The Collective
Bernard Farley (he/him)
FOUNDER, VISION & STRATEGY (DC)
Bernard Farley, also known as Outputmessage, is a self-taught multi-disciplinary artist and founder of Black Techno Matters. Starting in 2003 with the release of “Bernard’s Song” on Ghostly International while still in college studying number theory and algebraic topology, his artistic career spans nearly twenty years covering a wide array of genres from ambient electronica to electronic pop music to hard-hitting techno and experimental music. Originally born in Queens, NY, Bernard finally settled in Washington, DC in 2006 where he applies his relentless creativity to his passion for community building, particularly in the electronic music scene. Through singing, dancing, photography, video, and lighting, he creates familiar, yet subversive, multi-faceted experiences that explore themes of queer and Black identity. His recent works include the queer video/mix series FAMILY, the experimental drum machine music and accompanying dance moves of BLACK (which launched the Black Techno Matters record label and is a 2022 Wammie award finalist), the 8 hour album Love & War, the explosive protest techno music video “Wake the Fuck up!”, live ambient jam sessions as Smoke & Tea with Patrick Blinkhorn. In 2019, Bernard founded Black Techno Matters, a collective whose mission is to reclaim techno as a manifestation of Black expression in a society that has oppressed it by creating spaces, both virtual and IRL, that celebrate the Black roots of techno. Since its inception, BTM has highlighted hundreds of Black artists and fostered a community space for Black creatives to celebrate each other.
“You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off of you.” -Maya Angelou
INFO
Email: bernard@blacktechnomatters.org
Instagram: b_x_r_n_x_r_d
Resident Advisor: b_x_r_n_x_r_d
Website: outputmessage.com
Marshall Stukes (he/him)
TECHNOLOGY LEAD, BLACK TECHNO MATTERS RADIO (DC)
Through the years, Marshall’s identity has been closely tied to music. His roots in hip-hop and r&b, and his love for rock and metal, lead to a lifetime multi genre journey, for which has landed him in the world of techno. Although he has loved music all of his life, Marshall started dabbling in music production after his best friend showed him FL Studio (a day which Marshall admits changed his life), and it took him over a decade to finally find his calling in producing techno. Whether it’s hard hitting 150bpm, or a chill 128bpm, Marshall, who DJ’s under his last name Stukes, spins and produces music that is true to who he is, with a heavy emphasis on Black self acceptance. No better example of this emphasis comes from his Black Techno Matters release, DLADWYA, which stands for “Don’t let anyone define who you are.”
“…my wish for you is that you feel no need to constrict yourself to make other people comfortable.”
-Ta-Nehisi Coates
Info
Email: marshall@blacktechnomatters.org
Bandcamp: stukes.bandcamp.com
Instagram: stukesm4
Resident Advisor: stukes
Soundcloud: stukesm4
Justin Barini-Rivers (he/him)
MUSIC LABEL, MIXING & MASTERING, EDUCATION (MIA)
Justin is an Ableton ninja, but uses several daws to keep up with his gear. A mixing and mastering engineer who has had top 100 Beatport songs in multiple charts, Justin also produces music under several names, including Blvksite and Standing On Stardust. He works with Mix Major Electronic Music School, where he teaches kids how to use Ableton Live. He also consults with professionals and companies in the music industry to help them gain insight on how producers use the tools they create. Currently the vibe du jour is dark four on the floor techno with experimental percussion.
Info
Email: blvksite@blacktechnomatters.org
Instagram: blvksite
Soundcloud: blvksite
Twitter: blvksite
Shanda Nunez (she/her)
WEST COAST LEAD, LIVE EVENTS, EDUCATION (LA)
Trovarsi is an LA based music composer/producer, live electronic artist, educator, and streaming YouTube host. Over the past decade, Trovarsi has released her music on a wide variety of notable electronic music labels. Her work transcends genres, cultures, and boundaries, yet also authentically and reverentially embraces many creative traditions. With a hybrid blend of modular and analogue synthesizers, drum machines and Ableton, Trovarsi embraces Afrofuturistic electronic expression while remaining firmly planted by her musical roots. Trovarsi is the curator and host of Transduction Signal on DubLab Radio, a monthly interview/performance show highlighting unique live performance artists, composers and producers in electronic music. She is also co-founder of the Southern California Synth Society, whose purpose is to educate and facilitate interest in electronic music through synthesizers, modular DIY builds and community events. She also founded the international streaming festival Frequency Shift, featuring female and gender expansive electronic artists. Whether performing in the LA underground or on global streaming platforms, Trovarsi continues to push the boundaries of electronic music.
“We must always attempt to lift as we climb.”
