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Our Story (VERSION ONE)

It started during the height of the pandemic in 2020. While the world hit pause, a group chat of DJs decided we weren't going to wait around. We were tired of the silence, so we pivoted to the screen—hosting livestreams that eventually raised $2,800+ for social causes like Stella’s Place. What began as a chaotic, DIY experiment during the lockdowns eventually became JSTDRMN. 

Honestly? It wasn’t always a polished machine. In the early days, it was just a few of us—Leo, Jeremy, and Aaron—trying to figure out how to bridge the gap between a laptop screen and a real experience. When lockdowns lifted in 2022, we finally moved into the real world with our inaugural Masquerave, which sold out to 177 attendees. That was the spark. We realized that if we wanted to build a community that lasted, we couldn’t just "dabble." We had to go all-in.

Building the Launchpad

We recognized a massive gap in Toronto: performance opportunities for aspiring artists were non-existent. We believe anyone with a dream should be enabled to pursue it. That shift in 2023 saw us hosting 7 live shows and featuring 30 local artists. To solve the structural issues of starting a career, we launched:

    • SyncedIn & Open Decks: Safe spaces for "Dreamers" to meet and experiment.
    •  JSTDRMN Sessions: Our YouTube series dedicated to archiving local sets.
    • Shared Spotify Playlist: A home for our artists' official releases as they began landing paid opening slots for international acts. 

Scaling the Vision
Think of it like a rocket launch—our Dreamers are the rockets, and JSTDRMN is the platform. In 2024, we supported 40 artists, 58% of whom made their stage debut with us. We expanded our reach through partnerships with Chatime, Waterfront Night Market, and Sleepless Studios, and raised funds for the Barbra Schlifer Memorial Clinic during our Empowoment event.

From our massive Lunar New Year Showcase (790 attendees!) to our first  DJ Bootcamp graduates debuting at The Reckoning, we’ve outgrown that original WhatsApp group. We’ve since migrated our community to Discord to better serve our growing family of 180+ creatives.

The Road Ahead
We’re not some faceless company. We’re a collective that started with a simple idea among friends who wanted to hear more good music. For 2026, we’re doubling down with monthly EDM Community Connects, quarterly Bootcamps, and more showcases!

We’re still figuring it out, one show at a time, but the mission is clear:

Let’s redefine Toronto’s dance music landscape together. 💪

 

 

The Dream Team

This is the team that makes everything possible! Sometimes we have open roles, or you can let us know what you think we need here! 

Crew Leads

These are the folks who are on the ground every day, making sure that JSTDRMN runs successfully!

ZHUKEEPER

☁️ Executive Producer

Leo combines 12 years of experience as a violinist with 12 years of DJing to push the boundaries of live performances as ZhuKeeper. He has experience leading product management in various industries, including E-commerce AI, Real Estate, and EdTech, and has spearheaded countless initiatives!

KUROTEK

☁️ Managing Producer

Fabio is a Toronto-based DJ and producer recognized for his deep grooves in the techno and house scene. With a passion for music and meticulous attention to detail, he delivers unforgettable audio-visual experiences as KUROTEK. Beyond the studio, he brings his expertise as a tenured finance and compliance professional in the investment industry to his role as the Managing Producer at JSTDRMN, where he ensures the delivery of large showcase productions.

 

Théo

💜 Community Lead

Théo is a professional Photo/Video Creator who thrives to create moments through both media
and real life experiences. Théo creates meaningful connections through relationships and or creative collaborations. With a deep love of storytelling and thirst to understand the people
around him, he is able to take anyone’s life story and weave it into a spectacle.

Squidney

🎉 Showcase Lead

Sydney is a creative individual passionate about transforming ideas into unforgettable experiences. Her journey into the creative industry began at TMU, where she developed a strong foundation in the business. With a deep-rooted love for music and media production, Sydney brings a unique perspective to content creation and event planning, blending her love for music with her media expertise.

Jo

💿 Label Lead

YUZU

Academy Lead

Crew Members

These are the folks working with the crews to get shit done!

Eunicecycle

📱 Content Specialist

Eunice (also known as eunicecycle) is a Toronto-based content creator, singer, and DJ with a passion for storytelling. She spins an electrifying mix of K-pop, house, and DnB, connecting deeply with her audience through music and content.

