Skip to main content

HMC News: Mark Grant, Gene Farris, OGC Live, Sean Strange April 14, 2010

Two established Djs that have played worldwide and then some and products of Chicago House Music< Mark Grant And Gene Farris takes the decks with our Wednesday Residents Julius the Mad Thinker and Sean Strange with Special Guest OGC Live!

Mark Grant

What makes a legend: longevity, fame, respect or a combination of the three? Label owner, songwriter, producer and DJ, Mark Grant has been making legendary moves for 23 years now. He is a world traveled DJ with a non-stop tour schedule secured by a fan base that stretches from his hometown Chicago, to as far as Istanbul. Hes produced a number of songs and remixes that have garnered him the respect of his peers and music media. Put it all together and you have an internationally known, well-respected talent who has shown incredible resilience in an industry of one-hit wonders. Its true, Mark Grant has the stuff of legend, but with no signs of stopping, dont call him one, just yet.


Gene Farris

Gene Farris is the sinister minister of electronic music’s changing sounds. Farris’ extensive discography of over fifty productions and global DJ track record is definitely a testament to the true sound of Chicago House. For Farris, music is his undoubted passion that inspires his works of the very best deep, bumpin’, funky, soulful House tracks in the industry. With sultry beatn’ blends in the DJ booth, Farris has been known to entrance and twirl crowds into frenzies making him a party favorite around the world.

Chicago born and raised Gene Farris caught the DJ bug at the tender age of twelve. During that year he was given his first DJ set-up that included a pair of turntables that did not have pitch control and a very basic mixer. Thus, Farris learned to mix the hard way. Inspired by the likes of Ron Hardy, Prince, and Roy Ayers Farris began blending a mixture of funk, disco and soul with eighties’ pop icons such as Duran Duran. His love of disco is still apparent in his work. While making tapes for his neighborhood buddies Farris developed spinning skills into the unique fast and funky dexterous style that we now associate with him. Selling his mix tapes to Windy City record stores like Hot Jams and Gramophone his reputation grew. Farris quickly graduated to “beatn’ down” neighborhood block parties. By the age of seventeen Farris gained his childhood dream slot warming up for Ron Hardy and Ron Carrol at the legendary AKA Club.

As the early nineties approached, Gene Farris quickly became a major player in the thriving Chicago dance scene, and inevitably began to produce his own tracks. Farris’ first production style was tuff, loopy and tracky House. However, his fresh tuff style caught the eye of close friend, Ron Trent, who recommended Farris take his tunes to a new label that Cajmere just started named Relief Records. When Farris went to Relief he met another young Chicago DJ called Sneak, who had also just made his first demo. The pair both had their tracks signed! The 'Farris Wheel EP' was Farris’ debut release for Relief in 1994. Farris, alongside fellow musicians like DJ Sneak, Paul Johnston, Derrick Carter, DJ Rush, Spencer Kinsey, Boo Williams and Glen Underground formed the new wave of notorious, globe trotting Chicago producers.

The ‘Farris Wheel’ EP on Relief Records was the beginning of a prolific production career. Farris’ discography highlights works released on dance music’s most influential labels such as, Defected, Fluential, Soma Records, Siesta, Force Inc., Formaldehyde, 83 West, Communique, Defmix, Doubledown, and Static.

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 label’s many loved EPs is FWR 008 that includes a DJ Sneak remix of Farris’ `The Spirit.' As the catalog grows, Farris Wheel Recordings, Inc. continues to prosper and gain respectability within the industry. Farris takes pride in discovering new talent from Chicago and around the world such as, studio master mind Jason Heinrichs, heavenly vocalist Lady Sarah, and a live jazz band, Lowend.

In February of 2001, Gene Farris revealed his latest brainchild, Farris Wheel Limited, which is a spin-off of Farris Wheel Recordings. His concept of Farris Wheel Limited is designed to feature more organic productions. Farris Wheel Limited artists are incorporating LIVE feeds into their melodic soulful beats that are filling DJ bags world wide.

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.”

As the critics continually applaud his greatening accomplishments, Gene Farris and his Farris Wheel Recordings empire continue to thrive.


With Julius The Mad Thinker, Sean Strange and OGC Live.

Taking Place at
Evil Olive
1551 W. Division
10p-4am

text 312 208 7458 to get in free/reduced admission

$30 open bar from 10p-1am which gets free covers all night!

If you are expecting over 7 guests message me for details of how to get a wristband for free shots till 12am! =)

Upcoming: Apr. 21st The King Of House Music Farley Jackmaster Funk EXTENDED 5 Hour Set. Apr. 28th. Ladies Night. Lady D, Celeste Alexander and Miss Michaela Djing,

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

HMC Rewind: Abigail Adams / Moving Records

Abigail Adams Written by Kris Flowers As one of the prominent, iconic women in the Dance Music business, Abigail Adams’ critical role in the development of New Jersey’s Essex County-centered dance music industry continues to impress upon its new crop of DJ’s, remixers, producers, record labels and recording artists.    This former model, Bernardsville NJ born, raised in Summit NJ , earned a BA in Early Childhood Education from Boston College .   Abigail began her career in the Dance music arena via her DJ boyfriend, KB.   In the early 1980’s, they owned a custom roller skating store in East Orange, NJ, subsequently opening up a store in the famous, “B-Boy friendly” Roxy roller disco in NYC.     KB purchased a pair of Technics 1200 turntables and set them up in the East Orange store so he could practice DJing.    Customers would inquire about the music KB was spinning, and the ever inventive, “forward-thinking” Abigail made note of the customer’s inquiries and trekked to variou

HouseMusicChannel.com Presents Harmony by Byron Burke

http://www.housemusicchannel.com/shop

Byron Burke - Manna

Manna by Byron Burke  Music has always been my sanctuary, especially during difficult times. I was just recently diagnosed with smoldering multi-myeloma (bone marrow cancer) and this instrumental keeps me encouraged and lifts my spirit. I pray that it does the same for you as well. Tempo: 106 Date Released: July 7, 2017 Written by Byron Burke (BMI), Kelby Young (BMI) & Herb Lawson (ASCAP). Produced by Byron Burke. Drum Programming by Kelby Young Bass by Herb Lawson Keyboards & additional drum programming by Byron Burke. Mixed & Recorded by Byron Burke https://byronburke.bandcamp.com/track/manna