Matthew Dear at Public Assembly in Brooklyn during CMJ 2010. Photo by Jeff Martin.

Detroit’s avant-pop mastermind Matthew Dear is one of the most prolific electronic artists working today. From releasing various albums virtually every year this past decade (under his own name or as Jabberjaw, Audion and False) and remixing the likes of The XX, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Hot Chip, Spoon and The Chemical Brothers to much acclaim, Dear doesn’t stop to rest. It’s this undiminished energy that’s fostered a reputation for high-voltage live performances in the U.S. and abroad. Dear embarks on an east coast tour this week with a live band to bring the futuristic sounds of 2010’s Black City to a wider audience. Before playing U Street Music Hall tonight, Dear answered a few questions from DCist about the best city to play in Europe right now (“Austin may be the capital of live music but London is giving it a run for its money.”), Kurt Vonnegut, working with your idols and everything in-between.