Image Courtesy of Sled Island Website.
So Sus performed during Sled Island on Sunday, 8pm at Palomino (Main Floor).
TRANSCRIPT:
Kaamil (CJSW)
My name is Kaamil Kareemi from CJSW 90.9 FM, and I’m interviewing So Sus here at Sled Island 2025. We are outside of the Palomino because they’re gearing up in there. It’s getting loud. You are here to perform tonight. But first things first, could you introduce yourself to anybody who may not know who you are?
So Sus
All right, I’m So Sus. I make bass music. What does that mean? I don’t even know, but that’s what I make.
Kaamil (CJSW)
Fair enough. Fair enough. I mean, people will put different labels on genres, right? So first things first, what do music festivals like Sled Island mean to you as a performer and being able to be a part of them.
So Sus
It’s really cool. I’ve done quite a few festivals in a similar vein, like Tree Fort, SXSW and stuff like that. And it’s always fun, unfortunately, I only could get here today, so I didn’t really have time to explore the city too much. But, you know, I’m here, and hopefully, you know, meet some new peeps from different facets of like music and all that kind of stuff.
Kaamil (CJSW)
Amazing, amazing. And you performed at Shambhala, correct?
So Sus
Twice.
Kaamil (CJSW)
Twice at Shambhala. So you’ve described playing at Shambhala Music Festival as one of the most memorable moments of your career. What is it about Shambhala that captivated you so much?
So Sus
I think Shambhala, simply put, is my favourite place in the world. Whenever I’m there, I feel like I’m at home. I think there is just an openness from people there that you just can’t find anywhere else. And also the curation for the music is always like, really good. So it’s a ton of good music, a ton of good people, and it’s just, it was my dream to play there, and I’m stoked that I got to play there a couple times.
Kaamil (CJSW)
Yeah, no, it’s a very formative music festival, I think for a lot of people. Has performing at bigger and bigger stages and making connections with the influential artists, making those connections like you mentioned, with people in the music industry, has that changed the way you view the music you create in any way?
So Sus
I would say, no. I think I’m one of those artists that kind of sticks to my guns. I make what I want to make, what I feel kind of coming from inside of me. I know, you know, there’s pressure to make certain kinds of things, or, you know, even, like, ‘oh, you know, this type of music is maybe, doing better in markets’ and all that kind of stuff. But I kind of just stuck to my guns. And it’s, I feel like it’s been a payoff, kind of, a little- it’s taken a while, but it’s really starting to pay off now.
Kaamil (CJSW)
And is there a moment that made you feel like it’s starting to pay off?
So Sus
I think it’s just when I first started to tour in the States. The fact that I got to, play shows in a different country, that’s crazy. Like, conceptually, that’s bananas. I mean, I just sit in my room making music and then people like, ‘Hey, we will pay you money to come and play music here’, you know? And so it’s exciting to, just like explore the continent.
Kaamil (CJSW)
Yeah, and is there a song that you’ve made that you felt like, “Oh, this is the one.”
So Sus
See this, the problem is that it changes all the time. I think one thing that I think is cool is, the latest thing I work on is always the thing that I feel that way about. So, I would say, I did a remix for my friend AHEE. And I would say, that one is, is it right now. Yeah.
Kaamil (CJSW)
Is there one in the past, maybe earlier on in your career, that you were like, ‘I feel like I’m finally getting in my production groove, in the kind of vein that I want to be’?
So Sus
Yeah, so, last year, I released an EP called, “Call Me When”, it was like, three tracks. And I think those three tracks really had me feeling like, “Oh, I know what I’m doing.” And what’s cool is that EP got nominated for Juno so.
Kaamil (CJSW)
Absolutely, and connected to that. You know, after receiving praise and acclaim from prolific artists and the nominations and wins for other awards as well, what’s the next overall goal for So Sus?
So Sus
I mean, it’s just, you know, bigger and better. So, like, you know, crazier visuals, crazier tour vibes, bigger rooms, all that kind of stuff. It’s just literally the same thing, just bigger, you know.
Kaamil (CJSW)
Yeah, and for anybody who hasn’t seen a So Sus performance, how could you describe it to them? I know it’s tough in an audio setting, and you know people are gonna be able to see it inside in a few hours. But for anybody who may read this article after the fact, why should people come and see So Sus?
So Sus
Okay, so, you know, very danceable music, lots of bass. But also, I love, you know, my 2000s pop and I do have quite a lot of 2000 pops remixes and a more bass music kind of lane, and that’s really fun. So it’s some things you don’t know with some things, you know, but like, it’s just a big dance party at the end of the day.
Kaamil (CJSW)
Yeah, I think that’s a perfect vibe to close out Sled Island as well. As you mentioned, you haven’t been able to be here at the festival. Was there anybody that you saw in the lineup, and you were like, “Oh, I kind of wish I caught that.” Or is there anybody tonight that you’re like, “Oh, I’m looking forward to seeing them. “
So Sus
I really would have liked to see LVL, they’re a trio. They, they kind of are in a similar lane to me, an all girl group, which we love, and they’re just crushing it. They’re doing a ton of stuff, playing lots of places this summer, all over Canada. And it’s just something that I like to see, like, representation of, like, respectfully, electronic music- it’s kind of like straight white guy, so anything that’s not that and like it’s thriving. I’m like, yay, let’s go.
Kaamil (CJSW)
Yeah, and very much connected to that. Do you ever feel like a representative of Canadian music in some ways, and what might that idea kind of mean to you as a Canadian DJ?
So Sus
Yeah, I think one thing that people notice a lot is that there’s actually a lot of Canadians that are doing really well in electronic music. And people are always like, “Oh, these Canadians, what’s in the water there?” You know, I think people have taken notice that there’s definitely a strong Canadian presence in electronic music. And, you know, just to be a part of that is really great. And, you know, people are kind of always stoked about that. I don’t know, it makes people more excited that I’m from Canada than I’m from the US for some reason. It’s just how they feel about it.
Kaamil (CJSW)
Amazing, amazing. Couple more questions here for you, diving a little bit deeper into kind of how you’ve expressed yourself in the past, in other interviews and stuff. You’ve been releasing music for quite some time now, and kind of, what do you think is the biggest key for being consistent, even in like, the kind of challenging parts of your career?
So Sus
Yeah, I mean, making music is, to me, not an option. Like, I have to do, it helps my mental health. It helps me feel more calm, it helps me feel relaxed, and all that kind of stuff. So like, when I don’t make music for a while, I notice I get agitated, I get more anxious, and then there’s kind of a release that happens when I make it. So I mean, even if I guess the key for me has just been I make it, mostly for myself, it’s just a bonus that other people like it.
Kaamil (CJSW)
Well said. Those are all my questions. You kind of covered the other ones that I had written down, but is there anything else that people need to know about So Sus that we haven’t really mentioned in this interview yet?
So Sus
Yeah, I mean, I just want to go out of the way to say that I am trans, and trans right are human rights. That’s all, that’s all I want to say.
Kaamil (CJSW)
Very important to say in Alberta, in my opinion, as well. Final question, what’s next for So Sus, after Sled Island, after the performance tonight?
So Sus
I kind of got a fall tour going on. It’s going to be mostly U.S. dates, but a few Canadian dates, like in Manitoba and B.C. and stuff like that. So I’m just really excited, you know, to go to more places I’ve never been and share my music with people.
Kaamil (CJSW)
Well said. Thank you so much for chatting with me today, and I look forward to seeing what’s next.
So Sus
Thank you for having me.