When Jungle Drum & Bass crept out of UK clubs and raves out into the rest of the world, Canada was one of it’s first homes-from-home.
Turns out it still is! In this All Crews International we get stuck into Canadian JDB… in Toronto and beyond! Read on for Part 1.
Wadjit, Edmonton
Please tell our All Crews readers about your Bassdrive show, Rinse N Wash…
Rinse N Wash Radio has been airing on bassdrive.com for its upcoming, 14th year. Beyond giving me a platform, it gave me mentors and a family, having solid connections with not only crew , but certain long time listeners as well. Bassdrive gave me an international platform to develop my brand, my sound and a following allowing me for some great opportunities not only at Sun and Bass, but other festivals and gigs in a few countries now. The experiences and memories had along the way are everything to me.
Tell us about NAB DNB…
NAB DNB is a non-profit drum and bass community that hosts not only headliner events , but local events and even paint nights. This gives a platform for local DJs to gain more experience on the decks and out of their bedrooms. The goal with NAB is to create safe spaces to learn more about the industry and our organization while being exposed to the movers and shakers of the worldwide scene. We have an amazing team of volunteers who have been instrumental, like the Board of Directors, who helped get everything in motion. We’ve been honored to work in collaboration with many of the local clubs and other companies to create a unified approach to the promotion of events and individual DJs. We even most recently started working with FM radio at CJSR.com, 88.5 fm in Edmonton!
You’ve played at Sun & Bass in Italy. Any special memories you would like to share about playing there?
I’ve been going to Sun and bass since 2011 and there’s so many amazing memories. Every year gets better and better. But I do have a couple that stand out.
The first year I opened for Donovan Bad Boy Smith and at his behest pulled my first ever rewind. Going back to back with Bailey. Back to back with Dfunk. Bringing my sister and best friends to my favorite spot on earth, even my mum has come twice now!
Playing for people I have listened to and looked up to for years, as the quality of performers are top notch. The different venues are such a vibe, whether it was Ambra Day, Bal Harbor, Beach Ambra it goes on. At the end of it, Sun and Bass is a chance to hang out with my Bassdrive family and all the friends I’ve made along the way as we do our favorite thing to do, play and dance to drum and bass. True friends of passion, not location or convenience ♥️♥️
Find Wadjit on: Instagram, Soundcloud
The Librarian, British Columbia
Tell our All Crews readers about the Bass Coast Festival that you’re the co-founder of…
Bass Coast is a completely independent electronic music and immersive art experience that we’ve built from the ground up in BC, Canada. What makes us different is that we don’t have corporate sponsorship, we curate every aspect ourselves, and we’re committed to creating a space that celebrates underground electronic music and art in a meaningful way.
When Liz and I started Bass Coast back in 2009, we wanted to create the kind of environment where creativity could truly flourish, a place where artists and attendees could connect, where cutting edge producers and DJS from around the world play alongside Canadian talent, and where the line between audience and performer is blurred, because the stages are immersive environments with world class sound. Everyone on site is part of the experience. Located in Merritt, we are surrounded by mountains and the stunning Nicola Valley, which sets the stage for a beautiful experience that is deeply connected to nature.
What I’m most proud of is our community. Bass Coast has grown into this incredible space where people feel safe to express themselves, where art and music push boundaries, and where respect for each other and the environment is paramount. It’s grown beyond anything we could have imagined, but it has maintained that intimate feeling where genuine connections happen.
What do you look for in tunes to move a crowd?
Thank you! For me, it’s all about that perfect balance between tension and release. I’m constantly searching for tracks with unexpected elements, I’ve always been drawn to melodies and rhythmic patterns and I love when the music commands my attention. Those dynamics are what keep people engaged and create those magical moments on the dance floor.
I’ve always been drawn to music that sits between genres, tracks that pull from bass music, footwork, dubstep, techno and more experimental sounds. When I’m digging for music, I’m looking for that special quality where technical production is matched by emotional resonance. I love to tell a story and each set travels through emotions and styles.
What really excites me is introducing people to sounds they haven’t heard before, while still keeping them moving. That sweet spot where experimentation meets accessibility is where the magic happens.
In what ways has music enriched your life?
