After a very exciting first half of 2008, Blank Artists, the Detroit based independent dance music label, is embarking on its first tour this August in a six-city excursion featuring label co-directors, Drew Pompa and Josh Dahlberg; as well as Jared Wilson. Each of the three had memorable performances at this year’s Movement: Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival and are quickly becoming standouts in dance music’s global community.
Drew is revered for weaving through sub-genres of techno, house, and electro in his DJ sets with a precision that demands esteem from even the most captious of listeners. Jared is regarded as one of the city’s best for his style of techno that harkens back to the days when Acid reigned supreme as king of the electronic music jungle. His instant classic, Drug Related Stories (released on his label, 7777) recently found its way onto the new Hardfloor disc, Tales of The Unexpected 3. Dahlberg has released on D Records, Gravid Digital, and of course Blank Artists. He is known for his style of music that draws influence from Detroit and Germany both old and new.
With each person bringing his own style and taste in dance music to the table, it only reaffirms why the label assumed the name Blank Artists. Be on the look out late this summer as these three label mates are depart the Motor City and converge on an east-coast city near you; destroying your dance floors and depleting your beer supplies (provided you live on the eastern coast of the US, of course).
Detroit’s BlankArtist collective of DJs Josh Dahlberg, Drew Pompa, and Jared Wilson drop in as part of their inaugural BlankArtists 2008 Tour for Ramp Chicago’s monthly FLIGHT DECK showcase.
Thu 8/21 (7PM-11PM) @ Sura Thai Bistro
3124 N Broadway Chicago, IL
MP3: CODINE: “Link to Selected”
MP3: JARED WILSON: “Office Analogue”
MP3: JOSH DAHLBERG: “OMGPHEEK”
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Ramp Chicago’s LAUNCH PAD series at Sura continues with Enots aka Phillip Stone–an up-and-coming local DJ who has found much success opening for international talent such as Ryan Crosson, Adam Beyer and others. Liz Revision supports. Expect techno, house, tech house, and IDM.
Thursday 7/14 (7pm – 11:30pm)
@ Sura Thai Bistro, 3124 N Broadway Chicago, IL 60657
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Matthew Mercer lives in Chicago where he creates music and works as a graphic designer. Having previously released 12″ singles on Forte and Neutonmusic as well as affiliations with Ware and the now-defunct 409 art group, in 2006 he started the Microfilm project with vocalist Matt Keppel, which put them on the map as experimental artists working innovatively within the electro scene. In 2007, the two started a label for their endeavours, Fiche Music; he released 2 short albums compiling both new and old solo material in the fall. He is also considering a digital re-issue of his first 12″ for Forte, Secrets, long out of print.
Ramp Chicago’s LAUNCH PAD series kicks off in August at Sura with performances from Chicago’s Matt Mercer, co-director of Fiche Music and half of vocal party-electro duo Microfilm. Soon to be a Seattle resident this is the last chance to see Matt DJ before he leaves Chicago. Resident Liz Revision supports. Expect a mix of techno, electro, IDM, and ambient.
Thu 8/7 (7PM – 11:30PM)
@ Sura Thai Bistro, 3124 N Broadway Chicago, IL 60657
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For Immediate Release
July 29th, 2008
Ramp Chicago Announces New Programming Schedule for August Featuring BlankArtists and Lee Curtiss
Chicago, IL – Local club promoters Ramp Chicago have released their latest programming schedule for the month of August. The list includes both the schedule for their recently christened Launch Pad/Flight Deck Thursday nights at Sura Thai Bistro on the North Side in addition to their final Friday parties at Wicker Park’s Debonair Social Club, and as usual features both local and internationally renowned performers.
August kicks off at Sura with performances from Chicago’s Matt Mercer, co-director of Fiche Music and half of vocal party-electro duo Microfilm and Enots aka Phillip Stone–an up-and-coming local DJ who has found much success opening for international talent such as Ryan Crosson, Adam Beyer and others.
On the Flight Deck Thursday, July 21st, Detroit’s BlankArtist collective of DJs Josh Dahlberg, Drew Pompa, and Jared Wilson drop in as part of their inaugural BlankArtists 2008 Tour and the following week local party queen Gianna Hardt of Forte graces the decks with her unique blend of house and techno.
At Debonair this month Ramp presents a DJ performance by Michigan’s bad boy of international techno, Lee Curtiss. Curtiss, who, by his own description, has been “melting faces and breaking hearts” since his debut 12’’ on Kalimari Records’ 2006 Mein Tesh, has won legions of fans all over the world for his legendary live sets and his punk attitude towards dance music, showcased in recent years by performances at both Mutek and Movement: Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival.
Ramp Chicago August Schedule
@ Sura Thai Bistro 3124 N. Broadway, DJs begin at 7pm, FREE Admission
all events feature Ramp Chicago resident Liz Revision
Aug. 7th. Matt Mercer (Fiche Records) — Chicago
Aug. 14th Enots aka Phillip Stone — Chicago
Aug. 21st BlankArtists DJ Tour ft: Josh Dahlberg, Drew Pompa & Jared Wilson — Detroit
Aug. 28th Gianna Hardt (Forte Music) – Chicago
@ Debonair Social Club 1575 N. Milwaukee. Doors 9pm FREE before 11pm, $5 afterwards
Aug. 29th Lee Curtiss (Dumb Unit, Rhumba Musik, Kalimari) — Detroit
For more information contact Liz McLean Knight at rampchicago@gmail.com or 773.251.9984
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Chicago electronic music promoters Ramp Chicago’s flagship monthly events at Debonair Social Club will be officially moving from the final Thursday to the last Friday of every month. On Friday, July 25th Rex Sepulveda from Detroit will perform alongside Liz Revision to launch the new night.
