DJ Interviews: Local MTL highlights of Asha, Runa, Raef, Esme, and MonsieurMadam

Interviews by Dylan Seu

Montreal is a city where anyone can find anything at any time. Within its dense, fast-paced creative scene, all forms of art are constantly refined and experimented on, making it an ideal home base for creatives of any kind. This energy extends, of course, to its music scene. With roots in its historic ‘90s underground club scene, Montreal quickly became a hot spot for hardcore ravers. Today, music and Montreal are inseparable – walking throughout the city, whether at 2 PM or 2 AM, is like tuning into the city’s heartbeat. From block to block, you’ll hear music leaking through apartment windows and shop doors, offering a glimpse into the community’s passion for sound. However, the city truly comes alive at night, when the streets become packed with ravers seeking a breath of cold air from the humidity of Montreal’s clubs.

Montreal’s vibrant nightlife is now internationally renowned, and at its heart, the city’s thriving DJ scene keeps the fire burning. With an insatiable love for music and a lightning-fast pace, Montreal is the perfect stage for DJs to experiment with their sounds while pushing their technical skills to the limit. The crowd, unafraid to lose themselves in the rhythm, feeds the DJs with its energy, flowing back and forth from the stage to the dance floor to create one memorable night after another.

We’ve had the opportunity to connect with some of our personal favorite DJs to gather some insight into Montreal’s electrifying music scene.

ASHA:

My name (and DJ name) is Asha. Born and raised in Toronto, I moved to Montreal five years ago, where I would come to be entrenched in the world of underground dance music. For the last three years in particular, I have considered the dance floors of Montreal home, but in this past year I have begun a new journey as one half of the DJ duo Runa and Asha, a partnership built on over 10 years of friendship. Inspired by all the sounds and ways of moving we were introduced to both in Montreal and abroad, we play a wide array of different kinds of music, but lean towards bass heavy, polyrhythmic, genre-bending sets. It's been a crazy year, and we are so grateful for all the opportunities we were given in a very short amount of time by the passionate and supporting community that is Montreal’s rave scene.

Can you attribute some aspects of the development of your style to the city’s nightlife culture/scene?

My relationship to dance music has a bit of an interesting history. I moved to Montreal when I was 18 for university, and though I was going dancing heavily pretty much immediately, I wasn’t listening to the kind of music I now play until about my third year. I was introduced to Montreal's rave scene through renegade COVID operations, from Van Horne takeovers at the skate park every Thursday to illegal abandoned horse track raves. Freshly 20 and itching to get back to some sense of normalcy, these spaces offered a social outlet that would become my gateway into a community that defines me today. My musical education really began, however, when I did my exchange in Berlin in my third year. Upon returning, my newfound understanding of the music that shaped these spaces I had been occupying started driving me to go deeper and deeper into Montreal's underground circuit. It was here that I really got to develop my own taste, in a city that, though small, had a deep curiosity for and openness to all kinds of music. Runa and I have always naturally drifted towards bass heavy, percussion filled, polyrhythmic sounds, but so much of what we play is simply based on how we dance ourselves. Dance has always been an outlet and Montreal’s dance floors in particular have always been very explorative and open. Additionally because of the size, no one style of music really has its own scene entirely, so you are very quickly exposed to such an array of different kinds of music. This is the scene that birthed our style very early on, one that sought to push boundaries, experimenting with and exploring different genres and methods, trying its very best not to stick to any kind of script.

If you’ve played or experienced the club and rave scene in other major cities, what would you say makes Montreal stand out?

