Who

Jon Martin

jon martin

Jon Martin is a respected DJ, event producer and strategic business consultant based in New York City.  He is the founder and creative director of sub:culture.

The child of two sociologists with deep roots in the Civil Rights movement and New York’s bohemian counterculture, Jon Martin grew up at the intersection of art, culture and grassroots political activism. In his mid-teens, he parlayed his passion for music into a street promotion gig, distributing flyers for clubs like Red Zone, Palladium and Tunnel while amassing a vast record collection and making slip-cue mixtapes for his high school friends.

A few years later, working in a coat check job at Twilo, he established lifelong friendships with notable nightlife figures including Godfather of House Frankie Knuckles, who introduced him to a cadre of legendary nightlife figures including Nicky Siano, Tedd Patterson and Eric Kupper, and taught him the basics of mixing, controlling a system and working a dancefloor. Knuckles was also a tremendous musical influence, schooling Jon inside the DJ booth of his Sound Factory Bar residency, as well as in the recording studio.

Martin quickly established several small weekly DJ residencies at downtown bars and lounges at which he would cut his teeth playing a broad spectrum of genres and styles. Through these gigs, and working as part of the production team behind local cable show GrooveTV and at now-defunct dance label Rampage Music, Jon began producing larger events at Times Square’s flagship arcade Barcode as well as clubs throughout Manhattan, including Ohm, Cheetah, Club New York, Centro-Fly and 667 Bar Gallery Lounge.

Leaving Rampage for a coveted Digital Content Director position at King Street Sounds, he continued to produce events, both on his own and in conjunction with the label, and contributed to the success of artists and projects including Ananda Project, Dennis Ferrer, Steal Vybe and Underground Artists United for Life.

Jon also provided web development and strategic marketing services for many high-profile DJs, including Knuckles, Kerri Chandler, Eric Kupper, Soundman Shorty and Todd Terry, while consulting with an even wider assortment of well-known labels and artists, from UK heavy hitter Defected and jazz-centric ObliqSound to underground pioneer David Mancuso, with whom Jon had developed a deep friendship after finding his way to one of Mancuso’s legendary Loft parties in the early 2000’s.

Jon created the sub:culture brand to provide an opportunity to funnel all of these disparate energies into one direction. Producing weekly events in New York and annually in Miami for the Winter Music Conference and playing several small European tours, as well as a weekly mixshow “Life Will Make You Dance” on CyberJamz internet radio, Jon has made numerous appearances on terrestrial, internet and satellite radio both in the United States and internationally.

Today, Jon continues on his mission to deliver “the medicine in the music” with his private House of Love parties and other sub:culture events, his involvement with husband Craig Roseberry’s KID Recordings label, and as a staff contributor to both David Mancuso’s Loft Parties and Starvue Loft in Bushwick.

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DJ Shifty aka Craig Roseberry

 

Craig & Grace @ Flow Festival Helsinki

 

Industry veteran CRAIG ROSEBERRY has forged a reputation as one of the hardest working unsung heroes of the electronic, dance and alternative music underground.  Borne out of New York’s pioneering mid-late 80’s underground club and “Downtown” avant-garde art and theater scenes,  Craig was raised on a steady diet of classic soul, post-punk, jazz fusion, Afro-Latin, reggae/dub, synth-pop, dance, alternative and experimental music culture. This eclectic background would become the foundation and driving force for his multifaceted career as a respected underground music and culture authority excelling in the fields of A&R, artist management, marketing and brand development, music supervision and journalism. To call him one of the hardest-working men in the music industry would be an understatement.

Roseberry’s music career began back in 1992 with a brief tenure at Warner Bros. Records. He then moved to RCA Records handling alternative marketing and promotions for artists such as DAVE MATTHEWS BAND, OMAR, BROOKLYN FUNK ESSENTIALS, SWV and WU TANG CLAN. Having has his fill of the corporate industry machine, the burgeoning impresario decided to go the independent route joining New York-based C&S Records. From 1995-1998, Craig served as Label Manager and Marketing/Publicity Director for the indie imprint (and its techno / progressive house subsidiary, Adrenalin Records). Overseeing the labels diverse roster (which included acid jazz outfit BABY BUDDAH HEADS, alt-rockers POPPYSEED and progressive electro producer/DJ/remixer STRYKE), Craig also signed several cutting-edge artists including ELECTRONIC EYE (aka RICHARD KIRK of CABARET VOLTAIRE) and neo prog-rock outfit PORCUPINE TREE, and produced several compilation series such as AMBIENT EXTRACTIONS and AMBITIOUS.

