The nightlife landscape in Vernon continues to change, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t dancing to be found.
With the recent closure of Monashee’s, a group of DJs and entertainment providers have set up shop at another downtown Vernon establishment, now under new ownership.
One of those entertainers providing the tunes is event planning company 13th Floor, whose name continues to grow for its DJ and electronic music-driven productions.
Owned by Vernon entrepreneurs Josh Brazier and John Oh, who are also part owners of the Downtown Vernon Internet Lounge, 13th Floor has been asked to take over Friday nights at what is now the city’s only nightclub, 2929, which is located at 29th Street and 29th Avenue, hence its name.
Formerly known as Night Moves and Boomers, 2929 is now owned by Burnaby nightclub owner Saverio Loria, who is planning some major renovations for the space this spring.
“He invites everyone to come out the establishment and see some of the renovations that have already taken place,” said Brazier, adding, “Saverio has decades of nightclub experience behind him and looks forward to meeting new friends while reinstating the nightlife in Vernon.”
With years of experience and more than 60 events under their belt, the most recent being a haunted mansion at a private location on the outskirts of Vernon, the 13th Floor crew is ready to take on the responsibility of delivering a party every week with its 13th Floor Fridays.
Kicking off the party, on what happens to be Friday the 13th, is rising star DJ Perkulator.
“Coming off a busy festival season where he played at major festivals such as Shambhala, Perkulator, a bass music artist, rolls into Vernon for the first time ever and will soon hold the honour of playing the first ever Friday night under the 13th Floor name,” said Brazier.
Creating psychedelic bass music that transcends genres, Perkulator filters through a mixture of soulful uplifting melodies, crunky purple bass lines and funky future beats that result in a unique sound that is melodic and smooth, but still has that bass heavy punch.
The past few months have led to increased exposure for Perkulator, with his first break being when he won Minnesota’s Stardust Redux remix contest, which gave him an official spot on the Eternal Frequencies Equinox Remix EP.
It has so far had 80,000-plus listens on Minnesota Stardust Redux’s SoundCloud account. Since then, Perkulator has been gaining more attention with his free releases and debut EP Transcension, on Gravitas Recordings.
Opening for Perkulator are Dr. Brea, Augustin and Metaphorical.
The following Friday, Nov. 20, 13th Floor hosts DJ Slynk, also making his first appearance in Vernon.
“Party goers and music lovers are in for a real treat when Slynk takes to the decks,” said Brazier. “Slynk brings a unique style and showmanship that should not be missed. Some consider him to be the funkiest DJ on the planet, known for always bringing his A game and most recently destroying the Fractal Forest at last year’s Shambhala Music Festival.”
Born and raised in Brisbane, Australia, Slynk (born Evan Chandler) flirted at first with a range of classical instruments including piano, guitar and drums, and later started experimenting with sampling and sound design.
From gigs in an underground New York-inspired café in Brisbane, to his first international appearance at Shambhala’s Fractal Forest in 2009, Slynk has spent the last five years refining his skills.
He has been experimenting and educating himself and his fans with mashup productions of classic hip hop, ingrained with funky, rhythmically savvy grooves.
“Basically my rule is to only make and play music that makes you smile and for me that usually means that it’s got to be funky,” said Slynk. “I don’t take myself too seriously. I like to have fun with my music and add a little humour.”
Slynk moved to B.C. in the summer of 2013, just before making his fifth appearance at Shambhala’s Fractal Forest in what is now considered to be a legendary set. He has continued sharing his love of music with the rest of the world.
With support from some of the world’s most respected funky breaks producers, his reputation has been growing with numerous releases on several labels (Jalapeno Records, Goodgroove, and Discocakes just to name a few). His timeless nu-funk, electro-boogie bravado has been met with overwhelming enthusiasm, climbing the charts on more than one occasion.
His robust bass treatment and hip-punishing live drum swing on the re-work of Ed Solo & Deekline’s No No No sat at number one on the best selling single chart on dance music site, Juno Download.
Opening for Slynk at 2929 is Bag-o-Beetz and Allday.
13th Floor Fridays start at 9 pm. Tickets are $10 in advance at http://13thfloorent.com and the Downtown Internet Lounge, next to the Vernon Towne Theatre, or $15 at the door. Shows are for 19-plus.
