UNLOCKED + UNBLOCKED

Who they are

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  Rampa

  Augsburg, Germany · 9 bookings since Oct 2023

  “From 2009 on, Rampa made a name of himself through Keinemusik, his own little d.i.y.-cosmos, being not only label, but also crew of likeminded DJs, producers and friends.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  From 2009 on, Rampa made a name of himself through Keinemusik, his own little d.i.y.-cosmos, being not only label, but also crew of likeminded DJs, producers and friends. The teamwork within this realm has seen a serious number of productions and collaborations, particularly with fellow producer &ME, not to forget the rest of the bunch, Adam Port, Reznik and Monja. Besides, he’s got an array of other collaborations and releases under his belt, put out on imprints like Cocoon, Innervisions, Strictly Rhythm, Kompakt, 2020 Vision, Freerange, Bpitch Control, Diynamic or Crosstown Rebels. The events of the last few years have seen Rampa focussing more and more on the production side of things, be it studio work or the inauguration of his TEILE project – his own company to produce and distribute analogue effects, custom built for DJ-purposes. Certainly also an outlet for a slight nerdism, that includes not only studio gear, but instruments in general. Chances are you’ll find him in the studio, swinging the drumstick or banging on some bongos. When it comes to DJing itself, he is going for a less is more approach these days, choosing bookings and playing more consciously.
  SoundCloud ↗Discography ↗
  Their RA profile lists Defected Records, Cocoon Recordings, Get Physical Music, International DeeJay Gigolo Records and 6 more.

  Recently at Brooklyn Storehouse, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Avant Gardner · often with &ME, Map.ache, Carlita, none of them here that night

