Mad Zach
Mad Zach combines influences from hip-hop, drum and bass and trap but somehow manages to stay unique. The EP Fortress, released on March 10, 2017 served as a follow up to his debut EP Quantum Shock. His debut album featured collaborations from artists like G Jones and Sayer and also featured remixes from Bleep Bloop, Amp Live, Conrank, and Pixelord.
Mad Zach is set for many North American appearances, including Shambhala Music Festival and What The Festival. Production tech companies like Native Instruments and Ableton, in combination with his performance videos for those companies and big-name DJ blog DJ Tech Tools have garnered over 10 million views on YouTube alone.
Marcus Visionary
Marcus Visionary is fortunate enough to be a part of Shy FX’s Digital Soundboy family since 2005. In 2010, he released an experimental double LP titled Carib which stayed at the #1 spot on Juno download for six weeks straight. The following year he released his first solo LP titled Humble. The LP featured many well-known reggae artists like Johnny Osbourne, Bunny General, Sugar Minott, Pad Anthony, and Messenger Selah. A few years after that success, his Jungle to the World LP was released via Liondub International to high acclaim with support from artists all across the spectrum.
Maribou State
Maribou State are an electronic duo consisting of the members Chris Davids and Liam Ivory. Even though they grew up in the same town and went to the same school, it wouldn’t be until university that they would discover their shared taste in music. They made their first official foray into the electronic scene in 2011 under the name of Maribou State when they released their five-track EP titled Habitat on FatCat Records. In 2015, they released their first full-length release album Portraits. Pedestrian had a part in shaping this album, who they share a lot of musical influence. They have received a lot of praise from music blogs and some big names in radio: Zane Lowe, Huw Stephens, Pete Tong and Gilles Peterson to name a few.
Marten Horger
Marten Horger managed to secure his residency at Douala, a famous South Germany techno club, well before he was allowed to be in the club legally. Marten first gained international attention when German electronic originator Westbam labeled him “the new wonder kid of bass music”. His debut solo release of LGFU earned him two International Breakspoll Awards for Best Single and Producer of the Year.
Today his Music can be heard all over TV & Cinema as well as Radio one, Beats One and is supported by Artists like Diplo, A-Trak, Stanton Warriors, The Prodigy and much more. With over a dozen North American and Australian tours, playing festivals like Glastonbury, Shambhala, Kazantip, Mayday, Breakfest, Snowbombing, and Love Parade, as well as residencies all over the world. As a DJ & producer, Marten has achieved what seems to be so elusive in today’s music landscape: he’s carved out a lane of his own and he’s driving in it without limits.
Mat the Alien
When he was 14, Mat the Alien discovered the underground acid house scene and learned how to put it together through a lot of trial and error. Mat has been described as “awe-inspiring” and “some next level shit” by Knowledge Magazine. With those amazing comments, it’s no wonder that he’s toured all over the globe to crowds ranging from 100 people to more than fifteen thousand.
Mat the Alien’s music has made appearances on Rinse FM, BBC Radio 1 (on the B. Traits Show and on Diplo & Friends) and he’s seen features on many notable music blogs. He is a resident DJ of Bass Coast Music Festival as well as Shambhala. In fact, Shambhala 2017 marks his 13th anniversary playing there. He’s an artist that works tirelessly on touring and his label Really Good Recordings all throughout the year, and he still finds time to host a bi-weekly radio show alongside The Librarian.
Medasin
Medasin’s currently working on his next project, which will be out later this year with lots of big name features including Sammy of Marian Hill and Austin Mahone. He’ll be hitting a number of festivals this summer including Euphoria Music Festival, SXSW, and many more yet to be announced.
Moontricks
Moontricks are composed of Mr. Mercy, NOG and Sean Rodman. They combine their unique backgrounds to fuse the diverse sounds of roots, blues and bluegrass with electronic music. Mr. Mercy and NOG founded the group initially, with Mr. Mercy’s background as a guitarist and NOG’s background as a producer and harmonica player. They created music that spanned every genre and that showcased all of their musical influences, from artists like Dr. Dre to Muddy Waters.
