Like so many of the good ones, the London DJ, producer and songwriter called Overwerk makes it look effortless.

Overwerk — Edmond Huszar off-stage — is already an electronic dance music (EDM) star in France. Around the world, scores of brands have licensed his music.

GoPro, Chrysler, Gucci, Lamborghini, NASCAR, MLB, NFL, CFL, FOX TV, Ford, Air Tahiti, Fortune Magazine — like that.

He also is among the first winners of a $10,000 Canadian music industry prize.

Those brands and industry insiders all know about Overwerk.

He’s 24. Poised. On track. Thoughtful. Yes, 24.

So it’s not too many years ago that London Catholic Central secondary school student Huszar picked up a CD by Daft Punk, a French EDM duo destined to become 2014 Grammy winners.

“CCH used to sell these random CDs in the cafeteria . . . they would have a little basket of random CDs,” he said recently. “I picked out this Daft Punk CD . . . I got their second album from the CCH cafeteria.

“They were a big influence on me. They’re French. So that kind of rubs off I guess.”

Overwerk remains a Daft Punk admirer.

Back in the CCH day, he was listening to other French artists and that’s helped him connect in France where he’s played dozens of dates.

“People can hear that in my music, so they just gravitate toward it there,” Overwerk said.

The hard work, focus and creativity that back up Overwerk’s success started at CCH.

The teenaged Huszar wanted to be a graphic designer and worked on video-editing skills.

Season after season, he edited highlight videos of the matchless Crusader football teams.

The gridiron glory spun off into music, too.

He was also DJing “all the dances” at the London school.

“I figured how to remix the music through my video editing skills,” he said.

“Then I just started to cut together my own edits of the music to make things exciting for my friends in high school. That’s what introduced me to music which took a life of its own.”

The DJing continued as Huszar moved on to Fanshawe, where he started selling music online.

Eventually, the music won out.

“I was astounded with how much traction that got,” he said of the online sales. “That picked up for me and I’ve never gone back.”

Right now, big players are looking to go with him.

There’s buzz about a bidding war as major labels seek to sign the Londoner. At the end of the excitement, he may still be an independent force.

Already settled is a fast and furious May, June and July, when he’ll be playing four nights a week around the U.S.

The agency organizing the tour and shaping Overwerk’s fest and club dates also handles Swedish EDM star Avicii.

“(Mainstream fans) might not have heard of him but he made $40 million last year, just playing shows. That’s not even licensing or not even his music sales. Just playing shows and touring, that’s how much he made,” Overwerk said.

Sounds like mainstream success to this Overwerk admirer.

Dates here have been rare, but Overwerk did play the 2013 London Block Party.

This month, Overwerk has been relaxing and creating in London where he still has family. He’s stayed close with EDM friends such as MDMK and Andy’s iLL.

He’s also staying true to his vision of the music, working his Macs and his studio setup.

Listening to Overwerk brings up emotions not unlike those which beat their way through the soul as a fine painting is observed.

“I try to tell a story through my music,” Overwerk said. “I like dance music but I also just like melodies and that emotional connection to music. I want people by the end of the song to feel uplifted and motivated. That’s the kind of sound I aim for.”

Did we mention Overwerk’s biggest hit — so far — is called Daybreak?

james.reaney@sunmedia.ca

Twitter.com/JamesatLFPress

THE NAME GAME

Defining his music: “I would say it’s dance music, but it’s electronic, maybe with some cinematic elements. People have been calling the whole genre EDM (electronic dance music) which I’m fine with that, or eclectic electronic or electro-house music. Everyone has their own name for it.”

Kraftwerk masters: Germany’s Kraftwerk were among the electronica stars who had mainstream hits in the 1970s. “I was paying an homage to them when I called myself Overwerk, as a homage to the early electronic artists.”

Media material adds the name Overwerk also stems from Edmond Huszar’s early passion for graphic design. Originally the title of a work-in-progress design portfolio called “over worked,” Huszar adapted the name, paying tribute to electronic music pioneers Kraftwerk.

OVERWERK’S MUSIC

So far: Debut EP, The Nth Degree, arrived in 2011. Followed up with After Hours. Then rewrote After Hours as a piano medley. Recent release is EP titled Conquer.

How to find it: All of Overwerk’s music is available for download for free or pay by donation via Bandcamp. Fans can name their price. All music also is available on iTunes and dozens of other online stores. See Bandcamp’s “name your price” link at https://www.facebook.com/overwerk/app_204974879526524

NICE WERK

Overwerk won New Canadian Music industry site’s Vista Prize, worth $10,000.

Vancouver band Said The Whale was second in that edition of competition.

Launched in 2013, the Vista Prize looks to top performing chart artists who are automatically nominated at start of every quarter.

After fans endorse their favourites on Facebook, judges evaluate submitted music.

New Canadian Music is owned and operated by the Canadian music community entrepreneurial advocate and supporter Slaight Music. See newcanadianmusic.ca