Mixes

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Remixes & Releases

Spotlight Records

Music in praise of the Moon
Mix series hosted by Stathis and Luigi Di Venere
16th Episode by Chris Cruse (@chriscruse) 
Artwork by Thodoris Dimitropoulos

Moon Gazing 016 by Chris Cruse

@chriscruse closed out The Grove stage on Thursday night, completing the Club Toilet trifecta with Jeffrey Sfire and Ryan Smith. He sent the crowd into a frenzy with a beautiful set of euphoric house music.

Campout Mix Series: Chris Cruse

BUY: https://fanlink.to/FV015CoupleLooking
Couple Looking - For You EP
FV015: Funnuvojere Records, 09 June 2023

Funnuvojere is thrilled to present Couple Looking, a new project uniting the label’s mastermind Massimiliano Pagliara with fellow Berlin-based dj Chris Cruse. Celebrated on the international electronic scene, Cruse is the force behind Los Angeles’ finest queer party Spotlight, and part of the crew behind the legendary Club Toilet in Detroit.

This cheeky duo invites listeners into their world of rich sonic textures and uplifting pitches. This is evident in the juxtaposition of raw and refined acid lines of A1 "For The Remote," and the distortions that characterise also A2 "For A Snack." On the B side they're looking "For K+," an addictive Balearic groove interweaving luxurious pianos and other-worldly vocals. In the end, they are looking "For You" in the B2: a future classic Italo pop song heralding new possibilities, good advice and sweet resolutions.

https://funnuvojererecords.bandcamp.com
https://instagram.com/funnuvojere
https://soundcloud.com/funnuvojererecords
https://facebook.com/funnuvojererecords

For You EP

Couple Looking - For You

Couple Looking - For A Snack

Couple Looking - For The Remote

Funnuvojere is thrilled to present Couple Looking, a new project uniting the label’s mastermind Massimiliano Pagliara with fellow Berlin-based dj Chris Cruse. Celebrated on the international electronic scene, Cruse is the force behind Los Angeles’ finest queer party Spotlight, and part of the crew behind the legendary Club Toilet in Detroit.

Couple Looking - For K+ [Funnuvojere Records]

Jorkes - Follow Me To The Toilet (Chris Cruse's More The Merrier Mix)

We are straight outta the bank holiday here at Phonica and right back into business with another killer mix in our Phonica series from one of our all time favorites of late; Spotlight Records and Panorama Bar regular Chris Cruse.

We are straight outta the bank holiday here at Phonica and right back into business with another killer mix in our Phonica series from one of our all time favorites of late; Spotlight Records and Panorama Bar regular Chris Cruse.

Chris has been a predominant figure in the queer dance scenes in America and in Europe over many years having represented his mainstay party, now label, Spotlight from L.A., the Club Toilet Crew from Detroit and now residing in Berlin the last couple of years where he holds down regular slots at the city's major clubbing institution Berghain / Panorama Bar (most notably the party Snax which takes place there). Chris has dug deep  and worked hard with these residencies to showcase the queer roots of house, techno, disco, and other forms of dance music.
For Phonica 118 Chris takes us on a heated, hot and heavy club ready mix which would get anyone out to party. We sat down and had a lovely chat with Chris about his mix, his approach to DJing and what he has got up his sleeve for the future.For Phonica 118 Chris takes us on a heated, hot and heavy club ready mix which would get anyone out to party. We sat down and had a lovely chat with Chris about his mix, his approach to DJing and what he has got up his sleeve for the future.

Phonica Mix Series 118: Chris Cruse

Saturday night at the Downlow

💖🌱 to @gideon_dj_official for having me, and 🙌🏼 to Jonny Woo on the mic 🎤. 
More sets available at: http://thenycdownlow.com