I have spent a substantial amount of time on dance floors across a number of different cities, most notably Berlin, Detroit, New York, and of course, my hometown of Toronto. I can confidently say no two cities are the same, but Montreal’s dance floors will always have a special place in my heart. This is for a few different reasons. First of all, Montreal does not have many permanent spaces – the closest thing we have to clubs for the kind of music we play are more accurately described as bar dance floor spaces, which means that the whole rave scene is composed of parties which are forced to take over and transform spaces temporarily. Of course, there are a handful of big budget professional parties in the mix, but as a result the majority of Montreal’s scene is low budget DIY parties. This is very different from bigger cities that are driven by plug and play club culture, adding a much more personal touch to what it means to throw a party here. I also really appreciate the way DIY culture really works to take the emphasis off the DJ, because those doing lighting, installations, sound, general setup, etc., become just as important to the event as the person behind the decks. This helps to shape the team effort/community aspect that really defines the Montreal scene, and also pushes to place emphasis on everyone involved, including the dancer. This also makes Montreal dance floors super unique because everyone feels that they have a part to play; there is a true community aspect that is at the heart of the rave scene here in a way I have yet to see anywhere else. This shows in many forms, from the willingness of people to volunteer and help out, to rave friends showing up to every – and I mean EVERY – gig religiously, to the way that experienced DJs and organizers really adopt, mentor, and give opportunities to those coming up.

Is there something in particular about Montreal’s crowd that you really enjoy when you play?

I always say, Montreal for some reason really attracts all the weirdos (said with love). To understand what this means you really just need to look at the dance floors… I swear you can play just about anything and the dancers will find a way to move to it. Montreal is really a city where people not only WANT to dance, but they are extremely open to hearing the unfamiliar. I think some of this kind of dance floor energy is also a product of Montreal's community nature. Everyone knows (and roots) for each other. This makes the dance floor really work for the DJ but it also creates spaces of comfort, surrounded by friends and dance floor acquaintances, the perfect environment to completely let go, a DJs dream.

Raves or clubs? To play or to attend?

I think both the rave and the club have their purposes, for me, the club is more social, the rave more escapist. Personally, if it was between the two, I will always choose the rave. On the music side, there's less rules, and so the sets get more creative, push more boundaries. I guess the same can be said of the dance floor. The rave is where I go to get lost. The dance floor is where I work all my shit out, disappear into the crowd for a good few hours, personally a truly productive activity. As far as playing or attending, I think in a club setting I prefer to play, but in a rave setting I prefer to attend. At heart I am and always will be a dancer first, but I do enjoy the social nature of playing that a club setting provides. It is a lot more interactive than doing a proper after hours set, and so still feels like you are integrated within the larger dance floor. On the other hand, at the rave, though I prefer playing at a rave than a club, I prefer dancing at one above all else. Cite above for why.

Any clubs you can recommend for visitors or people new to the scene?

As previously mentioned, Montreal's clubs (at least for my kind of music) are more like bar dance floor spaces. The ones I would recommend for visitors would be Sans Soliel, Système, Barbossa and Datcha. I can love and hate each of these depending on the night in all honesty, so always check the lineup first, but they offer spaces for an array of different music and events in an accessible form.

Notes on being a duo (getting booked, building a following, perform, and general)?

We marked ourselves as a duo from the beginning. We did our first gig back in January at Barbossa for Unknown Artist, a night I curate that gives the spotlight to and premiers brand new artists. Thing is, it was never supposed to get this far. We played the night because I bartend at Barbossa and had started organizing nights for my boss, something usually done by people who actually play them. Because of my new role, my boss wanted me to learn how to play myself. Runa joined in because it was just more fun that way. Runa and I had been longtime dance floor enthusiasts but our role behind the decks was supposed to go as far as me booking us every once in a while for the nights I was running, and not even necessarily together. Unbeknownst to us, that first gig would go quite well, with enough heads present to get us our first handful of gigs pretty much immediately. It wasn't necessarily our intention to be a duo, but we were already known as Runa and Asha around town before we ever started mixing, and doing our first gig together just solidified that. Once we started though, it was clear that this just worked. It can be a lot to always play with someone else, but musically Runa and I are pretty much two halves of one brain. We have been friends for 10 years, lived together for five, discovered dance music together, and have been b2bing quite literally since the first time either of us ever touched decks. Additionally, I gotta say, being a baby DJ and getting booked for the gigs we were getting the chance to do very early on, it’s a lot of pressure and it's really nice to have someone else to be fully in it with. As a general note, DJing can be a very lonely craft, the hours of prep completely done in your own world, the pressure that Montreal’s scene tends to put on DJs to promote, there's something to be said for having company and sharing the load. This is not to say that I don’t also love doing solo gigs – I think there is also importance to being able to mix alone, there's a special flow that you can get into when you play with just yourself, but because of our unique situation, for me, mixing with Runa is quite literally second nature at this point.


