The real Dead Oceans, an independent record label based in Bloomington, IN.

I'm a software engineer who likes to write songs

Chicago saxophonist Dustin Laurenzi has developed a distinctly personal approach to improvisation and composition that has garnered the attention of the city's creative music community. Recognized for his "offbeat approach to articulating harmonies and constructing melodies" (NextBop), Dustin's music is inspired and informed by jazz, folk, improvised music, and contemporary classical music. His wide range of influences and inventive improvisational sensibilities have made him a sought-after musician in many circles of Chicago's rich music scene.
 
Dustin has been a leader/co-leader of his own projects, Twin Talk, Snaarj, and Natural Language, and a member of the Marquis Hill Blacktet, the Quentin Coaxum Quintet, and Katie Ernst's Little Words, among others. He has released several albums featuring his original compositions, including Twin Talk’s eponymous release, praised by Chicago Jazz Magazine as “a cohesive and original album that brims with a vibrant fluidity and a poetic sense.”
 
Dustin earned a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies and a Performer's Certificate from Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music in 2011. He has performed or recorded with Jeff Parker, Matt Ulery, Russ Johnson, Jeff Hirshfield, Corey Christiansen, Lil BUB's Big Show, the Dave Lisik Jazz Orchestra featuring Tim Hagans, and has recently been featured at the Chicago Jazz Festival, the Hyde Park Jazz Festival, and the Kennedy Center. Dustin's debut album as a leader, Natural Language, will be released in September 2016 on ears&eyes Records.

DJ MassTransit (aka. Chris Nergaard) grew-up on the Northside of Chicago and has been a fixture on the Chicago night life scene since the late 1990’s. With two CPS Music Teachers as parents his musically-focused family helped expose him to many styles of music in a very diverse environment.

During his formative years MassT studied Sociology and Afro-American Studies (with a Senior Thesis on African-American music) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which eventually led him to obtaining a Masters degree in Social Work at UIC. It was through these experiences that DJ MassTransit developed a deep understanding of music’s power mobilizing social change and bringing people together by creating energy on the dance floor. His craftiness, unbridled passion and sharp eye for detail evolved into a unique flexibility mixing with emotion and connecting with diverse audiences worldwide.

MassTransit DJ’s a wide variety of music in all of its forms—from Motown and classic 70’s soul and funk to deep disco, boogie, house, old school hip-hop and beyond. As co-founder of RefriedBeats, a 5 1/2-year Saturday night residency at Ten56 w/ live freestyle sessions from some of Chicago best party MC’s, MassTransit has long established his voice in the local music scene. MassTransit has also held long-time DJ residencies throughout Chicago including Fox Bar in Soho House Chicago, Ace Bounce, The Darkroom, Subterranean, Cole’s Bar, Tonic Room, Lava Lounge, Bungalow Lounge, InnJoy, Jerry’s Music Room, The Morseland, and Murasaki Sake Lounge and has had the opportunity to deejay hundreds of weddings and special events all over the world.

b. pera is following