Everyones’ favorite holiday brings a variety of mind-expanding shows. Easy Star Allstars dub out the BK Bowl tonight, while Mike Servito and Nooka Jones throw down top-shelf house and techno at Cameo. Saturday, Turntable Lab has huge lineup of killer in-store performances all day in honor of Record Store Day. Amon Tobin is gonna take some heads off at LPR, while DJ Ripley cools out Bushwick and Dave Q presents experimental film + electronic music pairings at Indie Screen. Monday there’s VIVEK at Deep Space; system sound for system people indeed. And Wednesday, catch Turrbotax resident Space Jamz kicking off the inaugural Lunch Beat NYC in the flatiron.

Quick note that  I’m changing up the titling a bit this week, so that these blog posts more closely match the email blasts, since they’re almost the exact same content. Also, Weekend Womp Forecast was a terrible name.  Onward!

FRIDAY, APRIL 19

Easy Star Allstars, John Brown’s Body at Brooklyn Bowl [8PM/$15]
The Easy Star Allstars have made a name for themselves doing next-level dub covers of classic albums. They’ve remade Dark Side of The Moon, Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, and Radiohead’s OK Computer – all pretty stoney albums to begin with – to be even more irie than the originals. Which is no small feat. But the real accomplishment here is that these don’t sound like covers at all; more like the same album from an alternate dimension.The Allstars are comprised of top-notch session players and produced by the deft hand of Ticklah, aka Victor Axelrod (who is also a founding member of The Dap-Kings and Antibalas).
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Mike Servito, Nooka Jones, Air Zaire at Cameo Gallery [12AM/$12]
Mike Servito and Nooka Jones are two of the best resident DJs in NYC for house and techno. While Mike is the definitive old guard, with nearly 20 years behind the decks (the last 10 as a resident for The Bunker, NYC’s seminal techno party), Nooka is the new-school poster boy. Initially coming up as an intern for Percussion Lab a few years back, Nooka has quickly shed the young-gun descriptors to become known primarily for his stellar mixing and diverse selections. If you’re looking for trendy shit, look elsewhere.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 20

RECORD STORE DAY: FaltyDL, DJ Ayres, Eli Escobar, Justin Strauss, Dope Shoes, many more at Turntable Lab [10AM-8PM/FREE]
Turntable Lab has an epic lineup of in store performances for Record Store Day, featuring some of NYC’s best dance music selectors. Check your local twitter listings and their website tomorrow for set times, or watch the livestream online.
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TUNNEL VISION: Raz Mesinai, Ikue Mori, Howse, David Linton at IndieScreen [9:30/$10wRSVP]
A unique event put together by Dub War founder Dave Q, exploring the intersection of experimental film and bass music, at the Indie Screen cinema (next to Glasslands). Tunnel Vision will feature a variety of shorts as well as 4 longer works will be shown on the main screen, with live electronic scores performed on the exquisite Tsunami Bass Soundsystem. Definitely not your standard club night.
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Amon Tobin (DJ Set) at Le Poisson Rouge [11PM/$20]
While Amon Tobin has been turning heads of the last 2 years with his phenomenal ISAM a/v show, his DJ sets are pretty mind-blowing in their own right, as his 2003 live album will attest. His dynamic sets are furious mix of classics from his extensive discography, deep cuts of weirdo drum-n-bass, and smattering of contemporary heavyness. I’ve seen him several times and can say with confidence that his sets never disappoint.
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COOL OUT: DJ Ripley (all-vinyl dancehall set), Max Pearl, Regent Street, Oliver Rivard at Bushwick Kitchen [11PM/FREE]
A rocksteady, ska and dubwise party, featuring an all-vinyl set from DJ Ripley. Can’t say enough good things about Ripley. Not only is she an absurdly talented DJ (check the mixes. seriously.) and a freshly minted member of Dutty Artz, she’s also a righteous legal scholar, educator and activist. Her twitter and blog are must-reads if you ever think about the intersections of gender, race and class as they pertain to the dancefloor. And if you don’t, WAKE THE FUCK UP! Shit matters.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 12

