$TINKWORX (JT Stewart) grew up in upstate New York, the son of record collector and blues revivalist Mike Stewart, nurtured by his father's diverse music collection and college radio. As a teenager, he moved to Mill Spring, North Carolina and was given a vintage synthesizer by his parents. With the acquisition of a drum machine and a few more odd boxes, JT entered a secret cave not to return for many years. Then in 1999 JT and friend Minto George started Down Low Music with two 7"s featuring JT's work. Those first tracks, by now licenced twice more, pushed $tinkworx into full swing, recording for numerous labels including Bunker, Platinum Projects (Mo-Wax), Rush Hour, Delsin, and Regal/New Religion (EMI). With upcoming releases on four separate labels, $tinkworx just returned from his second European tour including a Paris show for over 1500. With inspirations reaching throughout the history of dance music and a special love for the deep sounds of Detroit Techno, JT's highly personal music lies between house, techno, disco, and funk.
EAR PWR., soon to have a 12" on frequeNC, consists of Devin Booze and Sarah PWR. Based in Winston-Salem and Asheville, NC, they bring an electro/disco/acid/pop style with thumping beats, his-and-hers vocals, hilariousness of all types, and a heavy dose of bullhorn siren. Their live show is guaranteed to get the blood flowing.
DATAHATA is Zeke Graves, formerly of local post-post favorite Cold Sides. Also with a 12" coming soon on frequeNC, Zeke has been fine tuning his solo electronic performance for a few years now. Utilizing both electro and 4/4 beat structures, and influenced heavily by the studio techniques of Jamaican music, DATAHATA is all about the hardware and delivers a classic, no-computer set. Expect bumping beats with sparse, crystal-clear synth, and occasional vocal elements.
PYKRETE is the experimental electronic project of local musical shaman Chuck Johnson, formerly of Spatula, SharkQuest, et al. His sets vary from textural soundscapes to minimal, drum-machine-backed, experimental techno. He's outgrown his trademark suitcase-of-wires but his mysterious, laboratory-styled sound creation is always worth seeing and reminds us of the lost local visionary Randy Ward. Performing with the PYKRETE PERCUSSION UNIT, Chuck joined by an assembled cast of local hand percussionists, expect a powerful and danceable rhythmic set.
djs MOTHERSBROTHERS are Charlie Hearon (dj NASTY BOOTS) and Jon Terrell (dj JUAN VELCRO), owners of frequeNC records and fanatic collectors of all sorts of music. They started playing records at house parties about eight years ago just because it was hard to find good dance parties in Chapel Hill. They have been the djs for the Cuntry Kings drag troupe, had a long standing weekly new wave party called Triple Ts, and have always liked playing alongside live acts trying to promote communication between the rock and electronic scenes. frequeNC records currently hosts a monthly dance party at Nightlight which features live music and dj sets. Their sets feature disco, electro, new wave, hip-hop, techno, house, freestyle, b-more, funk, and more disco.
dj FAMILY VACATION (or dj ADMIT IT!) is Ethan Clauset of the 1200 Problems monthly and long standing dance promotion crew Dyssembler. He's also a contributor to the weekly New Science Experience on WXYC and was involved with Chapel Hill's experimental electronic festival Transmissions. He's got deep crates, rocks various styles, including house, b-more, and disco and is adept at working the late-night scene.
SECRET BOYFRIEND is the experimental/love/pop project of Ryan Martin. Ryan was one of the main forces behind the growth of the Nightlight into a stronghold of leftfield everything and wild sweaty dance parties. He's always popping up in new projects but is best know for his work in Boyzone and Boner Machine.