XOXA 9 Year Anniversary

Who they are

• I. JORDAN

  3 bookings since Oct 2023

  Recently at Elsewhere · often with LOVEFOXY, CRYME, fka.m4a, none of them here that night

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  Mx. Blaire

  Massachusetts · 14 bookings since Jan 2024

  “Blaire’s reverence for 90s house, hard-hitting techno, and mind-bending acid guarantees an active dance floor, kept enthralled by intentionally placed breaks and thrilling interplays of tempos and textures.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  Blaire’s reverence for 90s house, hard-hitting techno, and mind-bending acid guarantees an active dance floor, kept enthralled by intentionally placed breaks and thrilling interplays of tempos and textures. As a result of their dedicated vinyl practice, Blaire’s sets are also technically engaging, with brilliant phrasing and thoughtful touches of turntablism. Her mastery behind the decks gives Blaire the space to really work her selections—manipulating the record unites her energy with the track and transmits it to every dancer on the floor. Through these sonic communications, they explore concurrent themes of resistance & joy and existence & play with the crowd. In addition to sharing her gifts through her DJ sets, Blaire betters Boston’s underground through her organizing, for the queer dance music collective Boudoir and her new series Sheer Bliss. These themed parties—graced by guests like Ariel Zetina, Lakuti, and SPRKLBB and Mutualism—exhibit the extraordinary strength and kinship of the community Blaire has helped come together. It’s hard to find parties filled with as much uninhibited delight. Furthering her commitment to community care, she has created a space for rejuvenation of body and mind during turbulent times, her intimate Sunday ambient and downtempo party called Sweetie Pie. A trusted and beloved star in Boston, Blaire has caught the attention of formidable East Coast and Midwest DJs and organizers from Nick Boyd/Sorry Records in New York to Club Chow/Club Gauche in Chicago to Jellyfish in Pittsburgh, and they have played such clubs as Good Room, Basement, smartbar, and Marble Bar. In fall 2024, she went on the road with Eris Drew and Octo Octa for their LUV NRG Soundsystem tour—a perfect fit, as Blaire exhibits the sincerity, the deftness, and the rave-rousing multidimensionality the pair is famous for and that will keep her captivating dancers for many years to come.
  SoundCloud ↗

  Recently at Dead Letter No. 9, Bossa Nova Civic Club, Green Room NYC · often with A lana, S4M23, ራሄል (Rachel), none of them here that night

• 

  DJ Shannon

  New York City · 80 bookings since Aug 2023

  “Shannon Dawson is a dance floor professional.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  Shannon Dawson is a dance floor professional. From the club to the recording booth and beyond, the kinetic DJ exhibits a deep understanding of what moves people at any place or time. Born, raised, and currently based in New York, Shannon has brought her unlimited exuberance and expert DJ skills to Chongqing, China, where she lived for five years and lit up the decks at local clubs and parties across the country. There she co-founded and owned CREAM, Chongqing’s first hip-hop–focused club, and rounded out her nightlife experience operating and booking for the subcultural spot. Shannon’s sound: Big and bold. She commands the decks with impressive technical skill—she’s noted for her layering and phrasing, dizzying handwork, and big-time blends. Consistently unearthing fresh, fun, fiery tracks and off-kilter beats, she delivers hard-hitting club, breakbeat, classic and ghetto house, techno, global bass, and hip-hop. She’s slayed the CDJs in revered New York venues including Nowadays, Elsewhere, House of Yes, and Good Room. Outside of the club, Shannon graces the airwaves of the Lot Radio and Radio Bonita with her energetic mixes and sunny personality. She is also the host of the podcast Club Management, which explores music’s ability to bridge communities around the world through thoughtful interviews with such guests as TRAXMAN, UNIIQU3, Bohan Phoenix, Ikonika, and Dance Mania founder Ray Barney.
  SoundCloud ↗

  Recently at public records, Paragon, Honey's · often with Niyah West, HONEY B, Will Jack, none of them here that night

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  Ron Like Hell

  New York City · 105 bookings since Aug 2023

  “Approaching a dj mix as assemblages, Ron Like Hell aligns sound with emotion, focusing on texture to create psychedelic soundscapes, imaginative spaces for comfort and surprise spectators with an unexpected crafty transition.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  Approaching a dj mix as assemblages, Ron Like Hell aligns sound with emotion, focusing on texture to create psychedelic soundscapes, imaginative spaces for comfort and surprise spectators with an unexpected crafty transition. With 26+ years of making people dance in numerous countries along with years of vinyl shop experience and music promotion, his/their role in the industry is unique and influential. Their latest production, EXALT is their dream come true where Ron selects a personally beloved dj to play solo then close out the night together with a b2b set. EXALT's first guest was Matrixxman in April 2022 at Basement in Ridgewood-Queens, NY. Ron also djs as Wrecked, a music first queer dance party which recently turned 14.
  SoundCloud ↗
  House on 1, Alternative Rock on 1 and Indie Rock on 1. styles on their catalogued releases

  Released on Heavenly (1) and Mister Saturday Night Records (1). labels on their catalogued releases

  Recently at BASEMENT, Xanadu, Nowadays · often with Ryan Smith, Sterling Juan Diaz, Ne/Re/A, none of them here that night

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  Tammy Lakkis

  Detroit · 23 bookings since Apr 2024

  “Raised between Michigan and Ontario, the artist has carved a unique pathway for herself since the launch of her debut EP Notice, gaining traction throughout North America and beyond for her eclectic hardware live sets.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  Raised between Michigan and Ontario, the artist has carved a unique pathway for herself since the launch of her debut EP Notice, gaining traction throughout North America and beyond for her eclectic hardware live sets. With the titular single securing a spot on NPR’’s “100 Best Songs of 2021” list, Notice–released through Shigeto’s Portage Garage Sounds label–is currently on its third vinyl pressing. To the outside eye, Lakkis’ rise might appear rapid; in reality, it’s been over a decade in the making for the songwriter, singer, producer, poet, and DJ. A music lover from a young age, she wrote her first song at 17, experimenting with the singer/songwriting format before her exposure to the Detroit techno sound. Shapeshifting with time, she debuted “This Is How It Goes,” a synth-laden jam in early 2019. She discovered a sonic home in Seraphine Collective, a collective supporting women and queer creators, honing her talents as a selector and technical mixer. She premiered her live set in 2018 weaving Arabic vocals and genre-defying beats, solidifying her as one to watch. Since 2021, she’s been expanding her reach, touring with Ela Minus across the US and Shigeto across Europe, and landing a radio show with Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide FM. Remaining true to her roots however, she has maintained a presence in Detroit, hosting two DJ residencies in the city, playing regularly in clubs such as Spot Lite and Marble Bar, and making her debut at Movement Electronic Music Festival in 2022. She has performed in support of Danny Brown at his annual Bruiser Thanksgiving and in collaboration with NTS. In 2022, she was named a Kresge Artist Fellow for her boundary-pushing artistic achievement. She premiered her music video for Notice’s “Wen Rayeh” in late 2022 to positive reception. She’s currently developing her sophomore release. -Crystal Mioner
  SoundCloud ↗Bandcamp ↗
  Their RA profile lists Portage Garage Sounds.

  Recently at Bossa Nova Civic Club, Jupiter Disco, Green Room NYC · often with Vladimir Ivkovic, cotton, DJ G., none of them here that night