Spesh is an accomplished club DJ with more than 30 years behind the decks, and is co-owner and head of A&R for Loöq Records. He has also co-produced over 80 releases with JD Moyer as Jondi & Spesh, and with Jerry Bonham and Jondi as JSJ, with releases appearing on over a dozen groundbreaking labels including Bedrock, Global Underground, Renaissance, and Loöq. Spesh is also the co-founder and resident DJ of Qoöl, which in its 15 year run became one of San Francisco's most storied underground electronic music events. 

Spesh, né Stephen Kay, began his career in dance music as a DJ in the late 1980's. This was a time before dance music had congealed into distinct genres; when a five-hour set for a DJ was the norm, not the exception. With an ear for choosing compelling music and an unparalleled ability to weave those tracks into euphoric journeys of sound, Spesh quickly rose in the San Francisco scene, eventually landing himself a high-profile residency at the legendary party, Release.

Shortly after the 1999 release of Jondi & Spesh's hugely popular progressive house anthem "We Are Connected", Spesh developed into an international talent, performing his deep yet enthralling DJ sets across Europe and North America. Back in his hometown of San Francisco, Spesh quietly simmered away playing in virtually every venue the city has to offer, receiving the highest accolades from his peers and from local and international press including Mixmag, DJ Mag, San Francisco Magazine, SF Weekly, and more. 

Spesh can be counted on to bring something new and unexpected to every gig. His refusal to take the obvious route makes his many fans more passionate than usual. They expect more than fantastic dance music flawlessly mixed; they expect to be transported to another plane. Over 30 years of spinning music has given Spesh time to develop his talents to a nearly unconscious level. As Spesh himself says, "I'm doing my job when everybody in the room, including myself, has completely lost track of time."

These days Spesh limits his DJ bookings to less that half a dozen per year to allow more time for family and other passions projects. Each set is special and for him a shared experience of joy and gratitude.

audio • objects • ideas
Brian "Stillwater" Strumke & Izaak Prats

Wondering thru atmospheres and catching precious moments.

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.

San Francisco based knob twiddler focused on all things house, techno, and melodic...

say hello: aliasj@aliasj.com

Mixing up elegant, post-digital House, Techno and Dub Techno like a mothafucker... Former spin doctor - now a journo, radio presenter & sync-button soldier of ill repute...  

Supagroove Summary:

Since moving to Barcelona 16 years ago, Mark J (aka Supagroove) has worked with many of Spain's coolest electronic music brands such as Blanco y Negro Records (A&R projects with Vendetta Records), Loca FM (Broadcaster) & Pacha Group, DJing regularly at the first ever Pacha in the world in Sitges for 5 years.

As a ‘muso’ hack, Mark is currently the nightlife editor of Barcelona Connect Magazine and writes high profile features for leading publications like Decoded Magazine, the Sun newspaper, or whoever else pays real money. Recent victims from memory include Jean-Michel Jarre, Dubfire, Laurent Garnier, Funk D'Void, Vitalic and emerging talent like Charlotte de Witte, Coyu or Mark Reeve among many, many others.

From 2003 until 2009, he also put in a few hours representing or managing artists like vocalist Kaysee (projects with Subliminal Records, Hed Kandi & Pacha Recordings), Lenny Fontana (Studio 54 & Defected Records) & Andrew Galea from The Freestylers. From this, he gained extensive music industry experience, especially in broadcast journalism, digital rights management and music publishing.

You can catch him DJing in Barcelona at his regular haunts like La Macarena, Garage 442 or Busfood.

www.mixcloud.com/supagroove

SUPAGROOVE & COMUNIQUEM RADIO SHOWS:

- DANCECHANNEL FM (HAMBURG)
- LOCA FM (CANARIAS)
- IDEAL CLUBWORD RADIO (BRIGHTON)

* Guests include; Anton Pieete, Anthony Pappa, Alex Costa, Agent Orange, Alex Nemec, Borja Gomilla, Chloe Harris, Darin Epsilon, Dhanimal, Eddy M, Greencross, Javi Lago, Neiland, Quivver, Rowan Blades, Sasha, Sonny Wharton, Spriitchaser and Steve Mac...

GUEST RADIO MIXES ON:

- SOLARIS INTERNATIONAL (WITH SOLARSTONE)
- 1FM (LOS ANGELES)
- DANCE PARADISE FM (BRAZIL)
- DANCERADIO (CANADA)
- RTE PULSE FM (EIRE)
- KLOW, IBIZA LIVE RADIO (WITH INAKI DEL POZO)
- A DARKER WAVE (WITH JACKI-E & P-MAC)
- RADIO NOSSA, BARCELONA

FORMER RESIDENCIES:

- BECOOL, BARCELONA (SINTETICS IN-HOUSE TEAM)
- MORGEN GOLD AFTERS, BARCELONA
- FRAME AFTERS, BARCELONA
- INSTINTO, BARCELONA (WITH MIKEL MOLINA, SUSHI PRODUCTIONS)
- PACHA SITGES (APPLE FUNK NIGHTS)
- SWEET PACHA, SITGES (WHERE LUV LIVES)
- MEDITERRANEO, SITGES
- EL CONSTANTINO SITGES (WITH JORDI CONSTANTINO & MIMO)
- BABYLON, UK (EARLY ’90s)

RECENT EVENTS:

- QWERK, MANCHESTER
- JUNGLA, SPLIT
- TOVARNA ROG, LJUBLJANA
- RADIOACTIVITY OPEN AIR, GOSTINCA (SLOVENIA)
- SOUND, LONDON
- THE PRIORY, ABERDEEN
- ES PARADIS, IBIZA
- BUZBY'S, TENERIFE
- HEAVEN, GRAN CANARIA
- PACHA, SITGES
- LA MACARENA, BARCELONA
- THIS SIDE UP, BARCELONA
- CAFE DEL MAR (BOAT CLUB), BARCELONA
- CAFE DEL MAR (LOUNGE), BARCELONA
- MOHO FESTIVAL,MONTMELO GRAND PRIX TRACK, BARCELONA
- MOONDANCE FESTIVAL, TROGIR (CROATIA)
- BACVICE BEACH FESTIVAL, SPLIT
- FREEDONIA, BARCELONA
- GARAGE 442, BARCELONA
- ISLADENCANTA, BARCELONA
- TOC HOSTEL, BARCELONA
- GENERATOR HOSTEL, BARCELONA
- BLVD, BARCELONA
- SLOW, BARCELONA

Spesh is following