You could fill a rolodex with adjectives to use when describing Wave Racer’s music—a high-energy mix of bright, shimmery synths and samples that wouldn’t sound out of place in the Nintendo 64 game from which Tom Purcell borrowed his stage name. One fan took to Twitter to proclaim that “listening to Wave Racer, is like looking at Lisa Frank stickers,” which also makes sense. It’s easy to imagine the Australian DJ and producer’s music evoking searing magentas, purples and neon pinks in the minds eye of a synesthete.

Purcell, who brings Wave Racer to SP2 Communal Bar + Restaurant next Tuesday, defers to his fans when it comes to explaining his tunes. “Everyone comes up with better adjectives than I do when describing my music,” he says. Wave Racer’s maximalist, “future bass” sound is often compared to Cashmere Cat, Hudson Mohawke and Rustie—all of whom are known for their jam-packed, erratic, yet pop-oriented, styles.

But all of that is too clinical sounding for Purcell. The way he explains it, he is just trying to make music that is “fun and makes you feel good with cool synth sounds.”

The majority of those “cool synth sounds” come from and through Purcell’s primary tool of creation—his laptop. “Technology and the Internet has made it possible for the process of making music a lot faster as well as having the ability to get more sounds on demand,” he says. The producer crafts his pieces by seeking out and experimenting with sounds—drawing them out of the vast electronic sea that is the web, pulling them apart, and combining them with other sonic scraps.

It’s a sound that is clearly resonating with clubgoers all over the world. Purcell is just coming off of a European tour, which took him to Amsterdam, London, Paris and Berlin. He’s set to play a homecoming show in Sydney before coming to the States for a string of shows, including the Mad Decent Block Party in Maryland, a headlining set at 1015 Folsom, and the SP2 show—a treat for fans of the bar who also happen to appreciate Wave Racer’s brand of glossy EDM.

The Wave Racer show is not the first such event at SP2, and it won’t be the last. However, according to Pomaikai Shishido, co-owner and manager of the bar and restaurant, SP2 is not looking to become a club. Although a previous show at SP2 drew as many as 800 people, the Wave Racer event is being intentionally limited in order to foster a more intimate vibe and avoid over-crowding.

As for Purcell, he is riding high on his recent, well, wave of success, and says he is excited for the show. “It’s always exciting going to new places and not knowing what to expect,” he says—“Just going out there to play my music and experiencing something new is really great.”

Wave Racer spins at SP2 Communal Bar + Restaurant on August 5 at 10pm. More info.

Hot summer weekends all but demand a drive to the beach, but Sundays offer a good reason to stick around: a solid schedule of day parties. Whether it’s live music or DJ, here’s a sampling of ways to wile away the summer days.

The Social Brunch Series @ Sp2
Sp2’s outdoor set-up—a massive patio with wood, brick and succulents—stands on its own. Every Sunday guests can do brunch or drinks on the patio and catch live music.  “The Social” features a rotating lineup of bands like Nesta, Hot Pockets, and No Water After Midnight playing R&B, funk, jazz and reggae.

Last Call @ Motif Lounge
With no music boundaries and no dress code, Last Call at the Motif Lounge is all up to what the DJ picks. A standing party for the last five years, Last Call has hosted guest DJs from the Bay Area and beyond. Rotating DJs Eni, Aj Orbit, Two Tons, and Eternal keep the party going Sundays, 4:30-9:30pm, playing just anything on the bpm gamut: trap, hip-hop, house, drum & bass. It’s the kind of party for anyone who loves to get down on the dance floor or who doesn’t mind a few sonic surprises.

Sunday Sessions @ Myth Taverna & Lounge
Every first and third Sunday on the newly renovated patio at Myth Taverna & Lounge, Sunday Sessions brings together fans of R&B, hip-hop and soul. Talents such as the legendary DJ Jazzy Jeff have come to rock the crowd, assisted by a rotating lineup of DJs: Goldenchyld, Wen Davis, Cutso, Remedy and Rated R. Sunday Sessions runs 2-10pm, but has been known to reach maximum capacity by 5pm, so an early arrival is suggested.

Detox Sundays @ The Fairmont Hotel
In its seventh season, Detox Sundays at the Fairmont Hotel will kick off June 22 with L.A. and Las Vegas DJs David Garcia, JJ Flores, and Fabian. Patrons enjoy the rooftop pool, with access to both a full bar and poolside bottle service, with house beats rocking from midday to sunset.

San Pedro Square newcomer SP2 Communal Bar + Restaurant kicked off the early Halloween party with “Exotica” on Saturday.

Metro photographer Darrell Nance was there to catch the party.