Hank Alfresco’s Ezoo picks that you might not know (but should)

Ah yes it's that time of year again.  It's hard to believe in just 3 short years Made Event has transformed a small dance festival just outside of Manhattan into one of the most anticipated musical events of the year.  After last year went off without a hitch (well... almost. I'm still upset about Plastikman), there's no reason to expect anything but the same this year.  From mass transit, to entrance lines, even to dust control, Made Event really seems to have it all together and have proven they're some of the best event   organizers out there.

Now, onto the music.  Rather than give you a bunch of pick’s and “must-sees” that you already know, I figured I’d share some of the lesser known talents that are sure to put on one hell of a show.  If you’re looking for a list filled with Guettas and Aokis, look away now.  However, if you want an experience filled with diverse track selections and the deeper, darker shades of dance music, then this is the list for you.

Apparat (Live)

As one of the few acts with live instruments, this will be a nice change of pace from the rest of the weekend.  Apparat is a very well respected musician, and embodies all that is right in the industry; he produces music with high artistic value that often doesn’t fall into place of any existing genre.  Rather than go for the money and fame by producing whatever’s popular, he is constantly exploring and experimenting.  With recent news that he is back in the studio with his good friends Modeselektor, I’m holding out hope that he plays my favorite track from them, Rusty Nails.  Or better yet, something new!

See some more of my picks after the jump!

Claude VonStroke

There is probably no label that I’ve been into more lately than CVS’s own Dirtybird.  After seeing Christian Martin, Worthy, and Justin Martin all destroy dance floors with their dirty basslines and sweet, sweet techno breaks, who better to look to than the boss-man himself.  I discovered Claude 2 years ago at ezoo while waiting in line for the bathroom right next to the Sunday School Grove.  With Claude playing his remix of Percolator, my friend and I couldn’t help but hop off the bathroom line and into the 1/3-full tent.  Hopefully NYC will give the man the respect he deserves this time around and fill up that tent.

Djedjotronic b2b Strip Steve

When the line up came out this was something that really jumped out at me.  Two of BNR’s heavyweights going back to back is not something to be missed.  This set is gonna be pure techno goodness, with a little disco & acid flavor thrown in there.

Kavinsky

Kavinsky is a man zombie that got his big break touring with fellow Frenchmen, Daft Punk, during their 2007 Alive tour.  Need I say more?  Well I will anyway.  Going into a Kavinsky set you can expect some slow, badass electro with an 80s synth pop feel to it.  This is something you're gonna wanna catch as he is truly offering something you’re not gonna get from anyone else at the zoo.

Maya Jane Coles

The last couple of years have been great for Maya Jane Coles, racking up numerous awards along the way.  The still rising star produces some of the best deep/tech house out there, while also putting out very tasteful dubstep under her alias Nocturnal Sunshine.  Her show with Maceo Plex at Beekman & the afterparty at SRB Brooklyn were some of the best I’ve seen this year, and I expect her to deliver more of the same next weekend.

Now all that's left to do is wait 10 short days until we can let our inner animals out once again!