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Flyer for Torture Chamber VOL 14 - Alexander Technique, Brent Shay (Detroit), Pjay, DJ K2

← wed 12 aug — 21 listings

Torture Chamber VOL 14 - Alexander Technique, Brent Shay (Detroit), Pjay, DJ K2

Bossa Nova Civic Club1271 Myrtle Ave; Brooklyn, NY 11221 · Map

This night happened — Wed 12 Aug · 9pm → 4am Thu

free · The Usual Suspects · Electro · Techno

Press play

Who was billed5 artists

In the order the promoter listed them.

Set times were not published.

Most of these pairings were meeting for the first time that night.
the pairs that have met

6 of the 10 pairings on this bill were first meetings.

  • Alexander Technique and Destro187 — 8 shared bills before that night, first on Wed 15 Nov 2023.
  • Pjay and Destro187 — 3 shared bills before that night, first on Tue 23 Apr 2024.
  • Destro187 and K2 — 1 shared bill before that night, first on Sat 1 Aug 2026.
  • Alexander Technique and Pjay — 1 shared bill before that night, first on Sat 28 Dec 2024.

Good to know

  • “21+ w/ ID”
  • “NO COVER”
from the promoter’s listing

Come early, leave late!

the rest of the promoter’s listing — 2 more paragraphs

21+ w/ ID

NO COVER

from the promoter’s listing on Resident Advisor

Who they are

  • Alexander Technique

    New York City · 13 bookings since Nov 2023

    “Technique’s signature sound; Stripped-down, banging techno made for peak time hours at main stages, warehouses & more intimate settings.”

    their own biography

    the whole biography
    New York City based Cuban-American DJ & Producer Alexander Technique's rise to the top of clubber’s minds is the result of many years of dedication, connecting with underground techno lovers from around the world. Technique’s signature sound; Stripped-down, banging techno made for peak time hours at main stages, warehouses & more intimate settings. The surging spike in his global fan base can be directly attributed to the consistent track support from legendary DJs such as Carl Cox, Nicole Moudaber, Chris Liebing, Maceo Plex, Kevin Saunderson, Adam Beyer, The Blessed Madonna, Josh Wink, Loco Dice and even gaining major support from main stream artists like Calvin Harris & Oliver Heldens. A true multifaceted artist, Alexander Technique is co-founder of the label "Terminator Records" with the legendary Todd Terry, focusing on releasing hard groove techno bangers. In addition, launching in 2024 his newest underground label and event brand Techno Riots. Alexander Technique manages his heavy release schedule at all times, continuously producing raw, intense beats that move your soul. His latest EP is out now on Ramon Tapia’s label "Say What? Records" which has peaked at #5 on the Beatport Techno Top 100. You can find his signature style of techno and upcoming releases on Nicole Moudaber’s label Mood Records, Dolma Records & more to drop in 2024.
    Their RA profile lists Say What? Recordings and Mood Records.

    Recently at Eden NYC, BK.Warehouse, Bossa Nova Civic Club · often with CHRIS LEWIS, A DJ Named SNE, Tommie Sunshine, none of them here that night

  • Brent Shay

    Detroit

    “Brent Shay is a fifth-generation Detroiter whose life and career serve as a definitive portrait of resilience, craftsmanship, and community stewardship.”

    their own biography

    the whole biography
    Brent Shay is a fifth-generation Detroiter whose life and career serve as a definitive portrait of resilience, craftsmanship, and community stewardship. A multifaceted entrepreneur, skilled general contractor, and electronic music artist, Brent has spent decades building—and rebuilding—a legacy defined by a singular, unavoidable truth: for him, quitting is not an option. ​Roots and Early Evolution ​Brent’s journey began in the classrooms and rehearsal halls of his youth, where his craft was shaped by the guidance of music teachers Richard Kruse and Henry James. From his early years in symphonic training to Jazz Band, he developed a deep technical foundation that he would later expand through self-teaching. Driven by a relentless curiosity, he taught himself to mix and master multiple instruments, a versatility that defines his creative output today. ​Growing up with a sister six years his senior, Brent often felt like an only child, navigating a world where he was frequently misunderstood and judged. This isolation, combined with a necessity for survival, taught him how to fight well at an early age—a skill that became literal as he navigated a period of homelessness from age 17 to nearly 20. Living on the streets of Southwest Detroit and moving house-to-house throughout the Downriver and Detroit areas, he faced the weight of bad choices made as a young man (not just limited to his youth).These trials, however, forged a perspective that only comes from having to work extremely hard for every single chance ever received.The move to Flint, MI in his twenties set the stage for his mid-twenties, when his first son’s birth reshaped his world. This era grounded him. ​Construction and Entrepreneurship ​In the early 2000s Brent founded his construction company, embarking on a career that has seen him personally renovate hundreds of homes in Detroit alone, with an extensive portfolio of work spanning neighborhoods nationwide. For over 20 years, he has specialized in restoring the structural heart of residential properties, bringing a level of precision and an ironclad work ethic to every job site. ​The strength of that foundation was put to its ultimate test during the global pandemic, which nearly devastated the business he spent twenty years establishing. The struggle to hang on during those years was immense, yet Brent navigated the loss and uncertainty with the same ingenuity that built his company. For Brent, the pressure of those years didn't just demand endurance; it revealed a core reality of his character: when faced with collapse, he simply cannot quit. ​Musical Artistry and Curation ​Parallel to his physical labor is a sophisticated creative career. A producer and curator of dark, industrial, and acid-driven techno and house, Brent operates under several aliases and the brand Detroit Grit. He applies his formal training and self-taught expertise to the world of hardware synthesizers and digital production. ​Brent’s philosophy, "Us over Me," prioritizes the collective growth of the music scene over individual acclaim. This spirit of stewardship is central to his work within the minimal detroit collective and record label, as well as the cryovac and docile labels. His influence extends through his active involvement with collectives like Techno Snob, Strange Luv Productions, Detroit Deep Sessions and Humanbe1ng. Whether performing as a resident DJ for radio stations in London and Berlin, his residency at spkrbox or coordinating event logistics, he remains a dedicated advocate for the underground culture, using music as a tool for connection and survival. ​A Legacy of Resilience and Responsibility ​The true measure of Brent’s life is found in his roles as a father and a son. As a single father of four, he has balanced the demanding pressures of entrepreneurship and creative production with the profound responsibilities of parenthood. His journey has been marked by the ultimate tragedy—the loss of a child—and commitment to his aging parents. Navigating it as they age is made even more complex by their separate households, requiring Brent to manage double the logistics and care while maintaining his own professional and personal life. ​These experiences, along with the major personal struggles he has faced throughout his life, have transformed Brent into a fierce advocate for mental health. He uses his platform and his story to support others navigating their own darkness, fostering a community of empathy and strength. Having seen some of the hardest depths, Brent continues to move forward—not because it is easy, but because for him, there is no other way. He remains a steadfast professional driven by endurance, stewardship, and a lifelong commitment to his family and his craft.
    Their RA profile lists Minimal Detroit Audio.
  • Pjay

