March 22 + 23, 2019
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
A$AP Rocky
A$AP Rocky has taken the music and fashion worlds by storm. In 2018 he released his highly-anticipated third studio album TESTING which has garnered over 1 billion streams worldwide landing at #1 on the iTunes charts in 16 countries upon release. With two critically acclaimed #1 debuts on the Billboard 200 for previous albums Long. Live.A$AP and At.Long.Last.A$AP and over 5.9 billion streams worldwide TESTING launches a new era for Rocky. Rocky has collaborated with many high-profile artists including G-Eazy’s 3x RIAA Platinum “No Limit” with Cardi B Mura Masa’s “Love$ick” Tyler The Creator’s “Who Dat Boy”. The past two years have also seen Rocky’s creative agency AWGE in the spotlight, launching partnerships with Calvin Klein, MTV, GUESS, Under Armour, Courvoisier, Dior, Mercedes Benz and JW Anderson and also launching the careers of new artists such as Playboi Carti, Smooky MarGielaa and more.
GRiZ
To his friends and family he goes by Grant Kwiecinski the 28-year-old kid from north Detroit who grew up on a healthy diet of American funk golden-age hip-hop and dance music; the curious producer who first began making future-forward music during his formative years at Michigan State University only to permanently abandon the classroom for the dance floor; and the fun-loving dude who's the life of the party at every damn party. To the rest of the world his name is GRiZ the multifaceted artist who's funkin' up dance floors worldwide with his self-described future funk sound which mixes electronic music with fiery live saxophone funk and sweeping electro-soul. Sax man. Producer. DJ. Musician. Label owner. GRiZ is all of the above-and then some. But beyond everything GRiZ is the shining force of positivity who's here to teach the world how to do one thing: Show Love Spread Love.
RL Grime
"An artist's second album is career-defining. The first full-length project serves as an introduction—and, if an artist can deliver on their vision, as Los Angeles-based RL Grime did with hisfirst album, VOID, in 2014—it is well-received and critically acclaimed. The sophomore album, however, answers the biggest question that any artist faces—not just if they canconsistently deliver, but consistently innovate.
Such is the stage set for RL Grime’s second album. RL Grime first came to prominence as a New York-based teenager delivering monster, viral remixes of Chief Keef’s “Love Sosa” and Kanye West’s “Mercy.” He established himself as a unique artist in his space with a striking monochromatic aesthetic, a series of animated music videos, and an annual Halloween mix that has included drops from Goosebumps author RL Stine, comedian Hannibal Buress, and Tony Hawk. After solidifying his fanbase with a few highly-regarded EPs, RL Grimeindependently released his first studio album, “VOID,” in 2014. It premiered as the #1 Electronic album in the United States and remained in that position for a month.
At that point—with over 150 million plays, rave reviews and magazine covers, and sets at the biggest festivals in the world including Coachella & Lollapalooza—most artists would settle for their success. RL Grime stuck to his underground roots and further limited his releases. He made rare appearances in collaborations with artists including Big Sean, Miguel, and Skrillex, and starred in Alexander Wang’s #WANGSQUAD alongside Travis Scott & Zoe Kravitz. In late 2017, he emerged with “Era,” a tour-de-force single that Billboard described as “exotic, massive, and full-of-left-turns.” Its epic, cinematic sound announced a new era and an accompanying album: NOVA.
RL Grime’s uncompromising artistry has paid off. NOVA was preceded by a sold-tour that included stops in Australia, Los Angeles, and New York. Its hype has only swelled in the absence of information surrounding the album, leaving fans and blogs to their own speculation. With NOVA, RL Grime looks to further distinguish himself as an innovator in music, treading the line between millions of fans and an independent sound, the underground and the accessible, popular music and real art."
Louis The Child
Louis The Child is compiled of Freddy Kennett and Robby Hauldren, who have taken the music industry by storm in recent years. With over 200 million Spotify streams later, the two Chicago-bred workhorses have done just that, not only spreading a positive message to their fans every show, but showing their fans electronic bliss through stadium-ready anthems such as "It's Strange," featuring K. Flay and their Icona Pop collaboration "Weekend," But their versatility and emotional range shines through brightest on most recent release, "Love Is Alive" (ft. Elohim), showcasing an understated tenderness, which Billboard praised as "soft and soothing.”
$UICIDEBOY$
We literally made a suicide pact,” notes Scott Arcenaux, Jr., who makes music under the alias $lick Sloth, of the inspiration behind the name $uicideboy$ – the incendiary, genre-rupturing hip-hop duo he co-founded with Aristos Petrou, aka Ruby da Cherry, who nods in agreement. “Working 9-to-5 just isn’t in our pedigree: if didn’t make it by age 30, we were going to end it all,” Ruby adds. “And we didn’t grow up with picket fences. Success just doesn’t happen to people like us, from where we’re from. Thankfully, the rest is history.
