The EDM scene in Canada is finally getting some worldwide recognition, and with Bud Light Sensation just around the corner, Bud Light has handpicked some up-and-coming DJs from across the country to join the party revolution. To get ready for the most insane party of the year, we're profiling these fourteen rising DJs in the Canadian EDM scene, and if you visit BudLight.ca, you can vote for your favourite. Every time you vote, you'll be entered for a chance to win a pair of daily drawn general admission tickets to Bud Light Sensation. Additionally, the winning DJ will receive two VIP tickets with travel, accommodations, and ten tickets for their entourage.
After years of playing in funk and rock bands on Canada's east coast, 23-year-old Jeff Wilson, a.k.a. EviCtion, found his way to EDM just four years ago. Starting out as a small-time bar and club DJ, the creativity in EviCtion's original productions soon propelled him to the forefront of Atlantic Canada's electronic dance scene. His special blend of techno, indie, and electro has earned him opening slots for the Bloody Beetroots, Felguk, Lazy Rich, as well as an appearance at WEMF last summer. He hasn't been around for long, but EviCtion is quickly proving himself to be a rising force in Canadian dance music.
AUX: What was your introduction to DJing? What made you want to start?
I was 19 and I was toe-up at Evolve Festival in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. It was the best festival experience of my life. I went to the "rave tent" and I instantly fell in love with it. I think it was mostly that I didn't understand what the heck anyone was doing up there to make all these sounds, or where they found the music. The whole unknown part really made me look into it hard and try and figure it out. I got really involved that way. I bought turntables over the winter and by the time I was 20 I was doing shows. That festival experience really made me love dance music.
Where are you from, and what's the scene like for a DJ in your hometown?
I'm from Quispamsis/Rothesay, New Brunswick, but I think I did most of my development as an artist in Halifax during the summers. Halifax is a good scene that's very in touch with new sounds and future EDM stuff. They are quite picky when it comes to their music — they want the most current stuff, and they want the best. Halifax really only has one or two bars that put on big shows regularly. Then you have the clubs, but they're all pretty bad, and mostly play Top 40 stuff maybe some remixes of the Top 40 stuff. It's a university city, and a lot of Ontario students love dubstep and trap. Last winter you could see acts from Riff Raff to Datsik to Alex Metric to XXYYXX. Summer sees more local acts and festivals. Overall, the scene is good, but it doesn't compare to Toronto or Montreal.
Who/what are your main influences, and why?
I still love the big guys like Skrillex, Steve Aoki, and Justice, and I follow the labels they release on, along with the artists they support. Justice was for sure my biggest influence to the style of music I play now. I like to know what the majority of EDM fans are loving, but I also was into EDM before it really blew up with people my age. So I still love listening to more underground electro guys (who may not be underground anymore) and techno guys. Modek, Lazy Rich, Dem Slackers, Far Too loud, Udachi, AC Slater, Dj Dan, Jelo…I could go on. My first vinyl was Eric Prydz Proper Education.
Do you have a guaranteed party starter, or crucial mix that you work into every set?
I do, and no one is getting it! I'm all about the opening song. I want people to know someone else stepped on the decks. I'm also all about throwing a really long build up somewhere in the middle of my set.
Why is it important for Canada to have an event like Bud Light Sensation?
Well, [Bud Light] Sensation really showcases the spectacle that is EDM. The dancers, the lights, the stage, the overall atmosphere of EDM — it's more about the show then the DJ. It's a new take on shows in Canada. Ninety percent of the shows are big showcases for specific DJ acts. I feel like [Bud Light] Sensation is more about the party and spectacle.
**Vote for EviCtion at BudLight.ca for your chance to win two tickets to Bud Light Sensation!***
AUX is partnering with Bud Light as they revolutionize what it means to party in Canada. We'll be breaking down the elements of any successful party into an exact science, culminating in the most mathematically perfect party of the year, Bud Light Presents Sensation (seriously, the Partyodic Table doesn't lie) at Toronto's Rogers Centre on June 1. The eight-hour experience will see an estimated 30,000 fans Light It Up in ways they've never done before. Tickets are Bud Light Presents Sensation, but deluxe tickets have already sold out—so act fast! You must be 19 years or older to attend. Meet fellow revelers on Twitter via the Bud Light Presents Sensation hashtag: #budlightsensation.
