Daniel Bell

(Accelerate) ∞ DJ

Daniel Bell is one of the few old-school legends of Detroit still at the forefront of electronic music today. Originally influenced by Chicago House and avant-garde composers such as Steve Reich, Bell’s music laid the foundation for what is now known as the “minimalist” approach in house and techno music. After moving to Detroit in 1990, Accelerate Records was created as an outlet for Bell’s music. Recording under the name DBX, the 1994 single “Losing Control” was described by AllMusic as “one of the biggest underground smashes of the decade.” The hypnotically stark compositions released on Accelerate proved to be influential and sent his contemporaries (and copycats) off in a new “less-is-profoundly-more” direction. As well as being active behind the scenes running a distribution company and a record store in Detroit, Bell cofounded the 7th City, Harmonie Park and Elevate record labels. Bell’s releases on Elevate especially have become some of the most sought after records in the collector’s market. In 2000, after the overwhelming success of his first mix cd, “The Button-Down Mind of Daniel Bell” (Resident Advisor awarded it 2nd Best Mix CD of the 00’s”), Bell became the first North American dj to take up permanent residence in Berlin, Germany. While in Berlin, he recorded for several European labels including Logistic, ~scape, Perlon and Tresor, and spent the bulk of his years there on a relentless dj schedule that took him to almost every part of the globe. In 2008, Bell launched his first world tour as a solo live act. Despite the trend toward laptop live shows, Bell travelled with a collection of vintage synths and drum machines. The tour was met with critical acclaim and was awarded Resident Advisor’s Best Live Act of 2008 – “DBX live proved that Bell remains techno’s greatest reducer”.

Please e-mail daniel@connectbookings.com for Daniel Bell booking requests

Bergsonist

(Bergsonist) ∞ Live & DJ

Selwa Abd is a moroccan-born artist, music composer and freelance designer / consultant based in New York City. Her prolific and thought-provoking output challenges critical questions surrounding the future of technology, her own fragmented personal identity shaped by the complexities of post-colonial urban environments, and the influence of virtual realities on contemporary society.

Inspired by Deleuze’s interpretation of Henri Bergson’s philosophical framework, she embraces intuition as a legitimate method for investigating these complex issues in all her creative endeavors. Selwa collaborated with a diverse array of cultural artists spanning the realms of both the art and music worlds. Her musical compositions were showcased in exhibitions of contemporary visual artists, she also remixed the works of musical artists, including Depeche Mode.

She is a recipient of the SACEM grant (2020), Harvestworks Technology Immersion Program Grant & Fellowship (2022), the Issue Project Room Residency (2022) and The Jerome Hill Artist Alternate Award (2023). Selwa has shown works at MOMA Ps1, Roulette, Moogfest , National Sawdust, Issue Project Room x The Center for Performance Research, Basilica Hudson, Fridman Gallery, The James Gallery, 47 Canal and The Brooklyn Film Festival to name a few.

Selwa has earned recognition from outlets including The Washington Post, BOMB Magazine, GQ Middle East Magazine, Resident Advisor, Mixmag Mena and Artforum. Her music has been released on labels such as Optimo Music and Tresor Records. Selwa is the founder of the community resource Pick Up The Flow and the publishing imprint BIZAARBAZAAR. She’s been a NTS Radio resident since 2018.

Thomas Brinkmann

aka Soul Center (Max Ernst) ∞ Live

Thomas Brinkmann

Thomas Brinkmann is a highly regarded German producer of experimental minimal techno music. Although experimenting with records since the early eighties, he gained wide reputation with his re-workings of material by fellow artists Mike Ink and Richie Hawtin released in the second half of the 90s. These productions were made by playing physically modified vinyl records on highly customized turntables with an additional tone arm.

Brinkmann later founded the Ernst record label and introduced his own productions on a series of 12” records taking their titles from female names. He has since expanded his extensive production catalog on his own Max Ernst label, as well as other highly respected outfits such as Traum Schallplatten, Raster-Noton and Mute Records (under the Soul Center alias).

Mike Clark

(Strictly Beatdown) ∞ DJ

Today, Mike has been dubbed Detroit’s “Ambassador” among the city’s underground music community and those that know him well.

This is exactly what makes the Agent the essential DJ. His level of understanding and appreciation in the industry places him at an immediate advantage – one could say that Clark is the anthropologist of the dance floor. Born on the north-end of downtown Detroit and raised on the West side off the infamous 7 Mile Road, to an energetic mother and musical father he was surrounded by the electrifying energy of the Jazz, Funk and the Disco era. Heavily influenced by this at the early age of 13 Mike took a serious interest in the DJ world.

