The Bunker presents: No Way Back Nonstop

Who they are

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  Derek Plaslaiko

  Detroit · 5 bookings since Nov 2023

  “Many DJs have reputations defined by a certain place and time.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  Many DJs have reputations defined by a certain place and time. Not so for Derek Plaslaiko, whose 20-year career behind the decks has seen him gather a loyal fan base wherever and whenever he may be. Some will know Derek as a favorite of the mid-90s Detroit warehouse scene, which lead to a personal invite from Carl Craig to appear at the inaugural Detroit Electronic Music Festival in 2000. Others recognize him from his near decade-long residency at The Bunker New York parties, during which time he was named “Best Techno Party DJ” by the Village Voice in 2006. Then there was the summer of 2011 spent behind the decks at Berlin’s infamous Club der Visionaere, as an honorary resident at the weekly Visionquest nights—a worthy introduction to the city he now calls home. Of late, there is a new generation of party people who will know Plaslaiko from his extended sets (up to 12 hours) in New York, Paris, Seattle, Los Angeles and Philadelphia, or his regular appearances at clubs like Tresor, Hot Mass, Beta, Output, Smart Bar and Berghain, and festivals like Decibel, Communikey and Movement. Or some who caught his name on the flier for the No Way Back series of parties put on by Interdimensional Transmissions, the Detroit imprint that has put out several of Plaslaiko’s rare original releases, along with Perc Trax and Minus. There are tens of thousands of others who caught on to Plaslaiko following his record-breaking 12-hour Boiler Room set, where he gave viewers a look into his living room, while friends and friend’s toddlers enjoyed the day. This landmark session properly archived the full Plaslaiko musical experience, from flawless house and techno, to hip-hop, classic rock, and whatever other musical moment this life-long record obsessive chooses to share. And let’s not forget the thousands of folks who have befriended Plaslaiko while sharing the dance floor with this committed clubber who refuses to hang out in the booth and will always skip the DJ dinner in favor of catching one of his peers behind the decks. Wherever one picks up Plaslaiko’s story, maybe during his days dealing discs in Detroit’s famed Record Time dance room or possibly the years spent moving serious weight at Watts and Syntax Distribution, the one constant is top-shelf musical taste, as defined by Plaslaiko’s personal heroes—names like Laurent Garnier, Daniel Bell and Zip, and colleagues including Carlos Souffront, Jason Kendig and Mike Servito—and a passion for music that over-rides the usual trappings of the modern DJ industry. This may mean to some that Plaslaiko is still unsung. But for those who know better (and there are many all over the world), praise for Derek has been sung for decades.
  SoundCloud ↗Discography ↗
  Their RA profile lists M-nus, Spectral Sound, Perc Trax, Anozer and 6 more.

  Recently at The Chocolate Factory · often with Jeffrey Sfire, Clarisa Kimskii, GLOBUS, none of them here on Saturday

