach came alongside the weekly I started and ran for six plus years (which continues today, Bass Drive Wednesdays). Playing across the country, and then eventually across the world, has always felt like such an incredible blessing. Being able to travel the globe and experience new cultures and communities of people just by doing what I love to do, still feels like a dream.
VILIFY:  I’ve always found it somewhat strange (to me) how often artists or scenes, tend to be dedicated to one particular sound. I think throughout history, music has influenced, and given birth to different genres and sub-genres, and the need to package them into their own boxes might hold back or limit the development of sound in general. I think a lot of constructs throughout society are unnecessary and limiting, and that we may benefit from stepping back and witnessing things with a wider perspective and less of a need for labels. 
VILIFY:  I’m finding it interesting being on this journey of life and witnessing my own evolution (as well as the evolution of my musical tastes and creations). I think in this society we can be so self-focused these days (alongside judgement, pressure and comparison). Life is so short, impermeable, and unpredictable. I think that when we are able to step outside of ourselves and instead operate from a place of collective consciousness, awareness and connection to the planet, and the cosmos at large, we can have a more authentic, free existence, as we are here for the short time we are given on this planet in the physical form.
VILIFY:  My homies in Montreal (Jeremy Shantz, Jenn Wade, Dan Esteban and Lisa Maria Faria) really smashed this cover - and video coming out with the release). I feel it truly represents the album and the inspiration behind it. This idea of stepping out of the societally imposed beliefs and "history" we’ve been indoctrinated with. The idea that you can free yourself, and create a deeper more authentic experience here if you are brave enough to look beyond your personal existence.
VILIFY:  In fact, I find it difficult to do the opposite. Sometimes I think it may be easier from a promotion side, or explanatory side, to be focused in on one particular genre, but this is just not what is aligned with my soul. I think the vast spectrum of sound that I listen to, DJ and create, is what keeps it all exciting and fresh for me. It’s the only way that it all makes sense to my ears (and soul).
VILIFY:  A tough question, and to be honest is changes with each listen. I think ‘Surrender’ speaks to my soul the most deeply (and if I remember correctly was the first track I did make and set the tone for the rest of the album).
VILIFY:  The strange last year and a half, or so, has allowed me to be where I feel most aligned these days: in the studio creating. I have a lot of new sounds awaiting their release on the world. For now I’m just focused on this album, but you can be sure that 2022 will be a steady release of EPs, singles and another full album.
VILIFY:  So much gratitude on my end here. Thanks for connecting. 

This interview was commissioned through our Ko-fi page.