With an extensive knowledge of music history and culture, Roseberry soon became a much sought-after music journalist and writer. Since 1996, his words have graced the pages of Billboard Magazine, BPM, XLR8R, URB and Stereophile. He’s also provided bios, press releases and sleeve notes for a diverse array of artists, labels and releases including: YOKO ONO, NINA SIMONE, BILLIE HOLIDAY, EDITORS, OMAR, JODY WATLEY, CEASARIA EVORA, HIS NAME IS ALIVE, BAUHAUS, TONES ON TAIL, BASEMENT JAXX, N’DEA DAVENPORT (of BRAND NEW HEAVIES fame), Reprise / Warner Bros., King Street Sounds / Nite Grooves, TWISTED, Studio Distribution, Bluebird / Arista Associated Labels, Legacy / Sony-BMG, Nonesuch and many more.

In 1998, budding entrepreneur launched his own multidimensional artist management and marketing company, SHIFTY ENTERTAINMENT. Focusing largely on innovative, emerging and established, artists, brands, technologies and special events, the ever-evolving entrepreneur has become a successful manager, “niche” marketing/A&R consultant and music curator with an impressive list of clients that includes: YOKO ONO, KUDU, VANESSA DAOU, RICHARD MOREL (MOREL/PINK NOISE), ROB RIVES (FLOPPY SOUNDS), Oscar and Grammy award-winning composer CRAIG ARMSTRONG, CHRIS BRANN (WAMDUE PROJECT/ANANDA PROJECT/P’TAAH), MAGNETIC FIELDS, COTTONBELLY (aka Stuart Matthewman of SADE/SWEETBACK), American punk legend BOB MOULD, ESTHERO, NEW ORDER, DEPECHE MODE, LIFEBEAT, THE OUT 100 AWARDS, KIEHL’S SINCE 1851, SHU UEMURA, CAFÉ BUSTELO and CARRERA SUNGLASSES.

Since its inception, the company has also become renowned for high-quality innovative music, forward-thinking marketing initiatives and music supervision. To date, the company has secured music placements in numerous TV shows, films, and video games such as the critically-acclaimed Showtime series QUEER AS FOLK, the Emmy Award-winning HBO series’ SIX FEET UNDER and SEX IN THE CITY, and Rockstar Games’ landmark GRAND THEFT AUTO and MIDNIGHT CLUB series.

As a DJ (working under his “DJ SHIFTY” alias), Craig has adopted an eclectic style infusing elements of electronic, dance, soul, house, Afro-Latin, future jazz, jazz-fusion, post-rock, cinematic 60’s pop and beyond creating a dynamic signature sound that is lush, sultry and hypnotic. His distinctive sound has attracted the attentions of the fashion elite, where he has served as a music consultant and DJ for top fashion houses including CHRISTIAN DIOR, FENDI, LUCA LUCA and JILL STUART.

His discography also contains several acclaimed collections (which he either compiled, produced or served as A&R consultant) including: MOODS: YOU, THE NIGHT AND THE MUSIC (2008, Backdrop/KID Recordings); YOKO ONO YES, I’M A WITCH and OPEN YOUR BOX (2007, Mindtrain/Astralwerks); AFTERDARK: CHICAGO (2005, Guidance Recordings) and MIDNIGHT SOUL 2 (2005, Kinkysweet).

Throughout the past decade, Craig has forged a unique path eschewing the traditional music business model to author his own muse. “I’ve always thrived existing a bit outside of the margins…it suits me” he explains. “You have to be passionate about what you’re doing and totally committed to your vision. Everything I’ve ever worked on has had that same undercurrent. Of course that can be incredibly challenging and overwhelming. However, if you stay true to what you love and what inspires you, you’ll eventually strike a chord with people. It’s definitely been a rollercoaster ride. You have to be prepared to deal with all of the high and lows that come with it. Ultimately, if I can continue to work with the artists and projects that satisfy my soul…how can you go wrong with that?”