NGHTMRE B2B SLANDER
Presents: GUD VIBRATIONS
NGHTMRE’s ascent to the upper echelons of dance music stardom has been nothing short of dream-like. His meticulous production and pulsating performances have cemented him as both a festival mainstay and dance music tastemaker. His collaborations with Zeds Dead, Dillon Francis, and Flux Pavilion have catapulted him across the world, from Tomorrowland in Belgium to World DJ Fest in Seoul. NGHTMRE burst onto the scene in 2015, when Skrillex dropped his unreleased single “Street” on the main stage at Ultra Music Festival – electronic music’s premiere event. That record would go on to be one of the biggest trap songs that summer, and lead Tyler Marenyi to become the darling of Diplo’s Mad Decent imprint, an international festival superstar, and a resident DJ at Las Vegas’ famed Hakkasan. Tyler then embarked on a near sell-out, thirty-four city “Gud Vibrations” US bus tour with best friends Derek and Scott of SLANDER. Their GV brand has seen exponential growth with a worldwide audience. Back to back sellout nights headlining the Hollywood Palladium was quickly followed by selling the NOS event center with 10,000 fans. The boys are poised to take Gud Vibrations global with an Australia & New Zealand tour, a takeover of Red Rocks amphitheater, and a Miami Boat Party all on the books. You can also hear their weekly Gud Vibrations radio show on Sirius XM, electric area, with both NGHTMRE and SLANDER hosting the show.
Playboi Carti
Just a few years after edging into Atlanta's hip-hop underground Playboi Carti released his highly anticipated debut self-titled debut on April 14 2017. The tape debuted at #12 on the Billboard 200. His first release for Interscope Records and AWGE Playboi Carti features "Magnolia" and "wokeuplikethis*"-two chart-busting singles that embody the 22-year-old rapper's deeply experimental but hook-heavy sound. Both tracks featured on the Billboard 100 (Magnolia peaked at #8). Playboi Carti has also won recognition within the fashion world landing features in Vogue GQ and W Magazine. He played to sold out crowds last summer on his debut headlining world tour including festival appearances at Rolling Loud Coachella (alongside Lil Uzi Vert and Gucci Mane ) and the Forbes 30 Under 30 festival where he was selected as the 2017 Music Callout.
Dashboard Confessional
As punk rock proliferated radio airwaves, Dashboard Confessional cemented their role at the vanguard of an entire music scene. Facing familiar aches with tenderness and precision, singer / songwriter Chris Carrabba rocketed the band into mainstream focus, solidifying their place as one of the biggest alternative bands of the 2000s. Crooked Shadows - the return of Dashboard Confessional and the band’s first new album in over eight years - explores Carrabba’s reclamation of those simple yet extraordinary moments in life that long stood as the unsung heroes of his songwriting, as he reflects on experiences of his own and those closest to him. The result is a deeply cathartic body of work that traverses the complications and vulnerabilities of relationships while scrutinizing the possibility of self-improvement.
Gunna
College Park Georgia-based rapper Gunna became interested in music and rapping as a hobby in his early teens but got more serious about the possibility of a career in hip-hop around 2016 when he was introduced to Atlanta MC Young Thug by a mutual friend. The two developed a friendship and before long Gunna was in the studio hopping on Young Thug's track "Floyd Mayweather " where he lent a verse alongside rap superstars Gucci Mane and Travis ScotBy late 2016 he'd released the Drip Season mixtape and followed it with Drip Season 2 in the summer of 2017 and toured the US with Playboi Carti. Gunna's latest offering Drip Season 3 was executive produced by Metro Boomin and features Young Thug NAV Lil Baby Lil Uzi Vert. He is currently traveling with Travis Scott on his Astroworld – Wish You Were Here Tour.
Claude VonStroke
In this day and age of music cross-polination Claude VonStroke sits at the forefront of all that is good proper and most importantly fun. VonStroke is just as relaxed in his home studio building beats as he is dropping massive underground records in a room filled by thousands. DJ-wise his relentless touring of every major city festival and basement after-party around the world has only enriched his unique perspective on music. As the owner of the record label DIRTYBIRD Claude also built an impeccable A&R roster. Today DIRTYBIRD continues to surprise and innovate in the underground dance scene releasing an enigmatic combination of house funk dirty-bass and electronica. He is grateful to be curating, creating, and performing music for a living and he knows that the reason people go to parties is to shake their booty and have fun.
Mayday Parade
The sixth studio album from Tallahassee-based rock band Mayday Parade, Sunnyland gets its title from an abandoned hospital where the band members used to sneak in to explore as teenagers. “The hospital shut down sometime in the mid-’80s but then it just stayed there for decades,” says lead vocalist Derek Sanders. “It was a super-creepy place—it was overgrown with vines, and still had some of the hospital beds and IV stands—but we have all these good memories of hanging out there when we were younger.”