After years of playing in funk and rock bands on Canada's east coast, 23-year-old Jeff Wilson, a.k.a. EviCtion, found his way to EDM just four years ago. Starting out as a small-time bar and club DJ, the creativity in EviCtion's original productions soon propelled him to the forefront of Atlantic Canada's electronic dance scene. His special blend of techno, indie, and electro has earned him opening slots for the Bloody Beetroots, Felguk, Lazy Rich, as well as an appearance at WEMF last summer. He hasn't been around for long, but EviCtion is quickly proving himself to be a rising force in Canadian dance music.
AUX: What was your introduction to DJing? What made you want to start?
I was 19 and I was toe-up at Evolve Festival in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. It was the best festival experience of my life. I went to the "rave tent" and I instantly fell in love with it. I think it was mostly that I didn't understand what the heck anyone was doing up there to make all these sounds, or where they found the music. The whole unknown part really made me look into it hard and try and figure it out. I got really involved that way. I bought turntables over the winter and by the time I was 20 I was doing shows. That festival experience really made me love dance music.
Where are you from, and what's the scene like for a DJ in your hometown?
I'm from Quispamsis/Rothesay, New Brunswick, but I think I did most of my development as an artist in Halifax during the summers. Halifax is a good scene that's very in touch with new sounds and future EDM stuff. They are quite picky when it comes to their music — they want the most current stuff, and they want the best. Halifax really only has one or two bars that put on big shows regularly. Then you have the clubs, but they're all pretty bad, and mostly play Top 40 stuff maybe some remixes of the Top 40 stuff. It's a university city, and a lot of Ontario students love dubstep and trap. Last winter you could see acts from Riff Raff to Datsik to Alex Metric to XXYYXX. Summer sees more local acts and festivals. Overall, the scene is good, but it doesn't compare to Toronto or Montreal.
Who/what are your main influences, and why?
I still love the big guys like Skrillex, Steve Aoki, and Justice, and I follow the labels they release on, along with the artists they support. Justice was for sure my biggest influence to the style of music I play now. I like to know what the majority of EDM fans are loving, but I also was into EDM before it really blew up with people my age. So I still love listening to more underground electro guys (who may not be underground anymore) and techno guys. Modek, Lazy Rich, Dem Slackers, Far Too loud, Udachi, AC Slater, Dj Dan, Jelo…I could go on. My first vinyl was Eric Prydz Proper Education.
Do you have a guaranteed party starter, or crucial mix that you work into every set?
I do, and no one is getting it! I'm all about the opening song. I want people to know someone else stepped on the decks. I'm also all about throwing a really long build up somewhere in the middle of my set.
Why is it important for Canada to have an event like Bud Light Sensation?
Well, [Bud Light] Sensation really showcases the spectacle that is EDM. The dancers, the lights, the stage, the overall atmosphere of EDM — it's more about the show then the DJ. It's a new take on shows in Canada. Ninety percent of the shows are big showcases for specific DJ acts. I feel like [Bud Light] Sensation is more about the party and spectacle.
**Vote for EviCtion at BudLight.ca for your chance to win two tickets to Bud Light Sensation!***
AUX is partnering with Bud Light as they revolutionize what it means to party in Canada. We'll be breaking down the elements of any successful party into an exact science, culminating in the most mathematically perfect party of the year, Bud Light Presents Sensation (seriously, the Partyodic Table doesn't lie) at Toronto's Rogers Centre on June 1. The eight-hour experience will see an estimated 30,000 fans Light It Up in ways they've never done before. Tickets are Bud Light Presents Sensation, but deluxe tickets have already sold out—so act fast! You must be 19 years or older to attend. Meet fellow revelers on Twitter via the Bud Light Presents Sensation hashtag: #budlightsensation.
