Thrilled to share my recent set from Smartbar, where I had the honor of closing out a night of high-energy music after @brenda.c_312 and @marron.ec . Being part of the final Obscure X Format party was truly special. Some of my best core memories in the Chicago rave scene were made at Obscure and Format parties before the pandemic.
I still remember the first time I met @cinnamusic . It was a few years ago at a party where I was playing a sunrise set with a trashcan fire blazing behind me. When he later asked if I’d be interested in playing an Obscure party, I was beyond excited! I always put my heart and soul into preparing for these sets, and this one was particularly rewarding.
Thank you to everyone in the crowd who joined me on this journey, where I was able to explore a groovier and lighter side of my musical expression. I could feel your vibrant dance energy, you graciously shared your excitement with me during the set, and many of you stayed with me til the lights came up. My goal was for everyone to leave with smiles, and it felt like we all shared that collective happiness as the night came to a close. This set will forever hold a special place in my heart.
A thank you to @eness.c.vk for sharing your poetry and voice. Our collaboration track really set the tone for the night. (To be released soon!)
And a shoutout to Chicago’s @_userfrndly for their track Air Supply, which perfectly fit the vibe during the closing section of the set.
And lastly, a very BIG and special shoutout to Obscure for years of challenging the status quo in the beautiful and turbulent Chicago scene. Your contributions will live on and never be forgotten. ❤️ Link in bio
For mix number 18 in the PPRZ Podcast series, we have a mix from Chicago's @makeen__
Chicago based producer and DJ Makeen is focused on groovy textural techno with a dark edge. He co-organizes the party series @research.n.development with J.S. Alvarez and founded the parties Spent and Near Dark.
His electronic music obsession began when he started performing live sets on tables full of gear. With an interest in sound design and synthesis, Makeen spent the early part of his artistic life composing and performing experimental music more focused on acoustic instruments. The latest leg of
his journey has brought him back to electronic music with an elevated passion for dance floor-focused beats.
Mix Description:
I decided to take a playful approach to this mix— playing some lighter and groovier tracks with an emphasis on trippy sounds and atmospheres. This mix was recorded with 3 x CDJs and an Allen & Heath Xone 92 mixer. The
focus was on long continuous blends, while shifting between new and unexpected sonic worlds.
For full mix recording and tracklist via SoundCloud checkout the link in our bio.
What an electrifying night at @smartbarchicago last Saturday! Playing alongside @marron.ec and @brenda.c_312 was an absolute thrill. Huge thanks to @formatrecordings and @intotheobscure for the invite, and to everyone who brought their infectious energy and danced with me till the very last beat!
Also, thrilled to share a preview of my upcoming unreleased track in the first and last video. And a special thanks to @eness.c.vk for the text and voice recordings to make this track possible! Stay tuned for the official release coming soon-ish!
Thrilled to be playing this Friday at @upstairsbasementberlin . It feels like a full-circle moment after moving here in December and being welcomed so warmly by the UB crew.
The radiant @aleraa._ opens the night, followed by resident @calciumchanneldj . I’ll be on pre-close duties, and Dorothy Counts will bring us home.
Hope to see you on the dance floor. 🖤
22:30-01:00 AleRaa
01:00-03:00 Calcium Channel
03:00-05:00 Makeen
05:00-LATE Dorothy Counts
DM Upstairs Basement or me for location details.
makeen is going to play the pre-closing this Friday for the second edition of SUBSTRATE from 04:30 - 07:00 🔥
join our Telegram channel for the exact location drop📍
This Friday I play my first party in Berlin! Elated to be playing along with some new friends and my favorite time slot pre-close(4:30-7:30). Come check out the event @substrat.e this weekend. DM for more details!
(Also, my new ep was just released, so give it a listen! Link in bio!)
Makeen returns to iideo showcasing a range of immersive and elegant techno compositions on the Suspended EP. Tension and groove are united through elevated sound design, resulting in an evocative journey across the dancefloor. Rounding things out are a deeply propulsive and hypnotic remix from Detroit/Chicago fixture, Jason Patrick, and a doomy percussive treatment from iideo label founder, Debbie. After twenty years of performing live hardware sets, DJing, and organizing parties in Chicago, Makeen is now Berlin based, opening a new chapter of music and community engagement for this talented techno devotee.
Makeen returns to iideo showcasing a range of immersive and elegant techno compositions on the Suspended EP. Tension and groove are united through elevated sound design, resulting in an evocative journey across the dancefloor. Rounding things out are a deeply propulsive and hypnotic remix from Detroit/Chicago fixture, Jason Patrick, and a doomy percussive treatment from iideo label founder, Debbie. After twenty years of performing live hardware sets, DJing, and organizing parties in Chicago, Makeen is now Berlin based, opening a new chapter of music and community engagement for this talented techno devotee.
This Friday is my last party in Chicago before starting my next adventure! Very excited to be back at Smoke & Mirrors with NYC’s Impulse Control — Ramsey Neville & Michelle Kay. I’ll be opening things up 10-12, so come say hello! Message me if you want guest list!!!
Research & Development Presents: Sard (Detroit) with support from residents @makeen__ and @shantiism October 23rd @whistlerchicago | NO COVER | starting at 9pm | moody incantations.
🪩 @sard is a Live PA artist, DJ and promoter living in Detroit. His searing live hardware sets effortlessly blend Detroit techno, acid, and Persian rhythms to create dance music that is familiar but unmistakably new.
🖤 We are so excited to experience the multifaceted and creative Sard in Chicago while sipping on some of the city’s best cocktails! It’s going to be a spooky night.
🎨 @zona_cinco_
One of the most memorable musical experiences I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing was in 2018 when I was incredibly lucky to see DJ Nobu play a mesmerizing prime time set at Berghain. People were smiling, hugging, and sharing a state of euphoria unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. After the set the word “transcendent” was echoing through the club. Last year I shared this story with DJ Nobu and I couldn’t be more honored to host and share the stage with him this Saturday along with Shanti!
@research.n.development@shantiism@dj_nobu_ft@smokeandmirrorschicago
