Photon

Who they are

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  Ben Klock

  Berlin, Germany · 3 bookings since Sep 2023

  “His long-standing relationship with the notorious Techno institution has formed the backdrop to his success, providing an invaluable platform that has allowed him to become one of the most in-demand DJ-producers of the current generation.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  His long-standing relationship with the notorious Techno institution has formed the backdrop to his success, providing an invaluable platform that has allowed him to become one of the most in-demand DJ-producers of the current generation. Those who have witnessed him perform will note not only the diversity in his track selection, but also his ability to create a room rather than just play to it. Though intense and powerful, his DJ output reflects a certain kind of fervour, capturing an artistry and emotion that can often appear absent from the Techno genre. He also possesses a wonderful understanding of how to adapt his music to the circumstances, a competence that means he can be found at both large-scale festivals and small intimate club settings around the world. Much of his early career was marked by marathon sets – a signature that played a considerable role in nurturing his skills and reputation – but even the more compressed sets he shares today evidence an intricate narrative and sense of flow that defines him as a DJ. It was these inherent abilities that led him to compile the fabric 66 compilation in 2012, before winning the BBC Radio 1’s Essential Mix of the Year award in 2015. Over recent years his focus has been on touring – but his early works, most of which were released via Ostgut Ton, have become landmarks in the imprint’s history. 2009’s “Dawning”, the first of his collaborations with Marcel Dettmann, kickstarted the label itself and remains a stand-out track in its discography. Other releases of particular note include “Subzero”, taken from his Before One EP, and the Compression Session EP (2010). For many, however, it is his album One (2009) that best captures Klock’s talents as a producer. Still today, this seminal record forms a reference point for all Techno long-players. His skills as a remixer have also seen him rework tracks by a wide variety of artists, including Kerri Chandler, Depeche Mode, Robert Hood and Kenny Larkin. Additionally, Klock also runs Klockworks, a label he founded in 2006 as a home for his more raw and minimal productions. The focus, however, has shifted over recent years, with the label becoming a medium for him to present his more diverse personal tastes and support developing talents. Trevino, DVS1 and Etapp Kyle have all released on the imprint during the earlier stages of their careers. The growth of the label has been aided by a series of showcases at various international locations, including London’s Village Underground, New York, Barcelona, Detroit and Berlin, with more on the horizon.
  SoundCloud ↗Bandcamp ↗Discography ↗
  Their RA profile lists BPitch, Ostgut Ton, Rekids, Memo and 6 more.

  often with Berghain, Säule, Fadi Mohem, none of them here that night

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  FJAAK

  Berlin, Germany · 4 bookings since Sep 2023 · RSO peak-time techno

  SoundCloud ↗Discography ↗
  Their RA profile lists Tresor, Tectonic Recordings, City Slang, Monkeytown Records and 4 more.

  often with SALOME, Disguised, Daisy Weweh, none of them here that night

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  Stef Mendesidis

  Amsterdam, Netherlands · 8 bookings since Sep 2023

  “Nerd in grain, Stef sharpened his self-education by diving deep into the analogue essence of sound.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  Nerd in grain, Stef sharpened his self-education by diving deep into the analogue essence of sound. Playing on 4 decks and using miscellaneous drum loops of his own production, Stef creates techno on the go, always leaving space for contextual improvisation. In sound production Stef Mendesidis uses a technique of one-take recording, staying loyal to the principle of live techno creation. He possesses a true synesthetic approach transforming his inner feelings, images and ideas into sound patterns. His music is released on such influential labels as Klockworks and Projekts. Nowadays Stef is shaking dancefloors of the most significant techno clubs, and his gigs are always a blast. His shows are a pure reflection of straight-forward outbreaks and never-ending dynamics that provide a genuine one-of-a-kind experience to passionate ravers. Known by his long-lasting closing sets, Stef can play up to 10 hours in a row and still preserve the maximum interest of a listener. His highly energetic sets are able to immediately make the dancefloor look like it’s midnight prime time.
  SoundCloud ↗Discography ↗
  Their RA profile lists Klockworks and Clergy.

