Detroit is a magical city, it’s the city where Techno was born. Iconic DJs from decades of making music and performing have called Detroit their home. From the finest top-tier talents to the underground artists it's a talent pool in Detroit. Duo Ataxia, and one of the most talented and influential figures in Detroit’s music scene, Joshua Guerin aka Mister Joshooa, formed a powerhouse act. “What started as a bromance, and shortly evolved into a full-fledged marriage for sure.” The new DJ act was created through the power of passion, and a love of house and techno. “I think it was just like a mutual fascination with producing music and eventually partying all the time. We'd always end up back in the studio and everybody would be busy partying and making music, that's where our minds were at. So we naturally moved away from certain things and towards each other.”
Artist Interview Episode 006: ATAXIA X MISTER JOSHOOA
About Ataxia
Celebrating fifteen years, Detroit-based production duo Ataxia, members Ted and Eric Ricker are one of the most recognized underground DJ duos in the house music scene. Ataxia’s collaborative work discography features peer Detroiters DJ Minx, Andres, Terrence Parker, andMerachka. Last year, was monumental, after releasing a full-length album ‘Out Of Step’ on Life and Death. Plus, the heavy-duty reboot of the legendary Psyche “From Beyond” anthem. Ataxia’s consistent output through the Planet E label family has earned them recognition as label regulators. Remix and edit work of their cuts coming from Delano Smith, Luke Hess, Ryan Crosson, Shaun Reeves, Matt Tolfrey, Ralph Lawson, andJamie Jones. Tracks by the duo have been aired on BBC Radio 1, Ministry of Sound, Circoloco Radio, Ultra Resistance, Defected, and a slew of terrestrial stations across the globe. They are fourteen-year residents at the world-famous TV Lounge and have hosted their Friday Night Machines party series in cities across North America, including a long-standing run at home in Detroit.
Listen to ‘Out of Step’ Album:
About Mister Joshooa
Aside from being one of the best and most humble DJs and producers in Detroit, Mister Joshooa has dedicated his life to nurturing the electronic music industry in the city and beyond. With a tenacious spirit, Mister Joshooa's success was earned through hard work and dedication to his craft. He honed his skills by asking the right questions and surrounding himself with those he could learn from, and he has poured his literal blood, sweat, and tears into the music industry in Detroit and beyond. Joshooa's steadfast dedication to the music, and earnest pursuit of molding the next generation of artists, has played an instrumental role in ensuring that the music he holds dear lives on with the integrity and dignity it deserves. At the beginning of 2024, he officially announced his retirement from TV Lounge, where he worked for two decades as both the music director and general manager. Mister Joshooa is ready to show the world where his heart truly lies, behind a set of turntables. His sound is difficult to classify but deeply influenced by the old-school sounds of Midwest house and techno. Regardless of the genre, Joshooa's musical expertise is palpable. His ear for sound and eye for production create a potent combination, cultivating multifaceted performances that allow listeners to turn off their brains and tune into their feelings. Throughout his career, Mister Joshooa has worked with several highly regarded local and international labels, with release credits that include 20|20 Vision, Planet E, Life and Death, Info Lines, and Cryovac.
“The difference between what happens here and everywhere else is that the program is focused on an evolution through the day of what's going to be best for the audience. People are paying premium money and sacrificing time. Taking a break to come to a festival is a big deal for the audience. What separates Movement from the rest of the world is that it’s specially curated so that everything is ready to go for people from the time the doors open until midnight. Then it's after-party mania! But truly the festival itself is different than the rest of the world because the music is the number one most important barometer.” - Ted, ATAXIA.
Since the beginning of their careers, Mister Joshooa and ATAXIA have been playing at nightclubs and festivals, producing music, and collaborating with local artists. A few years back they started releasing music as a trio-powerhouse act. Known as the “tooth in your jewelry box,” last year, the trio unveiled their “Mastermind” mini-album on the infamous Life and Death imprint with a collection of terrace heathers in the minimal house variety. “We're trying to proliferate it. We're like studio rats and musical engineers, we can make it happen.” Inspired by their love for vinyl and deep respect for music and production, the label, My Baby was launched in 2016 with Eric Ricker of Ataxia. ”We did five releases on My Baby and once the pandemic hit we kinda stopped because it just didn't feel like that was pertinent to be pressing records. We haven't kicked it back off since however a new thing was born, a couple of white labels coming out soon.”
