Downtime at Phoenix’s Lost Leaf convenes every Tuesday night. Resident DJs Dopple Gang, Hartbreaks, and Ellery invite guests to join them each week. Canadian hip-hopper Josh Martinez joined up with Downtime on January 19 for an unexpected performance. Tricky T and many other local DJs frequently make appearances at the Lost Leaf as guests of Downtime.
To say that DJs are taking over the Valley is to ignore the already massive presence of electroculture that has rallied the underground circuit into a unified force. B-boys and –girls have been flooding into DJ-driven shows hosted by local venues throughout the metro area. The Blunt Club’s recent move from Club Red to the never-a-cover Yucca Tap Room and an upcoming spin-off between Culture Shock and Downtime kids both stand as a testament to the staying (and growing) power of Arizona hip-hop and electronica.
Culture Shock
Less than a week before the Blunt Club made its Yucca debut, Culture Shock had DJs on the tables at the Tap Room. Living, Humans, Being joined forces with Terminal II, Adam John, Melotronix, and Riot Earp to keep people on the floor. Promising “Glitch, IDM, Dubster, Ghettotech, EDM, Jamtronica, Electro and more!” Culture Shock performers cover a wide range of contemporary electro styles and readily deliver. Visual artist Ghostmeat adds to the artistic momentum of the evening with his digital projections set to the music created onstage.
The Blunt Club
Over its seven year history, headquarters for The Blunt Club has shifted between several local venues which allowed the event to establish itself as an Arizona hip-hop staple. On Thursday, January 28, the Blunt Club made its move to Tempe’s Yucca Tap Room. Resident DJs Pickster One and Element will be joining forces with the Club’s live painters, guest DJs from both the local and national scene, and a packed house to keep Valley hip-hop thriving every Thursday.
Josh Martizez making a guest appearance at Downtime
