HARDER Ball

Who they are

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  Clarisa Kimskii

  Washington DC · 53 bookings since Aug 2023

  “Brooklyn-based DJ and producer Clarisa Kimskii has cemented her musical footprint on the borough since moving back in 2022.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  Brooklyn-based DJ and producer Clarisa Kimskii has cemented her musical footprint on the borough since moving back in 2022. Through a palpable blend of psychedelic and driving techno, Clarisa’s approach to the genre is deeply idiosyncratic - an assemblage of both timeless and modern grooves. As a producer, Clarisa has contributed to a handful of respected labels (Monday Off, Dusk & Haze, Mysteries of the Deep, etc.) within her sonic niche, but it’s through her own label L.A.G where the ethos of her sound truly takes form - a detailed variation of propulsive and atmospheric soundscapes. Clarisa is deeply rooted in the techno subculture’s underground, and in early 2022 - the 20+ year veteran was named resident DJ of the Brooklyn-based, queer party Merge. Through her former residency at Merge and regular appearances at the city’s premiere institutions in BASEMENT Nowadays and Bossa Nova Civic Club Clarisa’s prestige is undeniably felt. Her pure, yet passionate approach to DJing has graced the decks of memorable nights at international institutions in Berlin's Berghain, Tbilisi's Khidi, and at notably iconic parties in Wrecked, Club Toilet, and The Bunker NY. Recent festival appearances at Taiwan’s Organik Festival and North America’s Honcho Campout, Sustain-Release, Whole Festival , Draaimolen and The Great Beyond have only elevated her reputation as a force within those respective communities. The saga continues with juicy bits on the horizon.
  SoundCloud ↗
  Industrial on 1, Techno on 1, Acid on 1 and Minimal Techno on 1. styles on their catalogued releases

  Their RA profile lists L.A.G., Monday Off, On Board Music, Gradient and 3 more.

  Recently at Nowadays, Signal, public records · often with Ne/Re/A, Berghain, Ron Like Hell, none of them here that night

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  Kilopatrah Jones

  New York City · 136 bookings since Aug 2023

  “Born and raised in Queens, a city dweller and a club kid, Kilopatrah has an innate and superlative gift for transferring energy from the booth to the dance floor—through exciting house, techno, and jungle, and moments that both harken to Sound Factory–era glory days and bring you to sweaty BPMs of the future.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  Born and raised in Queens, a city dweller and a club kid, Kilopatrah has an innate and superlative gift for transferring energy from the booth to the dance floor—through exciting house, techno, and jungle, and moments that both harken to Sound Factory–era glory days and bring you to sweaty BPMs of the future. Their sets are palpably personal: The dance floor has always been a powerful platform for expression for Kilo, once as a freeing and connecting space for a quiet house dancer and now as one for moving others like them. When Kilo gets going, you’ll lose sense of the kick drum versus the beat of your own body against the floor. That’s a gift from them to you, and your percussion is a gift back to them. Kilo brings their energetic sass to a monthly Lot Radio residency and to parties with impressive lineups, playing alongside Todd Terry home in New York, at the legendary Movement weekend Club Toilet in Detroit, and for Boiler Room. Their mixes, for series such as Coloring Lessons, Honcho, and Juanita’s, and for spots on Rinse and Refuge, also capture the club at its most euphoric. You’ll step a little harder with Kilopatrah Jones. Words by Sacha Madadian
  SoundCloud ↗

  Recently at Knockdown Center, BASEMENT, Nowadays · often with Mike Servito, Dee Diggs, Annie Lew, none of them here that night

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  Josh Steers

  New York City · 71 bookings since Sep 2023

  “JOSH STEERS IS AN AMERICAN DJ/PRODUCER BASED IN MEXICO CITY.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  JOSH STEERS IS AN AMERICAN DJ/PRODUCER BASED IN MEXICO CITY. FORMATIVE YEARS IMMERSED IN THE NEW YORK CITY UNDERGROUND HOUSE & TECHNO SCENE SHAPED HIS DIVERSE SOUND. DRIVEN BY RHYTHMS, STEERS BLENDS MULTIPLE GENRES CREATING A HIGH ENERGY SOUNDSCAPE
  SoundCloud ↗Bandcamp ↗
  House on 2, Deconstructed Club on 1, Experimental on 1 and Future Bass on 1. styles on their catalogued releases

