Back during SXSW, we booked an opening DJ for Local Music is Sexy III on a total whim, encouraged by the recommendation of our fashion editor. We were so impressed with DJ Markus ("with a K") that we asked him back to spin at our day party, which he managed with aplomb. We dug it.

Former Denton/DFW residents might recognize Markus from his gigs with popular DJ trio The Flashlight Party, which enjoyed residencies at various DFW-area venues (Hailey's in Denton, Bar9 in Fort Worth, Elm Street Bar in Dallas) and had the chance to spin with excellent touring acts (Ladytron, Spoon, Supersystem, Black Tie Dynasty).

From his MySpace bio:

As long as I can remember DJing has always been a part of my life. Ever since the first time I saw the Movie "Juice" in elementary school I was hooked. I got my first set of decks when i was 11 or 12, a pair of belt driven pioneers I bought off a friends dad for like 60 bucks. I started getting into Turntablism around 15, and quickly joined the local Dallas Hip Hop group The Liquid Men. From there i got into punk, and hardcore, joining a few bands here and there, most notable Dallas' Constance. In late 2005 myself and a friend were living in Denton, TX. At the time there wasn't much of a dance party scene there, so we saw an opportunity there as DJ's to take over. We formed The Flashlight Party, and played all over DFW holding down weekly's at Hailey's in Denton, Bar9 in Fort Worth, and Elm Street Bar in Dallas. I currently reside in Austin, TX, and I love every minute of it. I don't know if there is a better place in the US for music.

Having relocated to Austin in January, Markus will host his first solo gig at the Mohawk tomorrow evening, spinning a mix of club/baltimore house (Hollertronix, Diplo, Cousin Cole), indie rock (Arcade Fire, Dismemberment Plan, Modest Mouse), dance/electroclash (The Faint, Metric), 80s hotness, and what he's describing as "generally the stuff people like us dance to in their cars."

Awesome.

[Markus on MySpace]

DJ Markus with a K
The Mohawk
Saturday, March 31st
10pm-2am

Photo by Annie Ray