Seth Troxler

RECOMMENDED

The end of summer is approaching and, for lovers of electronic-music and patio day parties, that can only mean one thing—it’s time for Varsity Allstars. Now in its fourth year, the Varsity Allstars event series revisits Chicago for its annual twelve-hour blowout featuring DJs from all over the country and special international guests. Headlining the sports-themed event is Berlin-based, Michigan-native Seth Troxler, who was named Resident Advisor’s number-eight DJ in the world last year. The young DJ/producer has enjoyed massive international support touring the world while releasing tracks and DJ mixes for labels like M_nus, Crosstown Rebels, Bpitch Control, Spectral Sound, Wagon Repair and many more. Troxler’s wide-ranging musical taste, incredible programming skills, larger-than-life personality, and ability to read any dance floor make him one of the finest DJs around. Expect plenty of groove, soul and sensuality from Troxler as he takes you on an extended journey through house and techno from the classic to the cutting-edge. Troxler is joined by former Chicagoan Mike Khoury, NYC’s Naveen G, Smart Bar music director Nate Manic. Also DJing are Chicago favorites Phillip Stone, Jason Patrick, Hernan Sanchez, Martin Stoy, along with M. Sylvia, Mark Roy vs. Erik Cosgrove, Adulture and newcomer prep.step. (Elly Rifkin)

August 22 at Moretti’s, 1645 West Jackson, 18+, Noon-midnight. $15.

Christina Chatfield

RECOMMENDED

Chicago label-on-the-rise Klectik Recordings is taking over the intimate Penthouse space at Vision. Joining label boss Jason Patrick for the showcase are Klectik artists Max Jacobson from Chicago, London-born Marc Cotterell and San Francisco-based producer Christina Chatfield. Chatfield, who performs and releases music both as Antiserk and as one half of the duo Monocle, will perform a live set for her Chicago debut. Chatfield’s style of minimal techno is Eno-esque, sleek and elegant with melodic embellishments. Not easily pigeonholed, however; she also delivers when it comes to smooth, groovy tech-house. Cleveland-based Marc Cotterell, who spent his early teenage years deeply immersed in England’s underground house scene, later toured and held club residencies around the world before settling into music production a few years ago. Cotterell will perform a DJ set of deep house music to keep your hips moving as he makes his first club appearance in Chicago. Supporting DJ sets from Patrick and Jacobson round out the lineup. (Elly Rifkin)

July 24 in the Penthouse at Vision Nightclub, 632 N. Dearborn, (312)266-1944, at 10pm. $10.

Mr. C

RECOMMENDED

Back in February, Adultnapper and Mr C. returned to their Sycophant Slags collaboration, releasing a dark, sinister gem in “Keep Off.” Featuring the moody and tastefully restrained feel of Adultnapper’s solo work, the track sways with a surgical cleanliness that exposes its eerie minor-keyed tech funk, Mr. C.’s devilishly breathy delivery, and a positive message of pressing on to “have what you want, be who you want.” Mr C. is perhaps better known as the cockneyed rapper/frontman for legendary UK dance band the Shamen during their early nineties heyday (“Move Any Mountain”), but he’s stuck true to the Slags’ lyrics to “just keep on pressing on” as a DJ, producer and co-owner of now-shuttered London destination The End (along with Layo Paskin of Layo & Bushwaka!). With his rock-star past and hedonistic lyrics, it’s convenient to paint Mr. C. as the wildcard, with his Slags partner in alliterated crime, Adultnapper, as the brains. A former indie/punk kid turned on to the ambient and IDM side of electronica, Francis Harris has always materialized his passions, from collecting books and records, to playing in bands and organizing shows, and following his intellect into pursuing a PhD in philosophy. While he might have stopped short of earning his doctorate degree, Harris thankfully created Adultnapper to be his nameless, enigma-laden outlet for heady techno, both complicated and restrained to the cerebral low 120s. With both men primed to take the decks tonight, you can be sure to be hit with something that finds your dancing fancy between the manic energy of Mr. C and the refined, stark complexity and surprising tunefulness of Adultnapper. Also appearing: hustling Chicago favorite Jason Patrick. (Duke Shin)

July 9 at Spy Bar, 646 North Franklin, (312)337-2191. 10pm-4am.

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

No, this is not a misprint. Souvenir 05 is definitely a recommended show, and yes, it does take place at Vision, which is still attached to Excalibur. Seriously. So walk past the foghorn or Black Eyed Peas trance remix and head upstairs to the Penthouse Room where Souvenir is holding court. Souvenir is best known around Chicago for throwing underground parties with bleeding-edge deck talent on the techno and deep-house tip. Previous events have showcased the likes of Dyed Soundorom, Masomenos and Seuil, but the group went topside in November, bringing in the deep, heady grooves of Soulclap (Airdrop, Wolf + Lamb) to Vision’s Penthouse space. Tonight’s headliners Coyu and Edu Imbernon (pictured) are currently making a bit of noise from their native Spain, with their deep but immensely danceable take on house and tech-house finding their way into the crates of both house heads like Dennis Ferrer and Mark Knight, and techno tastemakers like Luciano and DJ Hell. At first ear, you might not think there is anything spectacular about their tracks, but like the savory taste and bright color of saffron, tracks like their breakthrough “El Baile Aleman” and “Burn Myself” sink in gradually, willing your hips to shake with percussive beats and hypnotic vocal snippets. This will be the first Chicago appearance for both Coyu and Imbernon, with additional deck support courtesy of Klektik’s Jason Patrick and Souvenir’s Frederick Zahm. (Duke Shin)

January 23 at Vision, 632 N. Dearborn, 10pm.