Toro Y Moi
The most recent Toro Y Moi album Outer Peace is somewhat of a homecoming celebration filled with features by friends and saturated with a playfulness that had not previously been embraced in past Toro albums. Outer Peace stands in contrast to the more sparse and contemplative Boo Boo an album recorded while in Portland in relative isolation. With Outer Peace Chaz showcases his ability to remain on the cutting edge of music's evolution while not taking himself too seriously. There are contemporary hip hop references mixed in with funk Eurodance and ambient elements all interwoven expertly and retaining that quintessential Toro Y Moi aesthetic. Outer Peace is the most recent step along Toro Y Moi's journey promising the listener a little slice of insight into the complex and dynamic mind of Chaz Bear.
The Black Madonna
Marea Stamper has experienced another phenomenal year as The Black Madonna. She joined dance music heavyweights Dixon, Tale Of Us, and Solomun in the new Grand Theft Auto update with her own We Believe station which includes unreleased music from herself & others. Her We Still Believe parties have continued to amass followers internationally with a sold-out block party in London, all-night-long shows in Europe, and hosting stages at numerous festivals around the globe. Her inimitable energy, infectious joy and ability to connect with the room continues to cement her reputation as one of the most sought after DJs in the world. She's used her grit and talent to propel herself into a world that not long ago would have rejected someone outside of its conventions. Marea continues to support marginalized voices in the electronic music scene unafraid to vocalize her political views - working to help diversify the community.
Getter: Visceral
Entrepreneur, creative director, label owner are just a few titles American music producer Tanner Petulla, professionally known as Getter, can claim. With the launch of his own clothing line Trippy Burger, that sits in multiple Zumiez stores nationwide, the creation of his own label “Shred Collective”, appearances on Last Call with Carson Daly for his own musical productions and constantly touring world- wide, Getter has become a house-hold name.
J.I.D
Born and raised in East Atlanta J.I.D first appeared on the Atlanta hip-hop scene with his debut EP DiCaprio in 2015. After a stint at Hampton University playing football J.I.D hooked up with fellow MCs as part of the Spillage Village collective. By 2012 he dropped out of college to focus on music and headed out on tour with EarthGang Bas and Ab-Soul. A year later he dropped the DiCaprio EP which saw him team up with a host of producers as well as EarthGang. In 2017 he announced that he had signed to J. Cole's Dreamville label which released the single “Never” and full-length The Never Story at the beginning of the year. In September of 2018 he issued the single "151 Rum” and most recently “Off Deez” ft J.Cole. DiCaprio 2 his sophomore full-length album and sequel to his 2015 EP drops on 11/26/18. ~Rich Wilson
Ekali
Ekali is more than just an alter ego for musician Nathan Shaw. It’s not only the name for an electronic production project that—just a few months after posting his first track—brought a level of recognition that most artists spend a career dreaming about. It’s also a reflection of a remarkable musical journey that’s led him far outside the crowded beat-making field. Ekali made his official Coachella debut at the Sahara tent this year–following up his 2016 set at the Do Lab stage–just after releasing his latest single “Forever". Co-produced with Medasin, and featuring vocals by alt-pop phenom Elohim, the psychedelic-tinged track has earned millions of plays across all platforms.
Yaeji
Yaeji’s music is an invitation into an intimate, healing, world exploring cultural identity and self-reflection through dreamlike house productions that morph from whispery confessionals to dancefloor burners. Born in Queens, NY to South Korean parents, Yaeji repatriated to Seoul shortly after, where she spent her formative years attending school, learning Korean and English side-by-side. Yaeji returned to America to study fine arts, east asian studies, and communication design at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Throughout her studies, Yaeji made a home for herself at the college radio station, where she was introduced to the local underground electronic music community and seminal club nights like Hot Mass, all formative experiences leading to her fascination with dance music production. With her fully-fledged music obsession in tow, Yaeji moved back to her birth city after graduation and began cultivating her own community of artists and DJs in Brooklyn’s local dance scene while recording music of her own. Yaeji’s first musical offering, her self-titled Yaeji EP, found the producer merging her club influences with songwriting and hazy raps flitting between Korean and English. Most recently, Yaeji followed up her debut with EP2, featuring singles “Drink I’m Sippin On” and “Raingurl.” EP2 marks Yaeji’s ascendance as a singular and leading voice in dance, hip-hop and avant-pop music.
TOKiMONSTA
Born and raised in the South Bay area of Los Angeles, TOKiMONSTA (Jennifer Lee) was an unfocused pupil of classical piano. However, she has come to use this background to create vast textural soundscapes by utilizing live instruments, percussion, digital manipulation, and dusty vinyl. Through the creation of beats, she is able to fuse vintage sounds with progressive styles into something unique.
