Fairly boring set all the same from FP, expected better

Move D @ Freerotation 2024

"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

Sam Shepherd a.k.a Floating Points barely needs introduction. Cataloguing depths uncharted to expose some of the best jazz, soul, rare groove and disco around.  
Find the full tracklist and related episodes on NTS: https://www.nts.live/shows/floating-points/episodes/floating-points-2nd-june-2025

Floating Points @ Sunflower Gala 020625

For the penultimate RA.1000, we take it back to the source with unreleased tapes from the private collection of Frankie Knuckles, the Godfather of House.

This is Pt.I, from 1989. The mix is provided courtesy of the Frankie Knuckles Foundation.

For RA.1000 Frankie Knuckles in full and all information on this unearthed audio, head to https://ra.co/podcast/1018 or 1000.ra.co

RA.1000 Frankie Knuckles Pt.I (1989)

Born in Japan, raised in London, Fu seamlessly blends the essence of British music culture with her deep-seated passion for the sounds of Chicago and Detroit. Influenced by the underground music scenes of both Japan and the UK, Fu will instantly bring you into the zone with her deep house/techno set. Beyond Japan, Fu is spreading her wings out into the growing presence of dance music communities in Asia, including Indonesia (Bali) and Thailand. 

Kyle Hall - 05.08.25

Watch the stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7a1wMFgyCA

A momentous day in Mixmag Lab history as we travelled to Bali to step inside the sonic world of a true DJ visionary, @theoparrish.

The Detroit artist and label head inaugurated the first-ever Mixmag Lab Bali with this three-and-a-half-hour journey through deep house, jazz, funk, soul and disco.

More exclusive music

Theo Parrish | Mixmag Lab Bali

Klänge im Raum - Minimal Techno

Chondria Mighty

This week on the pod is the disco vibe of New York's Tim Sweeney.

RA.046 Tim Sweeney

https://www.residentadvisor.net/dj/optimo
@optimo-music
https://www.residentadvisor.net/dj/gerdjanson
@runningback

Gerd Janson B2B Optimo - RBMA & As You Like It (Full Recording)

Twitch & Wilkes' classic BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix from November 2006.

http://www.optimo.co.uk

Optimo Espacio - BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix Nov 2006

now posting on https://soundcloud.com/user-202286394-991268468 
https://www.nts.live
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Floating Points @ Sunflower Gala 020625

NTS 2024-2025

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