Canadian-based producer Vince Mulville: A Pillar of Western Canada’s Electronic Music Scene
Photo credit: Mully – Instagram
Vince Mulville, known in the music industry simply as Mully, has spent years carving a niche within the vibrant landscape of Western Canada’s electronic music scene. As the founder of EMENGY, his multifaceted career traverses music production, label development, and event promotion. Drawing influences from various genres including trance, progressive house, deep house, and ambient music, Mully has cultivated a sound that resonates with a growing audience and has garnered support from electronic music heavyweights like Above & Beyond, Cosmic Gate, Paul van Dyk, Markus Schulz, Ferry Corsten, Andy Moor, Andrew Rayel, and Glenn Morrison.
In a recent chat, Mully reflected on the evolution of EMENGY, offering insights into the importance of patience for building a lasting career. He also discussed the current landscape of progressive music and his aspirations for the future.
EG: Hi Mully, welcome to Electronic Groove. Where are you today?
Mully: Hi, thank you for having me! I’m currently on the west coast of beautiful British Columbia in Vancouver, where I’m based.
EG: Your EG Spotlight mix consists solely of your productions, which communicates a lot about your musical vision. What did you want this mix to convey before readers even dive into the interview?
Mully: Absolutely. For my solo performances, I focus on featuring tracks I’ve produced or collaborated on. I believe it’s increasingly important for DJs to showcase their own music in today’s landscape. That said, it all depends on the context and vibe of the gig. It’s also a fantastic platform to unveil your latest musical creations!
EG: Looking back, what was the pivotal moment when electronic music shifted from being a fun pastime to a potential career?
Mully: That’s a great question! I’ve been writing and producing music since high school but always viewed it as a hobby. My initial fascination with rave culture in the early 2000s seeded the thought that it could be more than just a hobby. The turning point came in 2013, when I joined forces with one of my mentors to launch EMENGY. Since then, both the event side and the label side of things have grown organically. It became crucial to my identity as an artist after the release of ‘What Are You Made Of’, remixed by Myon, which drew significant attention from notable artists.
EG: You navigate through various genres such as trance, progressive house, deep house, and ambient. What emotional insights do you glean from each of these worlds, beyond the music itself?
Mully: Yes, it’s a diverse range. Through Mully & Shvman, our sound leans towards mainstage trance, melodic techno, and progressive house, which injects high energy and excitement into my life. These experiences of performing alongside major touring artists have created unforgettable memories.
In contrast, my solo work as Mully leans more towards deep and organic progressive house, aimed at intimate venues. This project allows me to prioritize music production over live sets, exploring different musical avenues that deviate from Mully & Shvman.
EG: Establishing a label requires a unique kind of vision. What has building EMENGY taught you about patience and identity?
Mully: A record label is fundamentally a brand, and the appeal of that brand influences how people engage with the music. I started engaging with labels around 2010 and have witnessed the landscape shift dramatically. It has taught me that patience is vital. The right connections, ideas, and timing are essential in carving out an identity within the industry.
EG: With multiple arms of EMENGY, how do you decide where each release fits?
Mully: EMENGY has indeed evolved over the years. Initially a single label, we’ve grown to encompass three distinct identities. EMENGY focuses on more commercial sounds, catering to a broad audience. Emengy Bass captures bass music culture, while Emengy Deep dives into the more niche world of deep progressive house. Overall, we strive to release music that resonates across the electronic music spectrum while supporting the artists we collaborate with.
“The music is the first thing people hear, but the brand is the first thing people see”
EG: Glenn Morrison mentioned he’s been collaborating with you over the coming year. At this stage, how crucial is it to have someone guiding the broader vision beyond your individual releases?
Mully: I can’t stress enough how invaluable Glenn is. His depth of knowledge and experience in the industry has been pivotal for both myself and EMENGY. Together, we are working on numerous projects that I’m eager to reveal, and his fresh ideas and inspiration have injected new life into our direction.
EG: Many emerging artists seek quick visibility, but lasting careers take time. What do you think they often get wrong about building something sustainable?
Mully: There’s a common misconception in the pursuit of being recognized as a DJ versus being an artist focused on creating music. While there’s nothing wrong with wanting acclaim, true artistry comes from creating for oneself first. This industry is a long-term commitment, and I’ve seen many come and go. If your motivation is rooted in passion, the journey will not feel so drawn out.
EG: When producing now, what core elements guide your creative process: a feeling, a memory, crowd energy, or something less tangible?
Mully: I think I’m still figuring that out! A recurring theme in my music has been nostalgia, influenced heavily by the tracks I grew up with, like Tiësto’s earlier albums. When I start a new project, I view it as a blank canvas, letting ideas unfold organically.
EG: The Western Canadian scene can be underappreciated on a global scale. How has it influenced your thoughts on community, events, and sound?
Mully: The Western Canadian electronic scene is vibrant. Numerous underground shows and raves have been instrumental in fostering local culture. Our event promotion efforts span four provinces and feature major artists, which I take great pride in, and I am excited to push boundaries further. While I cherish our roots, I aim to extend EMENGY’s reach globally.
EG: In your view, what does progressive electronic music need more of, and what should it leave behind?
Mully: Frankly, I believe progressive house is thriving. Melodic techno blending with progressive trance has led to some incredible music. However, I think there’s a need for more appreciation for instrumental tracks, especially given the rise of AI-generated vocals. Although vocal tracks are popular, there’s a significant potential for longer, immersive mixes.
“If your drive comes from a place of passion to create art, then I feel the long game won’t feel so long for you”
EG: If you could share one piece of advice with your early self, what would it be?
Mully: Block out the noise, stay true to yourself, and just do it.
EG: Looking forward with the Spotlight mix, upcoming music, and label expansion, what future do you aspire for Mully and EMENGY?
Mully: Ultimately, I want to create longevity for the brand. Since 2013, our focus has been on identifying and nurturing talented artists and bringing them to new audiences. We aim to maintain the spirit of an independent label while exploring enhanced distribution avenues to compete in the global marketplace.
For myself as Mully, I’m eager to evolve sonically this year, pushing new sounds with Mully & Shvman and my solo work. Exciting collaborations are on the horizon—more on that soon!
EG: Thank you for your time and best of luck!
Mully: Thanks for the thoughtful questions!
Mully’s ‘Slipstream’ is out now via AVA Deep. Stream and download your copy here.
Follow Mully: Spotify | SoundCloud | Instagram
