the music

Wicked Woods 2023 lineup

2023 TALENT SPOTLIGHTS

SOOHAN

To know the music of SOOHAN is to be flooded with a rush of the vague and familiar: nostalgia meets unique and unknowable, as he deftly weaves worldwide influences into dance floor and festival-ready settings. To the unfamiliar, SOOHAN is the key holder to a catalog which dives into and celebrates what all too often lies in the periphery. Drawing from the traditional and popular music of countless cultures, SOOHAN’s signature interpretation of dance music ignores borders, favoring a shared community dance floor experience that enthusiastically exposes audiences to new musical territory with every performance.

Starting as a grassroots project in Baltimore, SOOHAN has taken off as an identity in global dance floor fusion, effortlessly combining diverse rarities with familiar 808sand bass lines. Since his initial east coast success, SOOHAN finds himself touring the US and Canada on a consistent and constant basis, with festival appearance sat the likes of Envision, Shambhala, Lightning In A Bottle,Symbiosis, Burning Man, and numerous others. With some seven albums, 18 million streams, and a widely celebrated DJ mix series with Global Bass Radio, SOOHAN has hit his stride and shows no signs of slowing. SOOHAN’s most ardent fans will have even more to look forward to in 2022, as a steady output of remix compilations, DJ mixes, and original material looms on the horizon. Cultivating an appreciation for the music which lies beneath the surfaces all around us, driving a direct line to celebration of global culture, and bringing people together in rapturous dance remain in SOOHAN’s sights, virtually everywhere he goes.

Mark FarinA

Mark Farina is a name that rings out across the entire global dance music industry. His non-stop touring, constant content creation, partnerships with legendary venues and record labels as well as his total commitment to showcasing the best new and old school producers in his sets have made him a living legend to lovers of house and Mushroom Jazz everywhere. With a passion for playing extended all night long shows as well his recent foray into streaming exemplified by his highly successful new YouTube series with Defected Records, Farina continues to tirelessly entertain his incredible fans all over the globe with over 100 shows per year. The last few years have been an incredible new era of creativity, outreach, and recognition for one of the most original and consistent voices in the business. Mark continues to connect with new fans without losing those who have been loyal supporters from day one. Fans, promoters, and industry insiders all know that no matter what changes come along Mark Farina always delivers

Mat the Alien

Mat the Alien is nothing shy of a prolific and iconic DJ who is emblematic to the electronic music scene. Since the late 80’s Mat has been exploring diverse facets of sound and elevating them to an otherworldly level so his stage name is quite appropriate. Mat has recorded a diverse array of music exploring bold soundscapes, goosebump inducing beats and dance floor erupting sonic explosions.

While he is a household DJ name his music defies electronica, his material belongs in any music lovers collection.Mat has played at legendary Venues & festivals across the globe from Russia to Asia and South America in Venues from Fabric to Low End Theory He is notably a local favorite in the BC festival industry. His performances at Shambala (for 18 years no less) and every Basscoast is a massive attraction to audience members. Mat’s life changed when he experienced a catastrophic mountain biking accident in Oct 2020. This left him paralyzed from the Armpits down, transforming his world into something completely different. His resilience throughout this experience has truly illuminated his undeniable strength.

Learn more about Mat’s accident and donate through his GoFundMe https://gofund.me/b3b619c2

Nicky Genesis

Nicky Genesisis a Las Vegas based DJ/Producer raised in SanDiego, CA. Driven and self taught, she has been DJing for over 15 years up and down the west coast and eventually expanding her shows to a worldwide audience. She released her first track on Simplify Recordings in 2011. Since then, Nicky has continued to release tracks on labels such as NightBass, No Deönition, Pinnacle Collective, Glo, Heavy Artillery, Build it, and Bohdi Collective, to name a few.

For years she hosted her own radio show on Di.fm radio and has played on diverse stages from countless clubs & festivals all around the world. Nicky has her own unique and beautifully hitting sound ranging from deep, groovy & soulful, to pulsing bass driven house music and beyond. Her energy and performances take listeners on a journey and leave them with an experience. With multiple channels of growing support across the industry, the future shows to be very promising for this transcending producer.

