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
pm–2 am, $4, 21+.