The Toronto-born producer was introduced to the genre at the same time as millions of people around the world, via Tiësto’s set during the opening ceremony of the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Amidst filling the house with the larger-than-life melodies of Billy Joel and Elton John, Walker’s dad also blasted the work of Italian trance legend Robert Miles, with friends over time playing him everything from Armin Van Buuren to Pendulum.
Then the EDM boom hit, and Walker started understanding dance music not just as casual listening, but as a genuine love, then a serious hobby and then ultimately, a career path. He established himself as a go-to DJ in the bar and club scene at his university near Toronto and in 2014 caught his big break upon connecting with Kygo’s manager Myles Shear, who signed him as a management client.
Walker has since played some of the world’s biggest dance festivals, from EDC Las Vegas to Ultra Japan, and has been building touring momentum in the past few years. In 2022, he hit the road in South America as a support act for Kygo and booked a mainstage slot at Ultra Miami – something he has replicated in 2023 and 2024. His catalog has clocked 400+ million global streams, with a flurry of singles charting in the U.S. and Canada. Walker preceded ORIGIN with his first few releases of 2024, the sonically euphoric, lyrically bittersweet Nate Smith collaboration “Missing You,” and the Lucas-Estrada backed “Bad Town.” Both tracks bring back feel-good, euphoric dance music with big vocals - a guiding force for Walker.
This Spring, he performed at Ultra Miami, where he received an EDM Award for his Juno-nominated song “I Go Dancing” (with Ella Henderson). Today, Walker’s catalog has clocked over 500 million global streams and a flurry of his tracks have hit charts including the Canadian Hot 100 and Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs. Currently, his single “Missing You” ft. Nate Smith is Top 10 at Top 40 Radio in the country
“The sets are better than ever; my production is better than ever,” he says. “It’s all coming together.”
THE INTERVIEW
CR: Hello Frank, Glad to have you on Canadianrave. How are you doing, and where are you talking to us from?
FW: Thanks for having me! I’m coming at you from my home studio in Toronto.
CR: Can you tell us a little about yourself and your musical journey? Also Did you play any instruments growing up?
FW: I went to an arts school growing up and played the trombone, but despite loving music I never expected to be a musician or producer. It always felt like a hobby that wouldn’t become my career. Then the Golden Era of EDM hit. I fell in love with Avicii, Swedish House Mafia, Alesso, and so many other amazing artists that were blowing up in 2012. This inspired me to take a shot at DJing (which went well haha), and the rest is history!
CR: I love how you incorporated some Folktronica into your album like the songs “Gravity’ with Tyler Shaw and “Missing You” with Nate Smith. It definitely reminded me of Avicii. How was it making those two tracks and other tracks like that in the album?
FW: Avicii’s colllabs into other genres were huge in EDM crossing into the mainstream, and he definitely inspired my album. I love getting into the studio with artists from other genres, I find it super inspiring to use sounds and techniques that aren’t typical to dance music – it can make for some really fresh sounding ideas.
CR: I was surprised to see Trivecta being someone you made a song with in the album - “Good in Goodbye”, Who would be one artist that you would like to collaborate with that you haven’t done so far?
FW: Trivecta is dope! I first came across him when Palm Tree Records, my label, got him to remix I Go Dancing, and I fell in love with his music. When I was pulling my album together Good In Goodbye was missing some energy, so we shot the track his way and he took it next level – it became a cool mix of tropical and melodic bass!
CR: Congratulations on your EDM Award for your Juno-nominated song “I Go Dancing” with Ella Henderson. How did Ella and you both come to make the song together and what was the reaction when you heard the news?
FW: I first met Ella in Ibiza like 5 years ago, and had been wanting to collaborate with her since! The idea for IGD was born during the pandemic, over several Zooms back and forth. That track has absolutely changed my life, and the reception has been incredible. Whether it be winning at the EDMAs or someone DMing me saying how the track has moved them, it’s just incredible to have my music touch so many people.
CR: So, we've got VELD just a month or so away!!! Are you excited to be playing in your home city again? And what are your thoughts about the scene in Canada?
FW: Absolutely my favourite festival to perform at, nothing beats a hometown show! I’m planning some surprises for the set for sure. I think our Canadian music scene is so incredible, be it in EDM or any genre, we have so much talent across the country! Canadian fans are also INCREDIBLE at supporting their own, I’m super grateful to be repping our country on the EDM world stage.
CR: What significant changes have you observed in the electronic music scene over the years?
FW: I feel like our scene specifically goes through trends more than any other genre. The past few years have been dominated by techno, and the housier genres, but I think a change is coming. Everyone who knows me, knows that I love nostalgic, melodic EDM, and I see a shift coming. There are so many amazingly talented up-and-coming EDM producers making big mainstage anthems, I’m excited to see where our genre goes next!
CR: Do you have any rituals or habits that help you focus before a performance or studio session?
FW: I always need a good meal with my touring team before a big show, can’t DJ on an empty stomach! Also, an espresso martini is always good to get the energy going haha.
CR: What role do you think technology will play in shaping the future of music production and distribution?
FW: There’s always going to be new tools coming out for artists and producers to work with, whether it be AI or new tech to make our lives easier. I’m all for automating the process because I ultimately think it can be a tool to help get more of your music out to the world. I think it becomes an issue when it takes the creativity out of artists' hands, or if AI starts ripping off other artists' work – you’ve got to maintain that creative integrity that’s core to who you are as an artist, or I think fans will be able to read through that.
CR: Do you have any special projects you got in the works that you’d be down to share with your followers?
FW: I’ve still got a few surprises planned around my debut album, ORIGIN! We’re releasing a DJ set of the albums with some REALLY cool vfx that’s going to be coming soon, and as well as a big remix album of my album. As always I’ve got more music in the pipeline too. album 1 already has me thinking about what the next one’s going to sound like!
Lightning Round
Favourite Club in Toronto. Rebel – some of my favourite sets have been there!
Favourite Go To spot in Toronto. ONE Restaurant in Yorkville in my neighborhood, I go there more often than I’d like to admit…
Favourite Pizza Spot in Toronto The Parlour on King
Favourite food when you are sick. Chicken Soup
First Rave/Show as an attendee? EDC 2013 made me fall in love with electronic music!
All-time favourite song? Fix You - Coldplay.
What is your guilty pleasure? Below Deck on Bravo, my girlfriend and I binge that show WAY too hard when I’m off touring.
What is your hidden talent? I make a mean Grilled Cheese sandwich.
Which social platform do you use a lot? I definitely waste too much time on Insta haha
We can’t wait to see his set on Saturday, August 3!! and don’t forget to check out his socials below