The 2013 series of Wired Fridays in Chicago will be showcasing Chicago DJ-slash-promoters who have been passionately sharing their highly-specific tastes within their chosen branches of electronic music through their events, radio shows, workshops, and personal performances–albeit with the discerning eye of a curator who has been immersed in local musical culture long enough to be able to sift through the sand to find the gems.

What’s really exciting about this particular debut lineup is that every performer has contributed to Chicago’s electronic music culture in a very significant yet personal way over the years they’ve been in the industry. Unlike certain major festivals that seem to rely on headlining those global-trekking-performers who appeal to the most people to generate the highest revenue (and, if they get it down right, the festivals expand to other cities to repeat the template and income) these performers have chosen to work within and support specific communities, both musically and locally.

Friday, January 4, 20113

Striz, aka Ben Stroh, for instance is a dedicated member of the illmeasures collective that hosts unique electronic music events that can surprise, delight, and sometimes confuse their guests with their mix of live performance, video projection, crowd participation, and generally a Situationist-inspired, interactive space that can at some times conjure up an urban-based, toned down version of Burning Man. His DJ sets are equally eclectic and genre-bending, mixing funk grooves with downtempo, dup, breakbeat and instrumental hip hop.

Friday, January 11, 2013

Chicago-based Frankie Vega not only  organized many showcases of underground electronic music in unconventional spaces (to rave reviews) he’s also a well-heeled producer of his own merit. While his DJ styles slinks between Chicago house, minimal, deep techno and acid, he’s made a name for himself through the patronage of labels like Kompute, A Squared, Blueline, Tora Tora Tora and Remains. You can find music from Frankie Vega on iTunes and beatport.com.

Friday, January 18, 2013

Chris Widman is a Chicago DJ that defies easy classification. As a host of the weekly radio program Abstract Science (celebrating 15 years in 2012), he is at the forefront of breaking new styles, brazenly crossing genres and re-contextualizing forgotten music into his vision that really seems to work. His DJ sets have the same philosophy, but less heady and more bass-y. http://abstractscience.net will keep you up to date.

Friday, January 25, 2013

With a unique ear for electronic music and international music, DJ Warp has become a staple DJ playing at many Chicago clubs and venues, including past residencies at legendary clubs such as Shelter, Smartbar and Sonotheque. In addition to playing music at venues like the Aragon Ballroom, the MCA, Navy Pier or Riviera, Brian was the very first DJ to ever play the Chicago Symphony Center. His cultural ramifications were not limited to simply performances, though–he has been involved with Chicago musical culture for some time, being a program coordinator for the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture / Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs.

With an unique ear for the latest in abstract dance music and unusual in international music, Brian has been lucky to share the bill and support some of the world’s top touring talents of many styles including; Luke Vibert, Konono No.1, Art Of Noise, Four Tet, Femi Kuti, Basement Jaxx, Bebel Gilberto, Plaid, Manu Chao, Nicolas Jaar, Jamie Lidell, Talvin Singh, Prefuse 73, Amadou & Mariam, Biz Markie and Bassnectar just to name a handful. Brian looks to use DJing as another form of musical expression in an effort to continue his life mission of turning people onto damn good music. Visit facebook.com/djwarpchicago

Weekly: Every Friday
From: Jan 4, 2013 to May 24, 2013
Hours: 12:15 – 1:00 pm
Location: Chicago Cultural Center, Randolph Cafe
78 E. Washington St
Chicago, IL 60602