We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Eric Ross a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Eric , thanks for joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I learned the art of beat mixing music at a young age of 16 in NY. I had a “Boom Box” with 4 tape decks, 8 speakers and an Alarm system. We would take the Plastic covers off the tape decks and use the back of a pencil to speed up or slow down cassettes to beat match. Of course, it wasn’t the smoothest process, but it worked. From that point I was introduced to Turntables at underground party events. Vinyl started to become my next passion and learning to beat match disco records. Of course, there were countless train wreaks, sneaker in the dryers, but eventually it clicked, and the transitions become smoother and smoother. The skills most essential were understanding the music, counting the beats 8, 16, 32 bars in your head while beatmatching.   Also, mentally you had to be strong.   It was the ability to persevere through the train wreaks with a live audience. A total determination to become the best at mixing & the strength not to give a shit what other people thought during the learning process. The mental aspect pushed me to learn keep on keeping on and to learn the fundamental skills needed to work the vinyl for a proper mix. The only Obstacles that stood in the way of my learning during the younger years was my attitude. If I got mad, embarrassed, or just plain quit in the middle of a mix, these were the big obstacles.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

To be honest, I got into the industry because I would party and travel from Illegal Rave to Illegal Rave. It was during the mid-90s dance music scene and hanging around the many artist/producers known as “famous’ today, but were not yet known on that level. I was in Orlando Fl during the whole British Invasion when Kimball Collins brought in Sasha/Digweed, and other British Influencers with whom I was able to be around, absorb their knowledge and skill sets. Then of course the famous island of IBIZA in the late 90s was a massive influence. My first live Dj break was actually in Orland Fl. with Kimball Collins. He allowed me to open one of his nights called Bad Disco at Barbarella in Downtown Orlando.  We played the best of underground disco for club goers.  Kimball was by far the best programmer of music sets and his Dance Music nights at the famed AHHZ Club became legend’s. From there I ended up in Chicago where I was able to establish my brand, image and production as I attended Loyola University.  I was part of the driving force for the Progressive House music in Chicago in the 2000s. I was also blessed to have played alongside Chicago House Music Legends like Derrick Carter, Mark Farina, Heather, Collette, Mark Grant and countless others. From that jump off point, I went Global and ended up In Los Angeles for a while where I worked on developing my sound and underground label I started ( SQ1 The Underground) My original label which I started in Chicago back in 2000 was taken over by my producer/artist friend Jon Little aka BravO. Soniquarium has just recently returned to releasing vinyl and John has grown the label with great success as he relocated to Los Angeles in 2016.

My brand is very simple,  to produce and bring the best in underground music with deep vibes. Simple as that. I am not a commercial music producer or artist nor am I interested in going down that road even though my chances of being signed to a major label would increase. I enjoy being a “taste maker” and seeing the reaction from crowds when I play a club, festival or event. When they connect with the music that isn’t popular on the radio or even known to most of them. When the energy is positive and the crowd is flowing to the set, that is the best feeling that money can’t buy.

I have many “Clients” around the world, mainly clubs I play or events I do. I also like to give back to the community that I live in. Dallas’s Bishop Arts Community is a great community and from time to time you can hear me play at venues in the area like Casablanca or my second office La Reunion Coffee bar.  I bring that that Organic House and Deep Techno vibe to my hood. I also run two radio shows; Deep Transmission L.A. broadcast on FM stations in Germany and Internet stream via Studio Sounds Radio.com. I am also a resident artist on Ibiza Stardust Radio, broadcasted out of the beautiful Balearic Island of IBIZA on Ibiza Stardust Radio. com. I also score Indi films from time to time which is very enjoyable.

Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

Smart Contracts are going to be a driving force in the Art Industry.  Music will be a big part of the blockchain as proven by Steve Aoki and his NFT/Music Collection.  I am heavily involved in digital assets such as crypto currencies as well as NFTs. I sit on the board of a Dallas Start Up that is working with the Dfinity Web 3 Blockchain and creating virtual high end art auctions.  I like what Steve Aoki did with his NFTs and the collection he created as a basic model for all artist.  NFTs will bring in more revenue based on fans than any other platform for artist. In fact, I predict that Spotify, Apple Music et all will not be the force in music sales in the future. The PayScale from those platforms, especially Spotify, is a joke for artist. NFTs will allow artist to expand their revenue streams and take back control of their Art while controlling the major interest and royalties. NFTs are just one aspect, as there is the Metaverse and “Metaverse” concerts, events, clubs will be another game change for the Music Industry. Decentralized or close to Decentralized Music Industry is great for ‘unsigned’ and signed artist.  There is going to be a major disruption int the old system used by the Music Industry as the blockchain continues to be adopted.

Is there a mission driving your creative journey?

Mental and Internal Healing. Bottom line. Music is energy and very powerful. Like any “force” it can be used for Good or Bad. My mission is to bring the positive side of that dual world. To help people heal through a musical event or musical journey from my radio shows. Music is very powerful and can influence emotions. The more I can help people smile and heal from whatever trauma they have had or just to add an additional layer of happiness and an higher vibration to an already positive situation is the greatest driving force for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: Sq1theundergound.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djericross/
• Other: 
• https://www.beatport.com/label/sq1/61558 
• https://open.spotify.com/artist/4wQ9wJV8pOK9PWWJTLqOSQ
• https://www.studiosoundsradio.com/eric-ross/
• https://ibizastardustradio.com/#ericross