If you’ve been to the legendary Monster in New York City’s Greenwich Village, you have seen Mitch Ferrino. Whether he served you a cocktail or served you fierce beats from the DJ booth, Ferrino is fast becoming the “go to” producer for fantastically unique dance tracks. Ferrino and I got a chance to talk recently, and we chatted about everything from his start in music, who inspires him, and what it’s like working with some of the most phenomenally talented queens in New York City!
First off, what turned you onto DJ’ing and music production to begin with? When it comes to DJ’ing I've always been fascinated by the power of music to bring joy to people's lives. I remember one time when I was about 10 years old my neighbor was having a birthday party in her back yard, so I brought my little boombox out to my back yard and blasted music for them. I've just always wanted to share the happiness that music brings to people. My neighbor ended up moving her party inside her house because apparently she wasn't as into the “Lion King” soundtrack as I was, but you get my point. I have since honed my ability to 'play for the crowd!' I've DJ'd at The Monster and then David Barton Gym (when it was still open) and some other clubs in the city. It's a lot of fun. I’ve always wanted to be the creator of art, and since I have such a love for music it made sense to produce.
What kind of vibe do you need to get from an artist to really want you to collaborate with them? I think in order to for me produce for someone, I have to genuinely be a fan of their work. This motivates me and excites me to make something really special. I also look for the overall message that an artist is trying to send, like, are you trying to do good here?
We all have our list of DJ’s who have influenced or sound and our New York City experience as a whole. Who helped shape your New York City experience when you first arrived and who continues to inspire you now? I've been bartending at The Monster for ten years. The Monster is a staple in New York City and a legendary gay bar with lots of themed nights. Therefore for years, I listened to Tony Cruz, Eddie Cruz and Michael Wilson as they gave me an education in House, Club, Latin and Disco music. Then later on, I ventured out into NYC nightlife a bit more and found the sound that fascinated me the most coming from DJ Michael Magnan in the basement of Greenhouse on Sundays. Legendary DJ Johnny Dynell who used to spin the top floor there was also a huge influence. He was the person who motivated me to start producing original music rather than trying to make a name as a remixer. He has given me probably some of the best advice I've ever gotten. He's just amazing.
The Only Productions packs them into The Monster on Sunday nights for “LookQueen”. You have “Drag Race” girls come through along with some amazing girls from spots out of town like Asbury Park. What about the night do you think has just clicked with everyone? What’s next for The Only Productions? Bob the Drag Queen created LookQueen a few years back, before “Drag Race” to provide a platform for queens to come out and try a new look or a new number that maybe wouldn't work at your everyday drag show and I think that is what has been, at its core, the appeal of look queen. Then after “Drag Race” Bob and I created The Only Productions. We put on a major party called Bloodbath for Halloween and then a few big events since then. LookQueen is our weekly Drag event. The Only Productions has a lot in store and upcoming projects. Right now we're working on securing a space for a weekly dance party which I think will be pretty epic!
“Purse First” was one of the hottest club stompers of last summer. Tell me about the process of you and Season Eight “RuPaul’s Drag Race” winner Bob the Drag Queen turning that into dance floor magic! Before Bob left for “Drag Race”, he had seen me working on a remix of a song on my computer. He asked me what I was doing and then asked if I could help him make a song. This is when DJ Johnny Dynell's voice popped into my head saying that I should make original content, so I immediately said yes to Bob. We started working on a song but never finished it because she got the call to go to “Drag Race”. When she got back she told me to scrap what we had been working on and to start on a new song called “Purse First”. She is literally one of the funniest Queens I know, and a constant inspiration. She explained what it meant to walk into a room purse first, which I thought was genius and hysterical. Then she explained the type of beats and sounds that she wanted and I got to work. When I think of a Bob performance I get the feeling of 'legendary' and 'epic' so I tried to incorporate some beats into the song that represented that feeing. Then as we progressed, we added lyrics and she incorporated the sub-theme of consumerism along with self-confidence; she's a genius. I had no idea at the time how big “Purse First” would be. I'm very grateful to have been a part of it and that so many people found it to be entertaining.
You now have collaborated with the four New York City queens (Peppermint, Alexis Michelle, Sasha Velour and Aja) from Season Nine of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and just released “C.L.A.T.” which is an ode to classic New York City. Tell me about working with four of these talented ladies. The song “C.L.A.T.” was Peppermint's idea. She called me up one day and pitched the idea to me and in that moment, I felt very validated for my work on “Purse First” and I was also so excited to work with her and the New York girls. I'll never forget that moment. Working with the Season Nine New York City girls has been so much fun! It's so cool to take four completely different personalities and combine them into one major ode to New York City.
You have worked with some amazing queens on some tracks, and continue to work with them weekly. Who’s on your wish list of ladies to work with next? I mean, if it's a wish list, I'm going to wish for the ultimate queen of queens — mother RuPaul herself. She would be the ultimate queen to make a song with!
What’s next for Mitch Ferrino? I have a few projects in the works, but stay tuned; there's some beautiful new Drag music that I'm constructing now that's coming out very, very soon. I'm super excited about it! I'm also DJing 4th of July Twirl Tea Dance at Sip N Twirl in Fire Island Pines so I'm really excited about that too!!
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Photo 2 by Mikhail Torich