Pretty Lights Music presented Gramatik and Break Science, along with Paul Basic at Turner Hall Ballroom on Thursday, April 12th, 2012. These individuals take the stereotype out of electronic music, and convert it into a clever “type of stereo.”

Gramatik recently headlined the 2012 Winter Warmer Festival, and has been creating a name for himself in the Milwaukee electronic music scene. His laid back, yet explosive palette of ideas shows through during his on stage presence by seeming emotionless, but confident knowing that everyone digs it.

Break Science, also part of the Pretty Lights Music record label, have had their name tattooed on some fine tuned line-ups in the past few years. Drummer Adam Deitch, previously touring as a co-operative duo with Pretty Lights legend, Derek Smith, is tailoring his style and having some fun along the way.

The electronic music scene receives much negative criticism for its “monotonous, repetitive, elementary sounding styles” however, there are few groups that take the genre to a more “educated” standpoint and are essentially breaking the audio thresholds of science. The use of other instruments, hence the drums, keyboards, and guitars used during this performance bring the futuristic sounds of electronic music back down to the basic understood and cherished respect for composition and live music. These instrumental techniques equipped with a DJ using the power of technology to replicate these extremely difficult, and sometimes impossible sounds to imitate on standard instruments brings positivity to enhance the show.

The lighting during this performance captured the vibe of the audience quite flawlessly. The sepia-toned spotlights had a drawn out motion to them, as if time were passing at half pace. These were complimented by a series of clear lamp spotlights. Their sets held this bogged down attitude, but in a positive way. There were no unruly heart-stopping drops, or quick-cut glitch techniques, but more of a melodic, sensitive, laid back tone where the music seemed to just glide over the crowd, rather than scare them. The levels were easy on the ears, and there was no annoying breach of audio discomfort.

The crowd was manageable and the walkways were maneuverable. A few couples in the crowd seemed to have felt out of place by their acts of looking around in question and whispering heavily; maybe catching a show after dinner downtown or just regulars to Turner Hall, but they loosened up and ended up displaying a variety of affections towards the artists.

This self-motivated duo displayed a smooth-retro, yet fresh approach into the intimidating era of electronic music.