Luke McKeehan (BC) plays After Dark
BIOGRAPHY
Owner and head of the long-standing Nordic Trax label, Luke McKeehan has steadily established himself as a true innovator in the world of house music. With over 70 releases spanning the past 15 years from artists such as Gavin Froome, DJ Heather, Morgan Page, The Revenge, JT Donaldson, Alexander East, LawnChair Generals, Hipp-E, Halo, Swayzak, Kirby, Jay Tripwire, Joshua Iz and many more, Nordic Trax has quietly become one of the most respected labels in electronic music.
The year 2012 marks the 15th anniversary of Luke’s globally recognized Nordic Trax brand, and if recent output is any indication, the music has never been better. DJ and radio support continues to pour in for Nordic Trax releases from the likes of A-list selectors Luciano, Mark Knight, Kenny Dope, DJ T, Mark Farina, Robert Owens, King Britt, Terry Francis, Nick Holder, Abyss, Diesel, Fish Go Deep, Graeme Park, Franck Roger, Nacho Marco and many more.
A producer and globe-trotting deejay in his own right, McKeehan was named among the Top 50 Artists & Entertainers in Vancouver. Besides his own headlining sets Luke has been the opening act of choice for music royalty on tour including David Bowie, Bassment Jaxx, Jamiroquai, St. Germain & Kaskade to name only a few. His mixed-CD ‘Many Shades of House’ received a near-perfect rating from DJ Magazine, who exclaimed “The love affair continues with this latest Nordic Trax gem”. Label releases have been widely licensed and clients include Fabric UK, Nike, Defected, Turbo Recordings, Om Records, Sony, Queer As Folk, PIAS, Global Underground, Alliance/Atlantis, Showcase and more.
History: A product of Toronto’s warehouse scene in the 1980s, Nordic Trax founder Luke McKeehan’s contribution to Canada’s ever-growing dance culture runs deep, while his innovative deejay sets and productions have earned him fans worldwide. Having founded and operated two of Vancouver’s ground-breaking nightclubs for electronic music in the 1990s (The Chameleon & Sonar), Luke continues to be one of the strongest advocates for Canada’s electronic music community. He is also the promoter behind many quality events in Vancouver under the Nordic Trax banner and has hosted everyone from Kenny Dope, Carl Craig and Groove Armada to Lee “Scratch” Perry and Maceo Parker in his near 20 years of event production.
with local support from:
Mercedes (All Ours / Uniting Souls)
Team Sexy
Darryl Merrick (Defined House / Seventy Four / Midwest Express)
10pm – 4am / Alignment Sound / Live lighting by 1313 Effect
$5 before midnight / $7 after
CHEZ DAMIER (CHI) plays After Dark
Chez Damier has devoted his life to electronic music as a vocalist, DJ, producer, label manager and graphic artist. Splitting his time between Detroit, Chicago and occasionally New York, Chez set up the Music Institute with Derrick May and Alton Miller looked after the business affairs and studio output of Kevin Saunderson’s KMS label, and helped countless producers get a start in production. On top of that, he has a kick ass discography of his own, his work with Ron Trent on Prescription coming to near define an era in club music – Chez’ is truly one of the greatest story never told in house music.
A legendary figure in electronic music, Chez Damier has played close witness to many of the pivotal moments in the history of house and techno. Jointly responsible with partner Ron Trent for both Prescription Records – widely recognised as one of the greatest labels of all time – and The Morning Factory – one of the most ethereal jams ever to rock a room – Chez Damier carries abound the soul of house music. KMS, The Music Institute, The Bellville three: the Chicago DJ has played pivotal roles in the development of all three hallowed pieces of musical history. However his natural artistry and constant need to out do even himself has led to him passing off such seminal tunes as Can You Feel It as just a stage in his artistic development. For as an artist Chez Damier represents a unique blend; he is as impetuous and daring as now as in 1989 and being able to qualify this with his own unique heritage makes his releases and DJ performances doubly formidable. When The Music Institute opened in Detroit in the late ’80s it provided the home for a developing music scene. It proved just as important for the development of techno in the city as The Warehouse and The Music Box had been for house music in Chicago and the hedonistic experiences in that club have gone onto shape much of Damier’s life ever since. After a few years managing the KMS studio and label for Kevin Saunderson, he returned to his hometown of Chicago and, alongside Ron Trent, created the musical legacy that has guaranteed his legend. Immortal cuts like “Sometimes I Feel Like,” “The Choice” and “Be My”-remain unparalleled examples of the genre. After taking an extended break from the music industry either side of the turn of the millennium, the house music impulse returned to Damier. A handful of releases in 2004 and the odd DJ date hinted that a return was on the cards. In 2009, the last year of the decade Damier found a trusted outlet for his talents. A series of releases for the German label Mojuba signalled that he was on his way back to show the young pretenders the way. Taking up the torch of Prescription, Damier launched Balance Alliance as a home for some of the most forward thinking and talented producers he deems fit to join him on the imprint. With momentum building behind him, Chez Damier will be exploring fresh artistic avenues in the new decade and looking to consolidate his legendary status as a DJ.
