In my opinion, few art forms emphasize community more than street dance. In Toronto Emily Law is trying to maintain the origins of those forms and incorporate them into more contemporary settings and performances. Like many professions and art forms, dance commands a great deal of respect and subservience to the limitations of one's body, so Emily is keen to get to work while she's able. 

In this interview we talk about how editing is just a part of the process in creating new works; if it doesn’t fit with the piece, it’s gotta go. We discuss drawing from the cultivated history of Toronto’s House dance scene and the the relationship b/w dance and community. We talk about how Emily is using her love of House dancing forms to push Street dance theatre in Toronto and how she uses workshops and instruction to teach the history of the dance forms she teaches.

We discuss the stress of trying to get your artistic vision across to the audience in a specific place and time and deciding how and why to continue doing your art. It was a pleasure speaking with Emily and I hope you’ll get some great insight into yet another inspiring art form.

MUSIC IN THIS EPISODE

DJ Longsleeve - Ode Aan De Filosofie
Mind Enterprises - Idol (Spatial Awareness Remix)
Grace Jones - Slave to The Rhythm
Sweet Tee - It's Like That Y'all
Jomanda - I Got Love For You
French Fries - Yo Vogue (Claude Von Stroke Remix)

As dance music has become increasingly more mainstream, the place of the DJ seems to have shifted from one of tastemaker to placeholder. 

We are now in a time when festival crowds’ attention is held by one dude, pumping a fist in the air to what may or may not be an pre-recorded set of songs. Where promoters are more interested in social media numbers than track selection, and where non-male DJs get added to shows for the sake of fulfilling diversity requirements.

Despite all of that, there are still young DJs like Toronto native BAMBII, who is more concerned with crafting and curating sets that challenge and excite the audience, and who pays homage to the origins of the music she plays. 

BAMBII believes in the power of the club to unite and provide space for those who may not otherwise have a place in society to come together and commune, so maybe it’s not surprising how seriously she takes her craft. 

In this interview we discuss the importance of the kind of well researched and practiced approach Bambii takes and how’s that’s helped her cultivate her sound and following. 

We discuss the optics of gender in club culture and promotion. We talk about DJing vs. Performance and the performance of DJing and how BAMBII uses every opportunity she’s given to improve her craft.

We discuss the sobering realties of night life and the importance of striking up a relationship the social media, whether you like it or not. 

All that and more on the latest Mind to Make.

MUSIC FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE

Music throughout this episode is from BAMBII’s mix Slow Drip, which can be heard on BAMBII's Soundcloud page

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