Einmusika and Manual Music producer Dustin Nantais makes his Montréal return this week. The Toronto producer is all set to take infamous House Music haunt Le Salon Daomé on a journey of the deep, melodic variety this Tuesday (Sept 8th). Nantais is back throwing it down with the Strange Town Records crew, who are collaborating with When We Dip and La Bacchanale Festival (which launched last night with House Legend Lil Louis, Lost Heroes and Alessandroid at Espace Reunion). Catching up with Nantais ahead of the show, he gave us an insight into his incredibly busy schedule, all that’s going down in Toronto right now, his MTL love and lots more…
WWD: Thanks for joining us Dustin! Great to have you here.
Thanks for having me 🙂
WWD: What’s new in Toronto?
Where do I start!? The scene here is the healthiest it’s been in 10 years, and keeps getting better. You’ve got big parties by trusted promoters like Oz at Ozmozis, Gregor at bringthebeats and Dave and Irving at Promise, but more recently you have some new crews emerging and throwing some truly memorable gatherings. The Secret Society crew has been running Wednesday night jams at Pacific Junction Hotel, and once-a-month raves on a incredibly beautiful beach on Lake Ontario. You have Takin, Stein and Simon into their 2nd year of Playground Festival, amongst other unique experiences from these guys. It seems something new is popping up every month, and it’s a really great feeling to be a part of it.
WWD: We’re very excited for the Strange Town Party at Salon Daomé, Sept 8th. Are you looking forward to it?
Very much so. Love this venue and love the people in Montreal.
WWD: Tell us! How did you first connect with the label?
I met Bryan (Strange Town) last year through my main label, Manual Music. I’m pretty sure he found me through some promos and booked me to play at Daomé last August. It was a natural fit. We play very much the same sound and we get along swimmingly. I did an EP release back in January on Strange Town entitled ‘Small Fish In A Big Sea’ with one incredible remix from Adam Husa of Montreal. I’m looking to do another EP on Strange Town in the very near future 😉
WWD: It’s not your first time playing Salon Daomé. In eyes what makes it the ideal venue for a good party?
My first impression of this space was a good one. Stylish and classy, and best of all not too big. I’m really into the intimate vibe and this place really pulls it off in a nice way. The DJ booth is positioned really nicely, I love it.
WWD: Do you find playing Montréal differs much from the scene in Toronto?
Having only played Montreal once I’m not sure I have the full picture (yet), but one thing that stood out for me was that people seemed to be easier to get out and dance, even on a Tuesday night. The energy we had when I played last year was really refreshing and put a big smile on my face. Toronto is most certainly getting better, but from what I could tell Montreal lived up to its name as a favourite party spot.
WWD: Outside of music, what are your three favourite MTL spots to eat/hang out?
Embarrassed to say I haven’t hung out in Montreal long enough to get favourite hangouts… however I can say I love the Old Port area, and my girlfriend and her twin sister plan to take me to some spots they love in St.Henri, and somewhere called ‘Grumman’ 😉
WWD: 3 Tracks that did the business for you this Summer?
Terje Saether & Malin Pettersen – Too Late (Kastis Torrau & Arnas D Remix)
Tim Engelhardt – Cara (Original Mix)
Dustin Nantais – Marching Through The Universe (Original Mix)
WWD: You’re making the trip to ADE this October. What have you got planned?
Yes! Well I’m headed with my lady to Rome, Florence, Venice, Paris first for some sight-seeing. Will be spending a night in Rotterdam visiting my good friend Paul Hazendonk of Manual Music and then heading to the conference where I have a packed schedule of networking and talks during the day, and parties at night. I’ll be playing a Manual Music event on the Friday night (https://www.facebook.com/events/492600440900412/). I’m very much looking forward to seeing my Dutch family (Eelke Kleijn, Mark Mywords, Rob Hes, Gabriella Penn) along with so many great people from the many labels I’ve been working with over the last few years.
WWD: Production wise, what can we expect from you over the coming months?
A lot! I have numerous collaborations with Paul under the Nantais & Hazendonk moniker coming, along with solo productions, both remixes and originals, getting a lot of love from some of my key supporters. Look out for a remix of Jelly For The Babies huge track Johannesburg, and one from Futur-E entitled Organic.
WWD: Before we leave you, what are the big dates on the horizon for you?
For DJ gigs I’ll be playing the Salon Daomé party on September 8th, Li’ly back in Toronto on the 11th with one of the best people I know and one of my biggest supporters, juSt B (https://soundcloud.com/just-b-4), a warehouse party on the 12th that is yet to be announced officially, and then Amsterdam for ADE.
The rest of my September/October is pretty mad, personally, with Danny Tenaglia at Stereo while I’m in Montreal, Harvest Festival, the Europe tour and ADE, along with about a dozen new productions and remixes on the way. Mix that with my day job in Marketing and you’ve got one slammed schedule.
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