They are the people that have been doing this art longer than we have and they’re probably your local dj favorite dj. Here is a list of east coast djs that haven been in the game for a long time and still rocking sets and crowds all over the Maritimes.
Soundsyster
She’s the only female on this list. She has been djing parties around the east coast and across Canada for more than a decade. She has cultivated a reputation for awakening even the most critical-ears who are searching for something more than the usual deep and techy dance beats. This year she has been rocking festivals like Future Forest and the Toronto Pride.
Andrew Duke
This guy has been giving us good music since the late 80s his show Andrew Duke in the mix has a syndicated show in different countries and had its based on CKDU 88.1FM Halifax NS Canada from 1987 till 2004. Andrew is also an accomplish producer releasing for Spins and Needles, Nice & Tasty, Vim Records among others.
Sonny D
He’s the Maritimes favorite dj. Sonny D has pretty much played every electronic festival and every big club in Atlantic Canada more than once. Sonny has open and played with djs of the calibre of Tiesto, Dj Dan, Dj Collete and many more. After more than 20 years in the business he still tours in and out of the east coast and has a full residency at Rouge Lounge in Moncton NB.
Dj Bones
Bones has been an advocate for indie and electronic music in the francophone scene for 20 years with his show on CKUM in Moncton. He tours every month across the Maritimes with his event IPN with Bones giving candy and making people dance for more than 10 years. Bones also holds a monthly meeting for electronic producers called Studiolab. He’s also a very accomplish photographer.
Nick Nonsense
Nick Nonsense has been bringing house, techno, and everything in between to dancefloors in Halifax and all over Atlantic Canada. Nick started with on a punk band then moved to the electronic side and had a weekly radio show on the UNB Station. He also runs a record label call Atlantic Standard Recordings.
Tony Haze
Tony Haze has been Djing for 20 years from the mid 90’s rave scene to having several club residencies in Atlantic Canada. He has opened for a lot of world class acts like Tiesto, Richie Hawtin, Chromeo and many others… He was also a promoter and co-owner of Massive Productions and DJO group.
Tommy Knuckles
a true veteran to the Halifax Underground music scene, he is not only a Halifax house music staple, but a driving force in the east coast’s electronic music pursuits. Tommy is also the Creative Director and Producer for the Synergy Stage at Evolve Festival over the last 8 years, He has also played in places like Chicago and Miami at the winter music conference.
Jay Hamilton
Gone but never forgotten Jay Hamilton is a legend that left a lot of good memories for a lot of maritime ravers. Jay Hamilton built a sound and reputation as a high-energy first generation Canadian party rocker. He began DJing professionally at the age of 14 over the past 20 years he developed a distinctive sound that is always funky, big and bass heavy, constantly moving forward and building momentum. Jay played in festivals like Evolve and open for guys like Deadmau5 , Benny Benassi and Richie Hawtin. Unfortunately he lost the battle against cancer on October 3, 2012. RIP.
Yeah!! Tommy Knuckles and Sonny D for the win <3 love these guys
A note for Jay Hamilton : Miss you brother…. miss your talent, miss your kind soul, miss your style, miss your swagg, miss your positive outlook on life and most all miss that Jay the “Hammer” Hamilton smile that was always on your face. Think about you often and always will, rest in peace dear friend..you are what legends are made of Jay Hamilton
Thanks to who wrote this article.
I appreciate what you said about my Brother Jay. He’s is still talked about at every party/event I attend and most definitely at every event on the east coast in spirit.
And Thanks to you Chris for your comments about Jay too, he was all that and more. XOXO
One Love.
Thanks for the article and the mention, Fidel.
The year was 1990, Boston. Jay Hamilton and Chris and I were on our way home to Regina, listening to the Belgian group Technotronic play ‘Pump Up the Jam’ over and over all the way back. That year, Jay started playing out, with his first gig his own Grade 8 graduation and then, almost every wknd. A few years later, he and a few others organized Regina’s very first “Connect”, Canada’s oldest electronic music festival. When we moved to Nova Scotia in 2000, it didn’t take him long to notice there was no techno in Hali and organized Repercussionz, one of the biggest rave events of the time. Jay played most of the major centers all across Canada, from Nfld to Victoria. Jay did what he loved to do for more than 20 years – play his music and make people happy. Thank you for this tribute. He would have been so proud. Gail (Jay and Chris’s Mom). Jay Hamilton Memorial Association @ https://www.facebook.com/groups/jayhamilton/