Name: J. Worra Check Out Tour
Start: 2022-07-02T22:00:00.000-04:00
End: 2022-07-03T04:00:00.000-04:00

J. Worra first fell in love with dance music when she moved to Chicago after college from her tiny hometown north of the birthplace of house. Attending her first music festival, one of the earliest editions of Spring Awakening, was a lightbulb moment that inspired her to take a stab at DJing and electronic music production. The complete absence of women booked to play the fest moved her to do something about it.



She bought a Traktor mixer and watched YouTube tutorials on mixing. Six months later, she started teaching herself production with help from fellow Chicago artists like Win and Woo, who invited her into their studio. In 2015, she released her first track, "Substitute," on Perfect Driver Music, and there was no looking back. She's now an important female and queer voice in dance music.



"I want to change the tone. I want to show what women are capable of, and what hard work and being true looks like," she told Daily Beat. "Above all, I want to impact people's lives in a positive way."



And once she began to get recognition for her uplifting productions and DJ sets, she made sure to bring other women up with her. She's found herself more and more in the good company of other women who lift up women and non-binary artists. Among them is LP Giobbi, whose ever-expanding Femme House platform offers free music production and engineering courses, all-femme club nights, Sirius Radio and Twitch shows, and more.



"I went to a festival early in my life and saw no women on the lineup at all. I had to give it my best to join this world and try and flip that. Now there are so many of us doing our best. LP Giobbi with Femme House, streaming every week with new female artists… I was able to book people for my tour that I found off her stream. Just having that exposure is a game changer," J. Worra told Gray Area in 2021.



"When I started, it was desolate for females but we're seeing a big surge now," she said. "Men are paying more attention, and women are trying harder to help one another out."



She's been intentional in bringing other women on tour with her and getting together with them in the studio. As a queer woman from a small, conservative town, it's also been important that she foster safe, joyous spaces for everyone to be themselves on the dancefloor. She also uses her platform to be loud and proud about supporting LGBTQ youth charities.



"It is very important for me to create not just a safe, inclusive space, but also one that makes people feel like they belong right where they are, in the skin they are in. My journey has shown me the importance of those moments; they may seem small but they can completely change the course someone is on," she told Metal Magazine.



"That's why I take the time to connect with fans, to give away tickets to shows and festivals I am playing, and to respond to emails and DMs," she said. "The impact I want to have doesn't stop when the lights come on at the club."

How J. Worra was Inspired to Make Space for Women in Dance Music

Common, infuriating comments women DJ/producers often get are something like "a man actually produced their music" or "they're only popular because they're hot." Thus, women producers are often forced into the defensive, giving studio tours and slogging away at every aspect of making a track on their own.



Of course, men are not held up to these same standards.




As Femme House co-founder and piano house queen LP Giobbi pointed out in a poignant 2021 conversation with rising tech house star J. Worra, most men at the top do not do everything alone. And having tracks mixed and engineered by someone else is standard across all genres of music. Also, no one is going to be stellar at every part of the process. Collaborating with a skilled instrumentalist or songwriter, for example, can offer a new perspective, nuance, and sonic diversity to music that you wouldn't get working solo.

"I think there's a lot of value for you as an artist working through it and figuring it out on your own, but I've been producing for eight years now, [sigh] and it almost hit a point where I just need some help," J. Worra said.


The "Check Out" producer revealed that it was an impactful conversation with tech house king Chris Lake that made her reconsider her commitment to doing everything by herself. While sitting next to Lake at Sound nightclub in Los Angeles, she told him she was doing everything independently.


"He was like, 'Why are you doing this to yourself? That's great and all, but why are you trying to do every single thing on your own? I've had instances where I've had full years where I've sent tracks to Marco Lys to mix down or Chris Lorenzo to fix something,' she said of the advice Lake gave her.


"That made me shift my perspective, because for the longest time I thought if I didn't do everything on my own, I'm not going to be a real artist and people aren't going to consider me. So, it takes a while to kinda let go of all of the control."


It's only fair that all artists have access to the tools that can help them and their music thrive and grow, including being able to collaborate and ask for help.

Chris Lake Inspired J. Worra to Shift Her Perspective 

When J. Worra was growing up in Spring Grove, Illinois—a small town of around 5,500 about 60 miles north of Chicago—dance music wasn't on her radar. But when she moved to the Windy City after graduating college, and her friends introduced her to electronic music and the city's famed clubs, her mind was blown.



"[In Spring Grove] I was going through all different genres; all genres really, except for electronic," she told journalist Kat Bein in 2020. "So, it was eye opening when I went to Chicago, it was like, 'Holy shit, what is this music?!'"



Living in the birthplace of house music in her 20s offered her a swift immersion in, and fascination with, dance music culture. "That's when I started understanding electronic music and that I could have a place in that industry," she said.




And as she started to get into the local scene, seeing Chicago legend Gene Farris DJ at Sound Bar was pivotal in her journey. That show was when she really fell in love with dance music. She recalled, "It was one of those moments where I was just like, 'Holy crap. This is a really cool vibe, really cool energy.'"



After attending her first music festival, Spring Awakening in Chicago, the complete lack of female representation behind the decks inspired her to go out, buy her own, and teach herself to DJ. Soon enough, she started playing shows. In 2015 she dropped her first track and started doing her part to change the gender dynamics in house music.




While relocating to Chicago brought her into the world of dance music and gave her a rich playground of venues to play, surprisingly, moving to Los Angeles brought her deeper into discovering old school Chicago house. The pandemic slowdown allowed her more time and space to dig deep into the roots of the sound, which significantly impacted the music she plays and makes herself.




"I feel like I'm a completely different artist than I was pre-pandemic. I took time to listen to old school Chicago house and sort my roots more. I can't even remember what I used to play like. It's fun to start fresh," J. Worra told Gray Area in 2021.



"Being able to sit still for a while and dig through old music is a rare opportunity for artists who tour," she said. "It changed a lot of perspectives."