G Jones
Greg Jones is the artist behind the enigmatic G JONES moniker- a California native who cut his teeth in the underground bass music scene in Santa Cruz and the Bay Area in the early 10’s. A lauded master of electronic music production and highly sought after performer, G Jones is a frequent collaborator of legendary artists including Bassnectar, Eprom and DJ Shadow, who called Jones “the most gifted Ableton beatmaker I’ve ever seen.” His recent track “In Your Head” was added to the Bass Arcade Spotify playlist which accumulated more than 320K followers within a day of being created and published. Rolling Stone touted him a “studio wizard.” Billboard Magazine had this to say about his album’s first single, “understanding the possibility": “That's what listening to G Jones will do. It's a mental minefield of sudden drops and stutters, bass lines that open holes under your feet and send you shooting sideways to some warped mystery land.”
Liquid Stranger
Liquid Stranger's omnifarious approach to music has led him to stand out amongst a pack of artists desperately trying conform to a commercial demand. Proven to be a timeless staple to the world of electronic dance music by bridging the gap between mellow and heavy, what's next can not be foreseen for this contrastive musician. In an ever-evolving universe, the art of maintaining complete and total fluidity is the most necessary key for survival. Renowned for his metamorphic capabilities and expertly crafted sonic adventures, Liquid Stranger has mastered his ability to slip in and out of genres all while honing his own personal style.
Kero Kero Bonito
Kero Kero Bonito is a three-piece pop band from London England. Members Sarah Midori Perry Gus Lobban and Jamie Bulled started making music together after meeting on a web forum in 2013 and have since gone on to successfully release multiple singles (Intro Bonito mixtape "Flamingo") a debut full-length album (Bonito Generation) and EP (TOTEP). Amidst changes in their personal lives the band returned to the suburbs in 2017 and started writing songs on the instruments they grew up with. This shift in their writing process led to all three members performing as a band for the first time. The slick MIDI heavy production found on earlier releases has subsided to now include heavily distorted guitars a full drum kit and the addition of more analog arrangements. The result is the group's sophomore album Time 'n' Place which was released October 1 2018.
Kasbo
Out now through Counter Records and ODESZA's own Foreign Family Collective, Kasbo’s “Places We Don't Know” is the debut LP he’s merely hinted at for the past four years. “Places We Don’t Know” has already garnered more than 60 million collective streams and recognition from Fader, Billboard, and more. Kasbo having recently wrapped up his massively successful Places We Don’t Know: Part 2 tour in North American and will join ODESZA on their European tour in January 2019, before starting a large festival run in the spring.
1788-L
Shrouded in mystique 1788-L has enraptured the world of dance music with intense and sudden ferocity. In addition to defying classification the self-proclaimed android has maintained a relentless output releasing five original productions four remixes and collaborations with Illenium and Said The Sky and another with REZZ all within six months - and in such a short time 1788-L has already become a ubiquitous part of countless DJ sets garnering early support from Zeds Dead Seven Lions RL Grime Ekali and many more.
EARTHGANG
Hip-hop duo Johnny "Olu O. Fann" Venus and Doctur "Eian Undrai Parker" Dot formed in 2009 on the Southside of Atlanta, Georgia, and became known as EarthGang. After meeting in high school, they continued to make music together. They began working on their first EP while at Hampton University, and The Better Party was released in 2010. The following year they self-released two full-length albums, Mad Men and Good News. In 2013 they made their Spillage Village label debut with Shallow Graves for Toys, which reached number 11 on Billboard's Emerging Artists chart. 2015 saw the release of Strays with Rabies, which included features from J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and DJ Khalil. EarthGang signed to J.Cole's Dreamville Records in 2017, and the following day dropped Rags. Their second EP in the trilogy Robots was released on October 20, and the third titled Royalty was released earlier this year.~Bekki Bemrose
Roy Blair
Hailing from Pasadena, CA, 22 Year-Old musician, producer, director, & designer, Roy Blair, cut his teeth working alongside Brockhampton’s Kevin Abstract, who he sang backup for on his American Boyfriend tour. Blair’s promising debut, Cat Heaven, and recently released single “Dennis”, show an artist with the willingness to evolve and create a quintessential universe for his art to flourish in. Blair has come a long way from those days of sneaking into shows he was too young to get into. Now at the start of a promising solo career, the rapper-singer teeters between a nostalgic VHS-aesthetic and a deeply modern way of reflection—watch the videos for “Perfume” and “Happy,” released earlier this year, side by side and you’ll find a young creative with a visual depth, emotional range, and a strong grasp pop sensibility.
