In January, Los Angeles DJ AC Slater (real name: Aaron Clevenger) launched a monthly electronic music party called Night Bass inspired by UK garage. It became so popular that this fall, he’s set to take the party on tour. Beginning Oct. 1, Clevenger will play 12 cities in 12 days, beginning in Montreal and wrapping in San Francisco.
“This sound sits in a middle ground between crazy EDM festivals and the purist house scene,” he said. “There wasn’t an outlet for that in Los Angeles, so I made one.”
The party is also Clevenger’s way of encouraging dance music fans to be more aware of the genre’s history, and to focus on the sounds rather than elaborate visuals or special effects. As dance music has transitioned into the mainstream, Clevenger said he worries about the less commercial interpretations getting lost in the shuffle. The Night Bass shows will be more accessible than an underground warehouse party, but have the same vibe.
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“Sometimes you don’t want someone screaming at you to throw your hands up every five minutes or to be blinded by lasers,” he said. “Sometimes you just want to go to a dark club and dance.”
Joining him on the road are Jack Beats, Hannah Wants and Kry Wolf, the latter of which is quickly gaining traction thanks to their hit “Turbosteppa,” which is a collaboration with legendary producer Claude VonStroke, who runs the Dirtybird label. The tour is sponsored by the L.A. lifestyle brand Massiv.
Night Bass North America Tour Dates
October 1 Montreal, Canada @ New City Gas
October 2 Denver, CO @ Beta
October 3 Brooklyn, NY @ Verboten
October 4 Toronto, Canada @ Tattoo *
October 5 Miami, FL @ Grand Central *
October 6 Boston, MA @ Royale
October 7 Austin, TX @ Republic
October 8 Vancouver, Canada @ Celebrities
October 9 San Diego, CA @ Fluxx
October 10 Los Angeles, CA @ Lot 613 *
October 11 Albuquerque, NM @ El Rey
October 12 San Francisco, CA @ Mezzanine
* does not include Kry Wolf