Dakota Bear

Dakota Bear is a Saskatoon-born, Vancouver-based Indigenous hip-hop artist, entrepreneur and activist. His melodic rhymes carry stories of Indigenous peoples across Canada leaving listeners enlightened, inspired and instant fans of his music and message. His performances range from audiences of 30,000 (Global Climate Strike with Greta Thunberg, Downtown Vancouver, October 2019), 40,000 at Black Lives Matter Freedom march, to inspirational performances for youth in remote communities in Northern Canada. His quest for love, justice and peace is unwavering, with his melodic rhymes and iconic beats carrying his message to the masses and beyond. He’s shared stages with legendary greats like Bone Thugs n Harmony, Redman & Methodman, TechN9ne and more.

His music has been shared by Noisey, Exclaim!, Hip Hop Canada, Digital Drum and numerous grassroots-news outlets while his online videos have collectively amassed more than 1 million views.

In addition to his musical achievements, Dakota Bear is the co-founder of Decolonial Clothing, an internationally known clothing-brand that has been supported by Noah ‘40’ Shebib, Nathalie Bolt, Shad, Mark Ruffalo and much more. Their designs have been featured in Netflix shows and in magazines, Decolonial uses their platform to inspire change and spread the messages of Indigenous People.

His work with Idle No More, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited Peoples and the Global Climate Strike movement has intertwined his music with international social justice movements and connected him with fans across the country.

Martin Horger

Germany's MARTEN HØRGER is one of the leading forces in house music. He combines influences from classic house, techno and bass music to create his very own trademark sound, which UK's DJMag simply calls The Future“. As a result, Marten has recently collaborated with producers such as David Guetta, Tchami, Apashe and Habstrakt; and is named the #33 most influential electronic artist of the year by 1001 Tracklists in 2021.

The music portal Beatport crowns him the most successful bass house act of all time in 2022. In his home country, too, he finally achieves a breakthrough, and the readers of Faze magazine vote him National Breakthrough Act of the Year in 2023.
In addition to a multitude of sold-out club tours in America, Europe, Asia and Australia, Marten is a regular guest on the big stages of festivals such as Tomorrowland, EDC, Glastonbury, Burning Man, Shambhala and Fusion.

Manic Focus

Denver-based producer Manic Focus is an artist of many talents. As a magician, he uses sleight of hand to pull objects out of thin air. As an electronic artist, he executes similarly impossible sonic acts with his vibrant, genre-defying music. But his strengths lie not only in the musical and magical: what also makes Manic Focus stand apart is his mental triumphs.

Manic Focus’ unique style – defined by a hybrid of electronic, funk, soul, and hip-hop – has helped the producer cultivate a fervent fanbase captivated by his immersive studio trickery and vibrant creative spirit – a combination that has led him to performances at festivals such as Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Hulaween, North Coast Music Festival, High Sierra Music Festival, Camp Bisco, Wakaan Festival, Summer Camp Music Festival, and multiple opening slots at Red Rocks in support of Zhu, Emancipator, Pretty Lights, and more.

Now, Manic Focus releases his 7th studio album, Never Not Blue, a new full-length project that showcases the producer’s vast growth as a multi-genre artist, including songs with the blues-infected electronic style of his earlier work as well as a wide range of modern bass music influences. Having consistently evolved over the past decade, fleshing out his sound to incorporate new approaches to genre, songwriting, and composition, Manic Focus’ new album is an amalgamation of the various styles and sounds he’s explored over the years. In many ways, Never Not Blue is a career retrospective – a look back at where Manic Focus began, and just how far he’s come.

Father Funk

Fusing elements of Funk, Hip Hop and Disco with floor shaking electronic beats, Father Funk’s unique, genre bending, party rocking style has gained him a cult following worldwide. Always delivered with a cheeky grin and a thunderous onstage energy, his eclectic sets have torn the roof off nightclubs and festival stages across the globe.

His infamous remixes of timeless classics and dusty funk gems are instantly recognisable, and staples in the sets of countless DJs worldwide, including some of the biggest names in the industry – even getting a mention on Channel 4 in the UK.

He has gone on to establish his own very successful club night and fully fledged festival stage “Father Funk’s Church of Love”, showcasing the very best in funky bass music and bringing together a dedicated congregation of party people under one roof – an undeniably good recipe for good vibes and positive energy.

