The Numero Group
Tuesday, March 3 at Sonotheque, 9 p.m.; free
The Numero Group, the locally based record label that re-releases the rare gems of music-nerds’ dreams, is finally starting to do some events. Tonight, Numero DJs and friends spin records to celebrate the release of Local Customs: Downriver Revival, a compilation CD and/or LP featuring sounds from Ecorse, MI (part of Detroit’s Downriver area) residents, recorded in Felton Williams’s home studio over a couple decades. It’s full of soul, gospel, funk and more, and comes with a 30-minute making of the album DVD which will also be screened tonight. Music lovers, soul fans and those looking for an intelligent, unique night of music should not miss the event, especially considering it’s all free.

Riot Fest
Friday, March 6 at darkroom, 8 p.m.; $7 or free with RSVP to nick@blendproductions.com
The new monthly Riot Fest party at darkroom, which launches tonight, not only offers fun music from Pretty Good Dance Moves, Apteka, LMNOP and Brock, but they also offer an all-night Le Tourment Absinthe Sampling (better yet, there?s a hosted bar from 8-9 p.m.).

Join the Circus
Friday March 6 at Griffin Lounge, 9 p.m.
Tired of slumming it at your neighborhood dive bar because of the crappy economy? Head to the Griffin Lounge for the debut of the Party, a new weekly event that aims to kill the elitist bottle-service vibe while still giving clubbers an over-the-top nightlife experience. Tonight’s installment is appropriately called Join the Circus and features a pony booth, balloons, face painting, specialty drinks, cotton candy and a karaoke machine. To kick off the event, Maxwell + Carter, the promotion company behind the soiree, brings in DJ duo Sampson and Young for a four-turntable set. Assuming the cover charge doesn’t get out of control and the bouncers keep their attitudes in check, this event could redefine River North nightlife for the better.

Claychella
Saturday, March 7 at Debonair Social Club, 2 p.m.; no cover ’til 11 p.m. with RSVP to everyoneisfamous@gmail.com
Last year, Claychella rocked it out all day at Tuman’s with cheap burgers, cheap beer, fun DJs and enough hipster cool to fill the entire Ukrainian Village. This year, Claychella, an all-day party organized by loved nightlife photographer Clayton Hauck steps up the locale to Debonair Social Club, but the fun vibes, cheap drinks and good music still reign supreme. From 2 p.m. until 3 a.m., Claychella guests can enjoy two-for-one pizza slices, drink specials and a long list of DJs and live acts including Zebo, Miss Gab, Yello Fever, BBU, Flosstradamus, Chuck Inglish, Derek Specs, Annalyze vs. Major Taylor and Matt Roan.

Exile & DJ Day
Saturday, March 7 at Subterranean, 10 p.m.; $10
Hip-hop producer Exile and DJ Day hit Chicago to celebrate the release of Exile’s newest album, Radio. Tonight, the Cali hip-hoppers get Sub-T going with a four-turntable and two-MPC set and are joined by local acts Rashid Hadee, 1993 and Pathfinders as well as the Dilla Set- DJs Trew, Maker and Pickel recreating J. Dilla beats with four turntables and an MPC.

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In a time when hip-hop producers are quick to ride trends, Radius‘ work stands out as unwavering and confident. His debut album, Neighborhood Suicide, is a soulfully constructed journey through sound and experience, with Chicago as his inspirational backdrop. It has been regarded as one of the most intriguing instrumental albums of 2008, and continues to rake in accolades from publications like the Chicago Tribune, Deli Magazine and Vain Magazine. Centerstage caught up with Radius to talk about his thoughts on Chicago being considered “haterville,” and where he plans to take his music in ’09.

What’s your full name and where did you grow up?
Ramon Norwood and I grew up in the South Chicago area next to Avalon Park and Chatham.

When did you decide to get into production?
2001 when I moved up north to Uptown. I started using Acid Pro 3.

Eight years is a relatively young career. Anybody in particular that’s aided in your progression?
A handful of people: my roommates back then, Darvis aka Layman and A.J. aka Overflo, Kenny Keys, Tall Black Guy, Hondolo and Kylebeats out of Dallas, Texas. Always looking for records and music helps, too.

Can you run through some artists from both the past and present that have inspired your sound?
I still haven’t truly found what my “sound” is. I have a general idea of “oh, that’s a Radius beat,” but I usually try to go in other or more directions each time I make something. I would say I got a lot of my formal training from being into J Dilla, Madlib, Pete Rock, Caural, Dimlite, Dabrye, Kankick, RZA and Organized Noize on the instrumental side, but also cats like King Tubby, Lee Parry, Scientist, Portishead, etc.

What are your thoughts on the traditional way of beatmaking versus the digital way?
I don’t think there is a traditional way, or one real set way. It’s all up to you and what you want or plan to do. I mainly use an MPC, but I didn’t start with that. I’d love to have more hardware over software any day though. I prefer to get the sound as it was or should be. So much can, and has come out of either way, so it’s all good regardless. If I had the dough, I would have real Linn drums, 808s, 909s, Moogs and Rhodes. One day though…

What about Chicago inspires you?
Any and everything; the food, the seasons, the diverse people from all over that I’ve met that have embraced this place as home, the grind, the hate people have on each other as well as the love. And last but not least the women, and good music of all types.

I’m glad you mentioned hate. Thoughts on Chicago being known as “haterville”?
Indeed that’s where we stay. We are the city that loves to hate, but what can one expect when we’ve always been considered the underdog or the little brother to the other major cities. We have a love/hate relationship with everyone, and to be honest with you we can’t help it [laughs]. It just surprises me that we are letting more bullshit rock and rap here because back 10 years or so ago many acts making it today would have got treated in a heartbeat, Apollo clown style.

Well, compare Chicago’s hip-hop scene to the coasts.
I honestly don’t have enough rank to do such a thing, especially within hip-hop, I don’t limit myself to that particular stomping ground. I’m still trying to make it out to New York to kick it for a bit, rock a show or two and absorb the scene. As far as L.A., I would move there for a short time easily and get my grind on. I see they have way more label and record store exchange and support, and it seems that the people on the grind there have a better overall collective going on. They also don’t witness a winter like here so way more people can stay out and about and kick it for events.

Yes, our winters are truly special. Tell me about Neighborhood Suicide?
My first official baby, my debut album on The Secret Life of Sound released in May 2008. I was going for a journey through Chicago based on my feelings and travels every day. The music speaks for itself; I feel there is nothing more to say beyond what is on the disc and the journal I wrote toward each track within the CD cover. I hope that people enjoyed it or will enjoy it if they haven’t had the opportunity yet.

What do you have coming up for 2009?
Working on a project for the Chicago-based limited tape pressing label, plustapes.com, which I am 85 percent done with. Also possibly Neighborhood Suicide 7-inch singles with remixes are in negotiation, and/or a 12-inch pressing of the album. Also a Digital EP with my homies, the collective Momentsound.com, a house/brokenbeat style EP possibly with some names in my circle I won’t mention as of yet. And hopefully much more.

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