Interview w/ SoraTora

We sat down with Soratora to talk about her journey from Port Coquitlam to Montreal’s late-night domes, the birth of DIY Rave, and her plans to unleash bass-heavy queer chaos at our August 1st takeover in Vancouver.

1. Origins of a Raver

Q1: Tell us about how you first realized you liked rave music.

Funny story, actually. I had a friend group back when I lived in the suburbs, and for some reason, they really didn't like EDM. Though they were my closest friends at the time, I didn't feel the most comfortable being myself around them. One of the girls and in 2017 I went to Bumbershoot in Seattle and Flume and Odesza were headliners. There were a ton of other DJ/ producers on the lineup for the weekend and I found myself (even my friend) really getting into the music. I remember hearing a Migos edit of bad and boujee and thought it was so funny but also loved it so much. I didnt really enter rave scene until summer 2022 though once I started going to underground raves in vancouver :3 the first one was an UMRU and Petal Supply show hosted by RUDE at Village studios and I saw evidencedoll perform for the first time and i was obssesseddddd i loved the energy and freedom of movement in the room and i didnt know anyone except my friends and we had a blast 

Q2: When did you figure out that you like dubstep?

Hmmmmm i think i lied in the last question because I was so into Skrillex in middle school HAHAHAH, but probably then which I think my dad introduced me to

Q3: Did you grow up in BC, or have you always lived between Montreal and Vancouver?

I grew up in Port Coquitlam but lived in Japan and went to kindergarten there, then moved back to the tri cities ESL af and was put into french immersion classes while also taking ESL classes. I moved to Montreal April 2024 but had only visited Montreal for 3 days August of 2023 before I started my plan to move in September 2023. I grew up in French immersion from K-12 and almost went to SFU French Cohort program (went to BCIT Marketing Communications instead) because I was pretty committed to my french learning. I figured I took my french learning pretty seriously enough in school that I would fit in Montreal

2. MTL vs YVR: Battle of the Scenes

Q4: How do you find the two scenes differ? Is one city doing more for the arts than the other?

I do think Montreal is more for the arts and perhaps theres more funding??? I’m not entirely sure but i do think having cheaper rent helps with having disposable income which means people have more $$ to throw raves and other art events in the city. I think it can be hard to gather enough people in vancouver who have the disposable income to put out events on the regular when everyones living paycheck to paycheck. Theres SO MUCH going on in montreal genuinely overwhelming as soon as you dont need a parka anymore everyones out and about in every scene and theres like 5 things to go to every day of the week.

Q5: Worst to best subway: MTL, YVR, or NYC. Be honest.

Hmm i was only in NYC for a few days so I feel as if this isnt super fair BUT I would say NYC, YVR, MTL??? I didnt get to take the subway enough to understand how practical the subway is in terms of getting you places but it was very very hot in the subway where as in YVR and MTL theres AC and the carts are defs cleaner 

3. MUTEK, Domes, and DIY Grit

Q6: Tell us about your set at the Domesicle at MUTEK — it looked incredible.

Omg, dude it was so fun. I was kinda nervy leading up to and wasnt sure exactly what I should play but after talking to some MTL locals they reminded me that its less pressure than playing at one of the scene raves because its more General Admission in terms of the audience. I am also very blessed and was able to gather like 15 friends to pre at my house before hand (a couple of vancouver friends were also in the city and came along) and then had another like 15 meet me at the venue so the whole front of the DJ booth was ALL besties like I couldnt even see anyone i didnt know so it really felt like I was just playing to a crowd of besties. Everytime I looked up the crowd was getting bigger and bigger but all my friends were front and centre dancing and singing and cheering me on that all the nerves disappeared immediately. Also the dome is a crazy venue like looking up while playing i was like hoyl shit i cant believe im playing in this rn and the sound quality is also so good it was amazing.

Q7: Tell us about DIY Rave. How did it come into being, and are y’all still doing events atm?

DIY Rave was started after I threw my first pre-pride party DIY Pride with friends Orrin and Anita. My friends and I wanted a safe space as bedroom DJs to play for our friends and community and esp since Pride parties were priced out of so many people budgets. We had all our bedroom dj friends come play and a couple local heavy hitters Mada and Bianca come play as well as gogo dancers and even started the night with open decks. This is where I met Dorothy and saw her play at the open decks and she was so good came fully prepared with a set and tore. I then approached her later in november to host another party because I had been wanting to do a halloween show but couldnt find a friend to host with. We then started DIY Rave and hosted DIY New Year together and WLW 727 last summer. I had been hosting park sales before hosting my first rave so I also started combining park sales with open decks to provide space for bedroom djs to come set the vibes at the park sales and it’s been so fun!!