As the 1980’s dawned it was the competitive nature around this time that pushed Mike. His older brother began sneaking him into the hottest local dance clubs and Mike would spend much of his time playing backyard, underground parties and battle his peers in full on exhibitionist turntablist showcases where eventually fast coming up behind his peers he played with the best of them in legendry discotheques such as, L’uomo, Cheeks, Studio 54 and the Park Avenue Club after joining forces with the then well known Direct Drive DJ Collective being one of their youngest members. In the mid-80’s, Clark spent time studying Detroit’s legendary “1st Dj” Ken Collier also two New York icons Tony Humphries and Larry Levan. Mike travelled back and forth discovering the Chicago House Scene and the famed club “The Warehouse” meeting Ron Hardy and building strong bridges with the windy city’s Hotmix 5 of which Farley Jackmaster and Julien Perez was two of Clark’s favourites and a permanent influence on his spinning goals. So merging this fast growing Chicago style with the Euro-disco and progressive sound popular in Detroit, by the late 80’s Clark became a major figure in the birth of ‘Detroit techno’ alongside other DJ’s such as Derrick May, Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunders, Blake Baxter and Eddie Fowlkes.

During this exiting era of innovative discovery, Mike began producing and remixing. He teamed up with Mad Mike Banks group ‘Members Of The House’ to form the alias Underground Resistance label which became “Members Of House” singing group, which very clearly stood shoulder to shoulder with Ten City as one of the first two “House” music groups in history. Clark suddenly elevated his presence in Detroit, once again becoming one of the city’s most prolific DJs and producer now known as ‘Agent X’ beginning his Dj journey around the globe. A few years later in the late 90s mike joined forces with Carl Craig’s Planet E label. The result of this would be the smash hit EP “In the morning” which would yet again catapult his Career across the Atlantic into Europe and as far as Japan.

Beatdown Sounds was born in the turn of the millennium. A term used by his local peers and founded by Mike Clark “Beatdown” is the true sound of Detroit, a coined phrase that refers to the urban house sound and that Detroit is not just about “Techno” or rather that “Detroit Techno” really means term for how modern, forward Detroiters have embraced but kept their roots from Jazz to Motown to Funk to Today and created a new sound that mesh all of these and spits out tomorrow.

Beatdown sounds launched their first residency at Club OneX on Michigan Ave in Detroit’s Cork town neighbourhood. This is where House Heads and dance addicts could receive a proper “beatdown” each week. Later on Rehab at Agave became the one of the longest running and popular nights in the Deep House history of Detroit electronic music. In 2005 the Detroit Beatdown Dj’s took the sound across the pond and smashed it in Japan, Glasgow, London, Berlin and Paris. Since then one of the world’s premier nightclubs, Fabric in London has had them back every three months and every time has been the same, off the hook that undeniable heavy bass line rhythmic sound that is Beatdown. The label, Strictly Beatdown uses the talents of Detroit musicians, artisits, singers and producers and together has worked with the likes of London Based label Third ear and put out a successful series of Beatdown compilations and remixes.

Mike Agent X Clark, a native Detroiter, founder of Strictly Beatdown and Beatdown sounds has worked with major dance labels such as UR, Nite Groove, Happy, Simply Soul, Planet E, GotSoul and Third Ear to name a few and a Dj true to his craft is now back by popular demand and across the sea’s into the UK and Europe once again. With projects on the horizon with UK producers it looks like a promising future for his already established label Strictly Beatdown.

Roberto Clementi

(Soma) ∞ DJ

A distinguished and respected member of that elite group of Italian DJ producers who have managed to become known, appreciated, and respected abroad, Roberto Clementi has built a solid reputation thanks to a discography and numerous releases on Soma Records (a Glasgow label that first discovered Daft Punk and where he has released 10 EPs and 1 album) and has reached the avant-garde of labels like Echocord Records of Copenhagen, a cornerstone of the contemporary dub techno scene.
His records have been remixed by top artists such as Marcel Dettmann, Norman Nodge, Par Grindvik, Steve O’Sullivan, Brendon Moeller, and Zenker Brothers. In Italy, he was named second best producer of 2015 by Parkett magazine. In 2017, among numerous dates around the world, he also performed at Berlin’s Tresor, a historic venue and symbol of techno on a global level.

He has great experience behind the decks, confirmed by his 4-year residency at the prestigious Harmonized club. He was also the creator and organizer of the Maf Maf festival for 3 editions in the past. Currently, he is a resident at Virus House Project, one of the longest-running and most respected collectives on the Adriatic coast.

His new record, “Never Ending Mirage” EP, has just been released on Soma Records, a melodic masterpiece supported by artists such as Adam Beyer, Dominik Eulberg, and Amelie Lens. This latest record has reaffirmed the great talent he has always been able to express, moving versatilely and horizontally across multiple musical genres while maintaining a unique style and sound.

