Mike Servito, Armii1n, John Swan at Dead Letter No.9

Who they are

• Mike Servito

  New York City · 154 bookings since Aug 2023

  “Some DJs burst upon the scene like a supernova, fading just as quickly.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  Some DJs burst upon the scene like a supernova, fading just as quickly. Others take years, even decades, to make their way—but those are the ones who make the most impact, thanks to a lifetime of accumulated musical wisdom. Mike Servito is a prime example of the latter. His career is one that’s defined by a slow and steady rise to upper ranks of the deejaying realm—and along the way, he’s perfected a jacking style that equal parts house, acid and techno, a sound that pays homage to the past while being very much of-the-moment. A Detroit-area native, Servito got his early education by tuning into the Electrifying Mojo and the Wizard (Jeff Mill’s radio moniker). By the early ’90s, Servito was primed to try his hand at the deejaying arts, “I was just kind of cocky about it,” he says. “I knew I could do it.” And he was right—in the DJ hotbed of Detroit, internalizing knowledge gleamed from the likes of Mike Huckaby and Claude Young, he kept working at it until he established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the Motor City circuit, eventually becoming a member in good standing with the inner circle of Ghostly International. But Servito felt the need for a change from the sometimes insular environment of Detroit. By the late ’00s, he was living in NYC with no real game plan in place. As it turned out, he didn’t really need one—he soon fell in with the city’s premier techno party, The Bunker, becoming one of its mainstay residents. Around the same time, he was beginning to make his presence known on a global scale, packing dance floors with gigs around the States and around the world. But it was a hometown festival snub in 2014 that really got things going. Servito had played Movement once before, in 2011. “And between then and 2014,” he recalls, “I had been playing so many Bunker parties, playing so many great gigs and my profile was rising—so I was sure they would book me again.” The invite never came. Instead, he booked himself at every Movement after-party he could, one of which was the annual No Way Back, a legendary throw down hosted by The Bunker New York and Detroit’s Interdimensional Transmissions label. The set, a riotously sweaty bleeps-and-beats affair, was recorded for posterity; unexpectedly but deservedly, it garnered a nod as the year’s No 1 online Mix of the Year on Resident Advisor. That was the spark that set Servito’s career aflame, the push that took him to the top. Since then, he’s cemented his status as one of the most respected spinners around, regularly manning the decks at such hallowed halls as Berlin’s Panorama Bar, London’s XOYO and Tokyo’s Contact, not to mention the world’s best festivals—including, of course Movement. And to this day, his approach to deejaying is refreshingly simple: “I really don’t think about it,” he says, “When I’m playing, I just dive in, and I’m OK.” He’s far more than okay—he’s one of the best around.
  SoundCloud ↗Bandcamp ↗Discography ↗
  Techno on 7, Acid on 5, House on 5 and Acid House on 3. styles on their catalogued releases

  Released on The Bunker New York (2) and Interdimensional Transmissions (1); their RA profile also lists Firehouse and Honey Soundsystem. labels on their catalogued releases and on their RA profile

  Recently at BASEMENT, Circle Line Cruises, Signal · often with Shaun J. Wright, S4M23, JADALAREIGN, none of them here that night

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  John Swan

  New York City · 12 bookings since Aug 2023

  “JHN SWN (John Swan) is a Brooklyn based DJ/producer and turntablist for the Funk/disco group, "West Division."”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  JHN SWN (John Swan) is a Brooklyn based DJ/producer and turntablist for the Funk/disco group, "West Division." Originally from Milwaukee Wisconsin, Swan began DJing in 1999 playing for BBoy events and parties throughout the midwest as well as competing in DJ battles across the USA. Relocating to NYC in 2008 John has blessed parties for Santos Party House,LPR, Golden Record , Hybrid Movement Company,Resolute, House Of Yes, Soul In The Horn, Rock Steady Crew, Zulu Nation and many more while also producing dance, performance, and circus art events across New York City.
  SoundCloud ↗Bandcamp ↗

  Recently at H0L0, Apollo Studio, Xanadu · often with Richard O'Bryan, DJ Koco aka Shimokita, Donny Burlin, none of them here that night

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  Armii1n

  Iran · 105 bookings since Aug 2024

  “Armii1n, born in Tehran and now based in New York City, quickly made his mark on Asia’s underground scene in his early 20s.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  Armii1n, born in Tehran and now based in New York City, quickly made his mark on Asia’s underground scene in his early 20s. While based in Kuala Lumpur, he held residencies at Kyo Club, Elysium, and The Iron Fairies, performing across Bali and Thailand. As a Sweatbox label resident, he released his debut EP, featuring a standout remix by The Mekanism. After moving to Miami for his Master’s, he secured a residency at Do Not Sit on the Furniture and worked with T Bag Records, also representing artists as an agent before shifting his full focus to DJing and event curation. Now based in New York City, Armii1n is actively DJing and running his own event series, Pregame. He performs with promoters such as Resolute and Golden Records, and plays at venues including H0L0, Signal, and Outer Heaven, continuing to build his presence within NYC’s underground scene.
  SoundCloud ↗Bandcamp ↗Discography ↗
  Minimal on 1 and Tech House on 1. styles on their catalogued releases

  Their RA profile lists Sweatbox Records.

  Recently at Signal, Apollo Studio, H0L0 · often with Choukroun, Zayd, Monk, none of them here that night