Theo Parrish was born in Washington D.C. in 1972 and raised in Chicago, IL where his passion for music developed. MIles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Jimi Hendrix, Nina Simone, George Gershwin, Bob Marley, as well as his uncle, jazz musician Dexter Sims, all had strong influences on Theo’s early musical life. Chicago’s radio influences and House artists such as Ron Hardy , Larry Heard, Lil Louis, Farley Jackmaster Funk, Gene Hunt , Mike Dunn, Frankie Knuckles , Walter Get Down Brown and Andre Hatchett, helped to spawn Mr. Parrish’s early career.
He began spinning and producing tracks in 1986, at the age of thirteen… After graduating from the Academy for the Arts, he recieved a scholarship to the Kansas City Art Institute where his interest in music was taken to a new level through his study of sculpture. In 1994, he recieved a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from KCAI with a concentration in Sound Sculpture, a form of orchestrationusing live instruments, looped recordings, the human voice, and numerous other sound generating devices. While in Kansas CIty, Theo continued to impact and be impacted by dance music, helping to bring a dormant underground music scene to life.
Possibly the most versatile and otherwordly DJ on the planet…can play anything, bring hard techno into a soul record with no pbm. As a producer, sometimes a bit too raw for me but as a DJ…pphheeewww! Special memories of his open-air set on the afternoon at DEMF1, ending with Prince’s ‘America’…a beautiful moment, and a real happy mixed crowd like you don’t see much in Europe these days.
For me, Theo is the man. His tunes initially attracted me to Detroit house because of their grittyness and soulfulness and dirtyness and rawness and honestness. Only guys from Detroit can make house music that sounds like this, it’s so amazing. To describe his sound i would use these words: deep, hypnotic, sublime.
Im mostly a techno guy, but MR. theo parrish is with no doubt in my mind, my favorite producer…his music keeps you guessing, “whats gonna happen next?”…and when it happens, it doesnt land where you expected it to…and his music is damn fine to dance to, moves your mind and your feet…I love him deeply
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Review by thecraterobber
Theo Parrish is the future of “what was formerly known as House”..he has brought music to a new turning point and has done it with patience and class..no sell out..true to his roots and his OWN sound,,,this man is truly inspiring, if you have ever heard any of his sets you will surely agree, i witnessed this live in Toronto and did not leave the floor all night, I was there till the lights came on and the 20 or so real heads were cheering for more…..and he did represent with two more monstewr productions…Litterely I was sweating buckets and ready to drop tears..utterely amazing!!!!!!!Pablo Toronto Canaada
Review by littlejon1
can’t get enough of theo. check out some of his eq twiddling mixes: seductive, strange, infectious. and as for his own produce, well it’s absolutely essential. I could actually go on forever praising this guy, but you’d do better slapping a needle on one of his tunes and closing your eyes. I recommend “walking through the sky”, “sawale sayale”, “I can take it”. No I don’t, I recommend everything he’s done, even the stuff I haven’t heard yet. Honestly, my life is better since hearing him.
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Review by deepete
i listen to theo parrish music since 4 years now – since his first soundsiganture release and i am still amazed about his sound. soundsiganture is still my favourite label. all releases are great. he combines jazz with chicago house – hip hop&soul with electronic dance stuff. but not in the way others would do -he got his very own sound. this sound is so special – it´s magic that surrounds you….deep shit from the soul!
“I went to Kansas City Art Institute. I went in for painting of all things, ended up in sculpture. Went from sculpture to performance. Performance turned into sound sculpture.”
“Ron Hardy was I’d say the foremost important selector of the 20th century. Easy. The most important selector of the 20th century. Because not only did he have the skills and the energy, the emotional energy and the connection to every song, but he had the balls to do whatever he wanted to do. And some people call it just insanity or craziness, but it takes guts to have the floor rocking, at peak hour, and all of a sudden he’d just drop whatever the hell he wanted to. No matter what. He’s going to do what he’s going to do. That takes guts.”
“It’ll take you the better part of ten years to collect, in my opinion, the amount of vinyl that’s worthy of being presented to other people. Take you, what? A couple minutes? To download somebody’s whole collection. Now the question is, is it worth the convenience? Maybe. But are you missing out on all of the knowledge that goes into looking for those specific records? […] Are you going to take that time and get your knuckles dusty, and go meet another crazy obsessed individual just like yourself? You got to take that time.”
I was so cofnesud about what to buy, but this makes it understandable.
- Loradae
Thu, 21 Jul at 11:26 am
Andy Williams on the 1’s & 2’s Now
1.Delano smith – A Message to the DJ
2.Loopwrekas – What U Need
3.Julius Papp & Charles Spencer (Feat: Tonee Green) – Keep it going
4.Li’sha Project – Feel (Mig’s Salted Dub Delux)
5.Ronan – Even Better
6.The Dining Rooms -Diamonds & Comforts (Double Beats Remix)
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Theo Parrish in Japan Folks!
He’ll be in the Studio shortly – Stay Tuned!