How J. Worra Fell in Love With Dance Music

In terms of expanding her career as a burgeoning tech house DJ/producer, 2020 and 2021 were massive for small-town Illinois-born J. Worra. The Covid shutdown encouraged her to dive deeper into old-school Chicago house and further expand her sound and musical taste. It also gave her more time to remix other dance artists' tracks, including many big-name acts ala SIDEPIECE, SOFI TUKKER, and more opening her to wider, massive fan bases.



J. Worra has made waves with her joyful, fun-loving brand of tech house, and in her remixes, she brings those buoyant baselines and playful energy. She often keeps the mood and or vibe of the original track, but hypes it up for the dance floor, offering her blissfully charming energy.



Read on to hear and learn more about five of her best remixes of tracks from big artists including GRiZ and Wreckno, SOFI TUKKER, SIDEPIECE, Kyle Watson, and Kaskade, the latter megastar DJ who she remixed back in 2019.



1. GRiZ and Wreckno - Medusa (J. Worra Remix)

in June 2020, GRiZ paired up with Wreckno for sassy, sultry heater “Medusa.” A few months later, J. Worra dropped her bouncy, high-energy “Medusa” remix, launching it from space bass to tech house. Wreckno’s confident raps still slay on her version, as well as the memorable “ahhhh, ahhh aaah” vocalization, as the increased BPM and kick sends the mood straight to the rave.



“Griz sent me ‘Meduza’ to remix. I wasn’t sure how the release would pan out. You never know with remixes what’s gonna catch on. I’ve actually never met Griz, but I have so many association relationships, and I think that remix just opened me up to a new crowd,” J. Worra told Gray Area in 2021. It was one of her many successful releases that led to more remix opportunities.





2. SOFI TUKKER and Tuck's Dad - Larry Bird (J. Worra Remix)

On her most recent remix, J. Worra takes SOFI TUKKER's tribute to famed basketball star Larry Bird and Tucker's dad and gives it a splash of fitting Dirtybird-esque energy. On both versions, Tucker, his father, and Sophie's voices celebrate the unstoppable energy Bird brought to the court. Worra slaps some handlebars on her remix extending the song by 37 seconds and adding her signature tech house bounce to the bassline.





3. SIDEPIECE - Acrobatic (J. Worra Remix) 

"Acrobatic" is one of SIDEPIECE's—aka Party Favor and Nitti Gritti—big tracks of 2021. J. Worra's version makes it even more apt for a big drop main-stage festival moment. Both versions are high energy at about the same BPM, and were fittingly dropped on Insomniac Records in October 2021. Her version has a bit more of a roller and has a slick addition of a catchy, distorted vocal that sounds like it's saying "push it." This remix reminds of J. Worra's impact in tech house and her ability to shake up a dance floor.





4. Kyle Watson - My Level (J. Worra Remix)

Powerhouse U.K. dance duo Gorgon City have taken note of J. Worra's ability to set off the dance floor and tapped her for a handful of original releases and remixes on their impactful REALM Records imprint dating back to 2020. On South African producer Kyle Watson's 2020 heater "My Level," the rising tech house queen adds a big dose of bounce and shuffle to bring the track to a new and different level.





5. Kaskade and Madge - Tight (J. Worra Remix)

In 2018, Kaskade dropped Redux 003, 18 tracks from his beloved Redux project that celebrates and nods back to his earlier sexy Chicago house-influenced house sound. It featured catchy single "Tight," propelled by confident vocals from Madge. Back in January 2019, he dropped a remix package of the icy cool track, led by J. Worra's energetic reimagining of it. It's sultry and vibey and perfectly combines Kaskade's slick production with J. Worra's ear for big fun and bouncy energy. The big-deal remix came off of a big 2018 for her, when she got to showcase her fitting sound at big dance festivals like Lightning in a Bottle and Holy Ship.

5 J. Worra Remixes You Should Know

It's about time again for our monthly takeover of Diplo's Revolution. Yes, that's right, OCHO 3 is coming on January 22, 2022, to Sirius XM. We're serving up eight hours of non-stop exclusive sets by eight extraordinary artists from across the globe.

This month's diverse lineup features eight artists from across the spectrum of house sub-genres. Andrea Oliva, Cloonee, J. Worra, Layla Benitez, Meduza, Paco Osuna, Shermanology, and Wax Motif all come from different corners of the worldwide house music community. And while their sounds may vary, each one encompasses the words of Chuck Roberts from the 1988 anthem "Can You Feel It" by Fingers Inc., "house music is a universal language."



Tune in to Gray Area OCHO on January 22, 2022









Andrea Oliva

Born in Switzerland, Oliva taught himself to DJ at the tender age of 13. The young DJ found a job in a record shop and quickly established himself as a skilled selector, building a carefully curated library of promos and white labels. It wasn't long before he was booked in Switzerland's best clubs and throwing his legendary sold-out Banditz parties. He's since become a staple of the Ibiza scene cemented by residencies with elrow at Amnesia, Music On at Amnesia, and ANTS at Ushuaïa. His lauded production skills have seen him on remix duties like Luciano and releasing club weapons on Defected, Moon Harbour, Relief, Hot Creations, and 7Wallace.







Cloonee

One of the tech-house scene's most potent stars, Cloonee, has seen an unprecedented rise since the release of his 2017 Estes EP on Elrow. What's followed in an unstoppable tear of genre-defining releases on labels like Sonny Fodera's Solotoko, Desert Hearts, Big Beat, Michael Bibi's Solid Grooves, Mark Knight's Toolroom, and Chris Lake's Black Book Records. With an unsurpassed sense of rhythm and soul-shattering basslines, his releases regularly break the Beatport charts making him one of the site's top-selling tech-house artists of 2021. His back-to-back set with Andrea Oliva at elrow Rowsattacks! in December blew us away; we can't wait to see what tricks he has in his bag for OCHO.







