Cover Story
Massive attack
From Dj Psycho to Major Lazer, here are the 12 acts you need to see
Published: May 23, 2012
"We put the 'no' in techno"
Who: Benoit + Sergio
From: Washington, D.C., Berlin
Sound: The pair shows an uncanny command of the middle register on such singles as "Everyday," so it's no wonder they describe their "New Ships" EP (on Detroit's Visionquest) as "a dream-pop tinctured confection within a dance-music wrapper."
Set: "Think Public Enemy circa 1989: Sergio channeling the manic spirit of Flavor Flav; Benoit combining the dangerous powers of Chuck D and Terminator X. Except we will be playing new dance jams with the spirit of '70s classic rock."
When: Saturday, 4:40-5:30 p.m., Beatport Stage
More: soundcloud.com/benoitandsergio, facebook.com/benoitandsergio
"If this is the prison, life is the sentence."
Who: Marcellus Pittman
From: Detroit
Sound: Pittman came up under house demigod Theo Parrish, and his Unirhythm label has been adding to the canon of deep set floor fillers like "Chicago Nights" and "There's Somebody Out There," while his output teamed with Parrish, Rick Wilhite and Kenny Dixon's 3 Chairs collective.
Set: Pittman's promising the straightest of dope: "'80s and '90s dance classics, as well as current dance and disco edits." Double-whammy, whoa!
When: Saturday, 6:30-8 p.m., Made in Detroit Stage
More: on.fb.me/Lkq8kJ
"To define is to limit."
Who: Guy Gerber
From: Israel
Sound: The Israeli-born producer recently relocated to L.A., which make sense given his cinematic take on dance music, as heard on his new "The Mirror Game" EP for Detroit-based label Visionquest. Gerber brings high-profile chops to a dependable, progressive take on what used to be called tech-house; he's been tapped to record the June installment of the prestigious Fabric Live mix series, and is also working with Puff Daddy (!) on an album. Bad boy, indeed.
Set: Gerber is teaming with Berlin-via-Detroit prog-techster Seth Troxler for a back-to-back two-hour set. "It's always a little magical when we play together because we blend so perfectly into each other," Gerber says. "We don't practice together much, which leaves us both more space to improvise."
When: Saturday, 10 p.m.-midnight, Beatport Stage, back-to-back with Seth Troxler.
More: facebook.com/guygerber
"A new world is coming, be ready"
Who: Damian Lazarus
From: L.A. via London
Sound: Lazarus' production and mixing chops extend to the bidness of dance music. He's got cred out the ass — his Crosstown Rebels label was voted '11's top label by DJ-culture bible Resident Advisor, which has released an alarmingly consistent streak of sophisticated feel-good tracks from Amirali (favorite of UK tastemaker Pete Tong and embraced by NPR music supervisors) and Jamie Jones (an Ibiza upstart who's become Resident Advisor's No. 1 DJ). Lazarus' own productions show a limitless command of the context and nuances of dance floor euphoria, ranging from main-room staples to Spiritualized-ish comedown tracks for after-afterparties.
Set: Armed with pre-release albums from Amirali and Jones, Lazarus is promising "brand-new music plucked from space, perfectly orchestrated for Detroit Earthlings."
When: Saturday, 7-8:30 p.m., Beatport Stage
More: @damianlazarus, damianlazarus.com
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