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  Bryan Kasenic

  New York City · 11 bookings since Sep 2023 · Basement and Berghain techno

  “For the past 15 years, The Bunker New York has led the way for American techno by bringing together hundreds of artists from all over the world.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  For the past 15 years, The Bunker New York has led the way for American techno by bringing together hundreds of artists from all over the world. More than a mere techno party, The Bunker unites diverse sounds from across the electronic music spectrum, connecting the dots between house, techno, experimental sounds, and much more. The Bunker New York began as a party, grew up into a record label, and has become a collaborative community, fostered by founder and curator Bryan Kasenic since its launch in 2003. Kasenic's roots in the world of music go deep. In 1993, at the age of 16, he began DJing on Carnegie Mellon’s WRCT in Pittsburgh. He went on to launch his own radio show on WNYU in 1997. The radio show, and his interest in the many weird corners of the NYC music scene, eventually morphed into the creation of a weekly email newsletter, which included noteworthy party and event listings at a time when nothing of the kind existed online. As Bryan became more established in New York City, he created Beyond Booking, the agency that would become a core part of The Bunker New York. During this time, Bryan was also a sought-after DJ, performing at parties and events on a weekly basis. Currently, Bryan also hosts a weekly show on Red Bull Music Academy Radio, featuring The Bunker's friends and family. Bryan is much more than a mainstay at The Bunker New York. He has also played in many of the finest clubs and venues around the world: Berghain, Panorama Bar, and Atonal Festival in Berlin; Concrete in Paris; Bassiani in Tbilisi; De School and Shelter in Amsterdam; Organik Festival in Taiwan; Output and MoMA PS1's Warm Up series in New York; Contact, Air Tokyo and Circus Osaka in Japan; Smart Bar in Chicago; the Communikey and Decibel festivals in Boulder and Seattle respectively; Public Works in San Francisco; and many more. Additionally, he has co-produced numerous events and festivals, including several years at Unsound Festival New York. Unsound is one of the leading electronic and experimental music festivals worldwide, and he subsequently brought The Bunker to Krakow, Poland, Unsound's native city. To understand Kasenic as a DJ one needs only look back at his decades of passion promoting electronic and experimental sounds in New York, and towards the sound of the artists that have become key members of The Bunker New York family: the psychedelic, cerebral bent of Atom™, Voices From The Lake, and Reagenz; the swirling, atmospheric soundscapes of Clay Wilson, Zemi17, and Marco Shuttle; and the industrial-strength hardware dynamics of Løt.te, Mark Verbos, and Romans. 15 years after its founding, The Bunker is stronger than it has ever been and continues to grow, thanks to Kasenic's vision and effort.
  SoundCloud ↗Bandcamp ↗
  Their RA profile lists The Bunker New York.

  Recently at Paragon, Knockdown Center, The Chocolate Factory · often with Rose Kourts, Andy Izenson, Alyce Currier, none of them here on Saturday

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  Patrick Russell

  New York City · 31 bookings since Aug 2023

  “Patrick Russell is a true veteran of the US underground, perhaps one of the last unsung heroes of a now lost era in the Midwest.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  Patrick Russell is a true veteran of the US underground, perhaps one of the last unsung heroes of a now lost era in the Midwest. A genuine sonic storyteller, he magically transforms the diaspora of acid, pure jack energy, and hints of IDM into a deep, fluent sonic dialog that never fails to devastate both minds and dance floor. A Detroit-bred DJ, artist, and producer active since the early 90's, Patrick has now made New York City his home. Perhaps best known as a key figure in the legendary No Way Back parties, his ability to weave intensely unique, long-format narratives has earned him critical acclaim and repeat performances at Japan’s Labyrinth festival, Berghain, Unsound, and DEMF/Movement. Patrick has also been steadily building a strong catalog of high-profile productions to compliment his increasingly varied, hypnotic, and in-demand DJ sets; his recent 3-track remix EP on The Bunker New York also marks his induction as an official resident DJ at the long-running Brooklyn party. His consummate taste and disciplined execution have created a respect that cannot be purchased. Patrick Russell is not just a name to watch, he is someone to be experienced.
  SoundCloud ↗Discography ↗
  Techno on 34, Experimental on 8, Ambient on 6 and Acid on 7. styles on their catalogued releases

  Released on On Board Music (2) (1), Standards & Practices (2) (1) and useless seconds (1); their RA profile also lists BPitch, Circus Company, Delsin, Blank Artists and 6 more. labels on their catalogued releases and on their RA profile

  Recently at Signal, public records, Nowadays · often with Lauren Flax, Carrier, Lychee, none of them here on Saturday

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  Carlos Souffront

  Detroit · 28 bookings since Nov 2023

  “Carlos Souffront is a DJ's DJ from Detroit with impeccable taste who apparently has one of the most insane acid collections in the world.”

  their own biography

  SoundCloud ↗
  Their RA profile lists Interdimensional Transmissions.

