Skee Mask + Lena Willikens / Kush Jones + MIRA MIRA / Justin Strauss
public records233 Butler St, Brooklyn, NY 11217 · Map
This night happened — Fri 23 May 2025
Press play
Who was billed5 artists
In the order the promoter listed them.
- next: ZENNER in Berlin, Sat 31 OctSkee Mask
- next: Berghain in Berlin, Fri 30 OctLena Willikens
- next: Elsewhere, Sat 31 OctKush Jones
- MIRA MIRA
- next: Gabriela, Sat 24 OctJustin Strauss
Set times were not published.
Most of these pairings were meeting for the first time that night.
the pairs that have met
8 of the 10 pairings on this bill were first meetings.
- Skee Mask and Kush Jones — 1 shared bill before that night, first on Fri 23 May 2025.
- Lena Willikens and Justin Strauss — 1 shared bill before that night, first on Fri 23 May 2025.
Who they are
- Their RA profile lists Ilian Tape, RFR Records and Infinite Drift.
Recently at Knockdown Center, Camp Kennybrook, Nowadays · often with TRESOR, GLOBUS, Bill Kouligas, none of them here that night
“Lena Willikens doesn’t play the hits.”
their own biography
the whole biography
Lena Willikens doesn’t play the hits. When she’s behind the decks, even her biggest fans often have no idea exactly what she’s playing, and that’s part of the magic. Like all DJs, Willikens of course has a passion for records and is always on the hunt for elusive bits of music, but as an artist, her work doesn’t hinge on any one track, or even a handful of tracks. She’s after something bigger, something that’s truly transportive for those on the dancefloor, and the tracks she plays – whether they’re bizarre slices of synth exploration, some ominously churning proto-industrial stomp or something else that simply defies classification – are all parts of a larger, more psychically satisfying whole. Born and raised in Germany, Willikens first honed her unique approach during a long residency at Düsseldorf’s Salon des Amateurs, a much-loved nightspot that has proven to be a hotbed of free-thinking DJ talent. Outside of the club, she also found a platform on Radio Cómeme, where her Sentimental Flashback radio show allowed Willikens to dive deep into all sorts of unusual musical wormholes. (The Cómeme label was also home to her first EP, 2015's Phantom Delia.) These days, however, Willikens' radio adventures happen on NTS, where she pilots the monthly Lightning Conductor program. Now based in Amsterdam, her curatory prowess prompted an invite from Dekmantel to put together the fifth installment of their acclaimed Selectors compilation series, and she also contributed a track to the label’s run of all-star 10th anniversary EPs. As a remixer, she's been tapped in recent years to rework the likes of Lena Platonos, rRoxymore, S U R V I V E, Simian Mobile Disco and Ana Helder, amongst others. And amidst all this activity, she's also been busy with Phantom Kino Ballett, a collaboration with artist Sarah Szczesny that lands somewhere between immersive audio-visual experience and performance art, allowing Willikens to indulge her transportive impulses in a completely new way. Nevertheless, it’s in the DJ booth where Willikens continues to make the biggest impact. As of late, she’s forged a particularly potent partnership with fellow sonic explorer and Salon des Amateurs alum Vladimir Ivkovic, the two engaging in a sort of mind meld that brings together their shared love of electronic music’s darkest and most bizarre corners. Regardless of whether she’s playing alone or in tandem with someone else, Willikens isn’t the kind of artist who adheres to straight lines. Expect different temperatures, different moods and a dollop of chaos, just to keep things interesting. Circuitous paths take precedence over direct routes, and although not even Willikens herself always knows the final destination, when she’s at the helm, the journey is bound to be thrilling. Shawn ReynaldoTheir RA profile lists Cómeme, Dekmantel, Utter and EM Records.Recently at Nowadays, public records, Good Room · often with SUMME, ROBUS, Säule, none of them here that night
“Kush Jones is a multi talented producer, DJ, and music visionary who has redefined the landscape of bass-driven music.”