Rico Nasty
Candy and music share quite a bit in common. One taste, and you’re hooked. One listen, and you keep pressing play over and over again… Sweet, salty, and sassy, Rico Nasty raps hollow point hooks and carries candy-coated choruses over a stream of bright, buoyant production as if she re-built Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory in the hood surrounded by a plume of good smoke. Known to wear LED signage on her platform boots and equally influenced by Sailor Moon and The Purge, the DMV rapper, producer, and singer turns up with 14 chaotic confections on her 2017 offering, Sugar Trap 2. “It’s a sugar rush when you listen to me,” she grins. “Once you hear it, you’re like, ‘Whoa, what the fuck? I just want to eat more.’ I call it the ‘Candy Effect’. That’s Sugar Trap 2. This world welcomes everyone. It’s only getting bigger by the day. Eat it up now.”
Doja Cat
Born and raised in L.A. Doja Cat made her first upload to Soundcloud in 2013 at just 16-years-old. She developed a knack for music by studying piano and dance as a kid and listening to the likes of Busta Rhymes Erykah Badu Nicki Minaj Drake and more. In August 2018 she released what would become her viral hit “Mooo!” which enjoyed over 10 million views on YouTube and Twitter in just a couple of days and was met with critical acclaim. With co-signs from Chance The Rapper Katy Perry Chris Brown and J.Cole among others “Mooo!” propelled Doja Cat forward and added many fans to her already feverishly loyal fan base. She went on to embark on a sold out headlining North American tour this past fall and is gearing up for new.
We Came As Romans
To be an artist—especially in the heavy music realm—is to take on the mentality and nature of a shark. On one level, you have to be hungry and willing to chase down success as if it were elusive prey. On another level, however, you have to stay moving: without development and growth, complacency and stagnation weigh heavy, dragging even the most solid debut sounds and styles into the dreary depths of monotony and boredom. When it comes to capturing this mentality and making the most of it, few bands have done it as well as Michigan post-hardcore outfit We Came As Romans. In their expansive tenure as a band, they've released four full-length releases, charted #8, #11 and #21 respectively on the Billboard Top 200, performed in five continents and 40 different countries and that doesn't even begin to touch on what they have in the works for 2019.
From First to Last (DJ Set)
From First To Last have released their new song “Surrender”, featuring all original members of the band. The song was co-written and co-produced by Skrillex who also performs lead vocals. FFTL’s previous single was the surprise release “Make War” which marked their first reunion in more than a decade, earning over 13 million plays to date. Skrillex first dropped "Surrender" in July of 2018 on Reddit followed by a world premiere on KROQ and an on-air interview.
Yves Tumor
Yves Tumor? Try to unravel, and the dimensions and personas spill out like the cracked and warped contents of a grotesquely beautiful matryoshka doll. A gothic soundscape auteur? Details are scant, so the music does most of the talking… To see Yves Tumor step upon a stage is to be thrashed by a howling cyberpunk fiend - yet filter the recorded output and be treated to a kaleidoscopic union of classic songwriting and lobotomized sound experiments. The duality unveils subtly but hints and images can be parsed from music and lyrics, giving that impression that on experience and listen it just might be possible that everything will come into a pop perfect focus. To see Yves Tumor step upon a stage is to be thrashed by a howling cyberpunk fiend - yet filter the recorded output and be treated to a kaleidoscopic union of classic songwriting and lobotomized sound experiments. The duality unveils subtly but hints and images can be parsed from music and lyrics, giving that impression that on experience and listen it just might be possible that everything will come into a pop perfect focus.
Kidswaste
French producer Kidswaste's music can most easily be described as a playful blend of electronic, pop, dance, and indie. His music plays intimate and warm, like the crackle of a campfire on a calm and lonely night. It's tinged with folk touches, fleshed out with clear guitar cords and lots of organic textures.
Sunsquabi
A three-piece suit - SunSquabi has been catching the eyes and ears of music fans around the world with their ever-evolving sound in the studio and on the live stage. SunSquabi has gained national attention for their unique way of producing music. The band’s live show can be described as an ‘Electronic Hydro Funk Experience’ that is different every single time out.
Combining the talents of Kevin Donohue (guitars/keys/production) Josh Fairman (bassist/synth) and Chris Anderson (drums). This project is a disciplined and structured group. It takes a seasoned musician to stay in the pocket for the sake of building well-developed lines and climaxes. To do that seamlessly requires patience and skill. “It’s kinda like breathing, honestly. We can communicate directly with each other both verbally and non-verbally, onstage and off.” That connection will take the music collectively where we all want to go.” – Kevin Donohue
WHIPPED CREAM
Vancouver Island based, WHIPPED CREAM aka Caroline Cecil, has spent her life fully immersed in music. Transcending multiple genres, her style can only really be described as 'limitless'. Following her 'Persistence' EP released in late 2017 on Skrillex's owned and operated Nest HQ, her hit single off the EP 'Ignorant' has received millions of plays and caught the attention of some of the biggest players in electronic music today. In 2018, Caroline joined United Talent Agency and Prodigy Artists, and landed a label deal with industry titan Big Beat/Atlantic Records. As a performer, she has played over 100 shows throughout the year, including mainstage festival performances at HARD Summer, Shambhala and Electric Zoo to name a few. WHIPPED CREAM’s “persistence” has fueled her passion in the studio and on the stage and she is extremely excited to be performing in New Orleans for the first time at BUKU!
