What genre or sounds have you recently become obsessed with, and how has it influenced your mixing or selection style? I’ve always been drawn to a wide spectrum of sounds: disco, soulful house, afro grooves, and acid sounds. My taste is intentionally miscellaneous, and I naturally gravitate toward music that moves something deeper in me. […]
Where did the name Hoopalai come from? It came from the idea of creatively being on a slippery floor! How did Montreal’s underground scene impact your sound? Our influences mainly come from the ’90s and the original rave era, where we first got involved as DJ & promoter and curators. That period had something truly […]
How would you describe your sound for those who don’t know you? It’s a mix of minimal indie, house, and tech house. I like to blend these influences with groovy beats and live percussion to create something energetic and engaging. You’re based in Dahab, away from the big city nightlife; how has living there influenced […]
What first sparked your passion for DJing and house music? The energy of the dancefloor. I was fascinated by how music brings people together, how friendships are formed at parties, and the shared love that exists in those moments. That connection is what inspired me to become part of this culture. What lessons did you […]
Narratives proudly launches its record label journey with a statement debut: Blow My Mind EP, a collaborative two-track offering by label co-founders Mustafa Ismaeel and Dilby. Based between Toronto, Riyadh, and Berlin, Narratives is a creative collective where sound, art, and storytelling collide. After four years of building a global community through mixes, events, and […]
Since its debut in 2000, MUTEK Montreal has become a flagship for live electronic music and audiovisual experimentation. The 26th edition (!), taking place from August 19th to 24th, will once again attract audiences who are genuinely curious and eager to discover new sounds and creative forms. An open-minded crowd of this type fosters an […]
Iraqi-born and Toronto-based, Mustafa Ismaeel is a DJ and producer renowned for blending emotive grooves with a genre-defying sonic palette. Rooted in a multicultural upbringing, he draws on his origins and nomadic experiences to craft vibrant, deeply expressive sets and productions. Born in Iraq, growing up in India, and maturing in Canada has added to […]
A song born from nightlife and the clubbing scene, its lyrics speak of living life in reverse—feeling useless during the day and sleepless at night. Both the groove and the lyrics capture a mindset of turning things upside down, in every sense of the phrase. The title, Arabic for “On the Contrary,” reflects the duo’s […]
From the bustling underground of New York City to deeper, more introspective spaces shaped by his roots, Saqib has carved out a sonic world that feels goood. His productions carry the weight of memory, the pulse of the dancefloor, and a quiet kind of rebellion against genre boxes. In this conversation, we explore the stories […]
Hailing from Argentina, Mercurio is a name that has become synonymous with melodic depth and emotional storytelling on the dancefloor. A frequent collaborator of Hernán Cattáneo, his productions weave together lush harmonies, intricate rhythms, and a cinematic sensibility that sets him apart in the global progressive house scene. With a career rooted in live instrumentation […]