- Few parties in Detroit stand out as vividly in my memory as the ones put on by Interdimensional Transmissions. There was the time I had to decipher a jumbled, alien-like message on a hotline to figure out an address for a sweaty warehouse party with Claude Young—I think it was called ''Brother From Another Planet.'' Then there was that six-hour set from Derek Plaslaiko at a place called Tangent Gallery. In keeping with their stellar reputation, IT's Samhain XIV party at TV Lounge featuring BMG, Erika and Mike Servito was another unforgettable affair.
The venue was transformed to give a warehouse feel, with billowing curtains hung in both the Blue Room and Chrome Room (IT parties are known for extravagant décor). Nets were suspended above the DJ booth, which, seen alongside the booth's textured wooden exterior, gave the illusion of a sunken ship. The sound was extra-amped by Audio Rescue Team, and when I walked in, IT-founder BMG (Brendan M. Gillen) was laying down an eclectic cosmic disco set that complimented the post-Halloween, Samhain vibe. In a state of pure euphoria, BMG dropped Prince's B-side smash “17 Days,” along with Skatt Brothers' ''Walk the Night'' and Talking Drums’ ''Courage.'' He then moved into acid house, closing with ''No Way Back'' by Adonis.
Erika's set was so immediately bass-heavy that the speakers sent a full drink flying onto the floor. She played all new, unreleased and unnamed material—a sort of trial run for her latest creations—and it went over very well with the crowd. The new tracks were celestial-like; a dark techno sound accented by an intergalactic feel. Mike Servito closed the night, turning out a fiery set to a packed house. Standouts included Gunnar Haslam's “Overcomplete,” La-4a's “Invader,” Sleezy D's “I've Lost Control” and Tyree's “I Fear the Night (Fear the Dub Mix)." With an eclectic range of music from start to finish, the Samhain party was yet another IT smash in Detroit.