Ciel
Ciel performing in Detroit in 2019
Ciel performing in Detroit in 2019
Background information
Birth nameCindy Li
BornXi'an, China
OriginToronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres
LabelsParallel Minds, X Kalay, IK7, Planet Euphorique, Ecstatic Editions

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 CFRC-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 percussive sampling, lead synths, and bass tonality.[5] She works broadly within electronic and dance music. [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

  1. 1 2 3 "Ciel MUTEK Montreal". Mutek Montreal. Archived from the original on 16 January 2022. Retrieved 15 Jan 2022.
  2. ↑ "biography • Ciel • Cindy Li". PartyFlock. 8 August 2021. Archived from the original on 16 January 2022. Retrieved 15 Jan 2022.
  3. ↑ Ryce, Andrew (June 25, 2018). "Breaking Through: Ciel". Resident Advisor. Resident Advisor Ltd. Archived from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  4. ↑ Kent-Smith, Jasmine. "Ciel, Daniel 58 and Yohei S unveil new label, Parallel Minds". Mixmag. Archived from the original on 23 March 2022. Retrieved 15 Jan 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Ciel • Biography". Resident Advisor. Archived from the original on 16 January 2022. Retrieved 15 Jan 2022.
  6. ↑ Ritchie, Kevin (21 Oct 2015). "Discwoman touches down in Toronto". Archived from the original on 16 January 2022. Retrieved 15 Jan 2022.
  7. ↑ Edwards, Samantha (20 September 2017). "Local Hero: Cindy Li is making Toronto's electronic music scene a better place". Archived from the original on 15 February 2021. Retrieved 15 Jan 2021.
  8. ↑ Mitchell, Aurora (17 Feb 2016). "9 All-Female DJ Collectives You Need To Know Right Now". The Fader. Archived from the original on 16 January 2022. Retrieved 15 Jan 2022.
  9. ↑ Ryce, Andrew (25 Oct 2017). "Ciel - Electrical Encounters". Archived from the original on 16 January 2022. Retrieved 15 Jan 2022.
  10. ↑ Beta, Andy. ""Elevate (Go Off Mix)"". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 16 January 2022. Retrieved 15 Jan 2022.
  11. ↑ Sherburne, Phillip (30 January 2018). "The 11 Best DJ Mixes of January 2018". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 16 January 2022. Retrieved 15 Jan 2022.
  12. ↑ "The Best Electronic Music of 2018". Pitchfork. 13 Dec 2018. Archived from the original on 18 June 2020. Retrieved 15 Jan 2022.
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