Sound of the City: DJ Paisley Eva
The artist whose work is rooted in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh teachings chimes in on local DIY venues, friendship, and pre-pandemic travel plans
SOUND OF THE CITY is a chance to discover and explore Vancouver’s incredible and diverse music scene created in partnership by the City of Vancouver and Stir.
We hear from different local artists or acts, what’s in heavy rotation on their playlist as well as what’s happening in their world amid COVID-19—in their own words.
We ask each artist or act to curate and share a Sound of the City playlist that features some of their favourite Vancouver musicians.
Sound of the City is a way to celebrate local talent, highlight BIPOC and underrepresented artists, and connect with creatives and each other. It’s time to crank the volume on the music that’s all around us, right in our own backyard.
DJ Paisley Eva
DJ PAISLEY EVA hails from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation village of Eslha7an and is based in what is colonially known as Vancouver. At only 23 years old, Paisley Eva has become a force to be reckoned with in BC’s music industry. She started DJing in Vancouver at 19 and soon afterward founded Dame Music Society, an organization that trains underrepresented folks to DJ vinyl in effort to combat a white-male dominated industry. Dame Music Society has trained over 45 DJs and thrown parties to promote them in Vancouver, Victoria, and Toronto.
She’s currently working on opening a fully equipped DJ studio called Cue Club, which will offer low-barrier and by-donation access to sound equipment as well as weekly DJ lessons for BIPOC, LGBTQ2SAI+, and disabled folks.
Her work is based in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh teachings and is all about sharing equity within the music industry with marginalized bodies.
DJ Paisley Eva’s Playlist
How are you feeling about life right now?
It's up and down! I'm really privileged in so many ways with a great apartment, a cat who keeps me entertained, fulfilling work, and a lovely partner. I miss my family a lot and my friends a lot. I miss a life where I wasn’t on Zoom for so many hours a week.
What did you have planned in 2020 and this year, and how has the pandemic changed those plans?
I was actually supposed to move to Italy for four months in April last year. I had my flights booked, housing, and a job lined up... And obviously that didn’t happen! I was going to be travelling alone, which I’ve never done before and was really excited to get to know myself in that sort of isolation. I guess I did get to experience that, but it’s been during a pandemic instead of in a Italian coastal town.
What, or who, do you miss most about pre-pandemic life?
I miss my mom a lot right now. It's been a while since we’ve seen each other face to face. I also definitely miss my Sḵwx̱wú7mesh family and community. My reserve is right over the Lions Gate Bridge, and I regret not spending more time with them before the pandemic.
Beyond family, I miss shows the most. Probably from the time I was 14, I've been going to live shows on a weekly basis—sometimes up to four a week. I definitely miss local DIY venues, and I’m also worried about their futures. I miss dancing and singing along with 50+ other people, and on the other hand, the idea of doing that brings me so much COVID-related anxiety. Oh—also I deeply miss karaoke at Pub 340!
What gives you solace?
Is online shopping an acceptable answer? Because I’ve definitely been doing that. Besides racking up credit card debt, keeping busy with a ton of projects has been really good for me during all of this. I also have a really great group of friends who never fail to check in on me (even if it’s just online), which is such a comfort.
What song or album has been in your heavy rotation and why?
I’ve been listening to Sneaks' new album, Happy Birthday, a lot recently. I think it’s a really great homage to a lot of great old femme post-punk projects, but she puts her own completely new spin on the genre.
Who is your favourite Vancouver musician or artist? What about them inspires you?
Ugh, that’s so hard! I feel like I sound really biased because my favourite local artists are also some really important people to me, but I think I just forced my favourite musicians to be my good friends. I’ve been listening to two local acts a lot right now:
1. I'm never not listening to Necking. I think Cut Your Teeth might be the best album a Vancouver band has ever put out. Hannah Karren (who fronts Necking) has been running Dame with me for three years, and she’s one of my best people. She and her bandmates Sonya, Mel, and Nada are just all really cool and talented with the best live show around. They were about to play their first SXSW before the pandemic hit, and I’m convinced they were going to get their big break and never return here...
2. A friend of mine, Eric White, put out a new project called black is the only color. His album is called hate computers, and it’s so good. His composition isn’t really like anything I’ve ever heard, with complex dance beats. It’s stuff I’m really excited to DJ in the future and I can’t wait to see what he does next.
What are you most looking forward to once the pandemic passes?
I'm excited to be able to be physically in the creative communities I've built for myself. Beyond Red Gate and other DIY spaces I spent a lot of time DJing and hanging out in queer party spaces like the Clubhouse and East Side Studios. These spaces are really fun to go to obviously, but also where I've met some of my closest friends/family.
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