J. Worra

Even before being named the 2019 Breakthrough Music Producer of the Year by DJ Mag, J. Worra's technical abilities, trademark swag, and imitable ability to create body grinding beats were well known. Her performance in December at Rowsattacks! in New York was a showstopping moment, proving once again why she's rocked major festivals like EDC and Coachella as well as every major club in the US. She discovered house music in Chicago and, while she may LA-based, brings a hint of that classic vibe to everything she does. Her dynamic catalog includes releases on labels like Higher Ground, Realm, Sweat It Out, and Sink or Swim. And her remixes for GRiZ, Gorgon City, and deadmau5 have elevated their work to new heights.



Tune in to Gray Area OCHO on January 22, 2022









Layla Benitez

It's clear from watching her perform that Layla Benitez has a potent understanding of how music moves people. Her visceral connection to dance music extends beyond the dance floor. It's in her soul. Her father, Jellybean Benitez, is an acclaimed DJ and culture-defining producer who was a pillar of New York's nightlife community throughout the 80s and 90s. Yet Layla's abilities are more than a legacy. Her distinctive blend of afro house, deep house, and world beats create peak dance floor moments for fans from Ibiza to Miami, New York to London, and Mykonos to Los Angeles.










Meduza

House music's recent domination of commercial radio is bookmarked by young producers who understand what underground dance music fans have known for decades. That house music is a feeling. Leading the charge is GRAMMY-nominated Italian trio, Meduza. Their debut single "Piece of Your Heart," with Goodboys, was a worldwide phenomenon topping charts throughout Europe, US, and Asia. The boys have gone on to dominate the charts with radio-friendly beats that have touched millions, streamed in the billions, yet pay homage to house music's underground roots. They masterfully walk the tightrope between the often protective, tight-knit house music community and the mainstream with grace and style, effortlessly bouncing from remixing for the likes of Ed Sheeran to releasing on legendary imprints like Defected.










Paco Osuna

For over two decades, Paco Osuna has steadily built a reputation as one of dance music's most respected and revered selectors and producers. The Mindshake Records founder has been a fixture of the Ibiza scene since the late 90s and held down residencies Richie Hawtins ENTER, Sven Vath's Cocoon series at Amnesia, as well as an endless array of prestigious events all over the world from Electric Zoo to Space Miami, Time Warp to EDC, and Watergate Berlin to WOMB Tokyo. In the studio, his imitable rhythmic timing, sophisticated sound palate, and imaginative spirit have made him a sought-after award-winning producer with releases on Mood, Plus8, Minus, Defected, Moon Harbour, and Get Physical.










Shermanology

Brother sister duo Andy and Dorothy Sherman's ability to inject tech-house with the soul and spirit of their Caribbean heritage has made them a uniquely genre-defying pair. Dorothy's distinct and stirring vocals transport the dance floor to the days of diva house. And Andy's production and DJ experience have traversed genre barriers from UK garage to bass house. Together their sound is boundless, impressing the underground and the mainstream alike. Their 2020 release "Boyz N Da Club" was an unstoppable club slumper. Yet they continue to prove their diversity working with artists like Will Clarke on the emotive "Searching" and scoring over a million plays on "Bon Bini," performed entirely in Papiamentu, their native language. 













Wax Motif

Known as a leader in G house and UK Bass, Wax Motif has more recently established a wider range of sounds. His recent release "Koalack" on his Divided Souls imprint shows a softer, more reflective side. And while Waxy continues to move dance floors with his trademark dirt nasty bass house, his emerging diversity proves his talents in the studio. He's also recently stepped out as a leader in blockchain and community building as one of the first dance music artists to create his cryptocurrency, $WAXM. The industry-leading move gave fans access to exclusive music, one-on-one Zoom sessions, and even the chance to collaborate with the producer who has released on labels like Confession, Night Bass, and Musical Freedom.



Tune in to Gray Area OCHO on January 22, 2022



Get Ready for Another Bumping OCHO on Diplo's Revolution

2021 was yet another tumultuous year. A year that constantly highlighted the fragility of the everyday. As lock-downs eased, a late-stage festival season emerged like nothing we've seen before. And as new variants surged, our plans with family and friends were once again thrown into the blender. We learned to understand that the only constant is change. 

We experienced euphoric dance floor reunions and the hope of a reunited house and techno community. The clubs, festivals, and playlists exploded new talent, the dancefloor bustled with new fans, and veterans observed a rediscovered spirit that reflects the storied days of the 90s.


And as artists shared their quarantine anthems, we learned that dance music could be many things. It's always fun, always danceable, but it can also be deeply personal, emotionally transcendent, and a revelation and reflection of our deepest desires. 


It was an unprecedented year of growth for house and techno worldwide. And the Gray Area team took the time to dig through the crates and pull out the songs that exemplified the year best. So here are our best house and techno tracks of 2021.

WEISS, Sharlene Hector - Lift Me Up

Now that house music has wriggled its way into the mainstream, we’ve seen a surplus of house bangers filling up the charts. An old-school house-styled cut like "Lift Me Up" stands out among the rest not only for its nostalgic sounds and production but because  Sharlene’s fervent vocals captivate and inspire. Her resounding, soulful vocals combined with Weiss’ masterful house production form one of this year’s most compelling piano house tracks—one that could easily be heard in a set by Marshall Jefferson or Paul Johnson back in the day. -Melissa Yuriar

KREAM, Dan Caplen - Roads (feat. Dan Caplen)[VIP Remix]

Norwegian electronic dance music duo KREAM has a penchant for producing deep house cuts with emphatically heartfelt lyrics. "Roads," released earlier this year, is a saccharine dance track driven by poignant vocals from classically trained musician Dan Caplen. He cites Bill Withers and John Legend as vocal inspirations. Though Caplen’s heart-rending vocals remain at the forefront of the reworked deep-house tune, they appear to have a more pronounced sultry finish. The VIP remix is a bouncy, enthralling remix of the original that feels timeless.  -Melissa Yuriar


Gorgon City, DRAMA - You've Done Enough

Gorgon City’s distinct bass-driven house music is immediately recognizable, having amassed over 1.5 billion streams to date on all their records combined. Their latest album Olympia, released in June, features incredible collaborations with Sofi Tukker, Hayley May, and Jem Cooke. The self-deprecating love ballad “You’ve Done Enough,” features vocals from Rosa of the Chicago-based duo DRAMA. Powered by an infectious, oscillating bassline and sweetly sung lyrics that form a compelling story many resonate with. 

