Ciel (musician)
Ciel | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Cindy Li |
Born | Xi'an, China |
Origin | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
Genres | |
Labels | Parallel Minds |
Associated acts | D. Tiffany |
Cindy Li, known professionally as Ciel, is a Canadian DJ, producer, and promoter.[1][2][3] Based in Toronto, Ontario, Li is known for her solo and collaborative electronic EPs and for founding the label Parallel Minds.[4] Li is also known for her advocacy work for women in the electronic music scene in Toronto. Li was born in Xi'an.[5]
Career[]
Li studied English at Queen's University.[6] Her career started as the radio host of CFRS-FM, a station in Kingston, Ontario, where she emphasized music from women-identifying artists. There, Li developed an interest in post-punk and shoegaze music.[5] In 2015, Li developed Work in Progress, an event designed as an extension of her radio show and exclusively showcasing music by women-identifying artists.[7] Guests at the shows included D. Tiffany, Volvox, and DJBOYZCLUB.[8] The event was designed to push back against all-male DJ lineups and improve the safety of the spaces where performances take place.
Her debut EP, Electrical Encounters, was released in 2017 to positive critical reviews.[9][10] In 2018, her mix "Radio Buttons #20" was described as one of the best of January by Pitchfork with acclaim for its atmosphere and pacing.[11] Her second EP, Hundred Flowers, was similarly acclaimed as one of the best electronic records of the year.[12] In 2020 and 2021, Li released collaborative EPs with fellow Canadian producers D. Tiffany and Dan Only as Psychedelic Budz and Cloudsteppers.[1]
Style[]
Her work has been described as fast-paced, with an emphasis on breaks and synths.[5] She frequently uses samples. She works broadly within the genres of New Age and trance.[1][5]
Discography[]
- Electrical Encounters (2017)
- Hundred Flowers (2018)
- Why Me? (2019)
- Trojan Horse [Thanks for Enlightening Me] (2020)
- All We Have is Each Other (2021)
- Mister Saturday Night (2021)
References[]
- ^ a b c "Ciel MUTEK Montreal". Mutek Montreal. Retrieved 15 Jan 2022.
- ^ "biography • Ciel • Cindy Li". PartyFlock. 8 August 2021. Retrieved 15 Jan 2022.
- ^ Ryce, Andrew (June 25, 2018). "Breaking Through: Ciel". Resident Advisor. Resident Advisor Ltd. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
- ^ Kent-Smith, Jasmine. "Ciel, Daniel 58 and Yohei S unveil new label, Parallel Minds". Mixmag. Retrieved 15 Jan 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Ciel • Biography". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 15 Jan 2022.
- ^ Ritchie, Kevin (21 Oct 2015). "Discwoman touches down in Toronto". Retrieved 15 Jan 2022.
- ^ Edwards, Samantha (20 September 2017). "Local Hero: Cindy Li is making Toronto's electronic music scene a better place". Retrieved 15 Jan 2021.
- ^ Mitchell, Aurora (17 Feb 2016). "9 All-Female DJ Collectives You Need To Know Right Now". The Fader. Retrieved 15 Jan 2022.
- ^ Ryce, Andrew (25 Oct 2017). "Ciel - Electrical Encounters". Retrieved 15 Jan 2022.
- ^ Beta, Andy. ""Elevate (Go Off Mix)"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 15 Jan 2022.
- ^ Sherburne, Phillip (30 January 2018). "The 11 Best DJ Mixes of January 2018". Pitchfork. Retrieved 15 Jan 2022.
- ^ "The Best Electronic Music of 2018". Pitchfork. 13 Dec 2018. Retrieved 15 Jan 2022.
External links[]
- Living people
- Canadian DJs
- Musicians from Xi'an
- Musicians from Toronto
- Queen's University alumni
- Canadian electronic musicians