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What will you do on March 8th, International Women’s Rights Day? Our PAN M 360 writer Léa Dieghi is most definitely going to dance at WOMEN OF THE INDUSTRY, alongside Regularfantasy. Not you ? Well, maybe you should, you wouldn’t regret it… And if you don’t know either of them, now’s the time to read about them! “Who doesn’t love music?” answered the artist Regularfantasy, aka Olivia Meek, when Lea asked her when her passion for music began. Born on Vancouver Island and now based in Montreal—which she fondly calls the “French-speaking Peter Pan paradise”—the DJ and electronic producer has been on a steady rise over the past few years.
Between her collaborations with incredibly talented producers and artists like Francis Latreille (aka Priori), Cecile Believe, and Kristian North, the foundation of her own label Plush Records alongside D. Tiffany, and multiple single releases on Canadian and international labels (Mood Hut, Heart to Heart, Pear, to name a few), she has continued to carve out her musical journey. Bringing a housy, techy, yet groovy and sexy atmosphere to the electronic scene, she has become a zestful force in the industry.
An artist with multiple influences—ranging from Pop, R&B, and Rock to Disco—Olivia Meek eventually found her way into DJing and electronic music production. But it’s not just her music that brings the fun; it’s also her sparkling personality.
Creating new sonic worlds every time the musical wizardry happens—both with artists and the audience—we had the chance to catch up with her, in between travels, ahead of her performance with the collective Women of the Industry this weekend.
In this cross-interview, let’s dive into her mystical musical journey. But let’s also get a little more political, as we discuss the special Caba-Rave event happening this weekend in Montreal—an initiative aimed at promoting and supporting women in the nightlife industry.
PAN M 360 : Let’s start with the basics—where it all began—to learn a bit more about you. When did this passion for music start?
Regularfantasy: I’ve always had a passion for music. Apparently, my first concert was when I was four years old. It was The Barenaked Ladies (a ‘90s Canadian rock band), and I danced in my chair before taking a nap. Music was always around me in the sense of pop culture, and later, it became a way to connect with people. My mom loved music and concerts, and we had tons of homemade tapes and CDs—that era. As a kid/teen, I took singing lessons, played piano, violin, marimbas & bongos, xylophone, flute, musical saw, sang in a choir, joined an R&B band, played the triangle in a concert band, and took guitar lessons. I was always drawn to music, but it never fully clicked. Then I started jamming with people—playing guitar, drums, bass, or keyboard—and recording covers. Sometimes, I performed live at DIY events. I think what really hooked me was the community—the people, the friendships, the connections, the memories. It was more fun than video games, homework, sports, or whatever else teenagers were doing.
PAN M 360 : Why have you chosen to make and perform electronic music? What do you love about it?
Regularfantasy: I had a friend whose older brother was a DJ. He put some disco edits on my iPod that his brother had made, and I was blown away. That was around the time MGMT and Chromeo got big, and I was already really into the Bee Gees, so those disco edits felt like magic to me. At the same time, I was always going to the gym and looking for good workout music because they played terrible 2000s remixes of Avril Lavigne (which sounds good, I know, but trust me, it was not). The idea of music that makes people dance and have fun fascinated me. Then my friend got some turntables, and I started listening to more dance music, and I was just like… this is it. I can’t fully explain it, but something about electronic music spoke to me.
PAN M 360 : How would you describe your music? And what kind of energy do you aim to create in your performances?
Regularfantasy: Oh God, I don’t think I could truly describe my music, but if I had to, I’d say it’s housey, techy, vocal, and trippy. In my DJ sets, I go for an uplifting, groovy, sexy, and slightly psychedelic vibe. I like mixing genres in a way that’s confusing but also perfectly wrong. And, of course, I love good old-fashioned bangers. I want my sets to be fun but also a little introspective.
PAN M 360 : It seems like collaborations have always been important to you, even back in Vancouver, can you share some of your experiences collaborating with other artists, collectives, labels, and albums?
Regularfantasy: I love collaborating—with other artists, producers, visual artists, photographers, and labels. I love creating new worlds with people; it really excites me. But to build these musical worlds, you need friendship, community, synergy, and good ideas. You need to get excited about something together. That’s what makes collaboration meaningful to me.
PAN M 360: Since you’re performing at Women of the Industry on March 8th, do you have any thoughts on the political side of electronic music, particularly the role of women in the scene?
Regularfantasy: I mean, I have too much to say and nothing at the same time. I just want to create a fun, fruity space where people can dance. I love seeing both the girls and the boys up front, dancing their hearts out. My goal is for everyone to have fun, feel comfortable, be seen, and maybe even be challenged. That’s my mission.
PAN M 360: Could you tell us about your upcoming releases and shows? It seems like you’ve been moving around a lot lately!
Regularfantasy: My next show is this Saturday for Women of the Industry! As for releases, I have a lot in the works. I’m finishing an EP with Spray and working on a few projects with Montreal’s own Priori—we have an edits EP coming out in March and are gearing up for some longer, more official releases. I’m also collaborating with Cecile Believe on some tracks, which will make their way into the world soon. And of course, I’ve been working with Kristian North on our second EP for Rendezvous. Lots of cooking and most of it is nearly done. Stay tuned!
PAN M 360: Do you have a fun, absurd, or crazy story from a show or performance—either one you played at or just participated?
Regularfantasy : One time, I went to an after-party in the middle of the mountains in Ibiza, and there was a goat trotting around inside the house.
“They said it was close.”
“They said it was only a five-minute drive.”