-Angela Davis
Info
Email: trovarsi@blacktechnomatters.org
Bandcamp: trovarsi.bandcamp.com
Facebook: Trovarsiofficial
Instagram: trovarsiofficial
Resident Advisor: trovarsi
Soundcloud: trovarsiofficial
Twitter: TrovarsiUS
Youtube: Trovarsi
Xavier Anderson Reed (he/him)
EVENTS, MVMNT 2 MVMNT (RVA)
The uniqueness of synthesis and drums sounds is what drew him to underground dance music, however the community is what got him hooked. Born and raised in Richmond Virginia, Xavier started out Djaying hip hop events in the beginning 2018. His interest quickly switched to electronic music and by 2019 co founded the EDM collective Bass Trinity. "I was going to bass shows early on in my career as that was the only think offered in my area (or so I thought). My first true techno show was at the famous U street music hall in May 2019 with Amelie Lens . From the moment I walked in I was completely hooked to the genre and going to Time Warp NYC later that year only fueled my interest." Since then Xavier has been curating , Djaying, and facilitating events in the Mid Atlantic. Sonically, his focus of late has been more exploring and producing the melodic sides of house & techno and the darker sounds of minimal.
“Start where you are, with what you have. Make something of it and never be satisfied.”
-George Washington Carver
Info
Email: xavier@blacktechnomatters.org
Instagram: _xav.music
Resident Advisor: xavus
Soundcloud: xav
Angie Tvarozek (she/her)
MUSIC LABEL LEAD, SONIC SESSIONS (DC)
MerlinBerlin is an electronic music producer from and based in Washington, DC. Her unique brand of electro is influenced by elements from several genres including techno, big room, 80s synthwave, and anime & video game music. With groovy basslines, playful synth melodies, and pulsing rhythms, she guides you to a dreamy and euphoric sonic playground. As she adds DJing to her range, MerlinBerlin further blends seemingly different genres into tasty treats for the dancefloor with a firm belief that, with music and dance comes pleasure and, with pleasure, comes freedom.
"Dreams can become a reality when we possess a vision that is characterized by the willingness to work hard, a desire for excellence, and a belief in our right and our responsibility to be equal members of society."
-Janet Jackson
Info
Email: angie@blacktechnomatters.org
Bandcamp: merlinberlin.bandcamp.com
Instagram: merlinberlinmusic
Soundcloud: merlin_berlin
Mixcloud: MerlinBerlin
Tara Algios (they/them)
MUSIC LABEL LEAD (DC)
Less than ten years after packing up their bags to leave their hometown of New York City for a new life in Washington, D.C, Tara Algios (a.k.a. the DJ and producer Jett Chandon) has cemented themselves as one of the hardest working artists in the city’s competitive, ever evolving scene. As a DJ, Algios found a home as a resident DJ and at the world-renowned warehouse party ROAM, where they help organize some of the most forward-thinking events in the region and shared the decks with some of the industry's most skilled selectors. Always looking to push their own boundaries, they are also a resident DJ at a second roaming club night in D.C, the experimental bass-driven all-nighter L.E.N.G. Their productions stem from raw sounds of techno and bass and their latest release “Song For Louis” is out now.
Info
Email: tara@blacktechnomatters.org
Bandcamp: jettchandon.bandcamp.com
Instagram: jettchandon
Resident Advisor: jettchandon
Soundcloud: jettchandon
Kris Pritchard (he/him)
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, TECHNO IN THE PARK (DC)
Though born and raised in Pittsburgh, Kris calls DC "home" since moving here in 2004. But it felt more like a return to his roots, as his grandmother all the way back to his great-great-great grandfather have been Washingtonians. It was here, in DC, that Kris explored and fell in love with the underground house, techno, and disco music scenes thanks to The NeedlExchange (TNX). That also brought his now-husband Bernard Farley (Outputmessage), Black Techno Matter's founder, into his life. Kris has been Bernard's #1 supporter since, so it was a no-brainer that he was on-board with BTM since day one. Kris's main focus with BTM is community engagement, working with event spaces like Eaton DC and Franklin Park (Downtown DC), and DC businesses like Lee's Flower Shop and Busboys and Poets. Kris founded Petworth Social Club, a queer happy hour in the Petworth neighborhood of DC and is a leader of the Washington DSeahorses, DC's LGBT water polo team. Fun-fact: Kris's great-great-great-grandfather, Francis Scala, was the first "Leader of the Band" of the United States Marine Band, "The President's Own" including during Lincoln's presidency. Music runs in Kris's blood.
“There is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.”
-Amanda Gorman
Info
Email: kris@blacktechnomatters.org
Instagram: krispritch
Twitter: krispritch
Fawks Gilić (he/she/they)
EVENTS (SF)
Dancing through a myriad of genres, Fawks cultivates inclusive spaces for the queer underground to thrive and express themselves through music, kink and community. Fawks has become a figurehead in his local scene through the collective he co-founded, Fog City Pack (San Francisco) and his newly launched independent event FawksTales (SF). But he’s not stopping there. Taking on a pivotal role booking entertainment for Folsom Street Events (SF). If that wasn't enough he’ll be wrapping up school for music production making him someone to keep an eye on, as it seems he has a limitless commitment to expanding his contribution to nightlife.
“I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits."
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
INFO
Email: fawks@blacktechnomatters.org
Instagram: fawkstales
Resident Advisor: fawks-us
Website: fawkstales.com