As a DJ and producer, I’ve had the privilege of traveling to so many places, experiencing different scenes and approaches to creativity. Those experiences have expanded my understanding of what’s possible, both artistically and in building community. I’ve met the most incredible people through music, friends who’ve become collaborators, mentors, and lifelong friends.
There have been countless challenges over the years of building Bass Coast and touring as an artist, but as a result I’ve learned so much from the people around me and I’m so grateful that music has brought me these experiences.
I will always love the rush of excitement that comes from discovering a new track or that feeling of complete presence when I’m in the mix. The sounds I’m drawn to are constantly evolving and for that reason I’ll never tire of it. Every time I play a song out for the first time, that location and the feeling of that space becomes part of that song. It means my music library becomes a library of memories that I’ll forever cherish.
Find The Librarian on Instagram, Soundcloud
Marcus Visionary, Toronto
Please tell our All Crews Readers about the label, you & Lush run, Inner City Dance…
Myself & Lush started Inner City Dance about 11 years ago. Originally it was supposed to be an outlet for my solo releases. At the time I was releasing on a few different labels: Digital Soundboy, Liondub, etc and I didn’t have enough music to fill up all of the releases, so we decided to sign some music from some of Toronto’s finest. The label has always been about good music regardless of genre or tempo so we’ve released Jungle, DNB, UKG, UK Funky, House, & Breakbeat oriented rave music. Since then we’ve launched a few sister labels in order to accommodate all of the music we want to release. We have Stereo One Music, Inner City Dubs, Rocksteady and more recently I’ve launched my artist bandcamp called Tribal Life Music
Please tell us about your radio show…
I launched the Prophecy in 1994 at 88.1 CKLN. In 1995 we moved over to 89.5 F.M CIUT. I spent 20 years there alongside DJ Prime with many guest hosts from: Mr. Brown, Gremlinz, Scott Free etc. In the 20th year I had an opportunity to join the Kool F.M family in London thanks to Eastman & Suzie G who at the time were running the station. I’ve been at Kool F.M. for 10 years now and it has become the premiere Jungle DNB station in the U.K run by The Rinse FM crew. My show features Jungle, Breakbeat Hardcore, upfront & classic DNB. It’s an absolute honour and a dream to broadcast via Kool/Rinse F.M.
You’re a great ambassador for Jungle Drum & Bass in Toronto. How has the scene evolved in Toronto from when you first started out, to now?
The scene has changed so much in the last 30 years. From the Early 90’s to 2008 we had a solid run. Events at times every night of the week. The 90’s & naughties was a magical time that you can’t really compare to today. Our club & rave scene was crushed by legislation in order to build condos and downtown housing and our music scene regardless of genre has suffered greatly. At the height of our scene we were seeing massive events with up to 7,000 people in 2 rooms and 14,000 total attendance (famous CNE events). From there we were forced to move into the clubs: System Soundbar, Turbo Nightclub, Opera House etc. There was also the massive Theory events run at the Guv Complex. The scene is still here today and the largest DNB & Jungle events are for Destiny Events which are usually held inside History Nightclub with up to 2,500 people. There are weekly events that hold between 100-150 people each week and sometimes 300-500. As you can see things have become much smaller. The one thing that has stood firm are the passionate dedicated promoters, DJs, Producers, and artists in our scene that keep things moving!
Find Marcus Visionary on Instagram, Bandcamp
Gremlinz, Toronto
Tell our All Crews readers about The Lee Garden Historical Preservation Society…
Lee Garden was a legendary Chinese restaurant in Toronto that both Jesta & I frequented since childhood with our families. When the restaurant closed its doors, we were devastated. In jest, our friend Brad (DJ Lush) used to refer to us as ‘The Lee Garden Historical Preservation Society’, so eventually we figured we might as well run with it for our projects moving forwards. Obviously, our debut album had to be called that, as well as our label and we’re going to be gravitating towards it as an alias as well.
I’m sure you’ve played all over the world, where are some places that you haven’t played, but would like to and why those places?
I’ve never played in Australia, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, Colombia, South Africa, New Zealand, Thailand, China, Vietnam, and India. I love seeing the world, and would love the opportunity to take in as much of it as possible. All of these destinations just seem like they are complete opposites of Toronto, from wildlife to geography. They are all rich in culture/history and I have always been fascinated by them growing up. I reckon like all of them would be adventures in their own right.
