Russell E.L. Butler

Russell E.L. Butler is a producer and live performer who was born in Bermuda and built their reputation in the Bay Area's underground dance scene before relocating to New York. They work primarily with hardware — drum machines, synthesisers and mixers — and perform live rather than DJing, improvising tracks in real time from that setup.

The results tend towards raw, distorted techno and electro, with rough edges left intact and a strong emphasis on mood; Butler has often framed the music in personal terms, tied to questions of identity, grief and belonging. Their releases have appeared on a number of independent electronic labels.