The Gaff

The Gaff is a lifelong DJ with tight skills & cuts, a lengthy list of accomplishments, tonnes of dope records, heart & class. One foot in the future, and one foot in the past. The Gaff's purpose is in elevating Hip Hop, Dance, Club and Electronic Sounds to a level easily combined with Funk, Soul & Jazz. The result is amazing live performances & instrumental productions, giving a story of music which ebbs and flows.

The Gaff has rocked parties and clubs worldwide: either by all vinyl 45 sets, or destroying it with tight scratching, live drumming on the sampler, and turntable kung fu. A teacher of the essential, peers and fans alike are often caught overlooking The Gaff’s shoulder to see just what it is he’s up to.

MANTEASAH

Manteasah’s sound resonates somewhere between a dark city street and a moonlit forest. The mysterious trio is rooted in Kelowna, BC tastefully curating electronic downtemp mixed with hip-hop, 80’s syncopated rhythms and a dusting of soul. When Makemdef’s clever word play and intricate production meets the sister’s (Jodie B & Nique Blue), dynamic harmonies, and heavy hitting instrumentation, the perfect storm of dark atmospheric textures is transported to the listener.

WooFAX

Until 2015, Woofax was the major musical creative force behind the electronic music groups Terravita and Hot Pink Delorean. He has written, engineered and consulted dozens of hit electronic tracks under different artist names in various genres. His release Spoiler Alert charted #1 for weeks on the Beatport Glitch hop charts and has recently been featured on TBS’s “The Real OG”.

With his pseudonym Tremourz, he released Beatport charting hit singles including the North American dubstep anthem, “Sexy Party” with J Rabbit and his own Terravita remix of the same song. His original music and involved projects have been licensed to entertainment on networks such as FOX, MTV, CBS, TBS Netflix and more.

As well as being an electronic writer, producer and international performer, Woofax is also a celebrated mixing and mastering engineer. His diverse list of clients include The Funk Hunter’s Westwood recordings, the GRAMMY award winning artists The Crystal Method, and an extensive list of heavy bass music artists. He helped engineer many songs from the beginning of Dillon Francis’ career and consulted and assisted mastering on Excision “Codename X” album. He has also worked closely with the internationally acclaimed loudspeaker company PK sound.

Def3

Award Winning artist, Def3 has been actively performing since 2003. His sound is a fusion of hip-hop and electronic, influenced by his heritage, childhood growing up on a ship and from skateboarding & graffiti cultures. He’s performed globally sharing the stage with some of music’s biggest names such as The Roots, Big Boi, Post Malone and The Hilltop Hoods, to name a select few. His 6th album produced by Late Night Radio was released Jun 4th, 2021 and reached #1 on the iTunes Canada Hip Hop Charts and #7 overall for all Genres. His unique stage performance combines high energy, dance inspired production and catchy hooks from start to finish.

Greazus

Longtime friends, and well-established producer/DJs HxdB and Patrik Cure joined forces to form GREAZUS back in 2014, and they immediately knew that they were on a special journey together. Now, nearly a decade in, they have distilled their studio synergy, tireless work ethic, plus their shared passion and love for music into their creations and performances. They are considered at the forefront of underground electronic music in Canada, eschewing trends and blazing their own sonic trail. They delight in sharing their ever-evolving sounds with audiences and their sets are intense, high energy affairs, aimed squarely at the dancefloor.

PINEO & LOEB

Uplifting, Funky, High-Energy & Good Vibes are just a few words that describe Canadian electronic Producer/DJ duo, PINEO & LOEB. They blur genre boundaries uniting electronic, dance, hip-hop & rock fans alike.

With multiple international tours, collaborations with Grammy Nominees and support from BBC Radio 1 (UK), Virgin (CAN) & George FM (NZ), PINEO & LOEB hit a balance of pure party fun and artistic ambition.

In-demand for providing official remixes to major labels and independent artists alike. Grouplove (Atlantic), Olivia O’Brien (Island) and Canadian pop star, Rêve (Universal) are amongst some of the latest artists to receive the PINEO & LOEB flare.

Kytami & Phonik Ops

There are few acts on the west coast combining live instrumentation, high energy and gritty bass with the ferocity and craft than violinist Kytami and DJ/Producer Phonik Ops. They have made it their mission to create a truly unique sound that would be instantly recognizable as their own all the while drawing on their shared love of Drum n Bass, Hip Hop, Punk and bass heavy dance music.

