FROM MONTREAL TO CDMX: REID BOURGEOIS AND HOUSE WITHOUT BORDERS

An Eclectic Yet Cohesive Sonic Identity

Reid, can you tell us about your first encounter with electronic music and what hooked you to pursue DJing and producing?

I developed a relationship with dance music as a cross-country runner in high school. Running to progressive house invoked a massive visceral response and I knew that I wanted to be a part of electronic music to share that sentiment with other people; but wasn’t sure where to start. By chance, at the beginning of university, I met a DJ who showed me the ropes and helped me land my first gig. He moved to another city shortly after and handed off his network to me so I had no shortage of bookings from the beginning.

In respect to producing, I had dabbled in using Reason to record myself playing guitar in my late teens. I was making lo-fi music under the alias Dune Letter. I didn’t make it far with this project, but the bands that inspired me such as Wavves still hold a special place in my heart.

I produced my first house track for a music class in my last semester of university. The theme of course was marginalized genres; we covered the aesthetics of punk, goth, new wave, house and techno. For my final project, I produced a house track heavily inspired by the likes of Green Velvet and Jamie Jones. I produced here and there after that; however, I felt like something was always missing from my productions until I switched from Logic to Ableton in 2020. Shortly after, I released my first single “Inside” on Eddie Martinez’s label “Stimulus”. The track recently received a re-release on GSP’s label “Queen House”. Despite this track now being five years old, it still aligns with my brand between the massive synth in the breakdown and percussive heavy drop.

Your style blends house and techno with a unique energy. How would you describe your sonic identity, and what do you aim to convey in each set?

In short, I aim for eclectic but cohesive. There are tons of sub-genres that speak to me and I always aim to touch on as many of them as I can in a way that makes sense. I try to tap into the musicology part of DJing; I see my sets as a way to share knowledge and appreciation for the artists who preceded me while offering my own interpretation.

Throughout your journey in clubs across Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta, Austin, and Montreal, is there a particular night or experience that you consider a turning point in your career?

[sic] in Mexico City was my first international show and certainly a pivotal one. It made me feel validated as an artist and it was a pleasure playing for such a responsive crowd. For those who aren’t familiar, [sic] is a multi-room club in the heart of the Doctores neighbourhood which has become a hotspot for alternative and underground nightlife. It’s a truly beautiful space that is wonderfully curated. This gig was a turning point for me as it opened the doors for other international bookings and offered the opportunity to work for bigger brands in Montreal; some of which I have had or currently hold residencies with.

The Dancefloor as a Safe Space

What does it feel like to stand in front of an audience, sustain the dancefloor’s energy for hours, and witness people’s reactions to your music?

Simply put, it’s amazing and I can’t imagine myself doing anything else. Throughout my twenties, I was concerned that I would grow out of house music and lose my passion for it; however, as I’ve recently rolled into my thirties, in many ways it feels like I’m just getting started. I’m always learning new ways to keep crowds engaged; I always say that the crowd is the DJ just as much as I am. Seeing smiling faces in the crowd will never get old for me and it’s exactly what keeps me behind the decks.

At disidnt= we believe the dancefloor should be a safe space for everyone. What does a “safe space” mean to you in a club or festival setting, and how do you help create that atmosphere?

I’ve grown my career in LGBTQIA+ spaces and I exclusively work with venues and brands that have “come as you are” and zero harassment policies. Given that I have a bird’s eye view of venues while in the booth, I am always scanning the room to ensure that people are safe concurrently to reading crowd reactions. At the base of it, house music has always been about community and liberation; offering safety within freedom aligns with my ethos.

You’ve shared the stage with legends like David Morales and Horse Meat Disco. Which role models have decisively influenced your approach to mixing and production?

Hearing David Morales seamlessly mix house, disco house and techno is unquestionably my biggest inspiration. If you could have seen how big my smile was when I got the news that I’d be sharing a kiki with him… and of course, Horse Meat Disco does a great job at offering a fresh take on disco classics. If you make it to the club early enough, you’ll certainly hear me play deep cuts of diva house inspired by the aforementioned London based quartet.

Honourable mentions for my inspirations include Matthias Tanzmann, Karsten Sollors, and Pagano. Artists who sit at the intersection of “more than house, less than techno” are unquestionably my inspirations.

In your opinion, how is the inclusion of women and gender-diverse artists in today’s lineups? What progress have you seen, and what still needs to change?

I’ve seen a lot of progress in this space since 2022 when dancefloors resumed; however, I feel like many big brands play it safe and book many of the same artists over and over again. While I understand the decision from a business perspective, I’d love to see a variety of people be presented opportunities. Established promoters; if you’re reading this- even an opening timeslot can change someone’s career.

Production as a Journey of Self-Belief

Tu remix de “COZY” de Beyoncé recibió el apoyo de Dave Giles II (uno de los compositores del tema), y tu track “Pouring” fue respaldado por figuras como Don Diablo. ¿Cómo ha sido tu evolución en el estudio y qué sueñas con explorar en tu próxima producción?

The support is overwhelming and is a great inspiration to keep going. Any artist will tell you that they feel like their projects never feel quite finished or that they just need that “one thing” before a release is merited. It’s taught me that feelings of doubt around releases never really go away; I’ve learned to complete projects and get them out to the world. Every original track I’ve released has earned me an international booking; for any inspiring producers or DJs who feel like they’ve hit a glass roof, I cannot stress enough the importance of getting your original music out there.

Beyond DJing and producing, how do you maintain your personal well-being to stay creative and present?

Monday through Friday, I am rigid with my sleep schedule, diet and exercise. I do meal prep, see a personal trainer and have a bedtime routine that I do religiously. I cannot stress enough the importance of taking care of yourself if you want to be successful in nightlife. If you want to bring your full, creative self to everything that you do, you need to make sure that you lead what I call a “full life”; this includes doing everything you can to take care of your physical, mental and emotional well-being.

For those looking to enter the world of DJing without sacrificing their identity or values, what advice would you offer from your own experience?

The best way to maintain artistic integrity is to create a brand then develop a sense of identity within that. By knowing who you are as an artist, you will create experiences that fit within your identity, which leads to working with others who understand who you are and what you do. Don’t be afraid to turndown gigs or have open conversations with promoters about what you do and don’t do.

CLOSING

Reid Bourgeois shows that the power of house and techno goes far beyond the drop: it’s a shared experience, a language of community and celebration that transcends borders. From his booth in Montreal, CDMX, or anywhere in the world, he builds bridges between cultures, sounds, and diverse people—reminding us that the dancefloor is, above all, a space of freedom and belonging.

At disidnt=, we celebrate his energy and his commitment to a scene that continues to evolve toward greater inclusion and empathy. After all, the best beat is the one that makes us dance fearlessly and embrace who we are.