"It was so difficult to become someone." The house hero talks about Chicago's competitive scene, developing a sound and letting go of his ego. 

Theo Parrish is one of dance music's most influential DJs and producers. Raised in Chicago, he's become synonymous with slow-burning, immersive grooves and sets that mix classics with obscurities. He began DJing in 1986 aged 13, eventually earning a degree in sculpture and moving to Detroit, where he hit his stride as an artist and became a member of the collective Three Chairs alongside Moodymann, Rick Wilhite and Marcellus Pittman. He also started the label Sound Signature, which uses the language of soul, jazz, disco, Chicago house and Detroit techno.

A few months ago, Resident Advisor teamed up with London institution fabric to host Parrish for an eight-hour set—his first time playing the club. While he was in town, he also spoke with CDR's Tony Nwachukwu. In the Exchange, Parrish talks about the intensely competitive scene he grew up in. He DJ'd for 13 years before he was ever paid or had his name billed on a lineup. It took years of passion and hard work to break out of his local scene and build the career he's become known for. 

"At five years, you're dealing with the technical part [of DJing], at ten it's finding your sound and at 15 it's dealing with the ego of it all," he says. "It's not until much later that you actually start to play for and with people."

Parrish also reflects on the ongoing dearth of diversity in the dance music industry and posits whether some of the most popular music in the US—such as trap—reinforces counterproductive racial stereotypes. He asks: did house music ultimately survive because it left where it originally came from? Listen to the episode in full. -Chloe Lula

EX.763 Theo Parrish

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Consider my self a music lover. Since I was a kid music was my real passion. Radio shows got into my life early and I was really happy to touch the MKII at the age of ten while doing my first radio show. Then I had to wait much more before take turntables at home! Collector of vinyls and music lover. Not a dj though! Music connects us all. The sound is  another form of Light in the universe and a common language.  Everything is Vibrations. We are One. Lets make ti real!

DJ WAX & DIGITAL | COMPOSER | LA | BLANKK | JIGGYBOYZ 
 
No stranger to dance music. Combining a series of collective sounds acquired throughout a decade of influences. The bright side of the moon of disco house and minimal tech selections delivering a mixture of cultivated genres and vibes that transcends beyond the stage. With groove culture at focus, he is able to incorporate true authentic blends and mixes allowing the listener to dive deeper into the experience.

ex - sons of traders

mikepopesquare@gmail.com


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DailyBeat.de was a blog where we posted a new House mix every weekday. Funky, Deep, Disco, Jacking, Chicago & Underground, Tech, and Lo-Fi (just to name a few). We appreciate all the flavors and sprinkle in some House-adjacent styles like Garage, Techno or Drum&Bass just to spice it up a notch!