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  Danny Tenaglia

  New York City · 24 bookings since Aug 2023

  “The tale of Danny Tenaglia's love affair with music, and the world's subsequent romance with him, is one of the critical veins in the body of dance music.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  The tale of Danny Tenaglia's love affair with music, and the world's subsequent romance with him, is one of the critical veins in the body of dance music. He is every dancer's secret discovery; a random purchase at the record store, a reluctant night out that unexpectedly turned magic. Explosive success came not behind a major label release, or a world tour, or a radio hit remix: It happened when enough people had the private Tenaglia experience for themselves. The momentum started building in early '70s New York, when a barely 10-year-old Danny first got the feel of vinyl in his hands. Enthralled by the music of artists like Philly Soul's The Trammps, Motown's Marvin Gaye, African trumpeter Hugh Masekela, and disco producer Giorgio Moroder, he started to collect records, plumbing the depths of each one, and frequently finding that he preferred the B-side to the A. It was 1979 when he discovered legendary nightclub Paradise Garage, where DJ Larry Levan's rich, genre-less blend of music seemed to mirror his own "no boundaries" policy. It was here where Danny found the club model he would one day emulate: Levan's bold style, the venue's plain décor, and the party's warmth and inclusiveness. Danny left New York in 1985 and launched a successful DJ-ing career in Miami as a resident at Cheers nightclub. There he schooled the locals in classic New York and Chicago house, but five years later he returned home, tired of only playing other people's music. He started to assemble an impressive roster of remixes, including Right Said Fred's "I'm Too Sexy" (1991), Jamiroquai's "Emergency on Planet Earth" (1993), and Madonna's "Human Nature" (1994). But his first epic was The Daou's "Surrender Yourself" (1993): With the kick in the bass and the underlying rhythm as the foundation, Tenaglia blanketed Vanessa Daou's wispy vocal with grand, thick chords, a combination of classic groove and modern club-ready depth that was, at the time, entirely new. The title of his 1995 debut artist album on New York's Tribal Records described it perfectly: Hard & Soul. But even if the cocktail was his own, Tenaglia never hesitated to declare how heavily his influences weighed in his productions - everyone from Patti LaBelle to Kraftwerk, with countless lesser-known Soul, R&B, Latin, Samba, and Disco artists in between. In 1996, after a brief stint at New York superclub Roxy, Danny landed a Saturday night residency at white-hot Twilo, a position that upped his profile but didn't satisfy his expanding artistry as a DJ and producer. While New York swooned for big-room diva anthems, Danny was turning his ear toward the more minimal, tech-y grooves originating in European production studios. This period produced solid remixes like Grace's "Not Over Yet" (1996) and Janet Jackson's "The Pleasure Principle" (1996), but by the time he moved to Tunnel in 1998, Danny had already created "Elements," an instant classic that caused the dance scene's collective jaw to drop. With his own warped voice providing the narration, "Elements" (one track off full-length Tourism) walked the listener through the different components of a dance track in real time, going from kick to drum loop to snare hit, letting each layer over the other until the track exploded with dark, drum-heavy energy. Next to ostentatious radio anthems, its simplicity was a revelation. It was around this time that the murmurs started to get louder: Who is this Danny Tenaglia, and just what does he do to people? Clubbers reported seemingly inhuman mixing capabilities, booth-to-floor telepathy, and the grittiest "modern yet classic" grooves they had ever heard come out of a speaker. A trio of label compilations - Mix This Pussy (1994) and Can Your Pussy Do The Dog? (1995) for Tribal, and Gag Me With A Tune (1996) for Maxi - were the first Tenaglia sets clued-in clubbers could take home to dissect, but the release of his first installment in the UK-based Global Underground series of DJ mixes, titled Athens (2000), lit the international fire. Athens (meant to reflect the set he played at the Greek capital's club King Size) remains one of the darkest, strangest, sexiest sets ever released, and its tame cover photo of a gentle-looking man in a Yankee cap just didn't seem to fit. DJ dates across Europe dispelled the mystery and started the spread of the infectious Tenaglia fever. Back in New York, Tenaglia was tiring of the cavernous gloom of Tunnel and longed for a weekly home that better resembled where the DJ bug first bit him - the Paradise Garage. He landed at Vinyl, a black-walled, single-environment, no-liquor club about one-quarter the size of Tunnel. He named the night "Be Yourself," after the self-affirming, heavy-bottomed vocal track he had recently recorded with Chicago's Celeda. And he took the name to heart: Without the pressure of bar minimums or an expectant crowd, Tenaglia spread his DJ wings. Next to new tracks by young producers like Rui Da Silva, Peace Division, and Saeed & Palash, he played the artists of his youth, with nary a beat dropped. If he wanted to launch into a two-hour set of straight-up techno, he did. If he wanted to play old Michael Jackson records, he did. If he wanted to get on the mic and tell the crowd the name of the sound he was about to play, or who next week's guest opening DJ would be, or just give everyone a "verbal handshake" to welcome them to the club, he did. And a city tired of drama embraced the barebones, music-centered night. The world caught up to Tenaglia in 2000. His annual party during Miami's Winter Music Conference outgrew its home at the cramped Groovejet and moved to just-opened superclub Space. DJ giants like Carl Cox danced on top of the speakers with the Deep Dish boys, Fatboy Slim mingled on the patio, and for a day the ego inherent to DJ culture evaporated: Tenaglia was hailed as the undisputed king, the "DJ's DJ." His roof-raising revamp of Green Velvet's "Flash" won "Best Remix" at the UK's Muzik Awards, where he was also awarded the "Best International DJ" prize. In the two years that followed, Tenaglia released another Global Underground installment (London); toured the world, took the party island of Ibiza by storm, remixed Billy Nichols' "Give Your Body Up To The Music" (a Garage anthem); got nominated for a Grammy (for his remix of Depeche Mode's "I Feel Loved," also nominated for Best Dance Song); returned to Twilo for two special gigs - a President's Day marathon with Carl Cox that shattered all its attendance records, and the club's sixth anniversary party with John Digweed, which turned out to be even more meaningful than it seemed at the time (Twilo was shut down permanently a week later); graced the cover of every major dance music magazine; and won a Dancestar Lifetime Achievement award... all while keeping Be Yourself buzzing every Friday. In 2003, Danny came full circle with the release of Choice: A Collection Of Classics, a two-CD mixed compilation that let him pay direct tribute to many of the artists who had influenced his sound and style. It featured everyone from Blaze to Adeva to Imagination, as well as hefty liner notes explaining the significance of each track, penned by the man himself. He also remixed another Garage classic (Yoko Ono's "Walking On Thin Ice," which became her first Billboard number one ever), opened another Space during Winter Music Conference (the new location down the block), and took another Dancestar award, this time "Best Party" for Be Yourself. Be Yourself took the same honor again in 2004, but this time the win was bittersweet. At the time of the ceremony, Vinyl, now called Arc, had already been sold to developers. Danny closed the classic club on Sunday, April 25, 2004, with an emotional set that lasted well into Monday afternoon, and culminated with his mix of Kings Of Tomorrow's paean to unending love, "Finally." And as in every year since his DJ odyssey began, all across the globe, from Acapulco to Tokyo, more people experienced their first night with Danny Tenaglia, that clubber rite-of-passage that forever changes how you listen to music, go out to nightclubs, and think about DJs.
  SoundCloud ↗Discography ↗
  Their RA profile lists Hooj Choons, Global Underground, React Records, Azuli and 3 more.