The move becomes official July 25th, when Ramp Chicago will present D Records recording artist Rex Sepulveda alongside Ramp Chicago resident Liz Revision. Sepulveda was one of the original D Records artists, along with Tom Newman aka Acidpimp and The Kooky Scientist, when the label was founded in 1999 by techno legend Richie Hawtin. In addition to performing alongside these artists and more, Sepulveda also opened the main stage on the final day of this year’s Movement festival in Detroit opening for artists such as Speedy J, Par Grindvik and Cobblestone Jazz.
Rex Sepulveda
Going: Rex Sepulveda at Debonair
Ramp Chicago
Friday, July 25th, 2008
Rex Sepulveda [D Records, DETROIT], Liz Revision
Debonair Social Club, 1575 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago IL
9pm, FREE
Good news–we now have a weekly series at Sura and our monthly nights at Debonair are now on the last Friday of every month. Here’s some press releases:
July 8, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ramp Chicago’s new Flight Deck and Launch Pad nights to take off at Sura Thai Bistro
Chicago, IL – Chicago promotions collective Ramp Chicago has announced a new series of events at Sura Thai Bistro aimed at exposing Chicago electronic music fans to the city’s latest crop of up and coming producers and DJs called “Launch Pad.” One night a month will feature established talent, called “Flight Deck.”
The weekly series of free events will officially open Thursday, July 17th and feature music by Sevron, a Chicago based DJ whose resume has included previous stints opening for notables such as Dutch techno legend Speedy J and underground producers Lee Curtiss and Benn Parris.
According to Ramp Chicago co-founder and Launch Pad resident DJ Liz McLean Knight aka Liz Revision it was the popular Lakeview eatery’s “futuristic décor that inspired us to pursue the possibility of using the space as a venue. As it turned out,” recalls Knight, “they were looking for a way to incorporate musical performance into their dining and late-night experience.”
The series will also incorporate a monthly “Flight Deck” night featuring nationally and internationally established talent, the first one of which will take place July 24th and feature ambient and pop electronic sensation Implex Grace.
Ramp Chicago Schedule at Sura Thai Bistro:
July 17th: *LAUNCH PAD* Sevron and Ramp Chicago resident DJ Liz Revision
July 24th: *FLIGHT DECK* Implex Grace and Ramp Chicago resident DJ Emulsion
July 31st: *LAUNCH PAD* Hernan Sanchez and Ramp Chicago resident DJ Liz Revision
The venue is located at 3124 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60657 with a phone number of (773) 248-7872. Nights start at 9pm and are free.
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July 10, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ramp Chicago Moves to Friday Nights at Debonair, Rex Sepulveda Performs
Chicago, IL – Chicago electronic music promoters Ramp Chicago’s flagship monthly events at Debonair Social Club will be officially moving from the final Thursday to the last Friday of every month.On Friday, July 25th Rex Sepulveda from Detroit will perform alongside Liz Revision to launch the new night.
The switch in days was prompted by five months of steadily increasing attendance at the events that featured nationally and internationally recognized DJs and Producers such as Andy Vaz, Noah Pred, Kero and Kill Memory Crash.
Ramp Chicago spokesperson and talent coordinator Andrew Lochhead said the group is “excited about the move,” adding that he believes the move will not only “draw more people to our events but also increase the nights ability to attract even more high profile talent to the club.”
The move becomes official July 25th, when Ramp Chicago will present D Records recording artist Rex Sepulveda alongside Ramp Chicago resident Liz Revision.
Sepulveda was one of the original D Records artists, along with Tom Newman aka Acidpimp and The Kooky Scientist, when the label was founded in 1999 by techno legend Richie Hawtin. In addition to performing alongside these artists and more, Sepulveda also opened the main stage on the final day of this year’s Movement festival in Detroit opening for artists such as Speedy J, Par Grindvik and Cobblestone Jazz.
Friday July 25th, 2008
Rex Sepulveda [D Records, DETROIT], Liz Revision
Debonair Social Club, 1575 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago IL
9pm, FREE
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Ramp Chicago is proud to present the beginning of a new weekly showcase featuring local DJs and producers in a futuristic lounge environment: LAUNCH PAD. Sevron kicks off the new night on Thursday July 17 with support by Ramp Chicago resident Liz Revision (subVariant, Create Digital Music).
Thu 7/31 (8PM) @ Sura Thai Bistro
3124 N Broadway Chicago, IL
FREE!
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Implex Grace (Luvsound, Distance Recordings) launches Ramp Chicago’s new experimental artist showcase by bringing his unique blend of pop inspired melodies and ambient, avant garde electronics to the FLIGHT DECK for an inspired Chicago performance. Ramp Chicago resident DJ Emulsion (Lens Records) supports.
Thu 7/24 (8PM) @ Sura Thai Bistro
3124 N Broadway Chicago, IL Map
FREE!
Ramp Chicago is proud to present the beginning of a new weekly showcase featuring local DJs and producers in a futuristic lounge environment: LAUNCH PAD. Hernan Sanchez joins us on July 31 with support by Ramp Chicago resident Liz Revision (subVariant, Create Digital Music).
Thu 7/31 (8PM) @ Sura Thai Bistro
3124 N Broadway Chicago, IL 60657
FREE!
