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How did you get started ?
All my life I have loved music. My dad taught me about many different genres like jazz, blues, classical, and more. When I was a kid and was asked the famous question: What do you want to be when you grow up? I always replied: I don't know, but it has to do with music. When I got in trouble, I was grounded from my stereo and all of my tapes were locked up. That didn't happen much though, because I couldn't take it. In my early teen years I started listening to various styles of techno and hip hop. The first time I ever saw anyone spin records, I was about 17. It was my friend Damon Yates, Dj Fiction, a bad ass breaks dj. I remember just watching and thinking, Wow, I could do that. Around the same time, I began going to parties and really getting into the music.

My first " rave" was a Prodigy and Moby show. I believe that was around '92 or '93. In '94 I moved to Dallas from Sulphur Springs to be closer to the music scene. I moved into a large house on Swiss Ave. with about 13 other people, it was the old Hazy Daze house. The first time I ever got to actually touch turntables was there. I spent about 30 to 45 minutes playing with the same two records. One of the records was the Dust Brothers' (Chemical Brothers) "Chemical Beats" original white label, one of my favorite classics. After that 30 to 45 minutes I finally got the beats matched. I remember asking others in the house if it was on just to make sure. We all listened and they said: Yes, it's on, now... play with it. It didn't actually hit me until that moment. Not just play music, but also play with music! A whole new world was opened up and I became eternally addicted.

Who inspires you musically and why?
I'm inspired by anyone who can make or play good music. Good music being, in my opinion, any kind that is creative and moving, non commercial and non formulated. I am a big fan of Bill Laswell because he is so versatile. He seems to have his hands in every genre of music, all of which are well made and well produced.

Talvin Singh inspires me also for his blending of natural elements with electronic, like the Master Musicians of Jajouka he produced. Very nice. Bill Laswell has also produced one of their albums. In fact these two guys, Talvin and Bill, have done some really nice stuff together, such as the Tabla Beat Science album "Tabla Matrix". Nothin' but tablas. : )

How much have you changed musically since you started?
When I first started playing I played a lot of house and breaks. I really liked the old gospel house or anything with some disco or funk to it. I liked funky breaks alot. I still love all that stuff, but now I play mostly stuff with a worldly vibe to it. I like drums, lots of drums. Anything with a deep-rooted tribal, worldly, cultural feel to it I like. I generally play down tempo stuff, but I like all genres. There is good stuff in all of them. Now I search for music that blends the elements of both, natural and electronic music. Music for the tribal warrior living in the space ages.

Name two of your favorite Tracks.
My favorite track right now, I can't get it out of my head, is called "Temoine" by Ekova, remixed by Farmkit. It's off of Ekova's "Soft breeze and tsunami breaks" remix project on Six Degrees records. Six Degrees is my favorite label right now. They have been putting out some really nice world electronic. Another is an older track, but is and always will be a favorite, Talvin Singh's "Butterfly". I love that track. It's some nice smooth drum and bass filled with tablas and a nice flute. Perfect. It's on his album "O.K.".

What do you think of the current state of the Dallas Scene?
Sorry Dallas, but I think you need HELP! I, unfortunately, don't enjoy going out much anymore. I'm really tired of seeing all these kids getting way fucked up. It's not cool. It doesn't seem to be about the music anymore for a lot of them. It doesn't even seem to be about "peace and love" anymore either. It seems to be about portraying that image, but not truly understanding the whole concept. It makes me rather sick at my stomach.

I'm a bit disappointed with the whole thing at the moment, excuse me. I want it to get back on track and I have actually heard that several groups have been gathering trying to find some solutions to break this cycle Dallas seems to be stuck in. I will pray for their success and will do what I can to help. I do know one thing, if your not a part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

When is your next gig?
April 7th, 2001 - Chill Area @ Night Vision (Texaliens)
July 7th, 2001 - Massiv

Do you want to thank anyone?
I want to thank everyone. Everyone with Universal Mind Productions, Collectiv Harmoniks, Full Circle,and D1 Creations, thank you. I love you guys. I want to thank my family for always being there for me. I want to thank my family of friends for all that we have and will accomplish together. I want to thank anyone who has been a part of or will be a part of this life, my past lives or my lives to come. I want to thank God for everything. I'm grateful. Life is truly a gift. Thank You.

Jamie "Sun" Ray