Since connecting at a festival in British Columbia, they have become one of the most intriguing acts, standing out in an already saturated musical landscape. Kytami & Phonik Ops have continuously built up their fan base with spectacular live shows and an ever-increasing catalogue of impactful music.

This power duo has certainly kept up with their forward momentum in the past couple of years. They produced exclusive guest mixes for the DnB Show with Rene LaVice on BBC Radio 1 and BeatLab Radio, a weekly Bass music show out of Bend, Oregon. In 2022 they headlined many festivals across Canada as well as make their UK debut at Bristol’s Nass Festival.

Average Citizens

Canadian DJ/production couple, Average Citizens “bring only the best wobbly basslines, booty shaking vibes, & bouncy goodness to the underground scene. Their enticing stage presence & high energy performances will leave you sweating & begging for more.” [Fresh Music Freaks].

“Infusing hip-hop elements with future house & a smattering of UK-inspired bass, Average Citizens infectious, carefree style is irresistibly danceable.” [DJ Mag]. They have over 30 releases under their belt on labels such as YosH, InStereo, Brooklyn Fire, 3000 Bass, Ghetto Ghetto, Westwood X and more.

Alongside several chart-topping releases, they’ve hit #1 in the release charts three times & frequently receive Banner and Feature support on Beatport. Their music has been placed in several Spotify Editorial Playlists, such as Bangers & Fresh Finds & been supported by artists like AC Slater, DJ Q & Dr. Fresch.

Recently, Average Citizens released a mix with Confession Label and got airtime on Diplo’s Revolution [Sirius XM] & Kiss FM [Bristol]. They’ve spent the past year sharpening their skills in the studio & can’t help but feel like they’re just getting started!

Average Citizens maintain a solid tour schedule on the west coast, playing festivals like FVDED in the Park, Shambhala, Wicked Woods, One Love Fest [California] & Genius Loci [Baja, Mexico]. Starting to gain the attention of a global audience, they’ve played shows in the US, Spain, Mexico, Taiwan,
Germany, England, Ecuador, El Salvador and Costa Rica.

Spend some time with Average Citizens & you’ll quickly learn that they operate out of pure love & integrity. They are the co-founders of the Rise & Shine FamJam Fundraiser, a festival that donates 100% of proceeds to charity. The love & passion Average Citizens have for their craft & for each other is undeniable & transcends everything they do!

Lazy Syrup Orchestra

Sweet sounds, thick vibrations, and sticky melodies come together to create the natural flavor of Lazy Syrup Orchestra. The groups free spirited mix of live instruments paired with sultry vocals leaves listeners gooey with energy that sticks to their soul. Their delicious productions have graced stages across North America, including festival appearances at Shambhala, Bass Coast, and Envision.

OAKK

OAKK produces dynamic, eclectic, and infectious bass music that is impossible to resist. His high energy DJ sets display his commitment to diversity and flow, while telling a cohesive story that covers a vast musical range and is nothing short of striking.

Musically speaking, OAKK’s catalogue is melodically beautiful and highly energetic — incorporating his respect for the cultures and communities that have influenced the musical landscape of the present. With a strong commitment and respect for a multitude of genres, OAKK is able to effortlessly blend and weave between different soundscapes, creating a sound of his own. With a consistent output of releases, OAKK’s primary focus is to always create projects that vary from previous ones, while maintaining trademark qualities to his productions.

With performances at premier festivals such as Lightning in a Bottle, Shambhala and Bass Coast, as well as a Live Boiler Room set, the next step for OAKK is to expand into new territory and share his sound around the globe. The versatility of his productions and DJ sets offer an unpredictable aspect that never compromises the clarity of his vision. This intense passion for music and community has brought OAKK to his current stage, and given him the tools needed to propel his creative endeavours into the future.

Skiitour

A fun-loving DJ/production duo from Whistler, Canada are known for their upbeat “feel-good house music that keeps the vibe groovy” (DJ Mag) as well as channelling a retro ski aesthetic. Their annual high-energy après ski parties at Shambhala Music Festival have become legendary and their tracks have been supported by Diplo, Anna Lunoe, Zedd, David Guetta, Afrojack, Steve Aoki, JAUZ, Martin Garrix, Martin Solveig, Claptone, and more