RECOMMENDED

The vinyl-only Acid Test monthly welcomes the inimitable Miles Maeda to the decks before his departure to Japan to support a new residency at Tokyo’s la Fabrique. Maeda’s rich history began in Chicago and he continues to showcase house music around the globe. He also manages the Bopsa imprint, and is working on a new album. Joining Maeda is the ever-innovative James Lauer, whose performances use sampling and deck wizardry to blend elements of funk, dub, house and techno. Free admission, deep-house groove, and a rain-free forecast, means you just ran out of excuses for this special edition of Acid Test. (John Alex Colon)

March 24 at  Smart Bar, 3730 North Clark,  (773)549-0203.

RECOMMENDED

Brighton’s Matt Edwards, better known as Radio Slave, has been DJing since the early nineties. Today, Edwards produces music under half a dozen monikers representing a wide range of genres and styles, including everything from pop-inspired radio-friendly tunes to downtempo jazz-based voyages to obscure, twisted techno burners. His remixes and production work as Radio Slave (his most dancefloor-oriented alias) have led to headlining gigs around the world, including appearances at enormous festivals. Edwards’s acclaimed label Rekids, established in 2006, has emerged as a dominant force within the global electronic-music community, introducing the world to several important emerging artists. Spy Bar will showcase Radio Slave’s DJ set, and the club has put together a unique lineup of special guests to appear alongside Edwards. Rekids label-mate and Canadian house and techno producer/DJ James Teej will DJ, as well as up-and-coming Düsseldorf producer Alex Niggemann, who has released several popular remixes and tracks on Get Physical , 8bit, and 2020 Vision. Rounding out the lineup is Curbed Recordings label owner Wahi, a Chicago-based producer/DJ and Spy Bar regular. Insider’s Tip: Use the password “PURE” at the door to take advantage of the discounted entry fee for this unique showcase. (Elly Rifkin)

March 19 at Spy Bar 646 North Franklin, (312)587-8779, at 10pm.

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This Friday marks the first in a long-running series of quarterly Chicago events commemorating twenty-five years of Detroit techno. DJ Lady D, along with promoter Volatl, has planned the series of multimedia events (called D3) at Smart Bar. Hoping to strengthen the longstanding connection between the Chicago and Detroit techno scenes, the D3 events will also celebrate the interplay between music and visual artistry. Smart Bar will be transformed for the evening, displaying various forms of visual art from the Prak-sis collective. Video and film, photography, fashion, live painting and other media inspired by and integrated with the music should make for an impressive audio-visual experience. Headlining the event is Detroit’s Stacey Pullen, an energetic, skilled DJ and producer. Pullen is recognized around the world as a pioneer among the artists belonging to the Second Wave of Detroit techno. Expect a floor-burning set with plenty of upbeat current and classic techno and house. Also appearing at the first edition of D3 is veteran DJ and D’Lectable label boss Lady D, Klectik recording artist Max Jacobson, Max Loomis (one half of Joint Effort with Lady D), and DJ Jay Cho. (Elly Rifkin)

March 12 at Smart Bar 3730 N. Clark, (773)549-0203, at 10pm.

RECOMMENDED

Chilean-born Swede Alexi Delano has been nothing but prolific, cranking out release after release, remix after remix and collaboration after collaboration on labels like Trapez, Harthouse and Plus8. And with successful collabs with fellow Swedish dance-floor luminaries like Cari Lekebusch and Jesper Dahlback, Delano’s profile has definitely been on the up and up. But most easily identified on his solo material or remixes is Delano’s adept ability in crafting dark melodies and sinister hooks that somehow resonate above other compositions tapped from the same emotional source. Notes that bend, noises that make your ears tingle and neck-hair stand up among the clicks, beeps and robotic voices…there are few who do it better than Delano. And if you’re a lover of that weirdness on the dance floor, Delano’s set tonight is a must-catch. Also joining Delano on the decks tonight are a pair of local Detroit ex-pats in techno veteran Tim Baker, of Elephanthaus and Real Estate Records fame, and Jason Patrick. Baker is well-known for his ability to infuse hard-edged techno, 303-laced acid tracks and other, more soulful elements into his sets, while Patrick has seen his profile rise steadily with bookings and releases on his own Klectik Records imprint. (Duke Shin)

February 26 at Smart Bar, 3730 N. Clark, (773)549-0203, at 10pm.

RECOMMENDED

Chicago’s hustling Migrashun crew haven’t been afraid to spread their techno and deep-house sounds to this city’s clubs and lounges, having previously held events at the Victor Hotel, Smart Bar, Rednofive and Debonair—the current home for their Prism nights. Tonight, the Detroit-leaning crew welcomes another Motor City favorite to town in Drew Pompa, co-director of the Blank Artists collective, who have been balancing adventurous releases with impeccable bookings and great parties for the last five years. Much like his crew’s propensity for collaboration with other top Detroit crews, Pompa’s tastes are also wide open, as reflected by his wildly ranging sets. And sure, Pompa might streamline his selections for certain parties, for being eclectic is an admirable trait lacking from many other DJs’ recorded mixes, but when charged with the responsibility of a dance floor, he knows when best to keep things moving. But what’s never lacking from the sound is that hint of other influences; Afro-beat, trippy psyche-outs, dubby bottom noise, form emerging from sonic cacophonies…all weaved into the fabric of his take on house and techno. Joining Pompa tonight is a rare live performance from Galuszka, who over the last few years has quietly produced some of Chicago’s best techno—deep cuts that charm the listener with a clean, jackin’ sound and nineties-hearkening warmth, as evidenced on tracks like “Fox Hunt” and “Jets.” Perhaps tonight will provide a glimpse of what this up-and-coming producer has up his sleeve for 2010. (Duke Shin)

February 25 at Debonair Social Club, 1575 N. Milwaukee, (773)227-7990, 10pm.