Saturday night, 26 June 2019
0100-0230
Mixer: Vintage Rodec MX180 MKII

Glastonbury Festival 2019

Live at NYC Downlow, Glastonbury Festival 2019

Broadcast 05 Sept 2017 on WNYU
https://beatsinspace.net/playlists/902/

16. Timmy Thomas – Rainbow Power – Glades
17. – –
18. Risse – Chain of Fools (Cruse Edit) – Atlantic
19. Persnickety All Stars – Tittle Tattle – Persnickety
20. Pleasure Inc – Sexy Dancer (Stripped Down Butt Naked Mix) – New World
21. Kat Williams – That Track By Kat – Shadowprint Records
22. Bizz O.D. – I’m Coming Out Of Your Speakers – Force Inc. Music Works
23. Dee Jay Alicia – I Want It Rough feat. Black Widow – T’s Box
24. The Youngsters – Third Knife (Matthias Tanzmann Remix) – 20/20 Vision
25. Sil – Windows (A Brersoul Scrub) – Work Records
26. Mr. Assister – Jordan – Beam
27. Direct – Let It Ride – Allabi Records
28. Robotiko Rejekto – Rejekto (US Dub) – ZYX Records
29. Kris Baha – Start Over – Cocktail D’Amore [Forthcoming]
30. The Rimshooters – All I Need – Cosmic Club
31. – –
32. Code 718 – Equinox (Total Eclipse Of The Dub)

www.beatsinspace.net

Beats In Space #902 with Chris Cruse

Heads Radio Show 0028 with Maximum Joy

YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nW2oBsHXR2A&feature=youtu.be

18:00-19:00 https://soundcloud.com/rakans Live
19:00-20:00 https://soundcloud.com/chriscruse
20:00-21:00 https://soundcloud.com/luigidivenere

Quartely resident Luigi Di Venere brings his Maximum Joy party to the Sameheads in-house streaming service Heads Radio ------
Hold on to ye horses!

Please make a your contribution in the fight against racism in our society....:
https://www.enar-eu.org/Donate-161?fbclid=IwAR1YjE7O0lFj9yfS2TAWnqm1crzDMXJaQ1v9fT7_f0Pufq9XK3ay8Qfekj4

Heads Radio Stuff:
Youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHE6Z8YcDkRUYH14zpLaVNA/
Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/headsradioberlin

www.sameheads.com/heads-radio
www.sameheads.com

Chris Cruse - Heads Radio Show 0028 - 08.07.2020 - @ Sameheads

Just in time for Berlin Pride, we bring you a series of recordings from the last Cocktail d'Amore at Griessmuehle. In this, LA DJ and Spotlight honcho Chris Cruse moves through the gears from head-down steppers to euphoria-inducing rave pianos and strings.

Get the full tracklist at https://crackaud.io

To keep going, we need your help. Become a Crack Magazine Supporter: https://crackm.ag/support

Live from Cocktail d'Amore - Chris Cruse

Dub by @krisbaha

From 1989-1992, Club Fuck! ran every Sunday night at Basgo’s in Silver Lake, Los Angeles. It was a party and a social gathering space for the BDSM, tattooed, pierced, gender-fluid, sexually adventurous crowd — basically anyone who felt like an outsider. In modern terms, Fuck! could be described as a queer club, subverting what was considered acceptable for the gay and lesbian scene in Los Angeles. Furthermore, the focus on body modification was a powerful way to reclaim some control over a corporeal body - for many who suffered from HIV+ and other life-compromising illnesses.

Much has been written about the artists who emerged from this scene. Ron Athey, Club Fuck’s go-go dancer and resident artist, became internationally renowned for his transgressive bloodletting performances. Catherine Opie, now a board member at UCLA and MOCA, got her start making portraits and photographs of those in the scene. It’s been said that Madonna’s Erotica was influenced by this scene (although door girl “Sweet P” claims she didn’t actually let Madonna in).

The records DJ’d at the club were described by its founders as “industrial and proto-trance music,” challenging the aesthetics of so-called “gay music” like disco and pop. There were live performances as well, from homegrown LA bands who responded to the vibe and made it their own. Drance was such a band, formed by frontman (and Club Fuck! resident DJ) Robert Woods, with friends Brandy Dalton and John Munt.

Drance's songs reflected an uneasiness towards disease and modern culture, a lust for the forbidden, and a raw power and rage to stay alive on their own terms. Their live shows were visceral and energetic. They played the MOCA opening of the "Helter Skelter: L.A. Art in the 1990’s” exhibit, as well as benefit shows for ACT UP and Queer Nation. Their music appeared in Gregg Araki’s 1992 film The Living End, and they provided the soundtrack to The Wild Ones, a hardcore condom-based porn produced by the Tom of Finland Foundation in 1994.

However, they released only one album, and despite their proximity to Hollywood, did not find much success beyond their scene. Robert died from AIDS-related complications in 1995. Brandy and John continued to write music, experimenting in new genres, but did not record any more albums. Brandy died in 2006. John Munt lives in Washington D.C. and is still writing and composing music.

