Daniel Leyva, better known as Word of Command, has spent almost a decade building out one of NYC’s most beloved techno nights, FIST (Fun Is Still Transgressive). Having just celebrated its 9th birthday at BASEMENT last month (where the party has held a residency since 2019), FIST’s longevity is due in no small part to Leyva’s commitment to fostering a space for queer-oriented techno in New York to flourish, long before the approach rose to such prominence in the city.

Since 2021, Leyva has helmed a monthly radio slot on NTS, all the while collecting bookings across New York, the US, and, as FIST and its founder attract increasing attention overseas, at some of the world’s leading clubs including Razzamatazz, Tresor and RSO.BERLIN. The Cuban-American Leyva, who recently moved from Brooklyn to Paris, recorded his CENTER BOOTH set while back in New York for FIST’s birthday bash three weeks ago. Accustomed to taking the opening slot at his own parties, Leyva took the opportunity to play harder and faster than he typically might, peppering his set with left-field bangers and stylistic curveballs designed to shock the listener out of the standard 4/4 experience. Expect choppy drum & bass/psytrance hybrids, rave incantations in foreign languages, hardcore/trance freakouts, brain-melting amelodic techno and other unexpected delights. Included are two tracks from the just-released debut FIST compilation: krow’s “Tilt”, a tough, crunchy percussive tool, and Hugo Mesi’s aptly titled “Distended Mindbender”. Fun, perfectly paced and brimming with bold selections, Leyva's CENTER BOOTH recreates the sweaty energy of a peak-time pummelling at FIST.