It was in 2015 that Sean Rodman joined the group. Rodman brings smooth vocals, soul guitar riffs and high energy banjo picking. They’ve done a lot of touring in the past few years in Western Canada, making stops at festivals like Shambhala. The group pushes to combine the boundaries between live and electronic music and deliver their signature sound and style to diverse audiences and listeners.
Neighbour
Matt Dauncey, aka Neighbour, is the co-founder of Homebreakin Records and one of Canada’s most prominent deep house producers. In addition to playing primarily original productions, remixes, and edits, Neighbour has been known to play live synthesizer and electric guitar alongside his legendary DJ sets, which range from no-nonsense electric funk to remixes of classic garage, disco, and house music.
Recent projects include producing and mastering an album for Rob Garza of Thievery Corporation, a new round of tunes with longtime collaborator MC Thinktank, a full length album with his band Red Light Quadrant, and a series of dubs produced for East Vancouver afrobeat band Miami Device. Ever evolving and deeply committed to the science of good sound, Neighbour’s approach to dance music has universal appeal.
Neon Steve
Neon Steve is unrivaled for his high-energy performances and his ability to not take anything too seriously. His transitions from one genre to another will keep you guessing, as the producer makes the transition in an unconventional way. You may hear him speak about himself in the 3rd person while does this. Neon Steve was catching the attention of many big names, Excision, Datsik, Keys N Krates, and Rico Tubbs to name a few.
Surging ahead, Steve also saw an original release alongside Smalltown DJs and Shad (the new host of CBC’s Q radio show) whilst also managing to catch the eye of Mad Decent’s Diplo; who has been known to regularly play out Neon Steve bootlegs. In addition, his tune Got This Feeling, taken from his Feeling EP, was featured in MixMag as Tune of the Month. While taking a break from the high-energy music he usually produces, Neon Steve’s Pleasensations mix series has gone on to become a fan favorite. Sometimes classified as baby making music, it’s the perfect vibe for the after party.
NGHTMRE
Tyler Marenyi taught himself Ableton Live/Reason while putting himself through a four year school. After he graduated from Elon University with a finance degree, he decided to give himself a better chance. So, he moved to LA to pursue his dreams. Talk about a career change!
In two short years, he went from being an anonymous artist to collaborating with well-known names. One such collaboration was with Dillon Francis on a track titled Need You in 2016. A few months previously, Mad Decent released his self-titled EP, Here’s Need You. If you had describe to describe the track in three words it would be tribal, trap and plain funky. Seriously, this track was so good that the Funk Hunters used it at their Shambhala 2016 set. Who knows what 2017 has in store for this accomplished trap artist? One can only speculate that it’ll be incredible.
Nicola Cruz
Nicola Cruz launched his debut album Ignite the Soul through ZZK Records in late 2015. Receiving influences from the new technology and his Ecuadorian roots, Nicola build his songs one piece at a time to create a new strain of Latin American music that he’s titled ‘Andes Step’. This revolution of the new folklore is expanding throughout Latin America like wildfire, and no place is more exciting than the heart of the continent of this bustling music scene, where Nicola Cruz leads the way.
Guided by producers and musicians open-minded, Ecuador is beginning to experience their own digital folk revolution. A new crop of producers and musicians are using their native traditions and rhythms to build a vibrant history of visual and sound art, firing it into the 21st century.
Opiuo
Opiuo started his musical journey out as a drummer and has since moved on to be the amazing producer and DJ that we all know. A self confessed music addict with a light-hearted approach to life and art, influences coming from life changing experiences, to mere cups of tasty tea.
Incorporating sounds as varied as jazz, reggae, funk, rock, psychedelia, and down right chunky goodness, Opiuo’s sound is sought after internationally and some big names in the business have taken to include his sound among their sets. He’s also been featured on some big-name radio stations, including BBC1. He’s also featured on many music download charts, including being #1 on Beatport.com for breaks, electronica, and chillout.
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