What happens when music becomes more than a passion - when it becomes a lifeline? In this episode, Rij sits down with Antoine, a French-Canadian DJ now making his mark on the UK scene, who won a spot at the Naughty Parrot launch party and hasn't looked back since. But this conversation goes far deeper than music. Antoine opens up about moving countries to chase a dream, the journey from professional dancer to filmmaker to DJ, and his experience living with HIV: what it took to process, how it shaped his strength, and how it lives inside every set he plays. He also talks about finding balance in nightlife, the power of soul in music, and what it felt like to play in a castle with dancers and live musicians on either side of him. This one will stay with you. Key Moments in This Episode: The journey from Canada Antoine grew up in French-Canadian Quebec, trained as a contemporary dancer in Montreal — commercial style, working with drag queens, Pride shows — before pivoting to filmmaking and eventually landing in London on a youth visa at 29. He arrived knowing almost nobody and started from zero. From filmmaker to DJ The frustration of filmmaking — months of work, a network that didn't materialise, projects going nowhere — pushed Antoine to try something different. He walked into Pirate Studios, bought a USB, and started building. Six months later, he was playing a castle. The Naughty Parrot launch night Antoine submitted his competition entry at 11:30pm on deadline night — nearly didn't send it. Rij was about to close the entries when it came through. He listened. Antoine won. On the night, with dancers and live saxophone on either side of him, he lost himself completely in the set: "I looked at the time and I was like, my hour's almost gone. I completely lost track of time. It was another dimension." Living with HIV In one of the most open and courageous moments the show has had, Antoine shares his experience of being diagnosed with HIV in 2016. He talks about how the world was different then, how he processed it, and the years it took to find acceptance. His response was extraordinary: he wrote and directed a 30-minute film about the diagnosis — a deeply cathartic process that helped him forgive, grieve, and eventually find a positive light. The film is available to watch on IndieCinema.co (7-day free trial). His message to anyone going through something similar: talk. To your friends, your family. "They help you in ways you would never expect, and that you don't even think you need — but it just feels so good to express yourself." Music and soul Antoine describes his sound in three words: nostalgic, heavy, soulful. His dance background lives in the rhythm and groove of everything he plays. He's currently influenced by Brooklyn-based artist Jules Grant — discovered the track Alive and played it on repeat for three days straight. "You can feel it when an instrument is played and recorded live. He does it to perfection." The mix Antoine recorded the mix the day before the episode — and cried at the end of it. Tech house with a disco soul, built to hit hard at the start and pull you into a dream. "I want people to have a good time. That's the journey." Partying with balance Antoine is in his 30s, teaches fitness classes, does breathwork, stretches daily as a meditative practice. He used to party hard — until he physically moved away from the environment that made it too easy. "How can you create memories if you don't remember anything?" What's next Antoine is heading to Barcelona with his friend Misconduct to start something new — a new event, details TBC. Five-year goal: play World Pride. About Naughty Parrot Naughty Parrot is a nightlife and lifestyle brand built around one belief: music, moments and people leave echoes. The Naughty Parrot Podcast sits at the intersection of electronic music, culture, wellbeing and human connection. Naughty Parrot Radio. Be Bold. Dance Free. Hit us on our socials to stay connected with your community: Instagram TikTok YouTube SoundCloud MixCloud