with local support from:
Jaxxmaster Kevrok
Ryan Walz
Richie Stax
DJ Matt e Starr (special Cinco latin house set!)
$7 All night • Alignment Sound • Live lighting by 1313 Effect
On April Fools Day, 2006, After Dark was launched at the Ararat restaurant by DJ Matt e Starr and members of the Portland Housing Authority (that’s House music not affordable housing).
Every Saturday night they celebrated House music by featuring sets from the best local, national, and international House DJs and artists.
After two years at Ararat, After Dark moved to Ohm, Pala, 2410, and finally to Groove Suite. Saturdays have never been the same.
Celebrate with us as After Dark turns Six!!!
Welcome:
DJ HEATHER (Chicago • Blackcherry)
In the past few years the Chicago house community has produced a number of innovative and distinct djs trained in the art of transforming tranquil dance floors into spaces of sheer bedlam and bliss. Their committed vision of undiluted musical appreciation, interactive communication, improvisation and basic integrity has brought greater attention to all the city’s great djs including the genre busting DJ Heather. Widely regarded as one of the premier selectors in the nation, this Chicagoan demonstrates her skills and sharp deck acumen for the massives throughout the Windy City and the world at large with verve and undeniable talent.
2005 marked DJ Heather’s installment to the much heralded Fabric CD series, for the club of the same name. “With [Fabric] 21 I had a concept in mind; most of the material had to have been played at the club to give it an honest feel.” Judging by critics and house enthusiasts she has done just that. “At the end of the day to make a room full of people happy is difficult to do. You become part mind reader , guru, sensei, educator, entertainer and babysitter all at once. All the experiences I have had, made who I am today. As a person and dj. I love what I do.”
In 2006, DJ Heather toured extensively with Colette in support of their House of OM double disc release. Following worldwide accolades, in 2007 Om Records announced Summer Sessions 2 mixed by Om family members DJ Heather and Onionz. The release followed the success of the first volume of the series mixed by Groove Junkies, Chuck Love and DJ Fluid. In 2008 she joined fellow OM label artists – Colette, Fred Everything and Andy Caldwell – on the House of OM tour.
With over 15 years of experience behind her Dj Heather has grown to become one of the Windy City’s main Dj exports. She is an artist who defies conformity, defines quality and continues to nurture her solid skills for soul music of the technological generation.
with:
BMR
Mercedes
Ryan Walz & DJ Matt e Starr
Richie Stax & Michael Gabriel
The Architects
Live lighting by 1313 Effect
Alignment Sound
9pm – ???
$12 at the door // $12 presales to guarantee entry (contact Groove Suite for details)
DJ MES (Oakland • Guesthouse • After Dark Resident) plays After Dark
Bay-Area bred DJ Mes (Jason Sutton) rarely slows his groove. Since the 2004 inception of his Oakland-based label, Guesthouse Music, Mes has produced a prolific catalogue of bass-heavy tracks that have scorched dance floors amid the ebb and flow of electronic music. As a DJ, his sets have inspired; as a producer, his montage of disco-dredged beats meld bump with rhythm and bass to create hot buzz in front of and beyond the speakers. In 2011, Traxsource honored Mes with the top spot on a list of 100 best house tracks of 2011 following the release of the bumpy Chicago-sound behind “Fools Gold” (Cajual Recordings). Mes’ career dates back to the mid-1990s, when the future producer took early influence from the likes DJ Dan (Funky Techno Tribe) and Tony Hewitt (Tango Recordings). Some two decades later, it would be DJ Dan who would join the talent ranks of Guesthouse Music, Mes’ genre-defying imprint that earned him notoriety beyond numerous festival appearances, club residencies, and as co-founder of Daddy’s Records (1996). Unlike previous endeavors, Guesthouse bloomed as a personal and creative project inspired by the underground house community that embraced the sound in the U.S. and overseas. While Mes continued releasing tracks on acclaimed labels such as Black Cherry, Magnetic, and Flapjack, it was his own Guesthouse Music that set the pace, releasing 150 EPs—including 40 vinyl releases—since its inception.
