Seattle's got so much talent that our relative unknowns can show up international stars.

The best part of the most recent Broken Disco wasn't the headliners; instead, it was local DJ/producer Rebecca West, who performed live under her Red Pony alias. West got the audience moving early, confusing many who heard the music and thought the Kooky Scientist was already on. She surprised a lot of people that night, but her set's quality had plenty of precedent from her DJing over the last decade.

For Broken Disco, Rebecca West was performing only her second live set, after debuting a few weeks prior at Oscillate. The aesthetics were similar, but the Broken Disco set certainly showed progression. Even with technical issues, West had the audience completely locked into her sound, epitomizing the possibilities in tech-house and minimal. Not only did the set flow, it was intelligent and delicate, but with more than enough bump to get the crowd going. From the people bouncing in front to those chin-stroking in the back, there was something for everyone in that set, a rare feat for veterans, let alone Ableton newbies.

An easy explanation for West's quick development as a live performer is her lengthy experience as a DJ. She started DJing in 1996, quickly picking up a string of residencies in the then-burgeoning electronic music scene. Over the last decade, she's earned a bit of a reputation for consistently quality mixing and track selection regardless of genre, which has brought her dates around the globe (she's preparing to play China and Tibet). While she's got no plans to curtail her busy DJ schedule, she is enjoying this new extension to her creative outlet.

"I feel so inspired about performing," she says. "There's something so much more engaging about doing a live set. Using my own loops and things, it's just more personal."

Aesthetically, West produces music in the same vein of the music she enjoys: highly melodic, emotional techno. Melody is used to evoke a particular response, but the DJ in her doesn't allow her productions to become sad-bastard music, instead using melody as a backdrop for a lusher, fuller sound.

"My overall goal is to convey feeling in the music I make," she says. "Sometimes it's bumpin' and kinda bangin', other times it's deep, techy kind of stuff, but in the end I just want to make pretty things that make people feel something."

To that end, West plans to maintain her busy DJ schedule and continue to work on her own production. She's currently taking piano lessons, which she says has helped her further develop her melodic sensibilities. Overall, West is trying to build up the qualities that made her Broken Disco set so impressive—highly nuanced production that didn't forget about the people trying to have a good time.

"I try to find a balance between taking it really seriously and not taking it seriously at all," she says. "I'm serious about learning and getting better, but I don't want to take the fun out of it."

Rebecca West plays regularly at Chapel on Fridays, and plays the Seafair Masquerade Ball on July 26. Check her site, www.aural-fixations.com, for more info.

Get Out!

THURSDAY JULY 26

TIM SWEENEY
The Beats in Space podcast is one of the best things on the internet. Tim Sweeney hosts all manner of guests, from Carl Craig to Spank Rock, letting them do their thing before closing it out himself. He knows what's working in the clubs because he's heard about it from the world's best. Chop Suey, 1325 E Madison St, 324-8000, 10 pm—2 am, $8 before 11 pm/$10 after, 21+.

SATURDAY JULY 28

JOEY YOUNGMAN
The Fetish Recordings and Jackin Tracks label head is credited as one of the future faces of house music, combining the usually disparate aesthetics of Chicago and San Francisco. Ridiculously prolific under even his own name, for this appearance he'll be going "head to head" with his own Mario Fabriani guise. Crimson C, 209 First Ave S, 624-7665, 10 pm—2 am, $10, 21+.

SUNDAY JULY 29

DAFT PUNK AFTERHOURS
After the Daft Punk show, a lot of people are going to head home, using the "it's a school night" excuse. For those looking to keep the party going, there's the afterparty at Chop Suey, featuring Daft Punk openers SebastiAn and Kavinsky, along with others. For those looking for something more underground, Shameless and UHF are throwing an afterparty not far from the show, but you'll have to find one of those guys to get the details. Chop Suey, 1325 E Madison St, 324-8000, 9 pm—2 am, free w/RSVP, 21+.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1

LADY MISS KIER
Even the most jaded elitist has to admit to a soft spot for dance-music group Deee-Lite. After they broke up, Lady Miss Kier has kept the party going with DJ gigs and solo performances, with constant rumors of an album on the way. You may have to forgive some of the mixes at this DJ gig, but the track selection should be fun. See Sound Lounge, 115 Blanchard St, 374-3733, 9 pm—2 am, $10, 21+.