LEANDRO DA SILVA X CANADIANRAVERS INTERVIEW [1001TRACKLISTS, RECENT TRACK, RADIO SHOW]

2020 has undoubtedly been a defining year for Leandro, packed with timeless hits and career milestones, including his Parlophone-released remix of David Guetta and Sia’s “Flames”, which reached No.1 on Beatport and has surpassed well over 7 million streams on Spotify alone. In a world centred around genre classification, Leandro’s alluring strain of house music appears to follow its own path and has proved commonplace among the touring playlists of dance music’s biggest names. Closing a chapter on his most fruitful year of music to date, Leandro continues to cement himself as an indispensable talent on the electronic music landscape. Leandro Da Silva has been a tenacious force on the electronic music circuit for a commendable number of years, known for his groove-inducing rhythms and driving beats.

INTERVIEW

CR: Hello Leandro Da Silva, Glad to have you on Canadianravers how are you doing?

LDS: Thanks for having me Canadianravers! I’ve never actually been to Canada before but I’ve always wanted to perform there.

CR: First, how did it feel ranking in the top 10 with the likes of Armin Van Buuren, David Guetta, Oliver Heldens and Tiësto in 1001Tracklists’ Top 101 Producers?

LDS: I can still hardly believe it! I’ve been working really hard in the studio all year (the current circumstances with Coronavirus have given me a lot more time to produce) and beautiful tracks came out. I was lucky enough to receive some really solid support from my colleagues who liked the tracks and played them. I saw the support coming in throughout the year but never thought I would rank that high in the chart!

CR: Tell us a little bit of the story behind the recent track ‘Breathe’, the lyrics and producing process? Also, How did you connect with Matt Kerley and Rion S?

LDS: There was a continuous exchange of ideas, tools and stems. Rion S wrote the melody, Matt Kerley knocked out a structure and I closed the track by adding my groove. The collaborative process was really fun! We actually met on Instagram, Matt would send me his music regularly and I really appreciated his work. When he sent me the idea to collaborate on “Breathe” I immediately accepted and was very excited about the project. I believe the track is the perfect fusion of our musical tastes and styles.

CR: Being an Italian-Brazilian DJ in the scene, how did both cultures influence you as an artist and a person?

LDS: I think I took the best of both cultures!!:-)) As an artist, Brazil gave me a good sense of rhythm from its heavy percussive sounds. I actually grew up in Italy though, and the country has always had a huge electronic music culture which influenced me heavily.

CR: You travelled a lot in the past year to different countries to play, which one is the most memorable show or event?

LDS:I think the most memorable show was at Federal Music Festival in Brasilia. It was my first ever gig in my home country and the crowd was fantastic and really enthusiastic.

CR: What is the best advice you have received while pursuing your career as a DJs/Producers?

LDS: An influential person in the music business once advised me to listen to a lot of music of all genres and not to copy anyone else but develop your own sound!

CR: You must be busy producing but will you be releasing any more episodes for ‘In Da Silva House’ or ‘The Lizard’ before the year end?

LDS: Sure! ‘The Lizard’ Is my weekly radio show, broadcast across hundreds of radio stations around the world. It takes quite some time to do it but I love to support my colleagues, to discover new music and to rediscover old songs!

CR: Who is your biggest supporter as a Producer/ DJ?

LDS: All of the DJs within the Origami management team, we are a beautiful team and we support each other a lot!

CR: DJs/ Producers travel with multiples of that one item, what is that item for you?

LDS: I’m very basic when it comes to packing my luggage. Usually it is just my black military backpack and the item that I never forget to travel with is the microphone to record my radio show!

CR: Are there any projects that you are working on that our followers should know about?

LDS: I’m very focused on my productions. I already have a “Breathe” follow up ready together with Rion S as well as some other exciting productions out next year. This upcoming collab will be released on my label  Black Lizard Records in one month, on December the  18th, the day of my Birthday! Moreover my remix for Rocket Penguin will be released on Ultra Music. Also I’ve just signed another amazing track on Hexagon. And last but not least I can’t wait to travel again.