You’ve had a significant impact on other DNB/Jungle producers, who are the people that have influenced your production throughout the years?
To be honest, too many to list, but off the top, Obviously Goldie, Ink, Loxy, 4 Hero, Photek, Dillinja, Source Direct, Peshay, Adam F, J Majik, Digital, Spirit, Nico, Optical, Ed Rush, Trace, Total Science, Alpha Omega, Sonar Circle, Equinox, Amit, Skitty, Knowledge/SB81, Outrage, Friske, Premier, Alchemist, DJ Kemo, J Dilla, Muggs, Havoc, RZA, Rick Rubin, Kemal, Keaton, Breakage, Pessimist, Clarity, Outer Heaven, Overlook, Dom & Roland, Tech Itch, Bob James, Grooverider, Boymerang, Matrix, Lemon D, and Hidden Agenda.
Find Gremlinz on Instagram, Soundcloud
Jesta, Toronto
Please tell our All Crews Audience about Shark with Laser On Head…
Shark with Laser On Head is one of the labels I started with Gremlinz and our good friend Brad, aka DJ LUSH. It is the sister label to our main label, The Lee Garden Historical Preservations Society, which is also the title of the album that Gremlinz and I did for Metalheadz. We launched the two labels after the release of our album to give us a platform to release our music on and forgo the typical waiting periods and vetting that happens with a lot of the major labels in our genre. We wanted to be able to release our music how and when we see fit and also control the finances etc. It is also a place for us to release other artists’ music that we like. Shark is more dancefloor oriented and less serious, if you will, and TLGHPS is for more experimental and headzy type stuff. We have a lot of stuff in the pipeline for both labels in the near future.
You’re yet another great producer/dj from Toronto, why do you think it has been and continues to be a city that produces so much talent?
Many people don’t realize that Toronto is the 4th largest city in North America only behind Mexico City, New York and Los Angeles. It is also one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. Due to the large population of British expats in the 80’s and 90’s, Toronto was introduced to UK dance music at the beginning. We had a massive rave scene here that started in the very early 90’s. We also have a large population of Jamaican and West Indian people. This combination fueled a huge Jungle scene that started around 1992 when jungle was really first invented and emerged from the acid house and the hardcore scene. Toronto has been riding with jungle and DNB since the beginning and I was lucky enough to be there from the very early days alongside Gremlinz and Lush and so many of our friends and colleagues. I think accessibility to the music and what was going on in the UK played a big part in laying the foundation for the Toronto jungle scene and it spawned so many DJ’s, MC’s and producers. For reference, in 1992 some Toronto raves featured Goldie as The Ruffage Crew and Shut Up and Dance among many more.
Musically, what are some things you would like to accomplish before you hang up your headphones?
I think I’d like to do a solo album at some point. To be honest I have already realized so many of my dreams in the music thing. If 16 year old Jesta knew that he’d one day release a full length album on Metalheadz, he’d probably say bullshit. Gremlinz and I have remixed Goldie and Photek which was something I never thought would happen. There are some artists that I would love to collaborate with still, namely Tim Reaper and Sully, both who are huge inspirations to me and I’m happy to be able to call them both friends. I will be 47 this year and music production is my hobby, not my job, and I like it like that. I make the best music when I dont put any pressure on it so I think I will just continue to make music that I like and experiment with different sounds and genres.
Find Jesta on Instagram, Bandcamp
John Rolodex, Calgary
Please tell our All Crews readers about your label, Machinist Music…
I founded Machinist Music in 2010 to provide a home for sounds that were largely overlooked by most of the DnB scene at the time, primarily techstep and breakbeat-based styles, with a focus on darker, deeper material. We’re a grassroots, DIY operation, dedicated to what we consider the true school of DnB and Jungle. We don’t release watered-down, radio-friendly cappuccino beats. Over the years, we’ve worked with around two dozen artists from all over the world, sometimes helping them move on to bigger and better opportunities. I’ve managed the label myself for most of its existence, but my partner, Dioptrics, took the reins for about three years, running it entirely on his own while staying true to our original vision. He’s a real G for that.
