Events

Robert Henke aka Monolake is surely one of the most influential figures in electronic music today. By our count, he has released sixteen albums since his debut in 1993, and there isn't a single dud amongst them. While every one of these albums is instantly recognizable to us as a Henke production, they cover an incredibly wide range of sounds and ideas, everything from subtle drones to fierce dance music. Aside from releasing some of the best electronic music we've heard for almost two decades, Robert has also played a major role in the creation and development of Ableton Live, the most successful music software in the world. Originally developed as a Max patch by Henke as a way to create and perform his own music in a live setting, it has become the software of choice for nearly everyone making digital music these days. In addition to his many accomplishments in the studio, Monolake is one of the most exciting live electronic musicians we've encountered, as he constantly experiments with the problems surrounding live computer-based performances. In his own words, "I provide the audience with an experience it cannot get at home or when listening to a DJ set. I make use of multiple channels of audio, I place the listener in a deep, wide field of sound that is much bigger than the physical room defined by the speakers and the walls. I constantly interact with my instruments, and no performance is like another." Not nearly satisfied with any of the commercially available MIDI-controllers, Henke decided to create his own, the Monodeck. His latest version, the Monodeck II, allows him to perform a highly improvisitory set without looking at the computer screen. Tonight, Robert will be presenting his Monolake Live Surround performance, which places him in the middle of the room, surrounded by the audience while running unique feeds to each of four speaker stacks. We caught a Live Surround set at the Unsound Festival in Krakow last year, and it was undoubtedly the highlight of the week. The last time Monolake joined us at The Bunker was over five years ago at Tonic, and we're beyond thrilled to welcome him back.

Moritz Von Oswald and Mark Ernestus created one of the most important bodies of work in the history of electronic music with their releases as Basic Channel, Maurizio, Burial Mix, and Rhythm & Sound. They created the Chain Reaction label to release the music of other artists, introducing the world to Monolake, Vladislav Delay, Porter Ricks, and tonight's special guests Substance, Vainqueur, and their collaborative Scion project. While Moritz and Mark set the bar incredibly high with their own productions, the Chain Reaction catalog is equally impressive. There is simply no way to overestimate the influence these labels had on the founding of The Bunker, not to mention it's overall impact on the electronic music universe. Tonight, DJ Pete (aka Substance) and Rene Lowe (aka Vainqueur) will present DJ sets and a collaboritive live set as Scion. DJ Pete has worked at the legendary Hardwax store in Berlin for 19 years, and has probably forgotten more about techno that most of us will ever know. Scion's live sets have taken them around the world, playing everywhere from Berghain in Berlin to the Labyrinth Festival in Japan. Thier set at The Bunker back in November 2009 was one of the most sublime sets of live electronic music we've ever heard.

Ken Meier has been playing electronic music since 1995, picking up his first pair of decks at the impressionable age of fourteen. Alongside his older brother and long-time collaborator, Karl, Ken cut his teeth at various parties in and around the midwest, including performances at large-scale events such as Direct Drive, Even Furthur, and Sector 616. He has also hosted weekly shows on Chicago radio stations WNUR and WHPK. Not content with just DJing, either, Ken worked at the legendary Gramaphone Records, and has thrown parties under the monikers Interrupt Media Group and Fear of Music. His events have featured sets from a wide range of artists including Surgeon, Anthony Shakir, Derrick Carter, BMG, John Roberts, James Ruskin, Spencer Kincey, and Function, among others. Ken has some of the most diverse, interesting taste in music of anyone we know, and we're seriously excited to hear what he'll bring to the table in his opening set.