OUR MOTLEY CREW.
SPENCER
A classically trained violinist since four, Style Matters head, Spencer, would be lost without the guidance of sound. A beat nut since the very beginning, he's been spinning since his teenage years, and has musical interests that span from contemporary electronic funk to classical compositions centuries old. As one-third of local DJ collective, Orchard Lounge, he's currently a resident at Lava Lounge, Funky Buddha Lounge, and Moonshine, and regularly plays gigs outside of Chicago. Chosen as BPM magazine's Next On the Decks grand prize winner for his "Land of Nod" downtempo mix, he's also been featured in the Home Grown section of UR Chicago. Spencer ended his seven year relationship with corporate America in late 2006 to concentrate on making Style Matters the first company Chicagoans think of when you're in need of booking highly talented and creative DJs. He also teaches the violin, and has been focusing on his own original production work.
BETHANY
Spencer's wife Bethany is a flight attendant for Southwest Airlines by day, and a party-rockin' DJ by night. An eight-year veteran behind the decks, she was recently interviewed for a write-up on Orchard Lounge in the New City. As talented a DJ as Bethany is, she does not work Style Matters events (the main reason: she weighs less than one of our speakers), but rather, acts as an assistant to the rest of the team. She also handles all of the administrative and accounting work we're just too dense to comprehend. When not working the decks, this free spirit is usually the first on the dance floor, and the last to leave. Raised in the south, she's got eclectic tastes that range from Dolly Parton to Brother Ali, M.I.A. to the Brazilian Funk group, Bonde Do Role. Never one to take herself too seriously, she's the life of the party, but at the same time has a very keen business sense that keeps the company running smoothly.
NATE
Like the rest of the gang, Nate has dedicated his life to music. Focusing most of his efforts on producing records full-time, he recently had not one, not two, but three original tunes signed to the Chicago based Poontin Muzik label. In addition to his production work, Nate acts as Music Director at Moonshine, where he recently celebrated the three-year anniversary of his weekly, "Therapy Thursdays". He also started a highly popular podcast, where you'll find many previously recorded DJ sets by Nate, friends, and heavy weights (check out that set with DJ Krush!). Nate is a master of almost all genres, and a true school music nerd. He's also got a voice to match his turntable talents, and has sung solo at past Style Matters events. Nate is a twelve-year veteran behind the decks, and has also recently started his own label, Bad Advice Records.
DUKE
A DJ ever since we can remember, Duke is also one of the most talented music journalists we've ever met. You may recognize his name from the NewCity Chicago Newspaper, where he's written some fantastic pieces,and acts as Editor for the Clubs Section. Or, you may have seen some of his work in recent issues of BPM magazine, where he's had the chance to interview artists like James Murphy, ADULT., Peter Hook, Tiefschwarz, and DJ Spooky. Duke has held the coveted position of Saturday night resident DJ at Moonshine for almost three years, and along with his uncanny ability to discover cutting-edge new artists, he has one of the most impressive classic dance floor-filling collections we've ever seen. One of the most technically skilled DJs on the roster, Duke has been billed alongside such acts as Nouvelle Vague, TV On The Radio, The Aliens, and M.A.N.D.Y.
MARCO
Inspired by his father's vinyl collection of funk, soul and disco, Marco started scratching and mixing when he was just seventeen. Assuming the moniker of "The Hustler," he began entering--and usually winning--dozens of Chicago-based DJ competitions throughout the late 1990s. His success during battles earned him guest appearances at Chicago clubs including SmartBar, Boom Boom Room, Zentra, The Note, and Crobar, to name a few. Marco's work on the decks also caught the attention of producers from "The Jenny Jones Show," who invited him to spin during a live, studio taping. In 2002 he was accepted to the prestigious Red Bull Music Academy in Sal Paulo, Brazil. Here, he immersed himself in production and performance techniques. His success in the program earned an invitation to play the Sonar Festival in Barcelona, Spain as a RBMA alumnus. A talented producer in his own right, look for Marco to meld the diversity of sound when he launches his own record label in mid 2008. In the mean time, you can catch him at his very popular night, "Blamby", Wednesdays @ Moonshine.