their own biography
the whole biography
Kush Jones is a multi talented producer, DJ, and music visionary who has redefined the landscape of bass-driven music. Hailing from the Bronx, New York, Kush seamlessly merges the raw energy of footwork, techno, and club music with influences drawn from hip-hop, dancehall, and experimental soundscapes. His innovative approach has positioned him as a leading force in the global underground electronic music scene. Renowned for his ability to transcend genres, Kush Jones crafts electrifying, bass-heavy productions that fuse traditional rhythms with futuristic sound design. His signature style—a blend of intricate beat patterns, gritty textures, and infectious grooves—resonates deeply with both club crowds and experimental music enthusiasts. Always pushing boundaries, Kush has earned a devoted fanbase while solidifying his reputation as a true pioneer in modern electronic music.Footwork on 49, Techno on 45, House on 42 and Jungle on 23. styles on their catalogued releasesTheir RA profile lists Future Times, Moveltraxx, HAUS of ALTR, JUKE BOUNCE WERK and 1 more.Recently at The Chocolate Factory, SILO, H0L0 · often with MoMA Ready, DJ SWISHA, STEEN, none of them here that night
“MIRA MIRA aka Samira Mendoza is a member of trans-centered Salsa band Las Mariquitas, Dyspheric, a collective based in Pittsburgh that centers black and brown queer and trans DJs, and The Uhaul Disco, a sporadic DIY party.”
their own biography
Recently at Jupiter Disco, The Living Gallery, Bossa Nova Civic Club · often with Rage.inald, Pamela_ and her sons, Julia Govor, none of them here that night
“Bio Few DJs could adequately represent the last three decades of New York nightclub history - no less do so with such iconic credentials as Justin Strauss.”
their own biography
the whole biography
Bio Few DJs could adequately represent the last three decades of New York nightclub history - no less do so with such iconic credentials as Justin Strauss. Since he was 17, when his first band was signed to Island Records, Justin has had a career that reads like a Who’s-Who of the music scene, spinning at nearly every dance club that you’d ever want to go to. Starting as DJ at New York’s legendary Mudd Club, he spun his way through The Ritz, Limelight, Area, Tunnel, M.K., Life, Centro Fly and more, pioneering his own distinctive sound, and becoming one of the most sought-after remixers and producers not just in New York, but in the world. He has worked with the gamut of artists - Depeche Mode, Sergio Mendez, Tina Turner, Jimmy Cliff, B-52s, Luther Vandross, Malcolm McClaren, Skinny Puppy, Goldfrapp, to name a few (see full list) – and on over 200 records! Much of the new dance crowd that goes to hear Justin DJ today, whether at subMercer, The Standard, Highbar, Soho House, or Love, doesn’t necessarily know his history; they simply love his spinning because he always keeps them dancing and surprised, seamlessly mixing between choice classics, delectable rarities and innovative beats. For Justin, no genre or style is off-limits – he can and will mix anything, so long as he can keep the crowd enthralled. His self-proclaimed mission is “connecting the dots” between what might otherwise seem disparate musical periods and styles, while introducing exciting new sounds. He does so with infectious passion, subverting preconceptions about what’s old and new, and inspiring young DJs with his masterful skill and ever-youthful spirit. But Justin Strauss doesn’t stop there. As half of the production duo, Whatever/Whatever, he continues to produce and mix records, working on remixes for the likes of LCD Soundsystem, Beyonce, La Roux and more. In fact, he doesn’t stop at all. Like the amazing city he’s dedicatedly kept dancing since 1980, Justin just keeps going. Coming Soon. a/jus/ted . New project with Eddie Mars. 2013Synth-pop on 46, Pop Rock on 21, House on 34 and Disco on 13. styles on their catalogued releasesReleased on DFA (1) and Demon Records (1); their RA profile also lists Southern Fried Records, Under the Shade, Dither Down, Plant Music and 3 more. labels on their catalogued releases and on their RA profileRecently at Honey's, Nightmoves, Gabriela · often with Seth Magoon, Mike Guimond, Amelia Holt, none of them here that night
names these artists often play with — not that night
- Julia Govor2 with Lena Willikens and 2 with MIRA MIRA
- Berghain2 with Skee Mask and 1 with Lena Willikens
- DJ SWISHA10 with Kush Jones
- MoMA Ready9 with Kush Jones
- Rage.inald6 with MIRA MIRA
- AceMo5 with Kush Jones
- Andi5 with Justin Strauss
- Eli Escobar5 with Justin Strauss
501 said they were going — much busier than a usual Friday at public records.
how this compares
- Median final count, Fridays at public records173
- Middle half finished between97 and 260
- Past Fridays at this venue counted180
The room
public records — 766 events and 1,571 distinct artists since Aug 2023.
Holds about 300.
Most-tagged here: Techno (19), House (17), Deep House (11), Experimental (5) and Tech House (4). genre tags on this room’s listings