ADAN (pronounced ahh-don) is two and a half decades deep in the Texas dance music scene, He made a name for himself in the underground as a DJ, producer, and event organizer in constant pursuit of that party vibe. His DJ sets employ an explosive blend of disco house, funky bass and party breaks, an effective combination that's put him in front of crowds from Miami (including official WMC DJ sets) to Alaska to the Radio 1 airwaves for a guest DJ set on UK matriarch, Annie Nightingale’s BBC show.
As a producer, Adan has had multiple releases on international and domestic labels, showcasing a multi-genre sound that generated rave reviews in iDJ, Mixmag, Mixer, and BPM magazine, as well as regular spots in many big name DJ charts. Adan’s first release (with long time production partner Sifter) on the UK house label Honchos (NRK offshoot) was a precursor to the crossover success that would soon follow, with multiple releases on the legendary UK breaks label, Boombox Records. Big room floor filler "Didn't Mean To Turn You Off' was charted by Zabiela, regularly played by heavyweights such as Digweed and Tong, and even reviewed for print by Rennie Pilgrem in iDJ (Dec 04). Sifter & Adan remixes landed on mix CDs by Lee Coombs, multiple dance compilations and video game soundtracks. Subsequent releases helped keep the duo in many a DJs main crates and contributed to the cross genre movement known as Tech Funk.
Adan's stint as a music reviewer for LA based Bijoubeats (2006-2008), earned him a spot as writer and tastemaker for the UK music blog Tech Funk Manifesto (2008-2012). Adan was handpicked by the Tech Funk guru Elite Force to write for and assist with curating the sound of his genre defining website well before skinny pants or hashtags played any part in the then emerging blogosphere.
As an event promoter, Adan has thrown parties across the state, peaking in attendance and production level in 2001. He partnered with two other Austin promoters to throw the largest indoor party in Austin at that time. Over 5000 party goers showed up for ATB, DJ Rap, Dom & Roland and a slew of others in an abandoned big box building. After the nation wide shutdown of dance events forced crowds back to the clubs, Adan focused on producing tracks.
In 2005, Adan joined up with a local DJ for a monthly residency that quickly became known for its vibe and varied genre selections. Adan later took sole control of the JIGGLE events, expanded to include a rotating crew of local DJs and one off parties that became more and more infamous for the rowdiness of the crowd and head honcho himself when rockin the decks. JIGGLE has remained a constant in the Austin underground for the better part of the last twenty years. The focus has moved from throwing events to releasing quality music by local homies and similarly minded producers. The sound is all things funky across multiple genres, blending elements of disco house, funk, and party breaks, laced with a lil bit of the psychedelia to keep things weird.
These days the focus is back in the studio and to the label - putting the FUN back into the FUNK. He's also started working on a documentary about the birth of the Texas rave scene, from 1990 to 2002, ensuring the preservation and celebration of its rich cultural heritage and impact on a generation of party goers.
Jason Whitmire, also known in the music circles as DJAlchemy, embarked on his musical journey in 1988, deeply inspired by a Skinny Puppy concert in Houston, TX. His initial musical explorations were rooted in the industrial and techno genres of the late '80s and early '90s. Whitmire's passion for music expanded after being introduced to underground techno through Chris Anderson's KTRU radio show in 1991, leading him to delve deeper into the scene at Megazone Records, managed by Andrei Morant.
Beyond his contributions as a DJ and promoter, Whitmire made significant strides in artist management, public relations, marketing, and serving as a booking agent. His entrepreneurial endeavors led to the creation of WE (Whitmire Empire) Records in 1996, diving into indie rock with the management of Secret Sunday and the release of their debut album. This move was pivotal, with WE Records later becoming renowned for the "Please Rewind And Play Again" compilation CD series, which highlighted the eclectic nature of electronic music.
Whitmire's client roster speaks volumes of his industry versatility, managing acts such as Turquoise Insomnia, Secret Sunday (1999 Houston Press Music Awards winner for Album of the Year), I-45 (1999 winner for Best Rap/Hip-Hop), Dethkultur BBQ, Alien Swirl, Vertigo Blue, and overseeing Broken Note Records (winner of the 1999 Houston Press Music Award for Best Record Label).
Simultaneously, Whitmire cultivated a professional photography career from 2003 to 2011, freelancing for esteemed publications like Spin, Alternative Press, Urb, and capturing music events for Scion. This period marked a significant expansion of his artistic expression, allowing him to document vibrant musical moments through his lens. Whitmire plans to release a book documenting the Austin Electronic Dance Music scene from 2003 to 2008, providing an intimate look at the community and culture before the widespread adoption of the iPhone, highlighting a pivotal era in music history.
As DJAlchemy, Whitmire traversed the US, spinning an eclectic mix from techno to trance until the early 2000s. Following a brief hiatus, he returned with a focus on downtempo and acid jazz, securing residencies and championing the downtempo scene. Despite another break to focus on photography, Whitmire returned to manage bands and DJ, proving his enduring influence in the music scene.
Today, DJAlchemy selectively performs, showcasing his talents in breakbeats and future jazz, with his latest mixes available on djalchemy.com and DeepDarkJazz.com. Concurrently, Jason Whitmire is working on a documentary about the Texas rave scene from 1990 to 2002, ensuring the preservation and celebration of its rich cultural heritage. His career, marked by versatility and innovation, continues to inspire and resonate within the music and photography communities.