  Recently at Knockdown Center, Twilo, SILO · often with Kilopatrah Jones, LEFTI, Hot Since 82, none of them here that night

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  Joe Claussell

  New York City · 24 bookings since Aug 2023

  “Joaquin "Joe" Claussell was born in Brooklyn to a large and diverse Puerto Rican family with deep musical roots.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  Joaquin "Joe" Claussell was born in Brooklyn to a large and diverse Puerto Rican family with deep musical roots. Throughout his life, music was Joe's shelter, family, food, comfort, escape and love. His first exposure to entertaining audiences was in his own neighborhood at block association events, musically led by one of his elder brothers Larry Claussell. Not long after he hit the club and began collecting vinyl at the age of 15 and his diverse taste for music and dance led him from a Disco at a club called The Inferno to Punk music’ s sanctuary CBGBs, the alternative driven Mudd Club, the more mainstream Underground, and the legendary Paradise Garage. While living in the East Village in the early 90s, he found and fell in love with a record store called Dance Tracks. He formed a friendship with the owner, which became the foundation of his musical career. Joe became the store’s DJ and called weekly parties that drew a diverse and increasingly devoted crowd of music lovers. All in the name of fun he received an invitation from owner and good friend Stan Hatzakis he began producing: and did his first remix “Over” and his produced first track "Awade,” both becoming instant underground classic. Over time he learned the music business and eventually took over the Dance Tracks. In 1996 Joe launched his independent eclectic world house label Spiritual Life Music from the back of Dance Tracks, and around the same time over saw the birth of “Ibadan Records” with friend and executive producer Jerome Sydenham. The labels’ productions are fluid - with organic African, Brazilian, Latin and Middle Eastern Rhythms crossing over into Disco, Jazz, House, and Electronic music. He is intricately involved in every aspect of the production process: the music, writing, selection or creation of the visual art, and graphic design. Under his labels he has nourished and produced fledgling artists. His first release was "Nothing's Changed" by Ten City, followed by works from Jephté Guillaume, Mateo & Matos, Slam Mode, and Three Generations Walking. His own first full-length album was "Language." Great artists and record labels have sought him out for collaboration and remixes of works by Femi Kuti, Herbie Hancock, Beth Orton, Steward Mathewman (Sade), Cassandra Wilson, Diana Ross, and Manuel Göttschin to name a few. His remixes have revived classics such as Hector Lavoe‘s Classic “Alejate;” Cesoria Evora’s “Sangue De Beirona.” and Nina Simone's “Feeling Good” featured on prominent TV shows such as “Sex And The City”. Joe’s "Feeling Good" remix sung by the late Nina Simone was solely responsible for the reemergence of the song which spawned countless remakes and till this day redone as well as used on many TV ads and commercials. Also in 1996, Joe Claussell joined Francois K and Danny Krivit to play for the legendary “Body & Soul” Sunday afternoon dance party. For 6 years, music and dance lovers from NYC and around the world came every week religiously to experience the totally unique musical journey of Classic, World, Soul, Disco, Funk, and House. The tracks are brought to an infinitely higher level by the synergy of each DJ's unique of live performance artistry and the incredible creative and conscious crowd. 15 years later Body and soul is going stronger than ever. For the last decade to present, Joe has been constantly playing music all over the world, however it is also his being in high demand as a producer and remixer that keeps him working. Joe’s talents are also sought after in the visual art world where he is currently touring with a project titled “TREMBLING sensing space” produced by Dutch theater director Lidy Six. As a musician, Joe has toured with the likes of the world-renowned percussionist Mino Cinelu and currently playing along side of the mind blowing pianist/keyboard extraordinaire Bugge Wesseltoft in a band that includes Erik Truffaz, Ilhan Ersahin, Med Band and Torun Erikse. While in New York, He began the Sacred Rhythm Party, designed to bring House and live musicians together in an intimate environment. Soon to come will be his first Internet radio show titled “an invitation to openness” a show dedicated to the freedom of just listening to what ever speaks to him at that moment, as opposed to being at the mercy of the listening audience. Joe contemplates humanity and its trends from a distant but touched perspective. He personally strives for spiritual and creative freedom, and encourages loved ones to tap into their own unique resources to build a society where art and individuality is nourished and celebrated. For people who want a deep introspective music journey to the soul - Joe's shows are a rare and coveted opportunity. His ability to connect with people who share his passion for the rhythms of life through a higher universal language , which keeps people intrigued into staying tuned while listening, dancing and evolving to his unique philosophy and deep rhythms.
  SoundCloud ↗Discography ↗
  Deep House on 62, House on 44, Ambient on 19 and Downtempo on 8. styles on their catalogued releases

