Gene Farris has been a long-standing player within the house scene for over a decade, rising to the top with releases on the likes of Dirtybird, Defected, Toolroom, and his Farris Wheel Recordings imprint. With a new collaboration on the horizon alongside fellow Chicago native Kid Enigma, the bonafide talent chats to us here at When We Dip.

WWD: Hi Gene, thanks for chatting with us today, and congratulations on your new track ‘David Copperfield’! Could you tell us a bit more about your first collaboration with Kid Enigma and the production process behind the track?

Yes, sure thanks for having me first of all. The collaboration between Kid Enigma and I was something I had been talking about for a few years. Kid Enigma is a skilled MC and lyrically gifted, so it was really easy, to be honest. I just had to make sure I kept up on the mic with him and deliver an epic track, and I think we succeeded in bringing you something very special.

WWD; You’ve previously collaborated with some of the biggest names in the scene including Green Velvet, Loco Dice, and Jamies Jones. What are the main benefits of collaborations? And did you learn anything in particular from each of the collaborations mentioned?

I think the main benefit of working with such other fantastic artists is you get to see how everyone attacks a project. Everyone is different in how we download music into our brains. So it’s always nice to learn other techniques.

WWD: Your Farris Wheel Recordings imprint has featured upcoming artists and established veterans, including Amine Edge & DANCE, Cajmere, and Jerome Baker. Are there any artists that we should be keeping an eye on? And can we expect to see them on the label in the future?

Yes, for sure. Steve Gerard, Nick Nice, and Dj Cross are new Chicago guys that are making some noise. Also, Pitter Patter. Watch out for those boys; they have some serious heat coming! We also just added Escuche, Miss Dre, Ocean Roulette, Space Jump Salute, and Ōsé to the Farris Wheel family.

WWD: As a long-standing player in the house scene, what has been your favourite personal successes throughout your journey as a DJ, producer, and label owner so far?

As an artist, I think I’m still growing every day and trying to learn new techniques in the studio, so I’m most proud of being relevant after all this time. My first record came out in 1994. As a label owner, reaching that 200 release mark was a really big one for us. We’ve also been around since 1998, so that was a huge milestone for us.

WWD: Let’s talk some more about your records. How do you formulate ideas in the studio, and are there any go-to tools you reach for?

I start each song with a different approach, but some things don’t change. My DAW is Logic, and I write my basslines on my Prophet 6, Sub-37 Moog, or Trilian plugin… then, I usually let the song grow from there. Almost all of my drums are from my TR-909.

WWD: Which three records have influenced you the most as an artist?

Lil Louis’ Blackout’
Bucketheads’ The Bomb’
Phuture’ Acid Tracks’

WWD: And which recently released record do you wish you’d heard early on in your career as an artist?

‘Want You In My Soul’ by Lovebirds.

WWD: Are there any tips you can give to aspiring DJs and producers?

Don’t sit on a song for too long. Just work on it, then turn the page, start another one and keep learning.

WWD: Lastly, have you got any projects, collaborations, or plans for the year ahead we should be looking out for?

Yes, plenty! I have collaborations with Danny Howard, Mark Knight, Leftwing : Kody, Shiba San, Mason Maynard, & Gawp, plus some more killer solo singles coming this year… stay tuned!

Buy/pre-order link: HERE