Ottawa Prog Vibes 095 - April 3rd 2021
Guest DJ: Rick Laplante (Ottawa, Canada)

Facebook: 
https://www.facebook.com/ott.prog.vibes 
www.facebook.com/frameworkmusic/
www.facebook.com/groups/whiterabbitottawa/
www.facebook.com/SundaySessionsOttawa/

Instagram: 
https://www.instagram.com/whiterabbitottawa/
https://www.instagram.com/frameworkmusic/
https://www.instagram.com/sunday.sessions.ottawa/
https://www.instagram.com/dj.alain.m/ 
https://www.instagram.com/ottawaprogvibes/

TRACKLIST
1. Bed Rock - Heaven Scent (Marc Romboy & Miki Kekenj Rework)
2. Der Dritte Raum - Hale Bopp (BSB's Stella Polaris Remix)
3. Monkey Safari - Beach
4. Rodriguez Jr. - Nairobi
5. Monkey Safari - Gravity (with Delhia De France)
6. Law of Physics - Lightforms
7. Eugene Pacscal, Sam Brickel & Louis Marlo - Caveman Algorhythms
8. Human Movement - Athena
9. Martin HERRS, Clemente - Manifesto
10. Robert Babicz - Sympathy
11. dreamAwaken - Kidish
12. Hessian - Oracle (Extended Mix)

When we talk about the deep pool of DJ talent in Ottawa, one of the goals of this podcast is to make sure we not only give it full credit, but also, that we make the rest of the world aware of it. Our guest DJ this week is someone who needs no introduction for us in Ottawa - not only a formidably talented DJ but also a guy who makes our city a better place. And one of the kindest human beings around, to boot.

Rick Laplante's involvement in the party scene began in London, Ontario in 1992 as a partner of Prism Productions, hosting intimate gatherings with good vibes and fresh music. Unable to resist the siren song of the turntables, Rick began basement DJing later in 1992, with his first professional gig the following year.

His main musical influences came through London's proximity to Detroit and Toronto, where frequent visits to these cities exposed him to some of the most groundbreaking underground sounds heard in the world. Rick has now been professionally DJing for over 28 years.

Rick's preferred club style is groovy and/or bouncy tech-house, with influence from his eclectic music collection - flashes of myriad genres from techno to disco, breaks to jazz and latin to lounge. He hasn't forgotten his musical roots from running the Detroit-Toronto corridor. You can always expect the unexpected when Rick blends several auditory flavours into his Dj sets.

Rick remains very active in the local scene of our Nation's Capital. He promoted a weekly afterhours event at Mavericks Bar called Sunrise Afterhours for its run of over 5 years.  Pre-pandemic, his current promotions company @Framework-Music of 10 years, hosted Sunday Sessions Ottawa, a long weekend Sunday dance party at Ottawa's legendary Mercury Lounge, and the infamous White Rabbit all-night dance event at City at Night. Framework Music has many plans in store for Ottawa once we are reunited on the dancefloor.

This is an exclusive set gifted to Ottawa Prog Vibes by Rick, for which I am very grateful. It is also spellbindingly beautiful, a masterful journey that makes it an instant gem for our series.

Ottawa Prog Vibes 095

Rick's Soundcloud

ABOUT OTTAWA PROG VIBES

Alain M.'s weekly podcast, Ottawa Prog Vibes, is now in its 7th year and is a recognized presence among Canadian Electronica shows. The show has two goals: showcase progressive DJ's from Ottawa (and Canada) to a global audience, and bring international DJ guests to an Ottawa (and Canadian) audience). 

Alain plays three out of every 10 shows. His mixing has been noted as particularly creative and smooth, a skill that allow his sets to be experienced as seamless stories.

An offshoot series, called Mellow Prog Vibes, is released every two weeks and focuses on more chill vibes, slightly more downtempo, to create a more relaxed vibe. It is curated by OPV resident DJ Boraa, who plays every other episode, with guest DJs playing the alternate.

Ottawa Prog Vibes and Mellow Prog Vibes are broadcast weekly on UK's Saturo Radio, New York's Chill Lover Radio and Ottawa's Blast the Radio.


ABOUT ALAIN M.

Alain M. started dj’ing in his early 20s and played a variety of clubs, big and small, in Ottawa, Montreal and Kingston. From teenage influences in progressive rock, metal and blues, and later New York and Chicago house, Dutch techno and early trance, his style has evolved towards the more melodic, infectiously rhythmic and thoughtful sounds of progressive house, with a particular fondness for Argentinian productions.

Over his 30+ years as a DJ, Alain has cultivated a signature melodic, danceable, and thoughtful style with enough surprises to keep even the most devout listeners on their toes. His live events, organized only a few times annually, are a hypotonic, transformational experience for attendees, putting the Nation’s Capital on the map for electronic music. He has organized and collaborated in a number of events including Levitar, Sunday Meet & Beat, Sit-Down Sessions, Shake my Thursday and Expeditions, attracting a thoughtful crowd who stay mesmerized by his melodic, danceable sets, always peppered with delightfully unexpected sonic elements.

Alain M. is also a guest DJ submitting regular sets to several radio and online outlets. He is a resident on X-Beat Radio (France, Belgium). He was a monthly resident on Abyss Sound Experience on QuestLondon Radio in 2021 and on UK-based Beach Radio between 2021 and 2024.

He has appeared as a guest on a number of shows in several countries including the UK, Argentina, Spain, Poland, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Peru, Turkey, Israel and the US. In Canada, he has been featured as a guest DJ at several events by Ottawa-based Music.Art.Ppl, on CHUO FM’s Vanguard Pulse Radio, on CKCU FM’s Lost In Bass and Mapped Out Radio, on Montreal’s Afterhour radio show and on Toronto’s ION radio show.