The Crobar chain of nightclubs has made a name for itself with an eye for design and an aptitude for decadence. A night at a Crobar venue is the whole shebang, lasers, dance performances, spacious dance-floors and pumping house music on a massive sound system. Crobar Chicago is now plugged into the Awdio network so watch out for upcoming heavyweight DJs Laidback Luke and JJ Flores spinning very soon.

Chicago-born Juan Lopez aka Johnny Fiasco began his career as a DJ at some of the first underground house” parties in Chicago, and in 88 he landed a residency at Smart Bar with Mark Farina. 20 years on Johnny has been engaging new audiences with The “Klassik Fiasco” re-releases as well as a tour de force. The masterful and accomplished Fiasco continually reinvents himself through his timeless house music creations. Tonight (Friday 27th March) you can hear him spinning live on Awdio.com from the Oseao & Juno Party at the Miami WMC. We asked Johnny a little more about himself: Read the interview
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Next Tuesday (24th Feb) it’s Mardi Gras and that means Carnival time in Brazil. The incredible Rio Carnival takes over the city on Friday with the lovely feather clad Samba dancers, Brazil is so famous for, shimmying non stop until the big day on Tuesday. Big players on the club scene will also be in Rio this weekend for the annual Rio Music Conference, featuring workshops and events demonstrating that it’s not all Samba and Bossa in Brazil as the electronic music scene is also very much alive and kicking. Some of the Awdio crew will be present, so just follow the stickers! Awdio listeners can also enjoy Carnival sounds live from Sonotheque (Fri 20th), Drom’s Mardi Gras Special with Isle of Klezbos & Sanda Weigl (24th) and a Fellini themed Carnival party at Favela Chic Paris (24th) and Favela Chic London (25th).

The Michigan based label Ghostly, run by Sam Valenti, hosts a regular event at Chicago’s Sonotheque showcasing its artists featuring both live performances and DJ sets. Ghostly and it’s sister label Spectral have been exploring the fringes of experimental pop and dance music since 1999 and really came to life with the discovery and early releases of the talented producer Matthew Dear. At this event (Thur 12th Feb) you will get the rare chance to listen to the melancholic and elegant musical forms of reclusive Seattle based artist known as The Sight Below. Lusine will also be performing live with DJ sets by Josh Eustis and Jeff Owens.

Joe Bryl has been sited as Chicago’s most interesting DJ. He’s been working in the entertainment industry for over 20 years. A true pioneer, with the aim to push international sounds as a DJ, and as the artistic director of Sonotheque he has come to present internationally renowned DJs. He also holds the monthly ‘Braziliance’ night showcasing the best Brazilain, soulful Samba and funky favela. Find out more about the man behind one of Chicago’s most diverse and forward thinking clubs. Read the interview

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