While Mes looks ahead for talent, he creatively nods to sounds that inspired him to slide behind the decks more than 16 years ago. In 2011, Mes followed up his seminal “Fools Gold” release (Cajual Recordings) with a second EP, “Town Business.” “Love Affair,” a rework of First Choice’s classic “Love Thang,” climbed the underground charts alongside a remix of Two Ton’s Of Fun classic, “I Got the Feeling.” Even while maintaining a regular touring schedule throughout the U.S. and Europe, Mes continues partnering with the some of the scene’s most lauded producers, such as DJ Sneak and his own greatest influence, DJ Dan. In December 2011, Mes and Guesthouse created another piece of house music history by releasing their 100th track, “3000” (J Paul Getto). For Mes, it marks the beginning of another phase of underground house evolution. Adds Mes: “I’m always working to sign new or undiscovered music and talent to the label, and maybe even throw a curve ball to startle people with a new, unexpected style or sound. It’s what it’s all about.”
with
Real Time Hand Motion (Nashville)
Real Time Hand Motion began as a live PA in 1999 when Carson Carr aka “Busy” and Christian Thomas aka “Crux” brought together fellow Nashville percussionists to play dance music on drum pads. In the years following, RTHM morphed through members and gear including countless midi controllers, drum pads and even gaming joysticks for sculpting sounds live. During the Ableton Live boom at the turn of the millennium, RTHM was recognized for helping pioneer controllerism and found themselves lecturing at universities and music schools across the US discussing live electronic music performance and studio techniques.
In 2005, after cranking out hundreds of broken beat and house tunes, Busy and Crux hit their stride in four-on-the-floor territory with a vinyl EP debut on DJ Sneak’s Oomph Recordings. This release pollinated dance floors around the world via Mark Farina, DJ Heather and countless others at the top of the House Music food chain.
Going on to produce numerous chart topping tracks for their favorite labels, RTHM’s intricate sound garnered reviews declaring their records “a buy on site affair” and in 2010 Busy and Crux launched their own label, Knocturnal Emissions which continues to dowse dance floors in a full spectrum of beats from the hottest names in Electronic Music.
and local support from
DJ Randy Eljimal
$5 before 11pm / $7 after
Live lighting by 1313 Effect
Alignment Sound
Dance!
DEMARKUS LEWIS (Grin Music • Dallas) plays After Dark
American dance music producer Demarkus Lewis has released over 100 singles and countless remixes over the last 10 years. It is a well known fact that he has the ability to change his sound to fit within a multitude of genres from the deepest of deep house to the most electrifying sounds of Techno.
Since the year 2000 Demarkus has taken the dance scene by storm with releases on labels such as End Recordings, Slip n Slide, Liberate Recordings, Low Down, Urban Torque, Siesta Music, Large Music, Shack Recordings, Black Vinyl, Kapa Music, Nightshift Records, Brique Rouge, Robsoul, and Conya Records just to name a few. His music has also been featured on several dance music compilations including Seamless Recordings’ Bargrooves series, DJ Mag’s ‘DJ Face Off’ cd comp, Mark Farina’s ‘Live at Om’ compilation on Om records, Slip n Slide presents Ibiza and Roger Sanchez’ Release Yourself.
These days you can find Demarkus dropping Tech-House bombs on labels such as Nervous Records; soulful gems on Kingstreet Sounds; hypnotizing afro rhythms on Slip n Slide; jackin’ grooves on Guesthouse and everything in between on his very own Grin Music imprint. It has been said that every DJ has had at least one Demarkus Lewis tune in their play crate.
with local support from:
Jacob Poe
Melody Fisher
Scott E.
