HARDER Ball
The Chocolate Factory70 Scott Ave Brooklyn, NY 11237 · Map
This night happened — Sat 20 Apr 2024
Press play
Who was billed7 artists
In the order the promoter listed them.
- next: Berghain in Berlin, Sat 28 NovBudino
- next: Refuge, Sat 7 NovJustin Cudmore
- Fatherhood
- HAIEK
- Ryan Farr
- next: H0L0, Thu 22 OctWill Jack
- Riccardo Tavarez
Set times were not published.
Most of these pairings were meeting for the first time that night.
the pairs that have met
16 of the 21 pairings on this bill were first meetings.
- Ryan Farr and Riccardo Tavarez — 4 shared bills before that night, first on Sat 20 Apr 2024.
- Will Jack and Riccardo Tavarez — 2 shared bills before that night, first on Sat 20 Apr 2024.
- Justin Cudmore and Will Jack — 1 shared bill before that night, first on Sat 20 Apr 2024.
- Budino and Will Jack — 1 shared bill before that night, first on Sat 20 Apr 2024.
- Justin Cudmore and Riccardo Tavarez — 1 shared bill before that night, first on Fri 27 Oct 2023.
Who they are
“Budino is an Italian DJ and producer who has been based in Berlin since 2012.”
their own biography
the whole biography
Budino is an Italian DJ and producer who has been based in Berlin since 2012. Every free moment is devoted to digging for new music and exploring fresh ways to weave her discoveries together. Her sets unfold like psychedelic tapestries, blending industrial beats, tribal percussion, and rich sonic textures. Over the years, Budino has refined her craft through unique edits and reworks that bring new life and versatility to the rare gems she tirelessly unearths. After a decade playing Berlin’s most iconic queer dance floors, her deep connection with New York City led her to being part of the Gloria Danger parties. In addition to her work behind the decks and in the studio, Budino was invited to curate the fourth edition of Love International Festival’s compilation series, The Sound of Love International. Budino has performed at some of the world’s most legendary clubs and festivals, including Panorama Bar, Fabric, Club Raum, Basement, Horst Festival, Houghton, Dekmantel Selectors, Making Time, as well as delivering exciting back-to-back sets with Tiga and Ivan Smagghe. She is also co-authoring a book with Bill Brewster, exploring Italian dance music culture and the art of DJing from 1965 to 1995, coming out in 2027.Their RA profile lists Nocturnal Hazard, Proxima and Sonic Dream Recordings.Last at public records in Oct 2023 · often with Berghain, Säule, Kwartz, none of them here that night
“Justin's coming-of-age as a fan and creator of dance music took place amidst the wide expanses of central Illinois.”
their own biography
the whole biography
Justin's coming-of-age as a fan and creator of dance music took place amidst the wide expanses of central Illinois. As a kid growing up in the state’s tucked-away capital of Springfield, he played drums as a jazz percussionist in school. While most of his peers were tuned into pop music, Justin was wearing out self-made mixes and classic disco compilations, workshopping new-wave influenced beats in bands and DJing college parties. A post-graduation move to Chicago led him to work for the influential dance music blog Little White Earbuds, opening him up to fully experience the city’s thriving underground house and techno scene. A Midwest-born and raised DJ, Justin has played at queer parties such as Wrecked, The Carry Nation, Horse Meat Disco, Honcho, and Club Toilet, and has gained a following all over the world with appearances at clubs like Smartbar Chicago, Panorama Bar, Is Burning Amsterdam, Razzmatazz Barcelona, DC10 and Lux Fragil. His bold, acid-flecked distillation of house and techno has found a home on the labels that are helping to shape the current landscape of transgressive body music, including The Bunker New York, Detroit’s Interdimensional Transmissions, and Honey Soundsystem Records. Justin's sound is defined by snaking acid lines, whip smart drums and offbeat rave melodies that have resonated with DJs and dancers from Detroit to Berlin. He has been featured in mixes for series such as Beats In Space, Truants, MixMag, Phantasy and The Bunker New York’s long-running podcast.Techno on 23, House on 20, Tech House on 10 and Acid on 9. styles on their catalogued releasesReleased on Acid For Trans Health (1), Spotlight Records (1) and The Night Institute (1); their RA profile also lists Turbo Recordings, Hotflush Recordings, Interdimensional Transmissions, Phonica White and 6 more. labels on their catalogued releases and on their RA profileRecently at public records, BASEMENT, Paragon · often with Mike Servito, Jeffrey Sfire, Kim Anh, none of them here that night
“Fatherhood is the perfect union of Michael Magnan and Physical Therapy.”