Convextion

aka E.R.P. (Matrix Records, Down Low Music) ∞ Live

Convextion

Gerard Hanson was born in 1972. He hails from of Dallas, Texas USA. Little is known about this producer who seems to have Scandinavian roots. His productions have reflections with Basic Channel/Chain Reaction sound. His main inspirations are Juan Atkins and Derrick May. His music also has influences from Stefan Robbers, Red Planet and Carl Craig. He found a way where everything came together: Deepness, Minimalism and Soul, the Detroit-Berlin connection. In 1994 Gerard Hanson and Dan Kurzius started ‘Hardsync’, a Magazine dedicated to electronic music reviews and artist interviews. It has been defunct since 1996 as a result of a computer crash. Hard Sync was an outlet for several Texas-based electronic music enthusiasts to reach out to others around the world that shared similar musical interests. He released his first 12″ on Matrix in 1995. From 1995-1997, he released five ep’s, and then only two more in the next six years until 2005. After that some other labels approached him but just wanted more of the same and didn’t really seem to understand his sound. After that he stopped releasing music and produced only for his personal usage. After a couple of years the label Down Low convinced him to pick up his producing again. He is very careful about sharing his music with the rest of the world. In the last decade he only used the aliases Convextion and E.R.P. (Event Related Potential). E.R.P is an electro-edged moniker. Gerard has remained willingly anonymous since his debut in 1995, but he came out of obscurity for a debut European Live performance in London in April 2006.

Tyree Cooper

(Chicago Vinyl) ∞ DJ

Tyree Cooper is regarded as one of the most influential international artists of the last three decades. He is part of the first Global House music revolution that started in Chicago. His contribution to House Music & Acid House is unmatched and led him to co-create Hip House alongside The DJ Fast Eddie, widening the appeal of House music worldwide.
Growing up on the streets of Chicago’s South Side, listening to Farley Jackmaster Funk and The Hot Mix 5, Ron Hardy, Frankie Knuckles and his mother’s and uncles’ music collection, Tyree was well schooled in music at an early age. As a freshman he joined the Simeon H.S Concert and Marching Band.
Two years after college Tyree was already one of the most popular and highly sought-after DJs in Chicago. He was then approached by Vince Lawrence of the House band Jesse’s Gang (founded by Jesse Saunders) who persuaded Tyree to put together a demo tape of his music to start a career as a recording artist. From now on, it was only a question of time before signing the first record deal with the Chicago based underground label D.J. International Records.
The first 12′′ single – I Fear The Night (with female vocalist Chic) promptly became an underground classic in Chicago. Other hits followed, Video Crash and Acid Crash (1987) – Acid Over (1988) – Turn Up The Bass (1988/89) – Let’s Get Hyped (feat. Kool Rock Steady, 1989) – Let the Music Take Control (1989) and Hardcore Hip House (1989). In 2013, Tyree Cooper founded his own label: Chicago Vinyl Records with distribution from Juno Records UK. He has continued to release tracks and classic hits from DJ International and Dance Mania record labels.
He has also pursued his passion for DJing and has travelled throughout the globe to play at events such as Glastonbury Festival UK, Amsterdam Dance Event, DJoon Paris, Babel Sao Paulo Brazil, Mona Club Paris, Rhonda International San Francisco and Summer Dance Chicago. He was also hosting a monthly night with Bobby Starrr at the famous Tresor club in Berlin, called E-Man-Ci-Pate.

DeepChord

(Soma) ∞ Live

DeepChord

Rod Modell (a.k.a. Deepchord) is a sound-designer with 25 years involvement in electronic music and over 50 releases under various aliases and styles. Beginning with more “industrial” and “ambient” forms of sonic experimentation (working with Kim Cascone and his -then- record-label Silent, and performing with notable industrial acts such as Chris & Cosey and SPK). While attending Art School for Photography, Rod lived in Detroit’s Eastern-Market area, the location of the infamous “techno boulevard”, and home to Derrick May, Juan Atkins and Kevin Saunderson during that time. Submersed in the blossoming Detroit Techno scene (early 1990’s), a journey from a more experimental sound into Detroit’s techno-world was inevitable. Modell co-founded the Deepchord record label in Detroit during the mid-90’s. Deepchord respected and admired (fellow Detroiters) Underground Resistance for their D.I.Y. attitude and independence. It was because of this respect and admiration that Deepchord declined offers from top techno labels of the time, in favor of doing it by themselves. Many consider Deepchord to be the second wave of the “Basic Channel sound”, and came years before the onslaught of imitators.

