When you think of Montreal what do you think of? Do you think of the European feel that electrifies the streets of old Montreal? How about shopping or the patios in the summer? Or maybe you think of how damn cold it gets in the winter?! I think of all of those things but it’s always been the nightlife that has drawn me to the city.

I used to party in Montreal when I was still very new to this scene. Actually my first party ever was in an old warehouse in Laval. That night opened up my eyes to a scene that I can never turn back on now.

I haven’t been to Montreal in a few years but I still look back on those weekends as times that helped shape my love for this music. It was those weekends where I’d jump in the car with my friends for the six hour drive ‘cause we knew once we got there the party was going to be worth the ride. It’s those parties where the music pumped just a little harder and the clubs were just a little dirtier. That excited everyone I was with. The whole scene just felt a different compared to what was going on in Toronto.

As with every city that hosts a great nightlife, there are changes that take place. New faces appear, new DJ’s grace the decks and nightclubs come and go. But there is one place that has been able to endure all these changes, the world renowned Stereo nightclub. This is where Maher Daniel got his first big shot about two years ago.

After returning back to Montreal from Dubai to go to university, Maher quickly became involved in the scene. Having been taught the basics from his older brother back in Dubai, he used what he had learned to start DJing and producing. He created a mix that fell into the right hands and that’s when he was offered the chance to open up for one of the UK’s greatest DJs, Lee Burridge.

After that night things have only gotten better for Maher. He frequently opens and closes Stereo for top talents such as Desyn Masiello, Paolo Mojo and Harem Records’ Sultan.

Maher is the A & R for Harem Records where he often co-produces tracks with the production duo of Sultan and Ned Shepard. Their first production, Itajia Vibes, was released last year under Sick Watona and it has been a huge success.

As Maher’s tracks start to travel across borders so has his demand. Maher’s upcoming gigs include Nectar in Cancun Mexico and at Montreal’s Tribe Hyperclub where he will open for another UK great, Nic Fancuilli.

Before this mix I didn’t know who Maher was or what his music was like. After giving his In Demand a good few listens, I knew I loved his style! For this set he reaches into his ‘housier’ side to give us a compilation full of soft vocal tracks, edgy beats and looping baselines. It’s a mix that definitely grew on me the more I played it, so keep this one on repeat!

Download (left-click and unzip):
Maher Daniel - In Demand - January 2008

And be sure to check out my conversation with the really, really cool and passionate talent.

Inside the IM with Maher Daniel & littlemissbluedress

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 5th, 2008 at 4:28 pm and is filed under Interviews, What's Going Down. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.