The Deep End

Chicago native Ryan Raddon was weaned on '80s new wave, but he chose his city's monumentally influential house scene as his sonic muse. The everlasting imprint of Raddon's hometown hero, Derrick Carter, led the blossoming DJ to adopt the musical alter ego Kaskade.

With ambiguous name in tow, Raddon left Chicago and migrated west, first stopping to lay the groundwork for Salt Lake City's dance scene before settling in San Francisco. Now a long-time talent rep for SF's renowned OM Records, Kaskade has released several mixes and two full-lengths, including last year's career-defining In the Moment. Spurred by the OM pedigree, Moment -- more than previous efforts -- melds jazzy, downtempo stylings la labelmate Mark Farina and Euro sheen reminiscent of Everything But the Girl with a subwoofer-straddling thump. Its lead track, "Steppin' Out," was treated as an instant deep-house classic, both by the charts and during its debut at last year's Winter Music Conference. The globetrotting spin-ster returns to Florida with a one-night-only gig at South Beach's revamped Amika Loft Lounge (formerly Shadow Lounge). Expect a healthy dose of funky 4/4 kick riling up the bevy of beauties in Amika's shagadelic, '50s London confines.

Kaskade drops the deep throb at 10 p.m. Friday, May 20, at Amika Loft Lounge, 1532 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. DJs Shawn Rudnick, Vaughn, and Sheldon will warm up the crowd; 21 and over welcome. Call 305-534-1399.