Carlos Estebban

Toronto-based DJ, curator, and founder of Garden Disco, Carlos Reina draws inspiration from the spirit of 80s Balearic and 90s house music. Approaching each set like tending a garden, he carefully layers sounds, textures, and moods to create space for connection, discovery, and moments of bliss.

Carlos Reina is a Toronto-based DJ, curator, and founder of Garden Disco whose approach to music is rooted in connection, discovery, and community. Born in Colombia and raised in Canada, his earliest musical memories come from hearing traditional Colombian music throughout his family home, an experience that planted the seeds for a lifelong curiosity about how music brings people together across cultures, generations, and backgrounds. With over a decade behind the decks, Carlos developed his style through a deep appreciation for DJs who viewed the craft as storytelling rather than simply crowd-pleasing. Influenced by legends such as Hernan Cattaneo, Carl Cox, Laurent Garnier, and Danny Tenaglia, he was drawn to an era when all-night residencies demanded patience, versatility, and an ability to guide dancers through different moods over many hours. More recently, selectors such as Palms Trax, Antal, and Theo Parrish have further shaped his perspective, inspiring a more open-ended approach to digging and programming that values curiosity, emotional depth, and timeless records over trends. What began as a natural extension of being the person responsible for the music at university gatherings eventually evolved into a deeper calling. DJing became both a creative outlet and a way to foster meaningful connections between people. Whether playing to a packed dancefloor, a listening room, or a radio audience, Carlos approaches music with the belief that atmosphere matters as much as energy, and that the best moments are often found in the spaces between genres. In 2022, he launched Garden Disco, a platform that reflects his vision of music as a shared and inclusive experience. Inspired by the idea that a thriving dancefloor resembles a flourishing garden, the series was created as a space to explore a broader musical identity while hosting events in intimate, welcoming environments. What began as a dance music-focused event series has continued to evolve, expanding into listening sessions, workshops, and community-oriented programming that embraces the garden as a metaphor for growth, diversity, and collaboration. Carlos's philosophy is deeply informed by institutions such as David Mancuso's legendary Loft, where community, eclectic music, and high-quality sound were valued above spectacle. Those principles continue to shape his work today. Whether behind the decks or curating experiences through Garden Disco, he is constantly searching for records that carry warmth, soul, and a sense of timelessness. For Carlos, the perfect party is one where the dancers are just as important as the DJ, the sound system invites people into the music, and everyone feels part of something larger than themselves. At its core, that pursuit of connection is why he continues to do this work.