a/jus/ted is the musical concept of veteran producer Justin Strauss and analog aficionado Teddy Stuart, better known as Eddie Mars. Since meeting in early 2012, the duo has been hard at work in the studio, crafting unique, synth-inspired dance music.
a/jus/ted is the musical concept of veteran producer Justin Strauss and analog aficionado
Teddy Stuart, better known as Eddie Mars. Since meeting in early 2012, the duo has been
hard at work in the studio, crafting unique, synth-inspired dance music.
As a DJ, Justin began his career in 1980 at the legendary Mudd Club in New York, and
later held residencies at some of the city’s most revered nightclubs, including AREA, The
Ritz, Tunnel, and Limelight.
Strauss began producing in 1984, and soon became one of the most sought after remixers
of the time period, working on over 200 records for artists including Depeche Mode,
Luther Vandross, and 808 State.
Continuing his work in the studio, he formed Whatever/Whatever in 2007 with Bryan
Mette, producing remixes for LCD Soundsystem, Lenny Kravitz, Foster The People and
more. In 2012 the pair released an original production – ‘No Social Culture’, which
featured Beto Cravioto, and a stunning remix by Teddy.
Before becoming known as Eddie Mars, Teddy cut his teeth working as an engineer in
the major label studios of Manhattan, developing an ear for songwriting and an expertise
in the control room. Meanwhile, in Brooklyn, he threw all-night loft parties, and, with an
arsenal of synthesizers, began to produce dance records.
His first release, ‘Future’, was described as a “brilliantly spaced out and disco-fied debut
single” for record label UNO NYC, and attracted the support of DJs such as Andrew
Weatherall, Bottin, and Serge Santiago. Shortly following this success, Mars produced a
string of remixes for DFA, Under the Shade, Plant Music and more.
It was these remixes that caught Justin’s ear, and, shortly after meeting Mars, Justin
found himself in the studio at an Arp piano, laying down the chords which would become
the foundation for the duo’s first single, ‘Stay up Here’.
After finishing the music, the duo enlisted the help of singer Miss Bee, whose stunning
vocals completed the vision for the group’s debut record – a spacey, slow-building burner
of a track.
If this debut is any indication of things to come, we can expect a long and promising
output of deep, dancefloor-focused songwriting from the duo. And with upcoming
remixes and two major releases already underway, it looks like 2013 is the year to get
a/jus/ted.