$5 before 11pm // $7 after
Alignment Sound
MARK GRANT (Chicago • Blackstone) plays After Dark
What makes a legend: longevity, fame, respect or a combination of the three? Label owner, songwriter, producer and DJ, Mark Grant has been making legendary moves for 23 years now. He is a world traveled DJ with a non-stop tour schedule secured by a fan base that stretches from his hometown Chicago, to as far as Istanbul. He’s produced a number of songs and remixes that have garnered him the respect of his peers and music media. Put it all together and you have an internationally known, well-respected talent who has shown incredible resilience in an industry of one-hit wonders. Its true, Mark Grant has the stuff of legend, but with no signs of stopping, don’t call him one, just yet.
with support from
KARL K (Seattle • Get Down • Flammable)
BLUEEYEDSOUL (Seattle)
MASON FISHER
Alignment Sound
Live Lighting by 1313 Effect
10pm-4am
Part producer and DJ, part entrepreneur and purist, Wally Callerio has kept true to his house music roots since immersing himself in the West Coast scene of the early ’90s. Since then, the Los Angeles-based artist has gone on to internationally release more than 100 original tracks and remixes; launch his critically acclaimed Dufflebag Records imprint; and develop the burgeoning digital distribution site, digibag.com.
While Callerio first started mixing records at age 14, his foray in underground house dates back to Doc Martin’s “Unlock the House” sessions in the early ’90s. One-off gigs at house parties and short stints at local clubs help the young artist evolve his sound, which would feature melodic vocals paired with funk-jazz influences and deep, chunky basslines.
In 1997, Callerio took stock in his own sound and created the self-styled imprint, Dufflebag Records. His first two original EPs, “Déjà vu/Whispers” and “In Your Arms/Thisgo,” received critical fanfare from artists and audiences alike. The success led to slew of collaborations with other global house artists including DJ Sneak, Doc Martin, Natural Rhythm and Vibezelect, to name a few.
Dufflebag Records’ success followed Callerio into the new decade, earning him studio time for some of the industry’s most respected labels. In addition to releasing original tracks on imprints such as 5.1 Surround (L.A.), Shaboom (U.K.) Classic Recordings (U.K.) and Alluv Recordings, Doc Martin—Callerio’s original influence—began licensing them for his label and making creativity come full circle.
In 2010, Dufflebag Records has gone on to release more than 75 tracks on 26 pieces of vinyl.
Now as a new decade and new era in house music begin, Callerio is repositioning his sound and label. The past few years have been marked by the artist’s collective mindset, which has focused him on developing and stockpiling music for his forthcoming digital distribution site, digibag.com. But the time for reflection is over, he says.
“I obviously can’t hold back anymore. I have a ton of good music I want to unleash on people right now—good ole fashion, soulful, funky, dirty house,” he says.
Callerio jump-started his game in 2009 by releasing 15 original tracks and remixes on labels such as Phil Weeks’ Robsoul, DJ Sneak’s Oomph and Magnetic, Chuck Daniels’ Private Parts, 1200 Warriors’ 1200 Traxx and San Francisco’s own Motion Music. The December 2009 relaunch of Callerio’s Dufflebag Records also marks the release of 11 new original tracks, along with fellow artist including, Amp fiddler, Parris Bennet, Myka 9, Allensworth, Nadine Loren, Lili De La mora and Josh One.
What’s behind his ever-evolving vibe? As always, it’s all about the vocals.
“I am trying more musical, crossover house while trying to keep that underground feel,” he says. “I want people to walk away whistling a melody or singing a vocal that sticks with them.”
with local support from
Mena
Ronn-e
Richie Stax
1313 Effect lighting experience
Alignment Sound
$5 before 11pm • $7 after • 10p-4a
Dj, Producer, Label owner. Andy Riley has certainly been busy over the last 20 years. His productions as one half of Inland Knights, as well as various solo outings under his Toka Project guise, have ensured that he has remained a prominent fixture both from behind the decks and on wax.
After a few years serving his apprenticeship as an in-demand local Dj in and around Nottinghamshire UK, Andy’s inevitable step into production started in earnest with fellow Dj Steve Walker.
