After celebrating its four year anniversary in January, the regular dance party in town known as Learning Secrets presents its latest edition this weekend. Originally started by DJ and promoter Ian Orth during his stint at the Rutgers’ college radio station 88.7 FM WRSU (where he booked acts such as Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The Rapture for events on campus), Learning Secrets has evolved from a weekly shindig at the Whisky Bar on 5th St. into a conglomeration of sorts. Orth is working to expand the party into an entity -- “The biggest change and step forward has been turning Learning Secrets into a boutique PR firm with my best friend Jeramy Neugent who recently moved back to Austin from L.A. where he was the tour publicist for everybody from Animal Collective to Marissa Nadler to Federico Aubele to Fela Kuti. Our platform is to work with the music we love and firmly believe can make some sort of positive cultural impact on our society, and get those bands the exposure they deserve.”

Artist management, album publicity, and tour booking will all fall under Learning Secret's umbrella going forward. Orth also plans to release a monthly podcast featuring local bands, music played at Learning Secrets events, and any other just plain awesome stuff they may come across during their work. A wide variety of genres ranging from indie-rock to disco, from punk to soul, and even some ballads can be expected -- you can check out the first one here. The agenda, says Orth, has always remained the same -- “Turning people on to new amazing music and ideas.” As for the current state of music and DJ specific opportunities in our city, Orth adds, “Things have gotten to the point where I knew they could get, you have a good dance floor to go to pretty much any weekend night, and that makes me happy. I think we still have a little ways to go though, it'd be nice to see a variety of musical genres getting the same attention that others are getting at the moment, and we still need to get a packed party going on a Tuesday or Wednesday...I mean I think that’s something doable. But, yeah I'm very excited about Austin right now on all levels, DJs, bands, art...there's just a great positive creative push at the moment.”

Learning Secrets hosts a special guest this Saturday at the Beauty Bar when Eamon Harkin joins the party. Harkin, like Orth, is a DJ but also books and promotes acts for various shows -- his stomping grounds are widespread -- he lives and primarily works out of New York City now but also returns to Europe for many events in Berlin, Paris, and Amsterdam. There is also the added bonus of reuniting with his old cohorts and chums when he visits -- “I love going back as I have family & friends all over who I can stay with and they all come out when I play. It also keeps me connected to everyone and with the dollar being so cheap and the scene being bigger there the DJ fees are pretty good too!” Originally from Ireland, Harkin is heading home to open for Felix Da Housecat next month. And his take on key genres shaping today’s music and culture -- Eamon states, “I think generally I look for music that has a timeless quality. That might sound pretentious but I'm talking about stuff which stands up well years after it's been made to has the qualities to stand the test of time. As to relevancy...that's very subjective. In NY right now the classic sounds of disco, house and techno feel pretty apt.” Take advantage of his time in Austin and check out his contributions to the world of music this weekend. The ridiculously low price of $2 should eliminate any excuses!

[Learning Secrets MySpace]
[Eamon Harkin MySpace]