“It’s been said that if you become the best version of yourself that it’s easier to find someone to love you for who you truly are, as opposed to someone who loves you for who they think you are or will become,” said Rosa about the song’s meaning to Genius. “Know that you deserve nice things, like people loving you.”  -Melisa Yuriar

Shaolin Cowboy, manon - Réveiller (feat. manon)

Rising London producer Shaolin Cowboy is one to watch. Last year he released several singles on Bandcamp and his acclaimed debut EP, Catch Feels Get High. While his production features plenty of lofi-grooves, textures, and breaks, he’s demonstrated his fearlessness in experimenting with various tempos and elements from multiple genres. His latest EP, 21 Hours, amalgamates several elements plucked from sound system genres–UK garage, breakbeat, acid, and house–and contains the stunning breakout single, "Réveiller." The tune is an upbeat lofi-house club track that features alluring vocals by upcoming French songstress, manon. Shaolin Cowboy’s production on the tune is one of the most interesting we’ve heard this year. Don’t sleep on this unbelievably underrated house tune.  -Melisa Yuriar

Sofia Kourtesis - Nicolas

Peruvian tastemaker-producer Sofia Kourtesis' brand of house music is distinct. Much of it centers around distorted or looped vocals and splintered film samples that she expertly weaves into emotive and buoyant beats. "Nicolas," off her latest EP, Fresia Magdalena delivers house-realness with its driving bassline, lofi textures, and shimmery fills—the enchanting song is a potent cut with infectious energy. Sofia’s adeptness in sound design and mixing is nothing short of sensational. - Melisa Yuriar








Dom Dolla, Mansionair - Strangers

Australian house producer Dom Dolla collaborated with electronic-indie artists Mansionair on one of the most stirring house tracks of the year. Mansionair’s Jack Froggatt lent his impassioned vocals while Dom showed off his production prowess with driving basslines and atmospheric melodies that ebb and flow throughout. 

The song’s narrative deals with themes of longing and impulsivity with sweeping strings and a heart-rending delivery from Froggatt. Catch this and many more house hitters from Dom this year as he tours across the United States and the United Kingdom, Netherlands, New Zealand, and Australia next year. Mansionair recently announced the forthcoming release of their sophomore album; they'll be touring the US early next year.   -Melisa Yuriar


TSHA - Power

Awarded BBC Radio 1’s “Future Artist” title, UK-producer TSHA is having an incredible year. Her latest EP OnlyL, which contains the stand-out single “Power,” received broad support from Annie Mac, Zane Lowe, Bonobo, and publications like Fader, Resident Advisor, Mixmag, XLR8R, This Song is Sick, and Dancing Astronaut. 

"Power," released on Ninja Tune, is one of her best releases this year. The song features oscillating instrumentals, uplifting vocal samples, and a delicate piano loop that exudes warm, jubilant energy. Her hip-shaking club bangers and production style are inimitable. We can't wait to hear what this rising talent has in store for us next year.  -Melisa Yuriar










J Worra feat. Little Boots - Wasteland 

This tune is a straight banger with signature bass heavy-hitting beats by J. Worra. The vocals by Little Boots add the right element to the track to make this tune straight up sassy and sexy.  -Alicia Baron

Alinka- Glimmer 

This full-throttle-house track has no shortage of texture and soundscapes that keep you energized. With a fun nod to 90's Eurodance in the hook. The pumping bass mixed with euphoric glimmering synth packs so much multidimensional punch.  -Alicia Baron

Nala- Psychic Attack

This track has taken dancefloors by storm. An ecstatic blend of indie electro and house, wonky beats, and a fat groovy bassline. Nala's voice adds an element of ethereal with her signature lyrics as she dives into the topic of mass media manipulation of the mind.   -Alicia Baron







Disclosure- Observer Effect 

Disclosure mixes their signature house shuffle adds heavier synths than we're used to from the boys. It's gritty analog sounds are fundamentaly face-melting.  -Alicia Baron

Joshwa, Lee Foss - My Humps

"My Humps" combines a blissfully nostalgic throwback with the thumping speaker-freaker sound. It easily viral even before its release combining rampant energy and a new take on Fergie's 2005 smash hit of the same name.   -Alicia Baron

Maceo Plex, Liberty City - You Know What I Got

Maceo Plex's swirling melodies and Liberty City’s infectious vocal are a match made in heaven. This track is a fresh take on the 1995 classic featuring soaring leads, fluctuating synths, and warped vocals, which is nothing short of epic.   -Alicia Baron

Kevin Knapp - Dancing with the Devil 

This track kicks off in Kevin Knapp's usual fashion - with big fat beats, heavy drums, and powerful synths. This track has a hard edge with echoing vocal samples to deliver a fast-paced drive throughout.   -Alicia Baron

Sacha Robotti - Fuck the Pain Away

A remake of Peaches’ iconic track Robotti delivers punching bass throughout. The infectious percussion arrangement offers a fierce dance floor groove under the infamous vocals redone by BabyGirl. This is a true Robotti classic.     -Alicia Baron