TOP PICK  LIT CITY RAVE: DJ Deeon, Traxman, Dubbel Dutch, J-Cush, Durban at The Rink [10PM/$12]
Lit City is back in NYC for the first time since New Years, and boy are they going hard. First off, it’s the NYC debut of DJ Deeon, who has been pushing Chicago’s ghetto house sounds since ‘94 – he’s one of the true originators and innovators. But they’re also bringing out Traxman, another Chicago footwork legend. His Da Mind of Traxman LP on Planet Mu last year was a shoe-in for year end lists, and a turning point in visibility for the sounds of chicago footwork. Also on the bill, Mixpak’s Dubbel Dutch, who knows a thing or two about makin motherfuckers dance at high tempos, and Lit City residents J-Cush and Durban. Back at 285 Kent – bring earplugs, it will get loud.
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Egyptrixxx, Evan Michael, T’Angelo, Judge Wise at Cameo Gallery [12AM/$7]
Toronto’s Egyptrixxx is back in NYC, with his “celestial club music”. Pulling from techno, drone and even pop motifs, Egyptrixxx obliterates your expectations of what can be done with a 4×4 format. Expect an extremely danceable set full of unexpected textures, tension and a complete lack of trendy bullshit.
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Christian Martin (Dirtybird) plus Chris Love, AB Logic, Chris Patrick + Joe Pompeo at Cielo [10PM/$15]
Christian Martin is one of the founders of Dirtybird, the label that has single handedly fomented a San Francisco funky tech house revival. Supported by the SOUP crew, who normally hold it down at Sullivan Room, this is a party for people serious about gettin their dance on.
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BONOBO, Nickodemus, Wiseacre at Public Assembly [12AM/$10]
The demigod of downtempo, Bonobo, is playing 2 shows tonight in support of his new LP, The North Borders. The first, at Webster Hall, is totally sold out, but he has a late DJ set at Public Assembly with limited tickets available at the door. I’ve had the pleasure of catching Bonobo twice in the last year, and his DJ sets are energetic and danceable, infused with his uber-smooth jazz and trip hop sensibility, but still sounding totally current for a 2013 dancefloor.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 13

DISCOVERY: Gerd plus Free Magic & Faso at Glasslands [12AM/$10]
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Lit City & Bandshell Present: Brenmar, Total Freedom, Rizzla, J-Cush at 285 Kent [12AM/$10]
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NIGHT PEOPLE: Jubilee, Eli Escobar, Lloydski, Blu Jemz at Le Bain
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A recent live set from the Archie Pelago, recorded live at Glasslands for Discovery Party on  March 9. One of the reasons I love these dudes so much is their versatility. You could say that’s by design; the trio is a DJ (Dan Hirshorn) and two live musicians (Zach Koeber on Saxaphone and Greg Heffernan on Cello) which gives them a lot of range, stylistically.

But it’s also by choice. A week before this set was recorded, I saw them at Freecandy where their set was largely 160 bpm stuff – juke, jungle and the like. That feel was perfect for the Astronautico party, which leans towards the experimental edges of bass music. Then they turn around and play an almost all-house set (with a fucking awesome techno curveball from Randomer towards the end) for Discovery. Judging by how the whole crowd was dancing, it was the right choice.  Enjoy.

Archie Pelago – Live at DISCOVERY March 2013 by Discovery Recordings on Mixcloud

TRACKLIST:
Throwing Shade (dub) – Distal
The BDA (Archie Pelago BFA Remix) – Aoim & Meveo
Madame Suede Nightshade (dub) – Archie Pelago
Remember (Azuni Remix) – Leif
Bop – Brandt Brauer Frick
Ghetto Kraviz – Nina Kraviz
Clammy Customer (dub) – Archie Pelago
Subway Gothic – Archie Pelago
Get Yourself Together – Randomer
Breezy Whey (forthcoming) – Archie Pelago

