SOUND: Well-layered, pumping, intense minimal techno

WHERE TO HEAR: Mills plays a lot of his own, new material for the first time at Smart Bar on Friday, April 20; he'll be rocking three Technics 1200 turntables, two CD players and possibly a 909 drum machine.

CLAIM TO FAME: Axis Records label founder and well-traveled DJ known for his energizing techno sets

NEED TO KNOW: Mills and his wife, Yoko Uozumi—who have homes in Chicago and Berlin—recently opened Gamma Player, a boutique at 2035 W. Division. Swing by the shop April 19 for an exhibition called "One Man Spaceship," which also is the name of Mills' newest album. Check out tracks from the album, released in Tokyo in October; if you dig it, the sounds soon will be available Stateside, at Gamma Player and online. It's a free shindig with killer sounds—what other reason do you need to swing by?

WORDS: Now that Mills has set up shop in Chicago with Gamma Player, will he grace the decks of Windy City spots more often? "I hope so," he told us. "It would be great to play for a regular night in Chicago. One night a year is nice, but less is really achieved. Having an audience for every week or every 14-15 days, you can accomplish more."

WHEN: 10 p.m. Friday, April 20. $15 cover before 11 pm; $20 after. Smart Bar, 3730 N. Clark. Also: "One Man Spaceship" exhibition at Gamma Player. 7-10 p.m. April 19. No cover.