  Released on BBE (1) and Sacred Rhythm Music (1); their RA profile also lists NRK Music, Ibadan Records, Rekids, Secretsundaze and 5 more. labels on their catalogued releases and on their RA profile

  Recently at 3 Dollar Bill, Musica Club NYC, Nowadays · often with Danny Krivit, Paul Nickerson, Extra Andrew, none of them here that night

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  Francois K

  New York City · 51 bookings since Sep 2023

  SoundCloud ↗Discography ↗
  Their RA profile lists Chillifunk Records, Wave Music, Deep Space Media, Opilec Music and 2 more.

  Recently at Le Bain, Musica Club NYC · often with Danny Krivit, Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy, Justin Strauss, none of them here that night

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  Kim Ann Foxman

  New York City · 46 bookings since Aug 2023

  “The short-story version of Kim Ann Foxman’s trajectory is pretty simple: An island-born kid dreams of a life in clubland, hits the big city and, with a little bit of luck and a lot of hard work, emerges as one of dance music’s leading figures.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  The short-story version of Kim Ann Foxman’s trajectory is pretty simple: An island-born kid dreams of a life in clubland, hits the big city and, with a little bit of luck and a lot of hard work, emerges as one of dance music’s leading figures. But it’s the details that transforms her singular tale into something far more fascinating than the standard-issue success story. After all, what other DJ can lay claim to the title of Miss Teen Filipina Hawaii? How many can say that their first job in nightlife was when in high school, serving as the in-house dancer and serving rave smoothies at an all-ages club?  How many, after moving to New York by way of San Francisco in the early ’00s, can say that they helped to rejuvenate the city’s then-stale nightlife via her residency at one of the best parties ever held in a hole-in-the-wall gay bar, the Mad Clams affair? How many have tasted stardom as one of the original members of  the scene-making dance-music collective Hercules and Love Affair?   Exactly one, and it’s Kim Ann. But it’s a safe bet that she would have made it to where she is today without those biographical eccentricities, because her near-classical take on jacking club rhythms is hard to resist, sounding as fantastic at a full-scale mega-rave as it does at a grimy basement bash. It’s a universally appealing sound that’s taken her around the world—the past few years have seen her playing such hallowed halls as Fabric, Berghain, DC-10, Concrete and Contact, all while holding down a residency at her hometown’s Good Room.   A lifetime in clubbing has informed Kim Ann’s studio work as well, with her music—much of it coming out on her own Firehouse label—synthesizing the best elements of raw house, propulsive 303 material, emotive techno and even the occasional hint of trance into a hugely satisfying whole that lives somewhere between the weird and the wonderful. And then there’s her latest project, Pleasure Planet, which sees her teaming with Andrew Potter and Brian Hersey to add sparkling touches of extraterrestrial new wave to  the mix on her new sublabel, self:timer. It’s yet another twist in the continuing saga of Kim Ann Foxman—and, we’d wager, there are plenty more to come. Bio Written By Bruce Tantum
  Discography ↗
  House on 64, Deep House on 31, Techno on 18 and Tech House on 21. styles on their catalogued releases