Jayda G - All I Need 

GRAMMY-nominated Jayda G has beautifully emerged from the underground onto the stages of Boiler Room, Dekmantel Festival, and Aluna’s upcoming all-Black Noir Fever New Orleans. Her track “All I Need” premiered on the coveted DJ-Kicks series and garnered rave reviews by the likes of Rolling Stone, NYLON, as well as being placed on Pitchfork’s electronic and regular top songs of 2021. Jayda G brings back vintage house feels in this ultra groovy tune, even including clips of an old rave in the accompanying music video.  -Arielle Lana LeJarde


TOKiMONSTA - Say Yes (feat. VanJess)

Los Angeles producer, DJ, and record label owner TOKiMONSTA first received a GRAMMY nod in 2019 after her personal Lune Rouge album. "Say Yes” is a rework of Floetry’s 2002 track by the same name. R&B duo VanJess and TOKiMONSTA reimagined it into a sexy, soulful house tune that you can’t help but groove to. When venues started opening up again, it was rare to find a house set this wasn’t rinsed in. -Arielle Lana LeJarde

Gemi - Talk

Gemi is one of London’s hidden gems who describe their music as “nukg shithousery.” And precisely as advertised, “Talk” is a UK garage track that showcases playful percussion, dreamy vocals, and shimmering synths that make you feel like you’re floating. 
-Arielle Lana LeJarde

Rome In Silver - Fill Up My Soul 

Multi-faced Rome In Silver never sticks to one genre, and that’s why he can be found on esteemed labels ranging from Monstercat to bitbird to Quality Goods Records, as well as supporting a wide range of names from CloZee to Dabin. In a turn of events, Zeds Dead's label Deadbeats released Rome In Silver’s latest track of the year, “Fill Up My Soul.” The song is a funky disco tune that seamlessly blends in bass elements and stays true to the label's sound. The soulful adlibs and vocal chops throughout the track truly take you back in time.  -Arielle Lana LeJarde


Make Me Feel - John Summit

John Summit announced himself on a global scale with 2020’s song of the year, "Deep End." Although many artists would be satisfied with that accomplishment, John did not take a day off. "Make Me Feel" is just one of many hit songs John Summit dropped in 2021 to continue his ascension. The track majors in John Summit’s signature low-end bassline, with a satisfying female vocal loop to keep feet moving on the dancefloor. It maintains hype without sounding too radio-friendly, a lane that John seems to manage regularly. -Jonah Flint

Do It - Sohmi

A classically trained pianist, and vocalist, Sohmi refuses to be defined. One of the breakout stars of 2021, the Korean-American has turned heads with her unique blend of dark minimal house, techno, left field, breaks, and funk. "Do It" encapsulates her work, a stunning release on Yotto’s label Odd One Out. Utilizing her sultry vocals, the track takes listeners on a journey through her unique take on techno with a monster synth line and punchy bass. -Jonah Flint



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Alter Ego - Duke Dumont

Duke Dumont is no stranger to big hits. He has been a headliner for years now, although the last few have regularly seen him raise the bar. Returning to his club sound, "Alter Ego" is infectious. Calling upon the budding star Channel Tres for his iconic vocals, the track is a club-ready banger that can put a groove in your step walking down the street or at 4 am in a dark room during a night out on the town. -Jonah Flint


Ahora Todo Va - Josh Butler & Dennis Cruz

When two veterans get together, you can expect brilliant results. "Ahora Todo Va" is a track that Josh Butler was sitting on for months until he enlisted the assistance of Dennis Cruz. Together, the two crafted a Latin-influenced tech house track that is relentless. Spanish vocals, lively drum patterns, and a lengthy build-up give this track the energy to fit any size of the room. Coupled with a monster remix by Gorgon City, ‘Ahora Todo Va’ is one of the year’s best tracks.  - Jonah Flint

The Best House and Techno Tracks of 2021

After three reschedules, revelers will once again be able to gather under the Electric Sky for west coast festival juggernaut Insomniac’s 25th Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) October 22nd-24th. 

One of the greatest things about EDC is that there's something for everyone. Spread out over eight genre-rich stages, countless art cars, and side stages, the EDC line-up stratifies dance music representing artists from every possible corner of the culture. We've broken down some of the house acts that should be on your must-see list.




Claptone

Claptone has been active since 2012 and steadily gaining popularity since. I use the pronoun “they” not to be politically correct, but because until a couple of years ago, Claptone was believed to be one man. It turns out its two people. Both enigmatic artists don the iconic golden beak of the medieval plague doctor, black shirt, and white gloves. Which has often led me to think: What happens when they get picked up from the hotel or airport? Do they wear the getup the whole time? Looks aside, Claptone has consistently pumped out funky, chunky house and tech house for nearly a decade and has landed on the top 10's of some of the largest acts in the industry. 

Follow Claptone on Instagram | Spotify


Dom Dolla

Dominic Matheson—aka Australian DJ and producer Dom Dolla—has been busy over the last couple of years earning nominations and awards for his releases. His trademark sound can be heard on dance floor hits like "Take It," "Pump the Brakes," and 2019's Justin Martin sampling "San Frandisco." EDC is just one of the stops on his cross-country tour of the US, but his set at EDC on one of the largest stages CircuitGROUNDS is sure to be packed full of IDs. 


Follow Dom Dolla on Instagram | Spotify




J. Worra

J. Worra is the new kid on the block, but already making huge waves. Hailed as DJ Mag’s 2019 Breakthrough Music Producer of the Year she’s released on tastemaker labels such as Dirtybird, Club Sweat, Techne, Realm Records, and more. She's also become a sought-after remixer putting her spin on tracks by GRiZ, Gryffin, Gorgon City, Aluna George, Kaskade, and Deadmau5. She's a previously hidden treasure and you'll want to see this young master at work.

Follow J. Worra on Instagram | Spotify


Bijou

Bijou is recognized as one of the leaders of the G-house movement in America. By infusing the timeless styles of hip hop and classic house, BIJOU satisfies the craving for the thumping funk of house and the club-ready swag of hip hop. His production style is live enough for the underground and mean enough to hold down any main stage.