  often with LYDO, The Carry Nation, Chlär, none of them here that night

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  Volvox

  New York City · 45 bookings since Aug 2023

  “Volvox is a global leader in the movement for representation of female, queer, trans and nonbinary identities in the techno industry.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  Volvox is a global leader in the movement for representation of female, queer, trans and nonbinary identities in the techno industry. A dominant figure of New York’s techno renaissance, across the globe the name DJ Volvox has become synonymous with surgical mixing technique and a certain square-shooting, take-no-prisoner approach towards dance floor business. Her parties are the stuff of legend, and her authenticity as a global cultural figure is undeniable. As a member of Discwoman, the all-female DJ crew that transformed electronic music culture over the last decade, she broke ground for more women to rise in the global DJ ranks and inspired countless more to begin in the craft. Having circled the globe more times than she can count, Volvox has turned her sights back on nurturing electronic music culture in her home, the United States. Ariana is now spearheading the construction of a space of inclusivity under the umbrella of a FLINTA-driven event series, simply named FLINTA NYC. Her music-driven program seeks to reinvigorate the techno scene by reviving context and nuance and blending scenes to push Brooklyn nightlife into the next chapter. Ariana is known for tough, stripped-back techno and groovy hypnotic sets that seduce the listener into a maelstrom of emotion. She has been a busy DJ and event producer since 2006 and in that time has shared the decks with many international stars including DVS1, Marcel Dettmann, Ellen Allien, The Hacker, Legowelt and Mike Servito. Raised in Buffalo, New York, her early experiences in the industrial and rave scenes of rust-belt America shaped her outlook on dance culture. An ardent supporter of the underground, she was a key figure in developing the electronic music scene in Boston, Massachusetts from 2007-2010. Breaking out internationally in 2015 she has enjoyed a busy tour schedule including noted appearances at Dekmantel and the ascendant Sustain-Release festival in upstate New York. Since then she tours extensively across Europe and makes regular appearances at Berghain/Panorama Bar in Berlin. She also tours South America and Asia yearly. Ariana is a unique character on the US scene guaranteed to bring a high energy show that lights up dance floors with an undeniable spirit.
  SoundCloud ↗Bandcamp ↗
  Their RA profile lists Ostgut Ton, Jack Dept and Murder Records.

  Last at Mansions in Aug · often with Dominga, Boris, Sissies of Mercy, none of them here that night

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  Juana

  Washington DC · 53 bookings since Aug 2023

  “Juana has enticed crowds all over the world at venues such as Berghain, LuxFrágil, Fabric, Smartbar, Basement, Nowadays, and countless festivals and underground warehouse gigs.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  Juana has enticed crowds all over the world at venues such as Berghain, LuxFrágil, Fabric, Smartbar, Basement, Nowadays, and countless festivals and underground warehouse gigs. She originally hails from the city of Chicago where she cultivated her love for the underground at clubs like Smartbar and The Generator and parties such as Soul in the Hole and Boom Boom Room. She began DJing in roughly 2001 and moved to DC in 2003 where she began hosting weekly live internet radio shows on HandzOnRadio (Baltimore) and Cyberjamz (Tampa) and playing parties in the DC scene, upping her skills alongside her mentor and legendary DJ Sam “the Man” Burns, and at clubs including Red and the DC Sanctuary. Juana started obsessively collecting disco and early house records in the late 90s and eventually developed an undying penchant for straight-ahead techno and deeper, darker shades of first and second-wave Chicago dance music. In the 2010s, Juana made her mark in DC as one of only a handful of techno DJs and a resident of the legendary rave, Sequence, and started regularly touring North and South America and EU. In the 2020s, Juana picked up major momentum, becoming a resident of the renowned rave Unter and making frequent appearances at Basement, Nowadays, and Paragon. She has been a founding member of the DC QT BIPOC collective NOXEEMA JACKSON since 2021, and in 2026, joined the MERGE collective. As a producer, her most recent EP “We Are Everything We Think We're Not” was released in March 2024, and she has also appeared recently on releases from the No Mercy, World Building, and Perimeter Junk labels. She is currently working on more releases, probably until she croaks.
  SoundCloud ↗Bandcamp ↗
  Their RA profile lists Bound, Vanity Press Records, ROAMANCE, Trax Only and 1 more.

  Last at Bossa Nova Civic Club in Aug · often with Ne/Re/A, Auspex, Concrete Husband, none of them here that night