Give me a little backstory on each project.
Claire: I started Cheap Thrill because I wanted to bring in the kind of acts and music I really enjoy to the Montreal scene. I felt like there was a bit of a gap and I wanted to be able to play with new people. The name Cheap Thrill is meant to be a celebration of something that's looked down on or has negative connotations. I mean music, partying, dancing. All of those are deemed cheap thrills. But really I think that's a pretty valuable and powerful concept.
Matthew: Cyberia was started as an underground after hours rave project, taking over the building on Park and on the corner that was home previously to iconic DIY spaces like Silver Door, Drones and others. We continued in that line of independent DIY medium-sized event spaces. We'd been doing raves independently at different venues like Durocher basement, but we wanted to find a permanent space and that was the beginning of the project.
Kyle: After Covid, my friend Cashboii and I were into a style of music that I felt was missing from the scene. I’m into a lot of different styles of music so I wanted to do a party that showcased that but also that was a little cheeky and gritty. I started the party at Nouvel Établissement a couple years ago (RIP) and since then have done the party at Systeme and now SAT.
What motivated you to start making events?
Matthew: Mainly parties that I've been to over the years growing up in Toronto. I would go to a lot of drum and bass parties, both underground and at big clubs. Then at warehouses around the city. When I lived in Italy I would go to disco parties. They all kind of had an influence. These kind of dirty, industrial spaces that I would go to were one of the reasons I caught the bug.
Claire: I really wanted to put on events with the kinds of music that I like, and in Montreal there aren't always a ton of spaces where those are received. With Cheap Thrill I really wanted to throw parties that I would be excited to attend and play at. I’m always trying to make the atmosphere fun and have people be able to let loose safely. I think as a woman in the DJ scene it's important to try and take up space. We need more girls playing. We need more girls putting on events.
Kyle: Showcasing the type of sounds that I'm into. I also wanted to be able to throw an event where I have Sei Jean playing techno. Claire and I have a certain sound that's kind of similar and then you have say Ari Cherry playing like Editson Party music all in the same night. Keeps it exciting.
What’s been a main obstacle in doing events in Montreal?
Matthew: I'd say increasing prices and the police. I think they have to do with each other, you know. I've been almost exclusively involved in underground events and parties that are taking place in alternative spaces, like tunnels in the city. I've had parties get raided both in venues and in alternative outdoor spaces. I've had to hide gear and then come back later to get it - if anybody knows about the infamous Cyberia x Vault tunnel party. (Editor’s note: DUH, iconic Montreal lore.)
Claire: One thing I find super cool about Montreal but is also challenging is that it's such a DIY scene. We have an amazing pool of talent both in terms of the artists we have, and the lighting and the sound techs and we have cool venues. I think unlike big cities like New York and LA, the pay is less [here] so I think attracting talent can be a challenge sometimes. The other thing that I've run into is that it can be a bit of a boys club here. That's why I'm really grateful I get to throw events with people like Matt and Kyle.
Kyle: I’ve actually found it pretty easy and the parties sort of happened naturally. I think Montreal is a special place in that the community supports each other. The majority of my lineups kind of happen from who I’m hanging out with. I was going over to Ari Cherry’s place to hang and DJ in the summer and with Nastygloss, and it was fun so I was like ‘okay let’s do a party together’. I do think I was lucky to start a party when Nouvel Etablissement was around though, it was a very special time in the scene.
What do you think connects the three of you?
Claire: I think taste is a big point of connection. Kyle and I have so much overlap in our musical taste. It's sick, because it can be pretty specific stuff. So being able to bond over that I think is really cool. I feel like we're connected by our philosophy as well and what we think defines a good party and what we want to see. I think there's a lot of the same in Montreal. And working with Matt and Kyle and seeing their approach, the fact that none of us take things too seriously while still being super dedicated to the craft of the party, it's nice.
Matthew: I think you can bring interesting perspectives to throwing events together. Anytime I've done a collaboration event, it's usually with people that have pretty different backgrounds in music. Sometimes that's a good thing. You can meet in the middle, and sometimes it causes friction with people having different visions for events. It's kind of the same as a B2B set, you're not going to get the same thing as if it was just one person.
Kyle: I really connect with both the music that Claire's and Matt's into. I almost feel like I DJ like a blend of the two. But yeah, I agree with a lot that Claire said about not taking things too seriously but also caring. I think it’s kind of a unique combo. Matt and I have been close for a long time and you know, we would just hang out and DJ together before I started Power Rush.
What’s in/out of the club scene in 2026?
Claire: In: Multi-genre sets and dressing UP. Out: PERFORMATIVE SMOKING, bye.
Matthew: In: tech house, dubstep drum, and bass. Hard techno - sooo out.
Claire: Shirtless hard techno specifically.
Kyle: All of these answers are correct.
If you had to play only one genre for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Kyle: Oh man. Techno? Something that’s ethereal but janky.
Matthew: DRUM AND BASS.
Claire: Trance but also I would never willingly commit to one.
Besides Club SAT and your own events, what are your favorite events to go to in Montreal?
Claire: Gotta shout out Selim and Autobahn he’s killing it. X2C, Strawberry Gothcake. Been on a concert tip lately too, that’s a personal [for me] this year. Aside from that, I think the programming at SAT brings some really cool acts in, and Exposé Noir and Hauterageous have been so consistently good for so long.
Kyle: Virtualis, XOXO. Mayalabae is starting a new dubstep night called Ripple that I can’t wait to go to. I’ve been in New York so I haven’t gone yet, but can’t wait to check out X2C too. Exposé Noir and Hauterageous for sure, the New Years [party] was crazy.
Matthew: Vault, Virtualis, Hauterageous & Flush are some main staples, X2C, or events in the past like STM underground that was thrown outdoors, some SAT stuff, some old Lagom Parties.
