Article by Christian Pandtle

U Street Music Hall’s Saturday night “Bliss Parties”, thrown by the eponymous Blisspop crew, have become a near weekly staple since UHall’s opening in 2010. With over a decade of experience throwing raucous parties for DC’s house heads, it’s reasonable to expect the best vibes and people at any Blisspop event.

While UHall owner and Blisspop don Will Eastmen did not take to the stage this week, he treated his loyal party people to some top house talent in the form of Dirtybird’s very own Justin Jay, up and comers Bixel Boys with a bevy of local talent.

The night got started a little too early for my tastes (8pm? Are we in high school?), but by the time we got through the door sometime around 11pm, the party was in full swing. LA young guns Bixel Boys were rocking the basement with what they describe as “underground tunes for big rooms”, and since UHall isn’t a very big room, they were killing.

Their set felt like a house party, with relatively quick transitions, hard thumpy bass, and a tasty selection of pop hit transformed into gritty bangers. An early highlight of the night was a huge transition from Tchami’s anthemic ‘Shot Caller’ to some ID remix of ‘Ni**as in Paris’.

It’s incredible the power that a recognizable pop hook holds over the dancing masses. It seems like for most people hearing Kanye say words that you’ve heard before is like seeing a long lost friend, propelling you off the wall into ecstasy.

Regardless, Bixel Boys killed it– bringing So Cal vibes to the East Coast.

So while the Bixel Boys brought the energy and hype, acting as an ambassador of Claude VonStroke’s powerhouse Dirtybird label, Justin Jay threw out track-after-track– the deep grooves that we all need and love.

Utilizing the exact sort of hip-hop inspired house which has made the Dirtybird crew world-famous, Justin Jay played two-hours of straight ultra-funk for a crowd that eventually consisted of only the most loyal dance fans, stepping and swinging until close.

Those who stayed through Justin Jay’s set were rewarded by hearing a fine selection of unreleased tunes on the best sound system around.

Needless to say, it was one of the better Bliss parties of recent memory– making us excited about the upcoming Anniversary Week Bliss on March 22nd, featuring Dusky and Will Eastman.