Zomboy, Spag Heddy, Ricky Remedy at The Ritz Ybor
Chris Karns
Few artists who identify as a producer and DJ have as impressive a resume as Chris Karns. Trusted by some of the biggest names in music to set the stage on fire with his blazing turntable skills, Karns is following up a World DMC Championship title with a starring role on VH1’s “Master of the Mix” and a packed schedule of party rocking. Karns has enjoyed an undeniable reputation long-sealed by his on stage and in studio work with some industry heavyweights like Yelawolf, Bun B., Kid Rock, Paul Wall, Bassnectar and Travis Barker. This is not a man who gets on iTunes, downloads a few hits and calls it a day, but rather an accomplished master of his craft.
At a time when the word “DJ” no longer carries with it the weight of a once vibrant vinyl culture, it’s a relief there are passionate and talented artists like Chris. Since his early days inspired by his musician father and learning to scratch on a $20 belt-drive turntable, he’s rocked countless overseas and American tours, and has played everywhere from Los Angeles to New York, London to Tokyo, and everywhere in between. Since being honored with the highest possible battle title and becoming DMC World Champion, Karns is now known as one of the fastest scratchers and beat jugglers in the game, incorporating drum machines and other components into sets stacked with raw energy. When he’s in front of insatiable crowds weaving together a versatile set of hip-hop, house, trap and more, Karns obviously a natural entertainer who’s set the bar high for himself and his contemporaries.
“I’m proud that I am able to achieve the goals I set for myself, whether it be shining in the biggest DJ competitions in the world, or rocking at huge festivals,” Karns surmises. “I know good things will continue to happen if I keep working hard for the love of this art form we call music.”
Bass Physics
Bass Physics, a Denver-based producer named Arja Adair, has one objective in mind: to spread positive vibes through the power of music. His genre-bending sound is made up of soulful electronic beats fused with live guitar and keys. While some songs weave beautifully expressive sonic landscapes, others explode with power and energy.
Bass Physics added to an extensive list of festival plays in 2014-2015, making a second consecutive appearance at Decadence NYE, playing Electric Forest Music Festival, and making a debut appearance on the main stage of Colorado’s legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater, opening for Savoy and Michal Menert.
He seeks to always keep the party live by bringing energy and emotion to the dance floor. He made a second consecutive appearance at Global Dance Festival and Decadence, playing Euphoria Music Festival in Austin as well as Electric Forest.
Late Night Radio
Hustling to make his mark in Denver, Colorado’s electronic music melting pot, Late Night Radio is earning the respect of fans and peers alike through prolific production, innovative experimentation, and a dogged dedication to the craft. Alex Medellin has put in his time in the industry, coming up in Texas and California, but his ascension in the Colorado scene speaks to his ability to not only create a stunning array of original tracks, but bring them to life on stage, practicing what he preaches–guided by the mantra “emotion over energy.”
Manic Focus
Manic Focus is the beat-bumpin’ project of John “JmaC” McCarten, a Chicago-based electronic music producer hailing from the Twin Cities. A multi-dimensional artist with a rowdy style unbound to any one genre, Manic Focus transcends sound waves by fusing soulful blues with heavy-hitting bass, creating a resonating tone that’s entirely his own.
Over the last 5 years, JmaC has released four full-length albums, each one a new evolution in sound and approach. His most recent album, Cerebral Eclipse, was released on All Good Records, a label quickly making a name for itself as a tastemaker in the modern electronic music scene. He has completed a slew of official remixes for artists such as GRiZ, The Floozies, Lettuce, Minnesota and Pretty Lights, and released several works with Pretty Lights Music veterans Break Science.
On the road, JmaC has been steadily building his live performance to include additional musicians and elements of production. Jacob Barinholtz is now a mainstay on the drums, and other musical co-conspirators join the two on select dates around the country. He’s also been known to incorporate surprise guests such as Big Gigantic’s Dominic Lalli, GRiZ, The Floozies’ Matt Hill, and Russ Liquid, to name a few. Occasionally, fans are treated to the rare live fusion of Break Science and Manic Focus, taking the stage as Manic Science.
In the studio, JmaC continues to push himself to new musical limits by incorporating original, sample-free recordings of many up-and-coming musical allies. This is especially apparent in the material from his forthcoming album, Minds Rising, to be released Fall of 2016.
Whether it’s at a small-town venue or a world-renowned music festival on his nationwide headlining tour, you won’t want to miss a Manic Focus throw-down.