I’m coming back to vancouver and hosting another park sale + open decks July 12, open decks + BBQ at vic square July 19, and hosting a Queer After Hours the night og July 25 with friends Anita (full circle), Ethan (who also played at my first show open decks), and Kyle who also attended my first show :3

DIY Rave is more than just a party—it's a collaborative platform rooted in community care, accessibility, and creative freedom. I started it with the intention of building something that people could shape together: a space where anyone can reach out to co-host an event, jump on an open decks slot, or just show up and feel like they belong.

Whether you’re a first-time DJ or a seasoned selector, there’s room for you here. We keep ticket prices low, prioritize emerging talent, and make sure the vibe stays open, intentional, and unapologetically queer. It’s about uplifting each other, breaking down gatekeeping, and keeping the dancefloor a space of possibility.

4. NYC Energy Check

Q8: How was your recent trip to New York? (Follow-up commentary: We’ve been collaborating with a few NYC producers too — it feels like it’s going off right now.)

Omg soooo fun I went with my girlfriend and her friend for Four Tet and friends under the K bridge and it was a BLAST. All DNB music heavy on the B, UKG, Dubstep, house, techno, all of my favs on the lineup and ofc surprise guest Skrillex. 

Everyone was also super nice in NYC and welcoming very curious and open energy which I loveddddd, everyone had their own personal style and energy and it was a great mix and first tie trip over.

Congrats on the collabs!!! Theres tons of cool work being done over there I’m excited to see what you put out ;)

5. Zombie Apocalypse Survival Round

Q9: If you had to choose which city to survive a zombie apocalypse in, which would it be and why?

Lol this is a short answer because i simply do not wish to survive a zombie apocalypse. Though I grewup with low key a doomsday prepper dad and have learned a lot of survival skills I do not wish to fight that fight or survive a long battle with zombies. Please take me out 

6. Genre Love + DJ Shoutouts

Q10: What genres have you been feeling lately, and which ones have always stayed with you?

I’m always going to come back to jersey club and techno i want to see the crowd shake some ass. I love to spin at a fast BPM but lately i’ve been really into deeper left field bass music and dubs, I been going to a lot of those kinda shows in MTL and it’s been fun. I love a heart stopping bassline and love to hear some experimental sounds. This mix I recorded for yall isn’t necessarily the most vancouver rave scene kinda music but i know there are some folks into it in YVR ;)

Q11: Who are some of your favourite DJs and producers in MTL right now?

Fav DJs in MTL is hard theres so many ughhh in no particular order we have Kiju (@__kiju_), Asha (@asha.tm) & Runa (@runydoo) they’re a b2b duo so cute, honeydrip (@honeydrippp), and Lather Rinse Repeat (@latherrinserepeat_)

7. Raver Eats

Q12: Favourite eats in MTL when you’re peckish?

Ughhhhh this is hard because I try not to eat out as much anymore to save $$$ but when im home from a rave late night i order from Boustan because they always agave a buy 1 get 1 deal for their bowls HAHAHAH or poutine hehe

Q13: Favourite spot to nom in Vancouver when you’re here?

So many,,, but i love viet food so much I go to Ba le a lot or Merci Beaucoup Cafe on the drive and if i want cheap sushi I go to commercial sushi HAHAH can you tell i lived on the drive??

8. Festival Frequencies

Q14: Are you going to either Bass Coast or Shambhala this year?

Unfortunately nottttt because it doesnt align with my vancouver visit scheduled BUT both are on my to go list, Ive had many friends attend both festivals and I hear amazing things.

Q15: Is there one you think is doing better than the other?

Mmmm i think I would go to bass coast over Shambhala only because YVR djs are booked there and I would love to go support them but i think both have their unique selling points ;)

9. The Aug 1 Takeover

Q16: Are you ready to fuck shit up on Aug 1 during your set at SAF Rave 02? What kind of music should we expect?=D 

HELLL FRIKKENNN YEAHHHHHH its pride so expect it to be gay, ass shaking, heaby bass, and kunty ;) it’ll be very different from the mix I send y’all but alas there are two wolves who live inside me, one wishes for spooky experimental bass n percussion and the other craves sexy hard bouncing beats :P

Grab TICKETS TO OUR NEXT RAVE HERE =)