Gray Area Unveils Its First Wave of Resident DJs

We are thrilled to announce our first nine Gray Area residents! These artists bring their unique sounds and styles, representing the diverse spectrum of house music. Their talent and passion make them perfect ambassadors for Gray Area, and we can’t wait to see what they’ll bring to our community.

This selection marks an exciting chapter for us as we continue to support and showcase exceptional talent in the house music scene. Each resident has already made a significant impact with their performances and music, and they’re ready to take things to the next level.

Let’s dive into these artists and explore what makes each one a standout in the scene!

HVNLEE, a rising DJ and event curator from North Philadelphia, has excited audiences with her infectious sound. Rooted in hip-hop and R&B and enriched with disco, funk, and soul, her unique blend resonates deeply with listeners.

HVNLEE's music is profoundly influenced by the ‘60s and ‘70s records her mother played at home. She has performed at numerous high-profile Gray Area shows, including events with Mahmut Orhan, Shermanology, Denis Sulta, Nala, Elrow, Will Clarke, and Femme House, establishing herself as a prominent figure in the house community. A career highlight was performing at the Hulaween Music Festival on the Femme House stage, a transformative experience influenced by LP Giobbi and the Femme House movement.

Dedicated to supporting underrepresented artists, HVNLEE founded the femme-focused event series, HONEY, which showcases talent in Philadelphia and builds a community for women and LGBTQ+ DJs. Her monthly residency at the Fillmore Philadelphia has further cemented her impact, allowing her to share her unique flow with a wider audience.

HVNLEE is also venturing into music production, inspired by LP Giobbi's remix contest featuring Sofi Tukker. Her first remix marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in her career.

Corinne, a Brooklyn based DJ known for her versatile and tasteful sets, has danced with us at numerous shows, including performances with Mahmut Orhan, Denis Sulta, Tal Fussman, Heron Preston at Public Records and Sofia Kourtesis. She has graced three of our beloved venues: Superior Ingredients, Musica, and our underground gem, H0L0. Corinne's adaptability shines through in her sets, making her a standout in the Gray Area family.

Beyond her work with Gray Area, Corinne also works with Keinemusik and Black Book Record's team. Moreover, she has opened for major parties like Electric Island Festival, CODA, Public Records, Altered States with Zeds Dead, and Elsewhere with Enamour. She has also supported artists such as Mind Against, Blessed Madonna, and many more iconic names. One of her most memorable performances was her epic set recorded on Lot Radio.

We are thrilled to have Corinne as a Gray Area resident and look forward to watching her evolve.

LEFTI is the brainchild of producer Alex Suarez from Brooklyn, NY, and yes, he is left-handed. Alex's musical journey began while he was pursuing culinary arts in high school in Florida. He started touring as a musician and soon after delved into DJing as a hobby, spurred by the vibrant nightlife scene in Miami in the early 2000s. His path quickly flourished into a full-time career, touring as a musician and DJing whenever he could, especially after moving to Brooklyn.

In 2013, Alex expanded his career by becoming a published songwriter and producer, working with other artists and labels, and exploring the sync and licensing arena. This eventually led to the creation of his project "LEFTI," which took off with a steady stream of remixes and original tracks. LEFTI has released music on some of the leading independent house labels globally, including Toolroom, Nervous, Freakin 909, Let There Be House, and There Was Jack, and has remixed tracks for nearly all the major labels in America.

In 2021, LEFTI launched Quincy Boy Records, where he hosts many of his own releases and supports a growing community of incredible talent. We’ve had the pleasure of having LEFTI play with us for shows like Ferreck Dawn, Ben Hemsley, and Wax Motif.

Late Night Shri's avant-garde and eclectic style is a direct reflection of his hometown, San Francisco. On any given night, you can experience him artfully weaving techno, house, disco, breaks, and more, creating a seamless blend that resonates with the live audience. An enthusiastic record collector with a deep love for music, Shri's versatility shines as he performs alongside a diverse range of artists.

Shri's impressive resume includes performances with world-class DJs and producers like Âme, Stephan Bodzin, Sébastien Léger, Spencer Brown, YokoO, Bora Uzer, Laolu, Fur Coat, and Woo York. He has played at top US clubs such as San Francisco’s Midway and Public Works, New York’s Superior Ingredients and 3 Dollar Bill, as well as notable festivals like Detroit's Movement Festival and Burning Man.

Beyond the turntables, Shri is passionate about curating transformative events. From free sunrise gatherings at picturesque SF spots to co-founding the iconic Burning Man art car, Discow, his dedication to creating magical experiences is evident in every Late Night Shri party.