Dounia
Queens-born and Moroccan raised, Dounia is a unique talent who has been amassing an impressive following with her relatable songs and personality, using her platform to champion body positivity, activism as well as her musical talent. Debuting in 2017 with the genre-bending “Intro To” EP, Dounia has garnered critical praise from the likes of TIME Magazine, The FADER, Dazed, VICE and Highsnobiety, among others.
Mersiv
The Mersiv Sound Project is the brainchild of Anderson Benoit Gallegos. Producer/DJ Anderson has been developing a unique pretty-dark-loud style of bass music since he started his musical journey in 2015. The intentions of this project are to bring people into the present moment through a Mersiv experience.
sfam
The experimental bass scene is on the rise, but few have cut through the noise like New Orleans duo, sfam, comprised of Jacob Hoerner & Michael Pearson. They’ve positioned themselves as one of the most impressive and innovative new acts in bass music.
Taking inspirations from their love for heavy bass and minimal trap beats - sfam has formulated a dark, distinct sound of unique, amorphous, original beats that have gotten them support from industry tastemakers such as UZ, Bassnectar, Dirt Monkey, sumthin sumthin, Kai Wachi, Toadface, CRAZE & more.
Fresh off the release of their latest EP on Drama Club Recordings, sfam proves that they are here to stay as their sound continues to evolve with every release. Locked and loaded with an arsenal of unreleased music for the upcoming year, 2019 is set to be a true breakout year for sfam.
CharlestheFirst
Fusing his organic hip hop roots with lush and experimental electronic composition, CharlestheFirst has developed a danceable style steeped in dreaminess and pyschedelia. Born in 1996 in the Sierra Nevada mountains, Charles has been heavily influenced by nature and the adventure that coincides with it.
Duskus
London future bass artist Duskus may only still be the tender age of 21, but his career is moving at a dynamic pace. An extremely talented producer who is known for his almost ethereal synth patterns, thickly layered, immersive basslines and distinctive chopped vocal style; he first began turn heads after impressing bitbird boss San Holo.
Releasing on the label as their first signed artist four years ago, Duskus dropped singles including ‘Know Why’ and ‘On My Own,’ immediately delighting with his distinctive energy.
Duskus quickly felt compelled to have his own platform to release music on, and in 2015 he founded his own imprint Kaleido alongside Monstercat signing Subtact. With a solid fan base growing rapidly, he released ‘Wudatrip,’ which is without a doubt one of his biggest successes with 2.5 M SoundCloud streams and 900,000 on Spotify.
Counting support from artists like Marshmello, Illenium, Hardwell, Don Diablo and of course San Holo, who he is supporting on a major forthcoming USA tour, Duskus has a catalogue of early releases with SoundCloud collectives Daruma and Elysian Records and across Monstercat, Alpha Pup, Pete Tong’s Deux Trois and Buygore.
Following on from this year’s collaboration with Graves and Joni Payne on ‘Easy,’ Duskus released his debut EP ‘cute’ on bitbird. Considered something of a turning point in his illustrious career, the UK producer is marking a shift away from his previous sounds. Now bridging the gap between UK, specifically London, and American bass music, he blends lo-fi house and future beats interspersed with his brand of vocal chops in a truly unique way - ‘Take Me Home’ from the EP went straight into the Spotify Viral US Top 50.
Duskus is primed with a slew of fresh original material to bring to the world in 2018 and beyond, many of which are breathtakingly cinematic cuts laced with his very special blend of electronic finishes.
Jantsen
Jantsen is no stranger when it comes to electronic music. This Boulder, Colorado native has been fully immersed into the dance music scene for over 15 years with his passion later blossoming into DJing and producing. Over the years Jantsen has established a strong presence in the scene through his eclectic sound , being influenced by many genres such as jazz, blues, funk, rock, hip hop, and many other kinds of world music he brings a style that is creative, unique, and is continuously evolving. Jantsen’s enthusiastic personality shows through his DJ sets through his fun, energetic, and contagious stage presence. This bass driven all star has collaborated with acts such as Bassnectar, Dirt Monkey, Luzcid and has gained international support from some of the scenes top dj's.
