Ep. #005: Featuring 2HZY

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Hey there! Welcome to Guildie, where you get actionable advice from first-rate DJs fueling the GTA’s flourishing electronic dance music scene. (This newsletter is sent out every Wednesday).

This week, 2HZY joins us for a brief masterclass on community-building, sound exploration, and finding ways to grow through constructive criticism. While still somewhat new to the scene, he’s managed to garner a sizeable fanbase through his fast-paced grooves and punchy mixing style.

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What to Expect 

• Establishing Your Place at a Party

• Understanding the Art of DJing

• Responding to Your Community

• ‘Tough Love’ for Improvement

• Finding Your Sound

Note: Guildie is still in its early stages of development. If any changes or additions could be implemented to improve your reading experience, please message me at [email protected]. I’ll be working to refine the newsletter each week! :)

–Merchant (@ohmymerchant)

Introducing 2HZY

Name: 2HZY (he/him)
Place of Origin: Toronto, Ontario
Genres: Bouncy Techno // Hypnotic Techno // Hard Groove
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Socials: Instagram // SoundCloud
Bookings: [email protected]

Overview

“2HZY is a DJ from Toronto, mixing bouncy sounds that weave together into rhythms from Hypnotic, Hard Groove, and Bouncy Techno.”

Q&A

Q: When did you begin your journey as a DJ? Why did you decide to start?

A: “I don't quite remember the exact date but it was around 6 months ago. I started because I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the electronic music scene. I loved it when people danced with one another to different frequencies, gradually leading to the development of a community. I started my journey at Supermarket and I will remember that forever.”

Q: How do you go about building a set that keeps the crowd engaged? Does this differ depending on the type of gig?

A: “I build a set based on my place in the party. If I’m doing an opening set, I want to warm up the crowd and the night for the other artists on the lineup. If I am closing, faster and higher energy tracks will be played. It all depends on my place in the party."

Q: How do you manage to stay current with music trends and discover new tracks?

A: “I stay current by taking the time to look for tracks on SoundCloud, Soundeo, Bandcamp, etc. Search for music that isn't heard often and search for music that fits my sound. Listening to sets that are released from labels or friends locally.”

Q: What were the most significant challenges you faced early in your career? How did you overcome them?

A: “One of the biggest challenges I faced was finding my sound. I went through many different subgenres from Electro, Hard Techno, Hard Groove, GTech, and more until I finally found my own sound in bouncier Techno.

Understanding DJing itself was a challenge. I went from thinking it's just two songs being mixed together to now knowing it's actually instruments that you are using to create a set. Using the low, mid, and high frequencies are instruments for a DJ—not just tracks.”

Q: What strategies have you found effective for building a personal brand as a DJ and establishing a fan base?

A: “Being responsive to our community and constantly speaking with friends who are artists trying to improve any way I can by also helping others excel in the scene.”

Q: Can you share a memorable gig experience where something unexpected happened? How did you handle it?

A: “Once, I was playing a set and my loops kept being slightly off; I kept hearing beatmatching issues for seemingly no reason. As the set went on, I would adjust the jog wheel during the loops each time it looped, urgently trying to keep it on time.

20 minutes into that set, I realized quantize was off and immediately turned it on. This definitely made me remember to check this from then on.”

Q: What do you love most about the current scene? Is there anything you hope to see improve over the next few years?

A: “What I love most is those who are not artists but simply people who love the electronic music scene; the people that will come to both local and larger events because they truly love the atmosphere it creates. Some of them, I can call my closest friends, and they’ve pushed me to be a better person and DJ.

In terms of changes, I want to see artists being more honest with each other. Nobody grows if you constantly pat someone on the back after their set.”

Q: What role has mentorship played in your journey as a DJ? How can new DJs find mentors or guidance in the industry?

A: “Mentorship has played a huge role in my journey, from learning how to use the equipment to learning the frequencies to developing my own sound and creating a full-energy, guiding set. I can think of a few individuals who had a really big impact on me and shaped me for who I am as a DJ and overall person.

My recommendation for new DJs is to attend events and don't settle—you are never done learning. I’m learning new things as each month goes by and I won't stop feeding my brain.”

Insights

Find Your Place in the Party. It’s important to respect the flow of the night and play your part in maintaining it. If you’re playing early, avoid overshadowing the acts that’ll come afterward. On the other hand, if you’re playing later on, make sure to keep the energy higher and maintain the vibe that your openers have built for you.

Be Responsive to Your Community. What might be a hard pill to swallow, the DJ’s job is ultimately to play for the room, not for themselves. Interacting with your dance music communities will allow you to cater to their wants and needs in terms of music selection, event organization, and much more.

Use Your Tracks as Instruments. As 2HZY says, the tracks you play are more than ‘just tracks’—they’re instruments to utilize in your sets. Take advantage of your mixer’s EQs to experiment with different parts of your selections, allowing for a sound that’s solely unique to you.

Be Honest With Fellow DJs—and Yourself. The great thing about our dance music communities is that they are often filled with lots of love and collaboration. But the truth is, sometimes, we need to give each other an extra nudge to truly level up. Don’t be afraid to offer constructive criticism to those within your circle to help each other grow. Just do it nicely, you know? 😉

“You Are Never Done Learning.” As a DJ, there are always new artists to find, techniques to learn about, and equipment to drool over. Keep in mind that you are never at your peak so long as you have something to learn. Strive to be your best.

Mixes & Productions

Rain Dance // His newest mix, Rain Dance features liquid stylings and driving beats.

Find Your Way // This is a one-hour mix laced with heavy, hypnotic elements to keep you in the zone.

Recommendations

Recently Played

Yanamaste - All Night // Released May 15th, 2024.
Pakard - Big Data // Released January 26th, 2024.
Fran LF - Anger Management (Original Mix) // Released October 23rd, 2023.
ASEC - Scala Naturae // Released February 16th, 2024.
Outer909 - Kinky Reggae // Released May 5th, 2023.
Measure Divide - Green // Released May 21st, 2021.

Favourite Artists

Pakard // For bouncy Techno and spooky sound design.
Alberto Tolo // For dark, energizing Tribal beats.
Baddhu // For percussion-heavy hypnosis.
ASEC // For dynamic, Driving Techno styled with liquid synths.

Top Organizations

Techno Dates Toronto // For staying up to date with the latest and greatest dance music events in Toronto.
Takeover 6ix // For scene-shifting Hard Techno events located in Toronto.

Learning Materials

How to Pick Your Tracks // Video by ellaskins.
DJing: The Basics // Video by Thozi.
On Finding Your Sound // Blog by SAYANA (Splice).
Ways To Network as a DJ // Blog by DJ Vibe.
The Importance of Mentorship // Blog by Natasha Koifman (Forbes).

2HZY continues to thrive in Toronto’s underground dance music scene, gradually gaining a reputation for his ‘bouncy’ style of Techno across the city.

A massive ‘thank you’ to 2HZY for stepping up and providing his insights into growing as both a DJ and an individual. If any improvements could be made to the newsletter, let me know about them at [email protected]. I greatly value your time and readership.