The last time Kate Simko appeared in this space [June 28, 2007], the Chicago techno producer was just getting her name out as a solo act after a string of well-regarded releases as one half of Detalles (along with Andres Bucci). In the year since, she's been on a tear, touring damn near everywhere, and solidifying her place on Ghostly International's Spectral label roster with the release of the EP She Said in March. In support of She Said, Simko is the current headliner for the ongoing Spectral Residency tour, where her live set continues to wow audiences (check the recording from Spectral's Winter Music Conference party if you need proof). The Residency arrives in Seattle on Monday at Nectar, and it's definitely where you'll want to be after Matmos lets out.
The next night at Chop Suey is another can't-miss, as dubstep pioneer/ambassador Kode9 makes his first Seattle appearance. Sure, he runs the Hyperdub label (home to the endlessly praised Burial), but just as important are Kode9's own productions on labels like Rephlex and Tempa, not to mention his DJ sets worldwide. Thankfully, Chop Suey's made some recent improvements to the sound that allow it to crank the volume yet avoid noise complaints, so the bass should be bone-rattling without interruption from the boys in blue.
Jumping back a few days, on the night of the Fourth, after you've celebrated our nation with the traditional overeating and gratuitous explosions, you can keep the party going at the War Room with Sing Sing favorite and M.I.A. DJ Low B. The whole party-jams scene is getting a little long in the tooth (not every song needs a Baltimore club remix), but you'd be hard-pressed to find a better DJ to close out a day of good ol' American excess.
Finally, a new night to announce: The same folks who brought the Strictly Jaz Unit (Chicago house veterans Glenn Underground and Boo Williams) to Seattle a few months back have started off a new weekly in the U-District (don't hate, you need to leave the Hill more often, anyway). The plainly titled House Night aspires to be low-key, with a healthy focus on danceability and good vibes. Most interesting is that despite the name, they're dedicating second Saturdays to deep techno, that unfortunately rare space where the definition between house and techno blurs then disappears. The night's still getting its legs, but it's good to see someone stretching the boundaries of what "house" means in Seattle. 
Kate Simko plays Mon July 7, Nectar, 9 pm, $7, 21+.
Kode9 plays Tues July 8, Chop Suey, 9 pm, $12, 21+.
Low B plays Fri July 4, Sing Sing at the War Room, 9 pm, $10, 21+.
House Night is every Saturday at 5260 University Way NE, 10 pmâ2 am, $4, 21+.
