Mark Farina - Focus - Tapas Nightclub - Newport Beach US - Jan 2008 - Part 1

Biography of Mark Farina

Making a name for himself mainly as a DJ, Mark Farina has had a large hand in the building of San Francisco's house music scene. Originally from Chicago, Farina is in the same generation of Chicago house music legends Derrick Carter and Cajmere. Mostly associated with the Mushroom Jazz series of releases, Farina is known for his down-tempo but dancefloor-friendly style of mixing jazz, house, and hip-hop.

Farina started DJing at the age of 15 in his hometown of Chicago. The city's large hand in the creation of house music had a strong influence on Farina and acted as a large source of inspiration for his DJing. At Northwestern University's radio station, WNUR, Farina and his airwaves partner Derrick Carter produced a Friday night radio show for two years. During this time, Farina released Mood as part of the trio Symbols and Instruments.

Shortly after his time at Northwestern University, Farina relocated to San Francisco. Using his musical influences, Farina made a mix tape of down-tempo house tunes called Mushroom Jazz. Soon after, the album's title spawned a type of sound and grew popular due in part to Farina's weekly residency at a local club called Jazid Up. The local notoriety of the mix tape eventually resulted in a CD of the same name on Om Records in October of 1996 and led to a global tour, which Farina headlined. In 1996, he also produced another continuous-mix CD, Seasons One, on Domestic Records. The second installation in his original series, Mushroom Jazz, Vol. 2, was released in 1998, once again resulting in another promotional tour lead by the now seasoned DJ. Farina released two more mix CDs in 1998, United DJs of America, Vol. 9 (Moonshine) and Imperial Dub, Vol. 1 (Studio !K7). After the string of mix CDs, Farina released an original work in 1998, 'Midnight Calling.' The track went virtually unnoticed due to the fact that Farina's mix CDs and DJing appearances were receiving most of the promotional attention. In 1999, the first in a series of CDs by Om Records meant to highlight San Francisco DJs, debuted with Farina. The CD showcased Farina's style of mixing jazzy down-tempo and disco vocal-oriented tracks. The CD was also released as a triple-vinyl pack containing, in their entirety, all the songs Farina used for the CD. In 2001, Farina continued with the Mushroom Jazz series, releasing the much-awaited third installment.

Wobs - Focus - Tapas Nightclub - Newport Beach US - Jan 2008 - Part 1

Biography of Wobs

One of So Cal's up and coming dj's. Resident for Focus Tuesdays and Elevate. Deep house buyer at DJ Culture. Former resident for So Cal's onE Entertainment. First record release credits on Dufflebag Recordings (DBV017 Simple Life EP).

Nonfiction - Focus - Tapas Nightclub - Newport Beach US - Jan 2008 - Part 1

Biography of Nonfiction

Started his dj career as a mobile hip hop dj back in 1997 when he moved from Los Angeles to Orange County. Devoted 5 of his years to learning the essentials (beat matching, phrasing scratching/turntablism), playing local house parties and clubs. As time went by he felt the itch to be more of a performer than a 'human jukebox.' Having had a close connection with house music and techno since the early 90's. The transition from hip hop to house was a natural one for him.

From 1998-2003 Nonfiction played at several raves and local club nights, putting on his own events as well. It is here that he dove in head first and became immersed in the scene, playing tech/Chicago house and continued fine tuning his skills behind the decks. In 2004 Nonfiction was added to to Focus roster and has been a resident ever since. Sharing the decks with such heavyweights as Derrick Carter, Doc Martin, Miguel Migs, Ian Pooley DJ Heather, Diz, Kaskade, Gene Farris and of course his very talented fellow residents (Wobs and Josh Billings). It is here that Nonfiction has truly grown as a dj and an artist.

Nonfiction has played all over Southern California, San Francisco, Mexico, Las Vegas and in 2007 he is expanding his wings and heading to Paris in October 2007! 'I'm really happy to do my part and to be involved in the house scene (especially in OC). We've been working really hard the past 4 years to make it happen and it keeps getting better, and better. I stay true to my friends and family, work hard and Focus on playing NEW music--it's important to keep pushing the boundaries, but at the same time keeping the vibe dance floor friendly'

Nonfiction has a true love and dedication for music that is unparallel and rarely found in this day in age of the 'rock star' dj. Putting in hours of work is part of his daily routine to produce and expose people to the cutting edge West Coast sound that is making noise world wide. Chunky, funky, rump shaking beats, combined with intelligent/abstract beats with familiar funk/electro samples make for a lethal combination when Nonfiction is behind the decks.

Ranging from deep to hard and techy, Nonfiction has been putting in work since 1997 and continues to make a name for himself locally and more recently in Southern California in general. Nonfiction has been resident dj at the infamous Club Focus in Newport Beach for almost 3 years. He has also masterminded the Elevate Events bringing out some of house music's top talent such as DJ Sneak, Doc Martin, Diz, Jt Donaldson, and many more.

Sharing the decks with such DJ's as Doc Martin, Ian Pooley, Miss Honey Dijon, Mark Grant, DJ Heather, David Alvarado, Marques Wyatt, Colette and several others-Nonfiction continues to grow as a DJ and as an artist. 'All that matters are the dancers. The wallflowers, the socialites and everyone else who isn't contributing to the vibe are not my Focus when I'm behind the decks. Forget politics, at the end of the day all that matters is the music and the dancers'

http://myspace.com/dj_nonfiction