If You Like the Martinez Brothers, You’ll Love…

Steve and Christian Martinez were raised to be dance music demigods. Their father fed them a strict diet of groundbreaking beats, and their childhood home in the Bronx saw them constantly inundated with gritty street culture and vibrant urban noise. The brothers took all this information, digested it, and turned it back out with astonishing skill. They were touring the US as grade-A DJs before they even graduated high school. Despite their youth, they’re one of the most dynamic and exciting tech house duos in the business, respected by the greats and influential among their peers, older and younger alike. Any techno fan or house guru knows to catch the Brothers at EDC New York, but their set need not be your only moment of jackin’ gold.

Mind Against

From: Berlin
Releases on: Life and Death, Vakant, No. 19 Music, and more
Why we like them: It’s not often that a DJ duo can be authentic enough to please the picky Resident Advisor crowd while simultaneously appealing to the DJ Mag masses, and yet this Italian-born, Berlin-based techno twosome gets love across the aisle. Mind Against has a sound so deep and so compelling, it’s hard to escape. A couple of true mood-builders, their sets begins at a sensual simmer, build to a boil, and erupt in ecstasy. If you’re the kind of beat freak who can appreciate the journey, this is one sonic trip you can’t wait to take.
Listen to this: Mind Against recently teamed up with fellow tech titans Tale of Us, and the result is positively radiant. It’s a haunting track full of booming bass and eerie chords, perfect for dancing in the darkest hours of night.
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Nicolas Matar

From: New York
Releases on: Tommy Boy, Bitches Brew, Nervous Records
Why we like him: A true student of the scene, Matar had a great teacher in his father. You see, daddy Matar was a man of Studio 54 with a whole club setup in his basement. The parents often entertained friends with vinyl disco, soul and house sets, and little Matar was paying attention. Now that he’s all grown up, he entertains his own crowds across the globe. He held down a residency at Pacha in Ibiza from 1993 to 2001, then taking his talents back to New York City to help found acclaimed clubs Cielo and Output. His mixing style is smooth and voluptuous, lively yet easy going—definitely the perfect moment to chill and get lost in the groove amid your busy EDC NY schedule.
Listen to this: Matar is more DJ than producer, but this stirring single from 2012 captures a glimpse of his musical vibe. It’s soulful but spacey, a futuristic style rooted in historical richness—exactly the way good house should sound.

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Thugfucker

From: New York
Releases on: Life and Death, Wolf & Lamb, Moodmusic, and more
Why we like them: Firstly, Thugfucker’s Greg Orek is a cofounder of Life and Death records, which is—as anyone who likes their house dark with a side of psychedelia knows—one of the hippest and headiest labels around. And alongside Homar Filipson, the duo known as Thugfucker begets some of the most unique sets to grace the world’s grittiest dancefloors. This is no-bull music designed for well-heeled ears. Thugfucker might not be what every mainstage mister wants to hear, but if you’re a seasoned festivalgoer with high house tastes, a Thugfucker set is exactly what you need.
Listen to this: This is the jam that started it all. It was the first release from Thugfucker, as well as that of Life and Death. It may be six years old, but it’s still one of the funkiest things we’ve heard this side of the underground.

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