Whether you think you do or not, everyone knows the song “Sandstorm” by Darude. You really think you don’t? Let me spark your memory. It goes something like: dadadadada, nanananana, badadadada, badadada…

OK, so maybe that doesn’t help. But I can assure you, the song is pretty prevalent in pop culture, or at least meme culture.

Starting with a “League of Legends” play-through posted to Reddit in 2013, the 1999 trance EDM song began to gain traction. It became common to respond to the question “Song name?” with “Sandstorm by Darude” regardless of which song was actually playing.

Though the popularity of this meme spiked in August of 2014 according too “Know Your Meme,” it continues to pop up in YouTube videos and internet references. And, OK, I still think the bad recorder cover of the song is funny. Sandstorm is a meme gone but not forgotten.

Outside of this one song, however, it seems Darude is not particularly well known. Judging by the way my peers reacted when I mentioned Darude, it was clear he has little to no recognition. So when local bar Etsi Bravo agreed to host him this week, I had to wonder why.

Etsi Bravo co-owner Cory Preston would contest that Darude’s skill goes beyond the meme.

“Everybody knows “Sandstorm,” of course, that’s the jam,” he said. “But last time he was here, it was so cool how great of a DJ he was outside of that song. The energy he brought was great. He had the crowd chanting ‘Pullman!’ and then looping it into his mixes.”

Etsi Bravo hosted the Finnish DJ last spring, and Preston was excited to have him back. Darude’s tour went from Ireland to Canada and around the U.S., but Pullman was a special stop. Darude’s manager contacted Etsi Bravo specifically to add the bar to the tour.

“Darude’s style is a mixture of progressive and uplifting trance. It’s fun, energetic, harmonious music,” said Preston. “It’s a really cool opportunity because he is such a legend. He was a pioneer of this music before EDM was even around.”

Preston praised Darude’s talent and energy, mentioning his audience interactions and skill as a DJ. I’m pretty intrigued myself. Of course, I can’t go, because it’s at a bar and I’m underage. But for anyone else who can go, it seems like an event worth checking out. If nothing else, it’s a good opportunity to give a performer a hearty Pullman welcome.

“We take it as a form of flattery that he wanted to come back since he’s not just floating around the area,” said Preston. “We threw him such a good party that he wanted to come back.”

Darude will perform at 9 p.m. tonight at Etsi Bravo. Doors open at 8 p.m., and tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

Anna Young is a freshman creative writing major from Helena, Montana. She can be contacted at [email protected].