High Schooler by Day, Festival DJ by Night: An Interview With DJ/Producer Callie Reiff

[UNPUBLISHED:] Tell us about yourself.

[CALLIE:] I'm Callie and I'm a 21-year-old producer and artist based in New York-born and raised. I started drumming at 10 years old, that's when I knew I wanted to be in music. Around 12 I heard about DJing and heard about the huge culture of festivals and it was a cool time to be that young. I became obsessed and I looked up DJ schools in New York which who knew there would be but there was one called Dubspot. I went to Dubspot and immediately after the first lesson, I was like, “This is what I'm gonna do, I want to DJ festivals, I want to do what everyone's doing and be part of this new world of “rock stars” as people were calling it”. I practiced every day for three years and at 15 I got into Webster Hall. Webster Hall in New York is a legendary venue. I saw my first EDM show and I was mind blown. I invited the promoter to hear me play with my DJ teacher at his studio, and then a week later, he was like, “Okay, we'll put you on to open for Electric Zoo after-party.” That's how the journey began.

[UNPUBLISHED:] What made you want to start making music?

[CALLIE:] I had so much time while I was opening for all these different headliners and I was l watching their shows and I was excited to be part of the show but I was like “There's something about a headliner”. That just makes the show, the fans are there for you. It was really exciting because each show would be so different or have a different audience or have a different vibe at Webster Hall. I was like, “If I do my music I could be a headliner, or I could do my vision, or I could add in a drum set, or I could do cool visuals and all these things I couldn't do yet because I was just opening. I downloaded Ableton on my computer and it's not that easy. People make it look easy but it's very difficult. I had some really bad demos in the beginning but I kept going and I knew with DJing it was the same thing if you practice you get better at it. I just kept at it and then started releasing songs that I am proud of.

[UNPUBLISHED:] Tell us about the inspiration behind your song “Crash Into Me”

[CALLIE:] Madison, the singer on the track, sent over some demos to me. In the past few years, I've taken music production seriously because I want to release, not just play shows. I want to be my own artist. During the pandemic, not having any shows, the plus side was I was forced to focus every day on just music production, and that lead to collaborating with singers. Crash Into Me, to me, was both of us talking about relationships and stuff we go through. We're around the same age so it was relatable. She had this demo idea that was originally called Drown. I listened to it and I was relating so hard to it and realize the motion was just pouring out of her acapella. I needed to work on this song because I already had melody ideas. 

[UNPUBLISHED:] What is your process for songwriting and producing?

[CALLIE:] It depends on the track, what I'm trying to do, my energy level, or what I want to accomplish that day. The process has been nice because I've grown as a producer during this time and it's allowed me to be more confident in speaking up in a songwriting session instead of letting other people take over. The process is really easy when you work with good people.

[UNPUBLISHED:] What artists are your inspirations?

[CALLIE:] Mura Masa, Skrillex, Kaytranada and SJ Lewis.

[UNPUBLISHED:] What was it like growing up with the success you’ve had opening up for famous people and playing festivals?

[CALLIE:] It's still so weird to think about because before drumming I was dancing with the New York City Ballet. I was doing The Nutcracker at six years old so right away I was thrown into a different atmosphere than most normal kids are growing up. I was leaving school early to catch ballet class or a dress rehearsal, and I was working with adults at a young age and trying to be mature and serious with adults and learn how to be a hard worker. I think that came into play once I got into DJing. 

[UNPUBLISHED:] What challenges have you faced as a young woman in a male-dominated industry? 

[CALLIE:] There are always challenges that I've faced throughout what I do because they are a bit more on the unique side of things. I think anything creative at a young age it's very hard for other people to get on board with right away until they see some reward or you make it. I faced a lot of interesting situations and I think being a young female in music has always been interesting because I've had a confidence level and also training that I felt, “I do have it in me to play Webster Hall and I do deserve this and I've worked hard”. There have been times where I would be DJing and people would immediately assume I'm faking it or it's pre-recorded. I love those challenges because I know that I'm not. Why would I spend three years practicing, and then do a pre-recorded set?

[UNPUBLISHED:] Do you have a favorite festival you’ve ever played at?

[CALLIE:] One of my favorites has to be Tomorrowland because it's just another world you enter and it's a city amount of people that fill up the festival, and they have a theme every year. Coming from always loving EDM and seeing people that love it that much to fill up that space and appreciate it, it's so awesome. There's also EDC Las Vegas that was very cool to play because it's such a fun crowd and I feel like everyone wants to be there for the music and they have the best time.

[UNPUBLISHED:] How do you think the pandemic will affect the festival industry? 

[CALLIE:] It's affected the festival industry such as the stage managers and the people that work behind the scenes to make these shows happen that unfortunately have lost their jobs. It's really sad to see as an artist because you become family with most of these people you go on tour with and you see them help on the stage or with sound. They are the best people, they make the show worth it. I think once festivals are allowed to happen again – which hopefully will be sooner than later – it will be a million times more exciting because the energy is going to be indescribable. I can't wait to experience that again.

[UNPUBLISHED:] Who is your dream collaboration?

[CALLIE:] I would have to do a song with Skrillex. He's one of the first people to ever support me. I owe him a lot because he respected me so much immediately and he’s a nice, humble guy. You just assume he would have a little bit of an ego but he has no ego, and I love that about him. 

[UNPUBLISHED:] Is there anything coming up that we should look out for?

[CALLIE:] Look out for some more singles releasing this year. The music is representing the new sound that I want to put out into the world so I'm excited about it. I'm nervous but I'm excited. There will be an EP that comes out with some of the singles and an extra few songs this year and hopefully some shows once they get going. I'm taking over Sophie Tucker's twitch channel every Sunday for the rest of this month. It's been really fun to connect with people that way. 

Make sure to stream “Crash Into Me” and follow Callie on Instagram