Sure, it’s Pride Toronto and Canada Day this long weekend, but as you know, we’re insanely psyched for Digital Dreams Canadian Music Festival, featuring the one and only Tiesto as the headliner. It’s going to be an outdoor party like none other with music lovers and fashionistas partying with everything they’ve got down at Toronto’s waterfront. We’re not gonna lie: We’ve been practicing our best dance moves around the office all week. We had the chance to catch up with Ryan Kruger, the Managing Director of Electronic Nation Canada at Live Nation. He’s the brains behind the festival and all Live Nation related electronic music events in Toronto, and so we were thrilled to get his insider scoop about the industry, as well as everything he loves about Toronto.
Give us a snippet about you. What should people know?
I’ve been in the dance music game for a long time. I’m pretty sure I attended the very first rave in Canada back in ’91 and went from punter to promoter within months. I started with a company called Mayhem, which I quickly followed up with my own Destiny Events and WEMF. I truly love the music – the people, the culture – and have been lucky enough to travel the world to experience what is a global movement from many angles. Bringing this culture to the masses has always been a dream, and it’s finally all coming true!
Finish this sentence: I love Toronto because…
…it’s the center of the Canadian music universe! I know people from elsewhere in the country hate hearing that, but I’m from Winnipeg and lived on the West Coast. I traveled and DJ’d in pretty much every city and town in this country at one point or another and nothing compares. It’s the New York of Canada and the only city that could have allowed me to do what I’ve done over the past 20 years. I live in the core and likely always will – I truly love this city.
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What are three things you simply cannot live without?
Well, my family, of course, but if you mean material things… I spend most of my time on my Samsung Note and my Sony Vaio laptop. For lifestyle, I love playing hockey and squash but overall I’m a pretty simple person. I don’t really get too caught up in material things. I focus on friends and family for my fulfillment. So the three would be family, friends and my Note!
What’s your favourite restaurant and why?
For all the time I spend in restaurants, you would think I would have one but I don’t… I usually let others decide where we are going. If I really had to pick I’d either say Jacob’s for the best steak or this hole-in-the-wall delivery spot we call once a week called Oriental Taste.
What’s your favourite drink/cocktail and where do you go to get it?
As with anyone in the dance scene, I see my share of expensive vodka, which is fine but I’ve really become a wine connoisseur as I’ve aged. A great California Cabernet or Oregon Pinot would be my drink of choice 75% of the time.
Who’s your favourite designer/brand and why do you sport their fashions?
I really like 7 For All Mankind in the denim dept. Suits by Zegna. After that, I’m pretty easy.
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Let’s get social for a mo’. How can people stay up-to-date with all your city-trotting?
Twitter, Facebook and Destiny Events.
