AN INTRODUCTION

* Born in England, but raised in Canada, Michael ‘Deko-ze’ Babb launched his career in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

* In 1991, he took up his first DJ residency at a local gay bar called "Numbers" (later renamed “Divas").

* He went on to co-create / co-own a highly regarded nightclub / production company called “Plastic Puppet Motive” (PPM).

* Having establishing himself as western Canada's most successful DJ, Deko-ze relocated to Toronto, Ontario in late 1997.

* Long a leading force in the local scene, both NOW Magazine and Toronto DJ Festival have named him “best electronic DJ”.

* He has been labeled "Canada's hardest working DJ"; frequently playing gigs in nearly every Canadian centre — big and small!

* Building his international profile, Deko-ze has numerous gigs in the USA, UK, Germany, Taiwan and Mexico under his belt.

* Deko-ze was signed to a multi-year artist / producer development deal with Hi-Bias Records in 2006.  

MIX'N IT UP

* Deko-ze regards electronic music as an art-form; a natural extension of his classical training in piano.

* He believes music should induce a wide range of emotional response, but ultimately programs to create energy and positivity.

* In a scene now overly segmented, Deko-ze is increasingly distinctive:  although categorized as a House DJ, he is recognized for his ability to fuse music of multiple genres (deep, funky & hard house; tribal; progressive; electro; tech-trance; techno).

* Deko-ze's energetic and charismatic stage presence, engaging personality, strong technical skills, and original approach to programming have uniquely cultivated a huge following in both the gay and straight scenes.

 

DJ RESIDENCIES

* Deko-ze currently holds DJ residencies in several of Toronto’s top nightclubs.

* He also maintains residencies in: Vancouver, BC; Victoria, BC; Calgary, AB; London, ON; Niagara Falls, ON; Montreal, PQ; St. John’s, NF.

* Please see the DJ RESIDENCIES Section for more details.

MUSICAL TASTE-MAKER

STUDIO PRODUCTION
* Deko-ze is currently working on independent studio projects, as well as in collaboration with local producer, Gavin ‘Gavo’ Bradley. Please see MUSICA Section.

SINGLE RELEASES
* “This Time” - Deko-ze N’ Gavo (Hi-Bias Records) - summer 2006;
* “Pena’s Groove” - Deko-ze feat. Javier Pena (Official PRIDE Toronto 2005 Theme Song) - spring 2005.

REMIXES
* “I Need Your Love” - Nick Fiorucci feat. jaQe – Deko-ze mix (Hi-Bias Records) - summer 2006;
* “Nothing Better Than Life” - Sherrie Lea – Deko-ze n’ Gavo Rainy Day mix / Deko-ze & Nick Fiorucci Fierce Club mix  (Hi-Bias Records) - summer 2006.

COMMERCIAL DJ MIX COMPILATION
* “Deko-ze - Delicious” (Hi-Bias Records) - August, 2006: Canada / September 2006: USA. Please see the DELICIOUS MIX CD & TOUR Section.

BALANCE PROMOTIONS (Orlando, USA)
* Member of prestigious international record pool  - 1998 - 2006.

RELEASE RECORDS (Toronto, ON)
* Former customer service representative for this hugely successful Canadian on-line / retail record store – 2003 – 2005.

EASTERN BLOC (Toronto, ON)
* Previous customer service representative and house/trance/techno/progressive buyer for now closed record shop – 1999-2002.

SCENE TREND-SETTER

MANCANDY RADIO (www.mancandy.ca)
* Current host of weekly program: “Plastic Puppet Motive” -  Fridays: 8pm -10pm EST.

1GROOVE.COM / 100.7FM  / GLOBALGROOVE.COM (Toronto, ON)
* Former co-host (with Dr. Trance) of weekly program: “Technopolis” - 1998-2002.

CFCR FM (Saskatoon, SK)
* Former co-host (with McFly) of weekly program: “Techno Prisoners” - 1994-1997.

SCENESTER MAGAZINE (Toronto, ON)
* Pens quarterly column: “Fiends, Mischief & Mayhem” - 2005 – current.
* Visit SCENESTER MAGAZINE.COM

TRIBE MAGAZINE (Toronto. ON)
* Former monthly columnist: “Fiends, Mischief & Mayhem” - 1998 – 2004.
* Please see the FIENDS, MISCHIEF & MAYHEM Section for full columns.

PPM PROMOTIONS (Toronto, ON)
* Co-owner (with Wade Allan Fornwald) of Special Events Promotion company.
* “Deko-ze – Delicious” - Canadian DJ Tour (18 cities) - August – October, 2006.
* “Mayhem” - System Soundbar – quarterly event, 2003 – 2005.
* “Subterrane” western Canadian DJ Tour feat. Deko-ze, Jelo, Robb G, D-Monic, Sean Miller - Fall, 2002.
* For current event promotions, please see the PPM PROMOTIONS Section.

PPM PROMOTIONS (Saskatoon, SK)
* Partner, Resident DJ, Talent Booker for revered events promotion company.
* Various club nights, one-offs and three-day festivals – 1995 - 2000.
* For full history and current operations, please visit the PPM PROMOTIONS Website.

PLASTIC PUPPET MOTIVE (Saskatoon, SK)
* Co-owner, Resident DJ, Talent Booker for extremely unique nightclub / alternative arts organization – 2003 – 2005.
* Visit the PPM PROMOTIONS Website for history of the Plastic Puppet Motive club.

 

FOR A HIGH-QUALITY, PRINTABLE VERSION OF DEKO-ZE'S BIO,
PLEASE CLICK HERE