Mitch Oliver, a native of Montreal, is a well-known personality in the thriving melodic scene on the east coast. He has made a name for himself as a DJ, producer, and sound engineer, signing with labels such as TrybesOf, Kindisch, XYZ, and Hoomidaas and gaining recognition for his unique blend of deep grooves.
Photo Credit: Mitch Oliver – Official
His talent in curation and expertise in the studio has taken him across Canada, the US, and Latin America, where he has performed at top events and venues like Piknic Electronik, Burning Man, Stereo, Do Not Sit, and SXM Festival. With his finger on the pulse of the latest trends and an ear for innovation, Mitch Oliver’s career is on the rise, and he is quickly gaining a reputation in the world of electronic music.
EG caught up with Mitch Oliver to learn more about his latest EP ‘Sunshine Dust’, his single ‘Treasure Trail,’ and his upcoming projects.
EG: Hi Mitch! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us again. How have you been? Where are you right now?
Mitch Oliver: Pleasure is all mine, thanks for having me here. I’ve traveled quite a lot recently and it has been very inspiring. I did a great tour in Mexico in April where I played in CDMX, Campeche, Leon, and Tulum, and it was a total blast. I then spent the month of June in Europe, where I got to spend time in London, Paris, Barcelona, and more. Then I closed the month with two shows in the USA, one in San Diego at the legendary Spin Club and lastly at Do Not Sit in Miami. I’m now back home in Montreal, working hard on new music, channeling all the experiences I just accumulated into my musical projects.
EG: First of all, congratulations on the release of your recent EP ‘Sunshine Dust’ and your single ‘Treasure Trail.’ What has the reception been like?
Mitch Oliver: These are the first releases in many more to come. I’m more inspired and productive than ever these days so it’s an exciting time for me for sure. It has been great to see artists playing them across the world.
EG: So, what can your fans expect to find on these?
Mitch Oliver: I’ve been playing ‘Treasure Trail’ a lot in my recent shows and it got such a good reaction every time. I’m pumped to release music that is closer to the sound I’ve been venturing to lately in my DJ sets. Heavy and techy drums fused with majestic melodies to create dance floor-orientated tracks is now my focus and it’s been super refreshing. I really got inspired to compose high-energy bangers after my first headlining show at StereoBar. It was such an eye-opening and buzzing moment for me that it drove me to focus on that kind of energy when I’m in the studio.
Regarding the ‘Sunshine Dust’ EP, I wrote it in the fall of 2021. My intention with this one is to embark the crowd on mysterious melodic journeys while still keeping them hypnotized by dark, energetic, and groovy drums. I’ve always been a fan of music with a cinematic feel, so this is my attempt at making the listener see and feel the journey and emotions of the song. When I first played all the 3 songs at Montreal’s Burning Sun, one of the coolest events our city has to offer, the crowd’s reaction was mind-blowing and it truly brought me tears of joy. I’ve been playing them a lot since and it’s always a magical feeling.
EG: And how did these come about? What was the process for each like?
Mitch Oliver: My biggest passion in life is to perform as a DJ and it’s what fuels my creativity. For these latest releases and the coming ones, I’ve focused on making music that enhances that performance and permits me to create an even more versatile toolset to surprise the crowd and make them live a memorable moment.
“Honestly, I consider myself incredibly fortunate to be able to pursue this passion as my career, for it brings me immeasurable joy and fulfillment”
EG: How do you keep entertained when not in the studio? Have you recently found any good movies, books or albums you’d recommend?
Mitch Oliver: To be quite honest, I’m not a big reader, I suppose I’m too hyperactive and spend lots of time playing sports, skiing, and enjoying nature when I’m not in the studio. In terms of music tho, I’ve been deeply obsessed with Stromae’s latest album. It’s truly one of the best pop albums I’ve ever heard. I’ve also seen his show when he came to Montréal and he is such an amazing performer, it was mind-blowing.
Honestly, I consider myself incredibly fortunate to be able to pursue this passion as my career, for it brings me immeasurable joy and fulfillment. Every day, I am grateful for the opportunity to engage in the best job in the world, where I can immerse myself in the enchanting realm of melodies and rhythms, touching the hearts and souls of others through the universal language of music.
EG: Can you share something personal with us only a few people know about?
Mitch Oliver: Before diving into a music career, I pursued an athlete career in alpine ski racing. From the age of 12 to about 23 years old, I was skiing 120 days a year and spending another 200 days in the gym, getting in shape for my sport and perfecting my skills. I got to travel the world, learned a ton about myself and the whole experience really forged a great self-discipline at a very young age. Most of my creativity in the studio and on stage comes from my passion for skiing and my love of and respect for mountains. In recent years, I’ve also coached high-level athletes as a way for me to stay in the game and inspire myself with their energy and passion.
EG: What’s next for Mitch Oliver? Where can your fans catch you next? What new milestones are you looking forward to in 2023?
Mitch Oliver: I’ll be playing StereoBar on July 23rd, then will be heading to the USA for a series of shows on the West Coast soon to be announced. There is also a Latin America tour in the works which I can’t wait to unveil more details about. I am currently more inspired than ever, ready to unleash a steady stream of captivating musical releases to the world. What excites me, even more, is the prospect of collaborating with incredibly talented and innovative artists, collectively pushing the boundaries of creativity. As a performer, I am dedicated to stepping out of my comfort zone, seeking new ways to captivate audiences and deliver unforgettable live experiences. With every endeavor, I am driven to explore uncharted territories, constantly challenging myself to evolve and grow as an artist. 2023 has been great thus far and I expect nothing but more exciting stuff for the second half of it.
EG: Thank you for your time, Mitch! We’re excited to see what’s in store for you. Take care!
Mitch Oliver: Thanks for having me!
Stream and buy Mitch Oliver’s ‘Sunshine Dust’ EP here, and ‘Treasure Trail’ single here.
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