April 21, 2014 marks the first Boston Marathon after last year’s event was horribly marred by a shocking terrorist attack which killed three people and injured an estimated 264 others. While every city unites and shows its resiliency in times of tragedy, Bostonians are a particularly thick-skinned lot who keep on keeping on in the face of adversity. Since the city’s club scene boasts a wealth of DJ talent, we wanted to show our support for Boston by paying tribute to some of the city’s most notable DJs. See more of them in action next month alongside electronic talent from all over the world when Together Boston returns for its fifth year, taking place May 11-18, 2014. Remember: Boston strong!
1. Soul Clap
From playing local parties and clubs to early productions, Elyte and Cnyce have worked their tails off to become a globally-touring act. Along the way they’ve stayed true to their soulful sound and vinyl roots while releasing their timeless EFUNK album and continually nurturing new talent along the way.
2. Mike Swells
A DJ, producer and promoter, Swells is a triple threat. Known for his fluid sets at Rise, the city’s preeminent after-hours spot, he’s forged a style that embraces house and techno. In addition to continually evolving as a selector, he’s played a big role in bringing world-class DJs to spin in Boston.
3. DJ Kon
Arguably one of the best DJs/re-edit masters currently on the scene, Kon, who is aligned with Soul Clap’s label, stays true to a style rooted in the tradition of disco and overflowing with soul and funk. If you’re not familiar, do yourself a favor and watch his Boiler Room set from 2013.
4. John Barera
Known for traipsing around the intersection of house and techno both as a DJ and producer, Barera runs the Supply Records label, which has released tracks from various local mixmasters. His production discography includes releases on Soul Clap, Dolly and Dirt Crew. Like the mailman, this guy always delivers.
5. Patrick Barry
Looking at Patrick Barry’s schedule of gigs around Boston, Cambridge and Portsmouth could well deem him as one of the area’s hardest-working jocks. He’s also brought his house grooves to cities all over the U.S. and has shared bills with everyone from Juan Maclean to Danny Howells.
6. DJ Knife
A veteran of the city’s club scene, Knife is one of Boston’s most eclectic spinners. Comfortable dropping old-school hip-hop to speaker-rattling dubstep to Baltimore Club, his Strange Brew mixes posted on his SoundCloud are the next best thing to catching him live.
7. Joe Bermudez
A past contributor to Big Shot, Bermudez has toured with the likes of David Guetta, shared bills with countless world-class jocks and has worked in the studio with pop stars such as Britney Spears and P!nk. He also keeps Boston moving via his mix shows.
8. Moldy
Working behind the decks for the better part of 15 years, Moldy, who is a resident at the long running Boston party BASSIC, has been carefully refining a dubstep sound that’s deep, dark and experimental. Having cuts tracks for Heavy Pressure, ‘Earwax, Embassy and TUBA, he’s also no slouch in the studio.
9. D-Lux
After taking to the decks in 2005, Laura “D-Lux” DeLuca’s career has gone from strength to strength. She’s held down a residency at RE:SET, played at Rise and has toured the Northeast. As a producer, her no-nonsense tracks are minimal and techy. According to her Twitter, she has a track coming out this year on Soul Clap’s label. We can’t wait to hear it!
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A list of notable Boston DJs without Frank White, Sterling Golden, Clinton Sparks, Bamboora, or Brek One. Wow.
How can any list of Boston DJ’s be complete without mentioning DJ Bruno? #MindBlown
This article tells me more about the writer than the list… def some solid DJs in this list… but where the F is J Paul Getto, Will Monotone, Deka?? – think this writer needs to find out more about Boston DJs