Toka Project was born with the release of Swungbeats ‘King Sized Blue’Ep in early 1995. Originally a collaboration with Walker, all early output was released on Nottingham’s ‘Strictly 4 Groovers’ label, now better known as DiY Discs. Andy and Steve went on to remix a number of artists on the labels roster at the time, notably Gibby Music of Crash Records fame and Fred Everything amongst others. By 1998 Toka Project productions were in full flow and in the same year they released the much acclaimed ‘Be Free’ Ep for Chicago’s legendary Guidance Records, the title track also appeared on Guidance’s’ High Fidelity House Imprint Vol 2’. These two releases helped to push the Toka Project brand abroad and in 1999 Andy embarked on a three-month tour of the U.S and Canada with Andy Macari and Jay Cowley, stopping off in New York, LA, San Francisco, Phoenix, Philly, Tampa, Seattle, and Washington D.C amongst other places, and Montreal, Vancouver ,Whistler and Victoria in Canada. Ep’s and remixes on top labels such as Transport, Silver Network, So Sound, Amenti, Robsoul and Tango were to follow, all released to critical acclaim globally.
Over the course of the 90’s, Riley had been DJ’ing with Smokescreen Sound System and by 1998 had started writing tracks with fellow Smokescreen DJ Laurence Ritchie. As Inland Knights Laurence and Andy undertook a hectic production schedule to write tracks for Drop Music, Laurence’s fledgling House label. Drop Music has gone on to become one of the most highly regarded House labels in recent times. Inland Knights have become one of the most prolific and respected production outfits in the House community, carving a distinctive and unique House sound, and regularly taking on remix duties for fellow labels and producers, not to mention a Dj schedule which takes them further and further afield as their reputation grows. Bookings have included slots at UK clubbing institutions such as Fabric, The End, The Egg, Turnmills, Shindig, Back 2 Basics, Chibuku Shake Shake, Ministry Of Sound, Cargo, déjà vu, The Arches and The Sub Club in Scotland, as well as smaller more intimate venues nationwide. Countless international trips have seen them tour the Globe. Release highlights include the ‘Mohammed Ali’ remix for Faithless on Cheeky Records, CD compilations and remixes for NRK and Om Records and Inland Knights first full length album entitled ‘Creative Spaces’. More recently Inland Knights have released an album celebrating 10 years of Drop Music entitled ‘Dust till Dawn’ as well as the Retrospective ‘Inland Bytes’, a look back at Inland Knights career so far.
Currently, as well as remix and production commitments, Riley maintains a busy international Dj ‘ing schedule, and can be found most weekends playing up and down the UK and Europe, as well as regular visits to the U.S, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa playing both as one half of Inland Knights, and solo under his own name.
With Supporting DJ’s
Mason Roberts
The Architects
Team Sexy
Chris Firenze
$10 b4 midnight // $15 after
In the past few years the Chicago house community has produced a number of innovative and distinct DJs trained in the art of transforming tranquil dance floors into spaces of sheer bedlam and bliss. Their committed vision of undiluted musical appreciation, interactive communication, improvisation and basic integrity has brought greater attention to all the city’s great DJs including the genre busting DJ Heather. Widely regarded as one of the premier selectors in the nation, this Chicagoan demonstrates her skills and sharp deck acumen for the massives throughout the Windy City and the world at large with verve and undeniable talent.
2005 marked DJ Heather’s installment to the much heralded Fabric CD series, for the club of the same name. “With [Fabric] 21 I had a concept in mind; most of the material had to have been played at the club to give it an honest feel.” Judging by critics and house enthusiasts she has done just that. “At the end of the day to make a room full of people happy is difficult to do. You become part mind reader, guru, sensei, educator, entertainer and babysitter all at once. All the experiences I have had, made who I am today. As a person and DJ. I love what I do.”
In 2006, DJ Heather toured extensively with Colette in support of their House of OM double disc release. Following worldwide accolades, in 2007 Om Records announced Summer Sessions 2 mixed by Om family members DJ Heather and Onionz. The release followed the success of the first volume of the series mixed by Groove Junkies, Chuck Love and DJ Fluid. In 2008 she joined fellow OM label artists – Colette, Fred Everything and Andy Caldwell – on the House of OM tour.
With over 15 years of experience behind her DJ Heather has grown to become one of the Windy City’s main DJ exports. She is an artist who defies conformity, defines quality and continues to nurture her solid skills for soul music of the technological generation.
DJ Heather was recently named one of Chicago’s Top Forty-Five Artists alongside Kanye West, Billy Corgan and Green Velvet!
It is an honor to have her play After Dark.
with local support from:
Mercedes
Mena
$15 / Alignment Sound / Lighting by FUBAR
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