5.23 Saturday (Electronic) Nectar & Solid Sound present: Starseed Transmission - Michael Manahan's 60th birthday bash featuring: RANDOM RAB + ARDALAN plus Michael Manahan, Jamie Schwabl 8pm, 21+ Nectar Lounge 412 N 36th St www.nectarlounge.com RANDOM RAB Random Rab is a Colorado-based artist that has been pushing the boundaries of electronic music for over two decades, captivating audiences around the world with his unique soundscapes and live performances. In the late 90s, Rab moved to San Francisco and became heavily involved in the thriving underground music scene. He began experimenting with cutting edge sounds and technologies, incorporating exotic live instruments and vocals into his productions. This fusion of organic and electronic elements became a hallmark of Rab’s sound. ARDALAN Born in Tehran, Ardalan found himself gravitating towards an unlikely passion for music at anearly age. Enamored first by traditional Iranian music and classic jazz and rock, Ardalan’s taste began to transform with his childhood years spent moving back and forth from Iran andCalifornia. With each intercontinental return, Ardalan grew his treasure trove of mixtapes filledwith rare musical gems like gangsta rap, Italo disco, and movie and video game soundtracks–the best of the West. Naturally, when he permanently returned toCalifornia in 2006, his distinct taste in music drew him towards long-lasting friendships, which were born through exchanges of mixtape gold and out seeking underground excursions. Ardalan became a regular of the underground scene inthe Bay Area, absorbing the sounds of house and techno from the likes of Solar and Galen atthe legendary Sunset Sound System parties, and it wasn’t long before he was hooked. Full of his signature charm, spark of energy, and an insatiable curiosity for left-of-center music, soonhe found his way to a fateful BBQ in San Francisco, a legendary party that is largely known asthe origin story lore of the Dirtybird crew. Immediately, the crew took to young Ardy like family. Then came “Mr. Spock.” Call it beginner’s luck, or more likely, a sign of what was to come–in 2010, Ardalan shared one of his earliest studio explorations with Justin Martin, which became the foundation for the breakout hit. “Mr. Spock,” in its bizarre and booty-shaking glory, has been accredited as one of the “tracks that made Dirtybird famous,” helping to define the label’s now darling reputation as a trusted source of ridiculous, off-the-wall dance floor bangers. Since, he’s continued to translate his deep-rooted connection to the dance floor in the studio with remixes on Toy Tonics, Play It Down, Yoshitoshi, and Dirtybird. A decade later, Ardy is a favored act on line-ups who trust in his ability to fire up a crowd withhis DJ prowess and ability to make eclectic selections feel right at home on the dancefloor. He’s played at Coachella, Dirtybird Campout, CRSSD, Secret Garden, Desert Hearts and at esteemed venues like Space Miami, New York’s Output, and Detroit’s TV Lounge. Next, Ardalan sets his sights on defining his own sound in the studio with the release of hisdebut album ,Mr. Good. He’s set out to push his reputation as a musical chameleon to the limits with his record; a powerful melding of tough, jarring beats with lush melodies. Equally rowdy as it is introspective, it’s safe to say that like Ardalan himself, there’s nothing out there like Mr.Good.