Follow Bijou on Instagram | Spotify


Oliver Heldens

Oliver Heldens is one of the very few performers who use their actual name. At the ripe old age of 26, he is regarded as a pioneer of future house, and one of the first to push it mainstream. Oliver Heldens burst onto the scene in 2013 (at age 18) with “Gecko.” It was picked up by none other than Tiësto, who later released it to Warner Brothers, and it peaked at #1 on the UK Top 40 charts. While most 18-year-olds are skipping school and drinking 40’s, Helden's was jet-setting and pumping out chart-topping hits. He has consistently released award-winning tracks and done remixes for Dua Lipa, The Chainsmokers, Katy Perry, Calvin Harris, David Guetta, and more.

Follow Oliver Heldens on Instagram | Spotify


Black V Neck

After making music together for years, Miami natives Ian and Julian decided to form Black V Neck in 2017. These titans of weird and wonky house hit the ground running after being signed to Shiba San’s label Basement Leak and subsequently to Dirtybird. This duo keeps their schedule fully booked throughout the year dropping bouncy tech house around the way. You will want to see why they are so in demand right now.

Follow Black V Neck on Instagram | Spotify




Cut Snake

Cut Snake has an interesting story. They started as two surfers from Australia who traveled the globe and became fixated on tech house. After working together for a while, they parted ways to go solo. Leigh Sedly kept the Cut Snake moniker, and Paul Fisher continued producing as Fisher (yes, THAT Fisher). Cut Snake is known for a massive stage presence at shows and destroying dancefloors.

Follow Cut Snake on Instagram | Spotify

	

Duke Dumont

Okay, so Duke Dumont may be a household name with multiple Grammy Award nominations, but that doesn't mean he should be overlooked. He was mentored by former Major Lazer member Switch and came up writing remixes for pop stars. However the release of mammoth house stompers like "Need U(100%)" and "Won't Look Back" solidified his place as a bonafide star. His sets are a solid mix of big room beats, heart-stopping vocals, and bouncy basslines for a perfect combination fitting for one of the world’s largest stages.

Follow Duke Dumont on Instagram | Spotify


Lee Foss

Lee Foss brings a special blend of tech house, synth-heavy techno, and deep house. He has an astute ability to transition seamlessly between sub-genres raising and lowering the energy of the dancefloor as needed. He's proved his curation skills are expert level as well, the incredible catalog he's built at his label Repopulate Mars includes work from John Summit, Shiba San, CID, Martin Ikin, Dillon Nathaniel, and Cloonee. Lee Foss is a true tastemaker. 

Follow Lee Foss on Instagram | Spotify


VNSSA

VNSSA is another Dirtybird standout who has steadily carved a name for herself over the last couple of years. Her live sets cover all genres of house and techno, although don’t be surprised to hear some classic disco or booty breaks. VNSSA is a dynamic and wide-ranging producer who's unafraid to experiment and get a little weird. All in the service of rocking dancefloors. 

Follow VNSSA on Instagram | Spotify

















Add These 10 House Artists to your EDC Vegas Schedule

United States

J. Worra

“You never know what’s gonna change your trajectory as an artist. I was just making music for the moment. Pre pandemic was all club music. I’ve really explored song writing recently rather than just tech house bangers. What makes a good song? What makes a good listening record? It’s been a clash of different worlds in the time off, especially looking back at that [“Downtown Diva EP”] release.” 

J Worra—aka Jamie—has seen a steady rise since entering the tech house scene in 2015. She started her career in the bass house realm, and transitioned smoothly as the worlds of tech house and bass house were finding their union. Jamie has had a career-altering 18 months, exploding onto the scene and cementing herself as one to watch despite the holdbacks on live performances due to the COVID pandemic. 

Her introduction to house music came as it does for many of us. Musically inclined at a young age, she attended a local electronic music festival and was instantly hooked. She was also acutely aware of the lack of female representation on stage and knew she had to take action. 

“I went to a festival early in my life and saw no women on the lineup at all. I had to give it my best to join this world and try and flip that. Now there’s so many of us doing our best. LP Giobbi with Femme House, streaming every week with new female artists… I was able to book people for my tour that I found off her stream. Just having that exposure is a game changer. When I started it was desolate for females but we’re seeing a big surge now. Men are paying more attention, and women are trying harder to help one another out.”

After deciding to begin her music career, Jamie quickly realized she was in a great city to build herself up as a promising local act. Coming up in Chicago, she had loads of opportunities to get gigs and hone her craft. That being said, she readily admits that she did not truly understand the depth and history of the house music scene in Chicago until after she left for LA.

“I feel like I’m a completely different artist than I was pre pandemic. I took time to listen to old school Chicago house and sort my roots more. I can’t even remember what I used to play like. It’s fun to start fresh… Being able to sit still for a while and dig through old music is a rare opportunity for artists wh tour. It changed a lot of perspective.” 

The time off was a massive refresher for many artists in this world. Jamie took the opportunity to dig into the history of house music, develop and grow her sound, and field new opportunities. She began taking on the challenge of remixing other artists more frequently and realized how it can open doors.

“Griz sent me ‘Meduza’ to remix. I wasn’t sure how the release would pan out. You never know with remixes what’s gonna catch on. I’ve actually never met Griz but I have so many association relationships and I think that remix just opened me up to a new crowd.” 

Jamie is now touring the country, playing new markets, big slots, and releasing tons of awesome music. She just played two sets at the Brooklyn Mirage and will be opening for Kaskade in California. We look forward to having her back in NYC for the massive Elrow December show and she will likely be coming to a city near you sometime soon. 

Germany

Santė

As Santé reflects on the winding journey that led him from smashing out beats on his MPC to playing sexy groove-laden house music at clubs like Amnesia, Watergate, and Fabric he tells me how he misses when every day was a new exploration. “You experimented so much in the studio. You just try out and learn new things. It’s so freeing. I really miss those times. It’s like finding your language, finding what's interesting, what inspires you. And I think that [it] was an interesting process.”

