Cevin Fisher is a man in serious demand. A fabulous DJ and a producer, who has made tremendous contributions to house music. Fisher is held in high esteem within the dance industry thanks to his innovative style of deep, funky house. Tracks like "Music Saved My Life" and "The Way We Used To" conquered the underground dance masses with a deep groove and a spoken word flow that related to the oldest head or the newest jack. "People from all over the world/If it wasn't for the Music, I don't know what we'd do."

Tucked away in a basement studio in Queens, the affable Fisher is adding some last-minute touches to another delectable track (which shall remain nameless for now) he's currently working on.

A perennial interviewer's favorite, who probably heard the same old questions before, I wonder what the hell am I going to ask him that other reporters haven't... I felt a cold sweat and my heart was pounding so hard I felt utter panic. I'm a writer and I'd admired his work for years and this was it, the opportunity to meet the man that's put out fabulous records such as "The Freaks Come Out" which was the big talk of the Winter Music Conference in Florida last year. My fears dissipate when he enters the studio, toting a warm smile and firm handshake and even a pat for my dog, Nika. "Is this your dog?" he asks. I tell him, she is, but despite her tough looks, she won't bite. "I love dogs." he explains. "My Dad had a lot of dogs, he trained them."

Greetings over, we searched for an ashtray and lit up our cigarettes.

How was your flight?

I'm not feeling it yet, but it'll hit me later.
(Suddenly, the song Cevin is working on, starts playing and out of nowhere, he jumps up from the sofa, waving his arms to the kicking bassline. He sits back down and continues our chat.)

Your productions are very drum-oriented, why is that?

I've been a drummer since the age of 4.

OK. So, what residencies do you have?

Right now, I have one in Lausanne, Switzerland at the D-club.

Where do you like to play best?

Oh, so many places.

But which is your favorite?

I'd have to say Toronto, Italy, Switzerland and the UK. Definitely Italy, they go crazy for the music! And of course always New York.

How about the Underground house movement? Does it exist?

Yes, in a big way. It'll be the next rock -n- roll. DJs are being elevated to a star status.

What do you think about the Progressive House movement?

I like some stuff but I'm selective. Hard and soul is more my style but I like the best of all styles.

Why do you talk on all your records? Ex: Better Days with Danny Tenaglia?

It started with "The Way We Used To." I was working on a track and it was kind of an accident, but I liked it and have done so ever since. But what I say isn't usually planned, I say what I'm feeling when I hear the track.

How do people react to your voice? Many people say you have such a sexy voice.

(He actually blushed.)
I get a lot of compliments.

How about women coming on to you? Is it true that all DJs fuck anything that moves?

Definitely not!

Tell me about the party in Canada.

Well, that party was freaky! There was an ice storm and everything was closed down except for the club at the hotel. It was the Deep Freeze party. I don't want to go into ugly details but there were some really freaky things going on, that party was what inspired the song "The Freaks Come Out."

Do you consider yourself a DJ or a Producer?

It depends, I like both. However, I think I'm more a DJ because I am a people person and I get a rush when I see people's reactions on the dance floor.

What DJs/Producers do you love?

Louie Vega, Tony Humphries, Danny Tenaglia, Derrick Carter, and Baby Hec Romero. Right now, my favorite song is "Big Love."

What record do you think you would have liked to do because you loved it so much?

It would have to be "Happy Birthday" or "We Are The Champions" by Queen.

You look so young, yet you've been involved in the industry for some time, do you get that often? What's your secret?

I'm having a problem I've got this zit!

Don't feel bad, look!

(I go on to show him the constellation I've got on my face.)
I know it's stress.
(We laugh.)
Overall, it's cool. I get carded to buy cigarettes. I'm flattered by it.

I've got two last questions that are kind of deep, are you ready?

Yeah, good!

What is your philosophy to living your day to day?

(Pause...)
So long as I have something to do, I'll keep doing it.

Do you have any words of wisdom to your fans or to people who are just starting out in the music biz and have been greatly inspired by you?

Love & Peace. Keep it real. Love & true freedom, which is something we don't have nowadays if you really think about it.
(There was a moment of silence...)
Keep dancing. Definitely, keep dancing!

Cevin Fisher, a real gentleman in every sense of the word. I give you mad props for all the great sounds you've provided for club goers around the world and continued love, peace, and success.

Adriana
January 1999

DISCOGRAPHY

P = Producer | A = Author | R = Remixer | B = Billboard