Bird Of Prey

By Veronica Murtagh in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 26, 2009 9:40PM

The drunken debauchery, celeb spotting and musical bliss that was SXSW has come to a close. Our favorite bands and DJs are returning home and we're excited for some of the new friends they've brought with them.

Chicago DJ Willy Joy, purveyor of the monthly dancefest Fly By Night, returns to Chicago from a bevy of well-received SXSW gigs with Austin producer and DJ Bird Peterson. Don't be fooled by his flaming red hair, southern charm and a moniker taken from jazz greats Charlie "Yardbird" Parker and Oscar Peterson, Bird Peterson (a.k.a. Andrew Hoke) can turn the tamest of dancefloors raunchy.

Peterson, a Houston native, began his music career making hip-hop beats for local MCs. Time saw Peterson evolve, embracing funk and soul and eventually coming into his own with his current sound, bass-heavy bmore. Peterson goes beyond the typical associations of the bmore genre, merging thudding beats with chopped, tricked-out versions of synth-heavy electronica, classic rock and indie tracks from the the likes of Daft Punk, Queen and Wolf Parade. Risky, inventive and exciting, Peterson is a producer to watch and a DJ sure to tear the roof off your friendly neighborhood dancefloor.

Bird Peterson with Willy Joy, Rob Threezy, Charlie Glitch and Capcom at Fly By Night tonight, March 26, at Debonair Social Club, 1575 N Milwaukee, 10 p.m., $5 for 21+, $10 for 18+

Photo via Bird Peterson's myspace page