Lighting Round for Leandro Da Silva

Texting or talking?

Coffee or tea?

Hard liquor or Wine?

Cake or pie?

Hot dogs or hamburgers

Xbox or PlayStation?

Movie theatre or arcade?

Guitar or piano?

Marvel or DC Comics?

Dog or cat?

Italian foods or Brazilian foods.

Thanks guys I have fun especially with the Lighting Round! Take care!

Leandro Da Silva Socials:

MOLOW X CANADIANRAVERS INTERVIEW [RECENT TRACK, BIGGEST SUPPORTER, FUTURE PROJECTS]

Mow and Owl are up-and-coming DJ and producer duo MOLOW.  Their presence is topped with two high-quality bombheads with a sparkling fuse and adaptable LED eyes. Concealing their true identity creating a beautiful mystery.  Their music and shows are explosive! Stage presence is adaptable to any environment, their goal is to have everyone go absolutely crazy at their shows. Their set consist of various play mixes; Big Room House, EDM, Future House, Dubstep and everything else that will blow the heads of the crowd off.  There their debut single „Wildest Love“ MOLOW started in the top 20 of the Official Swiss Charts and ended in 5th place. The Song dominated the radio plays for weeks and reached over 130‘000 streams on Spotify without a supporting label.  Their musical talent and performance do not take long to grab the crowd and convince even the last skeptic. After a few successful shows in Europe, MOLOW went straight for their first tour through Asia. They performed in renowned clubs such as Playhouse, FParty, Space, One Party Club and many more. One of their highlights was Catwalk Club in Guangzhou, a DJ Top 100 Club. 

Their new songs in the electronic genre are ready to be released with international labels backing them. 

CR: Hello Mow and Owl aka MOLOW, glad to have you on Canadianravers, how are you doing?

M: Always good thx! Of course, we are missing being on tour but there are better days to come!

CR: How did you guys meet?

M:  We have been friends since school 

CR: Tell us a little bit of the story behind the recent track ‘I Need A Dollar’, the producing process, as well as the certain connection to the lyrics.

M:  We received a dance version of I need a dollar made by Italian producers Luigi Modolo and Simone Ermacora and we really liked how it sounded and decided to work on it to give it the MOLOW touch.

 CR: What is the best advice you have received while pursuing your career as DJ’s/Producers?

M:  Never give up and believe in yourself.

CR: Your recent track ‘I Need A Dollar’ is a notable rework for the original track by Aloe Blacc, do you think more artists should do more reworks of the older tracks in this day and age?

M:  We think it’s good to work on older tracks, it helps to improve your skills and creativity. It also helps keeps the song alive as it reminds people of the original.

CR: If you guys were not producers/DJs what would have been your career choice?

M:  We are so happy to work as Musicians.. otherwise we would maybe end up as fireworks 

CR: Who is your biggest supporter as a Producer/DJ?

M:  We had the honour to work with many creative people even during the Covid-19 time. The biggest success we had was the Song 'Carry On' with Martin Jensen which we are very proud of.

CR: DJs/Producers travel with multiples of that one item, what is that item for you?

M: Earplugs to sleep in the airplane haha!

CR: Are there any projects that you are working on that our followers should know about?

M: This year we spent most of our time working on new music. you can look forward to hearing some very cool stuff soon and of course, we try to be creative with our social media.. so make sure to follow us there

REBELINDUSTRY X CANADIANRAVERS INTERVIEW [RAVE SCENE, SHUFFLING STYLE, FASHION]

Some of you might know her as Sabrina while others might know her as Rebelindustry a raver, a dancer, and a shuffler, has made a name for herself in the Canadian shuffling community. You might have seen her shuffling videos on Instagram or tutorials on shuffling on YouTube. Her passion for dancing started at a very young age, as an artist, dancing is her way to express herself where words cannot. She started shuffling in 2015 when she got into the rave scene and as the rave scene progressed so did her style of music and dance. She has connected with people all over the world through shuffling while collaborating with Toronto Rockers Union and Zionify. She also created her own outlet for people to learn how to shuffle while creating their own style. She is an amazing human being and always makes the time to meet her followers and just shuffle with them. We had an amazing time interviewing her, we hope she continues doing what she is doing and see her on the dance floor once the pandemic is all over.

