10 Questions with Callie Reiff

Callie Reiff: Oh my gosh, that one really takes me back… let’s go back, back to the beginning. Shoutout Hilary Duff. What’s funny is I made that record with a friend when I was DJing at Webster Hall and Skrillex wanted to hear my music. It didn’t really pick up streaming wise until a few years later when it got added to the Beast Mode playlist on Spotify. I like to imagine all these jacked up people working out to that song.. when I made it, I was 16-ish and definitely not jacked. *Laughs*.

I started off as a DJ before I was producing. Once I began playing shows, people kept asking me where my music was. I had no idea what I wanted to make, so I downloaded Ableton and just started experimenting. The early stuff was terrible, but I still listen to those demos sometimes. It’s fun to hear where it all started.

It’s been a long process, but I feel really grateful for how everything’s evolved. There will always be a bit of “Tin Machine” in me. I’ll always make music with that high energy, sweaty club vibe, hoping for some proper head banging moments in the crowd.

CR: Yes Spencyr! You're officially a Crazy Girl now! Thank you!!

That song was inspired by the parties I’ve been throwing in NYC and the wild, fun energy in those rooms. It’s really about letting go, dancing however you want.. silly or serious. I know it sounds cheesy, but I wanted it to make people feel hot and confident while listening to it. That’s the goal.

CR: Thank you! Honestly, it’s been such a blast building this with my best friend and creating a community around it. Even though it wasn’t in NYC, my recent shows at Red Rocks with Deadmau5 felt totally surreal.

I’d tell my younger self to just be present and try not to rush anything.

CR: Webster Hall, 125 E 11th Street. That place is where everything started taking shape for me. I got to DJ there every weekend starting at 15.

And as the great Addison Rae once said, “Drop my bags at the Bowery Hotel, next stop the club, I’m a dance whore… kick drum… chew gum.” Poetic.

CR: My first time playing there, I thought the CDJ was broken and panicked. Turns out the sync button was on and I had no clue what that was because I’d learned on vinyl and turntables.

After that, I always show up over prepared. I bring extra USBs, expect things to go wrong, and make sure I can handle any mixer. The biggest thing I've learned is that being able to read the room and crowd is crucial.

CR: Mau P has been really inspiring lately, I love how his sound keeps evolving. Some other artists I’ve been into recently are Mgna Crrrta, Umru, Fresh Hex, Mura Masa, Oklou, and Fcukers.

CR: Deadmau5. Skrillex. Or… Tchaikovsky.

CR: It’s a strange time. No one fully knows the answer I think, which is kind of exciting and kind of chaotic. On the downside, everyone’s attention spans (mine included) are pretty fried.

[On the other hand], it’s cool seeing DJs who’ve been working for years finally get a break thanks to one “viral” video or track. It’s definitely a bit scary that you have to catch someone’s attention in seconds. But I’ve also seen more people, even in my own friend group, discovering dance music, clubs, etc through TikTok or reels. That makes me really happy. It means more people are getting exposed to music and culture they might not have found otherwise.

CR: *Laughs*. I love me trying to become a yogi. The 2025 update is: I have not mastered that.

Non-music related is tough, but I do love tapping into the fashion or film side of things and I want to work with more brands or create my own merch line soon. I think staying active is really important for my brain, so I try to do pilates or running too. My friend Audrey is good at meditating and has sent me some links to check out, so maybe I should give that a go next.

CR: That all we do is press buttons. We sometimes dance too! (This joke is for all my dad joke lovers out there, love you guys)

CR: More original music finally! And hopefully a ton of shows. Can’t wait to keep it going.