Back 2 Basics With Chez Damier & Kai Alce [Extended Bar Hours]

Splitting his time between Detroit, Chicago and occasionally New York, Chez Damier​ set up the Music Institute with Derrick May while Alton Miller looked after its business affairs. He also managed the studio outputs of Kevin Saunderson’s KMS label while helping countless producers get a start in production. Chez and Kai Alce​'s paths have crossed throughout the years while Kai has worn many hats in the biz from DJ, producer, record store buyer, label owner, and many more. Kai Alce is a walking history of house music and we’re excited to have these two legends back at Flash this summer. In honor of Independence Day, we will be serving until 4AM.

DC House Groove's Andy Grant begins the evening's programming, while #BODYFEEL's Throe​ & Dansman​ inaugurate their new series ear2ear on the roof with Dean Douglas Sullivan. Select DC​'s Foot Therapy is back in the bar.

       

Chez Damier

discogs | resident advisor

A legendary figure in electronic music, Chez Damier has played close witness to many of the pivotal moments in the history of house and techno. Jointly responsible with partner Ron Trent for both Prescription Records - widely recognized as one of the greatest labels of all time - and The Morning Factory - one of the most ethereal jams ever to rock a room - Chez Damier carries abound the soul of house music.

KMS, The Music Institute, The Bellville three: the Chicago DJ has played pivotal roles in the development of all three hallowed pieces of musical history. However his natural artistry and constant need to out do even himself has led to him passing off such seminal tunes as Can You Feel It as just a stage in his artistic development.

After a few years managing the KMS studio and label for Kevin Saunderson, he returned to his hometown of Chicago and, alongside Ron Trent, created the musical legacy that has guaranteed his legend. Immortal cuts like "Sometimes I Feel Like," "The Choice" and "Be My"-remain unparalleled examples of the genre. After taking an extended break from the music industry either side of the turn of the millennium, the house music impulse returned to Damier.

A handful of releases in 2004 and the odd DJ date hinted that a return was on the cards. In 2009, the last year of the decade Damier found a trusted outlet for his talents. A series of releases for the German label Mojuba signaled that he was on his way back to show the young pretenders the way. Taking up the torch of Prescription, Damier launched Balance Alliance as a home for some of the most forward thinking and talented producers he deems fit to join him on the imprint. With constant momentum building behind him, Chez Damier continues to explore fresh artistic avenues and legendary status as a DJ.

Kai Alce

web | ndatl

There’s a humble power about Kai Alce. Perhaps it’s a combination of his Haitian roots, his youth spent in St. Croix, and his New York City upbringing. It is evident when he steps behind the turntables or CDJs, where he is at once clearly comfortable and believe it or not, just a tad bit nervous.

After more than 20 years in the business, yes, “The Kaizer” still gets butterflies.

That’s probably what makes Kai Alce (pronounced al-SAY) such a force: He doesn’t settle down, blend in or go along. That integrity comes through in every gig he’s worked – from his early days at Detroit’s Music Institute when he was just teenager, to the 10-year-long DEEP legacy at MJQ that he co-founded, to the production company, NDATL, that he created in 2008.

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