THE INTERVIEW

CR: First, we wanted to say hello and ask you how you are doing in all the commotion and quarantine?

I'm doing great, and seriously happy to be a part of this interview! I've been following Canadian Ravers for years, so I couldn't be more excited. As for quarantine, it's definitely been a different landscape to navigate. I think, as a collective, we experienced a lot of changes and growth this year. Being unable to be around my community physically, whether it be during workshops, events, festivals or meet-ups, was hard since I truly feel most fulfilled when connecting with other people. At the same token, it’s been eye-opening and I am forever grateful for the experiences I had leading up to this point. It makes you appreciate festivals a whole lot more, to say the least.

CR: We know you have partnered up with Toronto Rockers Union and Zionify from time to time, how is it working with them?

I am forever grateful for any shuffle community that I have been able to be a part of. Being welcomed with open arms to shuffling in Toronto was part of the reason why I continued to be so involved in every way I could, and continue to do so. Zionify has grown to be a family of loving and supportive individuals who continue to motivate and inspire each other. I am constantly reminded of how blessed I am to be able to create and learn from the people in this community. Currently, I have expanded my focus and energy to the launch of my company, Shuffluence, with my partner Candace Doucet.

CR: You are a talented dancer and choreographer; did you always have a passion for dancing as you were growing up?

Since I was a little girl, dancing provided me with an outlet to express myself in so many ways. When I was four years old, my parents decided to enroll me in ballet, and from there my love blossomed and expanded through many different styles including Jazz, Contemporary, Modern, Tap and Hip Hop to name a few. I attended high school at Etobicoke School of the Arts for their Dance program and later joined a Dance company on campus during my time at the University of Toronto. Dancing was always the shoulder I had to lean on through tough times and times of joy. I guess you could say that once I began my journey through dance, the passion never ceased. That's why I am truly grateful to be teaching the next generation of shufflers with the love I feel in my soul for this art form.

CR: Shuffling and raving go hand in hand, do you think both scenes have progressed a lot since you entered the scene?

Yes definitely! Initially, only ravers who attended events or festivals knew about shuffling, so it made sense that the two went hand in hand. The music will forever be a reminder of where shuffling was born from, however, we have seen a transition from shuffling being a solely raving based practice to a global dance phenomenon. At the forefront of shuffling, there are many instructors who have stepped forward to teach and grow this dance genre beyond the realm of raves. Social media outlets have allowed shuffling to become well known throughout the world. It is only a matter of time before we see it on the global stage of dance, among other styles like house dancing and hip hop. It is my happiest joy to know I am contributing to that recognition both on a local and global scale.

Likewise, I think raving has come a long way from previously just being an underground scene to a mainstream activity that so many have been welcomed into. With raving, it doesn't matter who you are or where you came from, because everyone is connected through the love of the music. I think no matter what, shufflers will always be a part of this ever-changing landscape and I see only positive growth for the future!

CR: What were the most memorable event for you in terms of music, production, and overall vibes?

For me, it has to be The BPM Festival Portugal in 2019, where I was blessed and fortunate enough to take part as media. Despite my bias, it truly was one of the most wonderfully put together festivals I have ever witnessed (and I have witnessed quite a few in my day!). Not only is the vibe and overall energy aligned with pure joy and love for the music, but everyone you meet is both kind and welcoming. It is quite an intimate experience, and meeting some of the most influential DJs in the game was an added bonus! The connection of industry leaders, producers, and staff along with the most breathtaking location combine for a truly unforgettable experience.

The BPM Festival Costa Rica 2020 edition is a close second for many of the reasons mentioned above.

CR: We know you are a co-creator for Shuffluence, what are you hoping to accomplish with Shuffluence?

