“It's like creating a sculpture. I start from zero.” This is how Takaaki Itoh describes his creative process - both for DJing and producing - and you can hear it. Amidst the maelstrom of raw sonic power, there’s a penetrating void and a sense of paradoxical emptiness. In his native country of Japan, this is often referred to as “ma,” a single syllable that describes the space between things. Itoh’s music is steeped in spacious mystery. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t go hard; when the moment is right, Itoh can release waves of unrestrained power with all the force of a waterfall. This makes him perfectly suited for Altær, a party devoted to the dark, obscure and shadowy. ÆON represents the next generation of true-school techno in NY. The Flux founder has staked her claim in the upper echelons of tempo, with enveloping, groove-riding basslines and a fresh, ravey gesturalism. Altaer founder Auspex’s molten sonics pierce the soul with elemental ferocity. DJ Holographic returns to STUDIO. The Detroit artist is a true global ambassador to her hometown, representing the elusive, timeless soul; easy to love and impossible to fake. With releases on the seminal Planet-E, Holographic has the support of some of her city’s most eminent pioneers and luminaries, and with a global touring schedule that takes her to some of the most well-regarded stages in the world, she can count herself amongst them. Partok continues to push STUDIO to its limits. One of the most beloved figures in the modern underground, Partok exemplifies a mixture of discerning quality and irrepressible personality. His sets are simply infectious, delivered with total conviction and a well-honed technique set in service of liberation. LA’s Mez is back following a set at Wrecked. A crucial part in LA’s current house scene, Mez celebrates the genre’s iconic queer legacy through tapestries of raw, expressive anthems and deep cuts.