BTD009 – DJ Jace: Fine Grind Audio, Balancing Life with Music, New Album, East Coast & DJ Residencies

In this episode of Beyond the Decks, Robert sits down with DJ Jace, a quietly influential figure in the East Coast Canadian electronic music scene. Known for his humility and preference for staying behind the scenes, Jace has spent over 15 years not only as a DJ and recording artist but also as a mentor and collaborator who has helped countless DJs secure gigs and release music. Jace’s journey is rooted in a deep love for music and a commitment to bringing a great experience to every party he plays. From his early days spinning hip-hop at house parties to now co-owning the label Fine Grind Audio (FGA Recordings and FNGRND), Jace has consistently supported emerging talent while carving his own path in the industry. In this conversation, we explore his experiences, including the World Electronic Music Festival, his residencies in Kitchener-Waterloo’s biggest clubs, and his evolving sound that now takes flight into ambient music. Whether he’s mentoring a new DJ, creating therapeutic soundscapes, or delivering pounding performances, Jace embodies the spirit of community and creativity. Transcript: https://learningtodj.com/btd009-transcript EPISODE LINKS Jace's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dj_jace_jayruthfit/ Jace's Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dj-jace Jace's Beatport: https://www.beatport.com/artist/dj-jace/119835 Jace's Bandcamp: https://djjace.bandcamp.com/ UNDER THE RADAR, ON REPEAT & GUILTY PLEASURE • Under-the-Radar: Benny Knox’s Immense Power. • On Repeat: Beethoven’s classics, inspired by his son’s love for classical music. • Guilty Pleasure: Grimy hip-hop with booming 808s PODCAST INFO: Beyond the Decks is your guide to mastering the art and business of the DJ, electronic and dance music industry. Get New Episodes Straight To Your Inbox: https://start.learningtodj.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-decks-podcast-with-robert-simoes-learningtodj-com/id1758609395 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/34jVG0wkfNyinasE9G2jln RSS: https://learningtodj.com/podcast/feed/ Youtube Full Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@learningtodj SUPPORT & CONNECT Twitter/X: https://x.com/l2djschool https://x.com/robert_x_world Instagram: https://instagram.com/learningtodj https://instagram.com/robdeepmusic Youtubehttps://youtube.com/@learningtodj Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Learningtodjcom/61556544425570/ Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/learningtodj.bsky.social OUTLINE Introduction (00:00:00) Early Influences (00:02:01) First Gigs in Kitchener-Waterloo (00:05:54) Formation of Fine Grind (00:09:14) Residency at Revolution and Club Renaissance (00:13:17) Decline of DJ Residencies? (00:16:53) Community Vibe in Clubs (00:22:14) Balancing DJing with Personal Life (00:24:26) Starting a Label, A&R, Artist Development (00:36:14) Jace's Collaboration with A Poet (00:44:28) Future Releases and Projects (00:46:13)