After 16 releases on Deepchord, Rod went onto co-found Echospace. Echospace released two full length albums and five 12″ singles on Modern Love (Boomkat), and a slew of releases on their Echospace imprint. 2007’s “The Coldest Season” and 2010’s “Liumin” are critically acclaimed electronic music classics, and were on top-lists of prestigious resources such as The Wire, xlr8r, and Resident Advisor (who wrote of The Coldest Season: “in terms of sheer quality, it rivals Basic Channel’s vaunted catalog. Put down that ultra-rare Basic Reshape 12” and check out what’s going on now. This album is bound to be one of the most fully realized listening experiences to grace your stereo this year, and is proof positive that DeepChord and Echospace are the rightful heirs to the dub techno legacy”). Rod also operated an audio-mastering facility in the Detroit area from 1995-2005, employing his services to many electronic record labels, including Richie Hawtin’s M-NUS imprint.

Rod’s recent projects include a collaboration with K Soublis (Fluxion) for Echocord in Denmark (Echocord #046 – “Waves EP”), remixes for fellow Detroiter Aaron Carl (R.I.P.) on Millions Of Moments (#MOM 004), remixes for DFA Records (#dfaemi 2194), reworkings of Juan Atkins’ “Starlight”, Remakes of “Miranda” for Convextion, and new versions of Slam’s Groovelock for Soma Quality Recordings in Glasgow. Deepchord has also been featured on numerous mix cd’s, including Deadbeat’s (Scott Monteith) “Radio Rothko” (theAgriculture, Brooklyn NY), and “Electronic Flavors” mixed by Henrik Schwarz and published by Philip Morris GMBH.

Titonton Duvante

(Residual, 7th City) ∞ Live & DJ

With a musical history spanning back to the early 90’s, as co-creator of the seminal techno band Body Release (alongside Todd Sines, Charles Noel and Mike Szewczyk), and on through a multifaceted career as a composer, recording artist, producer, remixer, record label owner and DJ, Titonton Duvante continues to evolve creatively. As a DJ known for blurring the boundaries of electronic music genres, Titonton deconstructs, blends and rebuilds beats with his special brand of funky turntablism. He’s brought his extraordinary style to nightclubs around the world: from Detroit and San Francisco to Berlin, London, Paris, Warsaw, Copenhagen, Sao Paulo, San Juan, Tokyo and beyond. Titonton has released an arsenal of music on labels such as Palette, Environ, 7th City, Planet E, Sonar Kollektiv, 2000 Black and Bitasweet to name a few, in addition to his own label, Residual Recordings. He’s done collaborative work with contemporaries such as John Tejada, Fabrice Lig and Morgan Geist. Titonton’s remarkable reputation has earned him an entry in Tim Barr’s book, A Rough Guide to Techno, as well as a mention in Dan Sicko’s book, Techno Rebels. Recently moving to New York City from his native Columbus, Ohio, Titonton has been working in the studio, with forthcoming releases on Residual, Frankie,7th City, Corner,Planet Harrier, Manuscript, Open Concept and Boogizm Recordings.

Magda El Bayoumi

(Tresor) ∞ DJ

Magda El Bayoumi is an artist of Polish and Egyptian origin currently living in Berlin.
Resident dj of Berlin’s legend – Tresor club where she play mostly at the Globus floor, she tends to oscillate between techno and different house sub-genres.
Born in Dubai – a mix of nationalities from around the world, relocating later to Warsaw, having a six-month Chicago episode later among other places, she always feels to be true a citizen of the world.
Her strong interest in music since early childhood was inspired due to her father musician and composer who exposed her to music universe and who bought her first Casio keyboard among other instruments.
While playing the guitar, dabbling with the piano, dreaming of becoming a percussionist and exploring different musical genres she finally discovered clubs, parties and electronic music. She became completely fascinated by dj – ing and playing vinyl records.
Regardless of graduating Psychology, her first work experiences with booking artists and organizing parties brought her ever closer to the dj scene where she discovered her deep passion for music, playing and collecting records.
What makes a good dj is a blend of proper record selection with obvious musical knowledge behind plus technical skills — and that’s a concept she strongly believe in.
Whenever she is opening the night, playing in prime time or closing the party, she adjust easily providing best performance possible. Good classic or fresh and new sound techno and house tracks or versatile electronic productions play an important role in her choice of music today. There is only one rule: quality.
Expanding her musical horizons and taking dj – ing to the next level, she decided to move to Berlin – the Mecca of electronic music to find her own place among other creative and open-minded people: „I adore this international tangle of people, creative, uncompromising in expressing themselves and the atmosphere of acceptance of any dissidence — this place definitely fits into my soul” — she admits.
With her residency at Tresor club, she has an opportunity to meet and share musical experiences with the most respected names in the industry today.