PATRICE BÄUMEL @ BETA | FRI, 3/15/13 These days, when electronic music seems to be all about distorted bass and ear-popping drum lines, artists like Patrice Bäumel (due at UNstructured Sounds' inaugural Denver Winter Showcase) are hard to find. And that's a shame, because Bäumel's minimal productions and sweeping sets are like the soundtracks to your sweetest, softest dreams actualized in reality.
See also: - UNstructured Sounds presents inaugural Denver Winter Showcase - Why EDM is thriving when other genres aren't - HARD will bring its massive EDM spectacle to Red Rocks
The Amsterdam native takes minimal techno to a light, precise, almost breezy place that few can match, fusing his sets with elements of house music here and there at exactly the right moment. The result is a hypnotic set that slowly builds until you're wreathed in a net of noise that Bäumel spins from gossamer and air. Despite its ethereal quality, make no mistake: This is dance music at its finest, and Bäumel can draw feet to the floor just as effectively as any DJ who relies on bass tactics.
Keep reading for more on the weekend's best dance music
STEVE SMOOTH @ BETA | SAT, 3/16/13 The music of DJ/producer Steve Smooth is a bit like his name -- kind of cheesy, but in a way that can't help but make you smile. His pumping, high-energy tracks are short on subtlety and long on slick production and relentless thump. It's a bit predictable and sounds enough like what your dance-music-hating friends imagine all dance music to sound like: embarrassing, but still...at 2 a.m., bathed in a wash of lasers and smoke-machine fog, rushing on your second or third wind, it'll feel pretty good to shake your ass to it. It won't earn you any points with the cool kids, but it will convince you to get on the dance floor, put your hands in the air and get stupid late into the night. He'll join Dragon and JonTron on the Beta main floor this Saturday night. (9 p.m., 18+, $10) -- Cory Casciato
Keep reading for more on the weekend's best dance music
FRIDAY, MARCH 15
James Egbert and TheFatRat join Papa Skunk and Raw Russ at the Bluebird Theater tonight, which will be one fantastic place to get your bass on. (8 p.m., all ages, $10-$20)
Jack Your Body, a new bi-monthly residency at NORAD, launches tonight with Freddie J, Phabric8, Edubl and Johnny Gear in the mix. (9 p.m., 21+)
Bar Standard hosts Denver Disco with DJs Babyshoe, Falcon Punch and Charles B with nu-disco modern house for your dancing pleasure. (9 p.m., 21+, $3-$5)
SATURDAY, MARCH 16
The aptly named Shamanic Boom at Cervantes' on Saturday night features ambient electronic dreamscapes from Desert Dwellers, Kaminanda, Cualli and Soulacybin. (8 p.m., all ages, $10-$15)
Blend resident Brick Lee hosts Dylan and Jerome Baker (aka Headspace) at the Meadowlark this round for some deep, soulful sounds. (9 p.m., 21+, $5)
Uriah West hosts House of Buddha Saturdays this weekend at the Funky Buddha; he'll head the decks all night long. (9 p.m., 21+, no cover)
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