  Released on Naafi (1) and Nervous Records (1). labels on their catalogued releases

  Recently at public records, Bossa Nova Civic Club, Club Rawhide · often with Nita Aviance, Sterling Juan Diaz, Michael Magnan, none of them here that night

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  Eric Umble

  New York City · 38 bookings since Aug 2023

  “Eric Umble is a Brooklyn-based DJ, sound artist, clarinetist, and party producer passionate about cultivating a thriving local dance music community.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  Eric Umble is a Brooklyn-based DJ, sound artist, clarinetist, and party producer passionate about cultivating a thriving local dance music community. An acclaimed and award-winning classical musician with a focus on experimental music, Eric's love of repetition and extended forms made his jump to DJing a natural step. Eric is heavily influenced by Detroit Techno, New York house, and experimental modernism. He explores the intersections of multiple musical genres in his sets to create Techno-forward sonic worlds that evoke queerness, modernity, and urban life while striving to articulate our shared contemporary culture in today's world. A versatile artist with experience DJing across a spectrum of spaces and venues, Eric loves meeting the moment for any party's energy with his own unique musical voice and approach. As founder, lead producer, curator, and resident artist of the FACETIME and QUALITY TIME parties (founded 2019), Eric is a regular presence on the New York scene and regionally. They have DJ'ed at New York's finest clubs including BASEMENT, Nowadays, H0l0, Mansions, Jupiter Disco, Market Hotel, Trans-Pecos, and he is currently a resident artist at Bossa Nova Civic Club. Beyond New York, Eric has shared their driving, hypnotic, uplifting, melodic, and groovy sound across the country at parties and raves above and below ground. Highlights include VOID (Philadelphia, PA), Intimät (Denver), SYIT's Techno Cabin (NYC / PA), Little Mutants (Lancaster, PA), the B-Side Lounge (Cleveland), the Orange Room / SPKRBOX (Detroit), and Sound Space at Deluxx Fluxx (Detroit). ericumble.com | soundcloud.com/eric-umble
  SoundCloud ↗
  Ambient on 1, Deep Techno on 1 and Contemporary on 1. styles on their catalogued releases

  Released on Neuma Records (1) and QEONE (1). labels on their catalogued releases

  Recently at Bossa Nova Civic Club, public records, The Chocolate Factory · often with Madison Moore, SPRFRK, Elle Dee, none of them here that night

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  Mark Holcomb

  New York City · 16 bookings since Nov 2024

  “A familiar face across Brooklyn and Manhattan’s queer club circuit, Mark has brought his sharp, feel-good energy to parties The Carry Nation and HARDER along with appearances at Good Room, ANIMAL, Paragon, H0L0 and more.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  A familiar face across Brooklyn and Manhattan’s queer club circuit, Mark has brought his sharp, feel-good energy to parties The Carry Nation and HARDER along with appearances at Good Room, ANIMAL, Paragon, H0L0 and more. Raised in West Virginia and forged in New York’s nightlife underground, Mark’s sound sits at the intersection of pop, disco, and house infused with the kind of emotional immediacy and playful nostalgia that keep dancers locked in from start to finish. He’s known for bridging eras and moods with an effortless hand, pairing a ‘90s remix with a fresh club edit or a deep house groove with a hands-up anthem. Mark’s journey began in the early 2000s, promoting at iconic West Side clubs before finding his true home behind the decks. Over the years, he’s become a go-to DJ for both underground ragers and high-profile brand events, trusted for his ability to read a room, move a crowd, and build a vibe that feels both stylish and spontaneous. Whether he’s closing out a late-night warehouse set or soundtracking a downtown launch party, Mark brings a distinctly New York approach: bold, magnetic, and rooted in connection. His mission is simple: make people move, keep them feeling good, and remind them why this city still dances like nowhere else on earth.
  SoundCloud ↗

  Recently at C'mon Everybody, Bossa Nova Civic Club, Dead Letter No. 9 · often with Prince Rose, Michael Scanlon, Primo, none of them here that night

