Profiles of some of the best 60s / Mod DJs in North America - The Canadian Edition

Back in June 2012, I started a series of posts introducing you to some of the best Mod DJs in North America. It's easy to develop a complex of inferiority when we compare ourselves to our British and European cousins. (That is such a Canadian trait!) But we shouldn't! We have some skilled, talented (yes, it does take talent) and dedicated master selectors on this vast continent of ours. We should be proud! Being a DJ myself, I can garantee you that we don't do it for the money. We do it because we are pasionnate! Up in the Great White North, you might see us spin with some beaver pelt covered headphones but we do it in style. Here's an all-Canadian line-up of some of the best DJs to hit the Mod scene.

- Your name / DJ name

Marty Emanuel / DJ Mod Marty

- City

Now, Winnipeg. Previously Toronto, Vancouver and Victoria.

- How would you describe your musical style?

I gravitate toward Northern Soul and Rare Soul. I love British R&B with Small Faces, The Action, The Artwoods, Alan Bowen Set and The Birds in my top drawer. But Soul is my passion.

- What is your “go to” track? The one you will likely never get tired of spinning?

It's hard to pick one. I can revive a dance floor with Tainted Love by Gloria Jones but I can keep a hot dance floor going with Can't Sit Down by Phil Upchurch or Shake by Shadows Of Night. I love to throw in People In Me by The Bonniwell Music Machine or Snoopy by the Playboys. Nothing But A Heartache by The Flirtations or Love Potion #9 By The Spinners are soul go-to's but a real hot soul dancefloor will hear Turn On The Love Lights by Oscar Toney jr. and Everybody Dance Now by Soul City.

- Regardless of price, name THE record that is missing from your collection.

Again, hard to pick one. Forever Bliss - Chalklit Milk Revue, She's Got Everything - The Kinks (B-Side to Days), So Is The Sun - World Column and Break Away by Steve Karmen, the instrumental version.

- Where can we see you spin on a regular basis? Tell us about the night or an event you would like to promote.

In Winnipeg you can catch me DJing most King Cabernet events. We do special nights dedicated to Stax or Motown or Andy Warhol's Factory and so on... but the regular night is Shindig at The Yellow Dog Tavern on Princess St. once a month, free to get in and sponsored by Creemore Beer, so... cheep Creemore beer.

- Is vinyl the only acceptable format for playing your style of music?

Short answer is yes. Long answer is that all those records I can't afford or can't find I can play on Virtual DJ and I don't have to shlep 1000 pounds of vinyl around. That being said I will always choose vinyl over anything else. I have been collecting rare vinyl for 15 years and I love it when people are surprised that the song they are loving in the moment is needle in groove. Warms the cockles of my heart.

What is your favorite place to buy records?

I buy a lot of my stuff now from recordsbymail.com because there are only two tiny record stores in Winnipeg. Whenever I'm in other cities I'll hit up any store I can find.

- Your name / DJ name

Scott "Bjørn Late" Birksted, (aka Ska-tee). My moniker is a combination of my middle name and a joke about being born late for my musical tastes.

- City

Ottawa, Canada

- How would you describe your musical style?

Dynamic, a melting pot of early R&B, Northern Soul, Minor Key Ska, Mod Jazz, Rocksteady, Reggae, Funk, Latin sounds, Garage, Afrobeat ... and always some Slow Jams to close off the evening.

- What is your “go to” track? The one you will likely never get tired of spinning?

Hope We Have - The Artistics

- Regardless of price, name THE record that is missing from your collection.

Bob and Fred - I'll Be On My Way

- What is the weirdest request you ever got?

"WHAT'S IT GONNA TAKE TO GET SOME BRITNEY UP IN THIS BITCH!"

- Where can we see you spin on a regular basis? Tell us about the night or an event you would like to promote.

Over the past ten years I've went from one Friday a month (Ska, Soul, Rock N Roll), to a monthly Saturday gig (Meltin' Pot), then pairing that with every Thursday (Rocksteady Soul/Double Barrel).

Right now I'm taking a hiatus from regular gigs, casually looking for a new venue and taking on occasional guest spots. Look out for an appearance at the Double Barrel out door editions this summer. Those parties are killer.

For now catch me online at: Http://www.mixcloud.com/CapitalSoulClub

- Is vinyl the only acceptable format for playing your style of music?

I'd say v  inyl and specifically 45s are tied to credibility in these circles. It's also key to set differentiation amongst peers.

I think most of the dance floor would say it doesn't matter in the least, playing off strictly vinyl is just 'neat'.

But so much of the fun is in digging: turning up rarities, new discoveries, big money tunes, or things you just love, then dropping them over a big public PA.

- What is your favorite place to buy records?

In person, at shops, garage sales, antique markets, etc. I do buy off eBay sometimes.

- Your name / DJ

Garry Armitage / DJ Gaz

- City

Ottawa, Canada

- How would you describe your musical style?

Mod. Northern / Hammond Groove / 60's backbeat / Brit-pop. All the best from the late 50's to the mid 90's.

- What is your “go to” track? The one you will likely never get tired of spinning?

Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart - NEVER get's tired. Isley Brothers - Shout - Guaranteed floor-filler. I have two copies so I can play part 1 and part 2 back-to-back, good fun!

- Regardless of price, name THE record that is missing from your collection.

If price is no object, then the obvious choice is an original copy of Frank Wilson's Do I Love You (Indeed I do). Only 5 in existence, goes for $25,000 plus. I do have this as a re-issue, of course ($20).

- What is the weirdest request you ever got?

Not really a weird "request" but rather a weird "reason". A kid asked for Green Day, when I politely said "No", he said pointing at the MOD banner behind me and said "But you HAVE too".  I said "I don't HAVE to do anything" to which he replied "But isn't this Much On Demand?". *sigh*

- Where can we see you spin on a regular basis? Tell us about the night or an event you would like to promote.

Every Sunday is The Mod Club (Ottawa) at Babylon Nightclub - 317 Bank Street, Ottawa, Canada. We are in our 10th year now and no end in sight.

- Is vinyl the only acceptable format for playing your style of music?

A Mod lives with the past, not in it. I see no reason to deprive the audience of a great track simply because I can't find it (or afford it!) on vinyl. That being said, my preferred format will always be the 7" 45. I use my enormous CD collection (all bought and paid for!) to inform my vinyl quests.

- What is your favorite place to buy records?

eBay.

- Your name / DJ

Ben Shulman / DJ Papa Bill

- City

Montreal, Canada

- How would you describe your musical style?

Gritty R&B from the late 50's / early 60's. That's my flavour right now, my top sound fluctuates quite a bit, it used to be Garage and Northern Soul! Who knows what's next?

- What is your “go to” track? The one you will likely never get tired of spinning?

Fire by Gino Parks on Tamla.

- Regardless of price, name THE record that is missing from your collection.

Oh dear... I'm Going Home by Prince Conley on Satellite.

- What is the weirdest request you ever got?

LMFAO and Ke$ha... this is a SOUL night people!

- Where can we see you spin on a regular basis? Tell us about the night or an event you would like to promote.

Mod Club Montreal and Bang 'N Shout. Mod Club is a weekly affair on Saturday nights and Bang 'N Shout is a monthly gig, both located in beautiful Montreal!

- Is vinyl the only acceptable format for playing your style of music?

45s only!

- What is your favorite place to buy records?

I'll never tell...