Brooklyn-based redhead queen of Puerto Rican descent, Luna Mar, had one of her first big shows with us at the Knockdown Center with Cloonee headlining last May! Luna Mar has opened for numerous acts including Franky Rizardo, Nitefreak, Todd Terry, Wakyin, and Ferreck Dawn.

She has also played at We Belong Here and one of the world’s most epic parties, Elrow, with an upcoming gig at Arc Music Festival. Luna Mar’s energy and music selection light up the room and get the dance floor grooving! We look forward to having Luna Mar continue to spin on our decks!

Daniela Luzi Tudor, widely known as Luzi Tudor, is a fresh and exciting name in the melodic house and techno scene. Born in communist Romania, Luzi’s early love for music was shaped by rare American pop culture artifacts and her father’s passion for music and activism. Escaping to the West, she lived in 17 cities across four countries before finding her groove in Seattle's vibrant nightlife and rave scenes.

In Seattle, Luzi carved out a career in dance music while also excelling in the tech world, building engineering teams for giants like Microsoft. Her drive to make a positive impact led her to co-found WEconnect Health Management, a leading company in the behavioral health space. As CEO, she develops tools to support individuals with substance use and mental health challenges, drawing from her personal recovery journey since 2014 to inspire and uplift others.

Luzi’s early releases caught the attention of the industry, including a co-sign from Lane 8's influential This Never Happened imprint. As a Gray Area resident, she has shared the stage with big names like Two Lanes, Catz N' Dogz, Emmanuel Satie, Oden & Fatzo, and Franky Wah.

Luzi Tudor’s story is one of resilience, passion, and creativity. Whether she's behind the decks or leading innovative health tech initiatives, Luzi is dedicated to making a difference and lighting up the dance floor with her illuminating energy and sound.

Mr. Diamond has been a longtime resident with the Gray Area family! Having the first release on our record label Omakase, he has also been featured in lineups for Gray Area shows alongside Guti, Sidney Charles, Matroda, Westend, Gene Farris, Tini Gessler, Shermanology, and many more to come.

Music has always been central to Mr. Diamond's life. Immersed in 80's synthpop, 90's electro, and 00's house and trance, he taught himself to play guitar, bass, and keys. Early memories of his father playing influential electronic tracks sparked his passion for the genre, leading to the creation of the "Mr. Diamond" project, where he channels his unique interpretation of house and techno.

Since then, Mr. Diamond has been on a nonstop journey of achievements, earning support and respect from industry legends and the new generation of DJ/producers alike. He has released tracks on renowned labels such as Solid Grooves, Crosstown Rebels, Cuttin' Headz, and Seven Dials. If there is anyone to keep your eyes on in house music, it’s Mr. Diamond!

NURAN was born in Azerbaijan, a country bounded by the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus Mountains. After spending several years in Russia, he made the brave move to America and began focusing on his music career. He started playing boat parties in Miami before landing high-profile Gray Area gigs alongside Hannes Bieger, Maz, Mahmut Orhan, Denis Horvat, Shimza, and many more.

NURAN has also released music on our record label Omakase, with his tracks supported by industry heavyweights like Adriatique, Oliver Koletzki, Township Rebellion, Eelke Klejn, Maceo Plex, John Digweed, Joseph Capriati, Paco Osuna, Paul Oakenfold, Blondish, and Korolova. One of his exciting recent gigs was at the Chi-town house and techno music festival, Arc.

There is no doubt that NURAN will continue to evolve and take the music scene by storm!

Emerging from the vibrant streets of Brooklyn, New York, Palazzo, real name Peter Palazzolo, is a dynamic name in the music scene. Raised in an Italian family with a rich musical heritage, Palazzo was introduced to freestyle and disco at an early age, eventually finding his passion in electronic music with Afrojack's "Moombah."

Palazzo's sound blends groovy basslines with emotional melodies, inspired by artists like deadmau5, i_o, Vintage Culture, Volaris, and Jamie Jones. He began DJing at 15, performing at local bars and events. Previously known as MIME, he performed at major festivals like Electric Zoo and Shanghai's Storm Festival, and produced remixes for artists such as Sam Smith, DJ Snake, and French Montana.

Seeking a fresh start, Palazzo adopted his new moniker and is set to release his debut EP "Canvas," featuring tracks "Sungazing" and "First Day," at the end of July. He debuted under his new name, performing with Patrice Baumel at Superior Ingredients.

Driven by a desire to connect with his audience, Palazzo creates immersive soundscapes that elevate and inspire, uniting listeners on the dance floor.