Article by DJ iCandy
Photos by: Kelsey Kuehnemuth
Vancouver’s DJ scene is constantly evolving, and one artist who’s making waves is Brigbot. With her infectious energy and one-of-a-kind sound, Brigbot—aka Brigitte—has quickly become a standout. Whether it’s her back-to-back mix at The Well or her collaborations with other artists, she’s all about creating something fresh. In this interview, get the lowdown on how Brigbot got started, what keeps her inspired, and what’s next as she continues to make her mark on the local scene.
iCandy: How did you get into DJing?
Brigbot: I love Pitch Perfect. When Beca was like, “Oh I want to remix songs.” I thought, whoa, I want to be exactly like that– I’m just kidding. I did get into DJing through a crew called Tumblin’, and I’ve been rolling with them ever since.
iCandy: Who or what influences your music?
Brigbot: My friends. We feed off each other’s energies, and I think there is something really beautiful about collaborating with people and creating music together. My friends inspire me and they also hold each other accountable by showing up.
iCandy: Who are your favorite artists right now?
Brigbot: Is it basic to say, FKA Twigs’ album, Eusexua? It’s a very fun album.
I’ve been listening to a lot of Debbie Friday (a Toronto-based musician), Sasha Kow (a Vancouver- based musician), Shy Girl, Uniiqu3, DJ Swisha, and The Dare, which is kind of basic.
iCandy: How would you describe Vancouver’s DJ scene?
Brigbot: I would describe it as ‘budding.’ I feel like there are a lot of people who are up-and coming, and it’s really exciting to see all the events that are happening at b-side. The platform that they provide for Vancouver DJs is really awesome, and I love the community building that’s been going on there. Same with Come Spin With Us and Tumblin’. I think there’s a new wave coming. It’s an exciting time to be DJing right now.
iCandy: How does someone start DJing?
Brigbot: Make your own playlists and curate the vibe of a house party; it’s a type of DJing. Look for open decks. I think for the most part, people are quite welcoming. Just be honest about where you’re at. If you’ve just started then you can be taught. I do find the DJ controllers are quite expensive, so it can be a barrier.
iCandy: What was your most memorable DJ set?
Brigbot: Probably when we did our b2b [back-to-back] at The Well. That was so fun. It was so messed up though, because your USB wasn’t working, and then you just had to ride off mine. It still worked out pretty well.
iCandy: What are your hopes for the future in terms of DJing? Is there anything that you want to accomplish?
Brigbot: I would like to get into producing. I have a lot of sh*tty poetry that can be used for songs.
I want to do something at the Birdhouse. Call me up.
iCandy: Why do you DJ?
Brigbot: I’ve always loved music. I come from a family of musicians, and my grandpa was a musician. It’s just another outlet for creative expression. I would say it’s like collaging. You’re putting together things that are already established and creating something new. I really like that: taking an idea and elaborating on it, and molding it.
iCandy: Where are the best places in Vancouver to see DJ sets?
Brigbot: Oh God, I’m getting in trouble for this! I f*cking love Fortune. Fortune is so sick. Sometimes it’s a bit SoundCloud rapper-y or SoundCloud DJ-y, but it’s fun! Also, Paradise used to be so fun. Rip, because it’s closing. And b-side, Bleach, and the Well. The Well is a hidden gem, and people don’t go there enough.
iCandy: What do you do outside of DJing?
Brigbot: I knit a lot, but right now. I’m obsessed with knitting, obsessed! I cannot stop knitting. I also do improv. It’s related to DJing, because you’re coming up with things on the spot. I improvise with Fistful of Kicks, which is an all-Asian improv group in Vancouver.
iCandy: Is there anything else you would like to say to the Bored in Vancouver’s Community?
Book more diverse DJs. There’s too many dudes. Don’t just keep booking the same friends that are dudes.
Brigbot: Uplift non-binary folks and women, because we got some good
tracks. I feel like there can be a tendency towards silos: people sticking with their same crews and being separated in their own kind of bubble. Nine times out of ten, we all have a common interest, and we’re all excited about music. So talk to somebody else. Making that union might be exciting. It might be fun. It might be worthwhile. Even if they don’t look similar to you, or they play different music than you, it can still be a really cool collaboration. You can get stuff out of it and you can give back.
Welcome to Sweet Talks with DJ iCandy—your go-to space for celebrating the beats, stories, and journeys of womxn and non-binary DJs making waves in Vancouver’s music scene. I’m DJ iCandy, a DJ, teacher, and artist, passionate about creating spaces where voices are amplified, and creativity shines.
