If you’ve been out dancing in Montreal over the past few years, you’ve probably run into Mollygum either behind the DJ booth on the dance floor. Known for unapologetically calling out any creepy behaviour she witnesses, or anyone standing in the middle of the dance floor on their phone, Seven (AKA Mollygum) is a force to be reckoned with.

Check out her latest mix below while you read her experience connecting to the Asian communities in Montreal and LA, her new all-Asian label, and how she started DJing in the first place.

Also Cool: Tell us a bit about who you are and what you do. Who is Mollygum, how did you start djing, and where are you at now with your DJ/music career? Not to mention that you’re also an incredible chef over at Nice to Meat You.

Mollygum: This is my sixth year in Montreal, and I recently graduated from Concordia University with a BA in Communications. Right now, 50% of my career is music, and 50% is food. When I’m not making music, I’m making food. I was working at a restaurant, doing a pop-up and then doing DJ gigs on the weekend.

The name Mollygum came when I was in China, from a thought I had: “What if there was gum specifically made for when you're on molly?” I was working at a bar, and I started DJing based on a bet. It was an open decks/mic night. We had booked someone who had sent us a set, but when he showed up he played nothing like what he had sent. It was supposed to be an electronic night, and he was playing all traditional dance music. The crowd was not down, they were there for electronic music. I had to stop him, and told him that it wasn't the vibe for tonight. He asked me if I was a DJ, and if I even knew what electronic music was. I said, “No, I am not but come next Wednesday and you’ll see.” I borrowed all the equipment from a friend, watched YouTube tutorials, and had a great time. I even went down to the dance floor, forgetting that I was DJing, and someone yelled, “Where the fuck is the DJ?,” when the music stopped.

I started with my Chinese twitter name dobidobi7, but the more DJing became a career for me, the more I settled on a name. I was briefly DJ Apportez Votre Vin, but it caused confusion at gigs with promoters, so I changed it.

AC: You’ve been heavily involved in event coordination over the past few years, both in Montreal and internationally. You’re iconic for yelling at people to stop being too cool to dance, and for calling out inappropriate behaviour on the dance floor to keep the audience safe. What does event-planning usually involve for you, and what kind of events do you love hosting?

Mollygum: Montreal is trying really hard to create a safe space dance floor, but you still never know. When I think of the things I've seen and experienced, the people who are affected often don't feel comfortable or safe telling anyone what’s happening. They end up leaving while the harasser ends up staying on the dance floor and continuing to bother more people.

Everyone working at the venue has a job to do, and the DJ is often the only one actively watching the dancefloor for the vibe. In that way, I feel like I have the privilege and power to keep the dancefloor safe. If I stop the music, everyone stops. If there’s a person making someone else uncomfortable, I want to keep them safe. Every time I've stopped the music or done something similar, I’ve gotten positive feedback from the audience and venue. I'm not starting a fight, but instead giving a verbal warning that works really well.

In the same way that if you go out with a group of friends, you feel safe, but if you're alone you're way more aware of who's touching you and close to you. If I can make those people feel comfortable, that's what I want. Dance or GTFO the dance floor is for the people who aren't dancing, or who are on their phones, taking up space to look cool when others could be dancing.

AC: How have you been able to find community through the music scene in Canada and in China?

I actually don’t really have my own community in Montreal. Meaning, I don’t have a lot of Asian friends who grew up in China, and then moved elsewhere. I feel super connected to the community in L.A., however. It doesn't matter what category you fit into, there's some kind of community for you there. Here I feel like a part of my identity is lost.

I've met a lot of friends through good music, and through dancing. That's how we bonded, and every time we hang out there's music involved. They're always encouraging me, and helping me make my own music. They’re even inspiring me to start my own music label, it’s called, “Have You Eaten?,” which will be curated and supported by Asians. We’re not often represented, and we need to support each other and work together to be heard. If you don't have your own community, then start one. Maybe someone else out there will feel the same way you do.

AC: Your set on Club Quarantine a few weeks back was amazing. How did you get involved with them, and what was that experience like for you?

Mollygum: The night I DJed Club Quarantine, I was supposed to DJ a rave in real life. The event got postponed way ahead of time, but a week before the gig, Club Q messaged the event organizers and DJs to do a DJ night online. I checked it out the night before my set, and saw that there were 400 people on Club Q. Not only that, but there were so many people that I knew too. It felt like a Durocher party. The day of, we did a sound check, I got some wine, and I was actually nervous. I got a lot of new followers on my SoundCloud and Instagram. Someone even messaged me about my set afterwards! It felt very positive and supportive, and I DJed the afterparty for hours after Club Q had ended.

AC: How have you found community during COVID-19, and what are some of the ways it’s affected you?

Mollygum: Two weeks ago, my dad offered me a flight to go back to China. I had to seriously consider it. My life in Canada has become really important to me, so it would really stress me out to leave for a few months. Two years ago, I wouldn't have questioned taking a flight back, but I'm starting to feel like Canadian life is my adult life. I’m starting to plan for the long term here. My family doesnt understand it, they feel like I can just rent my room and leave.

I'm constantly on Chinese social media, watching how China is slowly getting back to normal, watching all the heartwarming videos from day one to where they are now. There's hope, people are out, and getting back to their day-to-day lives. For the large number of people there, they were able to get it under control in two and a half months. I’m feeling a strong sense of national pride for that. China is also helping so many countries, despite the intense external racism. I've even gotten messages from people warning me about going out because of that kind of fear.

AC: How can we best support DJs and the music industry during these times? What’s the best way to support you personally?

Mollygum: For me, asking for money for “no reason” gives me more anxiety than being broke. I know that everyone is struggling for money right now. I am very grateful for my friends who helped me financially when I was in a desperate situation and now I feel I could not/ should not ask for more. 1/10 of the people I know are working from home and everyone else is waiting for EI. The other day, someone asked me to DJ a birthday party of nine people. Everyone paid me $10 for a song request, and I ended up making $80. It was so fun and made me feel like I was really DJing again.

Now and in the future, party together more often, share my sets, dance to my music. Spiritual support is more important than financial right now. I would rather people pay for their needs and buy their groceries. For others, DJs and producers are putting out mixtapes and new music right now on Bandcamp, and buying their music instead of streaming it is the best way to directly support them.

When this ends, come to our gigs, don't ask for a guestlist and pay for cover.

Mollygum

Book her for your next (digital) party 7lovetoystory@gmail.com

Catch her next party on May 2nd with LOWSODIUM-4

Instagram I SoundCloud

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