Truncate / Analog Soul / Lychee / DJ Pierre / Lauren Flax / Heidi Sabertooth

February 17, 2023

BASEMENT: Truncate / Analog Soul / Lychee
STUDIO: DJ Pierre / Lauren Flax / Heidi Sabertooth

Truncate returns to BASEMENT for the first time since last April, when he made a standout appearance at Balance. An unmissable name in underground dance circles since 2010, Truncate is infamous for his pared back iterations of hardware techno, always delivered with a gritty depth and spring loaded attack. These tracks are the kind DJs crave: no extraneous elements and degree of focused expertise that is the hallmark of a master. Analog Soul never disappoints. The twin duo of Kat Smith and Jacqueline Sommer has found success through undaunted persistence and an unwavering commitment to their sound. Their tough, funked-up techno is rooted in a two-decade history with NY music, which began at historic record stores before quickly moving into clubs. “That particular sound… Black music, has always been a part of our lives” they recently told DJ Mag. Lychee completes the bill. The Spontaneous Affinity founder is a versatile DJ, but their finest moments are their most personal: they blend loping, submerged techno and grooving wormholes like no one else in town.

DJ Pierre headlines STUDIO. As a member of Phuture, his place in dance music history would be assured based on that group’s “Acid Tracks” alone. One of the single most influential sides ever to be put to wax, “Acid Tracks” is ground zero for acid house and widely considered to be the first track in the genre. It cannot be overstated: Pierre and his collaborators laid the blueprint for countless TB-303 workouts and helped to define the language of house music. Since then, Pierre has never stopped exploring and innovating. A tenure in NY led to the development of his rugged Wild Pitch era as well as a position as Head of A&R at the essential Strictly Rhythm record label. And his production schedule hasn’t slowed: 2022 saw the release of “I Feel Love” on Get Physical. “Once I get the vibe going, I can’t stop,” he says. “It’s an intense feeling, fusing the rhythm and beats in an underground groove that makes the dance floor shake and people move.” Lauren Flax is a NY gem. A constant presence in the underground and a DJ of exceptional talent, recent years have seen her tireless efforts being recognized on a new level. DJ Mag named her 2022’s “Underground Hero,” but you don’t need a magazine to tell you that; Flax proves it on most weekends. Her style feels both worldly and unabashedly NY-centric, mixing deadly techno and thick, grooving bassline-driven tunes and the heavier side of house. The central axis is the groove, which Flax commands with the touch of a master. Heidi Sabertooth brings a gnarly, machine funk sound to her live and DJ sets. The Lost Soul resident has found global acclaim on labels as diverse as BPitch Control, Throne of Blood and New York Trax, but no matter where her music is released it always oozes with full blooded menace. Much like her namesake animal, Sabertooth's music lunges out of the speakers, with a taut EBM edge and an expert command of synthetic sound design.

■ No photos or videos
■ No phone use on the dancefloor
■ The dance floor is for dancing, not conversation
■ No glowing/flashing clothes or items
■ Respect other people's space, no shuffling
■ Consent is mandatory
■ Zero tolerance for racism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, ableism or any form of discrimination
■ Take care of each other, alert our staff if somebody isn't feeling well
■ Violating the house rules will result in removal
■ Ticket purchase does not guarantee entrance