A Live DJ mix recorded at Chris and Tammy's place, downtown SF, after the Robot Heart Residency, Sunday May 5th, with DJ Sneak.

Joseph Lee - RHZ - AfterParty - 05 - 06 - 24

LeftCtrl —(also known as PolyGroovers, or DJ Zeel, real name: Konstantin Gredeskoul) started DJ-ing in the Bay Area in 1998, having been inspired and encouraged by @djethan Ethan Miller (FnF, BrassTax) among others. 

Konstantin produces downtempo music as PolyGroovers, (see https://soundcloud.com/polygroovers for more information).

Starting with the underground rave parties where he threw down Detroit Techno on vinyl, LeftCtrl played all over the Bay Area, with additional appearances in the UK, Spain, and Australia. 

He collaborated with @kem, Captain Tinrib, @henry-navarro and many more.

LeftCtrl's DJ sets feature a storyline, harmonic depth, and a smooth and deep, melodic, nearly always syncopated and groovy sound. Konstantin is an obsessively technical mixer, who admits to the most anal-retentive pitch-matching of the mixes, resulting in some of his entire sets played in the same key.

Since about. 2020, LeftCtrl refocused on the composition and production of tracks for the dance floor: house, progressive, and many genre bending tracks. Currently collecting sufficient portfolio for the upcoming releases in yet to be determined label.

Joseph Lee is a celebrated DJ, producer, and community organizer whose career has been instrumental in shaping San Francisco’s electronic music scene. Known for his deep, soulful house music sets, Lee has captivated audiences across iconic venues, street fairs, and transformative gatherings such as Burning Man,. His contributions to the city’s cultural landscape extend beyond the dance floor—he played a key role in bringing the internationally renowned Love Parade to San Francisco, further solidifying the city’s reputation as a global hub for electronic music and community-driven events.

Early Beginnings

Joseph Lee discovered his love for music in the vibrant, eclectic atmosphere of San Francisco in the late 1990s. Drawn to the underground rave scene, he began DJing at intimate warehouse parties, honing his craft and developing a distinct style rooted in deep house. His sets became known for their emotional depth, seamless blending, and ability to create an inclusive, uplifting atmosphere on the dance floor.

Lee’s reputation quickly grew, and he became a regular fixture in San Francisco’s club scene, performing at legendary venues like 1015 Folsom, The EndUp, 177 Townsend, Bergerac, Monroe, Monarch and so many more. His commitment to creating community through music was evident from the start, as he often collaborated with local artists, fashion designers, dancers, musicians and visual performers to elevate the nightlife experience.

Burning Man and the Playa Soundtrack

Burning Man played a transformative role in Joseph Lee’s career and artistic vision. First attending in the late 1990’s, Lee found inspiration in the festival’s ethos of radical self-expression and community. He became a staple in the deep house camps on the Playa such as Robot Heart, Distrikt, Kalliope and The Luna Art Crane, crafting immersive, sunrise-to-sunset (and sunset to sunrise) sets that connected thousands of burners in shared transcendence. His ability to curate soundscapes that mirrored the desert’s vastness and beauty earned him a loyal following both at Burning Man and in the San Francisco music scene

Love Parade and Cultural Advocacy

One of Joseph Lee’s most significant achievements was helping to bring the Love Parade to San Francisco. Originally founded in Berlin, the Love Parade celebrates music, peace, and community, with thousands of people gathering for a massive dance procession through the streets. Lee’s vision and passion for electronic music led him to advocate for and organize the first-ever Love Parade in San Francisco in 2004, inspired by curating, building and doing on this 50 foot silver spaceship art car ‘float’ for SFPride in 2000.

His efforts helped adapt the event to the city’s unique character, blending the spirit of Berlin’s techno roots with San Francisco’s love of diversity and artistic expression.

The San Francisco Love Parade (later rebranded as LoveFest and then LoveEvolution) became one of the city’s most beloved annual events, drawing massive crowds and cementing the city’s reputation as a leader in electronic music culture. Lee’s role in bringing this event to life demonstrated his ability to merge his artistic talents with a deep commitment to community building and cultural advocacy.

Street Fairs, Golden Gate Park, and Public Spaces

Beyond the club circuit, Lee’s music often spilled into the streets and parks of San Francisco, creating accessible, free events that embodied the city’s inclusive spirit. He became a frequent performer at street fairs such as the Folsom Street Fair and Haight-Ashbury Street Fair, Castro street fair, Pink Saturday and Halloween in the Castro, where his sets brought people from all walks of life together in celebration.

Golden Gate Park was another favorite stage for Lee, where he organized and performed at outdoor gatherings that blended music, art, and nature. These events highlighted his dedication to making deep house music a shared, communal experience, breaking down barriers between artist and audience.

Legacy and Impact

Over the years, Joseph Lee has become a revered figure in the San Francisco music scene, not only for his technical skill as a DJ but also for his role in fostering a sense of connection and belonging through music. His commitment to deep house as a genre—marked by its soulful melodies, rich textures, and emotive rhythms—has inspired countless DJs and producers in the Bay Area and beyond.

By bringing the Love Parade to San Francisco, Lee left a lasting legacy that continues to influence the city’s electronic music culture. His work as a DJ and organizer has helped elevate San Francisco as a global destination for dance music, creativity, and community-driven events.

Today

Though the music industry and San Francisco itself have evolved over the years, DJ Joseph Lee remains a cornerstone of the city’s vibrant cultural scene. Whether behind the decks at a packed club, orchestrating pop up renegade parties with his mobile DJ Void sound system called the ‘Robo Kart’, a sunrise Playa set, or spinning at a community event in Golden Gate Park, Lee’s passion for music and connection shines through. His career is a testament to the transformative power of music and its ability to unite people across boundaries, one deep house beat at a time.

🍍GO LIVE🍍
Curating electrifying beats and unique sets that connect people and celebrate the spirit of House Music 🫶🏼

PolyGroovers got started by a young couple in 2001, Konstantin Gredeskoul & Telene Johnston, who got married shortly thereafter. Konstantin was the brains behind compositions, lyrics, and song arrangements, while Telene contributed her beautiful voice on many of the vocal tracks.

As time went on, Konstantin and Telene parted ways. Konstantin remained as the solo creative force behind it, but took a long break after releasing their second album "Tips and Tricks". 

PolyGroovers are known for bringing groovy downtempo, filled with lush harmonies and unexpected polyrhythms, shaken by the funky bass lines and progressively intricate melodies.

PolyGroovers released a total of two albums, "Moods for Taking Out" (2006) and "Trips and Ticks" (2009), that are available on iTunes, Spotify, CDBaby, and many other online outlets. 

Some of the new materal is available for free here on SoundCloud.

PolyGroovers would like to thank those who supported, inspired, taught, and made this project possible. The list of influencers is nowhere near complete, but it includes Pyramind San Francisco, Blue Bear Music SF, FnF (Friends & Family), Ethan Miller (DJ Ethan), Decadent Oasis, Tracy Wadley (DJs as stickybeats), Cloudfactory, Jeff Cross (Apple), Tony Rose (Technostate), Captain Tinrib (Jon Bell, UK), Fil Jach (DJ Kem), Rhythm Society, Space Cowboys, Burning Man.

Musician, vocalist, keyboardist, composer, arranger, choral director, snowboarder, mountain biker, burner, freak...!

Joseph Lee - RHZ - AfterParty - 05 - 06 - 24

Joseph Lee (from SF)