Fresh off a run of gigs in Brighton and Ibiza, Stirling returns to Canada feeling more inspired than ever. With a powerful story of persistence, passion, and purpose, he sat down with us to talk about his journey from discovering vinyl in a friend’s living room to playing internationally and building serious momentum with his productions.
Let’s get into it…
Hey DJ Stirling, thanks for taking the time to chat with us today! To kick things off, where in the world are you right now?
“Yes, certainly, thank you! I’m just getting back from Ibiza.
I literally just landed back in Canada late last night, and I must say, I’m actually feeling quite refreshed and motivated after going to Brighton to attend the BMC conference and play a couple of gigs, and then from there going down to Ibiza to meet up with the crew and play at Pikes.
Always good to be home, though of course.”
How did you first get into DJing?
“Yeah, it’s interesting when I think back to how I started. You see, for me, music has always been something that I enjoyed so much, and dance/electronic music in particular, when I was younger, was something that always moved me. I can remember when I was fresh out of college, I got a factory job to just quickly start making some money to pay down College as I planned out my career, and one of the guys that worked on my shift was a DJ.
And so one day we were literally just chatting back and fort,h and he asked me what I like outside of working out and other hobbies that I was into, and I said, “I really love music.”
He simply asked me, “What kind of music do you like?” and so I wanted to tell him, and then he then proceeded to tell me how he’s a DJ at some nightclubs in Windsor, Ontario – We became instant friends
Straight away, I remember it sparked my interest because the idea of being a controller of music to me and putting various sounds and rhythms together for some reason excited me.
So, anyways, he ended up inviting me to his place, and that’s where I got introduced to vinyl records.
And BAM, the next day I started purchasing records straight away from the UK and would spend a couple of hours almost daily just trying to find new music that I could play for my friends when we had house parties and so on.
From there, it was game on! I now had records, a mixer, turntables, and headphones haha
I was instantly hooked…
After making several train wrecks with a few records in my own bedroom, I finally figured out how to beatmatch.
I still remember the goosebumps I got from mixing my first two records together, not just in time, but that actually sounded in key and good together…
It’s funny because even today, I’ll still get goosebumps and watch the hair stand up on my forearms behind the decks when I’ve got two or three records plus maybe some sound effects or loops going on all at the same time to make something more out of a song.
That’s what I’ve always loved about DJ’ing…
Is the emotion, the connection with music and others, and creating moments that feel exciting”
Is there a story behind your artist name?
“I wouldn’t say there’s anything fancy behind the story of my artist name, I mean it’s really just my last name, and that’s what people have always called me by – STIRLING
Whether it was my teachers in school or coaches and friends in various sports, it just stuck with me.
STIRLING!
I can remember about a year ago getting challenged with the idea of like “hey, what do you want your artist name to b?e”
And for m,e it was quite simple – STIRLING
Personally, I didn’t really like the idea of naming myself something else to try and be different or for some marketing play, Stirling is who I am and what feels naturally fitting.
How would you encourage emerging artists wanting to break through?
“I mean, to be fair, I still have quite a ways to go. But that being said, I do feel like with any endeavor that you’re trying to be successful in, there are always formulas and clues left behind from those who have been successful before you. Success always leaves clues and insights.
Further to that, for those who do get discouraged, I say look at other things that you’ve been successful at in life and transcend that same attitude, energy, and effort into your music.
Make a plan, set your goals, connect with industry leaders, meet up with other DJs and Producers, spend time in the clubs getting to know management and promoters, travel to conferences, carve out studio time, and adhere to your schedule.
It’s like operating a business really. It takes a tremendous amount of effort, planning, and consistent execution, like anything does.”
Share your favourite clubbing memory.
“Carl Cox – At ‘The Guvernment’ in Toronto! It was my first time seeing him…
That man moved the crowd, myself included, with every damn record he threw down. And yes, he was spinning vinyl. I can remember he had at least 5 record bags, 4 turntables, no CDJs, and he created so many moments that night for the crowd. It was wild.
I can remember waking up the next day, wondering, “what happened to my calves and my right elbow haha!!!
I must have been dancing and fist-pumping so damn hard! Haha…
But yes, by far, that was my most favorite club memory that really set the standard for me.”
Provide an outlandish rider (be creative).
“Oh nice haha. I’m a pretty simple guy. Just feed me and I’m good. But since you asked, specifically, I’d like to have:
- 1 chicken shawarma platter (I eat shawarma all the time haha) – One time during a B2B set, I ran across the street to get a Chicken Schawarma wrap haha – true story
- A Big Ass fan
- 2 face towels
- 2 Litres of filtered water
- That’s it haha
I get hungry when I play ;-)”
Describe yourself using a famous quote..
“The best way to predict the future is to create it” – Abraham Lincoln.
I’ve always believed in showing up with intent with whatever it is that I do. Whether it’s behind the decks, in the studio, with my family, in the gym, and so on.
Which song do you wish you’d written?
“I don’t think I’ve ever told myself, “wow I wish I had written that song”, I’ve just simply always had appreciation for what an artist has done and how it’s made me feel
For instance, I can remember competing at an international level on a world championship stage, and in preparation for the competition, I must have listened to Eminem’s “ Lose Yourself” track 1000’s leading up to the day.
The phrase “You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow. This opportunity comes once in a lifetime.” Is something that would give me that same feeling I mentioned earlier with the goosebumps and hair raising on my forearms, every day!
It brought out such intense emotions for me that made me push myself, over and over and over… It literally fueled my training sessions.”
Was there a moment you knew this was going to be more than just a hobby?
[A sigh and pause from Stirling…. (got a little emotional)…]
“It was a moment I had with my wife about 1 year ago. I could see that she truly believed in me after seeing the energy I was pouring into music. She must have noticed the happiness it gave me over anything else I had done, once I started producing my own tunes.
And the momentum kind of just started building from there.”
Tell us about your plans for 2025.
Well, on the production side of things I’ve got my release coming out on Ferris wheel recordings this Friday, June 6th, which I’m really excited about – It’s called ‘Testify’ feat. David LeSal.
I’ve also got several other tracks lined up for labels that are going to be going out over the next couple of weeks that I think should be able to get some good traction. So, feeling good on that side of things and hopeful that I’ll have several more releases throughout 2025! I’ve got a few well-known vocalists on some of these tracks as well that I’m really excited to share more on soon!
From a DJ/Gig standpoint, I have Toronto, Germany, and Ibiza on the schedule right now and looking to nail down several more venues/locations in the coming weeks. So, stay tuned for some updates there as well.
Find Out More & Follow Stirling
Stirling Instagram | TikTok | Official Website
The post Get To Know STIRLING: Tech House DJ, Producer & Motivational Powerhouse appeared first on Electric Mode.
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