Joel Thomas Zimmerman is best known by his stage name deadmau5 (pronounced "dead mouse"), is a Toronto-based progressive / electro / house producer and beat creator.



The name "deadmau5" originated when Zimmerman claimed to have found a dead mouse in his computer while replacing his video card. He discussed this with chat room users and became known as "that dead mouse guy." The nickname "Dead Mouse" was too long for the IRC character limit, and was then shortened to deadmau5.