On June 22, 2024, during Escapade Music Festival in Ottawa — one of Canada's biggest electronic music events — Dersed and his close friend, DJ and producer Mark Vale, met Illenium backstage at the Great Lawn Stage following Dersed's performance on the Aberdeen Stage earlier that day.
Born Nicholas Miller, Illenium is one of the most influential artists in modern electronic music. Known for his emotional and melodic sound that blends dubstep, future bass, and live instrumentation, he has built a massive worldwide following and performed on some of the biggest stages, from Coachella to his own sold-out arena shows.
With multiple acclaimed albums and major tracks such as "Good Things Fall Apart" and "Take You Down", Illenium has redefined how electronic music can connect with emotions, inspiring a new generation of producers, including Dersed.
"Meeting Illenium at Escapade was surreal. I remember seeing him perform for the first time at Place Bell in 2019 — it was an incredible experience. I'm a huge fan of his project, and he has been a major inspiration for me and my music."
For Dersed and Mark Vale, this moment at Escapade Music Festival in Ottawa represents another milestone in their journey through the electronic music scene — a reminder of the impact that inspiring artists can have on the next generation of producers and performers.