MAX
A highly requested former employee of Fig Media, and DJ of eight years, we're happy to have Max on the team. Max's career in music started at age six, when he began classical piano lessons. At thirteen he bought his first synthesizer (a Roland D-50), and to this day focuses on music production under the moniker, Maxabstrax. He earned his Music Degree in 1999 from Wabash College, and also studied at City University in London for Electronic Music Composition. After school he went to work for Sweetwater Sound, where he built a client roster including artists like NIN, Stevie Wonder, Moody Blues, and John Fogerty. He's currently the resident DJ at Emerald Loop, Vaughan's Pub, and Mystic Celt, and appears frequently at Schubas and the Double Door, as well. Because of his time spent at Fig, Max is incredibly knowledgable not only with a plethora of different types of music, but also working a wide variety of high profile events. Max is currently awaiting a decision from Northwestern University, to be accepted into their elite Music Technology graduate program.
MARGOT
Margot, widely recognized around the Midwest as "Diskokitty", is known for her multi-faceted talents in expressing audio pleasures for a myriad of audiences. In addition to her work with Style Matters, she's currently a resident DJ for both AMP Productions and Intergruv Networks, and she frequently appears on Chicago Public Radio: WNUR. Margot started classical piano lessons at four, and it was then that she realized music quenched a powerful thirst within her. She developed an affinity for hip hop at an early age, and participated in musical activities like marching band, orchestra, and choir throughout her childhood. She bought her first set of turntables when she got to college, and has been destroying dance floors ever since with her unique ability to create a sophisticated mix by blending a cross-section of different genres. This cat wants to ensure that there is always good music to be heard--no matter what the medium, genre, or audience--and we couldn't be happier to have her in the Style Matters family.
DUSTIN
With almost twenty years of djing experience, Dustin has enjoyed music for most of his awake hours. During his teens he collected records inspired from his experiences breakdancing, and he was influenced by his parents eclectic record collection of funk, soul, jazz, African, rock, hip-hop and pop. Eventually he studied music at Columbia College, where he also began playing trombone. Though at one point his focus was to create original music, Dustin has always craved to collect music of all genres, not only classic party rockers, but he's also curious about lesser known releases. This philosophy can be heard in his dj sets, which have been known to embrace different types and styles of music. With many house parties, loft parties, and bedroom sets to account for, Dustin has spun and maintained residencies in and around Chicago professionally for over ten years. The Metro, The House of Blues, The Elbo Room, Double Door, Goodbar, Spoon, The Morseland, and The Note, are a few of the clubs he has played in, while also being hired by a large number of corporate groups as well. Dustin has spun at over fifty weddings to date, and is constantly referred to others through having experienced one of his wedding sets. He prides himself in providing great music for any event, and maintains a busy schedule in doing so.
BEN (Madison, Wisconsin)
An iconic figure in the jam band scene, Ben's passion for music borders on obsession. A wiz on the guitar, and creator of one of the first ever (!!!) internationally recognized audio blogs, Silver's Boogaloo, this man thrives on exposing the masses to rare undiscovered music, new and old. Ben married in 2005 and currenly resides in Madison, Wisconsin. Now that he's prepped for Style Matters-North gigs, he's available for 2008 bookings in both the Madison and Milwaukee areas. When not working as Director of Sales for his sports management company, he runs the popular monthly, "Altruistic", at The Social. Currently, Ben is focusing on a unique new project entitled Liquid Sky, where he's teaming up with a team of film buffs to create an audio/visual DJ mix of mid-tempo gems that will eventually be available in .M4P format. He's as passionate as they come, and his love for what he does is evident every single times he puts the headphones on.
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