Michael Froh’s name may be new to many SAIT students, but his moniker is familiar to fans of Moose Jaw, Sask. hardcore outfit, The Holly Springs Disaster.
Froh fronted the band, which started in 2006, but now he’s spinning tunes as a DJ solo act.
The idea of a hardcore vocalist turned DJ might seem strange, but keep in mind another top artist in electronic music today comes from a similar situation.
“The funny thing is, me and Sonny (Skrillex) both did our first tours together, in my first band, and him in From First to Last (a post-hardcore band), on Warped Tour 2004,” said Froh.
Electronic music is also nothing foreign to Froh.
Even while touring with THSD, he worked on an electronic side project called Dear Solace that he began while still in high school.
But don’t ask him how long ago that was. Froh declined to give his current age, simply stating “Old enough, that’s for sure.”
Dear Solace was on the more melodic end of the electronic music spectrum, a far cry from the frenzied and glitchy tracks Froh currently creates.
While this may seem strange, he says  dance music has always been one of his passions.
“I’ve always been hugely into (it). Going all the way back to when I was like 10 years old, my first two purchases on cassette where Dance Mix ‘95 and Nirvana-Nevermind I believe.”
Froh said electronic dance music on the whole is gaining popularity among listeners, propelled by the worldwide fame of artists like Deadmau5. His aim is to make his own imprint on it and push it forward.
When asked why he decided to venture into dubstep, Froh replied with an interesting theory:
“I think it’s the natural progression between kids growing up, who are now old enough to go to bars and drink, and used to be big into hardcore or rap music. This generation can now get down kind of similarly to dubstep music, yet dance to it as well. All three music genres have the same type of drum patterns, if you break it down simply. That’s my theory at least.”
Michael Froh brings his blend of electro house and dubstep to the Gate on Sept. 23.