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AN INTRODUCTION
* Born in England, but raised in Canada, Michael ‘Deko-ze’ Babb launched his career in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
* In 1991, he took up his first DJ residency at a local gay bar called "Numbers" (later renamed “Divas").
* He went on to co-create / co-own a highly regarded nightclub / production company called “Plastic Puppet Motive” (PPM).
* Having establishing himself as western Canada's most successful DJ, Deko-ze relocated to Toronto, Ontario in late 1997.
* Long a leading force in the local scene, both NOW Magazine and Toronto DJ Festival have named him “best electronic DJ”.
* He has been labeled "Canada's hardest working DJ"; frequently playing gigs in nearly every Canadian centre big and small!
* Building his international profile, Deko-ze has numerous gigs in the USA, UK, Germany, Taiwan and Mexico under his belt.
* Deko-ze was signed to a multi-year artist / producer development deal with Hi-Bias Records in 2006.
MIX'N IT UP
* Deko-ze regards electronic music as an art-form; a natural extension of his classical training in piano.
* He believes music should induce a wide range of emotional response, but ultimately programs to create energy and positivity.
* In a scene now overly segmented, Deko-ze is increasingly distinctive: although categorized as a House DJ, he is recognized for his ability to fuse music of multiple genres (deep, funky & hard house; tribal; progressive; electro; tech-trance; techno).
* Deko-ze's energetic and charismatic stage presence, engaging personality, strong technical skills, and original approach to programming have uniquely cultivated a huge following in both the gay and straight scenes.
DJ RESIDENCIES
* Deko-ze currently holds DJ residencies in several of Toronto’s top nightclubs.
* He also maintains residencies in: Vancouver, BC; Victoria, BC; Calgary, AB; London, ON; Niagara Falls, ON; Montreal, PQ; St. John’s, NF.
* Please see the DJ RESIDENCIES Section for more details.
MUSICAL TASTE-MAKER
STUDIO PRODUCTION
* Deko-ze is currently working on independent studio projects, as well as in collaboration with local producer, Gavin ‘Gavo’ Bradley. Please see MUSICA Section.
SINGLE RELEASES
* “This Time” - Deko-ze N’ Gavo (Hi-Bias Records) - summer 2006;
* “Pena’s Groove” - Deko-ze feat. Javier Pena (Official PRIDE Toronto 2005 Theme Song) - spring 2005.
REMIXES
* “I Need Your Love” - Nick Fiorucci feat. JaQe Deko-ze mix (Hi-Bias Records) - summer 2006;
* “Nothing Better Than Life” - Sherrie Lea Deko-ze n’ Gavo Rainy Day mix / Deko-ze & Nick Fiorucci Fierce Club mix (Hi-Bias Records) - summer 2006.
COMMERCIAL DJ MIX COMPILATION
* “Deko-ze - Delicious” (Hi-Bias Records) - August, 2006: Canada / September 2006: USA. Please see the DELICIOUS MIX CD & TOUR Section.
* Member of prestigious international record pool - BALANCE PROMOTIONS (Orlando, USA), RELEASE RECORDS (Toronto, ON) & zipDJ.com
* Former customer service representative for this hugely successful Canadian on-line / retail record store 2003 2005. EASTERN BLOC (Toronto, ON)
* Previous customer service representative and house/trance/techno/progressive buyer for now closed record shop 1999-2002.
SCENE TREND-SETTER
MANCANDY RADIO (www.mancandy.ca)
* Current host of weekly program: “Plastic Puppet Motive” - Fridays: 8pm -10pm EST.
1GROOVE.COM / 100.7FM / GLOBALGROOVE.COM (Toronto, ON)
* Former co-host (with Dr. Trance) of weekly program: “Technopolis” - 1998-2002. CFCR FM (Saskatoon, SK)
* Former co-host (with McFly) of weekly program: “Techno Prisoners” - 1994-1997.
SCENESTER MAGAZINE (Toronto, ON)
* Pens quarterly column: “Fiends, Mischief & Mayhem” - 2005 current.
* Visit SCENESTER MAGAZINE.COM
TRIBE MAGAZINE (Toronto. ON)
* Former monthly columnist: “Fiends, Mischief & Mayhem” - 1998 2004.
* Please see the FRIENDS, MISCHIEF & MAYHEM Section for full columns. P
PM PROMOTIONS (Toronto, ON)
* Co-owner (with Wade Allan Fornwald) of Special Events Promotion company.
* “Deko-ze Delicious” - Canadian DJ Tour (18 cities) - August October, 2006.
* “Mayhem” - System Soundbar quarterly event, 2003 2005.
* “Subterrane” western Canadian DJ Tour feat. Deko-ze, Jelo, Robb G, D-Monic, Sean Miller - Fall, 2002.
* For current event promotions, please see the PPM PROMOTIONS Section.
PPM PROMOTIONS (Saskatoon, SK)
* Partner, Resident DJ, Talent Booker for revered events promotion company.
* Various club nights, one-offs and three-day festivals 1995 - 2000.
* For full history and current operations, please visit the PPM PROMOTIONS Website.
PLASTIC PUPPET MOTIVE (Saskatoon, SK)
* Co-owner, Resident DJ, Talent Booker for extremely unique nightclub / alternative arts organization 2003 2005.
* Visit the PPM PROMOTIONS Website for history of the Plastic Puppet Motive club. |
