Tracing DJ Mark Farina's path of influence on America's dance music scene reveals much of what one might expect from such a pioneering figure: A sense of dedication, a knack for innovation, and the foresight to recognize the perfect opportunity. Pioneer DJ brings
down the houseBy Shawn "Speedy" Lopes
slopes@starbulletin.comHis story begins in the anything-goes 1980s, when an interest in the cold industrial grooves of the era (Nitzer Ebb, Front 242, Laibach, etc.) leads the aspiring sound collagist to the discovery of other DJ-friendly alternative genres, including Chicago's burgeoning house sound.
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At Imports, Etc., the city's hippest record shop, in-the-know DJs would convene and trade information on the latest underground dance singles. Farina met renowned DJ Derrick Carter (then a humble store employee) and the pair struck up a friendship.Along with roommate Chris Nazuka, Farina and Carter began dabbling in music production and in 1989 signed to Detroit techno god Kevin Saunderson's KMS Records under the moniker Symbols and Instruments. Their hit record "Mood," widely considered to be the first-ever ambient house track, sold more than 35,000 copies.
In 1992, Farina held a weekly event called "Mushroom Jazz" at a Chicago nightspot. His then-uncommon melding of breezy acid jazz melodies with propulsive house grooves led to a popular series of albums of the same name for San Francisco's Om Records. Bigger paychecks and increasingly receptive audiences on the wide-open West Coast circuit led Farina to take up residency in California's Bay Area in the mid-'90s.
Where: Wave Waikiki, 1877 Kalakaua Ave. Mark Farina
When: 8 p.m. tomorrow
Tickets: $20 for 21 and over, $25 for 18 to 20
Call: 941-0424Currently counted among America's most respected names in deejaying, Farina has helped define an entirely new sub-form of house music, which appeals to both headset-wearing couch-loungers as well as tireless dance-floor denizens.
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