"Latex Love" has been remastered for its first release on vinyl, nearly 30 years later. The Instrumental Version was transferred from the original DAT tape used by the band for their live performances. Kris Baha's inspired dub is essentially a cover, re-made from the ground up. And this is the first official remix from Spotlight's Chris Cruse. The vinyl record package includes never-before-seen photography from Michael Matson, an essay from Ron Athey, and a reproduction of the original Drance sticker.

Distribution: Sound Metaphors
Mastering: Mike Grinser, ManMade Mastering
Photography: Michael Matson
Art Direction: Brian Emrich

This project was made possible by John Munt, Robert and Brandy's families, Michael Matson, Tom of Finland Foundation, and Ron Athey.

At the request of the families, all profit will be donated to AIDS Project Los Angeles 
aplahealth.org

Drance - Latex Love (Kris Baha Dub)

Remix by @chriscruse

From 1989-1992, Club Fuck! ran every Sunday night at Basgo’s in Silver Lake, Los Angeles. It was a party and a social gathering space for the BDSM, tattooed, pierced, gender-fluid, sexually adventurous crowd — basically anyone who felt like an outsider. In modern terms, Fuck! could be described as a queer club, subverting what was considered acceptable for the gay and lesbian scene in Los Angeles. Furthermore, the focus on body modification was a powerful way to reclaim some control over a corporeal body - for many who suffered from HIV+ and other life-compromising illnesses.

Much has been written about the artists who emerged from this scene. Ron Athey, Club Fuck’s go-go dancer and resident artist, became internationally renowned for his transgressive bloodletting performances. Catherine Opie, now a board member at UCLA and MOCA, got her start making portraits and photographs of those in the scene. It’s been said that Madonna’s Erotica was influenced by this scene (although door girl “Sweet P” claims she didn’t actually let Madonna in).

The records DJ’d at the club were described by its founders as “industrial and proto-trance music,” challenging the aesthetics of so-called “gay music” like disco and pop. There were live performances as well, from homegrown LA bands who responded to the vibe and made it their own. Drance was such a band, formed by frontman (and Club Fuck! resident DJ) Robert Woods, with friends Brandy Dalton and John Munt.

Drance's songs reflected an uneasiness towards disease and modern culture, a lust for the forbidden, and a raw power and rage to stay alive on their own terms. Their live shows were visceral and energetic. They played the MOCA opening of the "Helter Skelter: L.A. Art in the 1990’s” exhibit, as well as benefit shows for ACT UP and Queer Nation. Their music appeared in Gregg Araki’s 1992 film The Living End, and they provided the soundtrack to The Wild Ones, a hardcore condom-based porn produced by the Tom of Finland Foundation in 1994.

However, they released only one album, and despite their proximity to Hollywood, did not find much success beyond their scene. Robert died from AIDS-related complications in 1995. Brandy and John continued to write music, experimenting in new genres, but did not record any more albums. Brandy died in 2006. John Munt lives in Washington D.C. and is still writing and composing music.

"Latex Love" has been remastered for its first release on vinyl, nearly 30 years later. The Instrumental Version was transferred from the original DAT tape used by the band for their live performances. Kris Baha's inspired dub is essentially a cover, re-made from the ground up. And this is the first official remix from Spotlight's Chris Cruse. The vinyl record package includes never-before-seen photography from Michael Matson, an essay from Ron Athey, and a reproduction of the original Drance sticker.

Distribution: Sound Metaphors
Mastering: Mike Grinser, ManMade Mastering
Photography: Michael Matson
Art Direction: Brian Emrich

This project was made possible by John Munt, Robert and Brandy's families, Michael Matson, Tom of Finland Foundation, and Ron Athey.

At the request of the families, all profit will be donated to AIDS Project Los Angeles 
aplahealth.org

Drance - Latex Love (Chris Cruse Spotlight Mix)

From 1989-1992, Club Fuck! ran every Sunday night at Basgo’s in Silver Lake, Los Angeles. It was a party and a social gathering space for the BDSM, tattooed, pierced, gender-fluid, sexually adventurous crowd — basically anyone who felt like an outsider. In modern terms, Fuck! could be described as a queer club, subverting what was considered acceptable for the gay and lesbian scene in Los Angeles. Furthermore, the focus on body modification was a powerful way to reclaim some control over a corporeal body - for many who suffered from HIV+ and other life-compromising illnesses.

