More often than not, I’m as inclined to stay at home and recover from a long week than go out on a Friday night. Something about the Casita Records Party happening Friday, January 23 at Dope Chapel feels like getting the best of both worlds, though. Maybe it’s because “casita” translates to “small house.” Or maybe it’s because the label — founded by Ben Hill and Tristan de Liège — is pushing a brand of electronic music that is as refreshing as it is artistically stimulating. Marrying nature-heavy motifs, loops and samples with subtly welcoming dance grooves and heady ambience, Casita Records plays nicely with Bonobo, Darkside and Caribou … like a home away from home.
The label is home to Hill’s solo project Askanse and responsible for the Norman producer’s great debut record, Spring & Early Summer — which the Oklahoma Gazette named one of the best Oklahoma records of 2014. Milwaukee-by-way-of-California product de Liege makes music as Stratus, and together, Askanse and Stratus form Thoma.
Askanse, Stratus and Thoma will all perform sets Friday night, joined by Celadon City, the talented Edmond artist and Safari Collective figurehead whose new EP, Warm Notes For You, is out January 24 on Sturm & Klang Records. The show starts at 9 p.m. and costs $5.
