Building the Detroit scene can be described as a brick-by-brick process. You can think of the Detroit underground as a historic cathedral; while the city’s pioneers laid the grand foundation, it is the custodial artists who have spent the last two decades meticulously restoring the stained glass and maintaining the structure so that the music can continue to resonate with integrity through its halls.
In this interview, we trace @dan_bain and @misterjoshooa 's influence and their evolution from the late 90s underground to their roles as modern caretakers of the Detroit scene.
Interview by @sean_ocean .
Tap in to 📖 'Influences' — unabridged-sf.com
Ahead of @dan_bain ’s *Ground Level* podcast back-to-back with @misterjoshooa , he contributes *The Release: A Detroit Education* to our *Influences* series.
Take a moment to step into the story—early DIY roots in Detroit that continue to shape his work today, from Houston and beyond.
We first hosted Bain over a decade ago at the now-closed 222 Hyde. The connection’s held ever since. Honored to share his voice here.
Tap in — unabridged-sf.com
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Dan Bain doesn’t just play records—he builds feeling in real time.
Detroit-raised, his sets move as one continuous piece: vocals that linger, keys that drip, percussion that lifts. No fixed genre, just a deep pull across house, techno, hip-hop, and beyond.
He plays for the ones who need it. If it reaches one, it’s enough. Usually, it’s the whole room.
25 years in, the story keeps unfolding. Through *The Release*, Bain taps into the voices, records, and histories that shaped him, taking it on the road, from Detroit to wherever the signal lands.
No endings. Just the next chapter.
The passing eclipse fills me with inspiration,
Especially in these times of stress, anxiety and uncertainty - to open my heart and mind to connect. Together we are strong.
Throughout the most overwhelming challenges of my life,
I learned that Music is The Answer.
Music is The Release.
What started as a small Tuesday patio party in Houston TX to process my own emotional state, built momentum into 97 more shows.
More importantly, it became my mantra, my oasis and a safe space to welcome friends and artists to freely express themselves, even after moving back to Detroit.
In the weeks and months ahead,
I will be sharing key archives from the last
13 Years of The Release on my SoundCloud channel.
For anyone looking for an outlet - let’s get DEEP ❤️🔥
x
/dan-bain
Super pumped to do my first broadcast of The Release from the field this Sunday!
The first time I played at Social Circle in Kalamazoo, I was blown away by the level of raw energy and community that they have established with their monthly events in an incredible space. My heart was instantly filled with golden era rave nostalgia.
Following the Social Circle event this Saturday, we are dropping in to play music and talk a little bit about the inspiration behind their collective and their relationship to the scene.
LETS GET DEEP 🔥
SUN JAN 18
6AM - NOON
The Release
Live from KZOO
Ian Schofield & Joel Oliver
Jyarsch
Dan Bain
itch.tv/dan_bain
/dan_bain
@listentoblast
#sundayvibes #downtempo #housemusic #vinyl #listentoblast
❤️🔥🧚🏻♀️This Thursday in BOSTON - 1/15/2026🧚🏻♀️❤️🔥
I’m beyond excited to have two of my absolute favorite selectors going B2B, what a treat!!!!
I’ll be warming up the room for them with an all vinyl deep, groovy house set…for those who know what my record collection is like…you’re definitely gonna want to come early (I LOVE opening sets!!!) AND I’ll be bringing the magical light again 😎😎😎🥹🥹🥹
MIDNIGHT MAGIC
DAN BAIN (The Release, Paxahau) Detroit
B2B
JOE TAGESSIAN (Re:Set) Boston
ENERGY ARCHITECT (a.k.a. Punisher) - all vinyl opening set
Middlesex Lounge
315 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA
10pm-2am
#vinyl #vinyldj #house #centralsquarecambridge #minimal
Thursday Jan 8: Goods Thursdays* feat DAN BAIN (DET) with special guest PALMOLIVE + resident/host DUKE SHIN.
More on this week's guest talent...
Dan Bain: 2026 marks the 25th anniversary since Dan’s first gig. In an effort to honor all of the stories and history of his journey, Dan is taking his show, The Release to a new level.
Throughout the year, the show will feature casual interviews and stories from scene OGs and various artists, along with the usual requirement that guests bring the music that is the most meaningful to them.
Dan is also taking the show on the road to meet people in their native environment, with broadcasts from Kalamazoo, Houston; Chicago, Boston and various European scenes.
Catch the shows live at:
/dan_bain
itch.tv/dan_bain
A full archive of this series will be published later in 2026
Palmolive DJ’d in Japan in the 1990s, with deep scene knowledge. Classic and cutting edge new wave and industrial, his sound is heavily influenced by Wax Trax!, Nettwork and Energy Records. He loves the underground and likes to keep it moving.
* Goods Thursdays, weekly 9:30pm no cover. Swig 1469 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Angelo V will be rescheduled at a later date ❤️
NOON OR MIDNIGHT
FRIDAY DEC 19
7PM - 2AM
CANNONS
15421 Mack Ave, Detroit, MI 48224
TWO ROOMS OF SOUND
NO COVER
ADIA
DAN BAIN
DISCREET DISCO
JYARSCH
WALTER GLASSHOUSE
+ special guests
