Thinking outside the boombox

>> The Stereo Sound series is set to amplify local DJs into the international arena

GOOD ENERGY: Stéphan Grondin

by JACK OATMON

An ardent stalwart of the Montreal nightlife scene, Stereo is in its eighth year, making it the longest-running afterhours club in the city. With a sound system of quality bordering on the legendary, a nonstop influx of reputable international DJs and a firmly established level of respect from Montrealers, it shouldn’t come as a shock that the club has launched a series of in-house DJ mix albums, Stereo Sound, with local label Mile End Records. Given the popularity of comparable endeavours by London’s Fabric and Ministry of Sound, the commemorative set of mixes by Stereo DJs and guests represents yet another stepping stone between the club, Montreal and the outside world. The Mirror spoke to local Stéphan Grondin, co-producer of the first edition along with Portugal’s DJ Vibe.

Mirror: What were you personally aiming for with this mix?

Stéphan Grondin: They asked me to do a compilation that would represent what I play at Stereo. Sometimes it’s hard to clear the tracks legally, but I think it’s representative of my night and Vibe’s night. I just want people to be able to enjoy at home what they hear at Stereo. Obviously I take my job seriously because I’ve been doing this and only this for 24 years, but for me, music is for entertainment. I’ve never been a DJ that’s tried to send a message. In the world we live in today, there’s so much stuff going on and bad energy outside that when you put a CD on, you just want to listen to it or dance to it.

M: In your words, why should Stereo have its own mixes coming out?

SG: Because it’s known. If the Ministry of Sound in London has its own compilations and its own label, I’ve always said Stereo should have its own label and have compilations out. On top of that, Montreal is special. It’s not just a clichéd thing to say that Montreal is a special place. It really is. My take on it is that it’s because in Montreal, we have the two cultures. We have the French and the English, so we’re influenced by Europe as well as the States. The blend of people and the blend of cultures make the energy, the crowd and what people like. It’s very different outside. That’s not to say that it’s boring outside this city, but it’s not Stereo, it’s not Montreal. And at the same time, it can make a local DJ known elsewhere. When you team up a local DJ with an international one like this, it’s an opportunity to get exposure. And Montreal’s got the most good DJs per square foot of any place in the world—in any kind of music. There’s so much talent here, so it’s a window for everybody to see that.

M: What’s changed to bring that about?

SG: Well, you know, we used to have things like that, but in 1976 the Parti Québécois—oh my God, we’re getting into politics—when the PQ came to office, all the record companies left Montreal for Toronto. There’s so much going on there and I think we need to take it back.

CD launch with StÉphan Grondin and DJ Vibe
at Stereo on Saturday, June 23, 2 a.m., $35