Miss Raquel

Entering her 2nd season as host of electronica couldn’t make one of Toronto’s infamous Scenesters more proud to be given the opportunity to stay within the bpm:tv musical family.

Electronica airs weeknights at 8PM. She also conducts the research, content and location scouting for the show. She’s not only on-air but you can read her written word in bpm:tv’s newsletter, The Beat and her column, “Month in Review”. She also writes the Daily DJ Buzz on the main page of bpm:tv’s website.

Click here to read more on Miss Raquel!

Jay Samsair is not just your typical lover of House. He takes it to the next level, spending hours each week searching for the newest and funkiest of releases. Known for being a meticulous listener, he’ll quickly shelve one track for the next in search of the most basic elements which make a track work.

What works for him? Anything with drums, he appreciates all genres of House, but his heart lies in Tribal. From big and bouncy to lush and tropical to dark and techy, if there are drums, it will make his playlist. His dislike for vocals and heavy Electro sets him apart from most.

Having interviewed Spanish DJs, Chus & Ceballos and written reviews for Canadian DJs, Jay is inspired by fresh sounds from labels around the world.  As one of our original writers, he brings his passion for music to Scenester to share with everyone.

Inspiration is something that gets under your skin, makes it crawl and eventually gets out. For Deko-ze inspiration came from, "One, the adrenaline rush. There is nothing like the feeling of hearing a wicked new tune or an undiscovered classic gem. Two, "Kevin K. While growing up in Saskatoon, I would go visit Kevin who did the ordering for the one record shop that brought in electronic music, Records on Wheels," & 3rd is, "DJ Techno Tom. Him & Kevin did a weekly radio show called "New House Culture". That show alongside Tom's fantastic sets at Numbers was what got me interested."

Born in England Deko-ze's career began in 1991 in Saskatoon, Canada where he played in a gay bar called Numbers. From this start he followed his musical heart & became a western ambassador to Electronica, establishing with long-time partner, Wade Allan, the Plastic Puppet Motive nightclub. Later, as PPM, they evolved into Western Canada's most revered and unique event production companies. 1997 was the year Toronto's soil rumbled with the arrival of Deko-ze. He currently holds 13 residencies across Canada playing Victoria BC to St. John's, NF. He is dubbed "Canada's hardest working DJ & his 1st CD compilation out, Delicious on Hi-Bias.

Anne Cautious

I have enjoyed an eclectic taste for music since I can remember. Having grown up when 'techno', 'punk' and 'goth' were first introduced in the 80's, I have a special place in my heart for alternative, punk and of course..anything electronic and house..particularly deep house (or dirty house as it is sometimes called). Despite being quite busy with my normal 'day job' (which I love by the way),  I always enjoy taking a time out to enjoy various genres of music and love to dance the night away. Also, having lived with my favourite ‘fag’, and best friend for over 8 years, I think I have learned a few….things..

Whatever your pleasure, whatever your desire, be it rock, disco, R&B, hip hop, breaks, techno, trance, tribal, jungle, house etc.., we all share the same passion. It is the love of music. And it is that which unites us all!

Coming soon...

This multi-talented powerhouse duo has been Toronto favorites since the early 90s and is recognized as two of the most versatile DJs in the scene.

Voted "BEST LOCAL HOUSE DJS" for 2004 and 2005 at the "Toronto Nightclub Awards" together they have hosted some of the largest nightclub and outdoor events in North America including numerous live to airs and composing a vast array of music productions.

They have perfected the ideal combination of slamming beats and crowd hype through skilled music programming and effective crowd manipulation. Their brand of House music is fueled by an endless array of samples, loops and EFX that are constantly being injected into the mix re-creating new rhythms. Whether it’s on 4-decks or back to back, these two are guaranteed to deliver the goods time and time again.

Throughout the years their unique style has echoed throughout the scene thus rewarding them with many residencies locally and internationally including; THE DRINK (inside the GUVERNMENT Entertainment Complex).

They’ve spun alongside DJ legends such as; Paul Oakenfold, Erick Morillo, Ann Savage, Marco Carola,  Oscar G, Robbie Rivera, Jose Nunez, -Fuse, Bad Boy Bill, Donald Glaude, Gene Ferris, Harry Romero, Johan Glelen, Crystal Method, Eddie Halliwell, Lisa Lashes, Jimmy Van M, DJ Dan, Axwell, Clive Henry, Benny Benassi, Robbie Rivera, Doc Martin, John Acquaviva, Green Velvet, Danny Howells, Dean Coleman, Nic Fanciulli, Desyn Masiello, Sandra Collins, DJ Rooster & Sammy Peralta, Luke Chable & Phil K, Hatiras, Richard Vission, David Waxman, Pedro, Jo Jo Flores, Mark Anthony, George Acosta, Colleen Shannon, Migel Migs, Antoine Clamaran, Seb Fontaine, Loco Dice, Mistress Barbara, Nick Warren, Audiofly, Derrick Carter, Peter Presta, Rene Amesz, Armand Van Helden, MSTRKRFT, Danny Freakazoid, The Scumfrog, Josh Wink, DJ Vibe, Cedric, Gervais, Ralph Falcon, Fedde Le Grand, D-Formation, Princess Superstar, Steve Porter, Honey Dijon and believe it or not many others!

To check out their sound Scenester will soon have exclusive M&S downloads on the Downloads page. You can also get your ear candy and featured downloadable mixes on their website at MANZONEandSTRONG.com.  

Patrick Antosh is our "Hollywood" link for Scenester magazine.

As a Costume Designer for film and television (most notably Showtime's Queer as Folk) Patrick has brought Scenester reader's beyond the velvet rope. From an exclusive interview with Cyndi Lauper and inside info on Madonna's latest release, he even shared his firsthand account of Elton John's Oscar party and intimate gossip on international Scenesters such as, Paris Hilton and Sharon Osbourne.

Currently shooting a new series for CHUM/City with appearances on the Life Network and Fashion File, Patrick is our key into what is really going on with these celebrity types and what they really do! Unless of course he does it with them!

Sheldon Purkiss

Although Sheldon has only been in the Toronto EDM scene for a few years, he was influenced by EDM over a decade ago while still in high school. His family hosted foreign exchange students on a regular basis who brought over a taste of their culture in language, food and most importantly music. He started listening to the Euro/Dance mixes his foreign friends brought over and later leaned toward Techno and finally onto Trance and House.

Now, a proud family man, Sheldon works hard managing a hardware and software company-but plays harder, enjoying hours on the dancefloor.

Sheldon's passion for music and the scene is apparent to all who know him. Actively contributing review spoofs and articles online, as well as producing artwork both digital and print, he loves being an active part of the Toronto EMS and Scenester Magazine.

DJ Ampz

DJ Ampz is the host of Amplified Radio, an internationally syndicated Trance, House, Progressive and Techno radio show which has been on the air weekly since August 2000, currently on over 20 stations worldwide with over 400 episodes.  The show features both upcoming and established artists, as well as interviews, give-a-ways. From there Ampz created Paradigm United.

As manager and owner of Paradigm the company comprises of over 50 DJs holding various weekly events at nightclubs.

DJ Ampz’s career has seen him playing along side such names as; Kenneth Thomas, Elevation, Max Graham, Noel Sanger, Mike Shiver, Airwave, The Sound Bluntz, Sydney Blu, Macca, Simon Jain, Carlo Lio and Nathan Barato.