  Released on BMG (1), Dischi Autunno (1) and FREE UNIVERSE (1); their RA profile also lists Skint, Ghostly International, Relish Recordings, Needwant and 6 more. labels on their catalogued releases and on their RA profile

  Recently at BASEMENT, Good Room, public records · often with DJ TOOL, Cora, Shaun J. Wright, none of them here that night

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  Cosmo

  New York City · 127 bookings since Aug 2023

  “Born in Ohio and raised by New York clubs, Cosmo is a shining modern representative of the city’s Golden Age of DJing, in skill, in spirit, and in sensibility.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  Born in Ohio and raised by New York clubs, Cosmo is a shining modern representative of the city’s Golden Age of DJing, in skill, in spirit, and in sensibility. A forever student of 90s subcultures, Cosmo is now an authority in connecting those dots, decompartmentalizing genres during her sets and revitalizing the club as a much needed space for expression and joy. Cosmo may open a night with her early entry points to dance music, gospel and funk and vocal-heavy RnB, and proceed to blend break beats with new jack swing or old-school house with tribal—all delivered with remarkable clarity of voice and a sense of self that fueled her fated teenage move to New York to DJ over a decade ago. Being from the Midwest, her house music literacy circles its epicenters and favors groovy records, warm basslines, playful vocals, and elating instrumentals that stir the spirit. Her deep knowledge, cultural curiosity, and refreshing authenticity make Cosmo one of New York’s most in-demand DJs, a regular at the most iconic clubs and a Fashion Week party go-to. She is a resident at Public Records, where she can explore every inch of her collection and join forces with legends like Sandy Rivera as well as other torchbearing peers. She’s represented the city sharing the decks with her heroes like Honey Dijon and Mike Dunn, and on esteemed platforms such as Benji B’s BBC Radio 1 show and Luke Solomon’s Classic Music Company show. As a longtime resident at The Lot Radio, Cosmo gets the opportunity to share everything she cherishes and often includes parts of her CD and magazine archives. Music has soundtracked Cosmo’s every move. Her gratitude for her practice is apparent, and her effervescence behind the decks reaches the crowd no matter the size of the room—a musical hug that holds dancers through times good and bad.
  SoundCloud ↗

  Recently at Refuge, Sugar Hill Disco, H0L0 · often with Hidden Spheres, Belinda Becker, Ge-ology, none of them here that night

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  Donis

  New York City · 117 bookings since Aug 2023

  “DONIS is a Dominican American DJ/Producer from Brooklyn, NY.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  DONIS is a Dominican American DJ/Producer from Brooklyn, NY. His style embodies both tradition and innovation. Firmly rooted in NYC’s Dance Music history while tastefully pushing the envelope, he masterfully explores the intersections between Soulful House, Afro House, Techno and Disco. In the DJ booth, he combines excellent mixing skills with an innate ability to read the crowd, both responding to their desires while setting his sonic agenda. He’s become well known in the New York underground scene for playing parties and clubs such as Soul In The Horn, Papi Juice, Dweller Festival, Lebain, Basement among many others. He has most recently self released their second EP Metamorphosis02 and currently holds residencies at renowned club Nowadays, and The Lot Radio.
  SoundCloud ↗
  Their RA profile lists Toucan Sounds.

