Karl Almaria

Posts Tagged ‘Karl Almaria’

Tonight in Chicago – Thursday 12.22.11 | Hoooray For The Mixtape with KARL ALMARIA, ITO, LGA!

December 22nd, 2011 |

Author: Karl

SSS

Maria’s Resident DJ: LGA – Full Spectrum | Chicago
Drawing from a collection of electronic dance music mixtapes that include the following genres and sub-genres: HI-NRG, Italo Disco, early 80s House, 90s Industrial, Freestyle, Early Breaks, 90s New Wave, House, Techno, Tech House, Drum ‘n Bass, Trance, Hardcore, Happy Hardcore, Breakbeat, Goa, West Coast House, Speedcore, etc., Full Spectrum’s own LGA (aka Luis Gabriel Aguilera) transmits for the evening his favorite sets from some of the best local, national and international DJs he’s come across over the years.

KARL ALMARIA – Bunchlox Music | Hudd Traxx | Guess Who? | Footwear | Photo
From identifying a Bob James song in an elevator, performing an air guitar riff to a Led Zeppelin song, singing along with the latest Auto Zone TV commercial, to dropping the latest Underground House cut, Karl Almaria is all about enjoying music. Karl loves a wide range of music. But living in Chicago almost all of his life has given Almaria the opportunity to witness the evolution of House Music over the years from its local early stages to the worldwide sound it is now. So today, Karl Almaria can be found not only enjoying House Music, but living it as well.

Whether it’s spinning alone, at a bar for 15 people, or at an event for 1500 people, Karl is simply a DJ at heart that enjoys it all. “Yeah, there’s nothing like creating a vibe and connecting with a receptive crowd … but there’s also something special about connecting with the music alone.”

Early on, Karl was content listening to mix tapes, collecting records, and spinning at home. However, it wasn’t long before others took notice. With plenty of encouragement from friends, he began playing out on a regular basis. 15+ years DJ experience, a creative mixing style, and on-point track selection have now taken him to DJ gigs in 17 states in the USA and have earned him an ever-growing booking schedule – including several residencies in his hometown of Chicago and beyond. Karl may be still under the radar for some, but he has amassed a decent-sized worldwide base of appreciative fans. Currently on the web, Karl hosts 2 internet radio shows: “Bunchlox Radio” every Tuesday [10-11pm Central Time on www.chicagohousefm.com] and “Sunday Brunchlox” every 4th Sunday [12-4pm Central Time on www.myhouse-yourhouse.net].

On the record label front, Karl heads up Bunchlox Music (originally co-founded with Rees Urban). From the start, the imprint’s consistent quality releases quickly created an international following. Similar to DJing, Karl’s knack for finding great music has been conducive in selecting the best of both established and up-and-coming producers. Bunchlox Music was one of the first labels to sign artists such as Avondale Music Society, Jake Childs, Jazzy Eyewear, Jonn Hawley, The Sound Republic, and Southern Roots. “If it’s good, it’s good … and people will feel it. No matter whose name is on the record.”

Along with DJing and running Bunchlox, Karl has also been focusing on music production. His original tracks & remixes have found their way into many DJ’s sets (including Diz, DJ Heather, Mark Farina, Slater Hogan & John Larner, and Raoul Belmans) and have become the subject of track IDs in many House Music circles. Karl has released tracks on Hudd Traxx, Guess Who?, Footwear, Photo Records and Red Brunette.

Enjoying the music more than ever, Karl shows no signs of slowing down. “I do all this stuff simply because it’s a part of who I am.”

ITO – International House Records | Subliminal | Sondos
Ito’s roots go deep, from spinning at local clubs to headlining events across the US. In addition, he co-founded the Hispanic Syndicate Empire which produced some of the most influential underground mix tapes in the Midwest.

In 1999 Ito produced and released his first E.P. “In Due Time” on Bad Boy Bill’s label, International House Records. Since then, Ito has collaborated on numerous remixes and ground breaking recordings, including two of the biggest underground house tracks, “Bringing the Funk” and “Soiree”, on the world-renown record label Subliminal/Sondos. His productions have been featured on several major mix compilations for dj’s such as Bad Boy Bill, Erick Morillo, Joey Beltram, DJ Dan, and Harry “Choo Choo” Romero.

Ito’s music production is reflected in his dj-ing style, by seamlessly blending disco funk house with chunky driving beats, laced with soulful vocals and occasionally veering into electro tech-y house.

FULL SPECTRUM & MARIA’S welcomes these two cool cats for the continuing HFTM series!

Free!
8p-2a
@ Maria’s
960 W. 31st, Chicago