Desertopia Memorial Weekend Takeover

Connoisseur of deep grooves and good times Born and raised in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, Chad is inspired by many of the amazing djs and raves in the greater midwest scene. Their djing is influenced by all aspects of rave culture and they always strive to capture some of that raw energy in their sets. In the past they have worked with MESH in Pittsburgh create parties that showcase queer, trans, and non-binary djs from across North America in a safe and inclusive environment for all. They also have collaborated with other Pittsburgh staples such as Honcho, Jellyfish and Mostbeautifullest to throw the legendary Maybeland parties. Chad has been fortunate to be able to travel across the US where they have been able to play many queer parties across many cities. They are always excited for any opportunity to share music and get folks dancing. They have also been a regular at the yearly Honcho Campout and have been asked to play the festival several years. A recent transplant to Los Angeles, Chad has been enjoying the cities many musical offerings and is looking forward to becoming apart of the large queer dance community found there.

Justin Cudmore is a Brooklyn based producer, DJ, creator of the Balance party series at BASEMENT in New York, and releases music as Majorettes with The Carry Nation. Justin's coming-of-age as a fan and creator of dance music took place amidst the wide expanses of central Illinois. As a kid growing up in the state’s tucked-away capital of Springfield, he played drums as a jazz percussionist in school. While most of his peers were tuned into pop music, Justin was wearing out self-made mixes and classic disco compilations, workshopping new-wave influenced beats in bands and DJing college parties. A post-graduation move to Chicago led him to work for the influential dance music blog Little White Earbuds, opening him up to fully experience the city’s thriving underground house and techno scene. A Midwest-born and raised DJ, Justin has played at queer parties such as Wrecked, The Carry Nation, Horse Meat Disco, Honcho, and Club Toilet, and has gained a following all over the world with appearances at clubs like Smartbar Chicago, Panorama Bar, Is Burning Amsterdam, Razzmatazz Barcelona, DC10 and Lux Fragil. His bold, acid-flecked distillation of house and techno has found a home on the labels that are helping to shape the current landscape of transgressive body music, including The Bunker New York, Detroit’s Interdimensional Transmissions, and Honey Soundsystem Records. Justin's sound is defined by snaking acid lines, whip smart drums and offbeat rave melodies that have resonated with DJs and dancers from Detroit to Berlin. He has been featured in mixes for series such as Beats In Space, Truants, MixMag, Phantasy and The Bunker New York’s long-running podcast.

Dj, producer, and co-founder of legendary party collective Por Detroit, based of Mexico City Dj and producer originally from Vancouver, Canada, Perfect Lovers developed his musical sound in the colourful scenes of Argentina and Paraguay. After a 6 years stint in South America, he relocated to Mexico City where he co-founded the legendary party collective Por Detroit, a politically and socially charged party that is equally known for its musical curation as it is for their unconventional spaces, from abandoned wheat and ice factories, rooftop warehouses, to old prisons in the heart of the city. Perfect Lovers sound is heavily influenced by Latin American sub-cultures, 60s garage rock and the stranger musings of 80's film soundtracks, all streamlined into a acid house soundscape.

Sappho is a music selector and soul reflector. Their DJ'ing contributes to the soundtrack of the cosmic travels of nightlife. They relentlessly researches, expands on a narrative and exposes the listener to music they may have never heard but love. Sappho is a queer musical artist, event producer and co-owner of Koritsi Komma Records based out of Portland, Oregon. Currently, they are a resident DJ at Underground SF in San Francisco, Bottom Forty based on the West Coast, and the following nightclubs and party series in Portland, OR: No Request, NoFOMO, Opal Underground and The Eagle PDX. Harkening back to the most famous poet of antiquity who did not identify as a man, Sappho’s namesake has a strong connection to lesbian love and sensual empowerment. Much like the fabled name that they have built their base upon, they have often been the marginalized voice amongst a sea of male creatives. With over 20 years of involvement in the dance community, they are a mentor to queers and femmes in the craft of deejaying and a resource of underground nightlife culture. They have been changing the status quo with their deep research, guided by precise, almost librametric, methods, branching into new forms and combinations that weave an intricate modern day poetry for a current generation of souls, freeing them, to dance, to love, to feel - the way only a perfect stanza of poetry could elicit.

LA based DJ, promoter, artist. Sindri, who found love for electronic music, like many, in the depths of underground raves during his late teens, forwardly found his place in nightlife after moving to San Francisco. Becoming an integral part of the queer scene before the tech-takeover, throwing various parties, drag and art shows, and street guerilla performances. Now residing in Los Angeles, Sindri has devoted full time to music and djing. Avid purveyor of Italo, Disco, House, and Funk. Playing parties such as Horse Meat Disco London, Honcho Pittsburgh, Fagbash Provincetown, Deep South Atlanta, Lights Down Low LA, to name a few. Past parties include The Cafeteria, No Nonsense, and his new monthly in Koreatown, Featurette.