Industry Insiiide: Dark Under… Bringing Argentine Passion to Perth Warehouses
From a single birthday beach party to a 4-stage festival. We sat down with Eric (Erkevs) to talk about the lack of late-night venues, owning your own gear, and why Perth needs to stop playing it safe.
When Eric Kevin Carpintero moved from Buenos Aires to Western Australia, he noticed something missing.
“I was born in Argentina, where underground electronic music was a big part of how I connected with the scene,” Eric explains. “When I moved here… the events providing the kind of music I loved were almost nonexistent.”
Like many great promoters before him, he decided to fix it himself. Starting as a birthday beach party, his brand Dark Under (a play on “Down Under”) has evolved into a key player in Perth’s underground, hosting everything from warehouse raves to the 4-stage Wagyl Experience festival.
We sat down with Eric to discuss the struggle of finding venues that open past midnight, the benefits of owning your own sound system, and why he believes the scene needs to take more risks.
🇦🇷 The Origin: Buenos Aires to Bindoon
Dark Under isn’t just a party; it’s an attempt to recreate the specific energy of the Argentine underground in WA.
“Around 2022–2023, I wasn’t really enjoying the events I was going to,” Eric admits.
His solution was to build a team—including his partner Catalina, who jumped in after seeing the workload—and focus on the “music heads” rather than the mainstream. This culminated last year in the Wagyl Experience, a three-day festival in Bindoon that proved his vision could scale.
“One moment that stands out was during an extended set by TT… I watched it all from my cabin, too tired to be on the dancefloor. Every person was completely immersed. I told myself, ‘Damn, this was worth it.'”
🔊 The “DIY” Advantage
One of the biggest friction points for Perth promoters is the lack of late-night licenses.
“The biggest challenge is the lack of venues that can operate past midnight,” Eric says. “People who connect with underground music are used to going out late, and the energy rarely translates that early.”
His workaround? Own everything. Dark Under has acquired its own decks, sound, and lighting over the years.
“This allows us to work with licensed warehouse spaces… and set things up properly without unnecessary extra costs.”
📉 The “Safe” Trap
When asked for a controversial opinion, Eric didn’t hold back on the current state of the industry.
“The Perth scene is too focused on safe, commercial events,” he argues. “Promoters and venues play it safe, prioritising guaranteed crowds over taking risks with music.”
He believes the appetite for experimental sounds is there, but the industry is too afraid to trust the audience. “I think the scene would be stronger if more people were willing to trust the music, rather than just the numbers.”
🔮 The Future: KODA (Jan 24)
The mission continues this Saturday with a massive BYO warehouse party featuring Argentine producer KODA.
Hailing from Mendoza, KODA’s sound sits in the darker, deeper spectrum of minimal and techno.
“His sets are built around tension, groove, and emotional flow,” Eric explains. “This night is about atmosphere over ego, journey over hype, and connection over spectacle.”
The Lineup:
- 10:00 PM: MMAVICC
- 11:30 PM: MYSTIMORPHIK
- 01:00 AM: KODA (AR)
- 03:30 AM: ERKEVS
It’s a proper Dark Under gathering for those who truly listen. Strictly BYO (No alcohol sold inside).
⚡ Dark Under’s Quickfire
| Category | Answer |
| Favourite Venue (Perth) | Lucy’s Love Shack (RIP/Classic) |
| Dream Collab | WeLove & Techn0de |
| Ideal Event Vibe | Underground |
| Analog vs Digital? | Digital (Flexibility & FX) |
| Vibe Killer | Disrespectful crowds |
| Most Memorable Gig | Warehouse party w/ CAIKE (2024) |
🔌 Pass the Aux
We ask every feature guest to answer a question left by the previous interviewee.
Incoming Question from Techn0de:
“What genres do you think will thrive and what will go quiet in Perth in the next few years?”
Dark Under:
“I think techno will continue to thrive in Perth… There’s a growing community that really values the music, the atmosphere, and the connection it creates on the dancefloor, and that energy keeps pushing the scene forward.”
Outgoing Question for the Next Organiser:
“If you could host a party anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?”
Get Tickets for KODA (Jan 26): [Link Here]
Follow Dark Under: [Instagram Link]
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