RUNA:

My name is Karuna, but I go by Runa when I DJ. I’m originally from Toronto, but I moved to Montreal for school and have been here ever since. I DJ as part of a duo with my best friend, Asha, who has been my girl for over a decade. We started DJing in January 2024, and the love and support we’ve received from the rave community have been insane. It’s been a whirlwind of emotions and learning—both technically and personally—as we’ve juggled consistent bookings, explored our musical style, and found our footing in this scene.

Can you attribute some aspects of the development of your style to the city’s nightlife culture/scene?

From the beginning, Asha and I knew we wanted to play bass music. Through our experience raving, it’s what got us excited to dance and became something we deeply bonded over. I feel like from the start, I was digging for deep, dubbier sounds and breaks, I often found myself gravitating towards UK producers, and newer leftfield UK-inspired sounds. Both Asha and I have always been drawn to leftfield bass productions, but it can sometimes feel like this genre is harder for a crowd to connect with or fully appreciate, especially in spaces where the sound systems aren’t ideal. That changed when Camu Camu, a Montreal collective representing bass music, booked us for their first event in July. It was the first time I felt I could play the full range of leftfield bass music for an audience who really embraced it. It was the first gig where I felt like there was a reciprocal relationship happening between the crowd and us, and that was such a special experience.

What initially inspired me to get into DJing was the catharsis I experienced on so many Montreal dance floors. I believe dancefloors can be transformative, and hold moments of pure connection between music, movement, and community. I knew I wanted to create that kind of experience for others, to help shape dance floors where people could lose themselves and find something new at the same time.

There are so many DJs and producers in Montreal who inspire me. SIM, for example, produces mind-melting and hip-shakin’ tracks that make me dance in the way I aim to move a crowd when I DJ. Dileta has been one of my favourite DJs in the Montreal scene, ever since I saw them play at an STM Underground party a couple years ago. I always find myself in awe of their technical skills, track selections, as well as their ability to build a set that always keeps you on your toes. It has been an honor to be on the same lineups as both of these Montreal legends.

Asha and I’s style is still evolving as we grow as DJs, both together and individually. We’ve only been playing for about a year, and I’m still figuring out how to craft sets that are true to my tastes, resonate with the crowd, and sound great on the system I’m playing on. I also love so many genres within electronic music, so finding that balance is an ongoing and exciting process.

If you’ve played or experienced the club and rave scene in other major cities, what would you say makes Montreal stand out?

​​Montreal’s rave scene is so special because of how tight-knit and supportive the community is. In this past year of learning to DJ, I’ve felt so much love and encouragement from everyone around me. People here are incredibly open to sharing knowledge and always eager to uplift one another—it rarely feels competitive. You see the same faces at parties every weekend, and friendships naturally form on the dance floor or through helping out at DIY events.

What stands out the most to me is the collectivist nature of this scene. Everyone comes together to make things happen, often purely for the love of music and dance. It’s amazing to watch people contribute their time, energy, and skills to create something communal and meaningful.

Is there something in particular about Montreal’s crowd that you really enjoy when you play?

I love how much Montrealers really know how to get down. Coming from Toronto, where dance floor energy can feel a little more reserved, I’ve come to deeply appreciate the vibrant, uninhibited energy of Montreal’s crowds. Asha and I are always at the front of the dance floor at most parties we attend, fully locked in. As a classically trained ballet dancer since the age of two (though I have now stopped), Montreal’s dance floors have become a space for me to reconnect with this art form that will always be a passion of mine. I love when the dance floor gets to the point where there is almost an unspoken language where everyone moves together as almost one entity.