  Recently at Green Room NYC, Nowadays, MoMA PS1 · often with JADALAREIGN, S4M23, Lauren Flax, none of them here on Saturday

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  Erika

  20 bookings since Aug 2023

  next: Tresor / Globus in Berlin, Sat 28 Nov

  “Erika dreams on the cellular level, or perhaps of transdimensional intelligences moving through strange patterns on celestial objects, working towards a mysterious goal.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  Erika dreams on the cellular level, or perhaps of transdimensional intelligences moving through strange patterns on celestial objects, working towards a mysterious goal. Her connection to the dreamworld becomes concrete in her approach to music, simultaneously so solid and yet so ethereal. Erika still finds time to accomplish many things in her waking hours, such as being a member of Ectomorph, co-conspirator of Detroit's Interdimensional Transmissions record label, DJing and making music with her pet machines. Her freeform streaming radio station erika.net was one of the very first iTunes presets, running 24x7 for 17 years from 1999 to 2016. Prior to that, Erika was very involved in WCBN-FM Ann Arbor, as a freeform and jazz DJ, and Program Director. The daughter of a famed scientist and already running a well known BBS from her bedroom by the time she was 13, Erika is no stranger to expressing her ideas through technology. In 1997 she was handed a TR-606 and asked to join Ectomorph, and has since become an electronic musician of the highest order, focusing on analog synthesis, with live hardware sequencing that allows transformation over time and a deep depth of tone. to book live or DJ — NA: michelle@thebunkerny.com rest of world: mike@berytus.art
  SoundCloud ↗Bandcamp ↗Discography ↗
  Their RA profile lists Tresor, Interdimensional Transmissions, Modular Cowboy, Acid Test and 2 more.

  Recently at Signal, Nowadays, Mood Ring · often with TRESOR, GLOBUS, Lexicon, none of them here on Saturday

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  BMG

  Detroit · 7 bookings since Nov 2023

  “Brendan M Gillen is the founder of cult label Interdimensional Transmissions, central figure in Ectomorph, and legendary DJ and live act under his moniker BMG.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  Brendan M Gillen is the founder of cult label Interdimensional Transmissions, central figure in Ectomorph, and legendary DJ and live act under his moniker BMG. His 25 year musical vision and near encyclopedic musical knowledge have led him to be one of the key figures and visionaries in contemporary dance music. His parties (most famously but not limited to No Way Back) are the greatest contemporary manifestation of the Detroit party continuum that reaches back to the parties of Plastikman, the Music Institute, Voom, and beyond. A master weaver of true psychedelic musical tapestry, BMG has a way of making the strange familiar and the familiar strange. Expect the unexpected.
  SoundCloud ↗Bandcamp ↗Discography ↗
  Their RA profile lists Interdimensional Transmissions and Eye Teeth.

  Recently at The Ornate Studio, The Chocolate Factory, Nowadays · often with EscaFlowne, Shyboi, TYGAPAW, none of them here on Saturday

• Mike Servito

  New York City · 154 bookings since Aug 2023

  next: Bossa Nova Civic Club, Sun 15 Nov

  “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 Signal, H0L0, Green Room NYC · often with Shaun J. Wright, S4M23, JADALAREIGN, none of them here on Saturday

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  Scott Zacharias

  Detroit · 11 bookings since Oct 2023

  “Scott Zacharias is one of those selectors who’s unafraid to color outside the genre lines.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  Scott Zacharias is one of those selectors who’s unafraid to color outside the genre lines. Growing up on a diet of space rock, jazz and thrash, he soon became interested in his home’s deep house heritage, before expanding his repertoire further into psychedelia, disco, Italo and everything in between. Scott is a staple of the outer limits of the North American underground, breaking to the surface via his much-anticipated early-morning closing sets at Detroit's legendary No Way Back parties, which take place every Memorial Day weekend. There, Scott holds an open-minded yet extremely impressionable dancefloor rapt as the global scene's most dedicated dancers let loose until the sun is fully out and shining. Thanks to these spectacular moments suspended in time, Scott has risen to prominence outside Detroit and is something of a fixture of the most vaunted left-field parties and festivals worldwide.
  SoundCloud ↗
  Their RA profile lists Secret Mixes Fixes.

  Recently at public records, Good Room, H0L0 · often with Margaret Dygas, Masalo, Kamma, none of them here on Saturday