Theo Parrish was born in Washington D.C. in 1972 and raised in Chicago, IL where his passion for music developed. MIles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Jimi Hendrix, Nina Simone, George Gershwin, Bob Marley, as well as his uncle, jazz musician Dexter Sims, all had strong influences on Theo’s early musical life. Chicago’s radio influences and House artists such as Ron Hardy , Larry Heard, Lil Louis, Farley Jackmaster Funk, Gene Hunt , Mike Dunn, Frankie Knuckles , Walter Get Down Brown and Andre Hatchett, helped to spawn Mr. Parrish’s early career.
He began spinning and producing tracks in 1986, at the age of thirteen… After graduating from the Academy for the Arts, he recieved a scholarship to the Kansas City Art Institute where his interest in music was taken to a new level through his study of sculpture. In 1994, he recieved a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from KCAI with a concentration in Sound Sculpture, a form of orchestrationusing live instruments, looped recordings, the human voice, and numerous other sound generating devices. While in Kansas CIty, Theo continued to impact and be impacted by dance music, helping to bring a dormant underground music scene to life.
Possibly the most versatile and otherwordly DJ on the planet…can play anything, bring hard techno into a soul record with no pbm. As a producer, sometimes a bit too raw for me but as a DJ…pphheeewww! Special memories of his open-air set on the afternoon at DEMF1, ending with Prince’s ‘America’…a beautiful moment, and a real happy mixed crowd like you don’t see much in Europe these days.
Mighty useful. Make no mitsake, I appreciate it.
For me, Theo is the man. His tunes initially attracted me to Detroit house because of their grittyness and soulfulness and dirtyness and rawness and honestness. Only guys from Detroit can make house music that sounds like this, it’s so amazing. To describe his sound i would use these words: deep, hypnotic, sublime.
Review by jackskrugs
Im mostly a techno guy, but MR. theo parrish is with no doubt in my mind, my favorite producer…his music keeps you guessing, “whats gonna happen next?”…and when it happens, it doesnt land where you expected it to…and his music is damn fine to dance to, moves your mind and your feet…I love him deeply
helpfulagreedisagree (1) Reply report notify me
Review by thecraterobber
Theo Parrish is the future of “what was formerly known as House”..he has brought music to a new turning point and has done it with patience and class..no sell out..true to his roots and his OWN sound,,,this man is truly inspiring, if you have ever heard any of his sets you will surely agree, i witnessed this live in Toronto and did not leave the floor all night, I was there till the lights came on and the 20 or so real heads were cheering for more…..and he did represent with two more monstewr productions…Litterely I was sweating buckets and ready to drop tears..utterely amazing!!!!!!!Pablo Toronto Canaada
Review by littlejon1
can’t get enough of theo. check out some of his eq twiddling mixes: seductive, strange, infectious. and as for his own produce, well it’s absolutely essential. I could actually go on forever praising this guy, but you’d do better slapping a needle on one of his tunes and closing your eyes. I recommend “walking through the sky”, “sawale sayale”, “I can take it”. No I don’t, I recommend everything he’s done, even the stuff I haven’t heard yet. Honestly, my life is better since hearing him.
helpfulagreedisagree Reply report notify me
Review by deepete
i listen to theo parrish music since 4 years now – since his first soundsiganture release and i am still amazed about his sound. soundsiganture is still my favourite label. all releases are great. he combines jazz with chicago house – hip hop&soul with electronic dance stuff. but not in the way others would do -he got his very own sound. this sound is so special – it´s magic that surrounds you….deep shit from the soul!
Theo:
“I went to Kansas City Art Institute. I went in for painting of all things, ended up in sculpture. Went from sculpture to performance. Performance turned into sound sculpture.”
“Ron Hardy was I’d say the foremost important selector of the 20th century. Easy. The most important selector of the 20th century. Because not only did he have the skills and the energy, the emotional energy and the connection to every song, but he had the balls to do whatever he wanted to do. And some people call it just insanity or craziness, but it takes guts to have the floor rocking, at peak hour, and all of a sudden he’d just drop whatever the hell he wanted to. No matter what. He’s going to do what he’s going to do. That takes guts.”
“It’ll take you the better part of ten years to collect, in my opinion, the amount of vinyl that’s worthy of being presented to other people. Take you, what? A couple minutes? To download somebody’s whole collection. Now the question is, is it worth the convenience? Maybe. But are you missing out on all of the knowledge that goes into looking for those specific records? […] Are you going to take that time and get your knuckles dusty, and go meet another crazy obsessed individual just like yourself? You got to take that time.”
I was so cofnesud about what to buy, but this makes it understandable.
Andy Williams on the 1’s & 2’s Now
1.Delano smith – A Message to the DJ
2.Loopwrekas – What U Need
3.Julius Papp & Charles Spencer (Feat: Tonee Green) – Keep it going
4.Li’sha Project – Feel (Mig’s Salted Dub Delux)
5.Ronan – Even Better
6.The Dining Rooms -Diamonds & Comforts (Double Beats Remix)