Bay Area’s Top 10 DJs
Keyframe has had the pleasure of working with a variety of San Francisco DJs. Below, our list of the Bay Area’s top 10 DJs.
Ben Segrean
Standing at the forefront of the ever-growing West-coast house & techno movement in the US is Ben Seagren – DJ, Producer, and visionary contributor within the Burning Man community.
Ben is best known for his dual roles as co-founder and resident DJ of DISTRIKT recognized as the staple party experience of the Burn for its reputable artist roster, beautifully positive crowd experience and definitive, cutting edge sound. Playing host and DJ to well over 30,000 guests every year during one magical week in the desert, it comes as no surprise that Ben and his DISTRIKT moniker continue to entertain thousands of fans and followers with weekly podcasts on Soundcloud.
Dominating San Francisco’s house & techno scene for over a decade with long-term residencies at both award-winning Ruby Skye (2003-2009) and legendary End-Up (2004-Present), Seagren’s impeccable taste and undeniable talent earned him the respect of even the most discriminating of techno aficionados- fans and peers alike. With a passion for connecting like minded souls on the dance floor and the continued support from a loyal fan base, Ben is propelling himself to new heights as one of the sonic architects behind tech-house’s most recent redesign.
His most recent Beatport release, “Calling Me” on acclaimed Spanish label BeatFreak Recordings, (a massive big room techno banger) currently climbing the Beatport Top 100 techno chart, and is destroying dancefloors internationally with support from contemporaries Victor Calderone, Carlo Lio, The Junkies, D-Formation and co-collaborator Richie Santana.
Visit his Soundcloud, Facebook and upcoming events.
Mossmoss
Mossmoss (aka Mattie Bowen) is a Scottish born DJ and producer with an intense interest in explorative music. With a keen ear and eye for detail, he is an artist by nature. His wandering sets paint landscapes of light and dark patterns, textures, and strange melody, heavily relying on atmosphere and tension.
Mattie’s inspiration draws from the organic details of existence, the tiny pieces most overlook in exchange for the big-picture rush of an ever changing modern world. His mind deeply set to explore these facets and to share his exploration in all forms to those that might look and listen.
Mossmoss currently resides San Francisco and draws on The City and its colorful nightlife for constant immersive inspiration.
View his Soundcloud and Facebook.
MetaTek
MetaTek is the creation of JB DeVries and exploring, creating, and sharing a deep range of textures in the world of electronic music is his primary motivation.
Both a producer and DJ living in San Francisco, his performances have been regarded as having a full palate of intricate beats and driving enthusiasm.
As a longstanding member of the Opulent Temple (a Burning Man camp and artist collective), DJing alongside names such as Christopher Lawrence, Carl Cox, and The Crystal Method has galvanized his skills from enthusiast to professional.
Activated and ready, MetaTek is currently taking his sound to festivals and dance events around the world.
View his Soundcloud and Facebook.
Ethan Miller
Colorful founder of the much-loved Bay Area dance collective, Friends and Family, Ethan has been making dancefloors sweat since 1993. Known early in his career for hard Acid and Techno sets, the years since have revealed a taste for Breaks, House, Tech House, Deep House, and of course Techno of all flavors.
While currently turning up at DISTRIKT, BrassTax, Space Cowboys, Strategik, MotorCityJam, Prohibition, Opel, and other Bay Area underground events, Ethan has also held residencies at MAD Mondays, RhythmMethod, Delve, and of course Friends and Family. Reaching way back you would have found him holding it down at some of SF’s now legendary raves including The Gathering, Vision, Basics and more.
View his Soundcloud.
ALIA
ALIA is a San Francisco-based Producer, DJ, and Vocalist. ALIA creates music and weaves sets that are a luscious feminine bass journey. Her music is exquisitely healing moving both hearts and bodies.
ALIA has crossed international borders and traversed coasts to play transformational festivals including Envision Festival, Lucidity Festival, Enchanted Forest Festival, Beloved Gathering, Wanderlust Festival and Burning Man. She is also a regular fixture at the most high-frequency events of San Francisco’s bass music scene and a resident of the worldwide phenomenon Ecstatic Dance.
Named a “Woman Changing the Planet” by ORIGIN magazine, ALIA is the creator of “Feminine Medicine,” an original music album and stage show project created to showcase more female artistry in the electronic dance music industry. Inspired by the idea of co-creating music with other women that brings a distinctively “feminine” sound to an otherwise male-driven industry, this project aims to create a beautiful and danceable album of music that features a stage show that creates a journey through the talents of several female choreographers and dancers.
View her Soundcloud and Facebook.
Miguel Migs
Migs emerged from the 90’s deep house underground scene to become the kind of artist who transcends the stylistic limitations of a genre so very few can. His musical journey began after picking up a guitar in his early teenage years and his first outlet was writing songs and playing in Dub/Reggae bands.