Candace and I have a vision to connect and inspire shuffle dancers around the world through our events. We had a large expo planned (Ultimate Shuffle Expo, or USE) for April 2020, which was bringing famous shuffle instructors from around the world to Toronto for a series of workshops! We were ecstatic to see the community was as excited as we were, unfortunately, we did have to postpone USE until next year for obvious reasons. We know the event will put Toronto on the map for shuffling, even more than it already is. We also have some exciting projects in the works including local shuffle events (once the restrictions are lifted) and a shuffle app which will be the first of its kind. With all that we do, our first priority will always be our community and adding value for them in any way we can. We are created for the community, and by the community after all, since both of us are extremely passionate about shuffling!

CR: In a few words describe your shuffle style. Your fashion styles?

Over the years I have studied with shufflers of many different styles. I've made it my goal to learn the culture, history and terminology from the source and always vow to continue growing as a dancer and teacher. In the beginning, it was so much harder to gain access to knowledge, but now there are a ton of great resources, tutorials and teachers out there. I've studied many different styles including Melbourne, Cali, Cutting Shapes, and Malaysian. Most people consider my shuffling to be hybrid, as I enjoy utilizing facets of them all.

When it comes to fashion, the aesthetic I choose really suits how I am feeling at the time. I've always believed that how we dress reflects our personality and confidence. So I have always chosen to dress the way I feel rather than trying to fit in. To me, fashion is all about creativity, and I am not afraid to stand out with my choices. One of my favourite parts leading up to a festival is the selection of my outfits since I truly enjoy the process of putting together the perfect fits! From head to toe, accessories, shoes, makeup, and hair, each detail is extremely thought out. Fashion is a form of expression and I truly love expressing myself through fun, edgy and glamorous choices that reflect the Rebel that I am inside!

CR: Are there any projects that you are working on that our followers should know about?

My main areas of focus right now are both the Shuffluence app and the blog. It has been my goal for a while to create a space for shufflers to learn, educate, and grow their knowledge surrounding shuffling. Both the app and blog will answer this calling, in different ways. The app is a completely free, user-run database where anyone can upload and share move tutorials. We are extremely excited as we believe it will truly change the future of shuffling through the expansion of knowledge, connection and inclusivity since it is entirely user run (kind of like the social media for shuffling!). We are nearing the end of the project so expect to see the app available for download on the Apple store and Google play in the next few weeks!

CR: What do you like to do during your downtime when you are not posting videos and tutorials?

I am an incredibly busy person since I am the only employee in my company! This definitely has been extremely rewarding but can also be overwhelming at times. Having downtime by unplugging not only from social media but from my devices is extremely important for my mental health. I love to read, practice yoga, and meditate in order to maintain well being. Meditation specifically has changed my life, and I really can’t go a day without it, along with regular reflections of my energy frequency. This year was a year of intense spiritual growth so I have focused my energies on raising my vibrations, in order to align with my purpose and goals.

I also love spending time with my fiance, family and friends to recharge. I am at my best when I’m surrounded by those I love and care about. I also love adventure and travelling, and feel in my element when I am living new experiences in beautiful places. Connecting with shufflers wherever I go makes it that much better! I’ve met and danced with shufflers from all over the world which is truly such a blessing. I am hoping that I will be able to travel once again after all this is over.

CR: To wrap up this interview, who would you consider as an exceptional Canadian shuffler that hasn’t gotten the recognition that they deserved?

There are so many amazing shufflers out there, but all receive recognition and praise in some way or another through the beauty of the community. I think those that deserve the recognition are the ones who are truly trying to serve the community by giving in any way they can. It’s so important to keep the love of the community first before anything else. Some of the ones that come to mind in Canada are:

@alchemyxadventures

@vanitykane_

@buttr_toes

@krispie.vibes

@soulthis_

@coacharmando.fit

@andcrashx

@marcopascalee

@mermaidsloth

@dragonfade88

And of course my lovely @shuffluence partner @candyd8

I’m sure there are others I’m not mentioning, I could go on forever! I honestly love each and every member of our growing Canadian community, and I hope to meet and connect with all of them. Canada is such a welcoming space and our shuffle community is no different.

Rebel’s Social Links