CTRLZORA

Hailing from Chicago, CTRLZORA is an event (THE COWRIE) and music curator, producer, artist collective co-founder, DJ, musician, and dance music equitist from Chicago. They aim to contribute to keeping the electronica dance scene alive and soulful through house, techno, jazz, funk, world music, and more. CTRLZORA carries a sound that cannot be confused for anything short of authentic and raw, spanning from the furthest corners of Midwestern dance music all the way to the expansive sounds of the African diaspora and beyond, often collaborating with the creators of the original Warehouse and Music Box Chicago, and US Studios, prior to those. Paying homage to the history and liberation of music within communities of color across genres is their central focus, alongside perpetuating the tradition of house music in its originator, Chicago, and black and queer culture. They've spearheaded activism efforts to preserve historical venues of Chicago like The Post and The Warehouse, pushing to keep the integrity and history of the music's roots alive. They have also participated in panels and have been invited for lectures on the subject of Black Social and Cultural intersections in dance music and gatherings in the midwest and beyond. Mentored by the very architects of soulful house and techno, C Zora has frequently played and spoken at venues and on platforms such as Smartbar, The Lot Radio, the Silverroom Block Party, The Frankie Knuckles Festival, Chicago House Music Festival, Art Basel, Movement Detroit Weekend, University of Chicago, Public Records Brooklyn, Nowadays Brooklyn, The Post Chicago, The Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago Cultural Center, and various venues and radio stations throughout the city and beyond. Zora has also had the honor of playing and collaborating alongside greats such as Lil Louis, Juan Atkins, Gene Hunt, Glenn Underground, Musclecars, Timmy Regisford, Celeste Alexandar, and Ron Trent. Infusing their own spiritual associations with music, Zora aims to create an energy that brings somatic healing not only to themselves but also to their listeners. Quick to draw from the archives while blending with modern reiterations, Zora shares their open love letters to music and mutual sonic communion with every crowd.

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