VANGELIS VARGAS
LA born and raised, Vangelis Vargas is a classically trained musician and graduate of Cal State Fullerton’s guitar performance and composition program. During his studies, a passion for electronic and experimental music was sparked through his explorations throughout the iconic rave era in Southern California during the 1990s. Immersed in the two disparate worlds of classical music and underground techno, he completed his studies and went on to co-found the LA-based music collective, Droid Behavior.
Along with partner Drumcell, and brother Vidal, the influential group spearheaded a techno movement that spanned a decade and a half, determined to breakdown all preconceptions and provide a platform for the marginalized genres of electronic music. Throughout their 15 year span, they cultivated a forward-thinking audio-visual experience known as INTERFACE. One of the longest-running warehouse series in the city, Interface provided a backdrop where “purist techno” and experimental music could be presented without compromise, and inspire a community of like-minded individuals to further enrich LA’s musical landscape.
As part of production group Raíz, Vangelis toured throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas performing a unique DJ / Live hybrid performance. The group created a tight bond and offered a new mode of expression wherein he could apply his musical training into a potent emotionally driven live set. Raíz released numerous EPs and remixes on established labels as well as curating a small batch of conceptual releases on vinyl, cassette, and digital on their own imprint, VRV.
Vangelis revisits his roots in classical and ambient with a new solo project informed from his decade and a half as both curator and accomplished performer. Pressed by cultural relevancy and a fresh perspective, he presents a hybrid set consisting of original music at its core mixed alongside works by a new generation of experimental composers and producers. Each performance is carefully crafted in context of its space where intention acts as the guide in an ever-evolving musical narrative.
