The Residents Series checks out of Brooklyn this week, following a splendid encounter spent chilling with NYC’s Devon James Stewart. The tenth instalment sees us move north to what is often described as the cultural capital of Canada, we’re talking of course about Montréal – a city renowned and respected for its vibrant electronic scene. Joining us in the hotseat is Mike Robia, a resident at famed afterhours venue Circus. Following in the footsteps on Aninha, Anek, Pepperpot and more, the rising DJ and producer talks us through his ascent, the art of the warm-up and all things Circus. He’s also provided a killer live set exclusively for WWD Readers, showcasing his groovy take on the modern House sound.
WWD: Your residency at Circus is quite the feat for a young artist like yourself. How did the opportunity come about?
My after hour career began at an amazing venue called Red Lite, where I held a weekly residency for 2 years. When it closed in 2013, I was recruited by Circus Afterhours and started playing on a monthly basis in the main room. At first, I did the thursday nights and I’m now hosting the saturdays. Playing after hour sets downtown Montreal was a huge upgrade for my career and it helped me build a relationship with the house heads in the city.
WWD: It’s one of Canada’s most renowned afterhours. How would you describe the vibe there?
Unique vibe, big room but really intimate at the same time. The sound system is so good that it offers to the dance floor a fresh experience. I play tracks at Circus that I would never play anywhere else, the crowd is very receptive.
Since the clubs in Montreal all close at 3:00 am, the only place where people can dance all night is in after-hours like Circus. At 3:00 am, crowds from all around the city wait in line to get into that huge 2000 people venue.
I’m lucky to have a monthly night on the Saturday in the main room, which gives me the opportunity to play in front of a big crowd on such a legendary sound system as Funktion One.
WWD: In your eyes, what are the key ingredients for the ideal warm-up?
Everything has to be considered: the track selection, the BPM, the volume and mainly the energy of the crowd. It’s like an appetizer before the main course.
It’s all about knowing where you start and mostly keeping in mind where you’re going to create a great evolution. The best way to do a proper warm up is to know well who you are opening for, to listen to their music and to find out what they play live.
You don’t have to play a boring set, of course not. But you want to tease the crowd and keep an energy level below what the headliner will play. That said, you have to heat up the place so the dance-floor has a big energy primed for the headliner.
Warming up is my favourite thing on earth. After four years developing my take on the opening set, I feel like I’m in a strong space.

WWD: Who are the best opening djs you’ve ever seen?
NYC’s very own Todd Terry (whose more a legend than an opening act) did a massive warm up for Dusky at Webster All in NYC last year. He had the crowd grooving like a champ before the main guys got on stage and kept a good energy level till the end of his warm up.
WWD: How do you think the role of the resident dj is valued today?
I think that international headliners became a bigger thing in Montreal but residents are the ones that know the crowd and the city the most, so that will always stay relevant to have local talents playing for a local crowd.
Moreover, local talents need the support of their own city before getting gigs overseas, I think its easier to play somewhere else when you have great support from your hometown.
WWD: Aside from Circus, what are Mike Robia’s favourite clubs to play?
My residency at BeachClub of course. This venue is pretty much what paradise would look like for music lovers: pool, beach, palm trees, thousands of girls in bikinis and international DJs every week end. This past Summer everyone from Victor Calderone and Nicole Moudaber to Roger Sanchez and the more big room DJs stopped by. I also love places like Salon Daomé and Velvet, both venues offer a great vibe and an educated crowd.
WWD: What would be your go-to track to fill a dance-floor right now?
NVOY – All Night (Original Mix)
Also, anything produced or remixed by Rene Amesz is a guaranteed floor filler. I will personally refund you if it doesn’t work out 😛
WWD: What have you in store for the rest of 2015?
I have a track coming out on Cube Guys’ imprint december 14th! A very exciting collaboration with Etienne Osborne and talented singer Sandy Duperval. A bunch of great bookings around and (outside) the city, my monthly podcast, a few studio tips and of course lots of new tracks I’m currently cooking up in the studio.
Follow Mike Robia: Facebook // Twitter// Soundcloud