Jeffrey Travis “Jeff” Abel, professionally known as Excision, was born on April 29, 1986, in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. Situated in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, the city whose name means “Grizzly Bear” in the local language lies near regions known for dinosaur fossil discoveries. Abel has shared that as a boy, he dreamed of becoming a paleontologist. He grew up in Kelowna, though details regarding his parents, family background, and formal education remain private.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jeffrey Travis Abel |
| Stage Name | Excision |
| Date of Birth | April 29, 1986 |
| Birthplace | Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada |
| Childhood Aspiration | Paleontologist (dinosaur fossil specialist) |
| Debut Album | X Rated (2011 on Mau5trap) |
| Record Labels Founded | Rottun Recordings (2009) & Subsidia Records |
| Shambhala Mix Series | Annual underground mixes released consecutively from 2008 to 2016 |
| Stage Production Rigs | The Executioner (2012) and The Paradox (2015) |
| Destroid Band Project | Formed in 2012 with Downlink and KJ Sawka |
| Lost Lands Festival | Launched in September 2017 in Ohio (nearly 20,000 tickets sold in 48 hours) |
| Bass Canyon Festival | Launched in March 2018 at The Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington |
| Illenium Collaboration | Released “Gold (Stupid Love)” featuring Shallows in 2018 |
| Touring & Collaborations | Joint back-to-back sets with Illenium at Lost Lands and Global Dance Festival |
| Net Worth Status | Private and unverified as of 2026, generated via touring, festivals, and music |
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Founding Rottun Recordings and Early Dubstep Releases
Jeff Abel began releasing original dubstep tracks in the late 2000s. He launched the label Rottun Recordings in 2009 as a platform for his own music and for peers such as Downlink.
The imprint’s early catalog included the 2009 Boom EP, co-produced with Datsik and Flux Pavilion. Two years later, Abel released his debut studio album, X Rated, on Deadmau5’s Mau5trap label, introducing his signature heavy, mechanical bass sound to the North American bass music scene.
The Annual Shambhala Mix Series
Abel built a dedicated underground following through his annual Shambhala Music Festival mixes, released consecutively from 2008 through 2016. These extensive DJ sets blended dubstep and trap for the broader bass community. By 2019, he had performed at Shambhala eleven times, making frequent headlining appearances alongside his yearly mix releases.
Developing the Executioner and Paradox Audiovisual Tour Rigs
Abel developed elaborate stage productions for his live electronic tours. Around 2012, he introduced the Executioner, a custom, metal-clad setup featuring massive screens and a dedicated sound system.
In late 2015, he debuted his third major rig, the Paradox. Designed for synchronized audiovisual performances, the Paradox incorporated a modular LED setup and a 150,000-watt PK Sound system.
Forming the Destroid Live Electronic Bass Band
In 2012, Abel formed Destroid, a live electronic bass band that integrated dubstep with rock concert elements. The project teamed him with producer Downlink and Pendulum drummer KJ Sawka.
Destroid released its debut studio album, The Invasion, in 2013, featuring several guest collaborators. In mid-2013, the group premiered its live show using custom MIDI guitars and synchronized visuals at major North American festivals.
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Launching the Lost Lands and Bass Canyon Music Festivals
Abel launched two prominent bass-centric music festivals. The first, a dinosaur-themed event in Ohio called Lost Lands, debuted in September 2017. Organizers completely revamped their original plans when initial ticket sales surpassed expectations, with nearly 20,000 sold within 48 hours. Lost Lands quickly developed into an annual destination for dubstep enthusiasts.
In March 2018, Abel followed up with Bass Canyon at The Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington, produced in partnership with Live Nation. Featuring camping and a lineup of headlining bass acts, the inaugural weekend was promoted as a “hometown” celebration close to Abel’s own region. Both festivals consistently draw top artists.
Mainstream Crossover Tracks and Joint Performances With Illenium
Excision has released crossover collaborations that reach broader EDM audiences. In 2018, he partnered with Illenium on the single “Gold (Stupid Love),” featuring vocalist Shallows.
The track premiered during the 2018 Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas, where Abel invited Illenium onstage for the finale. The following year, the two producers surprised fans by playing back-to-back DJ sets at Lost Lands and Denver’s Global Dance Festival. These joint performances fused melodic and heavy bass elements, introducing his sound to a wider audience.
Excision Net Worth
As of 2026, Excision’s net worth remains private, with no figure officially verified by financial authorities. He generates income from recorded music releases—including streaming and extensive global touring as a headlining DJ.
He also produces and headlines major bass music festivals (such as Lost Lands, Bass Canyon, and Paradise Blue) that attract hundreds of thousands of attendees each year, alongside revenue generated through his independent record labels, Rottun Recordings and Subsidia Records. Specific earnings figures from these income sources are not publicly disclosed.
FAQs
Q: Has Excision released any studio albums besides X Rated and Destroid’s The Invasion?
A: Yes, he released the solo albums Codename X (2015), Virus (2016), Apex (2018), and Onyx (2022). Codename X reached number three on Billboard’s Dance/Electronic Albums chart.
Q: When did Excision launch his second record label, Subsidia Records?
A: Excision launched Subsidia Records in September 2020 with 118 tracks across multiple compilations showcasing diverse bass music subgenres.
Q: Where does the Paradise Blue music festival take place?
A: Paradise Blue takes place at all-inclusive resorts in Cancún, Mexico, following its launch in April 2022.
Q: Which talent agency represents Excision for his global touring and live performances?
A: United Talent Agency (UTA) represents Excision for his live music and touring operations.
Q: Did Excision develop another major stage production after the Paradox rig?
A: Yes, he debuted the Nexus tour production in 2024, featuring advanced stage technology, enhanced lasers, and larger-scale pyrotechnics for North American arenas.