The German DJ speaks to me from his home in Portugal. A far cry from Berlin, but a welcome change. Before he moved there it was a second home. And now he can soak up the beautiful weather and surf every day. A skill he says he slowly grew to love. “I was snowboarding all my life more or less. And I came here [for the] first time, my friend was running a surf camp. I took my first classes. I didn't like it so much because I was used to snowboarding. And it was so difficult to get by. But something kind of sparked and I wanted to learn it. And yeah, and ever since I love it. I go twice a day.”

This slow process of falling in love with an art form mirrors how he discovered dance music. His father was an avid jazz fan and record collector. His dad stayed in his lane almost religiously. So much so that Santé doesn’t care much for the genre. But while Santé may have had his fill of jazz records, it’s clear he appreciates the art form and one’s dedication to what defines them.

As Santé created his audio roadmap, he realized a will to create. He picked up the guitar at 14. But says, “After some several lessons and practicing by myself it became kind of boring to me.”

His search for what would define his musical passion was fulfilled when an older friend introduced him to dance music.  “He was 16 or 17 and he was working in a record shop part-time. He introduced me to electronic music and I was like ‘Wow, what's this?’ And a little bit later, I started working in a grocery and got my first sampler.” Suddenly a whole new world opened up to him.

It wasn’t long before he found a way to turn his passion into a profession. At 21 he moved to Berlin to immerse himself in the mecca of techno. He intended to finish school but says Berlin had other plans, “I didn't actually make it through university because I was too bad. And I failed. So, I got an internship in a studio. And from that point, everything in my career broke. I met quite a few people especially a producer [who was] well known back in the days, Tiefschwarz’.”

Tiefschwarz and Santé had an instant connection and began to introduce him to the ins and outs of the industry. Santé realized that he could make a living as a musician just as he scored his official first release, a remix for Richie Hawtin.

Even as Santé’s star rose, he found himself living in two not so dissimilar worlds. His nights spent in dark clubs, and his days spent creating music for ads. It’s a skill he feels lucky to have. It’s helped support him through the pandemic. When he’s writing for ads he works to evoke an emotional response dictated by film and a physical reaction, consumption. When he writes for the dancefloor he seeks an emotional response, joy. And a physical one, dancing.

Touring has introduced a new passion, cooking. You can catch his skills on display on an informative and often hilarious cooking show, “Foodieloops.” It’s a brilliant mix of Santé’s infectious sense of humor, and delicious delectables.

He’s a self-taught chef. And he says he picked up a lot of inspiration from his travels. “You meet so many different peoples of different cultures. And yeah, it opens up your horizons. so incredibly, Touring really opened up a lot of culinary interest.”

Santé has been lucky to work in an industry he loves for most of his life. And as he looks towards the future of dance music, he’s hopeful and excited. “I think there’s plenty of incredible times ahead because everyone is not taking going out, clubbing, and having this incredible experience for granted anymore. So I think the next couple of years could be kind of like the golden era of, of clubbing. Because the social context and feelings that you get from an incredible rave or festival is something that you can’t translate with any stream. I think it can make people more aware of how important the social interaction is in real life for that kind of art. Or even as a clubber, I can’t wait to get caught by myself being in a club.”

J Worra is making a rare headlining club appearance at Quantum in Brooklyn on Independence Day weekend, squeezing in a more intimate set between bookings at major festivals like Bonaroo, CRSSD, Elements, and direct support for Swedish House Mafia's tour. 

J. Worra’s journey began even before she fell in love with house music after moving to Chicago. Long before she started crafting tech house anthems like “Burn This House” with Little Boots and “Lose My Mind” with Taylor Moody, she taught herself how to play the piano and the intricacies of production on her favorite DAW. The embers that were ignited when she moved to the city that built house music have caught fire as she continues to set festival stages from EDC to Bonaroo ablaze with her irresistible beats.

And it all started with the intention to share the music she loved while making space for more women in a male-dominated space.

A masterful producer and technician behind the decks, her recent evolution as a musician and selector has further cemented her star status. It’s incredible to think that for much of her career, through marathon weekends of club shows, festivals, and releases on venerated labels like Insomniac, Diplo’s Higher Ground, Gorgon City’s REALM, and Thrive Music, she also managed to hold down a high-level corporate day job.

In 2021 she finally made her passion her profession. Devoting herself completely to music has only served to confirm her life’s path. She’s more comfortable, committed, and in control than ever. She’s totally tapped into her inner voice in a way that allows her to tell a compelling story of love and passion through music.

J. Worra - Wasteland (feat. Little Boots) [Official Music Video]

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The move away from corporate life has freed her mind and spirit to pursue her music in a new way. Without the stress of attempting to balance both, she feels more open to exploring her relationship with music with more joy. She’s settling into the role of a storyteller, sharing more of her personal journey like her beautiful relationship with partner Sierra.

All the while, the accolades continue to roll in. A clear fan favorite throughout the country, her 2022 festival highlights read like the bucket list for any tried and true raver, including Elrow, Groove Cruise, Buku, Splash House, Skyline, Elements, and Diplo’s Higher Ground.

Adored by fans, praised by her peers, and celebrated by curators and industry authorities her music has put her on the cover of Dance Rising, Housewerk, and Operator, three of Spotify’s most-followed dance music playlists.

In addition, she’s currently in the midst of her 30-city 

 Tour that’s quickly selling out all over the country. And none other than the legendary Swedish House Mafia just announced that she would join them for seven dates on their much-anticipated Paradise Again come back tour.

Clearly, the industry has noticed what fans and followers have known for years: J. Worra is a singular talent. Her ability to seamlessly blend the nostalgic energy of classic house with a firebrand new school swag has made her a favorite of Chris Lake, Pete Tong, Oliver Heldens, John Summit, Claptone, Martin Garrix, Lee Foss, and so many more.