Some of my best memories in Montreal have been on dance floors, where that collective energy is palpable. Starting out as a raver myself, being behind the decks now is such a surreal and rewarding experience. I love looking up and seeing all my friends right at the front dancing. It’s why I love being a DJ, getting to set the vibe for the dance floor and contributing to that energy has been something so fulfilling to experience. Raves or clubs? To play or to attend?

For both playing and attending, I’d have to go with raves. Raves often carry a deeper sense of intention and care, especially within Montreal’s DIY scene, which holds a special place in my heart. There’s so much passion poured into these events—they feel warmer and more communal than regular club nights.

From a DJing perspective, playing at certain raves has been incredible because of the sound systems. We’ve had the chance to play on crazy stacks like Elastique Audio, Void, and Pomelo systems. There are no words to describe how satisfying it is to hear your music on a good-quality and well-tuned system—especially for bass-centered music.

Any clubs you can recommend for visitors or people new to the scene?

I can’t say that Montreal has many clubs I frequent often, but I would recommend Sans Soleil! It’s a vinyl-only bar with good bookings. The space is small, cozy, and feels like a warm hug. Sunday night is my favourite time to go.


RAEF:

Intro

Whattup! My name is Raef, by birth and by DJ, and I’m originally from Nashville, Tennessee. I moved to Montréal for school, which I still think was the best decision I’ve ever made. I grew up a drummer, both in the school band and a rock band with Ral (esme), and feel like I’ve always been drawn to the percussive side of music. I was introduced to electronic music by my older brother before starting to DJ around the beginning of the COVID era, and I began to take it seriously when moving to Montréal. Through work as the music librarian and frequent show host at CKUT radio in Montreal, I was inspired by countless artists coming in or pieces from the vast physical library. It’s funny – I’m writing this from the hospital because my lung collapsed again and it makes me think back to playing a show in November 2023 with a tube coming out of my left lung after another collapse. There's a good picture of it somewhere. I look back and I’m like “what the fuck was wrong with you?” but I also showed myself how much I care about this, despite the pain, self-doubt, or bullshit of the scene. About 5 years into DJing, I feel I learn something new every time I’m in front of a crowd and continue to admire sharing music with others. The coolest part about music is you will never find it all. I love it so.

Can you attribute some aspects of the development of your style to the city’s nightlife culture/scene?

Definitely. Coming from Nashville, where the scene is quite small, Montreal seemed to have the people passionate enough to throw events and the self-sustaining crowd to make the shows possible. It’s so important for an early artist to experience local acts. The city has the infrastructure to have, at least, a circuit of bars to book DJs nightly, which blew me away coming from a place that can only make this happen for country singers. However, shoutout to those in Nashville pushing the scene forward, like Chris at Lulo Soundroom and others (you know who you are).

My style has evolved through the years, and I do assign a lot of that to inspirations and live shows seen in Montreal. I began by playing predominantly house music, particularly Chicago labels and 90s house with odes to its birthplace. I drifted into UK Garage with its skippiness and basslines, before being introduced to darker and harder styles being played at many Montreal raves and DIY events. I now land somewhere in a broad range of UK styles through UK funky, old skool garage, bass, breaks, jungle, and dubstep. Many of the events being pushed in Montreal create a space for sound discovery and connections with other like-minded music nerds.

If you’ve played or experienced the club and rave scene in other major cities, what would you say makes Montreal stand out?

I’ve spent time out in Nashville, Berlin, Paris, Detroit, New York, and Japan, but only truly living in and experiencing Montreal’s scene. After playing a few times in Nashville, including the few clubs we have with “bottle service bros” and imposed “smart” attire, it makes me appreciate Montreal a whole lot more. The many DIY, scene-supported events in this city bring the community together to create something truly magical out of their love for the music and connection. I have met so many amazing people through going to shows, and you’ll always have a familiar face to hang with, as most everyone is welcoming and down to earth. Montreal is blessed with a bunch of crews throwing thangs that know what it’s all about: the likes of Ferias, Bijou, Doo, Layer05, and more.

