GENE FARRIS

Gene Farris is the sinister minister of dance music¹s changing sounds. Farris¹s global DJ track record and extensive discography of over forty productions are definitely a testament to the true Chicago house sound. Farris’s unique dexterous DJ style that includes extended sultry, melodic blends with tuff beats makes him a party favorite around the world. House music is Farris’s undoubted passion that also drives his full flavored, colorful studio creations. Farris’s deep roots in house music and strive to be the best keeps him on the global electronic music industry’s cutting edge.

Pushed by local kids in his South Side neighborhood of Chicago Gene Farris caught the DJ bug at the tender age of twelve. Inspired by the likes of Ron Hardy, Prince, and Roy Ayers Farris began blending a mixture of funk, disco, and soul combined with eighties’ pop icons such as, Duran Duran. One may still hear hints of disco in his style.

Even in his early years Farris was constantly on the move. By making mix tapes for his neighborhood buddies and selling them at many famed Windy City record stores like Gramaphone, Farris’s spinning skills quickly developed. Not only did Farris’s style evolve, his reputation rapidly grew. After many late nights ‘beatn’ down neighborhood block parties, Farris earned his childhood dream slot warming up for legendary Ron Hardy and Ron Carrol at the epic AKA Club.

As the early nineties approached, Gene Farris became a major player in the thriving Chicago dance scene. Wanting to hear more diverse house music Farris inevitably began to produce his own tracks. His first production style was tuff, loopy and tracky House. At the time Cajmere (of Green Velvet) just started a new label named, Relief Records. Close friend, Ron Trent, urged Farris take his hard hitting tunes to Relief Records. Trent thought Farris’s tracky sound was perfect for the early Relief.

House music history was made when Farris took his demo to Relief Records. Hanging out in the Relief office was another young Chicago DJ called Sneak, who also just made his first demo. Farris and Sneak both had their tracks signed. The “Farris Wheel” EP was Farris¹s debut release for Relief in 1994. Gene Farris, alongside like minded musicians such as DJ Sneak, Paul Johnson, Derrick Carter, DJ Rush, Ron Trent, Boo Williams and Glen Underground formed the new wave of notorious, soon to be globe trotting Chicago DJs and producers.

The “Farris Wheel” EP was the beginning of a prolific production career. Gene Farris¹s discography highlights works released on dance music¹s most respected labels such as, Defected/Fluential, Soma Records, Siesta Music, Force Inc., Formaldehyde, 83 West/ Camouflage, Communique, Defmix, Static, and more.

Being a leader in the industry, Gene Farris started his own label, Farris Wheel Recordings, Inc. in 1998, with “The Copa Cabana” EP. Among the label¹s many loved EPs is FWR 008 “The Spirit” – Gene Farris featuring Sneak remix. In February of 2001, Gene Farris unveiled Farris Wheel Recordings’s spin-off, Farris Wheel Limited. Farris’s concept for the new imprint is to steer away from saturated samples and feature more original, organic productions. Farris Wheel Limited artists are incorporating live feeds into their melodic soulful beats. Also, 2003 will see the release of the Farris Wheel imprint’s first CD compilation of the its own catalouge mixed by Gene Farris.

Currently, Farris continues his travels around the globe DJing for his fans throughout the United States, Canada, and many European countries like Croatia, Holland, Israel, and Russia. However, Farris still finds time in his busy schedule to devote in the studio. He is is working on a full length album of original music for release in 2003. Farris’s motive for the album is to push beyond the barriers of the current house music sound. Farris already collaborated with many remarkable dance musicians such as renowned house vocalist, Robert Owens and a fresh New York City production favorite, Onionz (just to name a few).

When asked about his future in music Gene Farris passionately replies, “House music is my one and only true love. I’ve been with her for over sixteen years and never plan on leaving. She’s my peace… me and the music.”

WILL CLARKE

Similar to many artists Will Clarke’s sonic palette comes his experiences and influences from home and afar. The roots of his sound stem from both his home town of Bristol, and his seasonal home in Ibiza, which have forged Will’s style; a style that fuses the best of Bristol’s bass elements with the upfront house music sensibilities of the white isle.

Having started on his path of 4/4 discovery at a young age Will’s early career defining moment was gaining a residency at Kanya in Ibiza, where he was able to hone his skills day and night in front of the Ibiza crowd, and his DJ peers, gaining fanbase and respect along the way. Will explains “Playing in Ibiza felt natural straight away. I get on and work well there, it fits, it’s my second home.”

Cutting into the DJ circuit is no mean feat, but the cream rises to the top, so whilst Will is busy DJing at an ever growing list of clubs he’s also getting prestigious gigs at clubs like Space and MOS. Along side these gigs Will has also be building his own club brand Cut a Rug. Holding regular parties at Motion in Bristol Cut A Rug have hosted the likes of Visionquest, Carl Cox, Boys Noize, Zombie Disco Squad and Hauswerks, with whom Will has been able to support on the decks, a job which is natural to him. Outside of the UK Will has been booked for his debut Australian tour towards the end of the summer. Along with trips back and fourth to NYC and not forgetting Ibiza during this summer.

Yet whilst DJing and promotion have been building well for Will, his real strengths lie in the studio. Having been committed to his studio for many years he also undertook a music production course that have seen him made rapid progress in a short time with releases on labels such as Anabatic, Exploited, Southern Fried, No Brainer along with the launch of his new label Cut A Rug. Some of Will’s recent releases has had support from the likes of Jamie Jones, Mista Jam, Hannah Wants with plays on Radio 1 and Radio 1 Xtra.

Talking of his approach to productions Will says “I make music for clobbers, not DJs. I sample a lot of old school rave tracks from the 90s, with 21st Century production techniques.” Then add those little influences from Bristol and Ibiza and you will understand why Will’s music holds such a broad appeal and is often supported by fellow DJ’s such as Justin Martin, Seth Troxler, Ardlander, J.Philip, Worthy, T.Williams, Waifs & Strays, Pezzner and Miguel Migs. 

Will Clarke is a talented, skilled, young producer who is making strides in the dance music business with his own sound and now his own label / events. He has an impressive list of quality productions and remixes that is growing month by month and a great track record at his residencies and guest gigs. You know you can trust him to come up with the goods in the studio and in the club, Will just Cuts the Rug like that!