About me
Stephen Ferris – Biography
Stephen, the first DJ and eldest of Sydney’s famous Ferris brothers (dubbed “our Cosa Nostra” by UK soul DJ Norman Jay) started his career in San Francisco in the late 70’s. It was this sojourn to the US that introduced him to what was to become his lifelong passion – soul – be it fashioned in disco, funk, hip-hop, latin, house, jazz or pop.
He arrived back in Sydney in the early 80’s and rejected the prevalent European trends of new wave, romanticism and gothic promoting a funk night at “The Watermelon Club” with his long term collaborator Andy Glitre. Opening in Kings Cross in 1982 on a Monday night, the pair soon outgrew the venue, and moved to The Berlin Club at Jamieson Street playing to a Tuesday night crowd of 1,500 weekly.
From 1984 – 1988 Stephen fronted pop/funk band Flotsam Jetsam. The band enjoyed considerable success releasing five singles and an EP, touring extensively throughout the country, and supporting major overseas acts A-Ha, Queen and Simply Red. Towards the late 80’s Stephen was back as an influential DJ in both the club scene and the emerging dance party scene appearing at the R.A.T., Fun, Mardi Gras,and Sweatbox parties at the Hordern Pavilion and Royal Hall of Industries culminating with the ‘end of the decade’ R.A.T. party with Grace Jones and 20,000 strong crowd.
The late 80’s also saw Stephen move into radio with his national dance show “The Rhythm Method” broadcast on Triple J on Saturday nights successfully until 1993.
In the early 90’s he started promoting the hugely successful “All Souled Out” – Wednesday at Rogues attracting performances by Sisters Sledge, Thelma Houston, Diana King and KC (without his Sunshine Band!). It was the club of choice for private parties for visitors such as Prince, Prince Albert of Monaco, Jose Carreras, and Gerard Depardieu. During this time he also wrote a monthly column for Juice magazine, Rhythm Method.
A collaboration with his brother John in 1999 produced the soundtrack for the City of Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Throughout the 90’s whilst continuing his club DJ work (see below for details), he emerged as the DJ of choice for any important Sydney social occasion from Bryan Brown & Sam Neill’s 50th Birthday party to a private party for Bill Gates’ visit to James Packer’s wedding. Recently he has been responsible for the success of functions for corporate clients such as Armani, Givenchy, Sony, Austereo, Channel 7, Universal, Columbia Tristar, Village Roadshow, Murdoch Magazines, Clemenger, Macquarie Bank, News Ltd BMW, Mercedes Benz, Fashion Week, NRL, Boston Consulting, Chanel, Warners, Foxtel, Bentley and Benetton amongst others for jobs from film premieres and wrap parties to fashion collections and launches.
Clubs that have showcased Stephen’s unique DJ-ing talent over the years include Kinselas, Soho, Spagos, Hip Hop Club, Kommotion, Ozone, Freezer, Q Bar, Embassy, Goodbar, Home and Yu. He has worked alongside international DJ’s Frankie Knuckles, Paul Oakenfeld, Graham Park, Mike Pickering, Norman Jay, Gilles Peterson and Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim), all of whom speak highly and respectfully of his skill. DJ supports include; Fatboy Slim, Scissor Sisters, Norman Jay, Franie Knuckles, INXS and Grace Jones to name a few. Back to radio in 2000 with All Souled Out at Rhythm FM which built a solid following, seconded to sister station Kiss FM in Melbourne for a short stint in 2001.
FBi 94.5fm beckoned in 2003 and has since held down the morning shift WED to FRI with regular segments including Theatre with Terry Serio “Funk Flashback” with Josh Beagley and the recently podcasting Rugby League hit “Fire Up!” with Brett Oaten. Also moonlighting on James Valentine’s afternoon show on ABC 702 as a musical guest host.
And his penultimate gig, the annual school disco at Darlinghust Public School with the toughest audience in the world, his son and his school mates.
