5 Steps with Gene Farris
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Founding member of Chicago’s infamous house music scene, Gene Farris, returns to his own label with his latest number ‘Mr Everybody’.
With notable collaborations including Cajmere, Green Velvet, Loco Dice, Riva Starr, Mark Knight, Jamie Jones and just recently Danny Howard with ‘How Do We Feel?’ alongside releases on Dirtybird, Defected, Toolroom, Saved and Relief, the Farris Wheel head honcho has been pushing musical boundaries for close to three decades.
Gene Farris lives and breathes house music. A bonafide Chicago legend, he’s been pushing musical boundaries for close to three decades, from spinning at underground warehouse parties in the early 90s to working with the current crop of world-leading labels and artists. Relief, Dirtybird, ViVa Music, Defected: all have released and championed Gene Farris records over the past few years, alongside his own Farris Wheel imprint: a fitting testament to the quality and relevance of the music he creates.
As someone who has never paid mind to the restrictions of genre, Gene Farris moves effortlessly between all shades of house music, making him at once accessible and unpredictable. This round Gene comes in hot with ‘Mr Everybody’, as a hooky topline flows throughout this vocal driven groover, perfect for both the airwaves and re-emerging club and festivals across the world.
Learning how to DJ at 10 years old.
This was where it all began for me and my love of House music. I originally started with disco.
Learning how to make songs at 17 years old.
I feel lucky to have had the luxury of being in Chicago and learning from the best to ever do it – K-Alexi, Ron Trent, Glenn Underground and Boo Williams to name a few.
My first big gig and residency at the Chicago legendary Powerhouse in 1991.
This was a major turning point as this club had some of the biggest DJ’s in House music history as residents true icons Ron Hardy, Dj Rush, Terry Hunter, Ron Carroll I mean.
My first record coming out on Relief Records in 1994.
By far one of the biggest days of my life, on this day I meet one of my best friends for life Curtis Jones aka Green Velvet. Also, this was the day I realized I could actually do it if was willing to put in the work.
My first gig in Europe
In the summer of 1994, I was invited to play at the Ministry Of Sound in London. What a way to pop my cherry in Europe at such an iconic venue. After this, I felt truly ready to tackle anything the UK or Europe was gonna throw at me.