Tell us about a few challenges and benefits you experienced when you first started out that shaped the artist you are today…
The biggest challenge for me has been geography. Coming from Western Canada (born in Edmonton, currently living in Calgary), I’m seven time zones away from most of the scene. Especially in the early days, before everything was online, it felt incredibly disconnected. I’d do an interview with a magazine, and then six months later, I’d finally see the print issue in shops. Most significantly, my relationships with the labels I released music on suffered. Unlike many artists who saw key industry people every week at the club, I had to rely on phone calls to stay connected and arrange things. The upside, though, is that I’ve been able to hone my craft on my own terms, largely in isolation, which I see as an advantage.
What directions would you like to push your music in the next few years?
As a producer, I’ve accomplished far more than I ever imagined. Lately, I’ve started seeing myself more as a producer of music in general rather than of a single genre. That journey will continue, though I’m not entirely sure what it will look like in the coming years, probably some different tempos, but my sound will always be recognizable. On a broader level, I consider myself a veteran of this music on this side of the world, and I see my role as that of a steward of the genre, guiding, educating, and supporting the scene. That feels like the right path for me now.
Find John Rolodex on Instagram and Soundcloud
Rumbleton, Toronto
Tell our All Crews readers all about Drumcraft in Toronto…
Drumcraft is a Jungle/Drum&Bass collective formed in 2017 by Gremlinz, Jesta, Frankie Gunns, K.Soulpride and myself as an outlet to present our work, and the work of the labels we represent, to our hometown. Our events take place at BSMT254, which holds one of the nicest hand built Sound Systems in the city, and the owners there share our feelings on prioritizing sound quality, so we consider ourselves lucky to be there and call it our home.
Tell our readers about your Jungletrain show…
Stand Firm Hi-Fi airs every second Sunday night from 7-9pm EST / 12-2am GMT on Jungletrain.net. The show is 2 hours and I normally play new music in the first hour, old school in the second. I started doing the show in 2011 after strong insistence from Antidote (RIP), who was working with Jungletrain in some kind of management capacity at the time. Show archives are usually available to download at dnbshare.
Which two events you’ve played at were the most memorable to have played out at?
For me the most memorable event by far was Rupture, February, 11 2011. That was my first time playing in London, and for a kid from Toronto who has lived this music, it felt like going to the motherland. I’m eternally grateful to Double 0 & Mantra who really set me up for success in every way. That night I met so many great people who share a love of this music, many of whom are great friends of mine to this day.
Another highly memorable event I would say was when Stretch played at Drumcraft in December 2019. The vibes are usually high at Drumcraft, but they were on another level that night. Now that I think of it, I was meant to play after Stretch but we were all so into it that none of us looked at our watches and next thing you know it was time to head home! We’ll call it the most memorable event I didn’t play at haha.
Find Rumbleton on Instagram, Soundcloud
Mutt, Toronto
How do you create soulful vibes within your tracks?
I think my first love in terms of music was hip hop, so the style of sampling that was big in the 90’s really had an influence on me. That MPC, ASR boombap. They were all sampling old soul, r&b and soul jazz records. When you start hunting for records, you learn about different artists and producers and tracks you would have never heard of until you start digging. And all the music I was digging was always super soulful, lots of rhodes and strings etc. That “soulful” vibe is something I strive for in ALL my music. Plus, I love using instruments that are warm and jazzy, I tend to use a lot of saurators and stuff like when producing.
You also produce House and other genres. What similarities and differences are implicit in how you make tracks across these different genres?
Definitely one of the similarities is that even the house and garage stuff I make is always rooted in soul, sometimes disco but to me disco is an offshoot of soul/ r & b. There are definitely differences, the groove and vibe of a house track is quite different from that of drum and bass. With drum and bass one of the unique things is that you can flip back and forth between half-time and regular time. I do this a lot in tracks like Hot Lick Squeeze and Kush Talk.
Since you produce across so many different mediums, I can imagine you have more than a few musical influences who have shaped your sound, please share of those influences.
In terms of drum and bass I would say one of my biggest influences is Calibre. He brought a sensibility to drum and bass that wasn’t there before. Also, Fabio, for pushing the soulful side of DNB, other producers: Dillinja, Total Science, Bad Company, John B, Photek, DJ Zinc, Jonny L, Commix, Carlito & Addiction, High Contrast.
