Last Thursday at Podlasie Club reminded me exactly why Chicago’s underground scene hits different. Heavy Rotation brought a stacked lineup of local talent, and the energy inside that tiny, intentional dancefloor felt raw, personal, and completely dialed-in.
Podlasie has that rare layout where the room itself feels like part of the set; dim, intimate, and zero pretense. People weren’t there to pose. Everyone was locked into their own world, eyes closed, bodies moving, riding the pulse of minimal techno.
Casket — immersive + hypnotic
Casket’s set stood out immediately. Chicago-based and raised in the depths of the city’s underground, his sound carries that lineage: moody, minimal, heavy at the edges but smooth in the transitions. You can hear the influences; Ben Klock, Moby, Massive Attack, but the way he blends genres feels uniquely his.
His VJ and lighting background definitely shows in the way he shapes atmosphere. The whole room felt suspended in this dark, rolling current.
999 — attitude on the decks
999 came in with sassy, sexy energy; playful mixing, bold track choices, and a style that feels confident without trying too hard. They know exactly how to tease a room into movement. Their presence brought this fun, hot, slightly chaotic edge to the night in the best way.
Floor Supervisor — Chicago roots, Chicago soul
Floor Supervisor brought back that classic Chicago feeling: acid house, hard house, and that old-school grit that makes you want to sweat it out on the floor. After time bouncing between New Haven, New York, and home again, you could feel the renewed inspiration behind his set. It felt like a love letter to the 80s Chicago sound with freedom, heat, and attitude.
Mina Mills — deep rhythm, clean flow
Mina’s set was smooth and intentional. She has a producer’s ear — clean structure, thoughtful pacing, and a flow that keeps you locked in without overwhelming the room. Pure dancefloor focus.
Gigi Sa3id — movement first
Gigi’s deep house and garage selections had this magnetic, rolling bounce to them. Her background across different musical subcultures shows: encyclopedic taste, weird little gems in the mix, and an instinct for exactly what the floor needs next. Her reverence for the dancefloor is obvious — she plays for dancers, not the booth.
Why Podlasie Thursdays Hit
The dancefloor is tiny, but that’s what makes it perfect. You feel the music more. You feel people’s energy more. You feel the DJs responding to the room in real time.
The night had that undeniable underground electricity; minimal techno vibrating through the floor, bodies moving in sync, and zero ego anywhere. Just people who love music showing up to share a moment.
It was one of those sound therapy nights.
Authentic, intimate, and exactly what a Thursday should be.
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