DJ Sun The Flat, July 21
On last year's One Hundred -- amazingly, his first-ever full-length release -- DJ Sun pours his 20-plus-year career as one of Houston's most in-demand DJs into a seamless work that never lulls, never lags and maintains an unshakably mellow groove throughout. Its intricately laid-back latticework should come as no surprise to anyone lucky enough to have met the man and easily made it one of 2013's standout Houston albums.
Among his multitude of weekly gigs, Sun's long-running "Rocksteady Mondays" residency at the Flat, where he is now managing partner, is probably the most chill environment to glimpse this true turntable craftsman at work. CHRIS GRAY
Big Ass Blues Jam The Hideaway on Dunvale, July 22
We got to partake in the pleasure that is the Hideaway on Dunvale for steak night one Tuesday, home to the "Big Ass Blues Jam" starring one Rick Lee & the Night Owls. Lee and his band do ZZ Top, Bobby "Blue" Bland and B.B. King covers; the leader has been known to play his axe with the leg of a chair and lick his guitar strings at one point. It was a good night for everyone, and we're sure the guitar had no complaints either. CRAIG HLAVATY
Wrestlers MKT Bar, July 22
One sure way to know you've made it in 2014 is if something you've created draws the attention of that content aggregator/culture curator writ large, Buzzfeed. So congrats to Wrestlers, the Houston DJ duo formerly known as Bagheera, who last week did just that thanks to their Twin Shadow-produced track, "Say Anything." The video for said electro-funky tune features Funny or Die's Nathan Barnatt as an overenthusiastic aerobics instructor who's only happy to show viewers how to break off steps like the "Dragon Breath," the "Lady Grab"and the "Butterscotch Boy." (Where's Olivia Newton-John and Jane Fonda when you need them?) Wrestlers are soon off to rock Lollapalooza in Chicago and Diplo's Mad Decent Block Party, but Tuesday stop by MKT Bar for a local warmup gig. Twerking optional, but bonus points for learning the "Smooth Operator." CHRIS GRAY
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