Lady DJs
Cwalino
TECHNO HAS NEVER quite fit into Austin’s musical landscape, so the ladies of Pleasure Escape had to take measures into their own hands. Led by Deep Creep (Sasha Cwalino) and Malika (Sarah Malika) with a rotating cast including Cap’n Tits (Samantha Garrett), Trinidad Trini (Katrina Fairlee) and Mary Magdalena (Zoe Darsee), Pleasure Escape has built a reputation for throwing don’t-call-them-raves in unusual locations like warehouses and Mexican restaurants, with the address often kept secret until the day of the event. “We didn’t necessarily start by avoiding traditional club
environments; if anything, no one would give us a chance to play,” says Cwalino. “We also didn’t like the idea of stopping the music when the bar shuts down at 2am.” Pleasure Escape’s techno-dungeon aesthetic is
unmistakable. Whether it’s darkening the dining room of Tamale House East after closing or taking over art spaces like ATM Gallery, expect chains, black lights and an industrial-strength fog machine. And the soundtrack? Think pounding kick drums and
doomsday synths over pulsing bass lines—music that’s best enjoyed at ear-splitting volumes. Funkier house sometimes sneaks into the mix, but the focus is on the release offered by darker stuff. “I want to take people out of their daily headspace of
stress and normalcy to escape to something where they can lose themselves within the music and atmosphere,” says Cwalino. We can get behind that. à Follow Pleasure Escape on Facebook to find out what dark warehouse space it’s fogging next.
FROM DIRTY SIXTH to the 4th Street District, Austin’s dance floors have consistently served as safe spaces for those exploring sexuality and identity. A particular group that’s established itself as one of the Austin LGBT community’s most progressive party starters is Of Their Own. Comprised of Girlfriend ATX (Ezra Edwards), Lolo
(Lauren Franchi) and Breezah (Bree Rose), the newly formed group joined forces in January, but its members have a combined 20 years of experience moving crowds. Franchi and Rose are relative newcomers to Austin (arriving in 2014 and 2016, respectively), whereas most Austinites will recognize Edwards (who identifies as gender nonbinary) from birthday parties for divas like Beyoncé and their unapologetically cheesy Middle School Dance Party at Cheer Up Charlies, where ’90s tunes like
La Bouche’s “Be My Lover” and New Radicals's "You Get What You Give" turn into epic sing-alongs. Of Their Own’s format is unpretentious and anything-
goes, with selections that include the latest Drake track and classic house anthems. Although the crew recently stepped out of the downtown scene to throw a party in an East Austin warehouse, its home base is decidedly Cheer Up Charlies. “It’s the first place I played in Austin,” says Franchi. “I came down to DJ during GayCL, and my experience behind the booth that night was so welcoming, encouraging and lovely. The energy on the dance floor and in the space actually sealed the deal and helped me decide to take the leap and move to Austin.” à Follow Of Their Own on Facebook (
facebook.com/oftheirown) to find info on its regular gigs at Cheer Up Charlies and the Volstead.
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May 11–August 16, 2017 Time Out Austin
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