Electronic Dance Music (EDM) is the queen of dance music. It moves and grooves and takes listeners on an immersive journey. The beats drop, the dance floor comes to life and the DJ weaves his or her magic, connecting the audience to the pulsing sound of electronic music.
There are many genres and subgenres that make up EDM. Some main genres include House, Techno, Dubstep, Drum, Bass and Trance. Tahoe is home to a host of new DJs who are exploring and creating the world of EDM. Each offers a unique style. They come from different backgrounds and musical leanings. Yet, they all have something in common: They are passionate about music and they want to bring people together to have fun.
Check out the music from these local DJs at soundcloud.com.
RAZL
DJ RAZL loves mixing music. His positive energy when he plays music is contagious. He describes his sound as soulful House. His silent discos are tremendous fun and he can be found playing at venues, parties and festivals with a lot of upbeat love. Growing up in Chicago, he listened to House music and says it feels like part of his body chemistry. Primarily self-taught, he has spent countless hours listening to music, learning, honing and crafting his art. He has learned whatever he can from other DJs and shares what he knows with others. Playing for a crowd is an art in and of itself. Creating connection and a space to laugh and love is the key to RAZL’s energy and dance-floor vibe.
“I think the whole concept of people coming together, sharing space in energy, in movement and with music, is a catalyst that’s super powerful. And as a DJ, I don’t take that responsibility lightly.”
–RAZL
“I think the whole concept of people coming together, sharing space, in energy, in movement and with music is a catalyst that’s super powerful. And as a DJ, I don’t take that responsibility lightly. I look to see how the people react with the space, how they are interacting with each other, creating an environment where people are connecting together, feeling free to move and express themselves. There’s so much healing that takes place through music and dance and now more than ever, it’s something that we need,” he says.
RAZL lays out soulful beats and knows what his audience loves to dance to.
The Acidic Rabbi
The Acidic Rabbi, aka Ben Lazar, is new to the EDM scene. Originally from Brooklyn, Lazar spent years working in the record industry, immersed in rock and hip hop. Lazar was inspired by a newfound love of House music when he started attending Burning Man and the festival scene. Lazar credits RAZL for encouraging him to follow his passion and love for music to become a DJ and mix music.
“I love to play music that’s a little edgier. I play a lot of Techno House, NU Disco and Progressive House and music that has a real root in African-American music. I try to make connections between the history of American rhythmic dance music — whether it’s soul, rock or jazz — and find the connecting threads to make people dance. And there’s a hip-hop influence. The inspiration is the thread of music that I followed my entire life,” he says.
Cindy B
Cindy B is the current resident DJ for Homewood Mountain Resort bringing EDM vibes to the mountain and curating the DJ lineup on the weekends. She started mixing music during the pandemic. She credits her love of EDM from her time spent at Burning Man and other festivals she has attended since the late 1990s.
“I pull different remixes of songs that people recognize, but they are still in a House format, whether it’s funky House or Tech House. It’s my sweet spot, it’s where I’m the happiest and where I find my favorite flow. The spark for me is Tech House and Bass House. I love bouncy, fun and upbeat,” she says.
Looking to DJ full time, Cindy B is having the time of her life mixing music.
Mo’Steph and NatNotNate
Mo’Steph and NatNotNate are a unique couple. They are DJs who live together, but rarely DJ together. Both frequent the South Lake Tahoe and Reno DJ scene. And while their styles are different, they live and breathe music. Mo’Steph leans into House music, mainly Techno House. She is heavily influenced by Desert Hearts and Dirtybird Records, both record labels that host festivals. She loves the culture and familial vibe of the companies.
“They have a fan base that’s quirky and fun and upbeat,” she says, adding that choosing music to play is a bit like fishing. “I try something out and if it doesn’t work, I try something else. It’s like using different bait. You have to see if you get people perked up, see if they are interested. Often, I’ll play two tracks that I think are wonderful and fit the vibe and then maybe a cover or something recognizable.
Whether she’s working at Heavenly Mountain Resort or Rojos Tavern or rocking the American Century Celebrity Golf Tournament, Mo’Steph is on fire.
When you listen to NatNotNate’s mixes, you might be drawn into his melodic, jazzy, hypnotic music that he says entrance you.” His mixes include Deep House and European Techno House. His musical tastes are eclectic from old-school, East Coast hip hop to classic rock, blues, funk, soul and jazz. NatNotNate echoes what many DJs express, which is the importance of playing what you love and having the ability to read the audience.
“I feel like adaptability is part of being a DJ. We’ve got to read the room. I am generally bold in my stylistic choices lately. I always think about where I am in the lineup, what time that is, who else is playing the venue and the kind of vibe of the party,” he says.
“I just try to immerse myself in things I’m especially passionate about. I feel like passion fuels the desire to learn and your ability to learn. So, I just went headfirst in pretty regularly,” he says.