(Duke Shin)

RECOMMENDED

Often mistaken for actually being from Glasgow, this dream-pop company hails from Philadelphia. Pairing ambient shoegaze atmosphere with electronic beats and heavenly vocal harmonies, the band’s two full-length records have been artistic successes if not quite homeruns. The group’s EPs have been impressive too, and their most recent, “Nitetime Rainbows,” will be released the first week of March. While the band has enough talent to one day create an astounding record from start to finish, it hasn’t yet; the group does seem to be leaning more towards minimalist techno and away from traditional rock these days, and it suits them well. But that doesn’t mean A Sunny Day in Glasgow can’t be unbelievably frustrating—every time a song seems to be approaching a moment of stunning beauty, the band backs off and injects some sampled weirdness. Live, though, this is all said to be a treat. (Tom Lynch)

March 3 at Schubas, 3159 N. Southport, (773)525-2508, at 9pm. $8-$10.

RECOMMENDED

For the last year and a half, Freakeasy has been lighting up Chicago’s underground scene with its distinctive brand of partying centered around positive vibes, community and live art and installations. Part of what makes their events so successful is the partnering of like-minded organizers including the illmeasures crew, best known for house, techno and downtempo, and DJ/producer Radiohiro, whose ethno-centric breakbeat and dubstep sounds have been building a steady following for the last few years. With the two principals at complete opposite corners of the dance-floor sonic spectrum, Freakeasy boasts among the most diverse lineups, with techno, dubstep, house, breakbeats and the kitchen sink thrown together in a single evening. Tonight, the underground bubbles above ground with an event at Smart Bar, featuring regulars Radiohiro & MC Zulu (pictured), Brad Miner and Striz, with special guests DJ Form (formerly with the Baldwin Brothers) and San Francisco-based, Sri Lanka-born Asian Massive pioneer Janaka Selekta (with JC Stokes). But sadly, I don’t think the fire-dancing performances common at Freakeasy events will be permitted inside! (Duke Shin)

February 18 at Smart Bar, 3730 N. Clark, (773)549-0203, 10pm.

RECOMMENDED

Vancouver-based Mathew Jonson, co-founder of the inimitable Wagon Repair imprint, treats tech-house fans to a live performance of his trademark sound, a dance-floor-aimed blend of jazzy house and bleepy techno. Jonson’s fame was forged via early work on Itiswhatitis and his efforts as part of Cobblestone Jazz. He’s worked with Luciano, performed at Mutek, been licensed by Dan Bell and Carl Craig, and received props from Richie Hawtin, Laurent Garnier and Larry Heard. Jonson’s live performances are a collage of his impressive sound library, using elements like they were records in a DJ mix. Supported on the decks by the talented Sassmouth, Mathew Jonson’s visit to Smart Bar will have you moving before you know it. (John Alex Colon)

February 19 at Smart Bar, 3730 N. Clark, (773)549-0203, 10pm.

International party animal Seth Troxler is hoping the authorities are unaware of his impending visit to Chicago. The acclaimed DJ/producer is celebrated for his notorious on- and off-deck antics and crowd-moving skills in nearly equal measure. Troxler holds residencies at Berlin’s Club der Visionäre and Week End Club, and Zurich’s Alte Börse, and has releases spread across several well-known labels, but this weekend he begins touring in support of Boogybytes Vol. 5, a mix CD for Ellen Allien’s revered BPitch Control imprint. He’s the only non-label alum to take the reins, a nod that swiftly followed his addition to the top DJs of 2009 list on Resident Advisor.

Troxler acts more as a composer than DJ, both on the CD and in the club, deftly wedding the jack-friendly Chicago house aesthetic with the minimal roots of his native Detroit. DJs have been combining the two genres for more than a decade, but Troxler adds an unapologetic and youthful perspective to dance-floor tradition. Slow, sexy grooves, aptly placed vocals, techno patches and acid loops—you’ve heard these sounds before, but Troxler still revels in the raw fun of their union and translates as much through his endeavors. Read the rest of this entry »

RECOMMENDED

Toronto techno favorite Jake Fairley makes his long-awaited return to Chicago this week. Releasing music since 2000 on labels like Traum, Sender, Border Community and Kompakt Extra, among others, Fairley’s melodic productions are informed by a wide range of musical sensibilities. His catalogue contains everything from funky machine-oriented rhythms, to dubby melodies, to fuzzy electro-inspired synths, to fat bass lines and rock-oriented electronic samples. Fairley will perform his critically acclaimed, energetic live set under his “Fairmont” moniker, which showcases the deeper, sultrier side of his repertoire. Chicago has local promoter Migrashun to thank for this night of many firsts—namely, the first Fairmont live P.A. in Chicago and Migrashun’s first showcase at Smart Bar. Supporting sets from the Migrashun residents will keep the sexy tech-house going all night long, with Mathias Matthew performing solo and Ariel Frank tag-teaming with former Detroiter Derek Fox. For added ambiance, local producer/DJ David Powers will be providing live visuals. (Elly Rifkin)

January 29 at Smart Bar, 3730 N. Clark, (773)549-0203, at 10pm.