Skrillex Defeats the Scary Monsters

Don’t call him a dubstep DJ! Skrillex wants you to know that he is an artist making not just dubstep but electronic music for the masses, although he has just been crowned ‘the current prince of dubstep’ (by MTV).  His newest EP, “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” has been climbing up the iTunes charts gaining fans in the electronic community and beyond.  His tour has taken him across North America landing him in Toronto on Feburary 19th at the Phoenix, a significantly larger venue than his last stop in Toronto.  So who is DJ Skrillex (aka Sonny John Moore), this barely 23 year old from San Francisco?

No matter where you turn on the internet, the first thing you will learn about him is that Skrillex used to be the lead in a emo-hardcore band titled From First to Last. When I ask him about this, he sounds slightly annoyed.  “You know, the thing is I didn’t transition from my band to becoming a DJ.  I had been going to raves since I was 13 years old, so it was like I just kept growing as a person.  I’ve always been listening to electronic music, I like what I like.  But I don’t want to be known for just being that guy in a band.”  He kind of laughs a bit.  “I think that’s the longest answer I’ve ever given about the band thing.”  And fair enough, I guess getting the same question all the time would be annoying.

But as he’s progressed as a musician he’s had the opportunity to play larger venues (compare his last gig in Toronto at Wrongbar – 300 capacity to his upcoming gig in Toronto to the Phoenix – 1000 capacity, much larger!), work with great producers and musicians (he’s currently signed to DeadMaus5 label mau5trap and Big Beat) plus, on his Twitter recently – he alluded to some potential work with Electronic Arts and Activision.  When on the phone with him, I ask about it to which he replies, “I might be doing some work with them (EA and Activision).  I can’t really talk about it.  But yea, the video game designers are geniuses.”  So it could be entirely possible we’ll hear some Skrillex beats alongside a video game in the future.

So what’s next for Skrillex.  He tells me he’s always making music, even while on the road.  Nothing has stopped him.  He will be releasing two new tracks in February, so that should tide his fans over while he is on tour.  Tickets for this show in Toronto on Feb. 19th  are SOLD OUT with limited tickets available at the door.  He will be playing alongside NERO that night at the Phoenix Concert Theatre.  Check it out.