KITTENS
With her vast knowledge and relentless curiosity for music, LA based DJ, KITTENS (born Lauren Abedini) has been able to find and deliver a balance between low grinding electronic beats, heavy rap, and future beat music. Earning the support of some of the most influential artists of our time; Usher, Kid Cudi, Skrillex, Gaslampkiller, Salva, A-trak, and more, KITTENS has solidified herself as a cornerstone in the in the ever evolving DJ community.
Noizu
Los Angeles based Noizu is quickly climbing through the ranks of house music. Making his debut on the Chris Lake and Skrillex curated ‘HOWSLA’ in 2017 with ‘Lasers’ before catching the eyes and ears of French label boss Tchami. His follow up release saw the ‘Jungle EP’ an instant live anthem supported by Diplo Oliver Heldens A-Trak Jauz Malaa and more. He set up Techné Records summer of 2018 with a view to working club releases globally and giving new talent a platform to show their skills. The debut release a collaboration with Dombresky could not have gone better. “Rave Alarm” was launched and an instant festival anthem was subsequently made “Hottest Record in the World” by Annie Mac for BBC Radio 1. November saw Noizu make his LA debut a headline packed show at Sound Nightclub. An incredible landmark for a project barely 18 months old.
Xie
Producer, Singer, Songwriter, DJ, Designer and Painter Xie, is a multifaceted creative with a knack for infectious electronic sounds and style. Encompassing herself as an art project, Xie is fueled by influences from pop culture linchpins like Gwen Stefani, Kanye West, Alexander McQueen, and Andy Warhol. Blending the styles of Pop, Hip hop, and Electronic music, she delivers a unique sound and live shows not to be missed.
With just a year of originals and remixes released, Xie has already played some of the biggest festivals in the world including Coachella, EDC, Firefly, Hard Summer, and Countdown.
AF THE NAYSAYER
Amahl Abdul-Khaliq is AF THE NAYSAYER - a flourishing producer in the electronic and instrumental hip-hop world. Within the last three years, this New Orleans-based producer has dispersed his atmospheric productions across 70 cities and at over 300 shows in the US alone. His sound has been categorized as “electrifying soul-hop” whose core is best described by Atlanta producer DISTAL as “Layered intelligent design with a simple and easily digestible delivery.” His collaborations in New Orleans have led him to become the winner of the 2018 Big Easy Music Award for Best DJ/Electronica ambassador for Red Bull Music Academy as well as the founder of beatmaker showcase Dolo Jazz Suite.
Klutch
New Orleans, Louisiana is the heartbeat of Klutch. Born, raised, and never strayed from his beloved hometown, Andre Waguespack is a new type of NOLA musician. The fable of Klutch begins in the pop-punk and hardcore scenes of the mid-2000s, where Waguespack cut his teeth in bands before following his keen musical intuition into the world of dance music. With dubstep, trap, and melodic bass music, Klutch found the same raw emotion that connected him to the music of his youth, and the communities surrounding it. When it comes to the New Orleans EDM scene, there is one unparalleled fan favorite. His uncanny talent for improvisation has catapulted Klutch’s iconic DJ sets to regional notoriety. With releases under Subcarbon, Gravitas, and an upcoming Deadbeats drop, the ascension has just begun.
Unicorn Fukr
“Silly name, serious dance music"
Unicorn Fukr is an indigenous creature of New Orleans born of mythical fornication. Erik Browne (the well-loved, charismatic man behind the Unicorn) has been thrusting his horn into the world of electronic dance music since 2007 magically transforming himself from a simple student of philosophy and insufferable vinyl collecting music nerd into his present form: a widely respected, world traveling, supernaturally skilled "DJ’s DJ", music producer, dance party promoter, label co-owner (Versed Recordings) and professional partier with a penchant for "getting weird.”
Tristan Dufrene
Tristan Dufrene expresses her passion for the sounds of the underground through a collection of elements, feelings, moods and art. Her styles range from nudiso, funk, deep house, bass, breaks, techno and electronica. Accumulating eclectic sounds through a kaleidoscope of consciousness, Tristan constantly looks to push her music to a deeper level. Tristan has performed a variety of experiences in the local music venues in NOLA to warehouse/art parties, and everything in between. As she performs, she aims to push the boundaries house and techno from a basic beat to a gripping synthesis that her audience feels in their core.
Lil Jodeci
Lil Jodeci, New Orleans native and resident, is a House & Club music DJ/Producer best known for co-founding the Pink Room Project collective and running the best weekly house night in New Orleans; Set De Flo, every Saturday at Hi Ho Lounge. His style seamlessly blends the disparate influences of Chicago House, Detroit Techno, and New Orleans Bounce & Hip Hop, all in service of keeping dance floors moving.