Is there something in particular about Montreal’s crowd that you really enjoy when you play?

The crowd at shows, even most bars, really get into it and like to party. Something I truly love about playing in Montreal is the open-mindedness of the people and musicophiles that consistently show out. The city is filled with young artists and creatives of all domains, and it breeds a crowd that is down for whatever and appreciates a musical journey. Dancers at most shows tend to know what not to do and organizers work hard to keep the space safe and a transformative experience for all. People watch out for each other and the community of the scene shines through the thick fog, low lights, and deep sound of the rave.

Raves or clubs? To play or to attend?

Both a rave and club have their function. A nice club/bar with a dancefloor presents a perpetual infrastructure in a city where local DJs can have a consistent night or organize a crew to spin the whole night. It presents a social spot with a booker that (hopefully) can bring a multitude of different DJs on different nights and (hopefully) pay the artists properly. I do find when playing certain bars/clubs in Montreal, you have to play to the crowd a little more and the speakers aren’t always amazing. Raves, when done properly, can turn a DIY space (whether legal or not) into a powerful dancefloor with a proper, accepting crowd. Most are run by a passionate crew of organizers, DJs, speaker systems, and volunteers that all work together to bring the community together. Playing at a proper rave is unbeatable, and pushes more creative styles and sets that connect with an open minded crowd.

Any clubs you can recommend for visitors or people new to the scene?

As far as favorite clubs/bars, Le Système and Sans Soleil are two of my favorites. Système is a bit out of the way and generally brings a dedicated crew that has come to dance. Sanso is a vinyl-only bar with some of the best speakers in the city and has eclectic bookings. Barbossa and Datcha are also classics in the scene and are definitely formative in my musical journey with some of my first gigs there.


ESME

Intro

Hello, I'm Ral aka esme. My first performance was in July of 2021 and I still am figuring out this DJ thing 64 shows later. I’m a resident of Homegrown Harvest and the PHTM music label, and ½ of the Nashville-born party series, Evening Unlimited, that I run with my friend Jacob. My style is defined by my love for everything sparse, psychedelic, and slippery.

Can you attribute some aspects of the development of your style to the city’s nightlife culture/scene?

Montreal, and by proxy, its music scenes, are quite diverse, and when you have people from different backgrounds projecting their energy through sound, you will find that the tones follow suit. With a scene open to many cultures, you can find all genres across even the most common dance bars. Being exposed to such a large quantity and range of music is a great opportunity as a young artist to experience enough performances to progress your preferences in taste. Every pocket of the Montreal scene moves in a different way, and being able to take notes from the city's distinct crews allows another chance towards that progression. The scale of sound systems and focus on sound quality changed the music I found effective on the dance floor – high fidelity sound is essential to the power of techno. A track that may sound like a simple kick and hat on a cheap PA might melt your mind on a good system. I’m thankful for this emphasis on sound as it allows me to focus my sound towards the deeper, more intricate shades of dance music.

If you’ve played or experienced the club and rave scene in other major cities, what would you say makes Montreal stand out?

Other than Montreal, I’ve spent time on dancefloors in New York, Detroit, Berlin, Chicago, and have played in Atlanta, LA, & Nashville. Montreal has highly proficient dancers, most people have interesting lives outside of the scene, and they’re welcoming with newcomers in the community. There’s very little gatekeeping (a problem I've witnessed plague other scenes) here, which I love. Also, Canada puts more money towards the arts compared to America! I have been lucky enough to play raves run on grant money, and institutions like the SAT can stay operational because of their role as a cultural institution. Montreal is further along in recognizing dance music as part of its cultural framework than most of the other places I have been.

Is there something in particular about Montreal’s crowd that you really enjoy when you play?

