The unsung influence of LA's noisy electronic underground is Venetian Snares. The one-man project of Winnipeg native Aaron Funk, Venetian Snares has been experimenting both with ambience and with aggressive beats since the late-'90s. For local artists like Baseck, Kawaiietly Please and Eustachian, he is the guy that helped make their own strange sounds possible.

When Venetian Snares popped up at a Darkmatter System party last February, the crowd went nuts. (You should have seen the line after the text messages were sent. Read our recap of that event.) Tonight, he plays the Key Club. Prepare yourself.

Venetian Snares surprise gig at Darkmatter Soundsystem, 2/28/09. Video by Liz Ohanesian.

Venetian Snares live @ Badeschiff, Vienna 2009. Video by twoxon.

Venetian Snares live in Chicago, 10/23/09. Video by NoSignalComedy.

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.