Her journey began with three loves: music, bubble tea, and social media. From creating buzz around new flavors to launching viral social trends, Eunice has collaborated with renowned international and national brands such as Chatime, Miniso, Temu, Kayak, Tantan, Sensodyne, and Lay’s

NPC Groove

🎨 Design Specialist

Mazzy

💿 Artists & Repertoire

Mazzy, a Toronto-based DJ and producer, seamlessly blends his deep house roots into all his productions. With a passion for electronic music that runs deep, Mazzy has made a name for himself in the underground scene. His tracks have been featured on Boosted Music, showcasing his talent and unique sound to a global audience. Supported by fellow DJs in Toronto, Mazzy continues to captivate listeners with his infectious beats and innovative productions, solidifying his place in the electronic music community.

Angela

📈 Marketing Coordinator

Rose

🌱 Intern

Meghan

🌱 Intern

Ben

🌱 Intern

Advisors

These are the industry masterminds who are helping us redefine Toronto's musical landscape!

STRANJAH

Advisor

STRANJAH, a prominent figure in North American drum and bass, has influenced the genre for over two decades with releases on labels like Metalheadz and Hospital Records, and his distinctive sound combines expressive bass, 90s synths, and syncopated drums. He also supports emerging artists through his YouTube channel and label Deviant Audio, fostering innovation in electronic music.

Tina

Advisor

Digital marketing leader with 10+ years of experience. Enabled high business impact consumer journey orchestration and tool capabilities for platform personalization, experimentation and channel optimization for digital banking and retail industries. Recognized as a creative problem solver, results driven leader and collaborative team mentor leveraging Agile methodologies. Committed to obsessing and delivering exceptional digital experiences by turning gaps into opportunities using data to influence and drive business impact in highly matrixed environments.

Currently, pushing the boundaries of Nike's marketing & data ecosystem to deliver digital experiences that provide real value for consumers with ever-changing needs.

 

Garrison Hill

Advisor

Simon is a diehard electronic music enthusiast with over 10 years of multi-disciplinary professional experience in the music industries working in consulting, record labels, events, audio engineering, music production, A/V tech, and adjudicating for organizations such as the JUNOS, ECMAs, MusicNL, MusicPEI, and FACTOR. While completing his Masters Degree in Popular Music & Culture in 2021, Simon began working at Monstercat and currently holds the title of Digital Rights Manager. In this role Simon works cross-functionally and with external stakeholders to ensure the accurate collection and distribution of royalties, maintenance of release metadata, and publishing administration.

 

Past Contributors

We wouldn’t be where we are without the hard work of those who came before us - thank you to all our past contributors! Not pictured: Sena, Venecia, Sean, Quentin, Rose, Meghan, Ben, Angela

DJ Malig

Cofounder

Aaron Malig, better known by his stage name DJ Malig, is a Canadian DJ and music producer based in Toronto, Ontario.  He blends infectious beats and pulsating rhythms to create unforgettable experiences on the dance floor. With a unique ability to captivate audiences worldwide, DJ Malig continues to push the boundaries of electronic music.

Jaire

Cofounder

Jeremy has played various instruments in his youth. He dabbled for fun in guitar and singing but he knew music production and DJing was calling. Jeremy’s experience spans over finance, e-commerce, sales, SaaS solutions as well as marketing.

HEATER

LERION

Based in Toronto, Canada, Lerion is a talented dubstep artist hailing from New Zealand and raised in Sydney, Australia. Born Rafael Lerion, he started playing guitar at a young age with the guidance of his musician father. Growing up immersed in metal and rock, Lerion went on to play in various bands before eventually discovering his passion for electronic music production. He began experimenting with Kpop beats before diving into the dubstep scene and finding his unique sound.

 

TRVN

Dennis is a Toronto-based house and trance DJ/Producer. Known for his creative mixing and euphoric melodies, he takes listeners on an emotional journey like no other. Off the decks, he is a pharmacist by day who strives to keep everyone safe on and off the dancefloor. 

 

Ari Grey

Ari Grey is a rising star in the world of dance music, renowned for his contemporary spin on progressive house music. His tracks are characterized by pulsating beats, uplifting melodies imbued with euphoria, and an alluring blend of hooks that keep listeners hooked. In live shows, Ari Grey is known to electrify the audience with his captivating performance style and natural talent for energizing the crowd.

Ryan Mirage

Ryan Mirage is a Toronto-based DJ known for his dynamic tech house sets, seamlessly blending elements of bass house, deep house, and more. With a keen ear for energy and groove, he delivers sets that keep the dance floor moving. Whether it’s a high-energy club night or an intimate underground event, Ryan Mirage brings a sound that’s fresh, versatile, and always engaging.

C[IE]L

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