DJ Garth is one of the most distinctive and exciting dance-music artists in the U.S. As a pioneer in the San Francisco house scene, Garth has been a driving force behind the famous Wicked parties and the stellar Grayhound label. His work ranges from shimmering, spaced-out excursions into druggy tribal house to chopped-up edits of obscure disco classics. As a producer, he's crafted a trademark sound that combines elements of dub, techno, hip-hop and disco into deep, dark slabs of soulful psychedelic house. As a DJ, Garth (due at Shelter on Friday, December 14) mixes distinctive tunes with a wide variety of cuts culled from every corner of the dance-music spectrum to create iconoclastic sets that make for perfect 2 a.m. ecstasy.