Paul Nickerson

House

Paul Nickerson is a New York City based DJ and record collector who gained prominence as the proprietor of the influential Brooklyn record shop Dope Jams. His sound is rooted in a deep knowledge of house, disco, and classic dance music, often characterized by spontaneous, genre-spanning selections that prioritize musical history over contemporary trends. Following the closure of his Brooklyn storefront, he relocated to Oak Hill to operate the record shop and venue Preserved Instincts, where he continues to host intimate, community-focused events. He frequently collaborates with the Slow To Speak collective and has held notable appearances at venues such as Public Records. His approach to DJing remains defined by a commitment to high-fidelity sound and a refusal to adhere to rigid genre constraints. Nickerson stands out as a vital curator who preserves the spirit of New York dance culture by treating the DJ booth as a space for archival storytelling rather than mere performance.

Turtle Bugg

House

Born in New Jersey and shaped by the New York City underground, Turtle Bugg is a Detroit based selector who approaches dance music through the lens of African Diasporic heritage. He co founded the Basement Floor label and remains a central figure in the Sublimate party collective, where he champions a raw, vinyl centric sound that defies rigid genre categorization. His sets frequently weave together chunky drum machines, acid synths, and funk infused rhythms, reflecting a deep commitment to the cultural roots of American dance music. Beyond his work behind the decks, he is a vocal advocate for diversity and consciousness within the electronic music community. His refusal to adhere to fleeting trends makes him a vital, grounding force in a scene often distracted by the cycle of the new.

4AM NYC

House

4AM NYC is a Detroit based DJ, producer, and educator who emerged from the underground scene of New York City. Known for a vinyl focused approach, their sets traverse house, techno, and leftfield selections with a focus on emotional narrative and dancefloor energy. They founded the party series and radio show Spiritual Mental Physical in 2017, which anchored residencies at venues such as Good Room, Public Records, and Le Bain. In 2024, they contributed to the IYKYK compilation on the Brooklyn label Air Texture, highlighting femme and nonbinary producers. Their sound is characterized by a vivid emotional spectrum and a commitment to the rhythm of the dance floor.

GE-OLOGY

House

Baltimore born and New York City based, GE-OLOGY is a multidisciplinary artist whose career spans over three decades of production, DJing, and visual arts. Initially recognized for his foundational work in hip hop, producing for artists such as Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and De La Soul, he later pivoted toward house and electronic music with his 2015 debut single Moon Circuitry on Theo Parrish's Sound Signature label. His DJ sets are characterized by a deep, vinyl-focused approach that traverses jazz, soul, funk, disco, and house, often incorporating technical flourishes inspired by Chicago pioneers. He has performed at international venues and festivals including Dekmantel and Le Bain, maintaining a reputation for unpredictable, journey-oriented selections. GE-OLOGY remains a vital figure in the underground scene, valued for his technical mastery and his ability to bridge disparate musical histories into a cohesive dancefloor experience.