Duke Shin

So you wanna ring in the New Year at Smart Bar? Ah…historic. In its twenty-five years (and counting), God only knows how many beads of sweat have hit the floor, how many signature bendy straws have been curled over a drink with a clutching hand desperate to imbibe while dancing or how many crumbled up bar bills were hastily smoothed out and jammed into the photo-booth, or how many tendrils of smoke have been blown into the ceiling… OK, I guess we can close the book on that last one after tonight, courtesy of the light-up ban. Fans of clear lungs and smaller dry cleaning bills will likely rejoice at the thought of banishing smokers outside, but this one last night is probably a good thing, as the perpetual chimney that is Switch aka Solid Groove (Dave Taylor) headlines the NYE bash. Of course, Taylor is no stranger to Chicago, debuting here last February, and then again over the summer with his M.I.A. producing co-conspirator Diplo. Things will get "A Bit Patchy," as Taylor’s relentless buzz-saw breakdowns and hip-hop approach to house will surely ignite the willing revelers who can’t seem to get enough of Switch’s bottom-heavy glitched-up rhythms. Lucky for them, local-bleep-done-good Justin Long will also be rockin’ his own tech-infused house, with Santiago and James Amato getting things started.

Switch headlines this New Years Eve party, with Justin Long, Santiago and James Amato at Smart Bar, 3730 North Clark, (773)549-0203, on December 31, 10pm-4am. $35. VIP and advanced tickets available at smartbarchicago.com

(2007-12-26)

Also by Duke Shin

May the Schwarz Be With You
It’s not surprising that Alexander "Ali" Schwarz has fond memories of Chicago. As the elder half of fraternal electro-house duo Tiefschwarz (along with brother Sebastian "Basti" Schwarz), Ali’s first love as a DJ was the American deep house coming out of New York and Chicago
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Tip of the Week
Besides being a prolific producer and remixer, British techno/house stalwart Ewan Pearson also co-authored 1999’s "Discographies: Dance Music Culture and the Politics of Sound," which contained strong deconstructions of the significance (perceived or actual) of the burgeoning electronica/club scene at the turn of the century
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There have been sightings of a new, other-worldy band rising from the ashes of the Beta Band. But who are they? Who are these Aliens? The story begins with one of the original-founding members
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As the sun starts to set on Lollapalooza’s first day, it doesn’t take long for LCD Soudsystem’s James Murphy to acknowledge the pending invasion of the robotic French duo to Lollapalooza’s huge south stage. He cradles his oft-banged cowbell like a drunk with a handle of whiskey and convulses around the stage as his band launches into "Daft Punk Is Playing at My House"—just the second song of their set. "Daft Punk is playing at my hoooooouuuuusse," the sweaty masses shout/sing/howl. Forty-five more sing-a-long minutes pass as LCD wraps their tight percussive disco attack. "Go…over there," Murphy commands
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Tip of the Week
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Spin Control
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Sweet Sweet Swedes
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Disco Dream
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Back to the Future
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