IVAN SMAGGHE @ RANDOMLAND BEAT BOX
With The Glimmers, Barbi, A.D/D., DJ Evil Dee, Bizarro, DJ Law, Vaneska, more. Fri, June 13. CiRCA, 126 John. $15.
While many will be drawn to Randomland’s main room to hear Belgian duo The Glimmers, I’m also psyched about French DJ/producer Ivan Smagghe. A one-time radio host, Smagghe got into Paris’ music scene while working at the infamous Rough Trade record shop and his indie roots have always shown. He formed the edgy electro act Black Strobe in 1997, left it in 2006 (though they continue on) and has mixed truly interesting CDs for series including Bugged Out, Fabric and Kill the DJ. Smagghe has long entertained diverse audiences in bars ranging from seedy to trendy with a sound that ranges from abstract and minimal to full-on electro house.

JAMES PANTS @ STONES THROW’s MOVE
NXNE SHOWCASE
With Peanut Butter Wolf, Egon, Arabian Prince. Fri, June 13. Wrongbar, 1279 Queen W. $15 advance tickets at Play De Record, Rotate This, Goodfoot. Limited NXNE wristbands accepted.
The 1980s clearly had a massive impact on one Texan who would later move to California and become part of the Stones Throw family. Adopting the name James Pants, said man has just released Welcome, one of the most eclectic and intriguing amalgams of ‘80s electro, new wave, no wave and rap you’ll hear all year. He brings his guttural shouts and sweet falsetto to the stage at this label showcase, which also features the T.O. debut of Cali’s Arabian Prince a.k.a. Professor X of N.W.A. fame.

DJ RUFFNECK @ HEAVYWEIGHT JUNGLISM 2
With DJs Mystical Influence, Frankie Gunns, Prime, Rick Toxic. Fri, June 13. 117 Peter (back alley entrance). $5 before 11:30pm, $10 after.
In the beginning, there was DJ Ruffneck. It’s a slight exaggeration perhaps, but not by much. Alongside DJs like Malik X, Ruffneck was a pioneer in bringing breakbeat and jungle to the rave scene that was developing in Toronto in the very early ‘90s. He could be found dropping ear-shattering drums and mind-melting bass at early events like Chemistry and Delirium, but hasn’t been heard from locally in years.

PLATINUM PIED PIPERS @ THE ACADEMY NXNE SOUL SHOWCASE
With Amdanda Diva, Ayah, Kae Sun, Mz. Chawlz, I.James.Jones, DJs L’Oqenz, Mensa, Rod Skimmins. Sat, June 14. Sound Academy, 11 Polson. $17 advance tickets at Play De Record, Slinky/Moog, Soundscapes, Live Stock. Free entry to first 100 NXNE wristband holders.
When Detroit-born producers Waajeed and Saadiq released the Platinum Pied Pipers album Triple P in 2005, their rich, soul-infused approach to hip-hop was met with much excitement. They’ve since moved to Brooklyn, developed PPP into a full band and are set to release their sophomore album, Abundance, on Ubiquity in October. Word is that the band’s sound is “bigger and more dynamic,” with Waajeed dubbing it “electro soul.” Judge for yourself as they perform new material at this showcase.

KID CUDI
With Bonjay, Pilotpriest, Wyrd Visions, More Proof DJs, more. Sat, June 14. Drake Underground, 1150 Queen W. $5 before midnight, $10 after.
A.P.E. and the More Proof crew join forces to present a NXNE show that will rock the Drake from dusk till (almost) dawn. The night is being headlined by Fools Gold artist Kid Cudi, a Brooklyn-by-way-of-Cleveland rapper who waxes intimate and poetic over stuttery beats and fresh hooks. Rocking a sound that’s as creative as his stories are personal, this “lonely stoner” with a sweet, sing-song flow is a nerd, straight up — he even shouts out the Kids in the Hall — but if tunes like “Day N Nite” are any indication, he’ll get the girl and save the day in the end.

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