In 2004, after years of underground convergence and involvement, DJ/Producer Gianna Hardt founded Forté Productions. Forté Productions’ inception was inspired in direct response to the shift in nightclub takeover of the electronic music scene, the unnecessary obsession of segregating electronic music genres and the competitive politics that were diluting the scene. Forté aims at rectifying this diversion through innovative, intelligent and unbiased electronic music events, instilling a new sense of faith in the scene, and most importantly, inspiration to the people. Forté Productions’ mission is to consistently cultivate, create and innovate eminent unparalleled underground electronic music events.
This Chicago-based music event innovator was impassioned by the underground dance scene’s roots of warehouses, abandoned buildings, loft parties, Route 66 and Harvey Expo Center. Forté Productions has taken the foundations and experiences of those days and evolved them into their own original eclectic events of today. As a result of Forte’s unpretentious stance, Forté Productions has been able to develop and maintain positive relationships and friendships with fellow promoters and artists locally and internationally. Forté’s unique position allows its undefiled loyalty and passion for music and the underground to clearly be conveyed.
Forté Productions’ events strive to provide partygoers with a distinctive family/communal experience and vibe, while introducing and showcasing cutting edge electronic music. From 2006-2007, The G-Spot would be the home and headquarters for Gianna Hardt and Forté Productions. It was here, at this legendary loft space, where Forte Productions would claim the Chicago underground as their own. Despite the space being sold to make real estate offices in late 2007, this was not the end of an era. Forté Productions just had/has to work harder to bring you the best underground venue(s); for the love; for the music; for the movement.
Coming from a wide array of in-depth musical background and influence, Gianna Hardt’s inherent forté is music. Wanting to innovate and shape the scene when she saw opportunity to implement positive change, Forté Productions was born. Not only does “forté" mean an individual’s strongest talent or greatest strength; the concept of forté stems back to Gianna’s classical training, where forté is a dynamic in music that denotes to play loud and strong. Forté Productions not only promotes playing loud and strong, but being/living loud and strong. These basic concepts along with a passion for music became the inspiration and embodying mantra for what would become a new approach and platform for electronic music events. Together, Gianna Hardt and Forté Productions, will continue to be prominent figures in the electronic music scene, always pushing boundaries and standards.
In November of 2008. the first Hardt & Soul was launched. The concept of Hardt & Soul embodies Forté Productions' mantra and passion of creating a unique, intimate and unforgettable experience for our audience, emphasizing and utilizing proper alternative venues. Each Hardt & Soul will take place at different alternative locations throughout Chicago. Mike Shannon was the first headliner, and LoSoul was the headliner for December 2008. Hardt & Soul is dedicated to bringing Chicago the best in underground electronic music.
"I put my heart and soul into everything I do, so it only seems right to call the night as such... I don't think there's too many souldiers left, so I feel it is my duty to bring this night to Chicago." - G. Hardt