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  Manny Ward

  Pennsylvania · 14 bookings since Sep 2023 · Nervous Records rooftop house

  “Manny Ward has always been around music, as most musicians are.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  Manny Ward has always been around music, as most musicians are.  As luck would have it, he grew up with a Mom who’d send him out to buy records for her many house parties because he had a knack in finding great music that was not always charted.  His stepdad produced R&B and Soul for artist like Jocelyn Brown, and Evelyn Champagne’ King. His step dad brought him out to his first club experience at the Funhouse in NYC.  Then there was the fateful meeting with the Godfather of House; Frankie Knuckles in the early 90s who took Manny under his wing and launched his DJ career in NYC. Through these journeys of following music, from DJ-ing when he was in the military at base parties, to playing along side Frankie Knuckles at New York’s famous Roxy, Sound Factory Bar, Tunnel, and regular gigs at Stereo in Montreal, to eventually producing his own remixes and tracks. Some of them now cult classics. This Staten Island boy saw a dream realized.  Then this prolific talent left the industry for a few years only to be returned at the request of his friends/teachers Angel Moraes, Danny Tenaglia, and David Morales. This made him realize this was his calling.  And thank goodness he did return.   This second phase of his career has seen many more milestones as he ramped up his production skills with notable remix opportunities.  He has been able to collaborate with many talented producers and musicians, including Celeda, Lula, and DJ Gomi, with whom he reintroduced legendary Sandy B with new original music written by all three. “Resilience” was the result and has graced many DJ charts and on Hector Romero’s 2019 Weaving Genres compilation. In the Fall of 2017, he was asked by the legendary Nona Hendryx to remix a single off of her new album with Soul Clap.  He enlisted long-time friend, Curtis Atchison (Midnight Society) to help out, with whom he had recently collaborated on a floor banger “Big Mouth” on Twisted Records.    That Fall, Retrotech was born. This partnership has proven fruitful as a DJ duo as well. They were given several remix opportunities in 2018. Black Stereo Faith (Ultra Naté & Quentin Harris), Lenny Kravitz, Nenah Cherry, Stevie Nicks, and Kiwi Dreams and much more to come. Incidentally, Kravitz’ “Low” became his first #1 Dance on Billboard.  Manny has continued doing solo work putting out a single with remixes on DJ Pierre’s Afro Acid Records in 2019, which was getting recognition by DJ’s such as Danny Tenaglia before it even came out! In between, he’s also been busy DJ-ing, criss-crossing the country, and a regular participant at ADE in Amsterdam, and N Y’s legendary party Birdcage.  With everything going on, be sure to keep a watch on Manny’s next move because it will be nothing but delightful and surprising. Contact info: DJMannyward.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manny.ward https://www.facebook.com/MannyWard.dj/ Instagram:@MannyWard Sent from my iPhone RETROTECH: Retrotech is Manny Ward and Curtis Atchison. The name comes from a party the duo created for which they and their guest DJ’s could play music that reflected their love of dance music, old and new. Previous to this collaboration, each had and still maintain an active DJ-ing schedule, as well as an impressive discography as producers. Friends for well over 20 years, they decided to work on a track together back in 2015 entitled “Big Mouth” released on Twisted Records to very good success. After that, they knew their collaborative efforts just meshed well and that the end-product was a sound that was uniquely theirs. Their talent was not lost when remix opportunities included Nona Hendryx, Black Stereo Faith, Lenny Kravitz, Neneh Cherry, Kiwi Dreams, Ultra Nate, Stevie Nicks to name a few were presented to them. In October 2018, Lenny Kravitz hit the top of the Dance charts for the first time with “Low”, for which they contributed a house remix in the release. This past NYC World Pride their remix of the newly visited dance music anthem classic “Free” by Ultra Nate was debuted in NYC to rave reviews.
  Their RA profile lists King Street Sounds, Nervous Records and SoundGroove Records.

  Recently at Red Eye NY, Good Room, The Ornate Studio · often with Peter Napoli, borali, Danny Krivit, none of them here that night

• Riccardo Tavarez

  39 bookings since Aug 2023

  Recently at Body by Brooklyn, The Chocolate Factory · often with Greg Scarnici, Ryan Farr, Patrick Kyle, none of them here that night