Brightest Young Things

Humpday Hysteria back once again after an soaked Saturday night that still brought the crazy as Felix Cartal and Fred Maslaki brought the noise at Ibiza, and Will Eastman with a cast of thousands, it seemed, celebrated nine, landmark years of Bliss at the Black Cat (more on that later).

EVERYONE MISSED DMERIT AT BLISS AND SHOULD SOUNDLY THRASH THEMSELVES FOR IT

Micah Vellian and Outputmessage, the duo known as Dmerit are on a completely different style and plane than anyone presently creating dance music in the city. Elegantly mashing French house, soul, disco, funk and pop into brilliant nuggets of dance excitement, their live PA set that opened Bliss was technically, sonically and emotionally superior. Outputmessage's fly handiwork on the synths and Micah Vellian's knee shaking and deep grooving live basslines took tracks from a simple point to the stratosphere. Output Message's background speaks for itself. Internationally respected as a remixer and DJ, his 80s recalling synth pop sound makes the listener feel as though they never left the era. And Micah Vellian, well, he's a phenomenal producer who is presently working with Will Eastman. Their new Stuck on You EP, on their Output Noise Records label, was released yesterday on iTunes, and, no foolin', DJ Stereo Faith stated, "Easily the hottest shit to come out of our city ever." Ever imagined what a more soulful Daft Punk would sound like? Think Stereo Faith's statement is terrifically out of line? Listen to Phantom Revenge's remix of "Stuck on You." BBC1 has, and has already featured the track. And get ready for when their remix of Will Eastman's "Feelin'" drops...it's excellent.

SPEAKING OF LIVE SETS...D:FUSE AND MIKE HIRATZKA AT IBIZA THIS SATURDAY

Los Angeles by way of Austin, Texas' D:Fuse should be a familiar face to anyone that got down at Club Five prior to its demise. He brings an extremely rhythmic, lyrical, accessible and crowd pleasing house blend to Ibiza with his live "Bring the Drums" show this Saturday night, supported by openers Danchik and Bazza. Not only do you get D:Fuse, you get him with his full drum kit, guitars, and progressive techno exciter Mike Hiratzka on guitar and vocals. And, yes, later today on BYT, there will be an interview with D:Fuse that I conducted yesterday, along with a contest for his latest album out now on Moist Music, "Human Frequency," along with PASSES FOR THE EVENT! Keep your eyes peeled.

THE NOUVEAU RICHE EXPERIENCE RETURNS ON SATURDAY NIGHT!

Nacey, Steve Starks and Gavin Holland are THE blog darlings of 2009. They're also swell remixers and have a more than apt handle on how to build a crowd up, and, then, Gavin will go and play tracks like THIS, and amazingly, the people dissolve into pools of appreciative sweat. Nouveau Riche has really become more balanced as the selectors have figured out their roles and developed as producers and remixers. Steve's just beginning to scratch the surface on his deep house exploring, Nacey can do an entire set now of his own remixes, and, well, Gavin? Gavin toes the line between common sense and idiocy better than most. It's when he falls off in either direction and someone's there to catch him that he succeeds. DC9. 9-3, but DC doesn't get cracking until 12, anyway these days, right?

ELECTRIC ZOO FESTIVAL IS OFFICIAL!

BYT will be present for the incredible lineup at the Electric Zoo Festival over Labor Day weekend. I'll be there with a team of photographers, and also doing a series of interviews with some of the amazing talent present. David Guetta, Benny Benassi, Deadmau5, Frankie Knuckles and Hercules and Love Affair's Andy Butler performing together, Richie Hawtin, Danny Tenaglia, and an unbelievable crew of others. Check http://www.electriczoony.com for ticket information. Tickets raise in price AGAIN this Friday, so, definitely get on that and come up to Randall's Island Park for the weekend!

HAVE YOU HEARD...TERRY POISON?

"Israel's entry into the electro pop market, Terry Poison are a potent mix of sex and snark with a great sound that is reminiscent of CSS, as the band initially started as a punky riot grrrl combo before meeting producer Idan "Bruno" Grife who has refined their sound into something a lot more mainstream palatable. They're even actresses as well, with Gili Saar starring in an Israeli telenovela. They bring their dance rhythms to the states in October, and while dates are being hammered out for their tour, do expect a stop in the local area. With tracks like "Smack Snack," "Ballroom," and the synthy, uber danceable confection of Comme Ci, Comme Ca, it's quite apparent why they opened for Depeche Mode during their Israeli stop on their most recent tour, and are one of the most buzzed about bands in Europe. Definitely check them out.

LOCAL PARTY REPORT

Definitely want to start throwing out some shouts to some DC weeklies that are getting it in. Obviously, Gavin Holland's C U Next Tuesday at Wonderland Ballroom is gaining traction. Last night, Harry Dixon and Sean Gone went bananas with their sets last night, throwing down mainstream ready house and ending up with a sweaty dance floor of impassioned poppers, lockers and groovers of all variety. Furthermore, speaking of Sean, his Wednesday deep house leaning, Mechanix party at Steve's Bar Room has become a destination event on the social calendar. Featuring congo drums, and guests like Orlando Villegas and Matt Nordstrom last week, the party is a fun time with a different style, in a unique setting. And, mark this in the "party everyone should experience at least once, and if you like it, as much as possible department, DJ Underdog and Lunch Box Theory's Afrobeat party at Selam on U Street. The party costs $1 to get in, which is the bargain of the century. The room is steamier than anything, yes, but if you miss the deep, deep, deep house grooves from over at Trinidad and Tobago Association, this party, well, takes them even deeper, even heavier, more tribal, with a wallop of funk. More words to come on the local scene in the weeks to follow.

UPCOMING EVENTS OF NOTE

Remember, Glow at Fur features a Murderer's Row of talent this fall. Benny Benassi, September 6th. Tiesto, October 11th. Armin van Buuren, October 17th. David Guetta, November 19th. Paul van Dyk , November 25th. Ridiculous.

September 3rd - Chris Burns opens for European deep house enchantress Agnes at Muse. $10, guestlist, http://www.tinyurl.com/88List

September 5th - BUZZ REUNION @ IBIZA - Charles Feelgood confirmed, more to follow. HUGE!

September 12th - Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez @ Deep Sugar at Baltimore's Paradox. DJ Booman in the chamber. Deep Sugar providing a fantastic diversity of dance that night.

September 18th - Moby at the 9:30 Club.

HOT HUMPDAY DOWNLOAD

African styled soul/funk/dance combo Radioclit have teamed with Esau Mwamwaya to create The Very Best, a pairing whose debut, The Warm Heart of Africa, I'm VERY excited to hear. Just yesterday, they dropped "Rain Dance," as the lead single from the album. The track features M.I.A., and it's unique African polyrhythms blended with M.I.A's verses makes the track an underground winner with legs for more.

Feel the “comprehensiveness” of Humpday Hysteria isn’t “comprehensive” enough? Email dowling dot marcus dot k at gmail dot com, or follow twitter.com/marcuskdowling.

Thanks again, for your time, once again, that was your weekly dose of Humpday Hysteria!