Much has been written about the artists who emerged from this scene. Ron Athey, Club Fuck’s go-go dancer and resident artist, became internationally renowned for his transgressive bloodletting performances. Catherine Opie, now a board member at UCLA and MOCA, got her start making portraits and photographs of those in the scene. It’s been said that Madonna’s Erotica was influenced by this scene (although door girl “Sweet P” claims she didn’t actually let Madonna in).

The records DJ’d at the club were described by its founders as “industrial and proto-trance music,” challenging the aesthetics of so-called “gay music” like disco and pop. There were live performances as well, from homegrown LA bands who responded to the vibe and made it their own. Drance was such a band, formed by frontman (and Club Fuck! resident DJ) Robert Woods, with friends Brandy Dalton and John Munt.

Drance's songs reflected an uneasiness towards disease and modern culture, a lust for the forbidden, and a raw power and rage to stay alive on their own terms. Their live shows were visceral and energetic. They played the MOCA opening of the "Helter Skelter: L.A. Art in the 1990’s” exhibit, as well as benefit shows for ACT UP and Queer Nation. Their music appeared in Gregg Araki’s 1992 film The Living End, and they provided the soundtrack to The Wild Ones, a hardcore condom-based porn produced by the Tom of Finland Foundation in 1994.

However, they released only one album, and despite their proximity to Hollywood, did not find much success beyond their scene. Robert died from AIDS-related complications in 1995. Brandy and John continued to write music, experimenting in new genres, but did not record any more albums. Brandy died in 2006. John Munt lives in Washington D.C. and is still writing and composing music.

"Latex Love" has been remastered for its first release on vinyl, nearly 30 years later. The Instrumental Version was transferred from the original DAT tape used by the band for their live performances. Kris Baha's inspired dub is essentially a cover, re-made from the ground up. And this is the first official remix from Spotlight's Chris Cruse. The vinyl record package includes never-before-seen photography from Michael Matson, an essay from Ron Athey, and a reproduction of the original Drance sticker.

Distribution: Sound Metaphors
Mastering: Mike Grinser, ManMade Mastering
Photography: Michael Matson
Art Direction: Brian Emrich

This project was made possible by John Munt, Robert and Brandy's families, Michael Matson, Tom of Finland Foundation, and Ron Athey.

At the request of the families, all profit will be donated to AIDS Project Los Angeles 
aplahealth.org

Drance - Latex Love (Instrumental Version)

Drance - Latex Love (Original Version)

Drance - Intro

Rubi & Chris b2b, recorded in Berlin Friedrichshain.
Watch the full video including the interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0giY7a4sDi8&ab_channel=Dr.Rubinstein666

Quarantine FM #19 Dr. Rubinstein & Chris Cruse

Radio 80000 x Blitz Take Over — Chris Cruse [31.10.20]

⭕️ Founder/resident of @spotlight-la party + label
⬇️ Upcoming Dates ⬇️
03 May - Pawnshop (Taipei)
04 May - Kockiri (Seoul)
08 May - Stereo621 b2b w/ Massimiliano Pagliara (Mannheim)
11 May - Pornceptual (Berlin)
18 May - Just Like Heaven Festival (LA)
25 May - 🚽 Club Toilet Crew (Detroit)
31 May - Studio @ Basement (NY)
01 Jun - Flash (DC)
14 Jul - Love International (Croatia)

Previous 🌴
27 Apr - Confide @ Gasometer (Melbourne)
26 Apr - Club 81 x The Monarchy @ Connections (Perth)
25 Apr - Caterpillar Club (Sydney)
24 Apr - Club Mince @ Kinselas (Sydney)
20 Apr - Snug @ Savage (Hanoi, VN)
19 Apr - Observatory (Ho Chi Minh, VN)
12 Apr - Los Ninos @ C12 (Brussels)
05 Apr - SMD (LA)
28 Mar - BUTT Magazine party (Berlin)
23 Mar - The Black Party (NYC)
16 Mar - 9000 Dreams @ Fold (London) 
16 Mar - R3 Soundsystem - House Against Hate (London)
10 Mar - Nowadays Nonstop (NYC)
09 Mar - Void (Philadelphia)
01 Mar - Lab.Dance @ Lab.Oratory (Berlin)
23 Feb - Power Dance Club @ Ohm (Berlin)
09 Feb - Night Tales w/ Dr. Rubinstein (London)
20 Jan - Gaze @ PRST (Vienna)
01 Jan - Silvester @ Berghain / Lab.oratory