In fall 2009, Roseberry will unveil his latest venture – KID RECORDINGS – his own independent record label (distributed by Backdrop/Koch).  Featuring an eclectic roster of artists including VANESSA DAOU, SOFT COMPLEX, ROB RIVES, singer/songwriter LYDIA RHODES, Glasgow-based electronic “shoegazers” FINDO GASK and more, the imprint promises to be a unique outpost for intelligent music for sophisticated music lovers specializing in lifestyle marketing and promotions, branding, strategic partnerships and synch licensing for its diverse releases.

For more information and/or booking inquiries, contact: craig.shiftykid@gmail.com

 

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Delmar Browne

Delmar Browne

Delmar Browne’s resume reads like a long list of accomplishments akin to someone receiving a lifetime achievement award. But he’s not; he’s just getting started.

He was a mobile disc jockey and assistant music producer for the Al Browne show, starring his father, the late Al Browne, on WHBI (Newark, NJ). It was 1976 and Delmar was just 13 years of age.

His love of music was formed sometime around then and from 1976 to 1980, Delmar wrote album reviews for the Fashion World Daily newspaper. During that time, he even tried his hand at acting when he was an extra in the 1979 classic urban movie, “The Warriors.” Wait there’s more.

Four years after placing third in a radio commercial contest in 1980 for Erasmus Hall High School’s Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), Delmar arranged, produced and remixed a song for Al Browne called “Grand Central Shuttle/Rainbow Coalition.” The song was for 1984 presidential candidate Rev. Jesse Jackson.

For the next five years, Delmar was the music coordinator for a cable TV show entitled, “Harlem Here It Is.” Hosted by his father Al, “Harlem” lasted for five years from 1985 to 1990. That was the last working relationship he had with his father. It was in 1990 that Delmar ventured into other projects as well, with his brother Karl.

He created and co-produced a positive rap group called B.A.S.S. (Brothers About Sight and Sound) in 1990. The group was Delmar, his brother Karl, (classical pianist and jazz musician now), Gauge and Lord Have Mercy, who enjoyed some small success in the early 90s. From 1990 to 1991, B.A.S.S. was reviewed in the world-renowned Billboard magazine and was praised for their singles, “Order in the Court” “I’m in Control” and “You’ve Gotta Dance.” Wait there’s more.

B.A.S.S. was at the pinnacle of the rap world in 1991 when they opened a tour for the hugely popular rap group “X-Clan” and “Gang Starr” in Boston.

Unfortunately, B.A.S.S. broke up shortly afterward. Delmar continued to DJ and his persistence paid off in 2001.

Delmar became once again on the scene! He was in the disc jockey rotation for “Classic DJ’s,” a program for one of New York’s top music stations WKTU Studio 54 Clubhouse with “Brooklyn’s own Joe Causi.”

In 2002, Delmar was featured as a mastermixer for the “Jammin Party Mix Weekend” on formerly known as “Jammin 105.1” in NYC.

During that year, Delmar was inducted to the Official Disco DJ Hall of Fame™ of the Disco-Step-By Step™ website.

In 2003, Delmar was named “Celebrated Mix Master” for the KTU Studio 54 Clubhouse with “Brooklyn’s own Joe Causi.”

In 2005, recognition for his work as a disc jockey was given by being named as One of 100 Best Deejays in the Disco Era; Also, through an induction into the Discotheque Pioneers Hall of Fame.

Delmar’s mix shows were featured on AOL Radio, Deeper Shades of House with Lars Behrenroth “Guest Mix”, Music Choice Dance Channel “House United”, Pressure Radio, and Face The Bass.

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Wayne Louis

Wayne Louis

 

A native of East Orange, NJ, has been spinning for years, at various locations throughout the Tri-state area. Most notable: Bar Code (NYC); Club Abaya (NYC); Wonder Bar (NYC); Black Star Lounge (NYC) & The Sounds of the City (NJPAC). He was the resident DJ at the underground hotspot “The Power Plant” (Detroit) where he honed his sound & grew a small but loyal following for his monthly throw down.  Another milestone in his career was becoming one of the Original resident DJ’s for the “Fire Island Black Out,” an annual summer event on Cherry Grove, Fire Island, NY (Ice Palace.) Now he makes his home at sub:culture events where he brings his “One Love” cessions to the masses!!!!

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