RECOMMENDED

Forward-thinking techno/tech-house promotions group Migrashun is keeping it local this Thursday with another edition of its “Prism” showcase at Debonair. Headlining is Chicago DJ/producer and Klectik Recordings label-owner Jason Patrick. The Detroit-native, having recently turned heads on both coasts with some impressive gigs and topnotch performances, has been embraced by Chicago’s techno community for several years now. He is known for his buttery-smooth mixing and ability to seamlessly program sets that showcase the latest-and-greatest sounds in modern house and techno. Jason Patrick is joined by another in-demand Klectik recording artist, Max Jacobson. Jacobson has been extremely busy rocking dance floors of Chicago’s clubs and underground loft spaces with his hybrid live/DJ sets. Expect plenty of sexy and deep house music to groove to. Promotions partner Turbulent Calm Records will be represented by a DJ set from Weedy Alien. Ariel Frank, one of Migrashun’s co-promoters, says, “We will be bringing in the weekend early and so should you!” If you’re looking for a great deal, take advantage of the RSVP list and arrive early for an hour-long cocktail reception with no cover charge. (Elly Rifkin)

December 3 at Debonair Social Club, 1575 N. Milwaukee.

RECOMMENDED

Always seizing opportunities to book artists new to the States, VOLATL will host the Chicago debut of Buenos Aires producer/DJ/label-owner Dilo (aka Franco di Lorenzo) to headline its next monthly event at Sonotheque. Much like Jonas Kopp, Barem, Franco Bianco and Ernesto Ferryra, Dilo has been an integral part of the unmistakable wave of gifted electronic-music producers from Argentina who shook up the global techno scene over the last few years. Dilo first received international recognition releasing music with frequent production partner Gurtz, and later began releasing solo work and remixes for labels including Minus, Soma, Einmaleins and more. Expect a futuristic set full of dark, minimalist grooves mixed with more danceable house-oriented sounds. The event will also serve as a preview party for Klectik Recordings’ seventh release, which features a track from Dilo and Gurtz. Two of VOLATL’s residents, Klectik label boss Jason Patrick and New York favorite Connie (also remixer for Klectik 007) will perform DJ sets full of the freshest in techno and tech-house to keep you dancing all night long. (Elly Rifkin)

October 10 at Sonotheque, 1444 W. Chicago, (312)226-7600, 9pm.

RECOMMENDED

For the last two years, San Francisco-based promotion group listed has thrown the ultimate midsummer blowout at Moretti’s. The group’s Varsity Allstars events have previously featured several local DJs and listed residents alongside special guest DJs Adultnapper (in 2007) and Cassy (in 2008). This year, the memorable two-room day-party features Mobilee Records label head Anja Schneider from Berlin. Over the years, the busy DJ/producer/radio host has become one of the most successful female businesswomen in a typically male-dominated industry. Joining Anja Schneider for the twelve-hour techno and house showcase is a solid roster of DJs. Representing listed is former Chicagoan Mike Khoury and the group’s newest resident, Hoj. Also on the bill are Spybar’s Dino G, Klectik label head Jason Patrick, Vision regular RJ Pickens, Illmeasures’ DJ Striz and many more. Listed has previously hosted some well-received Mobilee showcases in Chicago featuring artists Exercise One, Pan-Pot and GummiHz, and their parties tend to get pretty serious when it comes to the theme, so don’t be surprised if you see many partygoers outfitted in sports costumes while sipping their cocktails and dancing the day away or taking advantage of the outdoor grill and sand volleyball courts. (Elly Rifkin)

July 26 at Moretti’s, 1645 W. Jackson, $10.

RECOMMENDED

Chicago promoter Volatl shows no sign of slowing down with its bookings in January, a month where most clubbers and DJs typically go into hibernation. The promotion group has planned a tropical-themed edition of its monthly residency at Sonotheque to combat the frigid winter. Headlining the event is Berlin-based minimal house wunderkind Bruno Pronsato, who returns to Chicago after nearly two years. A prolific producer who only performs his own music, Bruno Pronsato will treat Sonotheque to a live set of his instrumental, quirky and sexy productions. His latest full-length, “Why Can’t We Be Like Us?” received widespread critical acclaim, including a top-ten spot in Resident Advisor’s “Best Albums of 2008.” Pronsato has also received praise for his efforts on famed minimal label Perlon with Sammy Dee as Half Hawaii. Chicago’s own Kate Simko will perform her live P.A., which has been turning heads at clubs like Fabric in London, Weekend Club in Berlin and Crobar in Buenos Aires. Volatl’s focus for the event is the live-music experience, and Simko will debut interactive performance in conjunction with live visuals by Lavamatic. A DJ set from Chicago’s Jason Patrick, Klectik Recordings label-owner and one of the city’s most technically skilled techno and house DJs, will open the night. (Elly Rifkin)

 January 30 at Sonotheque, 1444 W. Chicago, (312)226-7600, at 9pm. $10-$15.

RECOMMENDED

Marco Freivogel and Ingo Gansera, the Berlin-based duo better known as Exercise One, will finally return to Chicago after more than a year, when they performed at San Francisco-based promotional group listed’s Chicago launch party in the lair at Vision. This time they’ll headline a holiday-themed party co-hosted by listed and Volatl for Volatl’s Sonotheque monthly. Exercise One will perform its live PA, an energetic session of extended jamming on each of their tracks. Expect rolling minimal techno with a focus on bass and clever percussion. The Lan Muzic label owners will be joined by some of Chicago’s finest. Sonotheque will also host a DJ set from Spectral artist Kate Simko, whose recent sets have blended warm house music with tribal grooves. Finally, Klectik label owner and artist Jason Patrick will perform a tag set with listed resident and Auralism Records co-owner Hac Le, who recently moved to San Francisco. (Elly Rifkin)

December 12 at Sonotheque, 1444 W. Chicago, at 9pm