  Recently at Nowadays, Dead Letter No. 9, House of Yes · often with Bendito, Jeremy Giros, k.tea, none of them here that night

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  JADALAREIGN

  New York City · 102 bookings since Aug 2023

  SoundCloud ↗Bandcamp ↗
  Techno on 4, Jungle on 3, House on 3 and Drum n Bass on 2. styles on their catalogued releases

  Released on HAUS of ALTR (3) and Sorry Records (1). labels on their catalogued releases

  Recently at Nowadays, Green Room NYC, public records · often with Mike Servito, Ash Lauryn, Omer Mil, none of them here that night

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  Analog Soul

  New York City · 69 bookings since Aug 2023

  Drum n Bass on 1, House on 1 and Techno on 1. styles on their catalogued releases

  Recently at BASEMENT, Knockdown Center, public records · often with The Carry Nation, Holden Federico, DatKat, none of them here that night

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  Eli Escobar

  New York City · 396 bookings since Aug 2023

  “With over two decades of electronic music eminence, Eli Escobar has confirmed his place amongst dance music greats.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  With over two decades of electronic music eminence, Eli Escobar has confirmed his place amongst dance music greats. With an unparalleled record collection of handpicked gems and curveball productions, Escobar guides revellers through the heartbeat of music, from the past to the future. Always looking forward and keeping step with evolving generational tastes, Escobar has redefined his sound in recent years. As an acquainted DJ & Producer, the dance music veteran cut his teeth into the epicentre of 1990’s New York City hedonism and set the foundations for an admirable career. Releasing music on influential labels such as Phonica, Razor n Tape, Defected’s ‘Classic’ and his very own label imprint Night People, only gives a snapshot into the depth of his discovery. Spanning over more than 20 years, the influence and presence of Eli Escobar is undeniable in every corner of dance music. As a selector he has appeared on a variety of influential platforms including BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix, Resident Advisor's Exchange Podcast, Boiler Room, Mixmag ‘The Lab’ and The Lot Radio, only to name a few. Likewise transporting his sound to dancefloors across the world with residencies at House of Yes, Le Bain, Battlehymn and beyond. Globally respected and recognised as a forward thinking producer, Escobar’s output steps beyond conventional dance music with remix work for the likes of Lana Del Rey, M.I.A., Honey Dijon, Cakes Da Killa and many more. Now heading into 2023 Eli looks to stay true to his musical progression
  SoundCloud ↗Bandcamp ↗
  House on 82, Deep House on 44, Disco on 17 and Nu-Disco on 12. styles on their catalogued releases

  Released on Deep South Recordings (3) (1), Off Track Recordings (1) and Potions Music (1); their RA profile also lists Classic, Phonica Records, Razor-N-Tape, Deeplomatic Recordings and 3 more. labels on their catalogued releases and on their RA profile

  Recently at Gabriela, Le Bain, Under the K Bridge · often with DJ Moma, Andi, Sissies of Mercy, none of them here that night

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  Jubilee

  New York City · 85 bookings since Aug 2023

  SoundCloud ↗Discography ↗
  Bass Music on 10, Electro on 13, Techno on 5 and House on 9. styles on their catalogued releases

  Released on Cakeshop's Carousel (1), DAVE (3) (1) and Impacto (15) (1); their RA profile also lists Mixpak, Carousel Records and Magic City. labels on their catalogued releases and on their RA profile

  Recently at Green Room NYC, Elsewhere, Signal · often with NIGELTHREETIMES, Andi, JIALING, none of them here that night

• Nomi Ruiz

  2 bookings since Feb 2024

  Recently at BASEMENT · often with Josh Steers, none of them here that night