Sleepy and Boo, the pair of faces which have come to stand for New York City’s underground electronic music scene today, have dual-handedly built a party culture with a solidarity that has revived the spirit of dance in our city. Born from their authentic love for electronic music and its rich international culture, Sleepy and Boo founded Basic NYC, throwing Saturday night parties at Sullivan Room featuring global DJ’s such as Jeff Mills, Josh Wink, Satoshi Tomiie and UK-born dj and producer Radioslave who will be playing here this coming weekend, on March 20th. In addition to throwing killer parties, Sleepy and Boo also glide along the cutting-edge of today’s electronic sounds, spinning at venues all over Manhattan including Cielo, Pacha and Water Taxi, in addition to playing all of the opening/closing sets for the Basic parties. Simultaneously working the tables, a Korg Electribe sampler and KAOSS pad, Sleepy and Boo clutter your head with spacey synth riffs and stir up your stomach with minimal drum loops and techy basslines.

We met Franz Filter during Independence Day at our a true Gradient friend David Gensler’s BBQ. Franz struck us as someone who was very well rounded when it comes to music inspirations. His expertise is focused on playing and understanding great music. Based out of Switzerland, Franz Filter has been able to compile great music in this podcast made especially for Gradient Magazine. Check out his podcast in the Gradient music section.

Our good friends at Autist Records are preparing Niko Schwind’s upcoming debut full-length album The Autistic Disco. The digital release includes 8 uplifting and funky tech house songs plus 2 remixes by longtime friends Boris Brechja aka Anna and Channel X. Born in 1978 between Trier and Koblenz, German DJ and producer Niko Schwind was infected by techno fever in the late 1990s, with lasting impressions left by the Cologne electronic music scene. He started producing his own music in 2004 – intensely developing his sound after relocating to techno mecca Berlin three years later.

Leo Choi has emerged in the last year as one of the hottest young producers of minimal techno from Buenos Aires. Born in Argentina to Korean parents, Leo began his musical education as a tween with guitar and drums. Exposure to electronic music soon thereafter gave him the itch to make his own music and by age 18 he was already actively contributing to the techno scene as a DJ and party organizer. This year, Leo has concentrated on production to hone his sound, and the results so far have been impressive. Leo Choi looks to minimal heroes like Donnacha Costello, Marc Houle, Troy Pierce and Matt Star for inspiration. His debut “Solid EP“ released on independent Berlin techno label Autist records has made a splash this summer and his playfully funky, pumping tracks have appeared regularly on Richie Hawtin’s twittered track listings. Check out his latest podcast for Gradient Magazine.

New York based producer and DJ, Oleg Slepak is the other 1/2 of techno duo Animaltek. Oleg has devoted his life to producing electronic music and has toured all over the world playing clubs in places like Australia, Berlin, New York and Los Angeles. “Always searching for newer and bolder ways to express his inner voice and satisfy the urge for unique and original structure in music Oleg submerged himself deeply into the world of jazz and experimental electronic music as well as computer music production and the art of audio recording, vastly expanding his possibilities.” Take a listen to Slepak it will be well worth it!

Jeff Roll represents the best avante-garde Techno from every corner of the globe. Starting his DJ career back in 2003, he has trekked up and down the East Coast from Miami to New York City. 2006 marked the beginning of his production career and he will have upcoming releases on Aurora Music, TECHN(+) Records, and his own label Sneakers & Speakers. The exclusive mix for Gradient Magazine was inspired by his sets for TECHN(+) THURSDAYS @ SIN SIN Nightclub in New York City (248 E. 5 Street & 2nd Avenue). Take a listen to the podcast in the Gradient Magazine Music section. For tracking listing read the read of the post.