(Jeep Mix): Chez Damier

(JEEP MIX) presents Chez Damier at Cafeteria, Toronto, on June 13, 2026 at 2:00 am.

Already a key figure in electronic music, Chez Damier has witnessed many of the pivotal moments in the history of house and techno. Jointly responsible with studio partner Ron Trent for Prescription Records and The Morning Factory, he embodies the soul of house music.

KMS, The Music Institute, the Belleville Three: the Chicago DJ has played roles in the development of all three. However, his natural artistry and constant need to outdo even himself has led to him passing off such tunes as Can You Feel It as just a stage in his artistic development. It is this development that he also sees in running a label, allowing other talents and close kindred spirits the benefit of the platform he has built.

As an artist, Chez Damier represents a blend; he is as impetuous and daring now as in 1989, and qualifying this with his own heritage makes his releases and DJ performances distinctive. Today his sets are distinctive, not just because of the experience and knowledge he can call upon. With a mountain of his own edits, nothing he plays is untouched by his hand. Whether it be a stomping disco loop or a jacking Chi-town monster, his own electronic wisdom is embedded in each track.

When The Music Institute opened in Detroit in the late '80s it provided a home for a developing music scene. It proved important for the development of techno in the city as The Warehouse and The Music Box had been for house music in Chicago, and the hedonistic experiences in that club have gone on to shape much that has happened to Chez Damier ever since. He brings those experiences to clubs from Berlin to New York, London to Tokyo.

After a few years managing the KMS studio and label for Kevin Saunderson, he returned to his hometown of Chicago and, alongside Ron Trent, created a musical legacy. Tracks like "Sometimes I Feel Like," "The Choice" and "Be My" remain key examples of the genre and are finding a new wave of fans after being reignited around the turn of the last decade. After taking an extended break from the music industry either side of the turn of the millennium, the house music impulse returned to Damier. A handful of releases in 2004 and the odd DJ date hinted that a return was on the cards.

In 2009, the last year of the decade, Damier found an outlet for his talents. A series of releases for the German label Mojuba signaled a return. Continuing the spirit of Prescription, Damier launched Balance Alliance as a home for forward-thinking and talented producers he deems fit to join him on the imprint. Studio partnerships with Parisian Ben Vedren have reignited the production flame and, under several aliases, he shows signs of building on his classic work. Productions on French label Popcorn are becoming anthems at clubs like Rex Club in Paris and DC-10.

With momentum building, Chez Damier continues to push the boundaries for both himself and those he gathers near to him.

Supporting:

Austin a'ba-cus Bascom: soul sonic provider
Austin Bascom has carved a niche as a producer and DJ within the global dance community. Born and raised in London, Bascom has performed as a DJ at numerous clubs, lounges, radio broadcasts and music conferences within his adopted homeland of Toronto, Canada, and across five continents. He continues to expand his musical horizons and establish a presence within the global music community.

Under the pseudonym a'ba-cus, he has recorded for various record labels throughout North America and Europe. Under the production title a:xus, he recorded a full-length album titled “A:xus Soundtrack for Life” (Guidance Recordings, Chicago). His work has led to remix and production credits for artists including Badmarsh + Shri, Chaser, Esthero, Ivanna Santilli, Naomi N'sombi, Nick Holder, Layah Jane, and Graph Nobel.

His latest endeavor is Re:think, a record label and multimedia entity showcasing future works by Bascom and collaborators in Toronto and beyond.

HAF S (JEEP MIX), aka HXF, is a Toronto-based artist, DJ, producer, and cultural connector with over 25 years in the dance music scene. Synth-driven, burger-powered, and 99% halal, HAF is a vibe cultivator, blending syncopated rhythms, lush textures, and deep grooves into sets that move with intention. His sound is organic and emotional, balancing high energy with introspection, reading the room and riding the moment.

Rooted in the foundations of house, techno, and everything in between, HAF’s work is about bridging gaps between genres, communities, generations, and dance floors. Collaboration is at the heart of everything he does. Whether it's linking with DJs and dancers, connecting producers and promoters, or building trust with venues, he brings people together.

His creative world expands through (JEEP MIX), a multifaceted platform that started as a long-running monthly radio show and evolved into a banner for events, DJ sets, production credits, and soon, a record label. (JEEP MIX) is a style and a way of moving through the city. It represents the same values that drive HAF: community, quality, and pushing Toronto’s underground forward.

As a producer, HAF has released a range of original music and beat tapes, including an EP in Re:think’s Analogue Stories series, gaining international attention while staying true to the sound and spirit of his hometown. His events focus on uplifting local talent and giving dedicated listeners a space to connect.

Whether behind the decks, curating lineups, or holding down the airwaves, HAF is committed to documenting, building, and celebrating the sound of Toronto, from the basement to the booth, from the past to the future.