Stephen, the first DJ and eldest of Sydney’s famous Ferris brothers (dubbed “our Cosa Nostra” by UK soul DJ Norman Jay) started his career in San Francisco in the late 70’s. It was this sojourn to the US that introduced him to what was to become his lifelong passion – soul – be it fashioned in disco, funk, hip-hop, latin, house, jazz or pop.
He arrived back in Sydney in the early 80’s and rejected the prevalent European trends of new wave, romanticism and gothic promoting a funk night at “The Watermelon Club” with his long term collaborator Andy Glitre. Opening in Kings Cross in 1982 on a Monday night, the pair soon outgrew the venue, and moved to The Berlin Club at Jamieson Street playing to a Tuesday night crowd of 1,500 weekly.
From 1984 – 1988 Stephen fronted pop/funk band Flotsam Jetsam. The band enjoyed considerable success releasing five singles and an EP, touring extensively throughout the country, and supporting major overseas acts A-Ha, Queen and Simply Red. Towards the late 80’s Stephen was back as an influential DJ in both the club scene and the emerging dance party scene appearing at the R.A.T., Fun, Mardi Gras,and Sweatbox parties at the Hordern Pavilion and Royal Hall of Industries culminating with the ‘end of the decade’ R.A.T. party with Grace Jones and 20,000 strong crowd.
The late 80’s also saw Stephen move into radio with his national dance show “The Rhythm Method” broadcast on Triple J on Saturday nights successfully until 1993.
In the early 90’s he started promoting the hugely successful “All Souled Out” – Wednesday at Rogues attracting performances by Sisters Sledge, Thelma Houston, Diana King and KC (without his Sunshine Band!). It was the club of choice for private parties for visitors such as Prince, Prince Albert of Monaco, Jose Carreras, and Gerard Depardieu. During this time he also wrote a monthly column for Juice magazine, Rhythm Method.
A collaboration with his brother John in 1999 produced the soundtrack for the City of Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Throughout the 90’s whilst continuing his club DJ work (see below for details), he emerged as the DJ of choice for any important Sydney social occasion from Bryan Brown & Sam Neill’s 50th Birthday party to a private party for Bill Gates’ visit to James Packer’s wedding. Recently he has been responsible for the success of functions for corporate clients such as Armani, Givenchy, Sony, Austereo, Channel 7, Universal, Columbia Tristar, Village Roadshow, Murdoch Magazines, Clemenger, Macquarie Bank, News Ltd BMW, Mercedes Benz, Fashion Week, NRL, Boston Consulting, Chanel, Warners, Foxtel, Bentley and Benetton amongst others for jobs from film premieres and wrap parties to fashion collections and launches.
Clubs that have showcased Stephen’s unique DJ-ing talent over the years include Kinselas, Soho, Spagos, Hip Hop Club, Kommotion, Ozone, Freezer, Q Bar, Embassy, Goodbar, Home and Yu. He has worked alongside international DJ’s Frankie Knuckles, Paul Oakenfeld, Graham Park, Mike Pickering, Norman Jay, Gilles Peterson and Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim), all of whom speak highly and respectfully of his skill. DJ supports include; Fatboy Slim, Scissor Sisters, Norman Jay, Franie Knuckles, INXS and Grace Jones to name a few. Back to radio in 2000 with All Souled Out at Rhythm FM which built a solid following, seconded to sister station Kiss FM in Melbourne for a short stint in 2001.
FBi 94.5fm beckoned in 2003 and has since held down the morning shift WED to FRI with regular segments including Theatre with Terry Serio “Funk Flashback” with Josh Beagley and the recently podcasting Rugby League hit “Fire Up!” with Brett Oaten. Also moonlighting on James Valentine’s afternoon show on ABC 702 as a musical guest host.
And his penultimate gig, the annual school disco at Darlinghust Public School with the toughest audience in the world, his son and his school mates.