The Beatdown

Dallas has always had its fair share of DJ and production talent; with that in mind, it’s no small compliment to call Demarkus Lewis the hottest hometown house DJ/producer working the club circuit. With multiple releases on labels such as Moods & Grooves, Bluem, Roam and Alluv Recordings, Lewis has hammered out his niche in the highly competitive club circuit. You might think a monthly residency at Zentra, the house-music mecca of Chicago, and a calendar that has taken him to the four corners and the seven seas would prohibit him from holding down local gigs. Insanely enough, the man still performs in Dallas several times a month at weeklies and various one-offs opening for top-tier talent like Derrick Carter and Miguel Migs. Even crazier, he somehow makes time for a side project as the DJ for Dallas’ best-kept secret, White Lotus Society, playing records as the backdrop for a full band featuring dueling pianists and vocalists Adam Pickrell and Corey Lacy.

With his new imprint Grin Music taking off, things are looking upward for Lewis, but does that necessarily mean onward? Hard to say, but either way, don’t blow two chances to catch him this weekend. Friday night’s Texas Housing Authority at Zubar boasts an all-star lineup of local talent including Waric Cameron, Paul Paredes and Luke Sardello in a pre-Winter Music Conference shindig. If plans keep you from attending Friday, don’t sweat it–Lewis plays with mixing partner and wife Kelle Marie at his regular gig the following evening at minc.