their own biography
Their RA profile lists Origami Sound, Get Up Recordings and Allergy Season.Recently at BASEMENT, Gabriela, Paragon · often with Michael Magnan, Physical Therapy, Sobolik, none of them here that night
Last at Bossa Nova Civic Club in Apr · often with Makadsi, Nita Aviance, Markus, none of them here that night
Recently at Le Bain · often with Mixed Greens, LOFTUS, Patrick Kyle, none of them here that night
“Will Jack is a PNW-born, Brooklyn-based DJ, producer, and promoter whose work has made a lasting impact on queer and underground dance floors on both coasts.”
their own biography
the whole biography
Will Jack is a PNW-born, Brooklyn-based DJ, producer, and promoter whose work has made a lasting impact on queer and underground dance floors on both coasts. First emerging from Portland, OR as the figurehead behind the influential Switch Dance Party. Will Jack played a role in elevating a wave of Portland's transgressive queer performance spaces through an emphasis on intentional curation, community, and ritual. Switch has hosted a wide range of forward-thinking artists cementing its reputation as a vital cultural moment and in recent years has seen the likes of artists such as Kevin Aviance, Vander Von Odd, Volvox, Aurora Halal, Sharlese, SPRKLBB, Ariel Zetina and more. After relocating to New York City with a singular focus on nightlife, Will Jack became deeply embedded in Brooklyn’s DIY ecosystem. Working behind the scenes with the UNTER collective as a producer honed his attention to detail and respect for dance floor dynamics, while countless warehouse and club nights refined his sensibility as a selector. He now co-runs the popular DIY afters series TOSSD alongside Giovannii, another influential figure out of Portland, where he serves as both resident and a creative production force. With residency at both TOSSD and Brooklyn’s ANIMAL, Will Jack stretches across a wide range of selections and approaches DJing as a contextual and narrative-driven practice. His sound centers groove, mystery, and sex appeal—drawing from New York and Chicago House, Detroit Techno, Acid, Electro, and Psychedelic textures—always with a percussive-forward pulse designed to move mind, body, and spirit. Known for extended sets that unfold patiently, his performances balance hedonism with intention, treating raving as ritual. Will Jack has played at spaces such as NYC's Basement/Studio, Seattle's Massive, San Francisco's Power House, and iconic underground parties including Unter, F*ggots Are Women, Mizz Softee, TOSSD and more. A lifelong student of dance music culture and a dedicated contributor to the communities he inhabits, Will Jack continues to be a tastemaker in contemporary queer underground dance music.Last at Happyfun Hideaway in Feb · often with Giovannii, Sevyn Love, DJ DEADNAME, none of them here that night
Recently at 9 Bob Note, Body by Brooklyn, Le Bain · often with Mark Holcomb, Greg Scarnici, Eric Umble, none of them here that night
names these artists often play with — not that night
- Mike Servito13 with Justin Cudmore and 2 with Budino
- Patrick Kyle8 with Riccardo Tavarez and 3 with Ryan Farr
- Kim Anh5 with Justin Cudmore and 2 with Will Jack
- Makadsi4 with Justin Cudmore and 3 with HAIEK
- Sterling Juan Diaz4 with Justin Cudmore and 2 with Riccardo Tavarez
- Nita Aviance3 with Will Jack and 2 with HAIEK
- Charlene2 with Riccardo Tavarez and 2 with Ryan Farr
- S4M232 with Justin Cudmore and 2 with Will Jack
42 said they were going — much quieter than a usual Saturday at The Chocolate Factory.
how this compares
- Median final count, Saturdays at The Chocolate Factory188
- Middle half finished between65 and 470
- Past Saturdays at this venue counted65
The room
The Chocolate Factory — 150 events and 569 distinct artists since Aug 2023.
Most-tagged here: House (7), Techno (6), Bass (3) and Funk / Soul (3). genre tags on this room’s listings
Who put it on
HARDER — 44 events and 74 artists since Oct 2023.