VOLATL Events is an innovative music event production agency, founded by Nadia Podolsky based in Chicago. In the autumn of 2006 the concept of VOLATL Events took root. VOLATL was conceived in an effort to bring musical mayhem through cutting edge performances which utilize high end sound systems by standout, cutting edge artists. VOLATL is dedicated to its diverse body of performers, giving them carte blanche to express their unique visions, dynamic stage presences, and futuristic sounds.
In an effort to expose audiences to the depth of the artistry in techno, minimal and house, Nadia Podolsky’s VOLATL Events has booked a myriad of genre-defining artists including Carl Craig, Bruno Pronsato, Adam Beyer, Camea, Cassy and more. VOLATL has produced over one hundred memorable events in Chicago, Detroit, New York, and Miami, with a forward-thinking approach to sound arrays and bookings over the past five years. Most recently, VOLATL co-produced Mobilee Loves Detroit, an Official Movement Afterparty featuring Anja Schneider, Pan-Pot and more, in addition to launching Mr. C’s successful Superfreq brand into Chicago, which resulted in a recent profile in TimeOut Chicago. Next up, pack your bags and fasten your seatbelts…VOLATL Events is heading to Europe!
Past and Present VOLATL Branded Events
(re)Chicago
Chicago is recognized around the world for its vital contributions to the development of House music. With the combined talents of veteran DJs Mazi and Kate Simko, and promoter Nadia Podolsky from VOLATL, Chicago has re-asserted itself within this community through a unique, collaborative event dubbed (re)Chicago, which launched at the legendary “Red Dog” night in April. The event series was recently featured by internationally-respected press outlet Resident Advisor as a News Feature in a highly favorable review for the Chicago debut of acclaimed house producer Jus-Ed. (re)Chicago is a monthly showcase that takes place at some of Chicago’s most unique gallery, loft, and nightclub venues. Featured headliners for (re)Chicago include DJ Three, Deetron, Doc Martin, Cassy, Ryan Elliott, and Chez Damier.
D3 at Smart Bar (Chicago)
To celebrate and strengthen the longstanding connection between Chicago nightlife and the world-renowned Detroit techno and house music scenes, the D3 event series celebrates the innovators of Detroit techno and the 25th anniversary of this unique art-form. D3 (Discover Deconstruct Detroit) is not only a fusion of house and techno but a meeting of art, fashion and music as well. DJ Lady D and D'lectable Music, along with VOLATL events, have partnered with contemporary artist collectives like Artkiwon and praksis to bring a decidedly unique artistry to the events with live painting, live fashion and art installations in the club environment for total transformation of Chicago's most famous venue, Smart Bar. Past D3 headliners include Stacey Pullen, Monty Luke, and Juan Atkins, and Grammy nominated composer and world class DJ Carl Craig.
Something in the Sky (Detroit)
VOLATL Events recently presented a landmark conceptual event in Detroit featuring electronic-music pioneer Jeff Mills, a guest appearance by legendary Underground Resistance producer and musician “Mad” Mike Banks, and VOLATL resident Jason Patrick. Jeff Mills performed an exclusive set for the launch of his new imprint Something in the Skies with provocative visual artistry specifically designed for the showcase. VOLATL designed this event to accommodate Mr. Mills and Yoko Uozumi’s complex technical specifications, managed all of the audio/visual rentals and setups, and worked collaboratively with the owners of the venue. The event received significant press coverage from international electronic-music magazine Resident Advisor and the Detroit Metro Times.
Collaborations with alias.
VOLATL Events and alias., a Los Angeles-based event production company and artist PR firm, are continuing collaborations on a number of ground-breaking electronic-music events in Chicago and beyond. Most recently, alias. and VOLATL Events produced the “Mutiny” showcase at Chicago’s Vision Nightclub featuring a live set from Christian Burkhardt with the support of Chicago-based event promoters Migrashun and MiM Productions. VOLATL Events and alias. are raising the bar for electronic-music event production, booking DJs with world renowned reputations alongside the Midwest’s rising stars, who represent many of the city’s electronic and dance music collectives. Their showcases include an underground event in Chicago featuring partnerships with international superstars Mr. C and Mazi and a large-scale event in Detroit featuring artists from the Berlin-based Mobilee Records during the weekend of Movement, Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival.
Collaborations with Oktave (NYC)
VOLATL Events and Oktave, a New York-based techno collective headed up by Jeff Derringer and Kevin Gregor, create memorable nightclub events intended to reaffirm Chicago’s position within the international techno community. Most recently, VOLATL and Oktave presented the Chicago debut of Silent Servant at the world-renowned nightclub Smart Bar. VOLATL and Oktave collaborate to help organize and price North American tours for ground-breaking techno artists. Upcoming collaborations on both Chicago-based and New York City-based events are scheduled to continue well into 2011.
Collaborations with Spybar/2 Red Belts and Green Dolphin Street
VOLATL has had longstanding working relationships with the music directors, talent buyers, club owners, and promoters behind the 2 Red Belts collective and some of Chicago’s top-rated venues including the intimate and exclusive nightclub Spybar and the popular dancehall and jazz club Green Dolphin Street. These collaborations have produced some of the most memorable techno events of the last four years. As a result of VOLATL’s contributions via promotions and bookings, Spybar has hosted the world’s most in-demand techno DJs, including Adam Beyer and Ida Engberg, Konrad Black, Davide Squillace, Paco Osuna, Mr. C, Adultnapper, and many more. Other collaborative events with the promoters behind 2 Red Belts have produced several incredible day-into-evening patio events at Green Dolphin Street. These BBQ & Beats events have built an enormous following in Chicago during the summer months. Past guest headliners have included Ghostly/Spectral artist Matthew Dear, Deetron, Dyed Soundorum, and more.
Happy Volidays
VOLATL events continues to present its successful Happy Volidays holiday event series each year. Depending on the venue, past events have hosted as many as five hundred attendees.
The Other 9 to 5
Designed to stand out from the typical after-Movement event choices, The Other 9 to 5 series showcases an impressive performer roster, including internationally prominent techno artists making exclusive Detroit appearances. The events showcase at least seven hours of DJ sets by both veteran and rising talent from around the world, including VOLATL residents. Patrons enjoy decadent audio experiences at unique Detroit venues close to Hart Plaza, the location of the Movement festival.
Better Than a Box of Heart-Shaped Chocolates
VOLATL events presents the Better Than a Box of Heart-Shaped Chocolates events in Detroit annually during Valentine’s Day weekend. Strengthening the long-standing connection between the Detroit and Chicago techno and house scenes, the artist rosters feature the finest Midwest talent and international guest headliners. Held in historic Detroit nightlife venues, these events draw hundreds of attendees, helping to stimulate the struggling Detroit economy and support the city’s electronic-music culture.
PAST PROJECTS
VOLATL at Sonotheque
Hoping to expose audiences to the depth of the artistry in techno, minimal, and house scenes, VOLATL’s Sonotheque events have featured Osborne (Spectral residency), Bruno Pronsato, Exercise One, Elon, Ryan Elliott, Dilo, and Sonja Moonear, among others. The high-energy VOLATL events at Sonotheque, an intimate electronic music-driven lounge with a Funktion One sound system, featured packed rooms and outstanding live musical performances from some of the world’s most forward-thinking artists.