John Simmons is a 30 year veteran DJ/producer from Chicago. With a forte of Chicago House music, John’s musical palette expands out to Soul/Funk, Disco/Boogie, 80s/90s, modern jazz, and electronic sounds. John started his DJ journey in 1993, & made a name for himself in the ‘90s rave scene, expanding out in the 2000s to clubs, festivals, and special events. John has shared the stage with many of the top names in the dance/electronic music industry over the past three decades, and has played all over North America, with stops in Europe & elsewhere. John also has some music production credits to his name, working with producers such as Paul Johnson, Geto Mark, & Tevo Howard. A member of the Vocalo Radio DJ Collective, you can catch John's 3rd Fridays monthly mix on 91.1 FM, vocalo.org. John Simmons is a Chicago ambassador who stays true to the soulful roots of the past, while constantly remaining ahead of the curve.

With over a decade-and-a-half behind the turntables, lifelong music-addict and audiophile Miss Michaela has gained regional and international notoriety within the underground dance community and beyond. This versatile DJ has blended classically trained musicianship with edgy, electronic experimentation in the genres of house, disco, techno, new-wave, industrial, drum-n-bass, hip-hop, soul and down-tempo. Born and raised in Kansas City, as Michaela White - she honed her craft, held several residencies and established herself as one of the Midwest’s premiere live DJ and polished producers. After relocating to Chicago in 2002, she’s graced the wheels of every major Chicago club: Smartbar, Double Door, Zentra, Funky Buddha, Debonair, Green Dolphin Street, Sound-bar, Lava, Sub-T, Abbey Pub, D’vine, Evil Olive, Kinetic Playground, Crocodile, Cocktail. In addition she has played various corporate and private events at venues such as the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art. Michaela’s vast knowledge of Chicago house and disco earned her a position as house buyer for legendary Southside record store (now defunct) Hot Jams music, where she also assisted with their DJ School, teaching younger girls how to spin records. She’s produced events with the Chicago chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) to honor artists such as Common, Chaka Khan and Les Paul. She was selected to compose the score, as well as mix live on stage, for the Coterie Theatre’s 2003 production of Black Butterfly, Jaguar Girl, Piñata Woman and Other Superhero Girls Like Me. And as former bassist/vocalist for FFM, she melded her classically-trained musical upbringing with the same raw, electro moxie that has earned her Chicago fame as a DJ and producer. Throughout her career, Miss Michaela has played alongside such major musical acts as Boy George, George Clinton, Stone Temple Pilots, Tortured Soul, Tony Humphries, Josh Wink, Justin Long, DJ Colette, Dayhota, Mazi, Carl Cox, The Orb, DJ Tekin and Jevne. She has also played in cities all over the United States and in international locations such as Istanbul, Turkey and Seoul, South Korea.

The Classic Music Company by Luke Solomon & Derrick Carter continues to play the game under their own conditions. As a label it never died it just retreated for a while in order to come back stronger. All hail the king because the king is back. Long live Classic!

Kelly Sylvia is a DJ/producer, songwriter and vocalist. As a seasoned DJ, she has toured on 4 continents, and in some of the world’s biggest clubbing capitals from LA to Hong Kong, and everywhere in between. In her adopted home of London, she has earned her stripes in the underground scene by playing to some of the most discerning dancefloors at venues such as Fabric, Ministry of Sound, and Turnmills for over a decade.

As a producer, Kelly’s knack for fusing together hybrids of house with more deep, techy and modern electronic sounds is apparent in all of her releases.  She attributes her eclectic sound to years on the dancefloor as both a DJ and as a clubber growing up in the east coast US club scene. Hitting weekly raves and warehouse parties in NYC and Boston exposed her to all styles of dance music - from house to techno, to drum and bass and electro - giving her a experienced ear and breadth of knowledge which she draws upon in the studio.

Through her Blood & Stone Music imprint, she has released 4 EPs, which have gained support from luminaries like Ritchie Hawtin, Luciano and Kerri Chandler. This year, Kelly will continue her production work with forthcoming collaborations and remixes, as well as releases on some notable house and techno labels, while also refining her sound and adding more of her own vocals to her productions.


Persnickety
Blue Cucaracha
Derrick Carter
B.H.Q.
The Innocent
Sound Patrol
Classic Music Company
Class Act

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