James Benjamin
James Benjamin is a Montréal-based producer, DJ, composer, and Grammy-winning audio engineer, as well as co-owner of Breakglass Studios. His work spans club music, immersive sound, and record production, with a practice rooted in bass-heavy, vocal-forward, genre-fluid sound. Alongside his own releases and DJ work, he has collaborated with artists including Kaytranada, Purity Ring, Lunice, and many others across Montréal’s musical ecosystem. With the launch of Breakglass Records, the studio is extending its 20-year legacy into a label platform rooted in community, experimentation, and the scenes that pass through its space.
For this IRL Map to Montréal, James shares six spots that keep him grounded in the city — the places he returns to between sessions, sets, and everything in between.
Olympic Stadium Pool
An unexpectedly beautiful public space with a brutalist concrete atmosphere that makes a swim feel cinematic.
James Benjamin
St Michel Flea Market
A sprawling, wonderfully unpredictable flea market for antiques, tools, clothes, and odd treasures.
James Benjamin
Noren
Open only select hours, Noren is likely the best authentic, quietly understated Japanese food in Montreal. It's always full and always delicious.
James Benjamin
Snowdon Deli
Hands down my choice for the best smoked meat in Montreal, period. A timeless west-end deli.
James Benjamin
TNT Palace
One of those places that feels fully of its own world, with deeply satisfying Caribbean food and a real neighborhood energy.
James Benjamin
Osmo x Marusan
A café, lunch spot, and party space with vinyl always playing and a beautiful custom sound system.
James Benjamin