A true marvel, incredible mixing skills, a master of alchemy. The art of mixing, something only a few can achieve. Favorite session. Congratulations.💯🩵☄️

"The context:
I am alone. I am found. I died alone. I never thought I’d be found. I am overwhelmed by memories of a dystopian existence on a collapsing planet where evil took over and subsumed good. All of the kindness evaporated and was swallowed by greed. Memories of my past life occlude my consciousness causing confusion between modes of time like a mirage. Is it the past, present, or future? I can no longer tell.

A journey through being:
Confronted by the pain of knowing but trying to exist and embrace being in the world. Did I give up too quickly? Did I fail to change reality? What did I sacrifice in order to function and live a worldly existence like everyone around me? Blinded by hedonism, the collapsing of the mind and soul into the throws of desire left me empty. I gave up. I lost myself. I returned to the comfort of despair. It’s throbbing. To live without hope is to live in despair. Was there a reprieve from it all? Distractions, pleasure, and attachments turned into a vicious cycle of yearning and loss. Accepting impermanence with a half-open heart. It never got better. It just got worse. Functioning with an ever-growing sense of doom. And now I’m here. Alone. All I have are my memories. But existing in confusion from when these memories took place. Introspection with escapism outside of time. The vicious interplay between existence and non-existence. I am left with nothing."

Opening for Rrose at Smartbar, Chicago in June utilizing 4 CDJs and a V10 mixer.

@shantievanti
IG: @shantiism
https://ra.co/dj/shanti
https://youtu.be/QqfMYAyS8bM?si=iwapv-7i2LFIPNlG

Shanti has made textured waves in Chicago’s techno scene with her curation of dark, sinister, and ethereal soundscapes. Music has always been a means of coping with the otherness and hybridity Shanti experienced throughout her life. She has been deeply moved by the transcendent ability of music to express concepts, states of consciousness, and conflicting emotions. Shanti’s sets weave a story of the simultaneous despair and yearning that are intertwined with the human condition and illustrate an intentional trajectory through combining and cultivating surreal, atmospheric, and haunting sounds.

Enamored by the liminal dynamics of sound, she cohosts Otherworldly Ambiguity with Scum.ee –an experience that is centered around the phenomenon of existing in between and outside of pre-existing concepts and rigid categories. She is also a member of techno collective Research & Development and hosts a monthly radio show, “Liminal Radio” on WIIT 88.9 FM featuring thoughtful artists at the core of Chicago’s underground music scene. Shanti has had the privilege of warming up and closing out dancefloors for incredibly inspirational artists such as Rrose, DJ Nobu, Ø [Phase], Aurora Halal, Mozhgan, Lady Starlight, Black Light Smoke, Esther Dune, Zenker Brothers, Noncompliant, Xtin, and more. She has had the immense pleasure of conjuring spirits at Chicago’s most beloved clubs such as Smartbar, Smoke & Mirrors, Podlasie Club, and several underground gatherings.

Experiencing music outside of the confines of a club or the underground is extremely important to Shanti as she had initially discovered her favorite artists through online podcasts and radio. The universalizability of podcasts and radio enable music to be experienced by more humans situated in different contexts. This is why she has contributed to many notable online mix series and radio channels. Her mixes have been featured on The Black Lodge Radio, SutroFM, Mutant Radio, PPRZ, Death Decay & Magic, Braid Records, Low Visibility, Dance All Day, and m50’s etc radio among other podcasts and shows. This past year, Shanti has expanded her surreal storytelling beyond Chicago by playing in Amsterdam, LA, Detroit and notable Midwest festivals such as Minnesota’s The Great Beyond and Madison’s Musique Électronique. This Halloween, she will be playing at Chicago’s notoriously dark music festival, Sanctum.

Distant Signals 084: Shanti

https://soundcloud.com/craig-gonzalez
Detroit’s Craig Gonzalez was drawn to vinyl from a young age, captivated by hip hop and the underground party scene of the 1990s. This fascination quickly evolved into a lifelong passion for DJing, driven by a desire to weave rhythmic layers into compelling, personal stories. 

A self-taught artist, Gonzalez’s collection spans the rich musical evolution of Detroit, including techno, house, hip hop, funk, dnb, and a diverse range of other genres. His skills were further honed during his residency at Solar in Ann Arbor, where he shared the decks with renowned artists. Gonzalez has also been a frequent fixture at Movement and other major local events, where he’s shared the stage with legends in the electronic music scene. Since 2022, he has been a resident DJ for the Third Thursday monthly event by Paxahau, further cementing his presence in Detroit’s vibrant nightlife scene. 

Deeply influenced by the musical depth of Detroit and the hypnotic craft of global artists, Gonzalez’s style reflects a rich, interconnected network of like-minded creators. His connection to family, history, and the culture surrounding electronic music gives his sets a profound sensibility, effortlessly translating onto the dance floor.

Resident Advisor: https://www.residentadvisor.net/dj/craiggonzalez
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cgonz313/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cgonz313/

RND 141 - Craig Gonzalez

Follow @scotia-xo

This was recorded at home with some records I bought from Derek Plaslaiko, a few mp3s Kevin McHugh gave me, a bit of my own work, and some other prized tunes I've picked up along the way. I enjoy the interplay of crudity and liminal space in this music. When jointed together just right, it can paint a satisfying reflection of our world. 


Acid Camp Vol. 164 — Scotia

Me Ta Physika stage 8-9pm on Friday!
I hope you enjoy!

DJ Hockey - The Great Beyond 2025

Live vinyl/digital mix recording of an intimate musicnerd gathering from last summer somewhere in Avila. Reached that improvisational free flow state I love and does not always happen, so sharing the recording that the crew shared to us (legends!!)

Been working going deep into this impro approach now with both analog/digital for the last year and a half, a lot of organisation required but love not knowing exactly where I'm heading, even if the result is not as clinical. Its a mess getting the tracklist sorted out with records, if you curious about any track comment here, happy to share!

Big ups JR crew for the invitation, did not really know where I was going and I must say it felt really special place to express freely; listened to such unique sets in there. Thank you!!

Bassy

Bassywax at Jaleo Real 2025

Zombomb - somock

the alienWIP

Vagrant - Reckless V.2

Tribal rhythms, heavy basslines and mystical atmospheres that activate your inner self. 
Co-founder of Ouroboros festival and audiovisual EWO collective, Verveine explores music without boundaries, blending ethereal ambient soundscapes with tribal percussions and dub-heavy basslines.

Verveine @ Kiosk Radio 05.10.2025

Interstellar Funk joins us direct from Amsterdam for episode 489 with a meticulously crafted mix that journeys through deep, immersive soundscapes — blending rhythm, texture, and atmosphere into a cohesive sonic story.

Follow :

https://www.instagram.com/interstellarfunk
https://soundcloud.com/interstellarfunk

MNMT 489 : Interstellar Funk

The Empty Quarter w/ Regis: 15th October '25

Based in Chicago, R&D is a music event/mix series focused on nurturing new sounds, experiences and atmospheres while exploring the music and culture it was born or mutated from. Techno, electro, EBM, bass, breaks, club and beyond.
Current personnel
Jeremy Alvarez - JS Alvarez
Eric Fernandez - Makeen
Shanti Chu - Shanti
Dan Hood - Dan B Hood
Kona Mazariegos - Zona Cinco

RND 141 - Craig Gonzalez

Research & Development Mix Series

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