Although Migs always loved and listened to all different styles of music, in the early 90’s he connected to the soulful sounds of Deep House. By the mid ’90s he began experimenting with producing electronic dance music. And by the time the new millennium dawned, a string of releases and remixes on numerous leading indie dance labels earned him an enviable reputation among discerning dance music fans worldwide.
As Petalpusher, he’d also become a stalwart of the hugely influential Naked Music stable with his original productions, remixes and compilations.
View his Soundcloud and Facebook.
DJ Taj
A San Francisco native and DJ since 1991, DJ Taj emotes the artistic essence of the city’s counterculture history. He has both a unique look and mixing style that garners significant attention. Coupled with his diversity is his passion and dedication to the art of being a musician. Hard work has led him to prestigious West Coast residencies with club brands Spundae, in San Francisco, and United State of Consciousness, in Seattle.
While maintaining these residencies for the past several years Taj has also performed at many illustrious parties and clubs, which have taken him to un unprecedented level as a West Coast DJ. In San Francisco Taj has played for seven continuous years at legendary club 1015 Folsom, held a two year residency at the famous Pablo’s Sugar Shack, as well as a three year residency at his self produced event Zendada. Taj has also maintained a two and a half year residency at Baby’s at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and is always a favorite at the Velvet club in St. Louis, including the headlining spot for their annual NYE “White Ball” for 2002.
Having built a strong reputation for rocking the party, it was only natural that Taj was tapped to play dates for UK super clubs Ministry of Sound and Cream on their U.S. tours. He has also appeared at Spundae and United States of Consciousness annual anniversary shows and special events.
View his Soundcloud and Facebook.
Lisa Rose
No stranger to the game, Lisa Rose has been in the mix for over 10 years. Lisa has been a fixture in SF’s underground rave scene. Clubbing and record collecting were an essential part of her life; so much so that she often found herself introducing music from abroad to her A list DJ friends. It was soon widely known that Lisa had an ear for music that was more than a love of dance music. Subtle nuances and the ability to accurately predict the success a tune would have on the dancefloor made Lisa a valuable asset to many top DJs. Lisa was not content to be the muse of others, she knew that behind the decks was where she wanted to be.
Lisa has the fluidity down with her complex music choices and thoughtful interplay between tracks. There are no accidental mixes when she spins. It’s always about what the music will do to and for people, and Lisa plays for no other purpose than to get people off their ass and on the floor! Bring your dancing shoes, because with Lisa on the decks there is little chance your will be sitting down.
View her Soundcloud and Facebook.
Hil Huerta
Hil Huerta was introduced to club music in the early 80’s by his cousin, Eddie Garcia (aka Eddie Def). He began DJing on a set of used decks when he was 11 years old. By 1986, while still in middle school, Hil had begun throwing and promoting parties, playing a mix of freestyle, hip hop, and early house music. Hil’s drive and love of dance music has not abated. Now one of the Bay Area’s top promoters and still a top-notch DJ, Hil is know for his eclectic house music sets, ranging from funky cuts to electro-fueled tech house to progressive grooves. In his continuing quest to keep the crowd moving, Hil divides his time between DJing, running a successful promotions company, and working in the studio.
View his Mixcloud.
Hil Huerta @ New Bohemia NYE 2015 In The SF Armory by Hil Huerta on Mixcloud
Bardia F
Bardia Farhadian is known best for his productions under his co-owned record production company, Blue Orb Records. As a Persian-American producer, his roots of electronica started in Tehran, Iran and then to Istanbul, Turkey and eventually brought him to San Francisco and their underground scene. Then, inspired by his wife’s, DJ ThuyVu’s, musical pursuits and accomplishments, Bardia began djing at BPM Festival, Vessel SF, Supperclub, Sloane, The Endup, Harlot,2nd Sunday, Mighty, Ruby Skye, BeatBox and at Nikki Beach, Mexico. Vessel SF continues to carry his monthly residency where his dark, banging techno and tech-house sound thrives best.
His inspirations are drawn from highly creative people and exotic locales: Adam Beyer, Audiofly, Ahmet Sendil, Rooz, DJ ThuyVu, Ramtin Vadati, Carlo Lio, and Loco Dice; and traveling to legendary capitals of dance music including Burning Man, Miami, and Playa del Carmen BPM Festival.
Embracing the most avant garde tools and technology, Bardia endorses Reason and Ableton Live in his productions to create forward-thinking music set to strike any dancefloor for any occasion.
His newest EP Album “Roof Top,” hit #5 on Beatport TECH HOUSE TOP 100 RELEASES in January 2012.
See his Soundcloud and Facebook.
DJ ThyuVu
DJ ThuyVu is quickly rising as one of the most highly coveted female djs in the San Francsico underground and club scene.
Her sound, as described by SF’s most respected and beloved djs and promoters is “unique, sophisticated and refreshing because she’s a rare breed who plays what she plays and how she plays.”
See her Soundcloud and Facebook.