Neon Owl x Groove Cruise Interview: Gene Farris

As Groove Cruise Miami rolls around the corner, I got a chance to sit down with one of the #GCFAM favorites, Gene Farris. Having started as a DJ at the age of 11 and making music since the age of 17, Gene has managed to evolve and stay more than just relevant 3 decades in. In the interview, he takes us on a ride down memory lane and how the music scene and genres have evolved over the last 30 years. Despite how genres have multiplied and crossed over, Gene set the intention early on that he was not just going to be a 90’s producer, but instead a music producer that makes good music that resonates through time. Gene has accomplished that task. His original fans continue to support him, and he has made a ton of new ones that have only recently boarded the Farris Wheel.

We touched on the struggles of the pandemic, Black Lives Matter, and well as how Gene copes with the ups and downs. He also told us what he looks for when signing talent to his record label Farris Wheel Recordings (est. 1998). From house, tech house to funky techno, he seeks good quality original music that hasn’t been done before. For those attending Groove Cruise Miami 2023, Gene will be participating in the Neon Owl X Groove Cruise Open Door Sessions on board. We will have curated industry talks, a networking mixer, and a demo listening party with Gene Farris himself, Bijou, Autograf, Casmalia, N3WPORT, Genix, Paraleven, Declan James, Nifra, Ship Wrek and many more. You never know who will show up on the ship!

If you are interested, you can sign up here and submit a demo to be played live on January 20, 2023 on board Groove Cruise.

I had a complete blast doing this interview. Gene definitely gave me more than a few laughs with his authentic, funny, and down to earth vibes. Some exciting projects in the works for him are a collaboration with Shiba San, a new album to look out for in the next few months, and some exciting shows from Supernova in Seattle, to Night Trip at Academy LA. You can also catch him play every single day on board Groove Cruise, including some late night sets and sunrise set, which I guarantee will be nothing less than epic.

Watch the full interview to find out what Gene misses most about the industry back in the day, and what he wished they had back then that we do now. You’ll also get his first take on what it’s like to be on Groove Cruise, explaining it as BURNING MAN ON WATER. Finally, find out where Gene would set sail to if he were the only captain of the ship, what he would take to a deserted island, who he would bring with him, and the STAR WARS theme he would mandate on deck.