BÀWLDY B2B BOARCROK
Bàwldy
Louisiana native, Bàwldy otherwise known as Devin Danos, draws his musical influences from a variety of genres that ranges from wobbles to reggae to hip hop. Whether it be his hit collab "Routine" with Blunts & Blondes, his single "Ting" on Subcarbon Records or any of his releases on Boogie T's Drama Club record label, it is safe to say that Devin will keep you moving all night long on the dance floor. Things are just getting started for this boy and you do not want to miss out.
BOARCROK
From the swamps of Louisiana, BOARCROK's unique sound brings an interesting take on all kinds of genres in Bass Music. By touching on the hard and heavy as well as the deep and weird, any BOARCROK show is sure to be a diverse journey through musical movement.
TRAX ONLY
Trax Only is a New Orleans based DJ collective pioneering queer underground dance music in the south. They are infamous for their all night warehouse raves that serve as an all inclusive safe space for the queer community and it’s allies, as well as an opportunity to host national and International DJs that New Orleans has never seen.
The Iceman Special
These Big Easy Bombardiers pack an ample amount of audio artillery in their set and you better believe that the Funka-Delic swamp will rain down heavy when they plug in. The Iceman Special is 4 piece outfit transplanted from the swamps of Louisiana to the big city of New Orleans. They combine a sound of dirty funk and delicate groove with elements of disco and rock and roll to create danceable jams with plenty of edge and substance. Screeching yet smooth guitars, wandering yet punchy bass lines, electronic synth samples, driving drum beats and powerful vocals form one a kind soundscapes. Who is the Iceman?
LLEAUNA
LLEAUNA (pronounced YŪNA), an original member of the New Orleans based Techno Club collective and co-owner of the Techno Club brand, is well established in the underground community.
Citing a wide scope of influence, ranging from Detroit electro to Berlin techno, her stately presence behind the decks and influence behind the scenes are both forces to be equally reckoned with.
Rising from Natchez, Mississippi – a region deeply anchored to the Americana Music Triangle - LLEAUNA’s Southern musical roots are subtly hinted in the humid incantations she masterfully conjures behind the decks. Never one to rush, she crafts her sets patiently, evoking stealthy analog pulses of the early Detroit sound while giving equal nods to both experimental Intelligent Dance Music, and gritty electronic breakbeats - LLEAUNA’s dark interpretation of techno draws upon a futuristic, dystopian dreamscape while uncannily summoning the languid moods of the Deep South itself.
James Seville
Grasping smoked-out hip-hop and widescreen indie pop sensibilities, New Orleans-born rapper, producer, and songwriter, James Seville wants to take you on a trip.
James Seville was raised in New Orleans, LA but spent a short amount of time in Macon, Georgia following Hurricane Katrina. After finishing high school in New Orleans, James made trips to Los Angeles to follow his dream. Sleeping on his friend and fellow New Orleans artist, Pell’s couch, James began his journey. He recorded his debut EP “Jamesville” while in LA, giving it a bright and airy vibe. His incorporation of live instruments with bouncy production mixed with his catchy yet smooth vocals garnished him attention from lovers of all genres.
A talented artist and seasoned performer, James Seville is an artist to keep firmly planted on your radar.
MALIK NINETY FIVE
New Orleans bred musician Malik Ninety Five is a sonic wild card. After leaving the South for the East Coast in 2013, his sound expanded immensely if you were to dig up some of his older recordings. A multi-talented rapper/songwriter/producer, he has received recognition from major music outlets, more recently for his debut effort "Tragedy's Under The Sun" featuring highlights "No Hook" and "Love or Lust", while also performing live shows and festivals throughout the country independently.
Dohm Collective
Since its inception, Dohm Collective has solidified its place in New Orleans and has a reputation of throwing some of the best parties in the city. Whether they are taking over the courtyard at the Dragon’s Den or throwing down jams at a warehouse party, there is no denying there is something incredibly special about Dohm events. Dohm’s extensive repertoire includes features at various parties and events in New Orleans like Hell’s Gala and festivals like Bonnaroo and Pass the Good.
The thing that sets Dohm apart from anything like it and one of the most integral parts: its inclusion of the audience. Once you step in, you are completely immersed in the experience and brought directly into the party.
FREEWATER
FREEWATER is a multimedia company specializing in filmography, photography, and design. The company is based in New Orleans and since its inception in 2015, Frankie Watts and Dominick Byrd have been putting their stamp on the culture of New Orleans through an array of different creative projects. Whether its a new tee shirt, a music video, or producing one of the cities most exciting parties, FREEWATER is keeping everyone on their toes waiting for the next project. Over the last 3 years, the brand has collaborated with national brands such as Complex and Mountain Dew as well as teaming up with strong local brands like Defend New Orleans and Sneaker Politics. The company has also worked with an array of professional entertainers to the likes of G-Eazy and Lil Wayne just to name a few. If one thing rings true, its the group's famous tag : FREEWATER, We Harder.
past lineups