    New York City · 30 bookings since Sep 2023

    “NYC based DJ and LIVE act, PJay originally starting out spinning industrial music at the legendary club Caffeine/Voodoo and was a pioneering event producer and graphic designer of the early east coast raves. he’s performed LIVE at many of the old school NYC venues such as Limelight, Webster Hall, Output, Black Market and was a staple in the Brooklyn warehouse scene.”

    their own biography

    the whole biography
    NYC based DJ and LIVE act, PJay originally starting out spinning industrial music at the legendary club Caffeine/Voodoo and was a pioneering event producer and graphic designer of the early east coast raves. he’s performed LIVE at many of the old school NYC venues such as Limelight, Webster Hall, Output, Black Market and was a staple in the Brooklyn warehouse scene. He was the founder of the afterhours club National Underground in downtown manhattan and co-producer of the long-running Tronic events series back in the day. PJay currently teaches analog and modular synthesis to students at his classroom, Analog Recreation. He performs regularly in Detroit during Movement festival and in New York.

    Recently at Bar Milagro, The Keep, Moondog Hifi · often with DJ Courtney K, Todd Fatjo, Giovani, none of them here that night

  • Destro187

    New York City · 30 bookings since Nov 2023

    “Alex Shtaerman (aka Destro 187) came of age while traversing NYC’s infamous underground party scene through the 1990’s.”

    their own biography

    the whole biography
    Alex Shtaerman (aka Destro 187) came of age while traversing NYC’s infamous underground party scene through the 1990’s. Today, as a DJ for nearly 25 years, Destro favors the sounds of Hard Techno, Ghettotek, Chicago Hard House and the melodic elements found in Trance and Progressive House. As part of The Usual Suspects DJ collective, Destro co-hosted TNL (a well-received Techno & House Music online show) for close to three years. Destro’s recently released tracks on AXA Lab Music, Techno Parade Music and Hard Electronic, with additional releases in the works.
    Their RA profile lists Hard Electronic and Techno Parade.

    Recently at The Sultan Room, Bossa Nova Civic Club, KEYBAR · often with Giovani, CHRIS LEWIS, SPEEDŸ, none of them here that night

  • K2

    6 bookings since Sep 2024

    Recently at The Sultan Room, Jupiter Disco, Rash · often with Goretek, bullrog, Tylr, none of them here that night

names these artists often play with — not that night
  • Giovani8 with Destro187 and 8 with Pjay
  • CHRIS LEWIS6 with Destro187 and 2 with Alexander Technique
  • DJ Courtney K10 with Pjay
  • SPEEDŸ10 with Destro187
  • Todd Fatjo10 with Pjay
  • Dark Stranger5 with Destro187
  • Tommy Diaz5 with Pjay
  • JR Mac4 with Destro187
16 said they were going — quieter than a usual Wednesday at Bossa Nova Civic Club.
how this compares
  • Median final count, Wednesdays at Bossa Nova Civic Club27
  • Middle half finished between15 and 41
  • Past Wednesdays at this venue counted199
  • Counted9 on Fri 31 Jul, 16 on Wed 12 Aug

The room

Bossa Nova Civic Club — 1,517 events and 2,480 distinct artists since Aug 2023.

Most-tagged here: Techno (61), House (33), Club (27), Electro (6) and Tech House (6). genre tags on this room’s listings

Who put it on

The Usual Suspects — 16 events and 83 artists since Dec 2023.

Also that night

how these 3 are connected
  • Open Decks with STEEN and Rhythm Rails — RA tags both listings techno — and that one also house.
  • Happy Hour: SYNTHBIOSIS — RA tags both listings techno.
  • The Harmonic Brain — RA tags both listings techno.

Flyer, listing text, times, cost, genre tags and artist photos: Resident Advisor, event 2491950.

Attending counts, venue and promoter records, co-billing history and the night’s other listings: adrift’s record of New York City events.

Quoted passages are the promoter’s or the artist’s own words, unedited.