callie reiff - new wave

What was your main aim for your newest track, "Heart Ain't Safe"?

Thanks for having me! I wanted to make “Heart Ain’t Safe” a dance floor anthem while remaining dark, bass heavy and mysterious. I think Kaeyra’s voice sounds so powerful on it and the lyrics just end up hitting you right in the heart. I had to make all the elements of the production strong enough to match her voice but I also needed to make sure it wasn’t too much so that her voice and lyrics can really stand out on their own. We are both so stoked to have the song out!

What would you say inspires you the most? 

Overall, I feel like I’m constantly being inspired by living in New York. That may sound cheesy, but I’m always finding new ways to hear new music, go dancing with friends, and connect with other people, in that way it feeds into my production seamlessly.

How did you get into producing?

I started off as a DJ, learning how to play on vinyl records at age 12. Once I’d practiced every day for a few years, I really wanted to start playing live shows. I Facebook messaged the promoter of the iconic NYC venue Webster Hall and somehow convinced him to go B2B with me to hear me play in hopes of getting booked to play a show there. Since I was 15 at the time, legally it was very hard to work out. But he pulled a few strings and got me on stage opening for Mija at the Electric Zoo After Party — it’s a night I will never forget! After getting to DJ more around the city, I realized I wanted to create and play my own music too. I downloaded Ableton and, I would say, over the past 2 years is when I got really serious with it and started to feel more confident in my sound.

You have mentioned that when producing a track, you make sure that the emotional aspect of it is obvious. How do you achieve this? 

I think when it comes to my music, it’s all about first connecting with the singer on your track and going through the lyrics together. If you don’t hear the emotions coming through the vocals, it is hard for the production to shine as well. I look into trying to add a lot of minor chords or dark basslines when I have a vocal on my track as it helps convey almost any feeling depending on how the person listening to it interprets it. Bottom line, If you feel the emotion when making it, they will too.

A lot of your songs involve funk elements, would you say that funk is a genre that you are drawn to?

That’s a huge compliment! It’s for sure a genre I’m drawn to. Also, being born and raised in New York, I feel like I’m drawn to every genre, haha. My mom played a lot of disco/funk music for me when I was growing up since she was a young adult in New York during the days of Studio 54. I love the way a lot of electronic artists have started to use funk in their production. Who doesn’t love a groovy bassline?

Would you say you’re inspired by poetry at all? Your track “What If’s” has a strong poetic element to it.

Thank you! Isabella, the songwriter on “What If’s,” is a really gorgeous writer and is great at storytelling. When it comes to writing, I am inspired by certain sentences or feelings and we try to turn it into a memory or feeling everyone can somewhat relate to.

How do you go about getting over a creative block?

Sometimes I get annoyed when things just don’t seem to be working, but I find it helpful to take a step back and do something else in order to get inspired. I love to listen to new music during times when I am not feeling so creative or listen to podcasts, go on walks, hang with friends, or go to a show. If I am on a deadline though, I try to just take short breaks and go back into old projects, grab a melody or drum idea from there to start fresh and then the ideas just come together naturally.

What do you think the DJ scene is missing right now? What is it doing well?

Well we haven’t had live shows in a while due to the pandemic, so I’m excited that shows are finally coming back! That was the number one thing missing. There’s truly nothing like the energy of a crowd. Since there was such a break from live shows, I think crowds will now be more open-minded to new genres and exploring new artists they might like rather than sticking to just seeing the same few DJs, which is something I’ve always wanted to see change.

As a DJ you are thriving! How has your sound changed over the years? How have you achieved that?

Thank you! At the beginning, when I first started to learn how to DJ, I learned how to be an open format DJ. That meant that I would DJ a certain genre depending on the show or headliner. As I started to make my own music, I realized what genres would go along with my original music and how to make it more of my own set. I also always look at how the crowd reacts and try to get them to vibe with me.

Is there a mantra you go by? Or words of encouragement you use before a live set?

I love this question because I usually say to myself before I go on stage “just have fun!” And I jump up and down to shake out the nerves, haha. While I am playing live, I also try to take it all in and really appreciate the fact that I am up there doing what I love.

What has been your favourite venue to play and why?

Webster Hall! It was the first ever venue I got to play and the whole team there believed in me from the very beginning! Also, it’s an iconic New York City venue!

What’s next for you, Callie? 

Musically speaking and in general.A few more single releases, an EP, and I’ll be playing some in-person shows soon. I can’t wait!