There are few musicians who manage to explore the convergence between techno and experimental as successfully as David Letellier. Known as Kangding Ray, he has been producing for almost a decade, releasing his music exclusively on Raster-Noton and Stroboscopic Artefacts.

The aesthetic domains of these two labels epitomizes Kangding Ray’s complex sound—it’s an aesthetic that tests boundaries, evolving tirelessly in its exploration of texture, rhythm, and sound design.

Letellier’s foundations in rock and musique concrete give his music a vitality and uniqueness that has won fans the world over, from discerning avant-garde–electronica listeners, all the way to devoted clubbers.

KR has also been known for remixing artists such as Battles on Warp, Ben Frost on Mute, or Inigo Kennedy on Token.

Those who have been following Letellier since his debut album, 2006’s Stabil, will recognize not only his meticulous and constantly developing approach to sound design, but also the conceptual gravity behind his releases.

Through a string of recent EP’s and albums, culminating with the critically acclaimed “Solens Arc”, KR showed his ability to keep his artistic approach while delivering direct and powerful club-leaning tracks and darkly cinematic soundscapes. On 2015’s “Cory Arcane”, he pushed the limits of his sound even further. Relinquishing standard rhythmic structures and conventional tonal models, he delivered what is perhaps his most sophisticated release yet; a raw and visceral universe, allowing a more fluid dialogue between soul and machines.

Former bassist in The Soft Moon and longtime San Francisco DJ, Justin Anastasi is the creative head and producer behind the club night VX and co-founder of the SF based Surface Tension DJ collective.

Nihar (SF) is a Asian American experimentalist, musician and sound designer. Nihar’s live selector sets often mixes the sounds and rhythms of the 21st century global supply chain. Nihar has has released music on influential underground labels such as Squirrels on Film, Psychic Liberation, Jacktone Records and Ascetic House. He is also the co-label head of Left Hand Path, which has been featured in The Wire, Resident Advisor, Fact Magazine and elsewhere for its top track record of releases.

He has contributed DJ mixes to globally renowned series such as The Bunker NY and Honey Sound System.

Recent Releases: Machines (2023, Squirrels on Film), Rumble/Vermillion Garden (2020, Psychic Liberation), Chrysalis (2018, Jacktone)

SURFACE TENSION is an interface between primal sound and future vision SURFACE TENSION is a party series in San Francisco, CA SURFACE TENSION are: Justin Anastasi / Nihar Bhatt / DJ CZ / Jason P