FRIDAY, APRIL 5

RINSED: Doc Daneeka (EP Release Party), Velcro, Soul 2 Seoul, plus Dan Wender, Blacky II at tba [12AM/$2wRSVP]
Rinsed brings us UK house producer Doc Daneeka. Doc has been making waves in the bass scene, pushing an exciting not-quite-house sound for the last few years. With nods to techno and UK Funky, Daneeka’s sets (like this one from 2011) are consistently engaging, surprising and full of fresh tunes you’ll hear for the first time tonight, but for months to come afterwards. Joining him is Velcro, a house production duo from LA whose tunes all overflow with a juicy, funky, uniquely west-coast vibe. Plus the Rinsed residents and guest DJs Soul 2 Seoul, all for just TWO DOLLARS when you RSVP. Location announced to RSVPs ONLY, but is off the Graham Ave L stop.
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#AOLTOO: DJ Funeral, Jubilee, bEEdEEgEE, Chippy Nonstop (live!), Signe Pierce (live!), Stryker Matthews, more at 330 Ellery [11PM/$10]
Another eclectic warehouse rave from Good Kids Present. The enigmatic DJ Funeral headlines – expect some seriously fun, dark, manic club music (juke, bmore, jersey etc) with a healthy dose of levity. BDG of experimental band Gang Gang Dance DJs, along with Jubilee, who I have to figure out a new way to describe every damn week because she’s always playing the best parties. Expect a bombastic set from Oakland rapper Chippy Nonstop and another live performance from Signe Pierce, who you’ll have to research on your own (adventure!). Open vodka bar from 11-12, and music till the sun comes up.
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ASTRONAUTICO: Sleepyhead, Dunes, Mohegan Son plus Obey City, The Range, Michael Jukeson at Free Candy [10PM/$5wRSVP]
Our favorite raved-out parking garage gets taken over by the Broke City residents, a party that champions partying on the cheap with your best friends. Who all happen to be amazing DJs and producers, articulating fresh perspectives on RnB-infused club music. Mohegan Son’s spastic, sexual production style exudes fun and danceability. Dunes has been putting out monstrous house jams nonstop for the last year. Sleepyhead is perhaps the most accomplished, having put out tracks on two of our favorite labels, Distal’s Embassy Recordings and Kastle’s Symbols Music. He’s also collaborated with Mimosa as SexyTime and a ton of other top–notch producers.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 6

SUBVERSE: Truth (NZ), Mesck (LA), I.N.I., Max Mischief, hosted by Diggadee Emcee at The Paper Box [10PM/$10]
Subverse is a new deep dubstep party, all about proper sound and bringing in international headliners. Truth are a top shelf dubstep duo from New Zealand, regularly headlining festivals all over the world, and Mesck is a young gun from LA. The soundsystem by Tsunami Bass Experience is also deserving of top billing. For the last few years, they’ve been providing mindblowing, chest rattling sound reinforcement for the finest bass music events (Reconstrvct, Unsound Festival, secret shows) and have earned their reputation as a name you trust. Saturday they unveil four brand new custom built Labhorn subs, which apparently are pretty next level.
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The Mast, Colorwar, Moon Furies at Glasslands [8:30PM/$10]
The Mast is a live electronic duo: vocalist Haale and percussionist/producer Matt Kilmer and oh my god they are so talented. Haale has a voice unlike anything I’ve ever heard – phenomenally powerful, nuanced, and with a compelling, hypnotic quality. Paired with Matt’s gorgeous, deft beats (both sequenced and live), they conjure lush electronica reminiscent of the Knife, Massive Attack or Bjork, while maintaining their own distinct, moody groove. Prepare to be entranced by their sound, and blown away by their musicianship.
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RVDIOVCTIVE: Mess Kid, Tony Quattro, Star Falcon plus Chemicals of Creation, String Theory, KRE8OR at Tutus [10PM/FREE]
Tony Quattro has been having a good year – Trouble & Bass put out his single New York Anthem/Forth and Seek to rave reviews and support from some of the biggest tastemakers in bass music (and us too!). Go listen to it – it’s encapsulates the genre-less heavy bass sound we love T&B for so much. Joining him are underground club demigod Mess Kid and Dubday resident Star Falcon, as well as RVDIOVCTIVE’s residents. You can’t argue with the price, and Tutus is steps from the Morgan L stop (which means you can get the best felafel ever on your way home).
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