Luke Jarzyna
jarzynal@grinnell.edu
TT The Artist, one of the stand out performers from last spring’s Concerts line-up, will be making her triumphant return to Gardner Lounge tonight, Oct. 9, alongside Schwarz and Dai Burger. Their fast-paced, ecstatic dance and hip hop music will make for a high-energy triple bill.
Both TT The Artist and Schwarz hail from the Baltimore club scene. Baltimore club is characterized by high beats per minute, layered percussion textures, chopped up vocal samples and an iconic syncopated kick drum pattern. These divergent textural elements make for a mode of dance music that strikes a balance between total cacophony and collected, restrained cool. Baltimore club music lunges forward with energy, asking listeners to keep up or be left behind.
TT The Artist is a multi-faceted musician and promoter based out of Baltimore. Her 2015 EP “Art Royalty” is a cohesive, nine track release that features many of the characteristics that have made her such a distinct voice in club music. Over Baltimore club infused beats, TT proclaims her individuality and sexuality with fiery intention. Her energy is palpable throughout the album. Beyond her recording career, TT has been an active curator of queer art and cultures in Baltimore.
The percussive, explosive framework of Baltimore club sets a unique stage for political messages. Producer and DJ, Schwarz makes a point to spread messages of self-empowerment and body positivity in his material. These messages are highly visible in his single “U R Beautiful.” Over a classic, synth-heavy Baltimore club beat, Schwarz enthusiastically shouts pointed messages like “be yourself,” “love who you are” and, as the title suggests, the important reminder that “U R Beautiful.” In this way, Schwarz turns Baltimore club into an opportunity for listeners to engage, affirm and explore their identities. These goals reflect the origins of Baltimore club, which many people understand as a production of the social realities of life in urban Baltimore.
Opening act Dai Burger is an up-and-coming rapper from Queens. Like her contemporary TT The Artist, Dai Burger creates confrontational and lively hip hop music that addresses her feminine sexuality. Her delivery is pointed and impressive for an artist as young as herself. Friday night’s triple bill is going to be a non-stop party of empowering, high-energy dance music.
