Galcher Lustwerk^US

Credit: Collin Hughes

Already classic, Galcher Lustwerk is a complete, unique vibe. The New York-based producer, DJ, and vocalist ignited a fervent and instant fanbase in 2013 with his mix of all original material, 100% Galcher. Resident Advisor’s pick for the number one mix of the year, its sexy blend of azure deep house productions and analgesic rap murmurs spawned many imitators. As Pitchfork noted in their Best Reissue review, Lustwerk created, “a style that didn’t sound like anything else in dance music – not then, not before, not since.”

Study of his subsequent albums – 2017’sDark Bliss, 2018’s 200% Galcher, and 2019’s Information – provides a hazy reveal of his influences growing up in Cleveland, soundtracked by quiet storm, adult contemporary, and jazz. If saxophone lessons from age nine taught young Galcher the importance of improvisation, his early forays – starting at 12 – into electronic music production with a demo version of Fruity Loops drew from his growing interest in anime, skate video music, post-rock, and electronica from the UK. Cutting his teeth as a DJ while attending college at Rhode Island School of Design in Providence during the electro-house resurgence, his time there amongst the city’s noise scene introduced him to his future collaborations. In fact, there’s not so many artists that receive accolades from outlets as diverse as Mixmag (“a gift from house heaven”) and The Washington Post (“discreetly profound”). Perhaps that’s related to how Lustwerk’s signature deepness takes precedence over genre.