Sound of the City: Floetic emerges from the pandemic maintaining his message of unity
The Vancouver DJ is optimistic about the future despite the difficulties of the past year—as an artist and as a member of the BIPOC community
SOUND OF THE CITY is a series created in partnership by the City of Vancouver and Stir that showcases Vancouver’s diverse music scene, highlighting BIPOC and underrepresented artists and acts. Each edition features a Q&A and a Sound of the City playlist curated by the artist that features some of their favourite local musicians.
Floetic
FLOETIC IS A Vancouver-based DJ who has performed throughout North America and who competed in the 2018 and 2019 Redbull Threestyle, an internationally recognized DJ competition. He has also produced three albums with local artists in styles ranging from R&B to UKG. The through line of his work is a message of love and unity.
Read more about what the artist has going on these days and listen to Floetic’s picks on his Sound of the City playlist, below. “Oddly enough, I listen to a lot of Vancouver artists so my playlist has quite a bit,” Floetic says. “The Vancouver artists include: Lowkita, Tee Loc, Seb C, Arami the Corrector, Teon Gibbs, Iamtheliving, Awlyver, Rude Nala, Dkay, Ninety-four, Missy D, and Kordoroy Floyd.”
Floetic’s Playlist
1. Teedra Moses - Be Your Girl (Kaytranada Edition)
2. IAMTHELIVING, Teon Gibbs - Translation - Vancouver
3. DMX - How’s it Goin Down
4. NSXTY, Seb C, Kid Sharif - Guala - Vancouver
5. Kordoroy Floy - 81 - Vancouver
6. Ninetyfour - Scoring - Vancouver
7. Teon Gibbs, Quarterback, Pilgrim - Spanish Banks - Vancouver
8. Mr Floetic, Teon Gibbs, Kordoroy Floyd - Stand on Couches - Vancouver
9. Mr Floetic, Arami the Corrector - Don’t Crack (feat. Arami the Corrector) - Vancouver
10. Missy D - Yes Mama - Vancouver
11. Tui - Você Quer
12. Lil Baby - On me
13. Jarreau Vandal, Olivia Nelson - Someone That You Love
14. Common, PJ - What Do You Say (Move it Baby) [Feat. PJ]
15. Mr Floetic - Love It - Vancouver
16. SBTRKT, Sampha - Hold On
17. Bob Marley & The Wailers - Who The Cap Fit
18. Modjo - Lady (Hear Me Tonight)
19. Mr Floetic, Lowkita - Bump - Vancouver
20. Lowkita - Fiyah - Vancouver
21. Awlyver, Rude Nala - Known Better - Vancouver
22. Rude Nala, Lilz - Play - Vancouver
23. Dkay - Dáme - Vancouver
24. Tee Locasone, Hoodrich - Thanos
How are you feeling about life right now?
To be quite frank, as an artist, during the pandemic, initially it was extremely hard. To work so long to reach a level of success and to have it taken away due to something that was out of my control was really difficult to cope with. It took a few months for me to grasp the concept that there MAY be a chance my old lifestyle and means of income would forever be changed. However, luckily I have a strong fiancé that definitely kept me level-headed and a core group of friends that helped me get through the year. So professionally, I feel very optimistic about life and I am excited to see my friends and see what the future holds. However, in saying that, personally, as a member of the BIPOC community, 2020 was the hardest year I have endured. To constantly see people that looked like me being murdered for things that did not constitute a life being lost was and is very troubling. So overall, to sum up this question, life at the moment is filled with optimism with a pinch of uncertainty and fear.
How has the pandemic affected your work?
The pandemic has affected every aspect of my work. Being in the hospitality and nightlife industry, my whole career is geared around mass amounts of people in a confined area which is literally the COMPLETE opposite of what was allowed in the past 18 months. So to say the pandemic affected my work life would be an understatement.
What are you working on right now? Do you have any plans or projects lined up for 2021?
Currently I am working on my 5th music EP, hopefully to be released by the end of 2021. I am also planning some virtual events that could help elevate peoples spirits as we near the end of the pandemic. I can’t say too much but be on the lookout for a very cool music collaboration in the near future.
Where are you finding solace and comfort?
To be honest, I find solace and comfort by just bumming around with my partner. Whether that's watching The Circle or Tiger King on Netflix or going for a bike ride and ending with some cold ones. If there's one thing I can say the pandemic has taught me aside from DJs are needed in the community (lol), is that time is the most important thing you can share with someone as it is the only thing in life you cannot get back. Oh and music, I find solace and comfort in practising my DJ skills and making music for people to enjoy.
What are you most looking forward to once the pandemic passes?
Seeing all my friends and family. Being able to party again and see a smile on someone’s face when they hear that one song you played that brings them back to a nostalgic moment. And TRAVELLING! My goodness, how I miss travelling so much. As soon as we are able to travel, I’m throwing my phone away and hopping on a plane for a week. I don't know where yet, but It will be epic, lol.
What song or album has been in your heavy rotation recently and why?
Anything and everything Kaytranada. The bounce and groove that you feel when playing a Kaytranada album is unmatched. His discography has definitely given me peace throughout this pandemic.
Can you give a shoutout to one of your favourite Vancouver musicians or artists? What about them inspires you?
I know you asked for one... But I have to give a shout out to two artists: Teon Gibbs and Lowkita. The inspiration comes from their growth. I’ve personally seen these two artists flourish over the past few years, and they continue to rep Vancouver and make really top tier music. To be consistent and motivated in Vancouver is difficult because we do not have a very large music scene, although I feel it is a very strong one. But for sure I tip my hat to those two.
What would you like to see change in Vancouver?
More unity amongst artists. I feel Vancouver has a very “too cool for school” mentality within the music scene. So I would love to see more collaborations, more mentorship, and just a bigger love for Vancouver artists and music.
Who is your dream collaborator?
My dream collaborator would be anything with Timbaland. He is my favourite producer and I would probably cry—hahaha!
Who else would you like to see curate a Sound of the City playlist?
Teon Gibbs and Lowkita.
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