DEMUIR : Just Get It Done
I moved to Toronto a little over a year ago, and I was very impressed to discover the cities’ rich nightlife through its many underground raves and block parties. And while things are obviously at a standstill at the moment, producers from the 6 continue to amaze me with great electronic releases. Among them, you can count Demuir’s new opus Legend EP, an eclectic mix of techno and house that has kept me grooving with it’s thick analog bass lines and pulsating drums. Through the years, Demuir has made a name for himself, releasing tracks on prestigious labels and touring the world, on top of creating awesome content on social media. We connected with this essential Canadian DJ/producer to learn a little more about his creative process, his favorite synths and his take on the Toronto music scene.
What inspired you to create Legend EP? What was your mindset when you approached the production of this album?
The inspiration for this was to speak to the type of artist I want to be known as, which is to demonstrate production in a wide range of genres and to do them well. I hate being boxed in or feeling held to some marketer’s idea of “...how things should be.” That’s why the music ranges from Jackin House / House Music to Tech House / Techno.
Typically, what’s your creative process when you make a new track?
My process is quite serendipitous, to be honest. I approach creativity with an expectation of chasing whatever that’s inspiring me at the moment and just get it done.
As far as the development of ideas, I sometimes write things down, leave myself voice notes, and/or sample something that becomes the focal point of the track in which everything else must revolve around. Sometimes I’ll step away from a track for a day or a couple of weeks and then finish it if I still catch an immediate vibe from it. It’s more of a feeling to know when I’m done.
Are there any instruments or production tools that particularly inspired you during the making of the album?
Yes, indeed. I would have to say the Arturia Micro Freak, Arturia Matrix Brute, and Moog Sub 37 got worked quite a bit. These pieces of kit are special because they are truly analog and deliver very rich and thick sounds. I leaned on them heavily for bass lines and other sound effects.
What do you like the most about the Toronto scene? And what are you missing the most during lockdown?
I always love Toronto’s diversity in our scene. You get a nice melting pot of cultures and people coming together in support of this music. It’s really amazing. I do miss going out to some of my favorite venues like Coda, with loads of people in the space. It’s an energy you cannot replicate.
Who are some of your favorite Toronto-based DJs or producers at the moment? What do you like about what they do?
From a House perspective, I’ve been a fan of Vincent Caira’s, Chris Larsen, and Nick Holder’s music for some time now. When it comes to Techno and Tech House, I’ve enjoyed Greg Gow, Carlo Lio, Nathan Barato, and The Junkies’ approach to music. For each of these artists, I enjoy their originality and full-on departure from sounding like other people, on a global scale. The latter part of the point is important because these artists not only leave an impression locally, but their music is recognized and celebrated worldwide.
You post a lot of interesting videos on YouTube and Instagram. What's the role of content creation in your process?
Each serves a different purpose, but I can say the common denominator here is to provide a sincere reference to those looking to hear and produce underground electronic music from a credible source. And I’m not tooting my own horn here, but the role I’m fulfilling is a need to have this reflected more explicitly because we are in a time where people automatically think commercial EDM acts are a representation of proper underground electronic music. It’s even harder if you’re someone that is genuinely interested in understanding how DJ Sneak, Phil Weeks, Demuir, etc. get the sound that they do.
What advice would you give to young producers or DJs out there?
My advice would be to ensure they put a lot of energy and focus on finding their own sound to avoid sounding like the vast majority of artists out there. This will be the thing that sustains you.
What's next for Demuir?
Musically, I’m continuing to release music on some great labels like Edible, Rawthentic, Elrow Music, Sola, and a monster remix for Cassius. So lookout for those!
I’m continuing to grow my online model via YouTube, IG, and Facebook with a subscription-based offering to exclusive tracks, access to weekly production streams, and sample packs with an option to purchase my production course via Patreon.
Content-wise, there is always something happening on my YouTube and Patreon channels that I encourage people to tap into. For Patreon, we are announcing an Elite tier that gives aspiring producers full access to my course and Patreon site along with 2 to 3 hours of mentoring from me directly. More details on that November 13th…
Demuir’s Legend EP is out now via Sola Nauts.