Producer’s Showcase
Gabe’s — Friday, June 6 at 10 p.m.
Electronic music today is often equated with dubstep, a subgenre that has exploded into the American consciousness in a way that no one could have imagined. But electronic music is so much more than dubstep’s drops and wobbly bass notes. The Producer’s Showcase series has been highlighting electronic music’s diversity, and the fourth and final show will be the cherry on what has been an all-around excellent musical experience.
Headlining this Friday will be Strategy, aka DJ Paul Dickow. Hailing from Portland, Dickow’s music is predictable in its unpredictably. His live sets range from dub and techno, to acid house, to experimental and ambient. The diversity of his music is also represented in his discography: He has appeared on a range of labels like 100% Silk, Endless Flight and Kranky. And while his music takes a bit from everywhere, his sound is definitely oriented towards the dance floor.
Coming into town with Strategy is Dreamlogicc, an Oakland-based producer who utilizes a live set-up of synthesizers, drum machines, sequencers and keyboards to move the crowd. Given that he did much of his early work in Chicago, his sound focuses largely on the lower end of the frequency range and recalls music like deep house and footwork that came out of that city’s electronic scene.
Also pulling from the Chicago template is m50. When he is not DJing at WNUR in Chicago—one of the best alternative stations in the U.S.—m50 is travelling the globe, spinning sets that merge Chicago house and acid with bass and a darker streak. Owner of the boutique label Kimochi Sound, m50 likes to explore the outer, futuristic reaches of the electronic music landscape. If his previous sets are any indication, Iowa City will be in for a special set that will take listeners forward while still being rooted in classic Chicago and Detroit electronic sounds.
Local duo, Giant Question Mark, will also be playing. Their live sets are excellent, offering a mix of skillfully executed dance music with many left-field elements. Also on the bill are Sky Fauna, an artist that explores all realms of electronic music, and Arbiter, a DJ whose old KRUI show was routine listening for me on Saturday nights.
