Picture yourself rolling up to the secret rave; you can hear the bass pounding through the trees. As you get closer, you start to run into your friends and see the coolest-looking strangers you've never seen stomping their hearts out on the dancefloor.

This is the energy that after-hours legend Honeydrip brings with her new EP Anti-Ego. Heavily influenced by the intersection of Black culture and electronic music, the EP is an extension of the dub and sound systems culture. It honours the exploration and boldness found in the genre and every genre that has come of it. Honeydrip expertly meshes dub, techno, dancehall, reggae, and drum and bass while re-contextualizing and pushing the story forward.

We caught up with Honeydrip about her experience in the afterhours scene, learning to DJ, and her EP, of course.

Malaika Astorga for Also Cool: How did you first get into DJing and electronic music? How did you make the transition from a party-goer to the person keeping the party going?

Honeydrip: I spent high school listening to hip hop and dancehall, which then transformed into alternative psychedelic rock. By university, I started my radio show in 2015, playing downtempo electronic and lofi artists like Lukid, invention_ , etc.

I've always been interested in music that had uncommon melodies, sounds and was generally considered dark or melancholic. I think that naturally led me to enjoy electronic music. A lot of the music I listened to since I was young had aspects of electronic music; I just didn't know at the time.

Also Cool: What has your experience been like in the Montreal nightlife scene?

H: I got into DJing because I wanted to make my radio show the best possible, so seamless transitions seemed key. A boyfriend of mine at the time and a good friend of mine (Ativan Halen) were mentors.

AC: What kind of music did you first get into here, and how have you seen the after-hours and electronic music scene change over time?

H: I started DJing right around the time that I started going out. My DJ gigs helped me discover the music scene in Montreal. I also would go to parties with friends that I made through DJing. But before DJing, I was a cheerleader and went to pubs, aha.

Having a radio show forced me to do research on Quebecois artists as well as Canadian artists. I had a quota of local content on my radio show, which helped me discover so many of the local artists who are my peers now.

Since I was really into Lo-Fi and cool Downtempo beats, I was a really good opener when I first started. One of my favourite gigs when playing that genre was opening for MNDSGN, but as I continued going out, the sensation I felt on the dancefloor when dance music was playing was so exciting and inviting I naturally started getting into that music.

My experience in the nightlife scene has been a journey of finding the spaces that I am the most comfortable in, where there is a nice mix of beautiful people, good music, and a bouncy crowd. Every DJ has a certain type of crowd that builds through personal connections, fanbase, musical tastes. I'm super happy with the crowd I've built, and I feel that it's representative of who I am.

AC: Can you describe your favourite going out / after-hours memory? (Whether it be here or elsewhere)

H: One of my favourite going out memories was at Nowadays in NYC with Umfang and LSDXOXO on the lineup. When I go out, I'm more the type to dance than to socialize, and I love it when I'm in a crowd of people dancing as hard as I am. It was like that all night, with crazy hypnotic music. Nowadays is a large venue, but the crowd was insane. I usually prefer intimate crowds because it's easier for us all to be on the same page.

AC: Your EP meshes genres, expanding and contrasting sounds to open up a new world of electronic music. Where have you drawn inspiration for the album, and how do you hope it that will push the story forward in electronic music?

H: I think with the history of my musical tastes, I have always been jumping from Black music (Hip hop, dancehall, reggaeton, reggae) to electronic music. At many times I was at a crossroads with what I wanted to play or what genre I wanted to be recognized by, and this EP is my deciding I can be both.

AC: This has been a summer of music and dancing pretty much anywhere people can set up a generator. What do you hope the after-hours scene will be like post-pandemic? What are some values that you think are important for people to integrate into these events?

H: I really respect the people that take the time to organize these DIY events. It takes a lot of love to do what they are doing. The summer has made it easier for these parties to happen. Still, once winter settles in, I'm concerned with the lack of spaces we have, with many staple nightlife spots being lost throughout the pandemic.

AC: What would your advice be for people who want to get into DJing and making music, but don't know where to start?

H: To start DJing, Intersessions and Chippy Nonstop regularly offer classes physically or virtually to learn how to DJ. Also, follow the artists you like because they will be sharing courses or even offering some themselves sometimes. Join Facebook groups to get access to used equipment. Start digging!

For producing, it helps to have hardware, so you don't do everything on your computer. Getting a midi keyboard or drum pad makes the process more organic. Also exploring VSTs because I feel like most producers have their favourite VSTs that they use frequently. It helps develop their sound. Once again, keep an eye out for beginners courses or reach out to people you know that produce. Most people are always willing to help :)

AC: What's next for Honeydrip?

H: A remix EP may or may not be on its way. And this is just the beginning of my transition to a producer. So far, I am loving it and will continue to release music as consistently as I can.

Credits:

Animated & Produced by Emma Forgues

Composed by Honeydrip

Vocals by King Shadrock

Mixed by Francis Latreille

Mastered by Valentin Ignat

Honeydrip

Twitter I Instagram

Soundcloud I Bandcamp I Spotify I Apple Music

Malaika Astorga is the co-founder of Also Cool. She is a Mexican-Canadian visual artist, writer, and social media strategist currently based in Montreal.

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