Ep. #007: Featuring Elozyz

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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).

Drum & Bass in Toronto is on the uptrend and Elozyz is here for it all. Being newer to the scene, he successfully introduced himself through a lengthy social media spree that spotlighted his high-energy blends and exciting stage (video?) presence. Now, he’s already playing events at some of the greatest underground spots in Toronto.

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What to Expect 

• Growing Up on DnB

• Endless Screenshots

• Knowing How to Prep

• Generational Sounds

• Establishing Mentorship

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 Elozyz

Name: Elozyz (he/him)
Place of Origin: Mississauga, Ontario
Genres: Drum & Bass (DnB)
Affiliations: Independent
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Socials: Instagram // SoundCloud // Twitch
Bookings: [email protected]

Overview

“Elozyz is a Toronto-based DJ who plays all ranges of Drum & Bass (DnB). Only recently getting into the DJ scene, Elozyz has come up quickly through his social media platforms. Growing up in the city where his mom worked for a record label, he always had a unique ear for new sounds and a deep passion for music. Only this year has he started DJing, and he’s already played several shows. He looks forward to next year when he will start producing his own sound.

Recently, Elozyz has become an affiliate on Twitch with an average of 8+ viewers in his stream over the last month. With his accomplishments from doing 100 days straight of unique blends on his Instagram account, Elozyz plans to go further by making even more fun content on Instagram as well as streaming throughout the week on Twitch to create his own community.”

"It's a very surreal feeling for me because my dad grew up listening to Drum & Bass and now I'm that same person who DJs it to the crowd." -Elozyz

Q&A

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

A: “I started at the end of February 2024. I have always loved Drum & Bass since I was 13 when my dad first introduced me to UKF, a record label for various genres including Drum & Bass. One of my good friends that I consider a brother, David Watson, jokingly showed me how to mix in January of 2024, and ever since, I was fully addicted.”

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

A: “The way I plan my sets for shows is pretty organized. My method for each song that I play is having Memory Cues set up every 8, 16, and 32 bars before the first drop of every song, giving me the ability to quickly jump in and out of tracks on the fly. This gives me the ability to keep the energy high in any setting. A lot of the time, I will have a planned set; however, sometimes I'll have fun and play unplanned for the last half of my set."

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

A: “I have this habit of taking screenshots of my home page whenever a banging tune is being played in my car that I want to put into my collection. I also use Beatport as much as I can to find new sounds as well as using Hypeddit.”

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

A: “The biggest challenge that I faced when I first started was making sure that my Rekordbox stayed as organized as possible. I made the mistake of putting Hot Cues in every song; I eventually realized this wasn't efficient. So, I switched them all to Memory Cues about 1000 tracks in.

My second biggest challenge was realizing that no one will judge the way you play tracks out on the dancefloor. Everyone there is looking to have a fun time drinking and dancing.”

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

A: “Making sure that I'm always active on social media. I would say that's the biggest thing besides networking and getting to meet new people at shows.”

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

A: “I remember there was a time when I pressed the Cue button on one of the songs that I was currently playing. I quickly recovered by bringing a different tune in to cover the abrupt break in sound.”

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

A: “The one thing I love most about the Drum & Bass scene is that everyone’s either a DJ of the genre or they just love showing up to rave, all while being respectful and nice to one another. The only thing that can improve is introducing this sound to the younger generation of kids.”

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

A: “Mentoring has always and will forever play a strong role in making my sound unique. Plenty of things I've used in my set and have learned have been from people who I've become close friends with; that have shown me new ways of making blends and mixing correctly. At the beginning, I think it’s essential. But as time goes by, it's worth it to create your own unique way of DJing.”

Insights

Try to Stay Out of Your Head. Let’s be honest: DJing can be a little scary sometimes. When the room is packed and nerves are running high, try to remember that people are there to enjoy themselves—not to openly judge and criticize the DJ. Do your thing, play some good tunes, and everything will be just fine. 😀 

Change What Isn’t Working. It can be hard to admit that something just isn’t living up to your expectations. Maybe your workflow isn’t ideal, or maybe you’re not entirely satisfied with the songs you’ve picked out for an upcoming set. Whatever the case, dare to step up and make improvements where possible. You’ll thank yourself in the long run.

Use Social Media to its Fullest. Promoting yourself online has become a necessity in 2024. Like Elozyz, learn to master the art of social media and ride those algorithms to some serious online viewership. These efforts will almost certainly contribute to your next big booking as promoters love an exciting online presence.

Share the Sounds You Love—Even Off the Decks. If you find yourself fond of a particular sound or genre that deserves some more attention, don’t wait until your next set to share it! Take the liberty to find people who are appreciative and open to new sounds and show them the ropes of your own. This can lead to a streamlined networking experience, more sincere connections, and a whole lotta fun!

Find a Mentor to Gain a Foundation. Elozyz firmly believes in learning the basics of DJing through someone with experience. By doing this, you’re allowing yourself to gain a strong, guided grasp of the game with ample room to improve autonomously.

Mixes & Productions

Supermarket Season 2 Opener | Closing Set // A massive set for a massive season opener!

Debut Set // Elozyz’s first live DJing experience! Get the full recap. 🎵

Jungle Set // Fiending for a more ‘jungly’ sound? He’s got that too. 😎

Recommendations

Recently Played

Sox - Brum to Ibiza (JayBee Remix) // Released September 20th, 2024.
Bladerunner - Roots & Culture // Released June 21st, 2024.
Benny L - Shadow People // Released August 16th, 2024.
D.O.D. - So Much in Love (Sub Focus Remix) // Released July 14th, 2023.
Alphaze & Purcell - Poppin Bottles (Clip) // Released September 4th, 2024.
Selecta J-Man - Kill Dem (Clip) // Released December 11th, 2022.

Favourite Artists

Original Sin // For grimy DnB with a classic UK sound.
Benny L // For aggressive low ends and snappy percussion.
Selecta J-Man // For selections from a certified ‘Junglist’.
Crossy // For hoppy beats and provocative growls.

Top Organizations

Kinetic // For free, weekly raves showcasing local favourites each and every Wednesday.
Destiny Events // For some of Toronto’s biggest and best DnB events.

Learning Materials

Organizing Rekordbox // Video by Chris M.
Memory Cues vs. Hot Cues // Video by Crossfader.
On Social Media Presence // Discussion on r/Beatmatch (Reddit).
“How Much Do You Experiment?” // Blog by Digital DJ Tips.
Projecting Confidence as a DJ // Blog by DJ TechTools.

Make sure to catch Elozyz at Geary Warehouse Project on October 4th! Also, stay tuned for a special 24-hour livestream taking place in the spirit of Halloween… 👻

Who else would you like to see featured from Toronto’s growing DnB scene? Feel free to drop us some names! And, if any improvements could be made to the newsletter, let me know about them at [email protected]. I greatly value your time and readership.