HR: Let's get the basics out of the way. Where in Atlanta are you stationed at? Tell me a little bit about your neighborhood.
SR: Im OTP rn. Im in Stockbridge. South of the City. 75 South bout 25 min. My actual block and neighborhood is chill. It's a suburban area that is getting more populated. A blue collar city growing. It's a family area. Stockbridge also has a diverse community of people.
HR: You've really struck a balance between being a great DJ and a great great producer. How long have you been spinning for, and how does your production work inform your DJing?
SR: Aye thanks, I appreciate you saying that, for real. Learning how to DJ.......Probably about 2010. Started on Virtual DJ . The Gateway! The second part of this is interesting to think about. I think now more than ever I play my own music out, to make sure it works. Its fun to see people dance to what you made. Shout out to the dancers! Overall Im trying to widen the range of music I play and make.
HR: Tell me a little bit about this mix. What are you mixing on and what kind of mood were you in when you made it?
SR: It's funny because with this mix, I wanted to play music in a way that was pleasing to hear, and not rely on a theme or genre. I picked everything just off the strength that I liked it, verses, "Does this match with the last song?" It was very refreshing to do this one, I feel with your platform, HARSH RIDDIMS, there is no uniform or code you have to adhere to. It's just about if you like it or not. I wanted to showcase that motto with the track selection and transitioning. I was in a great mood. I wasn't stressed out about picking music and things fell into place. I was mixing on two technic 1200s and the xdj700s, aslo ecler nuo4 mixer.
HR: I I know you said this isn't necessarily a BBQ mix, so give me your top 3 BBQ Jams.
SR: When I said that, I had a different definition of what a BBQ Mix was. I have now created my own definition. I think this could be a BBQ mix. At first I thought that BBQ was full of Black Jams, old school music (some of that is in there) or, just songs that everyone knows. After listening back I felt like I could grill to this mix. TOP 3 BBQ JAMS. Not Just Knee Deep by Funkadelic, Running Away by Roy Ayers ( almost anything by Roy Ayers). Summer Madness by Kool and the Gang.
HR: Lastly, what's next on the Stefan Ringer, FWM agenda?
SR: For me, Im going to put out more music. I''ll be traveling more outside the US. I'm starting to create more content. I started blogging on the FWM site. Just to share the process. I also have a youtube page under Stefan Ringer. I'm putting out music gear related content. Overviews of equipment from my perspective. Im trying to stay productive man and keep up those real relationships in this music game. All my best friends have come from music. I gotta stay in it. For FWM I want to put out a comp with my music friends that I know. I also want to put out more of my own music on the label and further establish the identity of FWM. I'd like to get into licensing music for tv and film. Im trying to grow the business and showcase the people that I believe in. I want to keep contributing to this culture. I want to say thanks to all of the people who have influenced me over the years, put me on game and just helped out. I hope to be that for someone else.
Interview on June 25th, 2019
Cut out & Photo: R. Parks
~TRACK LIST~
FREAKS ZABAR _ Quelle Chris
popsusedtopushthatbarrywhite _ Swarvy and PINK SIIFU
Encendemos _ Yanga
Messin' Around _ Tommy Stewart
Revenge ft. Rutendo Machiridza _ The Maghreban
Stand on your Square pt 1 _ Julian De'Angelo
Dubonnet _ Delroy Edwards
Slide Piece _ Divine Interface
Nova (SR Edit) _ Rami
I Want You _ Children of Zeus
XXX _ ghoulfive
Get it Over _ One Way
Liquid Deep _ Dreamcast
Johnny's Road Song _ Ratgrave
Listen To The Children Play _ Bohannon
Believe In Something _ My Girlfriend
Listener's Block ft. rick Rude _ ocnotes
Sekondi _ Teymori
Joyous _ Kaidi Tatham
FREAKS ZABAR _ Quelle Chris
popsusedtopushthatbarrywhite _ Swarvy and PINK SIIFU
Encendemos _ Yanga
Messin' Around _ Tommy Stewart
Revenge ft. Rutendo Machiridza _ The Maghreban
Stand on your Square pt 1 _ Julian De'Angelo
Dubonnet _ Delroy Edwards
Slide Piece _ Divine Interface
Nova (SR Edit) _ Rami
I Want You _ Children of Zeus
XXX _ ghoulfive
Get it Over _ One Way
Liquid Deep _ Dreamcast
Johnny's Road Song _ Ratgrave
Listen To The Children Play _ Bohannon
Believe In Something _ My Girlfriend
Listener's Block ft. rick Rude _ ocnotes
Sekondi _ Teymori
Joyous _ Kaidi Tatham