2023:
30 Dec - Mustang @ A La Folie (Paris)
25 Dec - Finest X-mas (Panorama Bar)
18 Nov - Robert Johnson (Offenbach)
11 Nov - Horse Meat Disco (Berlin)
09 Nov - Möbel Olfe (Berlin)
04 Nov - Sunday Sunday (CDMX)
28 Oct - Unter (NYC)
27 Oct - Sound Metaphors 8 Years @ Club Ost (Berlin)
14 Oct - Night Tales (London)
23 Sep - SF Eagle (Folsom)
17 Sep - Club 57 Society + Keith Haring @ The Broad (LA)
15 Sep - Studio @ Basement NYC 
14 Sep - Renaissance Tour (Seattle)
08 Sep - Sameheads (Berlin)
26 Aug - b2b w Kim Anh @ Paragon (NYC) 
12 Aug - smartbar (Chicago)
11 Aug - Planet Love (LA)
05 Aug - IsBurning Pride (Amsterdam)
23 Jul - CSD Klubnacht @ Berghain / Panorama Bar
01 Jul - Adonis Pride (London)
25 Jun - NYC Downlow @ Glastonbury Festival
18 Jun - Klubnacht @ Berghain / Panorama Bar (Couple Looking release party)
17 Jun - Carbone (Paris)
13 Jun - HÖR Radio
09 Jun - LA Pride
02 Jun - Studio @ Basement NYC
02 Jun - The Lot Radio NYC
27 May - 🚽 Club Toilet Crew in Detroit
09 Apr - Multisex (Berlin)
07 Apr - Queer Maps (Los Angeles)
25 Mar - Funnuvojere Showcase @ Romantica (Stuttgart)
18 Mar - Horse Meat Disco (Berlin)
03 Mar - Lab.Dance 17 Jahre (Berlin)
25 Feb - Night Tales w/ Cormac (London)
17 Feb - Mustang @ A La Folie (Paris)
11 Feb - Pferdreht @ Goethebunker (Essen)
04 Feb - Klubnacht @ Berghain / Panorama Bar
22 Jan - Klubnacht @ Berghain / Panorama Bar
21 Jan - Cruise @ Blitz (Munich)

2022:
31 Dec - Silvester @ Berghain / Lab.oratory 
03 Dec - FC Snax United @ Berghain / Lab.oratory
26 Nov - Klubnacht @ Berghain / Panorama Bar
09 Nov - Public Records NYC
28 Oct - Left Bank (Tbilisi) 
08 Oct - Love Muscle (Leeds)
07 Oct - Pumping Velvet (London)
29 Sep - Möbel Olfe (Berlin)
16 Sep - Night Tales Loft w/ Byron Yeates, THC, Morse (London)
10 Sep - Honcho (Pittsburgh)
09 Sep - Canyon Vibration Festival (Tygh Valley, Oregon)
04 Sep - Polyglamorous @ Public Works (SF)
03 Sep - Take It Outside - b2b w Massimiliano Pagliara (LA) 
27 Aug - smartbar Chicago
18 Aug - Honcho Campout (PA, USA)
23 Jul - CSD Klubnacht @ Berghain/Panorama Bar
02 Jul - Adonis Pride (London)
25 Jun - NYC Downlow @ Glastonbury Festival
24 Jun - Maceo's @ Glastonbury Festival
18 Jun - Kalt - all night (Strasbourg)
16 Jun - Möbel Olfe
10 Jun - Gazoz @ Phi Garden (Tel Aviv)
04 Jun - Silvester @ Berghain / Panorama Bar
28 May - Club Toilet (Detroit)
23 Apr - Pulsår @ Z-Bau (Nürnberg)
16 Apr - Dick @ Ankali (Prague)
09 Apr - Playground @ Blitz (Munich)
03 Apr - Listen Festival (Brussels)
26 Mar - Klubnacht @ Berghain / Panorama Bar
24 Feb - Fünk Club (CDMX)
18 Feb - Mustang @ A La Folie (Paris)

Chris Cruse

Pinned to spotlight

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