Born Joanne Hill, Sydney Blu carved her niche in the electronic dance music scene by proving her mettle in Toronto’s iconic clubs, such as Footwork Nightclub and The Guvernment. Her journey took her across the US, around the world, and eventually to Berlin, Germany, and the rest of the world, leaving an indelible mark on the underground dance music scene as she champions advocacy for women in the music industry with every beat. This is our Artist Of The Month. This is Sydney Blu.
Reflecting on her early days, Sydney shared, “I have been involved in music in one way or another my entire life. I played piano and choreographed dancing as a teenager. Music was always my #1 pastime when I was young.” Her immersion into the electronic music scene began during her college years in Ottawa. “I went out every weekend to hear different DJs, fascinated by DJ and rave culture. Around the year 2000, I bought turntables and taught myself how to DJ. Within a couple of years, I was a pretty well-known local DJ in Toronto.”
Sydney’s career took off as she began producing music, leading to global recognition. “There have been ups and downs,” she admits. “When I started, I was one of the very few women in the industry making music. I’ve had huge career highs like playing for 35,000 people at the Rogers Centre Toronto with Deadmau5 and touring the world. I could name several stories about the downsides, mostly dealing with misogyny, but I focus on what is good in my life.”
Sydney Blu’s advocacy for women in the music industry is a cornerstone of her legacy. One of her significant initiatives is the #23by23, now known as the Change The Beat campaign, which aims to increase the percentage of female and gender non-conforming producers signed to dance and electronic labels. “The current percentage of women signed to dance labels sits at 2-5%,” Sydney points out. The campaign partners with record labels and hosts remix contests, mentoring new female and gender non-conforming producers. Since its launch in December 2021, the campaign has grown from 30 to 350 members, including women, trans, and non-binary artists.
In addition to her advocacy, Sydney has influenced the JUNO Awards, Canada’s premier music awards show. After four years of lobbying, she successfully established the ‘Underground Dance Single of the Year’ category in 2021. The inaugural award was presented in 2022, marking a significant milestone for the recognition of underground electronic music in Canada.
Photo by Ded Pixel
Sydney Blu’s discography is extensive and impressive. In 2009, she founded her label, Blu Music, focusing on authentic, dancefloor-rich house and techno. The label quickly found success, producing several chart-topping singles. Sydney’s tracks have been released on renowned labels such as Knee Deep in Sound, Mau5trap, VIVa Music, and KMS Records. Her release ‘Give It Up For Me’ on Mau5trap Recordings was one of Beatport’s highest-selling songs, making her the first female electronic music producer to have a Top 10 hit on the platform.
Her relentless touring schedule has seen her headline major venues like Output in Brooklyn, Pacha NYC, Space Miami, Avalon (Los Angeles), and globally renowned festivals such as Electric Island Festival, Digital Dreams Toronto, and Ultra Music Festival Miami. She has performed worldwide, enchanting crowds in Europe, Brazil, Colombia, Asia, Mexico, and beyond.
The Blu Party, an event she launched during Miami Music Week in 2010, continues to be a highly anticipated event, featuring A-list headliners who support her underground tone. Over the years, the Blu Party has showcased performances from renowned artists such as Pleasurekraft, Riva Starr, Kevin Saunderson, Stacey Pullen, and many more.
In 2021, Sydney released ‘Conviction,’ a meticulously produced dance floor-driven collection of songs that earned her a JUNO nomination for Electronic Album of the Year. Her recent releases, including ‘Moderate Stimulation’ (Drumcode) and ‘Release’ (Katermukke), continue to showcase her evolution as an artist.
Sydney Blu’s commitment to supporting marginalized artists, her relentless drive, and her ability to adapt and evolve in the ever-changing music industry solidify her legacy. As she continues to produce new music and perform globally, Sydney remains a reflection for inspiration, helping the music industry move upward and onward. “My biggest goal is to showcase the best Canadian electronic music, support more women getting into electronic music, and do what I can to help the community grow and be recognized in Canada and around the world.”
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