Inside Toronto’s evolving electronic underground

In Toronto, community-based groups Loop Sessions and Estrelar work as spaces for education and growth, teaching folks how to use equipment and learn production. ISO Radio exists to amplify DJs and producers beyond venues, running out of Stackt Market since 2018. Record stores like Invisible City and Play De Record have cultivated sound generationally, both through the vinyl scene and digital scene. Scenes here don’t tend to intertwine in a way that creates new forms of experimentation.

Ana Luisa mentions that the separation works to provide the growth of richer sounds, and in some ways, Sanjeet agrees. From Sanjeet’s perspective, it doesn’t matter if you blend the genre or not, it’s being precise with your intentions. “While I think what makes a cool set is when you can blend lots of things, people who I’ve seen do crazy sets could be in the same style, but they’re digging and thinking really hard about the concept. My one request for the city; be braver. ”

Toronto saw the “intertwining” of scenes at its first summer electronic festival beyond Veld; Sojourn. The festival was curated by Format, Pep Rally and Last Planet, as a space to house the current state of the city’s electronic sound, including international artists. Sanjeet reminisces on watching electronic dance trio Afrique Like Me playing on day two. “I was really blown away by Afrique Like Me at Sojourn, just beautiful to see three people on stage, one with a laptop, a live MIDI controller, and then another one on the decks,” she says. “Just sharing really good music with clear intention.”

Even if not in sound, the braveness translates through the consistency to create crews, events and raves to preserve the dance scene. There is a general feeling of hope within the new generation of DJs, promoters, producers and organisers. “I’m proud of our younger generation,” concludes Sanjeet. “They’re really going full throttle.”

Thanks to Cindy Li / Ciel for her help with this article.