Hot Flash: Flash Meets Hot Mass

Co-founder of Pittsburgh-based promoter and record label collective DETOUR. Unrelenting fan of weird techno and raw acid and electro jams

A native of the Bronx, Ondo moved to Pittsburgh and immersed himself in the city’s ever-growing electronic scene. Inspired by the live acts he has experienced over the past few years, Ondo is constantly refining his sound and performance to express both his love for electronic music and his urban/soulful roots. Ondo is currently a resident DJ and booker at Pittsburgh's legendary Hot Mass. His monthly after-hours parties regularly attract the biggest and most diverse crowds the city has seen in years. Along with his tight-knit team he runs Detour Records, a vinyl-only imprint focused on House and Techno; the label has released critically acclaimed records from leading global artists. Additionally, Ondo heads MISC, a label that melds beautiful visual works with downtempo electronic genres that go beyond the House and Techno scene. Despite his success as a promotor and label-head, Ondo truly comes into his own behind the decks. His sets, whether in big room New York venues, intimate Pittsburgh clubs, or Mutek Mexico afterparties, have been hailed as transformative and robust. Ondo's years of dedicated practice have left him with the remarkable ability to please and adapt to any audience, the mark of a truly special DJ.

A founding member of Columbus’ Midwest Fresh warehouse party, Tony transplanted himself to Pittsburgh and joined Aaron & Paul in hosting Humanaut’s monthly residence at Hot Mass. Tony’s thoughtful curation of house and techno doesn't end behind the decks. At the end of 2016 he launched Is/Was, a record label dedicated to carrying the torch of Midwest dance music into the future.

Coming of age in the DC’s rave days, George developed his own sound with the weekly left-field electronic night, FILLER. These varied influences are on display with an eclectic approach to his sets. Whether it’s sun-drenched disco, jackin’ house, or a journey into dark room techno his sound has found a home as a resident at the raucous all-nighter: Honcho.

Co-Founder of Honcho and part of the Hot Mass crew

Navbox emigrated to the States in the 90s from Iran as a classically trained pianist with a deep passion for music. That passion turned him onto electronic music and he picked up a pair of turntables at the turn of the last century. In the early 2000's, he got his start playing in Washington DC before relocating to Boston and studying music engineering. Soon after, he found himself playing the underground circuit in Boston, comfortably tangled up in house & techno yet again. Returning to the District in '08, he continued to pursue DJ'ing and found that the city was missing an underground dance music scene. He founded Stranger Than Paradise (STP) and began curating events in clubs, bars, warehouses, rooftops and wherever else he could. Navbox mastered his craft playing alongside leading talents like Cassy, Bruno Pronsato, Delano Smith, Jan Krueger and many others. Fast forward to 2016 and Navbox has been at it for many years. Between DJ'ing and producing, he is booker and resident DJ for Flash in Washington DC, an incredible venue built for house and techno. His love for music is evident in his musical repertoire, spanning from deep house to techno, and his passion leads him to seek music that moves the feet as well as the mind. Navbox portrays the DJ-set as a journey, continually striving to break down static conceptions of house music in ways that inspire listeners beyond the confines of clubs and parties.

Throe is the moniker of Washington D.C. based DJ Peter Kaufmann. A long time dance music aficionado, his skills as a selector are supported by a curiosity and plain passion that ignores rigid genre boundaries. A brief run through of past shows confirms this fact. He has served as both headlining talent and as an opener for a diverse array of respected dance music names including Leon Vynehall, Mathias Kaden, George Fitzgerald, Till Von Sein, Bambounou, Jeremy Underground, Jacques Greene, Norm Talley, Pangaea, and many others. With a knack for moving seamlessly between house, techno, and disco, his sets are additionally characterized by free-flowing energy and an organic combination of classic, current, and progressive sounds. He plays regularly throughout the D.C. area, taking control of the decks at globally recognized venues like Flash, U Street Music Hall, Eighteenth Street Lounge, and the Velvet Lounge. In addition to his years of experience DJing, he is the co-founder of #BODYFEEL -- a monthly showcase that has spotlighted cutting edge local & international dance music talent since its inception in 2014. Throe is currently represented by DC based BFF Bookings.

Since 2005, BARONHAWK has served as an Artistic Director, DJ, and producer for Urban Artistry Inc., a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization. In partnership with U Street Music Hall, he has opened for artists such as: Disclosure, Oscar G, Grandmaster Flash and local DC legend Sam "The Man" Burns. He has held residencies at U Street Music Hall, Tropicalia, Satellite Room, Velvet Lounge, Mova Lounge, Phase 1 Dupont, the Forward Festival, and the International Soul Society Festival. Due to his background in competitive dance culture, Baronhawk earned opportunities to play at respectable events such as: "The Book of Styles" (DC), "Smoking Permitted 2″ (Indiana), "Think Big Battle" (Denmark), "Who Can Roast The Most" (DC), and the USA qualifier for the "Flow Mo Anniversary." While working as an Assistant Manager at The Record Exchange, he began collecting vinyl, CDs and other forms of media, gaining a deep respect for the art of digging.