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Kenzie Clarke is one of the most successful DJs to come out of the Vancouver Island scene—although you'd never catch her saying that about herself. From her humble beginnings in Nanaimo, DJing at raves and clubs under the Sorceress moniker, to her current residency at one of Victoria's most popular nightclubs and two cross-country tours under her belt, Kenzie has busted her ass to bring her unique brand of music to dancefloors all over Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada and the world. "It's been a long haul, and I have worked very hard to get to where I am now", she says of coming up in the Vancouver Island scene. "If you are a DJ on an island, you can never look at a gig as being too small or not worth your while. Some of the most amazing shows I have done, and some of the most influential people in my life have been met at these small stepping-stone parties." The hard work has paid off, and Kenzie now has an impressive DJing resume: She's played with the likes of Krafty Kuts at his Supercharged night in Brighton as well as with the Stanton Warriors, Fort Knox Five, John Howard and many other heavy-hitters; DJed every club in Victoria and manned the decks at massive warehouse parties, tiny outdoor raves and large festivals such as the U.K. Glade Festival's Breaksday Stage, Shambhala, Soundwave, and at the Victoria Electronic Music Festival. Her talents go beyond the decks, as she's produced music solo and with collaborators such as Wagon Repair's Hrdvsion and Tide Pool Recording's Fractal (their Babyl-tr0n track, "Responsibility," was licensed to Perc Trax and appeared on the La Terrrazza - Atmospherical Fun Club mix). Recently, Kenzie beat out dozens of other Victoria DJs at Lucky Bar's So You Wanna Be a DJ? contest, landing her a Thursday night residency (called N.Y.P.D.) at Victoria's top night spot—just one of many residencies she's held over her 8+ years spinning records. To add to an already highly successful '08, Kenzie was recently named Victoria's Favourite DJ or Electronic Artist aswas voted by the local public in Monday Magazines annual 'M' awards. Part of Kenzie's success is her uncanny ability to read a crowd—and her eclectic collection of tunes spanning funk, disco, electro, breaks, house, techno and everything in between. "I am a firm believer in letting the dancefloor dictate my sound for the night," she says of her musical style. "Since my first days of DJing, I have tried to ensure that I am able to play and appreciate all forms of electronic music—and so far, so good. Let's just say it's sweaty, ass-shaking, fist-pumping, dancefloor partner-grinding, breakdown-yelling madness." Kenzie says her experience traveling across the country and DJing everywhere from Whitehorse to Montreal hasn't changed her original perspective on and motivation for DJing: to challenge yourself and have fun behind the decks. "Your perspective doesn't really change—or at least it shouldn't, otherwise you can disconnect yourself from that comfortable place where you were able to interact with your fans or a crowd," she says. "That would be the kiss of death for me, because that is my favourite part." So whether you catch her at her regular Thursday night Lucky gig, playing alongside a big-name DJ or stopping in for a show in your hometown while on tour, you can rest assured that Kenzie Clarke has the dancefloor's best interests at heart. It's her combination of determination, prowess on the decks and fun-loving style that's gotten Kenzie to where she is—and will get you shaking your ass.