Jen Boyles

Arguably the most beloved DJ born out of Chicago's golden era of house music in the 1980s, Windy City export and deep-house godfather Mark Farina sat down with Newcity to talk about his new mix CD on Om, the war on vinyl and some of his favorite hometown hotspots.

You can pretty much make a mix CD in your sleep, so how was creating your new "House Of Om" mix a change from the norm?

This is my first official "House Of Om" release, so it's nice to be in that series. I'm trying to include a lot more current stuff so I can capture that moment in time, so when you listen to a certain mix it'll always remind you of that point. It could be 1995, 2005 or whichever, I just get certain feelings when I listen to certain recordings, you know? I still think house is best presented in a mix--it's different than a live set or even a mix CD I'd make at home. When you're doing an official release, you have to do a bit more planning to make sure everything is OK to use. I don't wanna be gettin' into any trouble!

What do you think about the so-called "war on vinyl"?

I've carried records around for over ten years, but I've kind of moved on, you know? I play some vinyl at home, but I tend to play CDs about ninety percent of the time. There's kind of an angry discussion going on that could really go either way, but I've let go of the vinyl thing. Aesthetically, it's nice, but I think there are advantages with the digital age. With a certain sound system, you might be able to tell the difference, but I think that all depends on the DJ. He could play a good sounding record and make it sound bad, or he could take a CD and make it sound good.

Do you still go record shopping or do you just get files sent to you now?

I still go record shopping, 'cause there's certain stuff I want on record and I know records last longer. I often buy vinyl online and have it shipped to the house because you really can't get everything digitally. I only got two promo records at this year's Winter Music Conference and everything else was either on CD or given to me as files.

What's the craziest free gift you've been given?

Usually the most interesting ones are small things given from people--like a picture signed from somebody's brother who couldn't be at the show, or a little statue somebody made or a glass piece. I get a lot of gifts like that. Nike and Adidas send some cool stuff. It's good to get swag--I can't deny it.

What's coming up for you in the next six months music-wise?

I'm doing the tour for the CD, so I'm going to all these cool places like Dubai and Europe and China and New Zealand. There's a lot of places on this one that I've never been to before or only been to once that I'll get to hit again. I'm also working in my studio--I've got some new gear I'm trying to learn, so I'm taking a logic class from somebody, so that home-schooling will be exciting. I've got so many promos lately and I can't wait to track down more. There was some stuff I heard in Miami that I didn't know what it was, so I'm emailing friends to find it.

Speaking of Miami, did you have fun at the Winter Music Conference in March?

The weather wasn't very exciting and not conducive to a good party, but I was busy doing a lot of interviews and stuff--I try not to get too crazy, but my birthday is always in Miami so that's usually kind of a day of catching up with a lot of people over drinks. There's a fine line which I've crossed in the past--you can go too wild in Miami. I just tried to pace myself and get work done and not focus too much on whether I could get into certain clubs or not--I'm lucky to have hookups, but sometimes the door scene is crazy.

What are your favorite spots to visit out here since moving from Chicago in 1995?

I've always liked Smart Bar--I've been going there for so long--my first weekly was back there in 1987. I like the lakefront by the North Avenue Beach--I've gone there for years to go relax, hang out and observe. Downtown is one of my favorite spots--I really like architecture so I miss all the buildings. It's fun to walk in the Loop and see how things have changed over the last ten years. I also still like the Wiener Circle--it's an old Chicago favorite on Clark--they don't have real hotdog places in San Francisco. I miss Italian beef sandwiches, too.

What do you like about Chicago house fans?

Their understanding of the funk. It's a Midwest thing.

Mark Farina, with DJ Heather and James Amato at Smart Bar, 3730 North Clark, (773)549-0203, on April 21, 10pm-5am. $15 before midnight, $20 after.

(2007-04-17)

Also by Jen Boyles

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