The first quality that came to mind was Montrealers’ willingness to push into the peak witching hours of the night, which is my favorite time to play. It’s much more intuitive to convince dancers into a trance post 3 AM. Most people that frequent the scene have a pretty good base of dance floor etiquette, which is essential for creating good dancefloors. If you can pace yourself, respect others’ space, and not yap on the dancefloor, you facilitate fertile grounds for mind opening experiences. As a DJ, parties like this afford me the opportunity to lock everyone further into the music, because they’re able to focus on that instead of whatever person is bumping into them. Once you have a crowd that is dialed in, it’s much easier to take risks and construct narratives in a set.

Raves or clubs? To play or to attend?

In a good club, you’re more likely to encounter a well tuned soundsystem, enough bathrooms, and general infrastructure that facilitates a good flow of people in the space. Clubs have permanent spaces for socializing or dancing, and they become charged with a different energy than rave spaces, where each DIY crew might offer a fresh take on the design of a space. Clubs function within the conventional rules of society, such as exchanging money for goods and services, and judging people in a split second on their eligibility to participate. A rave can be anywhere with a crew of determined people and a way to amplify sound. A rave is an opportunity to break from these conventions and live a different truth. Occupying “other spaces” to create temporary autonomous zones offers fundamentally different implications for societal impact than a club night.

Any clubs you can recommend for visitors or people new to the scene? Well, most of these are not clubs, but raves are better anyways hah. MTL rave calendar (http://bit.ly/mtlrave), Bijou, Doo Crew parties, Sans Soleil, XO Noir, experience Stereo for the sound, cafe SAT for shift radio (great way to meet people), Layer05 renegades, touching grass, not raving and hanging out with your friends in the sunlight, flush, the trusty ole Barbossa and Système, the back of your eyelids (dream about the club), etc…


MonsieurMadam

Monsieurmadam is a sound artist based in Montreal, known for their eclectic and innovative approach to electronic music. Their work often blends various genres, creating a unique sound that incorporates elements from techno, ambient, experimental, and other electronic styles.

They have gained recognition in Montreal's vibrant music scene and beyond, performing at various venues and events. Monsieurmadam’s music typically features a mix of original tracks and remixes, showcasing their versatility and creativity as a DJ.

They are also the founder and resident DJ of AFT3RWE4R Live, an online broadcast highlighting local musical talent.

Can you attribute some aspects of the development of your style to the city’s nightlife culture/scene?

I’m very inspired by nightlife and the people at large that make up our scene, so I look at my community to search and make music that would make us dance our frustrations out.

If you’ve played or experienced the club and rave scene in other major cities, what would you say makes Montreal stand out?

I feel like the experience is more or less the same in other major cities. Montreal loves DIY, so you’ll always find a rave or an event happening somewhere, somehow, but you’ll also see a familiar face… or two… and I find so much comfort in that. Anyone could throw a rave, or host an event at a club, and you could have the time of your life!

Is there something in particular about Montreal’s crowd that you really enjoy when you play?

What I most enjoy is when I know everyone in the room has one purpose in mind, and that’s to LIVE and release – that’s what gets me.

Raves or clubs? To play or to attend?

Both and BOTH!
When I’m not playing, I love going to my friends’ sets, whether at clubs or raves, or even attending other events to see DJs I don’t know! Sometimes I just want to enjoy my life.

Any clubs you can recommend for visitors or people new to the scene?

In Montreal, I would definitely recommend Le Système or Barbossa!

What prompted you to start Aft3rwe4r live? Have you learned anything new since starting it?

There is so much bureaucracy in club culture sometimes, and it doesn’t leave much room for the countless other artists and incredibly talented people that go overlooked because they haven’t played at club XYZ before. I wanted to create a platform where I could invite and champion every DJ that wasn’t just playing music, but truly expressing themselves through the medium. This is to re-introduce this practice alongside people who were also constantly reinventing themselves and their approach for the sake of the art itself.

Working with others and learning all that goes behind organizing events, and the ups and downs of running a broadcast, has been so great. It’s really been the highlight of my year. I found it so enjoyable to be on the other side of things, and I’ve been taking much more pride in seeing others enjoy themselves at an event I organized.