Listen to 'Mastermind' LP
Goals & Advice
Their goal in making music together is to look forward to the next generation of upcoming artists and talent, and more new music is to come with underground artists. “We met some kids that it's always good to look towards the future. You can look at your generation in the here and now and say, this is it. But if you're not thinking about the next generation and what's coming, then you're missing the mark. So I'll just tell you, the folks that we're endorsing right now, the new kids from Detroit the Silver Dumb Boys". They continue to talk about making music and making an impact in the music industry as a DJ.
Especially these days in 2024, it has become more difficult to become a DJ because everyone wants to be famous. It's what separates the passionate artists and pairing curators from the famous social media star DJs. "We can lay it up for you. We can turn on everything, route the music just right, get your compression on your vocals, and make you sound tight like a producer would do if you were a band. We are about sticking to your own, everyone should be planting the seed for the next generation of talent. Josh and Ted continue, “You can always make another song or if you're not down with finishing songs, you can just play. It's called play for a reason, it's not work. We like to play. Always tape before you finish your music and get done with the song put it on tape and wrap it up.”
The trio had the honor of closing out Day two of the DJ Soul Clap’s House of E-Funk 10th Anniversary party with a sunrise set on the morning of Memorial Monday. It was a magical moment for three members individually because of their long-standing residency home with TV Lounge. The trio continues their success with more releases, collaborations, and tours. Individually both acts will release music, along with new projects. Mister Joshooa recently announced a new weekly residency at Summertown Fresh Bar, in Detroit. The daytime party will take place every Sunday this summer. Since its establishment, it has already become a staple for music-loving locals and features weekly special guests from Detroit and beyond. The party has no cover and features a top-of-the-line, high-fidelity sound system provided by Audio Rescue Team.
Final Thoughts
“I think that my best song hasn't been released yet. Every time I finish a track, it never feels like a finished track. I always have something to fix and something to make better. Every time I listen to my track, it doesn't matter if it's live or in a show or here in my studio, it's not good enough. So my best track wasn't released yet but I have tracks that I like more and tracks that I like less.”
HEVI LEVI
On that beautiful day at the Movement Detroit Festival, we asked ATAXIA x Mister Joshooa what are your final words, “Listen to more Primus. The bass is sick.” Look out for upcoming music and tour dates from the Detroit local trio making huge waves in the house music scene.
North Coast Music Festival Announces After Party Lineup
The music doesn't stop when the stages at North Coast Music Festival go dark. Chicago's festival weekend is set to keep the energy going well into the early morning hours with the official 2026 North Coast afterparty schedule, bringing a stacked lineup of electronic music heavy-hitters to venues across the city from Thursday, September 3 […]
It all started while I was sifting through old emails and stumbled upon a media invite from DJ Label, an up-and-coming record label based in Miami. As luck would have it, their team was heading to New York for opening weekend at The Summer Club NYC in Long Island City. Leading the lineup for the […]
Experts Only Fest NYC 2026 Announces Phase 2 Lineup
John Summit’s powerhouse imprint and event series, Experts Only, has announced today the Phase Two lineup for its return to Randall’s Island Park on September 19–20, 2026. Following a sold-out debut that drew over fifty thousand fans, the Experts Only Festival NYC 2026 edition is doubling down with three distinct stages, expanded production, and exclusive […]
Every artist has a line they won't cross. For Bosnia-born, Hamburg-raised electronic giant Solomun, that line was geographical. For over ten years, the Diynamic Music boss adhered to a strict, self-imposed summer boundary that once the Ibiza season starts, you do not cross time zones. No transatlantic flights, no grueling long-hauls, and absolutely no leaving […]
