Art Department, the brainchild of Canadian DJ Jonny White, is tearing up 2025 with the same irreverent spirit that made the project a legend in underground house and techno. Once a duo, now a solo act, White hasn’t lost an ounce of that renegade energy. He’s doubling down on it, bringing his dark, hypnotic grooves from the basements of Toronto to dancefloors around the world.
This man has literally thrown a rave in an abandoned Toronto subway station (because why the hell not?) and then hopped on a plane to drop beats under a tropical full moon. As Jonny quipped on Instagram, “When the city of Toronto invites you to play a rave in an abandoned underground TTC subway platform … the dude must oblige.” Oblige he did, and now dance freaks across the globe are reaping the benefits of his globe-trotting madness.
Don’t let the underground ethos fool you, Art Department is busy in the studio, and 2024-2025 is proving it. After a few years without wax, Jonny White is back on vinyl with the forthcoming Paper Cuts EP on the respected RAWAX imprint. This isn’t just any release; it’s his first vinyl EP in three years, and it’s aimed squarely at the dance floor.
The EP promises a blend of moody house and gritty analog techno, featuring four tracks with tongue-in-cheek titles like “Jonny’s Inferno To Drums” and “Jazz Hours.” One standout track, Walk With Me, is a cross-continental collab that brings together White’s signature touch with fresh international talent.
This kind of cross-border sonic fusion shows White’s commitment to staying tapped into what’s real in the scene. No PR fluff here, just some cheeky Insta stories and SoundCloud drops to let the music speak for itself. Expect the Paper Cuts EP to hit just in time for summer rave season, and don’t be surprised if it sneaks into sets before it even drops.
The hits are endless. “Vampire Nightclub” and “Without You” didn’t just land on dancefloors, they defined them. These tracks are what put Art Department on the map, mixing deep house with techno in a way that made everyone stand up. Every release since has been a continuation of that evolution.
Their debut album, The Drawing Board, was a game-changer. White’s skill for blending emotional depth with dancefloor-ready beats shone through, making it clear that Art Department were here to make their own. The follow-up, Natural Selection, went even deeper, experimenting with sound without losing that signature vibe.
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And let’s not forget No.19 Music, White’s own label. With a roster that includes Jamie Jones, Guy Gerber, and Miguel Puente, No.19 is a haven for underground house and techno. White’s ear for talent has kept the label’s output fresh, pushing boundaries and giving new artists the space to make their mark.
If you’ve partied in Mexico lately, chances are Art Department was on your radar or on the lineup. White has been a fixture in Quintana Roo’s underground circuit, channeling that shamanic after-hours vibe that Tulum revelers crave.
Earlier in 2024, he headlined Papaya Playa Project’s legendary Full Moon party, bringing a dose of Toronto warehouse grit to the Tulum beach. Picture this: a thousand revelers dancing barefoot in the sand, the Caribbean breeze mixing with the scent of copal incense, and Art Department dropping a throbbing bassline as the moonlight hits the waves.
By December 2024, he was back again for another Papaya Playa throwdown, practically becoming an honorary shaman of Tulum’s party tribe. White’s sets here aren’t just DJ gigs; they’re ritualistic journeys, weaving deep house and hypnotic techno.
White’s connection to these wild, off-the-grid parties goes way back. Whether it was massive festivals or marathon jungle raves, he’s helped craft the soundtrack for countless nights that turned into mornings.
These days, though, he’s more likely to play a secret location or a stripped-back gathering in nature than a mega-stage. Whether it’s a beach hideaway, a rooftop in Berlin, or a warehouse in Eastern Europe, Art Department’s sound, psychedelic, sexy, and a little bit evil, fits right in.
As 2025 kicks off, Art Department shows no signs of slowing down. The Paper Cuts EP on RAWAX is poised to remind everyone that Jonny White still knows how to craft dancefloor weapons with the best of them. Rumor has it he’s also cooking up some remixes for fellow underground icons (word on the street is a possible team-up with old comrade Jamie Jones, though nothing confirmed yet. But hey, let us dream).
Tour-wise, White is keeping it low-key. No flashy world tour posters, no Vegas residencies. He’s more likely to pop up as a surprise guest at a basement party or drop a mind-bending 4AM afterhours set in a city you didn’t expect.
One thing’s for sure: wherever the underground is thriving, Art Department is nearby, blending gritty emotion with sweaty, late-night energy like no one else. Whether it’s a new track that becomes the season’s anthem or a spontaneous set that people talk about for years, the Art Department story it’s evolving.
In a scene that often takes itself way too seriously, Jonny White brings a refreshing reminder of what this is all about: losing yourself in the music and not giving a damn. So wherever you are, beach, basement, or forest floor, get ready.
Art Department’s in the house, and the rave’s just getting started.
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