Artist Spotlight: Drasla

Drasla is a producer from Chicago. He tells me his "life-long goal has been to grind Philip Glass, Squarepusher, and bebop into heavy metal sausages. A perfect electronica track should sound like a combination of time travel and seizure. It will plant narcotics on you just so you get into a high-speed car chase to justify it's existence. If listened to at 5am, it should yank at least three tears from your eyes (three tears total, not three per eye, mind you)."

Check out his track "Cities Lost to Snow" and hear more of his music on his Soundcloud.
 

Artist Spotlight: 12ax7

12ax7 is an electronic music producer from the Chicago suburbs. He was classically trained in musical instruments and theory for six years as a guitarist and cellist, but somehow found himself down the path to electronic music production. He was initially inspired by Aphex Twin's collection of ambient work and his obsession was born. He also found influence in the work of Venetian Snares, Wagon Christ, Square Pusher, Chris Clark, Bong-Ra, Aaron Specter, Skream, Daft Punk, Benny Benassi, Glitch Mob, Infected Mushroom and Deadmau5. After years of playing with primitive sequencers, in early 2009, he was introduced to the concept of a tracker: the program Renoise.

Now his production is thriving using trackers sequencers and all sorts of digital and analogue mediums. These are combined with influences ranging through many genres including House, Drum and Bass, Dubstep, Glitch, and Trance.

12ax7 plans to release his first free Electronic House EP in early April of 2013.

Check out his track "Take Aim" and hear more of his music on his Soundcloud and Facebook.

Artist Spotlight: BKr@zY

BrYeN, aka “BKr@zY”, is an Electro House producer and DJ from Chicago by night and a Wall Street specialist by day. Currently 30 years old, BKr@zY balances a full time job with non-stop scheduled appearances at local clubs, house parties, and many hours devoted to producing remixes, mash-ups, and bootlegs.

BKr@zY began his music career at 13 as a guitarist in a local band. At the age of 16, he developed an addictive taste for electronic music. While attending college, he began working with some of Chicago's biggest party promoters including 360 Entertainment, Another Level Inc., Exact/React Events, Surreal, Elite, Global Adrenaline, and even LA's biggest party promoters, KARMA Events.

He tells me he has performed as a monthly guest DJ at clubs including a brand new club in Joliet at the Hollywood Casino, Reve Nightclub, the MID, SMART Bar, Vertigo Lounge, Polekatz, and Zentra. BKr@zY says his dedication to the nightlife/EDM community is beginning to ignite and his dream is finally becoming a reality.

Check out his February Dutch/Electro House mix and hear more of his music on his Soundcloud.