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Interview by Anitah Imani
Anitah Imani: How long have you been spinning/ what was your intro to spinning vinyl?
Ruminate: I got into collecting vinyl through going to punk hardcore shows in the late 2000s- that led to getting a turntable, which then led to me getting vinyl at Goodwill, Zia’s, and various dollar bins around town. I started spinning in 2009.
AI: What's new in your current spin rotation?
Ruminate: The last record I purchased was “A State of Play” by Nectax — a release from October 2025. A very solid project out of Australia with various genres, including drum and bass, some halftime, and fun 160.
AI: What’s your favorite genre(s) to spin?
Ruminate: I’ve come up with my own term called the “underground style open format DJ” - I play so many different genres in a set that it could only be classified as open format, however, I don’t play top 40 music. My favorites to spin right now would be ghettotech, hardgroove, Jersey club, Detroit techno, electro, global club, jungle, and Footwork/“160”.
AI: What have been your favorite places to DJ, and where do you think are some of the best places for DJs to work in Phoenix?
Ruminate:
Two part answer here-
- DIY self-funded and self-run parties and raves- ditch the major promoters and do it yourself. Trust me, it’s worth it, and it pushes the culture forward in so many ways. Throw it in the desert- Throw it in a warehouse- Throw it in an abandoned school. Throw it anywhere - keep it safe, keep it smart.
- I really like Club Contact. The staff is really professional. The back-line gear all works well, and they do a great job with promotion. Solid club.
AI: What music or music movement is influencing you this year? And do you think it'll catch on in Phoenix?
Ruminate: Punk- metal- hardcore- IDM- Harsh Noise- Goth- Live electronics, Performance/visual-based acts, etc., all deserve solid ground and a good comeback.
There’s obviously a lot going on in the world right now. So I’m assuming music will definitely skew that way going forward.
Arizona has already been a major scene for that sort of music. I think that particular scene just needs more support from the community and more DIY spaces that cater to that sort of audience and the bands. Expect some rebellion and expect some loud music with strong messaging to emerge soon. I'm here for it.
Ruminate: Punk- metal- hardcore- IDM- Harsh Noise- Goth- Live electronics, Performance/visual-based acts, etc., all deserve solid ground and a good comeback.
There’s obviously a lot going on in the world right now. So I’m assuming music will definitely skew that way going forward.
Arizona has already been a major scene for that sort of music. I think that particular scene just needs more support from the community and more DIY spaces that cater to that sort of audience and the bands. Expect some rebellion and expect some loud music with strong messaging to emerge soon. I'm here for it.
AI: What's your favorite song to reset the dance floor?
Ruminate: Percolator.
AI: As a veteran Phoenix DJ now spinning in LA, looking ahead, what music environments are you cultivating or surrounding yourself in?
Ruminate: I’ve been attending a lot of punk/metal house shows in Boyle Heights- as well as high-level, well-produced warehouse shows by major collectives here in LA. I’m always looking for opportunities to throw DIY shows back in Phoenix, using the connections I’ve made here, and I plan to continue doing so as much as I can.
AI: You mentioned in a previous interview that “I swear the best DJ's in the world are from Phoenix, Arizona.” How did spinning in Phoenix over the years prepare you for your move?
Ruminate: I grew up in a particularly fun time to be a DJ. The standards were extremely high and I was pushed as a DJ by my peers and the dancers in town (in a good way). Phoenix has always had extremely high standards for DJs, and the crowd is not forgiving, or at least wasn’t forgiving, to those who didn’t put effort into cultivating a real feeling and buzz on the dance floor.
Shout out to everybody who is putting in the effort to throw events in Phoenix currently! There are so many amazing DJs and collectives who are working really hard to put the city on. You are definitely seen and felt.
xoxo
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