Rimarkable, an NYC-based, Detroit native DJ, producer, and New York University adjunct professor, came to town for February’s edition of House Proud, a monthly event at Beast Barbecue. With decades of experience and deep crates to select from, Rimarkable laid down a set of uplifting house that is sure to stave off the February blues.

We chatted with Rimarkable about her background and intentions for the mix. Read a transcript of the interview, edited for length and clarity, below:

How did house music get introduced to your life?

I grew up during its infancy. As it was developing, I was developing, and we just grew up together

What does house music mean to you?

House music is a place of salvation and safety. I like to think a lot of the fundamentals of house music derived from the church and the people that influence house music and created house music were people that weren't typically supported in those spaces. House music developed a culture where people that were considered outcasts could be safe and feel saved by the spirit of the music, the vibration of the music.

What made you want to become a DJ?

I was always naturally a DJ, I just didn't know it. I used to make what old school DJs call “pause mix tapes” from the radio. Basically, you wait for your favorite song to come on, and you hit record from the radio, and then you pause it in a certain spot so it'll blend into the next one. I was just doing that instinctively, and I had a massive collection of these pause tapes for my own enjoyment. I had some friends that caught wind of it, and I got known for my tapes. The summer between my freshman and sophomore year of college, I didn't want to go back home. So, I found an ad in my school paper for a company hiring DJs. I bullshitted my way through the interview and became a DJ and was taught how to do everything from the ground up.

What have been some of the most gratifying moments for you as a DJ?

The most gratifying moments are when people let me know how they've been moved or blessed by the work that I'm doing. I don't want to be in a place where I'm thinking, “oh, I've achieved this, I played at this festival.” I'm actually leaving behind those ideas, that ideology about where we're supposed to be in our career, you know? I'm circling back to the elements of the culture, which is this. Making this music, this connective tissue, and impacting people's lives.

People are sick. The world is crazy. When people reach out to me and tell me how I saved them, or they were going through a tough time, or they're really inspired by my work, that’s the highlight. That's everything that lets me know I'm doing the right thing and I'm staying on the right path.

What do you have in store for us today?

Today, I'm gonna give you a one hour set of a journey through house music. I might play some unreleased tracks, if that's cool. I am just gonna give you a taste of something… remarkable.

Follow Rimarkable on Instagram to stay up to date with her events.

Stay tuned for new mixes on Carbon Sound every other Wednesday. If you’re a DJ and want to be considered for the series, email a mix of yours to jgreen@mpr.org.

Track IDs

Art Of Tones - I Just (Can't Get Over It) (Terrence Parker Remix)
Colau - Thats New (Saison Extended Remix)
DJ E-Clyps - Pinky Toe Disco
Guri Guri Boys & Aaron K Gray  - Fiyah (Original Mix)
B Rocka  - Ba Dop
Ninetoes - Nose (Original Mix)
Waajeed  - After You Left
Rimarkable - Think Of Me With Summers Light (Stefan Braatz - Touch From A Distance Mix)
Seven Davis Jr.  - I Should Be In Japan
Henrik Schwarz - Synthphonica Urano Beatz (Original Mix)
Gershon Jackson  - Take It Easy (Mike Dunn Blackball Ezee Mixx)
Dennis Ferrer - Sinfonia Della Notte (Original Mix)
Tobirus Mozelle & The SyntheTigers - F.U.N. (Feel U Now)
Soulfreakah - A cure for heartache. (Original Mix)
Kai Alcé - Power Thru Pt 3 (Mush's Sax Dub)
Rimarkable - Speak Lord (In the Big Room Mix)