Rich Medina WMC
Rich Medina gets busy, period.
Here’s a preview for his Jump & Funk party at Winter Music Conference. More Q&A below
What are you looking forward to this year at Conference?
Louis Vega, Phil Asher’s trip back to the States, JNF first and foremost.
The thing I’m most curious about this year is really seeing how the recording industry has changed with an event like this. People aren’t buying vinyl or shopping in record stores the way they used to so it’s going to be really interesting to see the dynamic of how many labels are here, how they’re pushing the stuff and the promotional end.
What’s been going with the Jump & Funk jam the past couple years?
My partners and I went separate ways in 2006 as business partners. When we split, I felt I had to change my perspective on the party, part of that was the name. We called it Afro Disco for a year and a half.The perspective was the same. The party was still dedicated in the name of Fela, but with Afro Disco I incorporated a wider spectrum of funk, soul and dance stuff but essentially the demeanor of the party was the same.
One day I went online to see if my partner had anything was going on with the J&F name. People would always say to me, “Afro Disco is great, but when are you doing Jump & Funk again?” And it was the same party basically. So, I just made a decision to re-open the name, trademark and try to revive the original name without any partnership. We’re back on the move and things are looking good
How’s the response been around the country since the return?
Response to the party has been fantastic, I don’t do the monthly in NY anymore, I only throw the party once every 3-4 months. I’ve been focusing on touring it around the country, I’m in the Bay right now, just played at a party called Africa Rising, taking it to Atlanta, DC, Boston, WMC, California again, Chicago. I’m just trying to take the brand to a different place; it was very NY-centric for a very long time.
Thru what we’ve been able to do at Conference the past 7 years, I’ve been able to develop relationships with folks in other cities and other countries who really enjoy the sound and want to get involved in the party.
What can we expect this year?
People will see a different visual presentation, experience some percussion and a few other things we’re going to bring to the table to make the party special. We’re bringing a level of authenticity this year for conference to make it as close to the way we do it at home. Tomas from Aquabooty reached out to me to see if I’d be interested in sharing the bill with his party at the Shore Club. I had some issues about the venue last year as we were at the same time as Pacha Ibiza and got swallowed by their marketing machine. Eventually we couldn’t compete with them.
Jazzanova & co. are in the outdoor part, and I’m supposed to be in the Red Room and part of the balcony. I think our music speaks well enough to each other but different enough to be a good contrast to everybody that comes in. We want to bring our perspective into the place, there’s nothing wrong with upscale.
Give us some past memories of JNF at WMC, we remember the roadblocks at The Marlin!
3 years ago at The Marlin, the party just went berserk. People dancing in the street on the sidewalk, we had Collins Ave in a headlock. Police on horses trying to get people off the street, that has to be one of the most memorable experiences in Miami. We had 12th & Collins shut down for damn near an hour. Every year we try and get better.
Outside of WMC, what’s been going on with you on the DJ’ing & production tip?
I’ve been pretty stingy with my music since I put out the Connected album. I’m in the shed refining my sound, real heavy in the studio for 2009. I’ve already done 4-5 cameos, on the new Phlash & Friends album, Wax Solutionists from Vienna. Got a new compilation, The Connection Vol. 1, dropping on April 14th with Bobbito, real excited with that one. A lot of people are going to get rocked with the selections on the compilation. The comp will be a springboard to release a string of things to from the summer to winter.
Last words for the short interview..
Music in general is recession proof. Once you develop a repoire with your audience they know what they’re coming to get. All of the tension disappears and people are just coming to be educated about the music or just hear music that they love that they don’t get to hear very often. It’s beautiful to be one of those guys in the forefront of that whole movement.
No Comments on "Rich Medina WMC"