Non-dnb producers I would name: Burial, Moodymann, El-B, Jay Dilla, MK, Kerri Chandler, Andres, Romanthony, Motor City Drum Ensemble aka Danilo Plessow, Artful Dodger, Laurence Guy, Kink, Pete Rock, Kyle Hall
Find Mutt on: Instagram, Bandcamp, Soundcloud
Frankie Gunns, Toronto
Please tell our All Crews readers all about your label, Gunns Road Music…
Gunns Road Music is a physical record label that I started back in 2021 during the pandemic to focus on the more breakbeat driven jungle and just dnb music that isn’t the same old thing. The name Gunns Road pays homage to an actual Road with that namesake in Toronto that we used to attend lots of raves at way back in the early 90s. It has been an amazing outlet to focus on putting out inspiring music from so many talented artists that I have met online or who are friends such as Krugah, Rumbleton, Dodz, Dacamera, Pixl Glassbox, Duburban, Peeb, Galvatron and a few more forthcoming bits from some unnamed artists.
Please tell our All Crews readers about some of your highlights of your recent trip to the UK…
My recent and first trip to the UK was absolutely awesome. Not only was it an incredible opportunity to travel with several of my close friends while I was there.
It presented the opportunities to play for Rupture London 18 year anniversary at Corsica studios as well as to be able to play at Planet Wax for Jungle Syndicate alongside several artists and people I have met online on twitch or just through a like minded similar passion for the music in general.
It was great to see Double O, Mantra, Panka, Dextrous, Clayton Hines, Quartz, Decibella, Ricky Law, Rundr, Kola Nut, Galvatron, Duburban, Pixl and Peeb to name a few! I’m definitely looking forward to going back again as there’s still so many more people I want to connect with and several places I want to visit and experience.
You’re an avid vinyl collector. Which 3 records are your most prized possessions and why?
Hahaha yeah. Vinyl is an old habit that I don’t think will ever die even though I play digitally and have adapted throughout the years.
My 3 favorite jungle records are:
4hero – Parallel Universe LP
A Guy Called Gerald – Black Secret Technology LP
Plug – Drum & Bass for Papa LP
Those albums are extremely crucial to me and have influenced my tastes in immeasurable ways.
Find Franklin Gunnark on Instagram, Bandcamp
LUSH, Toronto
Who are some DJs that have influenced your mixing?
The single most impactful DJ for me from the beginning who inspired me to want to emulate the standard they set has always been Randall for me. My whole style is patterned off of him. I studied his tapes in the early 90’s. Kenny Ken, Grooverider, Fabio, DJ Ron, Mickey Finn, Bryan G and later Andy C , Mampi Swift and Marcus Intalex were also hugely influential for me.
Growing up in Toronto we had our own hero’s who were just as crucial for us as the UK guys on our tape packs. Dr No, Ruffneck, Jungle PHD, Medicine Muffin, Marcus Visionary, The Hrd Cru, Mystical and Sniper were my weekly inspirations who I would stand behind the decks and watch and learn. Marcus, Mystical and Sniper took me under their wing and directly put me on, which set me up for the legacy I’ve built for myself today.
You have been playing Jungle Drum & Bass for quite some time, tell us about why you love this music?
33 years.
That initial eureka moment where the funk and soul sampled breakbeats from hip hop were sped up and a ragga/dub Bassline was put underneath with techno sounds and aesthetics was absolute magic for me. I was hooked instantly and I’ve never stopped being excited by that formative melting pot.
I’ve been chasing that feeling throughout all the eras and evolutions of the music ever since. No matter how far removed from the blueprint the wider music gets there is always enough fresh Jungle / DnB that retains those flavours and looks to the future for me to get excited about.
Which two landmark Toronto parties will you remember forever, and why?
I’ll always reference Syrous Judgement Day with Kenny Ken in 1994 as the single most important rave in Toronto Jungle history. Kenny schooled us and inspired the whole scene with that legendary set. After that night Toronto officially had Jungle Fever, and the massive scene that we are known for that emerged was rooted in that event.
The next one I’ll pick would be an event I played at just a few weeks ago. TOR productions and Drumcraft brought in the legendary DJ Dexterous. It was one of those nights where everything just clicked and everyone was on a vibe. My set just flowed through me almost telepathically where every tune I selected in the moment was the right tune, and every mix just fit together effortlessly. I left feeling satisfied and inspired for the next set, which as a DJ is the high we are always chasing.