J. Worra | @Beatport x @Ballantine's True Music: Los Angeles

J. Worra will take your on a journey in Los Angeles as you can still hear the sounds of her her roots in all the productions. Enjoy her live now for Beatport x Ballantine's Scotch whisky True Music rooftop livestream.
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#JWorra #TrueMusic #Ballantines #Beatport #livestream 

Produced by Yasemin Kosereisoglu

J. Worra  | @beatport  x @ballantines True Music: Los Angeles

She effortlessly occupies a space that keeps a foot firmly planted in the underground with an energy and musicality that is turning heads in the mainstream. She’s well on her way to even more incredible heights as she prepares to release remixes for the likes of superstar artists Sofi Tuker and the one and only Lizzo.

Experiencing the inimitable artist in a more intimate setting will soon be a rare treat. So, don’t sleep on the chance to catch J. Worra in Brooklyn. She’s pumped for her return to New York as she told Gray Area, “The energy of NYC is always on fire. It always shows at the clubs I play. It’s def one of my fave cities to perform in, the fans really get after it, so I’m always excited to come back.”

Joining J Worra is underground sensation 

. Well-known in the house music community for his releases on in-demand labels like Hot Since 82’s Knee Deep In Sound, Matthias Tanzmann’s Moon Harbour, and Solardo’s Sola Nauts, the German-born Portugal-based artist has spent years building a sound that favors musicality and a more thoughtful approach to moving the dancefloor. He’s a frequent guest at legendary house music institutions like Amnesia and Eden in Ibiza and Watergate in Berlin. He’s also been called upon multiple times to play for lauded industry brands like Abode, 

elrow NYC: Rowlympic Games

The Brooklyn Mirage

Santė Liveset

He recently released his much anticipated collaborative album 

 with his brother Re.You. The nine-track long-player is their most ambitious project to date seeing them take deep, vocal house into new sonic territories.

J. Worra Check Out Tour

J Worra is making a rare headlining club appearance at Quantum in Brooklyn on Independence Day weekend, squeezing in a more intimate set between bookings at major festivals like Bonaroo, CRSSD, Elements, and direct support for Swedish House Mafia's tour. 



J. Worra’s journey began even before she fell in love with house music after moving to Chicago. Long before she started crafting tech house anthems like “Burn This House” with Little Boots and “Lose My Mind” with Taylor Moody, she taught herself how to play the piano and the intricacies of production on her favorite DAW. The embers that were ignited when she moved to the city that built house music have caught fire as she continues to set festival stages from EDC to Bonaroo ablaze with her irresistible beats.





And it all started with the intention to share the music she loved while making space for more women in a male-dominated space.









A masterful producer and technician behind the decks, her recent evolution as a musician and selector has further cemented her star status. It’s incredible to think that for much of her career, through marathon weekends of club shows, festivals, and releases on venerated labels like Insomniac, Diplo’s Higher Ground, Gorgon City’s REALM, and Thrive Music, she also managed to hold down a high-level corporate day job.




In 2021 she finally made her passion her profession. Devoting herself completely to music has only served to confirm her life’s path. She’s more comfortable, committed, and in control than ever. She’s totally tapped into her inner voice in a way that allows her to tell a compelling story of love and passion through music.





The move away from corporate life has freed her mind and spirit to pursue her music in a new way. Without the stress of attempting to balance both, she feels more open to exploring her relationship with music with more joy. She’s settling into the role of a storyteller, sharing more of her personal journey like her beautiful relationship with partner Sierra.




All the while, the accolades continue to roll in. A clear fan favorite throughout the country, her 2022 festival highlights read like the bucket list for any tried and true raver, including Elrow, Groove Cruise, Buku, Splash House, Skyline, Elements, and Diplo’s Higher Ground.







Adored by fans, praised by her peers, and celebrated by curators and industry authorities her music has put her on the cover of Dance Rising, Housewerk, and Operator, three of Spotify’s most-followed dance music playlists.




In addition, she’s currently in the midst of her 30-city Check Out Tour that’s quickly selling out all over the country. And none other than the legendary Swedish House Mafia just announced that she would join them for seven dates on their much-anticipated Paradise Again come back tour.




Clearly, the industry has noticed what fans and followers have known for years: J. Worra is a singular talent. Her ability to seamlessly blend the nostalgic energy of classic house with a firebrand new school swag has made her a favorite of Chris Lake, Pete Tong, Oliver Heldens, John Summit, Claptone, Martin Garrix, Lee Foss, and so many more.





She effortlessly occupies a space that keeps a foot firmly planted in the underground with an energy and musicality that is turning heads in the mainstream. She’s well on her way to even more incredible heights as she prepares to release remixes for the likes of superstar artists Sofi Tuker and the one and only Lizzo.





Experiencing the inimitable artist in a more intimate setting will soon be a rare treat. So, don’t sleep on the chance to catch J. Worra in Brooklyn. She’s pumped for her return to New York as she told Gray Area, “The energy of NYC is always on fire. It always shows at the clubs I play. It’s def one of my fave cities to perform in, the fans really get after it, so I’m always excited to come back.”










Joining J Worra is underground sensation Sante. Well-known in the house music community for his releases on in-demand labels like Hot Since 82’s Knee Deep In Sound, Matthias Tanzmann’s Moon Harbour, and Solardo’s Sola Nauts, the German-born Portugal-based artist has spent years building a sound that favors musicality and a more thoughtful approach to moving the dancefloor. He’s a frequent guest at legendary house music institutions like Amnesia and Eden in Ibiza and Watergate in Berlin. He’s also been called upon multiple times to play for lauded industry brands like Abode, elrow, and Fuse.






He recently released his much anticipated collaborative album Road To Sanrey with his brother Re.You. The nine-track long-player is their most ambitious project to date seeing them take deep, vocal house into new sonic territories.




J. Worra Check Out Tour

Location